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Please join me in re-electing Karen Herrick to the Reading Select Board. Karen has already demonstrated a natural ability to lead and follow the collaborative, democratic process of town government and to get things done. Being a member of the Select Board also involves being the liaison to a dozen other town committees and organizations and participating in numerous town events. Karen has shown the energy and interest to handle it all.
I look to our Select Board to provide true leadership for the community, not just management. Karen provides that thoughtful leadership. She stakes out positions based on her own principles and values with a clear-eyed view of what is important for Reading now and down the road. She can intelligently present or defend her positions whether in the majority or minority.
Karen has been a champion for sustainability and the environment. She has led efforts for clean energy, energy efficiency, and waste management such as: expanding Reading’s curbside composting service with Black Earth Compost, working with RMLD to expand our supply of clean electricity, encouraging adoption of electric vehicles and electric heat pumps. Karen was the champion on the Select Board for Reading to be designated a Green Community and to participate in the annual grants for environmental improvements that are available from the state. That also led us to adopt the Stretch Energy Code for our building code and to implement energy saving across our town facilities. She was the one who suggested that Reading apply for a small state grant to kickstart our new Community Garden which is heading into its second year and has involved so many in our community.
Karen has the right connections. If a Select Board member is in communication with our state senator or state representatives it is probably Karen. She has been in frequent communication with state agencies and our legislative team on Green Communities requirements and special legislation that was required to help Reading. She was the Reading representative to a recent forum on solid waste management discussing federal and state programs to up our game.
With all that, Karen is always available to help. She is easy to contact and easy to talk to. If you want the Select Board to take notice of something you care about, talk to Karen or visit her website: votekarenherrick.com
I urge you to vote for Karen Herrick for Select Board on April 4, 2023.
David Zeek
Sanborn Street
Town Meeting Member, Precinct 5
Chair, Climate Advisory Committee
