By Laura Granato, Westford Resident
I am writing in strong support of Elizabeth Sawyer for the open one year seat on the Westford Select Board.
As a resident of Westford for the past fifteen years, I have followed the issues facing our town and attended Select Board meetings. Westford, like many communities, is at a point where it must continue to provide important services and make critical investments while also being mindful of the burden on taxpayers. The person who fills this seat should be someone with the experience, temperament, judgment, and collaborative spirit to help guide the town through
these challenges. I believe Elizabeth Sawyer is exactly that person.
I have had the privilege of working closely with Elizabeth for the past five years through Junk in the Trunk, Westford’s free open air gifting exchange. From the very beginning, Elizabeth has been one of the driving forces behind the event’s success. She brings a calm, thoughtful, and practical approach to every challenge, and she is someone who can always be counted on to quietly get things done. When I ask a question or suggest something new, I know I can always
count on Elizabeth to give me her honest opinion based on her careful analysis of the situation, not simply what I want to hear. Having that confidence in her honesty is invaluable when making decisions.
Elizabeth has been instrumental in building and maintaining the partnerships that have allowed Junk in the Trunk to grow into one of the town’s most popular and successful community events. She suggested and consistently coordinates the New England Clothes Recycling truck that takes ungifted items at the end of each event, helping keep thousands of pounds of reusable items out of the waste stream. She also played a major role in helping us transition from working
with Westford Rotary to partnering with the Westford Recycling Commission and Sustainable Westford, which has allowed the event to better align with the town’s Waste Less Westford goals and accept grant funding through a nonprofit partner. This would not have been possible without Elizabeth’s deep understanding of how different threads across town are connected and how to get the right people informed and involved in order to make things happen.
What stands out most about Elizabeth is the way she works with people. She listens. She asks thoughtful questions. She brings people together. She is deeply invested in Westford and in finding practical, sustainable solutions that protect what makes this town special. Elizabeth has spent decades serving Westford through the Recycling Commission, the schools, PTO leadership, and many other volunteer efforts. She has also built a career managing complex projects, leading teams, and making data informed decisions in both the public and private sectors. Those are exactly the skills Westford needs right now.
I trust Elizabeth to approach tough issues in a practical, fair way, while always remembering how those decisions affect the people who live here. She has spoken openly about the financial challenges facing Westford and the need for operational efficiency, creative revenue opportunities, and practical long term planning. She has the ability to see the big picture while never losing sight of the people affected by those decisions.
Most importantly, Elizabeth is someone who genuinely cares about this town and the people who live here. She wants Westford to remain the kind of place that is welcoming, well run, financially responsible, and deeply connected to the community. I believe she would serve Westford with integrity, intelligence, and heart.
I hope you will join me in voting for Elizabeth Sawyer for Select Board on May 5.
2 Responses
It is deeply disappointing that not one candidate, including Elizabeth Sawyer, has addressed the crushing property tax burden in the Town of Westford or the very real impact it is having on seniors living on fixed incomes. Many of us are being priced out of the homes we spent decades working to afford. Meanwhile, candidates speak about compassion and community while ignoring one of the most serious financial pressures facing older residents. If current leadership and those seeking office continue to overlook this issue, they should not be surprised when seniors begin looking for someone different at the ballot box who is willing to confront it directly.
Laura Granato – thank you for your recommendation of Elizabeth Sawyer for the one-year Select Board position. Having your positive input as someone who has worked side-by-side for years with Elizabeth and knows her effectiveness and approach is really helpful. She is very committed to continuing serving the residents of Westford in this new role and her 20+ years experience working with various town staff, boards and leadership in her significant role on the Westford Recycling Commission has proved she will be a superb Select Board member. We are fortunate the Elizabeth Sawyer has chosen to take on this responsibility at this time ~ with difficult decisions ahead and the need to connect with traditionally non-participatory voices in our town. As for D Daddieco’s comments, attendance at the League of Women Voters Candidates’ Night last night would prove that Elizabeth IS concerned with community – it is one of her highest priorities. [WestfordCAT will post that event soon.] Elizabeth mentioned Tech Park East’s planned housing last night that would help people downsize and stay in town. There are already existing ways for seniors to avail themselves of some tax relief in Westford, and many volunteers have worked hard to create more. I have lived in the same house here for 42 years, am 77 years old, and took advantage of the Senior Work Program to lower our property taxes.
Please take the time on Tuesday, May 5, to vote for Elizabeth Sawyer for Select Board. Early voting begins April 27 at Town Hall.