Sudbury Residents Endorse In 2021 Town Races

SUDBURY, MA — With the Sudbury spring town election on Monday, local residents — and some from outside the town — are weighing in with endorsements on the contested School Committee and Select Board races.

Incumbents Janie Dretler and Dan Carty are running to keep their seats on the Select Board. But School Committee member Lisa Kouchakdjian has stepped up as a challenger. Kouchakdjian's School Committee term ends in May, which means she won't hold elected office anymore if she loses her Select Board bid.

There are two seats up for election on the School Committee side, including the open seat that Kouchakdjian is vacating. School Committee member Silvia Nerssessian is running again in 2021, and newcomers Mandy Sim and Tyler Steffey are vying for the open seat.

Polls in Sudbury will be open Monday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 322 Concord Road, for precincts 3 and 4, and at the Fairbank Commuinty Center, 40 Fairbank Road, for precincts 1, 1A, 2 and 5.

Here are endorsement letters sent to Patch in recent weeks. These letters do not necessarily reflect the views of Sudbury Patch.

Janie Dretler, Select Board

This year we are lucky to have three Select Board candidates with a significant record of service to Sudbury. And while all may bring experience and accomplishments, one stands out for their dedication to the role and that is Janie Dretler.

In all her work, Janie’s commitment to community building and inclusiveness is clear. She is thoughtful in her deliberation, respectful in debate and disagreement, and is a calm presence under pressure. She takes clear positions on the issues before her, comes to meetings prepared, and builds relationships with other Town commissions and committees. I serve on one of Sudbury’s commissions (the Historical Commission) and Janie is, by far, the most frequent attendee from the Select Board. Her questions and insights are always fair and well-considered.

Janie leads through collaboration. Under her Select Board tenure, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail has made more tangible progress than under any other. After unsuccessful attempts by other working groups, she helped lead the Fairbank task force to a successful approval of a new senior and community center at both Town Meeting and the ballot. And she has built relationships with community leaders in neighboring towns, leading to the first joint Select Board meeting with Lincoln in several years.

Janie looks for solutions. Along with Select Member Jennifer Roberts, Janie was the first to push for an outdoor Town Meeting during COVID, the only Select Board member to proactively visit local day camps and parks during the Sewataro negotiations, and the only member to tour community and senior centers in neighboring towns when planning for the Fairbank rebuild. She is a consistent voice in support of proactively fighting climate change at the local level. She led the effort to create Sudbury’s first commission focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. And she pushed to make our Select Board and Town policies gender neutral.

Most importantly, Janie listens. I have always found Janie willing to engage with all viewpoints and choose the option that represents the greatest good for the town. She is open to respectful debate, admits when she doesn’t have the answer, and is committed to finding cooperative solutions. Please join me in voting for Janie Dretler for Select Board and for continuing to create a more inclusive, innovative, and forward-thinking Sudbury.

—Taryn Trexler, Sudbury

Lisa Kouchakdjian, Select Board

As a litigator, mother of four, and community volunteer, Lisa knows that life entails constant responsibility and accountability. Lisa has always understood that every decision she makes impacts someone else. She also possesses a unique ability to be sensitive towards others, a strong attribute to possess when you are a public servant.

Her life arc has shown her that responsibility and accountability come from within, but work best when part of an organized approach. As the daughter of a farmer, she learned the importance of a hard day’s work and the necessity to have systems in place. She’s applied those principles throughout her life. Those have most recently been observed through her accomplishments on the School Committee. When Lisa joined the Committee, long, chaotic meetings, inconsistent decision-making, and last-minute scrambles in critical areas like budget were the norm. The School Committee is now a smooth-running machine, where a focused team addresses critical topics proactively, provides transparency to the community, looks themselves in the mirror to improve, and serves as responsible steward for both the community school children and taxpayers. This is a testament to Lisa’s approach and her leadership: Get agreement on the right systems, follow them well, and strive to improve.

Lisa has chosen to run for the Select Board as she sees needs consistent with those she’s addressed in the past. She realizes that to be responsible stewards for our town’s present and future, and for our residents, their assets and their tax dollars, we need to grow accountability and responsibility. The Select Board is accountable to YOU the residents of Sudbury, without regard to partisanship or constituency. That relationship is built on trust and can only be grown by transparency and continuity. Lisa has accomplished this for Sudbury Public Schools and she is ready to accomplish it for the town.

—Ara Kouchakdjian, Sudbury

Tyler Steffey, School Committee

I am writing to endorse Tyler Steffey for the Sudbury School Committee. Tyler possesses many of the qualities I look for in a candidate; Tyler has the passion, energy, leadership and experience to make our schools a better place.

I met Tyler through our shared passion of cycling. Somehow, even during this pandemic, Tyler has created and led the Sudbury Cyclists group in town. His enthusiasm, energy and commitment have been inspiring and the group has continued to grow. Tyler is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all levels of riders. He has varied our pace, distance and route, often on the fly, to accommodate all members. This is an example to me of his strong principles and values, and his ability to build trusted relationships. This will translate to the work needed to create the same inclusive environment within our schools.

