[Editor’s note: The May election has been postponed, but Southborough voters can already apply for early ballots. This spring residents will choose from three candidates running for two seats on the Board of Selectmen. To help you make that decision, I have invited each of them to submit letters* to readers.
You may comment to endorse the candidate. No mudslinging allowed. ]
I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Thank you to My Southborough for the opportunity to share with the Southborough residents why I am running for a seat on the Board of Selectmen.
My husband, Jason, and I moved to Southborough in 2013. We now have 3 children under the age of 5. We chose to live in Southborough because of the school system’s reputation, the location, and the strong sense of community. Turns out, it was a great fit for us and we have had the opportunity to get involved in the community and work with a variety of different volunteers in town. I currently serve as the Kindergroup President which is a non-profit children’s organization in Southborough.
I have served on the town’s Advisory Committee for the past 2 years and am currently the Vice Chair. I have had the pleasure of working with town departments, other boards and committees, and my fellow committee members. I did not have much town government experience prior to Advisory, but I spent the time to do my homework and work collaboratively with affiliated parties. It is important that transparency and proper processes are followed when dealing with town matters and that has been paramount in all the decisions and discussions I’ve been involved with. I worked in hospital finance for 13 years and have a transferable skill set that will help me solve issues and make good decisions for Southborough.
I decided to run for Board of Selectmen because I care about the future of Southborough. I can bring new, fresh, and creative ideas to the table. I have a good understanding of the town’s finances and operations which I believe is imperative moving forward. We are facing times of uncertainty and it is unclear how this will impact our town in the short and long-term. However, priorities/projects will continue to come up and we need to ensure that we make big picture decisions in the best interest of Southborough and its residents. We need to come up with creative, sustainable solutions, be open to change, and deal with our aging infrastructure. Too often we make decisions based on one need in town without taking into account all the other needs and the potential impact.
I have a vested interest in Southborough’s school system and want to ensure that our children continue to be successful during and after their elementary, middle, and high school years. We are fortunate that we have a great reputation in our school system, but we also have declining enrollment over the past 10 years. This needs to fit into the long-term plan on how to best utilize the facilities that we have in conjunction with ways to manage the cost associated with providing top rate education. Even though my children are just about to begin their years in the Southborough schools, I am more than open to exploring some difficult decisions that may need to be made in the coming years.
Public safety for the town of Southborough is a priority for me. It is important that the police and fire departments have what they need to serve the town efficiently and effectively. As the spouse of a Per Diem Firefighter/EMT in another community, I know all too well the feeling of kissing a loved one good bye as they go off to a shift or run out of the house unexpectedly to answer an emergency call. We need to continue to support these men and women that report to protect us daily.
Southborough is fortunate that many residents volunteer their time on boards/committees or out in the community. Everyone’s contribution is important and makes our community special. Even in times of uncertainty people are collaborating on how to best use their resources to help others. Our open space has been heavily utilized as of late so we are fortunate to have multiple committees and commissions that allow us to make those resources available. I am proud to be a Southborough resident because of the people who live here.
There are many competing priorities on the horizon, but if we plan carefully they can all fit together in the long run. The conversations will not be easy but are necessary. I will always do my best to listen, evaluate, weigh all options, and make what I believe is the best decision for Southborough. I will not always agree with every opinion but I will be respectful of all viewpoints and we may agree to disagree.
Feel free to contact me at anytime at Malinowski.chelsea@gmail.com and follow my Facebook page Chelsea Malinowski for Southborough Board of Selectmen. Link: https://www.facebook.com/chelseamalinowskiforsouthboroughboardofselectmen
Thank you for taking the time to vote and I hope I have your support.
Thank you,
Chelsea Malinowski
*[Editor’s Note: Normally, candidates are capped at one letter before the election. This year, I’m allowing them to submit one now for early voters and a second letter closer to the yet-to-be-rescheduled election date.]
