I am enthusiastically endorsing Jill Hai for re-election to a third term on the Lexington Select Board.
The strength of the Select Board is dependent upon the unique expertise and knowledge that each member brings to the table. In Jill’s case, she is the only member with extensive labor experience due to her background as a Labor and Employment attorney and as a Human Resources and Labor Relations Director. The Select Board advises on negotiations and approves all labor contracts for the town, representing a significant proportion of our annual operating budget.
Additionally, Jill’s five years on the Capital Expenditures Committee, four of which she was chair, make her undeniably the most experienced member in terms of handling the details of large capital projects. This is particularly important given the projects currently in the pipeline, including the High School renovation / replacement.
Finally, another current member of the Board is well versed in the area of sustainability and climate issues. It would make no sense to me to remove all of Jill’s expertise from the Board and essentially duplicate the strengths of someone who is already there and doing a good job. Especially when Jill’s record on sustainability is so good anyway.
I hope you will join me in voting for Jill on Tuesday, March 5. We’re lucky she’s running again and we desperately need her for the next three years.
JJ Krawczyk
Outlook Drive
This Letter originally appeared in The Lexington Observer on March 4, 2024
We are so fortunate to have Jill Hai on our Select Board, and I enthusiastically support her reelection. Jill brings tremendous professional experience and deep knowledge of town affairs through her prior service on Town Meeting, the Capital Expenditures Committee, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and other town boards and organizations, plus her last six years on the Select Board. Jill has played a vital leadership role in addressing some of the most pressing opportunities and challenges that our town faces, and she will continue to do so. Her leadership and knowledge of the issues is recognized not only within Lexington but across the Commonwealth as well - Jill was elected as the President of the Mass. Municipal Association! This is a really big deal, and a demonstration of how her many peers in Massachusetts local government view her.
I had the privilege of serving our state for eight years in the Baker Administration, four years in Governor Baker’s Cabinet as the Secretary of Housing & Economic Development. In my role, I collaborated on projects and initiatives with the vast majority of our mayors and a host of other local officials, and I personally visited 151 cities and towns and got to know their leadership. Based on my experience, I would share the assessment of Jill’s peers at MMA that she is a truly exceptional municipal leader! Jill demonstrated great leadership last spring when Town Meeting passed two very significant housing articles; I was personally very pleased to see this progress on housing both as a 20-year Lexington resident and a former Secretary tasked with addressing our state’s housing crisis. A lot of town leaders played a role in passing these articles but Jill’s leadership on the Select Board was essential. It was nice to see Lexington step up to become a leader on addressing an issue that is so essential to our future as a town and state and central to our aspirations for a competitive, equitable economy. Jill is truly an agent of change, as evidenced by Lexington’s changing attitudes and policies toward housing.
Mike Kennealy
Brent Road
This Letter originally appeared in The Lexington Observer on February 29, 2024
Let me preface this letter by stating that there are two terrific women running in the race for Select Board. I know both well and appreciate their dedication to Lexington and the sacrifices they make to choose to run and to serve.
Endorsing in municipal elections is not something I generally do, but I’m supporting Jill because in my previous role on the Select Board I served side by side with her. From my personal experience, Jill Hai is a phenomenal local leader.
I’m endorsing Jill because she is an intelligent, dynamic, thoughtful, vivacious, energetic, diligent local official. She rolls up her sleeves and gets involved in the nitty gritty, having the bandwidth and capacity to do the deep dive into complex policy. She is personable and approachable. She makes people around her feel welcome and heard. She listens carefully and is tremendously thoughtful, weighing issues from multiple perspectives. She has the whole community in mind when making tough decisions.
Jill has had extensive and varied experiences, including years on the Capital Expenditures Committee, many of them as Chair, gaining a critical understanding of the Town’s finances. And she has led and convened complex task forces which required patience and diplomacy to bring convergent groups to the table. Jill is a consensus builder and a great collaborator.
