Opinion: More Endorsements In Tewksbury Election

The following letters were submitted in support of candidates for selectmen in the April 6 Tewksbury Town Election.

Johnson Is A Proven Leader

This year voters in Tewksbury have a choice when deciding who will serve on the Board of Selectmen. Having been involved in this town over the last sixteen years, I am positive that one candidate stands out this year and that is Todd Johnson.

Todd was first elected to the Board in 2007 when our town had financial difficulties, underfunded budgets, and not much of a plan to fix the problems. Since that time, Todd has provided tremendous leadership and sound fiscal management to get us where we are today. The town currently has its highest bond rating which has saved taxpayers millions of dollars. Getting a financial plan in place so we have some consistency and predictability with how the budget is built has made our town a model to communities around us.

Todd is a bold leader. He never is afraid to take a stand on an issue, which is something I appreciate. Todd is honest and not someone who makes decisions to pander or tell people what they want to hear. Todd makes decisions with one thought hanging over his head – “What is the best thing for the Town of Tewksbury?” When Todd was part of the board who chose not to extend the contract of the Town Manager (who had been in the position for over 20 years), I knew that his leadership could help Tewksbury turn the corner.

Todd never backs down from a challenge, and I personally enjoyed our spirited debates when we disagreed on issues. I have watched him lead when the board selected a new Town Manager, negotiated with the unions for a contract, handled water and sewer deficits and rising costs, built a new High School, renovated Town Hall, and countless other issues.

Todd taught me how to listen and work through differences in a professional and respectful manner. When tensions rose on the board you could always count on Todd to get the team together and get them to talk through their differences. Todd has mentored so many of us, and I know he made me a much better Selectman. I am so impressed with Todd who works tirelessly to continue moving this town forward and make it a great place to live.

When you go to the ballot box on April 6th, please cast your vote for Todd Johnson, a proven leader, who brings tremendous experience and remains committed to the residents of Tewksbury.

Sincerely,
Scott Wilson

Fellow Selectman Backs Johnson

I write in support of re-electing Todd Johnson to the Board of Selectmen. For the past 12 years, Todd has relentlessly served the Tewksbury community as a solid member of the Board of Selectmen. His knowledge of town bylaws and history, combined with his experience and sound fiscal practices are invaluable qualities that allow Todd to help make Tewksbury a community that is at the top in the State of Massachusetts.

I admire that Todd does not shy away from making difficult decisions. He puts the Tewksbury community and its residents first while consistently adhering to the master plan and financial policies of the town.

Todd has been an integral team member of the current board of selectmen having voted in support of a 0% increase in water and sewer rates for 2020 as well as having made the motion to shift the sewer debt away from the property tax for residents thus, reducing the average tax bill $50 for residents in 2020.

It is evident that Todd fully cares about Tewksbury as he is a member of the Tewksbury Food Panty, and also is a member of the town bylaws subcommittee. Todd is a very important cog in the wheel of making Tewksbury great as he is a strong veteran town leader.

Election Day is right around the corner, and our community has the opportunity to re-elect a strong Selectman who has knowledge, work ethic, and experience to best represent us. We have the chance to continue with the strong momentum in the positive direction Tewksbury is currently taking. Let’s continue to make Tewksbury a great place to live by re-electing Todd Johnson. Please join me in voting for Todd Johnson for Selectman on Saturday April 6th.

Sincerely,

Brian Dick
Tewksbury Selectman

Johnson Has Showed Foresight As Selectman

When Todd Johnson answered the call to public service, and was enthusiastically elected to Selectman for his first term, the town was in crisis. Tewksbury could’ve gone one of two ways. We found ourselves at the crux of two parallel universes. One was a town full of debt, decaying infrastructure, negative growth, and hopelessness. The other town — the one in which we currently live — is a place of progress, positive growth, increased programs, and a bright future. This was achieved in part through Todd Johnson’s steady leadership.

It was Todd’s foresight that gave us the ability to revitalize our bond rate, to build new schools that allow our children to not only compete but to have a leg-up on many other students in Massachusetts, and to have the type of hometown we can be proud of.

