Shrewsbury Select Board Member Beth Casavant To Run For Re-Election

SHREWSBURY, MA — Shrewsbury residents will head to the polls to vote on two open seats on the Shrewsbury Select Board, and current member Beth Casavant has announced her candidacy for re-election.

Casavant currently serves on the Select Board and has been a Town Meeting Member for Precinct 8 since 2011. She announced her candidacy on Wednesday, saying she is running for re-election to build on the town's strengths, address challenges and to deliver leadership for Shrewsbury.

“Shrewsbury stood out as a community that delivers excellent value to the taxpayer,” she said, according to an announcement. “As a Select Board member, I am deeply motivated to protect what makes our town special for future generations."

In addition to her current roles in town, Casavant is a teacher, has previously served as a trustee of the Shrewsbury Public Library and Framingham State University, and has worked as a Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff. She also currently serves as the President-Elect of the Shrewsbury Rotary Club.

Related: 7 Open Positions For Office In Shrewsbury: Select Board, School Committee And More

Casavant, who lives in Shrewsbury with her husband of 26 years and has two daughters, graduated with a bachelor's degree from Skidmore College in 1994 and a master's from Framingham State College in 2000.

She shared initiatives she has launched throughout her tenure, including efforts to improve communication between the town government and residents and to advance long-term financial planning.

“Effective local government starts with listening,” she said. “I work hard to gather facts, hear diverse perspectives, and make balanced, thoughtful decisions.”

Casavant said she helped launch a quarterly town newsletter, instituted Select Board office hours, expanded public comment opportunities, and created short video summaries of meetings for social media.

During her time on the Select Board, Casavant has also championed long-term financial planning by extending the 2021 override beyond its original four-year timeline and revitalized the Shrewsbury Development Corporation, according to the announcement.

Lastly, Casavant said she directed American Rescue Plan Act funds to establish a Resident Assistance Program, support rent and fuel assistance, enhance food pantry operations, and improve services for homebound seniors.

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

Casavant's priorities if elected to a next term will include "maintaining fiscal stability through long-term budgeting, preserving commercial property to strengthen the town’s tax base, and protecting Shrewsbury’s quality of life by strengthening the social safety net, expanding tax exemptions, supporting the schools, investing in public safety and preserving municipal services."

More information about her campaign is available at CasavantForSelectBoard.com. She can also be reached at bethcasavant@gmail.com or (508) 641-8174.

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.

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