Tim Sennott, Nashua Ward 7 Alderman Candidate

Tim Sennott

Age (as of Election Day)

38

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Alderman, Ward 7

Party Affiliation

Family

Wife - Jessica
Son - Nolan

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

A.S. in Business Administration (Accounting), Nashua Community College

Occupation

Accounts Payable Specialist, 10 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Ward 7 Selectman (One term, 2018 - 2019)
Ward 7 Moderator (Two terms, 2020 - present)
Downtown Improvement Committee (appointed April, 2022)

Campaign website

https://facebook.com/TimSennot...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running to help promote and facilitate the City of Nashua's continued growth and development. As a resident of Nashua for nearly 30 years, I have seen first-hand what our city looks like when growth stagnates, and how that pales in comparison to periods of focused investment in our city. The City of Nashua has developed an ambitious Master Plan that lays out a vision for what Nashua will look like in the coming years, and many of those plans will be taking place throughout Ward 7. As the work gets underway to reshape Nashua in accordance with this vision, it's important that elected leadership is open and communicative with city residents so that they know what may be in store for their neighborhoods, and are afforded the opportunity to offer their own input to help steer those plans in a direction that's beneficial to all. If elected, I intend to maintain open lines of communication with the residents of Ward 7 so that everyone with constructive thoughts for our city feels heard.

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

Nashua, like much of the country, is facing unprecedented challenges related the economic climate throughout the nation. Matters such as a historically low housing vacancy rate, workforce staffing shortages in both the public and private sectors, and increases in populations experiencing homelessness are just some of the issues that Nashua has not been immune from over the last few years, and each comes with its own compounding set of challenges that arise as solutions are pursued. As we continue to navigate these situations, it's incumbent upon city leadership to be particularly mindful with its approach to each of these matters.

If elected, I will support continued development that will help grow our housing stock across the economic spectrum of demand, so that we can meet the need of those seeking affordable housing options, as well as those who find themselves on the increasingly difficult path to home ownership. As our housing stock grows, we must be mindful to ensure that the city is able to continue to provide baseline services, such as open space for passive recreation, to the residents such options will bring in.

To ensure that our city is able to attract and retain the best public employees takes a commitment of continued investment and support. I am committed to ensuring that our city police, firefighters, teachers, and public employees are well-compensated for the irreplaceable services they provide to our city, and that they are provided with the tools and the means that they need to continue to provide those services at the high level Nashua residents have come to expect.

As the issue of homelessness continues to expand, it's important that our approach to combating this issue grows alongside it. This particular issue is multifaceted in nature, and there is not one single "fix all" solution. We have to continue to understand the complexities of the different factors that lead folks to finding themselves in this situation, be upfront in our approach to tackling those factors city wide, while continuing to partner with local organizations to help provide individuals with the services and guidance needed to assist them on the path toward more permanent and stable housing solutions.

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

I have been dedicated to serving the residents of Ward 7 since my family moved to the Crown Hill neighborhood six years ago. I have served three consecutive terms as an election official, helping to facilitate elections in our neighborhood that are accessible, welcoming, and are run smoothly within the bounds of state election laws. For the past two years, I have attended most of the full meetings of the Board of Aldermen, familiarizing myself with the board's procedures, and speaking out on issues important to me. In 2022, when Ward 7 suddenly found itself without a Ward Alderman, I stepped forward to offer to fulfill those duties for the remainder of our outgoing alderman's unfinished term. When the board selected another candidate in a 9-5 vote, I continued to advocate for our ward, actively speaking out against a proposed asphalt plant on Temple Street. I am prepared to continue this record of service to the residents of Ward 7.

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

The incumbent Ward 7 Alderman is not seeking reelection.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Other issues I plan to address as Ward 7's Alderman place great emphasis on our neighborhoods throughout the ward. I want to continue the discussions that began earlier this year to focus on ensuring that our neighborhood schools, Dr. Crisp and Sunset Heights, are safely accessible to students going to and from school each day.

Ward 7 has already played a significant role in expanding the stock of available housing in Nashua, and several new developments are already underway. As these new developments go up, I want to be certain that we're planning ahead for these incoming Ward 7 residents so that they're provided with their own local parks and green spaces that have become a special part of the Crown Hill neighborhood.

As the city grows, it's imperative that we continually reevaluate our aging infrastructure to meet the needs of the city in 2023 and beyond. As Ward 7's Alderman, I intend to broach the conversations with the appropriate city departments to determine the best path forward to resolving some of the ward's longest standing infrastructure-related issues, whether they be areas that suffer from regular, significant flooding during periods of heavy rain, or intersections that can be made safer with a bit of creative problem solving.

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

As the moderator for Ward 7, at each election, I am charged with recruiting a team of poll workers that equally represent the two major parties in our country. At a time when the divide between those parties is greater than many of us have ever seen it, bringing individuals from both parties together to accomplish a common goal can seem like an insurmountable task, and it's because of this that I take such pride in how Ward 7's poll workers are able to come together each year and set their differences aside for the sake of something greater. Although our city elections are non-partisan in nature, it's no secret to many that those party affiliations exist within City Hall. Nevertheless, it's my belief that my experience in navigating those divides in pursuit of a common purpose will serve me, and in turn, the residents of Ward 7, exceptionally well in the aldermanic chambers. The board that is seated in 2024 will undoubtedly represent many lines of thought, but allowing those differences to halt progress does nothing to serve the residents of Nashua. I am prepared to work alongside whoever earns the privilege of serving our city for the next two years, and will always seek out compromise when it serves the best interests of our city.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The power of your example is far greater than what you say.

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

We may not always agree on the best path forward, but in general, I believe that many of us only want what's best for the city we live in. It's important to me that all residents of Ward 7 feel heard and acknowledged. A former alderman, with whom I almost never agreed, was always receptive to my concerns and acknowledged them with respect, and that is a commitment to voters that I intend to carry forward if I am elected. I firmly believe that even with our differences, we can often find solutions to the challenges that Nashua faces through honest, open dialogue and a willingness to listen to one another.