Andover Candidate Profile: Laura Gregory For Select Board

ANDOVER, MA — Andover will have two contested races in the June 9 town election, for School Committee and Select Board. Andover Patch asked candidates in those two races to answer questions about their campaigns.

Laura Gregory is running for re-election to the Select Board. She faces a challenge from Stephen Prochniak. Gregory is an attorney and the current chair of the Select Board, which she has sat on since 2017.

Are you running for office in Andover? Contact Christopher Huffaker at chris.huffaker@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Andover Patch.

Previously on Patch: Andover Town Election: Who's Running On June 9

Laura Gregory

Age (as of Election Day)

52

Position Sought

Select Board Member

Party Affiliation

This is a non-partisan election, but I am a registered Democrat.

Family

Husband, Nik, and two daughters, Kate (20) and Sydney (18).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Other than my current position as a member of the Andover Select Board, no.

Education

B.A. in Political Science from Grinnell College (1989); J.D. from University of Iowa, College of Law (1992).

Occupation

I am an attorney, specializing in insurance and bad faith litigation for 27 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I am currently the chair of the Andover Select Board and have been a member of the Select Board since 2017. I was an associate member of the Reading, Massachusetts Zoning Board of Appeals from 1997 to 1999.

Campaign website

https://gregoryforandover.com/

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking re-election to the Andover Select Board to continue to represent the interests of Andover’s residents. The work to improve our community continues, and includes support of school building projects and plans to invest in responsible, long-term financial sustainability that retires long-term debt while maintaining the high level of service Andover residents expect from their town. These issues will be even more critical as we move forward given the impacts of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and its economic effects. I bring experience to those discussions.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Critical decisions will be made in the next three years to support the health of our town for decades to come, and I look forward to an opportunity to continue my leadership role. The impacts of COVID-19 directly and indirectly will continue to impact on Andover and difficult decisions will need to be made. My experience and leadership through the gas crisis as well as the COVID-19 emergency to date will serve me well in continuing to represent the residents of Andover on the Select Board.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My experience on the Select Board, including as the current chair of the Board, has provided me with knowledge and outlook that my opponent doesn't have. Additionally, my knowledge and perspective is enhanced due to my 18 years as a resident in Andover, during which I have been involved in multiple facets of the town and the schools, with my youngest child graduating from AHS this year. Further, my legal experience provides a needed perspective on issues facing the Select Board and the town.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I look forward to continuing the important work in Andover to incentivize businesses to move to or expand within Andover. This is beneficial to our residents because it improves Andover's business tax base, which reduces the residents' tax burden. Another way that I have worked to benefit residents and draw businesses to Andover is through advancing planning and development of the Old Town Yard and Historic Mill District. I look forward to the development of this area - increasing businesses and further enhancing our downtown area, to the benefit of residents and businesses alike.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

During my time on the Board, I worked to bring civility back to the Board, invest in critical facility projects including the new Municipal Services, the new Ballardvale Fire Station, and the renovated Senior Center, navigate the Columbia Gas Crisis and its aftermath, broker the deal to sell water to North Reading, subsidizing Andover infrastructure upgrade costs, advanced planning and development of the Old Town Yard and Historic Mill District, and incentivized businesses to move to or expand within Andover, improving our business tax base. Also, I am currently leading the Select Board during the COVID-19 crisis, including its financial impacts.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

There is a lot happening in the world right now. Our town leadership matters more than ever.
Please take time to vote in Andover’s Town Election on 6/9/2020. Absentee voting options are available for those taking precautions due to COVID-19. Go to www.andoverma.gov/absentee for information.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.