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I am writing this letter in strong support of Karen Herrick to be re-elected to the Reading Select Board. Her experience, skills and energy are an asset to the town. I have worked as a colleague of Karen’s for more than 10 years through her roles on the Finance Committee for 5 years, as a town volunteer serving on multiple committees, and for the last 3 years on the Select Board. She has invested countless hours into the community in support of a vibrant and welcoming town that supports its residents and businesses!
Karen’s advocacy efforts have brought tremendous results for the Town of Reading. She has worked with town government and our state and federal legislators to obtain funding for projects ranging from improving energy efficiency to environmental projects like the Maillet-Sommes project where the town just received more than $4MM in funding. She has been a staunch advocate to gain additional funding from the State as part of the Green Communities program, a goal which we hope to achieve later this year.
Karen has been an effective voice on the Select Board assuring that taxpayer voices and concerns are heard. She regularly attends multiple meetings of multiple community groups and town committees and her participation with the Mass Municipal Association benefits the community by bringing back best practices to navigate policies, laws and opportunities. Karen puts in the work that helps our government run well and efficiently, focusing on responsible spending and programs that deliver strong return to the community.
Karen has been a longtime advocate for seniors, attending many events at the Pleasant Street Center, acting as a liaison for the Select Board to the Council on Aging, and in strongly advocating for a new Reading Active Living Center to support the age 60+ community in Reading.
Karen has also played a key role on major building projects. She served on the library building committee and is now the Select Board liaison for the Killam School project which just moved ahead in the approval process from the Massachusetts School Building Assistance program.
Karen’s voice is an important one to maintain on the board. She has been an effective colleague leveraging knowledge, experience, and willingness to put in whatever is needed to make things happen for this town. Please join me in voting for Karen Herrick for Select Board on or before April 4, 2023. For more information about Karen, go to Votekarenherrick.com.
Mark Dockser
Beaver Road