As the son of two lifelong public school educators, I grew up learning the direct and significant impact that a school committee can have on our children’s learning experience and environment. Tyler has the experience through his career in education to provide a perspective, bring new ideas and ask challenging questions, all with the goal of strengthening our schools and supporting the fabric of our schools: the teachers. It’s become even more clear that after the most difficult period in our education system; we need to elect officials who bring leadership and experience to guide our schools into this next phase of transition.

I’ve been a resident here in Sudbury for the past 6 years and have experienced first hand the importance of highly competent and well versed elected officials. I have one child at Nixon School and two others who will enroll in the near future. Tyler is the type of leader that will help shape the future for our town schools, our school employees and most importantly our children!

Please join me in casting your vote in support of Tyler Steffey for the School Committee.

— Scott O’Neil, Sudbury

Janie Dretler, Select Board

I am writing to endorse Janie Dretler for the Sudbury Select Board. Janie encompasses all the qualities I want in the leader of Sudbury: hard-working, research-oriented, measured, collaborative, and authentic.

During the past 3 years with Janie on the board there has been tremendous progress on important issues in Sudbury. She paved the way for changing the name from ‘Board of Selectmen’ to the gender neutral ‘Select Board.’ She has prioritized policy review, early in her tenure championing for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue Division of Local Services (DLS) review of our financial policies, which led to a dedicated financial policies subcommittee. She continues to advance other policy updates in her role as Chair. She has served on the Town Master Plan Steering Committee and, therefore, has a clear understanding of Sudbury’s long-term goals and rationale.

Lastly, two critical criteria for me: she has been a powerful and effective advocate for the advancement of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and for the Fairbank Community Center.
You can rely upon Janie to be thoroughly informed on town issues. Her positions and decisions are backed by extensive research through participating in external meetings (including at the state level) and reviewing numerous sources. She makes decisions based on what she believes is best for residents across demographics. Janie has a keen understanding of our broad community needs and the community pulse on key topics; her positions on issues are almost always in line with Town Meeting and election outcomes.

I want Janie at the helm as we continue to navigate COVID and return to normal life. In 2020, as COVID became our reality, she was a driving force behind key initiatives, including declaring a State of Emergency to enable necessary expenditures and other actions, as well as holding an outdoor Town Meeting. She attends regular updates with the Board of Health and has taken a cautious but proactive approach to the pandemic.

To put it simply, Janie GETS THE JOB DONE. She is masterful at setting, defending, and meeting goals for our town. She has demonstrated that she is a highly effective leader in her first term on the Select Board, and there is much more that she can help us accomplish.

Please join me in casting your vote in support of Janie Dretler for Select Board before (by mail) or on March 29.

—Laurie Eliason, Sudbury

Lisa Kouchakdjian, Select Board

Lisa Kouchakdjian has served the Town of Sudbury tirelessly, capably and selflessly. For the last 6
years Lisa has served on the Sudbury Public School Committee as a member and twice as Chair. She has participated in and overseen the budgeting process including capital planning and allocation, developed a process and procedure manual to facilitate the work of the Committee, recruited, hired and orientated a new superintend and advocated for and established professional development seminars for the School Committee members. She accomplished all this while being ever vigilant to ensure the highest level of academics for all students in the K-8 system. In addition to this involvement, she had been a member of the Master Planning Steering Committee, and continues to be a member of the Sudbury Commission on Disability as well as being the Chair of the Lincoln/Sudbury Special Education Parents Association. In her professional career Lisa is a trained attorney and has worked as a successful and well-respected litigator.

I have worked with Lisa both on the Master Plan Steering Committee and on the Commission on Disability. On the Master Planning Steering Committee Lisa contributed many innovative ideas and prospective on areas the Town would need to address over the next 20 years, especially in the area of Transportation. As a member of the Commission on Disability Lisa’s insights into the issues that the Commission dealt with especially the Town Hall Renovation Project and the Town’s ADA (Americans with Disability Act) Self Evaluation process has been valued.

Our support of Lisa is not only based on her amazing background and experience, but on her dedication to do a superior job in all that she does. She has the interpersonal skills to bring people together to strive for and work toward the common good. Her ability to see the whole picture, communicate this vision and develop strategies to solve the issues are just a few of her great strengths. Strengths that would be well used on the Select Board.

We strongly urge you to vote for Lisa for the Select Board because, based on her experience and the outcomes she has already delivered for the Town. She would be a clear, focused and thoughtful voice for the residents of Sudbury and would be strong and decisive member of the Board.

—Charles and Patricia Guthy, Sudbury

Lisa Kouchakdjian, Select Board

I endorse Lisa Kouchakdjian as a candidate for the Sudbury Select Board because she will bring both experience and a fresh perspective to the work. As a past Board Member of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, I worked with Lisa on bringing diversity, equity and inclusivity programming to school committees and superintendents state wide and collaborated with her on approaches to building consensus for changing to later school start times for high school students. Lisa also has a strong record of advocating for students with disabilities and will bring this knowledge to bear on the wider context of individuals with disabilities town-wide. Lisa is fair-minded and accessible, she relentlessly pursues all perspectives to inform decision-making and is an engaged, committed civil servant. She understands the work of building complex budgets and the process of meaningfully collaborating to effect positive change. For these reasons, I urge you to please vote for Lisa Kouchakdjian for Sudbury Select Board.

