Dear Voter,
It is an honor to submit my candidacy for the Lancaster Select Board.
I bring decades of proven leadership in business, government, and nonprofits. For 21 years I have served as CEO of Enventive Engineering, Inc., a high-tech company specializing in software used by mechanical engineers. I was mentored by someone who understood the importance of relationships, trust, and shared goals as the foundation for solving difficult problems and getting things done. I want to apply those lessons to the town government.
I served on Lancaster’s Board of Health for more than a decade. Of the many issues we dealt with, I particularly remember the challenges of seniors. I became painfully aware that people on fixed incomes suffer as costs rise. We must take care of our elderly. They took care of us when we were young. We must also remember younger families struggling financially to provide a good future.
I am deeply involved in a number of not-for- profit organizations. My experience includes serving 10 years as board chair for South Lancaster Academy, steering it through the closure of AUC and putting it on a successful track. Education has opened doors for me and made me a better person. Each generation is responsible for educating the next generation. How we do this requires constant discussion as society and technology change. Lancaster faces challenges today that are best solved by innovation and working towards a shared vision. Money can help but money alone will not solve our problems.
I humbly ask you to consider me for Select Board. I will be “out and about” throughout the campaign this spring, and would love to hear from you about your concerns and ideas for Lancaster
Ralph
Why are you running for Select Board?
I love this town. My family has lived here going back three generations. My dad was a firefighter in town. I raised my own family here. I want to help Lancaster and its residents face the challenges before us and thrive- financially, socially, and personally.
For the past year, I have been attending Select Board meetings, and many, many meetings of other boards to understand the issues. I am inspired by the dedication of the volunteers and town staff. I’m running for Select Board because I want to be part of the team that strives to continue to improve this town.
I founded a company in 2002 that is still going strong today. We make technology that is used to make cars, surgical devices, appliances, and other products safer, more reliable, and more cost effective. Our work likely touches every person in this room every day. I’ve built a successful company and I am fortunate to be able to focus some time on my home town. I want to bring my financial and private sector skills to serve Lancaster.
As you talk to voters about your campaign, what kinds of concerns are they expressing?
Lancaster residents are, like me, concerned about the high tax rates. They want the town to have the capital it needs to operate, but are feeling the financial pinch themselves. Some say they don’t know how they will continue to be able to live here. I’m a fiscal conservative, and it’s served me well as I’ve built my company. I think it’s important to live within our means and to plan ahead.
At my company, which I’ve run for 22 years, I’ve implemented a five-year budget review process, which allows long-term strategizing for spending and revenue generation. If I am elected, I’d like to implement this kind of long-term budget planning for Lancaster.
Have voters expressed any other concerns?
Voters are also worried about what I call “hidden taxes”. These are other household service costs such as trash and recycling, electric, and water/sewer. Lancaster residents not only have some of the highest taxes in the region, we also face hidden taxes: we don’t have town trash services, the negotiated electric rates are higher than in neighboring towns, and there are issues with the sewer rates we’ve been paying. As a current member of the sewer commission, I identified that problem and have been working on solving it. As an SB member, finding solutions to these additional hidden taxes would be a high priority for me. I want to help keep living costs down so that residents keep their hard-earned money in their pockets.
Can you tell us about your experience in Lancaster town government?
I served on the Lancaster Board of Health for more than a decade. In addition to the usual duties of that board (approving septic systems and overseeing enforcement of health codes), I led the board in overseeing the capping of the Lancaster landfill and developing an approach to agricultural conflict resolution that became a model for the state. We set up a grant program to help homeowners with funding to bring their septic systems into Title V compliance. We also pioneered public smoking regulations that went on to sweep the nation and are now the law of the land.
I’ve also had the privilege of serving on the Sewer Commission for this last year. It is a great group of hard-working, knowledgeable people who are committed to making the utility as efficient and cost effective as it can be. Shortly after joining the Sewer Commission last year, I discovered a major discrepancy between the flow rate that the District bills its customers, and the flow rate used by Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to bill the Sewer District. MWRA’s flow rate is 45% higher than what we bill our customers. Our Commission is hard at work to get to the root of the discrepancy. Finding the reason behind this discrepancy and developing a solution may save Lancaster residents money.
How can we be more financially resilient as a town?
The first thing I’d do as a Select Board is move to appoint the Economic Development Committee that Lancaster voters created two years ago at our Annual Town Meeting.
I would then work with Select Board members, the Finance Committee, and town staff on a detailed process for multi-year budget planning, and connecting our master plan to our financial forecasting. In running my own company over the last 22 years, I have made sure we are forecasting budgets 5 years in advance, in connection with a big-picture 20-year plan. With this kind of long-term planning, we can improve our financial situation.
