Town Elections will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Town Offices, 139 Stage Road, 7 am - 7 pm

My priorities are:

• Improving communication between Town Departments, Boards and the community
• Hiring and retaining well qualified town employees
• Updating the Master Plan to balance thoughtful growth & the needs of residents with the preservation of our open spaces and clean water
• Supporting our public schools, students, and teachers
• Using my experience on the Budget Committee to help craft responsible Town and School budgets, keeping in mind the ever-increasing burden on middle and working class taxpayers
• Avoiding the "penny-wise, pound foolish' patchwork approach to infrastructure needs, and continue using the more cost-effective Facilities Management plan to maintain town buildings and assets, saving taxpayer money
• Using my professional grant writing skills to research funding opportunities
• Providing more comprehensive services, and tax relief, to our senior citizens

Candidate Questions

Question 1: Are there any decisions the Board of Selectmen has made in the past one to three years that you would have decided differently from what the board ended up deciding? If so, what are they, and why would you have decided differently?

Charlotte:

This is a challenging question to answer. In general, I dislike second guessing or being a “Monday morning quarterback” about decisions made by others, when I myself am not privy to all the facts - some of which may be confidential, and rightly so.

Nottingham has had a period of profound change over the last few years: the turnover of Town Adminstrators; loss of key Town employees, and the difficulty of attracting, retaining and supporting qualified staff in all departments.

But change is inevitable, and I believe the Select Boards have done their best, as citizen-volunteers, to help manage the town. If there is one thing that stands out to me it would be improved communication between the Boards, Committees and the public - as well as more participation by voters. But I commend the Select Board and our present TA for their efforts to improve access to public meetings through the soon-to-be installed recording and audio equipment, internet and WiFi - making meetings and participation in Town Government more accessible to all.

Question 2: What do you think are the biggest challenges facing Nottingham over the next few years? What do you think Nottingham should do to face these challenges?

Charlotte:

Communication / hiring, retaining and supporting qualified Town and School employees / maintaining infrastructure / relieving the increasing tax burden on property owners / planning for growth and affordability of housing.

• We’re facing challenging times, but also opportunities to create modernized, efficient, and cost-effective services.
• I’d like to see our Town website improved and updated.
• I’d like to reach out to our State Representatives to help stop the downshifting of costs onto the backs of local taxpayers. Business and growth are important, but must be balanced with the real world needs of working class and middle income residents.
• I want to help create Town and School budgets that are lean and efficient, but realistic.
• I have ideas about creative incentives to attract well-qualified Town and School employees such as: childcare assistance; safe, attractive facilities; and supportive work environments.
• Explore responsible, affordable housing solutions for seniors and working families by expanding ADUs and the rehabilitation of existing housing.
• I’d like to use my professional grant writing skills to research creative funding and investment sources.

Thank you for your interest in Town Government! I am asking for your vote on March 11th!