Braintree Candidate Profile: Meredith Boericke For Town Council

BRAINTREE, MA — November's election will bring some new faces to the Town Council. There's 17 candidates running for nine seats, and five of those races are wide-open.

The District 5 race is among those races with open seats. Town Councilor David Ringius has decided to run for at-large councilor, so Meredith Boericke and Anthony Preston will compete for the open seat.

Patch asked the candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near. Here's a little about Boericke before the Braintree town election on Nov. 5.

Previously on Patch:

• Braintree Candidate Profile: Thomas Reynolds Jr. For Mayor
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Charles Kokoros For Mayor
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Timothy Carey For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Lawrence Mackin For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Julia Flaherty For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: David Ringius For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Steve Sciascia For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Gisca Bonhomme For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Donna Connors For Town Council

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

The need to take ownership of our growth and development.

It’s time we start playing offense rather than defense so developers are playing by our rules and not the other way around. We are more than capable of growing sustainably, equitably and at our own pace. The residents of Braintree should be in control of where, when and how things get built. I know from my career in business that through collaboration and consensus building, winning outcomes are absolutely achievable. So how do we get there?

• Support a new master plan, as a collective vision for our community. We need a road map for where we want to go and a plan for how we are going to get there; and it needs to be a community-wide conversation.
• Ensure we never again fall below the state’s 10% mandate on affordable housing, which opens the door to high-density 40B developments. We need to make sure all new developments are required to have affordable units or, as discussed by the residents’ working group, pay into an affordable housing trust. In Braintree, affordability criteria begins at a four-person household income of $90,000. This requirement is about making home ownership accessible to our public servants, our older residents and veterans who may be on fixed incomes, or adults just starting out in the work force. Critically, it would eliminate the threat of 40B developments, which bypass nearly all local zoning ordinances and take away Braintree’s control over our growth. Additionally, meeting the state’s requirements would also save the town hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees fighting 40B developments — money that could be spent improving our parks, roads and schools.

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

I have more than two decades of business experience to bring to the council. I began my career working for a small, family-run company. This opened my eyes to the important role local government plays in making it easy for small businesses to start, thrive and stay in communities. Today, I work for a large public company, leading the business analytics and planning team. From budget management to strategy development, I have a proven track record of building consensus to drive results.

I have more than 15 years of volunteer and advocacy work in town, listening to people’s needs and finding solutions. I was a member of Braintree’s former Fair Housing Committee. I am also a member of the Friends of the Thayer Public Library, Sustainable Braintree, and the Braintree Chapter of Moms Demand Action. As a parent of a child with a disability, I have long been a champion of disability rights. I was a member of Braintree’s Integrated Preschool PTO, and
Braintree’s Special Education Parents’ Advisory Council (SEPAC). Additionally, I have worked with the Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England and Boston Children’s Hospital to raise awareness and create support systems. Advocacy requires respect, empathy and action. All three have been a consistent part of my volunteer work and will also inform my work for my constituents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Funding our High School. The quality of the public schools reflects the values of a community. As a parent of two children in the Braintree Public Schools and as a resident, I know this town cares deeply about education. Having secured funding for East and South Middle Schools – huge accomplishments! – we need to turn our attention to the High School. As many of us know, Braintree High is in dire need of renovation and repair. Modernizing the heating and cooling systems, upgrading science equipment, refurbishing lights on the fields, assuring accessibility, and boosting technology are just a few of crucial elements that need attention. As a town councilor, approving the budget is a key responsibility. I will work with the School Committee, the Braintree Education Association, parents and residents to prioritize funding for the high school, so we can give our teachers, staff and kids the academic and athletic environment they deserve.

Clear Communication coming out of town hall. It seems simple, but the truth is effective communication requires planning and dialogue. As a town councilor, my responsibilities are to arm you with information and give you a voice. I have pledged to hold weekly office hours so residents know where and when to find me to talk face to face. I have also pledged to hold quarterly district-wide forums so you always know what is going on at Town Hall and so you have an opportunity to share your concerns and share ideas. You’ve seen me out in the district for the last seven months and you will continue to see me in your neighborhood once I’m in office.

You can learn more about my other priorities at meredithbforbraintree.com.

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

In my career working for Dunkin’ Brands, when I see a way to improve business outcomes, I take action. I helped develop the Demand Planning Department and then built the team to support it. Day-in-and-day-out, my work includes many of the same skills needed in the council: managing budgets and assessing financial risk, developing contingency plans and collaborating across multiple departments to drive results. Like many of our town-wide efforts, the heart of my work is about building consensus to achieve a common goal.

When I served on Braintree’s Fair Housing Committee, I took action. We worked with state and federal agencies to ensure first time home buyers in Braintree had the resources they needed
to enter into the housing market and settle in Braintree. Making people’s lives easier and helping them achieve their goals is what local government is all about. It was my guiding principle as a member of the Fair Housing Committee and will remain so as a town councilor.

And just last fall, when I discovered the after-school orchestra program was no longer funded, I took action. I worked with the program director and Dr. Hackett, the School Superintendent, and made the case for reinstating and funding this integral after-school program. I’m proud to say that through determination and the unwavering commitment of the school department, this program was revived last January, enhancing arts education for our middle school students.

When, as a new parent of a child born with Spina Bifida, I found no structured program for parents to navigate the unexpected terrain of disability, I took action. Working collaboratively with the Spina Bifida Association of Massachusetts and Boston Children’s Hospital, I created a mentorship program, pairing new parents of children with Spina Bifida with adults living with Spina Bifida. The result has been decades-long relationships that have provided guidance and hope.

Whether in business or in town, when I see a need, I devise a solution. I am passionate about bringing this worldview to you and to the council.

What's your favorite thing about Braintree?

The Thayer Public Library. To me, the library represents Braintree itself: it’s innovative in its offerings, it’s modern while maintaining its classic sense of place, it values learning and new ideas, and it welcomes everyone. The only thing missing is Sunday hours! In my opinion, it’s one of the best spots in town.

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

My great-grandparents immigrated to Braintree in the late 1890s. Since that time, my family has been living, working and raising our children in this community. I care deeply about where Braintree has been and about where we are going. This is not a job to be taken lightly. Local government matters. We interact with it every single day and I am committed to making sure it is working for you.

I announced my candidacy back in March and since then have been working hard to earn your vote. I’ve walked over 200 miles, going door-to-door through all the neighborhoods in District 5. I have personally spoken to more than 1,000 residents, learning what matters most to you. In fact, I have already been working with residents and neighborhoods to get answers and devise solutions. Whether getting updates on a potential new development in South Braintree Square or being proactive about how we can quickly clear ice and snow from the foot path between Liberty School and Evergreen Avenue, I report to you and my number one priority is representing your interests.

It would be an honor to represent the residents of District 5 and I respectfully ask for your vote on November 5th.

If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact me by phone, text or e-mail: 339-235-8807 or meredithbforbraintree@gmail.com