Chelmsford Select Board Candidate Profile: Mark Carota

This is one in an occasional series looking at local candidates running in the Chelmsford town election on April 6. Today we profile Mark Carota who is running for one of two seats open on the Select Board, which is a three-year position. He will face off against incumbent George Dixon and challengers Latosha Denise Dixon and April Danielson for one of two seats.

CHELMSFORD, MA — Mark Carota, 65, the vice-chairperson for the town's Zoning Board of Appeals is making a run for a seat on the Chelmsford Select Board in the upcoming elections April 6.

Carota, an Air Force veteran, got his bachelors degree in science from Wentworth Institute of Technology. He and his wife Joanne have lived in town for the past three decades, and both his children — Holly and Matt— grew up here and went through the public school system. He's sat on the Zoning Board of Appeals the past decade, where he is the vice chair.

For the past 19 years he's worked as vice president of operations at DUSA Pharmaceuticals in Wilmington.

The following are responses Carota gave to questions Patch posed to all candidates running in the race:

Why are you seeking elective office?

I believe my background, leadership, and management experience would be a valuable addition to the select board. If elected, I intend to work in collaboration with the select board, the town manager, and other boards and committees in town, to focus on positive improvements in the community in a fiscally responsible way.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Pandemic recovery, sewer capacity, and addressing our town manager’s contract. I intend to work with the board and town manager to find the best ways to support our town in solving these pressing needs.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My experience

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The candidate did not answer this question.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I think the response in town was very good. At present, the vaccine supply was terminated by the state which ended the town's ability to distribute and administer locally, which was unfortunate.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

There are several issues facing the select board such as the town manager’s contract, setting and meeting budget goals, tax classification, sewer capacity, community development, and attracting and retaining business to name a few. The over-riding factor of course is getting our residents vaccinated and determining the impact of the pandemic and how federal and state funding may be able flow to residents, schools, businesses, and town services.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My life experiences from the past 33 years raising our family in Chelmsford, supporting our children throughout their educational experiences in town, and serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals for 10 years has given me a firsthand opportunity to better understand the needs within our community. My career has spanned the gamut from DoD through the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. My journey of joining a company in the start-up stage and breaking through to profitability, provides me with solid management and fiscal responsibility. The experience of being an executive and officer of a publicly traded company and the pressures, transparency, and accountability associated with that role will serve as relevant transferable skills.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

When things get difficult, refocus your energy on your goals and block out the noise.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Chelmsford has always been a desirable town to bring up a family because of the schools, services and location. We need to continue to invest and leverage this position while protecting and growing our business base in town.

Campaign website
Facebook Page - @CarotaSelectBoard2021

See Carota introduce himself to the Select Board:

Coverage of others running:

• Latosha Dixon
• April Danielson