This past year, I have watched Jill on a broader stage as President of the Mass Municipal Association (an organization on whose Board I once served). At the MMA she had to oversee the national search for the organization’s new Executive Director, and a superstar was selected through that process. The MMA works to ensure our cities and towns are functioning at their best. This is something unique that she brings to the table - she’s been able to engage and bring back best practices from the Commonwealth through her work with the MMA, while sharing Lexington’s local-grown expertise state-wide.
When Jill is involved, she naturally improves any organization and makes it better. She’s a thoughtful, strategic, hardworking leader who builds consensus and strengthens the overall community management. I appreciate all that Jill has done for Lexington, and I endorse her for another term on the Select Board.
Michelle Ciccolo
Shade St
State Representative, 15th Middlesex District
This Letter originally appeared in The Lexington Observer on February 21, 2024
CAAL PAC was founded with the mission to encourage civic engagement and political participation from Lexington Chinese community. Towards that goal, it has been, along with CAAL’s Civic Engagement Committee, running a Candidate Forum during the town election season for many years. CAAL PAC also has its tradition to endorse candidates.
This year, the forum was held on 2/8/2024 via an online webinar and more than 50 people attended the forum. Candidates from all three major town boards attended and answered the questions from our community and the PAC.
After the forum, the PAC held a discussion session to deliberate who to endorse. After going over every board and every candidate, the PAC voted to endorse the following candidates:
Select Board: Jill Hai
School Committee: Kathleen Lenihan, Deepika Sawhney
Planning Board: Lin Jensen, Michael Schanbacher
We are lucky to have volunteers like those candidates who are willing to serve the town. We appreciate their efforts and wish all the candidates the best luck!
Weidong Wang
Chair, CAAL Pac
This Letter originally appeared in The Lexington Observer on February 15, 2024
It is with great enthusiasm that I endorse Jill Hai for re-election to the Lexington Select Board.
As Chair of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB), we are indeed fortunate to have Jill as our Select Board liaison. Developing affordable housing in Lexington is challenging and she has clearly been mission driven in this regard as evidenced by her ability to get things done.
Jill is collaborative, listens with an open mind and is always accessible. As LexHAB hopes to transition to a 501c(3) organization this year, these attributes will be important as we navigate a new course of action to help address the housing crisis here in Lexington. Having Jill Hai as a partner in that effort is something I would very much look forward to.
Robert J. Burbidge
Fairbanks Road
Chair, Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB)
This Letter was submitted to Jill Hai for Lexington on February 4, 2024
I’m voting for Jill Hai for Select Board.
I recently met with Cindy Arens and Jill Hai. While both candidates have an impressive list of past accomplishments and experience, Jill’s combination of professional and volunteer accomplishments uniquely qualify her to serve on the Select Board. Of the two candidates, Jill demonstrated a better understanding of where Lexington has been, and more clearly articulated what her vision is for where she would like the town to go in the future.
I’m confident that Jill will always make the right decision for Lexington when the town is faced with difficult challenges in the future.
Avram Baskin
Carville Avenue
This Letter originally appeared in The Lexington Observer on February 11, 2024
Lexington Firefighters Local 1491 proudly endorses Jill Hai for re-election to the Lexington Select Board. Jill’s approach of fostering open communication and collaboration between labor and community leadership is central to our unanimous endorsement.
The town’s commitment to improving the quality of life and desirability of living in Lexington cannot be realized without the employees who work tirelessly every day towards that same objective. Jill’s pragmatic approach allows her to take a step back, look at the entire issue, and lead in a direction that improves the community as a whole.
In a growing community like Lexington, we need a dynamic leader like Jill. Jill’s vast and diverse background in Lexington town government provides her with the necessary knowledge and experience to lead our great community into the future. Jill has served 12 years in Town Meeting, five years on the Capital Expenditures Committee, as President of the Bridge School PTA, Zoning Board of Appeals, Safe Routes to School, the Sidewalk Committee, and the Boards of the Lexington Education Foundation and Temple Isaiah.
