Dear Friends and Neighbors,
When I was first elected to the Select Board in 2020, I brought significant municipal government knowledge from my roles serving as a long-time Town Meeting member and Finance Committee member. With 15 years as a management and technology consultant, plus my experience as a successful local realtor/small business owner, parent, and engaged community volunteer, I was well prepared to dig into the many responsibilities of the Select Board. There is no official training program for a Select Board member, and the learning curve is steep.
During these past six years, I have served as chair, two-time vice-chair, and secretary of the Board. My unique experience and educational background helped me work effectively with diverse stakeholders and lead us through significant opportunities and challenges. I have worked to uphold, strengthen, and ensure that all voices are heard and are treated with respect. As the most experienced member of the Select Board, I remain committed to leading in a thoughtful, steady, and respectful manner,
I have delivered results for Reading by steadily advancing key town priorities:
- Joining the Green Communities program with the help of legislators and RMLD. This 5-year
journey unlocked significant grants to increase energy efficiency and reduce expenses; - Completing the Maillet-Sommes, Morgan recreation and conservation area with $5M in state
and federal grants to address flooding in Reading and downstream communities; - Supporting and protecting $44M+ of MSBA grant funding and federal credits for a
sustainably designed Killam School as Select Board Chair and later Vice-Chair of the building
committee; - Serving as Select Board liaison to both the Council on Aging and the Permanent Building
Committee and strongly advocating and supporting a second sustainably designed building
to truly meet the needs of seniors, veterans, and the broader community.
Looking ahead, a top priority and one of the most important challenges facing many residents is affordability. I have consistently voted to lower residential taxes without crushing our local economy. I have supported tiered water rates and voted to limit water and sewer rate increases. I have advocated for expanded senior and low-income property tax relief and for increased state aid for our roads, schools, and municipal operations.
I believe that Reading must work for everyone. I have supported the Office of Equity and Social Justice, the Human Rights resolution, expansion of the Board of Health, and the formation of the Commission on Disabilities. I have been proud to support our community efforts to recognize the contributions of former Celtics champion and Reading resident, the late Bill Russell, whose legacy reflects the values of leadership and inclusion that define our community.
Additional goals for the next three years include:
- Strengthening fiscal policies, budgeting, and grant management
- Limiting permanent tax overrides
- Completing our building projects on time and under budget
- Continuing to advocate for Reading at the state level.
Reading has been my home and primary place of business for over 30 years. I have lived the Reading experience at every stage of adult life – from buying my first home with my husband, to raising my daughter in our public school system, to running a local business, and now helping our elderly parents. If re-elected, my strong commitment to my neighbors and to investing in our community for measurable and visible results will continue.
I am devoted to this town and to the well-being of all its residents. With my deep knowledge of town affairs, I pledge to continue serving as a proactive, informed, level-headed town official. I promise to bring a wealth of energy, a commitment to hard work, and the discipline to see projects through.
Please visit my election website at votekarenherrick.org, Facebook, or Instagram to read more about where I stand on the issues mentioned here and other matters facing our town. I also welcome hearing from you at karenherrickselectboard@gmail.com about what you feel the Select Board needs to address in the next few years.
It has been a privilege to serve on your Select Board, and I ask for your vote to re-elect me on or before April 7. Thank you.
