Erin on the Issues
Leadership by Community
A life-long resident, I grew up in a hardworking union family, and have deep respect for the balance needed to advance our town responsibly. I am deeply connected to what makes Dedham a great place to live in — a strong sense of community, civic engagement, and town pride. Now, as a parent of three children, a working professional, a Town Meeting Member, and a caregiver, I see the opportunities and challenges facing Dedham and I want move forward with positive solutions that benefit the whole community.
A Financially Healthy Community
Dedham is in an admirable financial and budgetary position: we are one of only a few towns in Norfolk County with a AAA credit rating, and we had the foresight to address long term financial obligations early on by fully funding our future pension liabilities and meeting increasing staff health insurance obligations — but there is more we can and should continue to do for the financial benefit of our residents. As a public policy expert, I have worked to identify and secure federal and state programs that provide money to fund local town projects and support community needs. I will ensure that Dedham residents’ state and federal tax dollars are coming back to Dedham, helping make a better community for our residents.
A Safe Community
Dedham must continue to prioritize mitigating the risks of our residents, connecting the people and places that make Dedham walkable and livable. Recent safety efforts include the replacement of 85 miles of sidewalks in town. However, we have much more ground to cover. Over the last few years, Dedham has had several fatal pedestrian accidents, ranging from heavily trafficked areas to neighborhood roads shared with community members, pets, cars and bicycles. The issue of traffic safety must be a top community issue.
Public Spaces for All
We are fortunate to have a variety of vibrant spaces for public use and recreation—including the new Town Hall and Council on Aging, school facilities, Wilson Mountain, the Charles River, and the various parks and public spaces throughout the town. As our community grows, so do the demands on these spaces, which fall under the supervision of various town departments and institutions.
I will work to coordinate needs and resources across these various organizations to best serve our town and our vision for the future. We can and should be doing more to support the work of maintaining and expanding public spaces in fiscally responsible ways. This includes supporting Parks and Recreation, the School Committee and state agencies to help facilitate better coordination and investment.
Accessible Housing for All
An intergenerational Dedham is one where individuals of all ages are an integral and valued part of the community. My parents were proud to call Dedham their home as they started their family over 50 years ago. They valued being part of an active community. Now, as a parent myself, it is a privilege to share that strong community experience with my own children, like my parents provided for me.
In more recent years, I’ve seen the challenges my parents faced trying to remain in Dedham. And I know they aren’t alone. Many older adults are struggling to stay in their homes or find suitable, available housing that is affordable. As a community, we need leadership that can assist our olders adults to not only live in Dedham, but to stay connected and engaged in the community.
A Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Community
The diversity of Dedham strengthens our community and our sense of belonging. Our neighbors have a wealth of diverse personal experiences and much value to contribute to our town. It is important to me that town leadership and decision making is accessible to all residents, and equitable in impact. I am committed to creating space for all in our community to belong, inclusive of economics, race, sexuality, gender identity and abilities and to be an engaged and responsive leader. I am committed to decision making informed by our full community.