Braintree Candidate Profile: Lisa Fiske Heger For Mayor

BRAINTREE, MA — With Mayor Joseph Sullivan not seeking reelection, four candidates have emerged and will run to be Braintree's second ever mayor. In preparation for September's preliminary election, Braintree Patch asked the candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

First up is candidate and School Committee chair Lisa Fiske Heger:

Are you running for office in Braintree? Contact Jimmy Bentley at jimmy.bentley@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Braintree Patch

Previously on Patch:

• Braintree Candidate Profile: Charles Kokoros For Mayor
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Thomas Bowes For Mayor
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Thomas Reynolds Jr. For Mayor

The single most pressing issue facing Braintree is _______, and this is what do you intend to do about it?

I believe that the single most pressing issue facing Braintree is the need to develop a vision for the town. We need to decide what needs to be done in the next year to put us on the right path to achieving our long term goals. We need to track progress and make adjustments as needed to keep us on the right trajectory.

If elected, I would engage with our community to determine where we all want Braintree to be in five or 10 years. I would then work with town leadership to create a plan with measurable goals and milestones to both ensure that we achieve our vision and to create greater accountability to residents.

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

There are several things that differentiate me from the other candidates in the mayoral race.

The most prominent difference is that I have had a 34 year career in the private sector working in global financial services and project management. I have managed projects through every stage of development (from inception to completion), consistently delivered solutions on time and on budget, and collaborated with team members and clients with a variety of backgrounds across the globe. I know how to bring a team together and get the job done.

I also understand that the schools are vitally important to residents — and rightly so! Continuing to offer our children a high quality education and improving our school infrastructure is something I am very passionate about and that I feel uniquely positioned to lead because of the eight years I have spent on the School Committee.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

My campaign platform is T.E.A.M. - Transparency, Education and Environment, Appreciation, and Management.

Transparency: As mayor, one of the cornerstones of my administration would be increased transparency in town government. It is vital that the mayor is fully accountable to the residents by keeping them apprised of the latest developments in town projects and soliciting and listening to their input. If elected, I will share regular updates with the community, ensure sound financial management, and make myself available to residents both via email and through open office hours at Town Hall.

Education: As my own children can attest, Braintree Public Schools offers an outstanding education to its students. We continue to attract and retain highly qualified and talented teachers and staff members. I plan to maintain this educational excellence for future generations of students.

I am proud of the work accomplished by the School Building Committee and the School Committee, partnering with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on the two middle school projects and the energy savings (ESCO) project, with NORESCO benefiting all six elementary schools, MSKC and BHS. But, there is a lot more work to be done.

A Statement of Interest (SOI) was submitted to the MSBA in April for a high school project identifying the existing building deficiencies. This is the second year in a row that the School Committee has submitted an SOI for BHS. The process is extremely competitive and the two middle school projects are in progress. We will be notified in December if we are invited into the eligibility phase in 2020. I believe it would be irresponsible not to exhaust all attempts at working with the MSBA.

Improving school facilities and infrastructure, while also being financially prudent, would be one of my highest priorities. Our public school system is extremely important to this community and residents want to support it.

Environment: I am committed to protecting the environment, conserving energy and living sustainably. I will work to advance green initiatives such as renewable energy, conservation, and open space.

I have gained an education from the Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station (FRRACS) over the past few months. The effects on the health and safety of our neighbors and children is extremely concerning. I believe Braintree MUST stand in opposition of the Compressor Station along with our neighbors Weymouth, Quincy and Hingham.

Appreciation: One of my favorite things about Braintree is that each person brings something different and special to the town. I believe that we should embrace cultural diversity as well as increase inclusion of those with special needs and disabilities.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive town. There are always opportunities to expand inclusion. It just makes us better.

Management: Braintree is facing some challenges, but I firmly believe we can turn these challenges into opportunities through effective management.

I believe if we design a strategic plan we can address major issues currently facing our town including managing growth on our terms, re-zoning, addressing Chapter 40B affordable-housing, providing age restricted housing, calming traffic, and improving infrastructure. We do not want Braintree to be citified. Our town has a tight-knit feel that we all want to preserve and should be an important consideration in any action taken.

I support the work being done by the resident Zoning Working Group (ZWG) and look forward to their recommendation for changes to the proposed Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.

I oppose Chapter 40R which seeks to establish smart growth development through new overlay zoning districts. I do not agree with the Governor's Housing Choice Bill which proposes allowing changes to zoning rules with a simple majority vote rather than a two-thirds vote by the Town Council.

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

Our next mayor needs to be someone who can both effectively lead teams and projects as well as address our school infrastructure needs.

I think that my 34 year career in global financial services where I have managed projects through every stage of development, consistently delivered solutions on time and on budget, and collaborated with team members and clients with a variety of backgrounds uniquely qualifies me to handle the rigors of the mayor's office on a day-to-day basis.

I also have eight years of experience on the School Committee. I have served on the Finance and Operations subcommittee during the entirety of my two terms reviewing and overseeing the $70 million school budget as well as serving on the collective bargaining negotiations team with the Braintree Education Association for the last two contracts. Additionally, during my tenure as Chair of the School Committee and as a member of the School Building Committee, we have partnered with the MSBA on two new much-needed middle schools. While nothing would be possible without teamwork, I am proud to have led on this initiative.

What's your favorite thing about Braintree?

My favorite thing about Braintree is our community! I moved to town 28 years ago for the proximity to work and family, the excellent school system, and the low tax rate, but I have stayed because of the people. We have so many wonderful, involved residents who love our town and I think that is something that sets us apart.

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

As I have been canvassing neighborhoods and hosting coffees, a recurring question that comes up is "Why are you running?" While I enjoy my career in the private sector and pride myself at being very good at what I do (managing projects, budgets, teams, and timelines), working for a financial services company gives me little satisfaction. I am making money for a large corporation and its CEO. Serving on the School Committee has been how I have been able to give back to my community and it has been incredibly gratifying; however, I want to use my skill set to serve my community in a larger role to ensure that the voices of residents are heard and that we strike a balance between economic prosperity and our tight-knit small town feel.