Vanessa Sheehan, Milford Board of Selectmen Candidate

Vanessa Sheehan

Age (as of Election Day)

49

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Board of Selectmen

Party Affiliation

Family

Husband John Sheehan, 1 child

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Associate of Business Science, Communications Major

Occupation

Realtor - 1 1/2 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Current State Representative and Hillsborough County Delegate and Executive Committee Member, Milford Budget Advisory Committee

Campaign website

vanessa4nh.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

Serving on the Milford Budget Advisory Committee, I can foresee that the town will have a lot of challenges over the next few years, financially. My experience on the budget advisory committee and dealing with finances at the State level gives me the knowledge that will be needed to help navigate these future challenges.
I’m also at a point in my life that I have the extra time to serve my community in more ways.

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

I believe the most pressing issue is finding and retaining personnel. I am aware that the town is looking at a 4-day work week, not only to attract and retain employees, but to seek efficiencies. Research is still being gathered to see if something like this can be done in a balanced way so that everyone’s needs are met. While the viability of a 4-day work week has yet to be determined, it’s non-status quo ideas like this I would seek to bring as solutions to our employee shortage problem.

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

The main difference is that I serve as a State Representative and a Hillsborough County Delegate. When I vote on things at the state level, I always keep in mind on how it will affect the local level and what best serves and protects our residents.
With selectwoman Dudziak not seeking another term on the board, I would bring an experienced female voice to the table.

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

I would never say that any of the Select Board members have failed. They have done the best they could with what they had. However, serving as a State Representative, I have ideas and experiences that I can bring to the board that the other candidates do not have.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Fiscally responsible town spending and debt. I would seek efficiencies in town operations to keep our taxes down. I will support our emergency services and keep our roads and bridges maintained. I will work to enhance Milford’s economy and seek public-private partnership opportunities. I will ensure we keep Milford’s unique charm and rich history. I would also seek to eliminate issues at the state level that are preventing us from achieving our goals at the local level.

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

Because of my State work, I was able to assist the Wadleigh Memorial Library in receiving over $850k in ARPA funds for their much needed HVAC upgrade resulting in significant savings to the taxpayers.
Serving multiple years on the budget advisory committee has given me familiarity with the town budget process and department needs.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Continue to learn, find common ground where you can, listen more than you speak and stay humble.

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

As I have seen Milford grow and change over the years, what remains the same is Milford’s charm and strong community. As Selectman, I would work to ensure that we do not lose those qualities we value so much. Part of that challenge is ensuring that property taxes are kept reasonable. As a fiscal conservative, I will work to keep that a priority while addressing the needs of the town.