Newton Patch Candidate: Pam Wright, Councilor At Large Ward 3

NEWTON, MA — There will be several contested races Nov. 5, including a citywide vote for at large city councilor from Ward 3 where the two incumbents and a new face are vying for the two seats that are open. Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Pamela Wright, 57 is the new face hoping to secure one of two seats occupied by incumbent at-large councilors Jim Cote and Andrea Kelley from Ward 3.

Wright, who is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, moved from Watertown to West Newton in 1999 with her husband John Fitzpatrick who is an engineer for Raytheon. Wright's son Sean studies robotics engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology, her daughter Lauren studies ocean engineering at University of Rhode Island and the couple's foster teen Simi is studying neuroscience and behavior at Wesleyan University.

Wright, the daughter of a meat cutter and stay-at-home mom was the oldest in a family of seven in Wisconsin. She was the first in her family to graduate from College, getting her bachelors in electrical engineering from Marquette University in Wisconsin, and then moved to the Boston area. For two decades she worked as an electrical engineer. Now, she manages her family's two rental properties and volunteers with the Ligerbots and as a T2 mentor helping first generation college students apply to college. She also volunteers with CAP teaching children in elementary school how to be Safe, Strong and Free; as a tournament director for regional and Eastern MA state championship FIRST Lego League and lead parent coordinator for both high school sailing teams.

Wright took some time to answer Patch's questions. Her answers have not been edited.

Read this, too: Newton Election Calendar

Waltham 2019 Local Elections: Candidates, Polling Location, Hours

Contact Jenna Fisher at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Newton Patch.

The single most pressing issue facing Newton is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Development with the many issues associated with it including traffic, transportation, parking, infrastructure, school space, affordable housing, and Climate Change Resiliency. We need vision plans and a zoning code that will outline what a developer can build. Right now it can take years to receive permits because it’s not clear in the zoning code. Presently our vision plans and zoning code are trying to catch up to the proposals. It should be the other way around. I want to help write well written detail plans and zoning code that work for the residents and developers. We should view these developments holistically in the city as a whole. I’m very excited about next year’s city-wide new zoning code and how that will shape Newton for the next 50 to 75 years. It has some good intent but needs much more work.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I have a different perspective on the issues facing the city and how to address them. I listen to the residents and experts. I'm not afraid to change my position and to say that I am wrong. As an engineer I question everything and don't necessarily take something as fact. I love to take the deep dive into the data and see where it leads. The city-hired demographer stated that we need these big developments in order to keep up our school population. I asked him if he included the Washington Street Vision plan that stated 1000 students would be added. He said no, he didn't include the vision plan in his analysis and it would change his findings. Just because an expert says something doesn't mean he has all the information to make that statement. Make sure the facts support the statement.

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

While campaigning throughout the city I heard from many residents that these proposed developments are too big. I think many councilors are not listening to their constituents. I want to give these residents a voice and represent them on the city council.

If you're an incumbent, what is still on your to-do list? Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Climate Change. We will get new developments and climate change resiliency actions need to be incorporated in every project. In big projects initiatives like solar panels, electric vehicle charging capacity, and passive house standards can be required via special permit. New or renovated homes or smaller projects don’t have to follow climate change initiatives because it’s not in the state building code. I would like a two page informational sheet that all architects and builders that work in Newton must read and sign. The document would describe how a project could include climate change resiliency, including passive house standards, in its design. The architects and builders, in turn, must discuss this information with their clients at the planning stage. Before the building permit is issued, the owner would need to sign that they received and understood the document. Although we can’t require climate change mitigation techniques in these types of projects due to present state law and building code, at least it will get the information to residents at the beginning of their projects so that some, and hopefully most, will refine their projects. There are also many things as individuals we can do to help such as signing up for 100% solar and wind electricity, insulating our homes, eating less meat, reducing food waste, and more. An informative website https://www.drawdown.org/solut...

Increase affordable housing. We need to have more ideas. I would like to see detached garages or other present outbuildings allowed by right to be converted to accessory apartments per our updated zoning code. These units would be more naturally affordable because they are smaller and residents won’t be scared away by special permits. And let’s try to work with non-profits for more really affordable housing. Maybe the city can help purchase the land for new projects or partner in other ways with non-profits to increase our affordable housing stock. We also should increase inclusionary requirements to 25% in the big developments.

Senior Center: With the 5th largest senior population in the state, we should have a larger, new senior center to fit their needs. A goal is a single location but 2 or 3 locations may be needed with our land constraints.

My other concerns: protecting open space, maintaining our strong schools, improving and expanding public transportation, updating our infrastructure, and improving public safety including sidewalks, streets, and bike lanes.

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

While working as an engineering manager I've led large teams on multi-million dollar projects that finished on time and within budget. Leading volunteer groups is much more challenging because you have to inspire people to create their best work and a great event. I took on being the regional tournament director for the FIRST Lego League with no experience. I had a dedicated hard working team behind me and trusted them with their projects. Our tournament was so successful that they asked me to host the Eastern MA championship the next year. Please come to our tournament on Saturday December 14th at Newton North high school to cheer on the 4th to 8th graders celebrating STEM.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...
From my father. Tell the truth. You will never get into trouble for being honest. Also, treat everyone with respect.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I never thought I would run for office but I feel so strongly that I can help the city get back on the right path. I'm not afraid to make hard decisions. I will listen and consider residents' ideas even if they are very different from mine.

Your public social media info (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)

Candidate left this blank.

My favorite aspect of this city is...

The friendly people and the walkable villages with their own personalities.

What's your take on all the development projects across the city?

We need development but I believe many proposals are too big and dense for the city and Newton will be strained under them. We need to plan for traffic, infrastructure and schools and not look at these developments in silos. Yes, we need development and a lot more affordable housing but building high end apartments is not the only way to accomplish this.

More on Newton Elections:

• Waltham 2019 Local Elections: Candidates, Polling Location, Hours
• Newton Election Calendar
• Ward 5 Residents To Head To The Polls Sept. 10
• Humphrey, Winters Win Preliminary Election In Newton's Ward 5
• Rick Lipof Is Running Unopposed
• Mark Laredo- unopposed
• Becky Grossman, At-Large Ward 7
• Got A Newton Election Related Letter To The Editor?

More candidate profiles (in their own words):

• Kathryn Winters - Ward 5
• Bill Humphrey - Ward 5
• Rena Getz - Ward 5 (write in)
• Andreae Downs - At Large Ward 5
• Deb Crossly - At Large Ward 5
• Brenda Noel - Ward 6
• Vicki Danberg - At Large Ward 6
• Greg Schwartz - At Large Ward 6
• Emily Norton (Incumbent)- Ward 2
• Bryan Barash - Ward 2
• Jake Auchincloss(Incumbent) - At Large Ward 2
• Susan Albright (Incumbent) - At Large Ward 2
• Tarik Lucas -At Large Ward 2
• Jennifer Bentley, At Large Ward 2
• Andrea Kelley - At Large Ward 3
• James Cote - At Large Ward 3
• Ruth Goldman - School Committee
• Kathleen Shields - School Committee
• Bridget Ray-Canada -School Committee
• Alex Koifman - School Committee
• Galina Rosenblit - School Committee
• Lev Agranovich - School Committee
• Emily Prenner - School Committee
• Tamika Olszewski - School Committee