Marlborough Candidate Profile: Sean Navin For Ward 6 City Council

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough will have several contested races in the November election, including the Ward 6 City Councilor seat. Framingham Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing their responses as election day draws near.

Ward 6 candidate Sean Navin, 36, is the director of intergovernmental affairs for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, and is a graduate of Marlborough Public Schools. This is his first political race, and he's facing Michael Cabral for the seat being vacated by City Councilor Edward J. Clancy.

Here's how Navin responded to the Marlborough Patch candidate questionnaire:

1) The single most pressing issue facing Marlborough is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The biggest issue facing our city is our development and the way that we continue to grow. Our city’s expansion and development impacts all facets of our government and the services it provides. Current and future growth affects our schools, roads and traffic, public works, open space, and many other critical services.

As the Ward 6 City Councilor, I will work with the other members of the City Council, the Mayor, and city Department Heads to ensure that our growth is balanced, benefits all residents, and includes mitigation to reduce unintended consequences caused by future projects.

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

For the past 15 years, I have worked across all levels of government, gaining the experience necessary to be an effective City Councilor for the residents of Ward 6. I have developed the skills and understanding to be able to bring people together to get things done.

3) Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

• Invest in our schools to make sure our students are prepared to meet tomorrow's challenges
• Protect our seniors to ensure that they remain a vibrant part of our community
• Focus on our city's infrastructure in order to improve our roadways and help reduce traffic

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

I have spent most of my professional career in public service. Whether overseeing constituent services for our local Congressional Office, working with communities to recover from severe storms and weather emergencies, mitigating constituent concerns regarding large-scale infrastructure improvements, or helping cities and towns to implement new programs that conserve energy and promote green space, I have a strong track record of working on behalf of communities and individual residents to advocate for their interests and address critical concerns. I will do the same as your city councilor.

5) The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Every phone call or message you receive should be returned within 24 hours. Regardless of the ultimate answer, it is important that people know their questions and concerns are heard.

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

I love this city. I am proud of who we are and I'm excited about our future. Even with the city's success over the past decades, I believe that our best days are ahead of us. As we begin the next decade, Marlborough's future is bright and we must work together to build the city that we want to live in. I'm running to be your next City Councilor from Ward 6 because I believe I have the qualifications and experience to represent you at City Hall. I respectfully ask for your vote on Election Day.