Lancaster is growing and changing, how do we make sure the town benefits from development?
Development is not just inevitable, it is necessary, and critical to diversifying our tax base. This has to happen. I want Lancaster to be in the driver’s seat of that effort, asking critical questions like: What kind of businesses do residents want? What will add to our town?
I’m a business person. I am pro-business, and I am pro-Lancaster. We need leadership that makes sure the development we invite into Lancaster works for Lancaster.
Engaging with current and prospective Lancaster business owners and understanding their needs is a top priority. I’ll also be proactive about engaging with local and state Chambers of Commerce to promote Lancaster as a great home for businesses and a great place to visit. Our farms, trails, history, and the Nashua River have much to offer visitors. And, every spring, summer, and fall weekend, hundreds of families come to Lancaster to use the facilities at the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association site. I want them to spend their dollars in Lancaster, not in neighboring towns.
What kind of business development would you try to bring to Lancaster?
We need to work to recruit small and large businesses to Lancaster. Lancaster can, with the right leadership, go after businesses that enhance our community and generate important revenue. Did you know that small businesses bring in more revenue per acre than ones with a larger footprint? There are so many great small businesses in Lancaster: having locally-owned businesses is something that serves to deepen the character of the town, and should bring pride to us as a community. It is ALSO a great path to a diversified tax base.
For example, our neighbor Sterling has had success bringing in a new cafe to take over a vacant bank. This is a great example for us. Another great example is the converted Saltbox building in Bolton: it provides professional suites, houses a coffee shop, a yoga studio, a quilting store, and more. An example on the large scale is the Point complex in Littleton: it is anchored by a Market Basket, and also has a movie theater, numerous restaurants, several fitness clubs, and more.
Imagine using the DCAMM property to create a vibrant, walkable commercial district with small businesses, generating revenue, and serving and employing Lancaster residents. Imagine the South Lancaster Commercial District as another more walkable and economically thriving area. A 2021 study sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development provides an analysis and advice on rezoning and economic policy development for this region. We can work with residents and businesses in the district, and make this vision a reality.
What are your thoughts on the large-scale development plans for McGovern Blvd. in north Lancaster?:
Voters decided the north Lancaster question themselves at two different town meetings. They approved a 40R district in November 2022 and a rezoning in January 2023. These votes have cleared the way for developers to move forward with their plans.
The town will be voting at our Annual Town Meeting on whether to accept the 86 acres from the original land agreement with the McGovern Blvd. developers, so there has been some progress. Unfortunately, we also know from Massachusetts Superior Court public documents that the development partners are suing each other over control of the project. That’s something between them and beyond the control of the town, but it is an unfortunate fact that we can’t ignore.
I understand from a Memo on the Affordable Housing Trust website that the developers are preparing their MEPA filing with plans to submit it this month. That will help us understand their final plans for the site.
Like many Lancaster residents, I am very eager to see what happens next regarding the 40R housing district and the plans for much-needed tax-producing development. As a Select Board member, I'll want to hear regularly about this very important project and work with the Select Board and developers to make sure that the town’s interests are served.
What are your thoughts on the MoU the town signed with the McGovern Blvd. developers?
At the time the Select Board signed the MoU, they made the best decisions they could with the options before them, and when they felt that agreement needed to be amended, they amended it. As a business owner who has negotiated many international agreements, I understand that you do the best that you can do at the time with the information that you have.
As a Select Board member, I’ll work together with the other members of relevant committees and town staff to continue to make sure the developments in north Lancaster work for Lancaster. I’ll also explore and foster outreach to bring sustainable development to Lancaster that eases the tax burdens and works for all. We cannot afford to put all our eggs in one or two baskets. We need to all work together for the best outcome for the town.
How are you financing your campaign?
I’m accepting donations from Lancaster residents and people who grew up in Lancaster, and financing things on my own, too. I am not accepting donations from businesses. I think it’s important to avoid even the impression of a quid-pro-quo or other ethical concern.
How can residents communicate with you about their concerns and questions?
It’s super important to me to connect with Lancaster residents and answer their questions about my campaign. I invite everyone to please send any questions to my Email ralph@ralphgifford.com so that I can answer your questions directly. Residents can also just give me a call. I’m happy to talk with you: 1-508-847-2217
Can we reach you on social media?
I do have a Facebook site, designed to make information about me, my campaign, and voting accessible. I also welcome questions there, but please know it may take a little more time to have questions answered there: Email or phone are the best ways to reach me.
