Accomplishments: Townsend

Representative Scarsdale is a tireless advocate for Townsend.

Local Accomplishments:

  • Voted for tax relief for working families and small businesses, which will keep more money in the pockets of Townsend families

  • Voted to expand benefits for veterans and wrote an amendment to strengthen the benefits of fully disabled veterans

  • Proud supporter of Townsend’s Veterans, the Townsend VFW, and DAV North Middlesex Chapter #122

  • Secured, for the first time, access to state-owned lands for local first responders to access in case of emergency

  • Currently championing multiple local projects and initiatives through their respective state agencies

  • Voted for historic investments in economic development and affordable housing, investments which will help keep Townsend vibrant and affordable

  • Hosted Select Boards, FinComs, School Committees & Superintendents, Town Managers/Administrators, and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education experts for a first-of-its-kind meeting on the school funding shortfalls facing Townsend and communities across the First Middlesex District

  • Supported a federal grant application for the North Middlesex Regional School District for millions of dollars in energy efficiency upgrades

  • Holds regular office hours at the Council on Aging

  • Regularly attends community events in Townsend

Funding Secured:

In partnership with Senator John Cronin, Rep. Scarsdale has helped secure the following
funding for Townsend:

  • $250,000 bond earmark for projects to make housing more affordable

  • $35,000 for Townsend Ecumenical Outreach

  • $25,000 for Phase 4 of the Squannacook River Rail Trail

Legislative Priorities:

  • Funding for the North Middlesex Regional School District, in particular for the unfunded mandate for regional school transportation. Rep. Scarsdale is the House champion on this issue and is continuing to organize her colleagues around fully funding this mandate

  • Rein in utility monopolies like UNITIL, which charge among the highest rates in the state

  • Drive down the cost of living, particularly for seniors and working families. This includes targeted tax relief, investment in economic development and affordable housing, and continuing to fight for Townsend’s fair share of state resources on Beacon Hill

  • Protect Townsend’s rural character by preserving our environment, open space, and natural resources

  • Ensure access to physical and mental health care by organizing against the closure of  local hospitals, in particular, Nashoba Valley Medical Center

Local Endorsements:

Joe Shank, Select Board Vice Chair

Tere Morse, Select Board Clerk, and Retired Naval Officer