Lexington Firefighters Local 1491 represents all firefighters, paramedics, Lieutenants, and Captains of the Lexington Fire Department. We serve Lexington’s citizens faithfully and expect the same commitment from our elected officials. We know Jill Hai is the right choice on March 5th and are proud to endorse her for re-election.
Rob Green
President, Lexington Firefighters Local 1491
This Letter originally appeared in The Lexington Observer on February 2, 2024
I am writing to encourage my fellow Lexington residents to vote to re-elect Jill Hai to the Select Board on March 5.
For those who are avid viewers of the Monday night Select Board meetings (on-site, on-line, or on Channel 37), you already know much of this, but for others it’s important to consider the range of issues covered by the Board on any given night and throughout the year and the experience that Jill brings to these decisions. The Board continuously reviews proposals to deliver new projects and improved services to the town while staying within the bounds of the Town budget to avoid tax overrides (Jill served on the Capital Expenditures Committee for 5 years - Chair for 4 years). The Board regularly drops into executive session to review and approve the dozen union contracts that cover Town staff (Jill’s career was as a labor attorney and HR Director). Issues involving zoning and new developments are often raised (Jill served on the Zoning Board of Appeals, Safe Routes to School, and Sidewalk Committee). Importantly, Jill served as the President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), representing and advocating for issues critical to all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. Clearly, she is well respected by her peers across Massachusetts.
When it comes to sustainability issues, Jill will raise questions related to how the Town will pay the up-front costs for initiatives (acknowledging the long-term operational benefits) and whether the proposal will add unplanned hours of work for Town staff (as a Board Member should). Proponents of those initiatives (like myself) have to make the case for the proposal (as we should). That said, Jill has been a reliable vote for these efforts. A quick review of recent efforts (and Jill’s votes) include: Municipal Fossil Fuel Free Building Demonstration Program (Yes), Opt-in Specialized Stretch Energy Code (Yes), funding for Curbside Composting (Yes), Zero Waste Plan (Yes), Resilient Lexington Climate Action & Resilience Plan (Yes), opposition to the private jet hangars expansion at Hanscom (Yes), updates to the Tree Bylaw (Yes, multiple times) . . . and the list goes on.
Jill brings a wealth of experience and proven leadership across a range of important issues in our town. With the new high school and other issues poised to test our ability to meet those challenges while remaining fiscally responsible, it is important to ensure that Jill’s experience remains on the Select Board.
Todd Rhodes
Marrett Road
Treasurer, Jill Hai for Lexington
This Letter originally appeared in The Lexington Observer on February 9, 2024
The Lexington High School renovation/rebuild is undeniably the largest capital project the town has ever undertaken. Pretty much every resident is a stakeholder in this project: the school and recreation communities, affordable housing interests, our collective sustainability goals, and of course, the taxpayers. Getting this net-zero, LEED Gold (or higher) project to the finish line is, and will be, a huge undertaking.
Jill Hai is the only Select Board candidate on the ballot who has the leadership, capital financing background, and unambiguous voting record to understand all the issues and bring the many constituencies together to significantly impact this undertaking.
Here’s a prime example of Jill’s unambiguous voting record: at the 2023 Annual Town Meeting, she voted unequivocally in support of artificial turf at Lincoln Field (Annual Town Meeting “ATM-10i-Amend-Krieger: Natural Grass Turf Requirements”, March 29, 2023), while the other candidate did not vote. Make no mistake, recreation fields are a large part of the High School project and just one aspect that we have to get right. Whether you prefer artificial turf or grass, you deserve to know where your Select Board stands.
We all want this project to succeed. We need Select Board members that are clear where they stand. We need to support Jill Hai for re-election.
