Candidate Profile: Laura Bates For N. Andover Board Of Selectmen

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover will have two contested races in the March 24 town election: School Committee and Board of Selectmen. North Andover Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

Laura Bates is running for the Board of Selectmen. There are four people running for two available seats. Bates faces incumbent Chris Nobile and fellow challengers Lucas Noble and Alissa Koenig. Bates is an engineer running for her first elected office.

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

Previously on Patch: Nine File To Run In North Andover Annual Town Election

Laura Bates

Age (as of Election Day)

40

Position Sought

Selectman

Party Affiliation

Unenrolled

Family

Husband - Dean married 13 years, Children - Jackson (9) and Colton (5)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No one in my family works in politics or government in North Andover. My husband works for the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Division investigating and supporting the prosecution of individuals and companies that defraud the state's Medicaid program, funded in part by the taxpayers of Massachusetts. My mother was formerly the Treasurer/Tax Collector of Methuen and is currently acting as interim. I grew up with and live with individuals who respect good government and act on the people’s behalf.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Engineering from Roger Williams University and a Masters of Business Administration from Bentley University

Occupation

Project Engineer for a Structural Engineering Firm - 18 Years Experience

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/laurabatesNA/
http://www.laurabatesfornorthandover.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I think it’s important to keep a diverse perspective on the board of selectman. I am the mother of two young boys and a structural engineer with an MBA and I believe that provides a unique viewpoint to foster the spirit of one community.

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

Maintaining the balance of smart development. The revitalization of our downtown, preservation of both our historic legacy and open land are all important, however the issue that comes up most often when speaking with residents is the large developments that are being proposed and constructed in town. As a state, we are facing a shortage of affordable housing. However, we need solutions that will not overstress our town services, especially, our schools and public safety. It is important that we preserve our open land, whether fields or trails, all our residents are entitled to open space to use and appreciate. Our kids deserve proper fields to play on and playgrounds to run around and enjoy. We need to make sure that we are implementing projects that fit with the vision we all have for North Andover that is detailed in our Master Plan.

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

I’m not a politician. In fact, I’ve never been enrolled in any political party. I am an independent. I’m a mother, an engineer and a resident. I’m here to bring my experience and my passion for North Andover to the table to make sure we are making the right decisions for the one community that supports all of our residents. I live in the impacted area of the Columbia Gas disaster, so I have firsthand experience of what we went through as a community and know what work remains.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I think that the current board has brought, in good faith, some creative solutions to the table for the issues that face North Andover. The best thing we can continue to do is plan for the future of North Andover and make sure that we are keeping with the vision of the Master Plan that has been developed. We must look at ways that we can plan ahead and be proactive versus reactive.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

It’s important that the Board of Selectmen maintains a strong relationship with the School Committee. The best investment we can make is in our children and their future. We need to work collaboratively to ensure that all students have the services that they need to meet their full potential.

There is also work that still needs to be completed by Columbia Gas. Our roads, Grogan Field, and residences and businesses are still in need of repair. I will work to make sure North Andover is made whole again.

A vibrant downtown is something that we can all benefit from–somewhere that supports dining, entertainment, and shopping. By properly building our commercial tax revenue, we will be able to support the projects and services that we want to provide for our residents.

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

As an engineer, I work every day with various disciplines, contractors, and homeowners to problem solve and make sure that the best solution is developed. This professional experience will help me work collaboratively with the various boards and committees to ensure that we are making the best decisions for North Andover.

I have 18 years of experience in the construction industry, giving me an important perspective as we move forward with the various development projects that are about to start, as well as those that we can anticipate being proposed in North Andover in the near future.

I have been on the board of the Atkinson PTO for the past three years, and I’ve seen firsthand some of the needs of the schools. Planning and participating in school events has given me the opportunity to meet students, parents, and staff, allowing me to further understand the priorities of our schools.

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

I want the voters to know that I’m committed to the Town of North Andover. This is the community where we chose to raise our family. We decided on North Andover because we wanted a town that had a sense of togetherness and that’s what we have experienced. It’s that feeling that I want to continue to build upon. I’m not someone who ever expected to run for office, but I know how to make hard decisions, justify them, and own the result. I think those are important skills for all of our officials to bring to the table so that we can assure we are—and remain—one community.

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