Anand Sharma To Run For Shrewsbury Select Board

SHREWSBURY, MA — Shrewsbury residents will head to the polls to vote on two open seats in the Shrewsbury Select Board, and longtime resident Anand Sharma has announced his candidacy.

Sharma announced his candidacy on Thursday, citing overdevelopment as one of the issues he is running on. He currently serves on two committees in Shrewsbury, the Spirit of Shrewsbury and the 300th Anniversary Committee, and has volunteered with the Rotary Club and other community initiatives.

He has also served as a Town Meeting Member, and said he regularly attends public meetings to advocate for residents’ concerns.

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Main Issues Facing Shrewsbury

Sharma, who has lived in Shrewsbury for over 25 years, told Patch, “We chose this town for its character, schools, and strong community. We have sadly witnessed tremendous loss of green space, disregard for animal habitat, traffic congestion, strained budgets, and overcrowded schools”.

A major issue for the longtime resident is growth and the lack of sustainable development.

"I believe in a sustainable development that basically protects our town's character for future generations and is able to scale its infrastructure per the demand," Sharma told Patch, adding that it did not seem to be happening.

He also said that seniors would not be able to cope with new projects and development, as many of them fear losing their homes. But he said he remains committed to expanding services for seniors, including advocating for programs that offer tax benefits.

The candidate said he is passionate about growing the local economy. "I want to attract new businesses and support job creation to keep the community thriving," Sharma told Patch.

Experience and Background

Sharma, who grew up in a poor farming community without basic amenities, said hard work became second nature. He said those experiences shaped his dedication, gratitude, and commitment to giving back.

He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master's of business administration. He currently works as an IT specialist at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington.

He said he would use those skills to make informed, thoughtful decisions on behalf of the residents.

Sharma also said he has extensive experience working with the community, including volunteer work. He said he has been engaged and involved in the town's issues, including speaking out against the Beal Deal decision, MBTA zoning changes, the proposed GFI warehouses and the DPW building.

As a Town Meeting member, Sharma said he advocated for voting devices to increase transparency in local government. He also said he supported the moratorium in overlay districts to slow development and analyze the impacts to infrastructure, traffic, schools, public services and the quality of life for existing residents.

"I will always stand for transparency and responsible governance," said Sharma, adding that he will provide oversight and work to protect Shrewsbury's residents.

The Shrewsbury Municipal Election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5. Seven town-wide office positions will appear on the ballot, including two seats on the Select Board, two seats on the School Committee, and three seats on the Trustees of the Public Library.

See Also:

• Shrewsbury Select Board Member Carlos Garcia To Run For Re-Election