Laura Merrill Candidate for Chelmsford Selectman, Neighbor

I am a 20-year resident of Chelmsford, and I have two children who attend the Chelmsford High School and Parker Middle School. We love Chelmsford and all it has to offer our family, including great schools, beautiful open spaces to enjoy, and wonderful residents who take a lot of pride in their town. I am currently in my second term as a Town Meeting Representative in Precinct 2 and my four year voting record shows my support for more conservative town spending and property tax relief. I will bring more fiscal accountability to the Board of Selectmen, focusing on maintaining the current level of town safety and services while controlling the growth of property taxes.

I am a Software Developer of business solutions – I am responsible ensuring our older applications and procedures meet today’s business requirements, and when they do not, I design, deploy and integrate new tools to improve efficiency. I have a lot of experience as a problem solver, and I know how important it is to dig into an issue from multiple aspects before determining the best way to attack it. I approach problems with an open mind. I know how to listen to what all sides are saying, analyze any supporting facts and data, identify costs and risks, and incorporate all this information into developing solutions that benefits all the stakeholders. My ability to see a problem from all sides is a critical skill for a successful Selectman.

I believe in

1. Fiscal responsibility.

2. Providing a quality public education to our children.

3. Protecting and preserving our town resources.

4. Integrity, hard work and ingenuity being our best assets.