Todd has done his job as Selectman so well that many forget the threshold on which we all once stood. The things that matter: our safety, our services, and our financial picture, all of this was turned around — and all of this was improved — due of Todd Johnson’s professional leadership and dedication.

Not very long ago in Tewksbury, there were two towns ahead in the future. I live in the better one — the healthy one — because of Todd Johnson — and I won’t forget it. Neither should you. Vote Todd Johnson on April 6th.

J.W. Buckley

Tewksbury Needs Johnson's Dedication

I am supporting Todd Johnson for re-election to the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen.

Todd and his family have resided in Tewksbury for a quarter of a century. During that time he has continuously contributed to the betterment of the town; first, as a member of the Finance Committee, and then on The Board of Selectmen. Beyond that Todd has devoted many hours over many years to the Tewksbury Food Pantry. We need that kind of dedication to our town.

Please join me in voting for TODD JOHNSON for re-election to the TEWKSBURY BOARD of SELECTMEN on Saturday, April 6.

Thank you,

Jay Kelley

Johnson Puts Residents First

We urge you to vote for Todd Johnson for Selectman on April 6, 2019. Todd’s experience is unmatched. He served on the Finance Committee for three years, before being elected to the Board of Selectmen where he has effectively served us for twelve years. His leadership skills earned the support of his peers who selected him to be the chair five times.

Todd always votes what is best for the Town and residents. He has been involved in many improvements in town, such as the New High School, Wynn School renovations, Senior Center expansion, Town Hall renovation, Water Treatment Plant improvements, and has helped restore many needed services that had been reduced in leaner years. Best of all he loves our town of Tewksbury.

Please vote for Todd Johnson on April 6, 2019.

Sincerely,

Bob and Carol MacInnis

Former Selectman Backs Johnson

I know that this is an important part of the local election process. Candidates ask people in the community to write a letter of support referencing their experience or relationship with the candidate in hopes of garnering support from residents that are either currently uninterested or undecided about whom to vote for on April 6th.

In this case, it was the other way around. When I learned that Todd Johnson had decided to seek another term as a Tewksbury Selectman, I proactively reached out to him and offered my time and energy in helping him garner support from the residents of Tewksbury to help him get reelected to the Board.

I met Todd back in 2009 while part of our Town Manager Selection Committee. Todd was the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and was extremely helpful while providing guidance to our committee. This process was new to all of us as we were selecting our first town manager in over 20 years. We were very confident that Todd had done his homework and he provided us with the appropriate consultation about the selection process. What also came across to each of us, without him saying, was his passion for this community and making sure the selection committee and ultimately the Board, got things right for the residents of the Town of Tewksbury in selecting our new Town Manager.

In 2013, I was fortunate to be elected to the Board of Selectmen and serve with Todd, Scott Wilson, Doug Sears and David Gay. For those of you that know these guys, you can understand that we had a very diverse Board when it came to our approach and ideology. What we all agreed upon in our first meeting was that we wanted Todd Johnson to be our Chairman and lead this group of Selectmen.

Over the course of the next three years, I came to really understand why Todd Johnson is so respected in this community. Whenever I had a question about a particular Tewksbury issue, town process or just a complaint about how we were doing things, Todd was always available to talk and, most importantly, was informed on any issue that I wanted to discuss.

I didn’t agree with Todd or members of our Board on every issue, but I knew that Todd respected my viewpoint, took my feedback into account with the others, and made every decision on what he felt was the best approach for the residents of Tewksbury. I’ve seen him cast votes that sometimes were unpopular with some residents, but he felt was right for the future of Tewksbury. He doesn’t make decisions so he can get reelected, he makes decisions on what he believes is in the best interest of his fellow residents.

I know that each of our registered voters get the opportunity to vote for two candidates for the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen this year. I encourage you to cast one of those votes for Todd Johnson so that he can continue to provide a significant impact and contribution to the residents of our incredible town.

Jim Wentworth