—Diane Baum, Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee member

Silvia Nerssessian, School Committee

It is with great pleasure and tremendous confidence that I share my support for Silvia Nerssessian’s re-election to the Sudbury School Committee.

As current Chair of the School Committee, Silvia is tasked with guiding and navigating the committee through implementation, change and challenging obstacles. We can all agree this past year has been extremely challenging. Throughout the pandemic, she has worked tirelessly to ensure an equitable education for every child within the Sudbury Public School system.

Silvia is a parent and resident of Sudbury and knows first hand strong public schools make our community stronger. Her innate passion and rigorous drive aid her in collaboratively building relationships within the community. Her volunteer work extends beyond the Sudbury Public School Committee. Silvia regularly attends Select Board meetings, Finance Committee and Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee meetings as she understands we all have to work together in creating the most supportive and effective academic environment so every child can reach their true potential.

Through her collaborative efforts and meaningful relationships, Silvia was critical in guiding the process to return students for more in person learning. This included an extraordinary amount of time researching safety guidelines and successful participation in numerous meetings with the Superintendent, the town, DESE, and the teachers union to move forward with bringing our children back to full in person learning. In addition to her ability to skillfully work with town leaders, Silvia’s extensive professional experience in budgeting and finance have been a monumental asset to the School Committee and the town. Throughout her work with SPS she advocated for and created a line by line budget book which is posted for the community to view allowing for full transparency of funds.

Silvia doesn’t just listen to community members; she acts. She has the ability to think independently, come up with creative solutions to problems and advocate effectively. To learn more about Silvia, please visit her website www.silvia4sudbury.org. I hope you join me in supporting Silvia Nerssessian for School Committee on March 29th.

—Nicole Burnard, Sudbury

Silvia Nerssessian, School Committee; Dan Carty, Select Board

It is with great honor that I endorse Silvia Nerssessian for re-election to the Sudbury School Committee. I have the privilege to work with Silvia where I witness her dedication, leadership and enthusiasm to continuously strive for excellence in our schools. Silvia has been a fierce and steadfast leader as our Chair through some of the most challenging times we have ever faced on the School Committee this past year. Through all obstacles she leads with collaboration and unites us as a team, and I can always count on her to help me navigate our responsibilities as elected officials. Her ability to articulate information, partner and lead seamlessly with our Superintendent, has been prevalent in the success of our District.

I have the pleasure to work alongside a great committee leader, school advocate, community connector and above all things, a friend. Silvia’s strength lies in the integrity of her thoughtful decisions, her work ethic and the knowledgeable synergy of SPS and Sudbury. Impressively, Silvia never waivers from our goal; always putting our students first. Sudbury Public Schools and the Town exist in a symbiotic relationship.

Sudbury is great due in no small part to its schools, and the schools depend on the Town for its success. Any effective government is built upon collaborative partnerships, and SPS has a solid one with Select Board member Dan Carty. Dan has been an instrumental liaison to. During my tenure on the School Committee, I cannot recall Dan not being at one of our meetings. I have never paused to reach out to Dan on various issues. His knowledge and leadership in our town has been instrumental and he is a valuable component to the success of the town of Sudbury. Dan understands the importance of the school committee’s work but more importantly knows that in order for the Town or the Schools to thrive, both must work collaboratively. And Silvia is extremely knowledgeable on Town issues above and beyond those directly impacting the schools for the same reason.

I know them both to have collaborative mindsets and appreciate the relationships they have forged to benefit both SPS and the Town. It has been my pleasure to serve with Silvia and Dan; Sudbury is fortunate to have two dedicated leaders like them. Please join me in voting to re-elect SILVIA NERSSESSIAN to the Sudbury School Committee and DAN CARTY to the Sudbury Select Board.

—Maggie Helon, Sudbury School Committee Member

Janie Dretler, Select Board

As a 44-year resident of Sudbury who has served on many different committees, I have
observed the tremendous amount of energy, dedication, knowledge and intelligence required
to be an effective member of the Select Board. Janie has amply demonstrated these qualities. I
am impressed with Janie’s insights into the myriad of issues facing our Town. And all of the
while being a supportive parent of grade-school kids.

Janie has not dodged difficult issues arising in our Town. She thoroughly acquires information
that guides her positions as an elected leader. After years of debate about the proposed Bruce
Freeman Rail Trail, she guided the effort to bring the Rail Trail closer to reality. Similarly, Janie
helped us focus on the many tradeoffs between cost and the needs of disparate groups
(seniors, swimmers, summer camp, Terrific Twos…) to converge on a design for a new Fairbank
Community Center and to get the go-ahead from Town Meeting.

For the Town Election on Monday March 29, I urge you to join me in voting to re-elect Janie to
the Select Board.

—Richard Williamson, Sudbury