Charles Lamb
Baskin Rd
Town Meeting Member, Precinct 4
This Letter was submitted to Jill Hai for Lexington on January 29, 2024
In the coming years, Lexington will be facing unprecedented capital expenditures as it embarks on the new high school building. The high school project will have consequences for everyone, from new families to seniors. It is anticipated the ‘Old Harrington School’ will be demolished to make way for recreational fields. The school administration will have to be relocated. The current swing space at 173 Bedford Street will have to be repurposed. All of these projects will require millions of dollars of expenditures beyond the cost of the school construction costs. Many folks will most likely be concerned about disruptions and financial consequences. It will take strong leadership not just from the School Committee, but also from the Appropriations Committee, the Capital Expenditures Committee and, of course, the Select Board to make these difficult decisions. Jill’s leadership on the Capital Expenditures Committee and the Select Board is exactly what will be needed in the coming years.
During the time I have been involved in local government, I have spent many hours attending Town Meeting, Select Board meetings, housing committees and the like. I have found Jill to be prepared, effective, and judicious in her role as a Select Board member. She is discerning, fair, and always willing to consider the unintended consequences of Select Board initiatives. She entertains all points of view before final votes are taken. At the same time she is passionate about many things, including, as a former labor and employment attorney, the welfare of our municipal and school employees.
One way to measure a public servant’s effectiveness is the opinion of those who have worked alongside them. Jill has garnered the respect of her municipal colleagues across the Commonwealth. She was elected to serve as the President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, an association representing all the 351 cities and towns in the state. As such, she has broadened our Town’s profile and participation in regional efforts to improve transportation, housing and diversity initiatives.
I think we have been lucky to have someone with such expertise and leadership skills to serve on the Lexington Select Board. Please join me in voting for Jill on Tuesday, March 5th.
Melinda Walker
Board of Commissioners, Lexington Housing Authority
Community Preservation Committee
Former Town Meeting Member, Precinct 8
Board of Directors, Metro West Collaborative Development
This Letter originally appeared in The Lexington Observer on January 24, 2024
We encourage you to vote for Jill Hai for re-election to the Lexington Select Board. Jill has served Lexington very well in many capacities over many years. We know Jill to be smart, a centrist and a listener of all points of views. Peter served on the Select Board for 15 years and observed Jill over those years during her involvement on other town boards. We can say, without hesitation, that Jill makes thoughtful and sound decisions while considering how those decisions will impact taxpayers.
Peter and Beverly Kelley
This Letter was submitted to Jill Hai for Lexington on February 3, 2024
I have known Jill Hai personally for the past 18 years. During that time she has dedicated an enormous number of hours to volunteer service on Lexington committees and elected boards. Her years spent on Town Meeting, the Capital Expenditures Committee and the Select Board have resulted in her having a significant depth of knowledge of our town’s financial, educational, environmental and social challenges. We live in an amazing, but complex town!
In her position as Select Board Chair and Vice Chair for the past 4 years, Jill has demonstrated strong leadership and collaborative skills. She is a good listener and understands the important choices that will need to be made in the next several years. The serious nature of potential overrides and debt exclusions must be faced by experienced board members. I truly believe our currently balanced board is ready to tackle the difficult tasks ahead and guide us toward the best decisions.
As a previous Lexington Center business proprietor for 26 years, I experienced Jill’s support of our small businesses and her attentiveness to important economic development issues. She has always been approachable and effective.
Please join me in casting your vote for the re-election of Jill Hai for Select Board.
Kathy Fields
Lexington Ave
This Letter was submitted to Jill Hai for Lexington on January 31, 2024
I am thrilled to endorse Jill Hai for Select Board. Jill is a passionate advocate for diverse housing options and has shown her dedication by chairing the Special Permit Residential Committee. As a member of the SPRD committee, I witnessed how well Jill builds consensus and finds workable solutions to difficult issues. Jill is a brilliant and approachable leader and is a valuable asset to the Select Board.
Please vote for Jill Hai for Select Board.
Joyce Murphy
Massachusetts Avenue
This Letter was submitted to Jill Hai for Lexington on January 29, 2024
