Three new candidates will be on the ballot next Tuesday, running in uncontested races for School Committee and Planning Board.
Newcomers Nancy Lancellotti and Mary Frances Traphagen are running for the two open seats on the School Committee, and Fran Nickerson is running for one of two open seats on the Planning Board; incumbent Michelle Catalina is seeking re-election to the other seat.
Though Lancellotti, Traphagen, and Nickerson are already active volunteers around town, these will be their first stints on the School Committee and Planning Board. Each candidate recently took a few minutes to answer questions about her background and what she will bring to her new experience of volunteer service.
Lancellotti for School Committee
A Massachusetts native, Lancellotti has lived in Harvard for nine years and has two children in the school system here. Her professional background includes teaching science and chemistry and practicing environmental law. Lancellotti has spent the last four years serving as an executive board member of the Harvard Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), first as secretary, then for two years as president, and this year as co-president. She is also a Cub Scout den leader and a volunteer religious educator for children.
In a phone interview, Lancellotti said she will bring good listening skills and her ability to work collaboratively and make decisions to the School Committee. As a seasoned PTO volunteer, she recognizes the ongoing need for volunteers to step forward and give their service. Community service is a strong personal value for Lancellotti, who enjoys working with other members of the community to build consensus. “School Committee is hopefully a place to bring people together to discuss any of the issues, to hear their ideas and concerns,” she said.
Traphagen for School Committee
With a master’s degree in early childhood education, Traphagen has worked for the last four years at the Village Nursery School in Harvard. She and her family, including three children at Bromfield and one at Hildreth Elementary, have lived in Harvard for nearly 10 years. Traphagen has served as a parent representative on the HES School Council for the past six years, is chairwoman of the Playground Committee, served as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, and is a coach and Girl Scout troop leader.
Traphagen recognizes that volunteers are always needed in town government, and she is looking forward to this next opportunity to serve. “I love Harvard,” she said, “its open spaces, smallness, and the surprising variety of people who live here.” She said she will bring creative and reasonable ideas to the School Committee, as well as a good work ethic and sense of humor. She looks forward to learning new things and to helping navigate challenging issues by practicing good communication and listening. Serving on School Committee will help Traphagen continue to pursue her passion, she said, which is “inspiring our youth to be actively involved in their education, citizenship, growth, and development.”
Nickerson for Planning Board
A mother of four, Nickerson moved to Harvard to be nearer her grandchildren in 2001. Her volunteer activities include membership in the Cultural Council, the Council on Aging (COA) board, and the Hildreth House Improvement Committee (HHIC). She has been involved with many community programs over the years, including parenting groups, the YWCA, and groups creating programs such as summer camp or swimming for special needs children. She is also a singer with Harvard Pro Musica.
Nickerson is passionate about serving seniors, particularly about creating local senior housing and assisted living. That passion led her to get involved with the COA and HHIC, which both contributed to her decision to run for Planning Board. She looks forward to addressing community concerns about planning for senior housing or assisted living in Harvard. “There’s such a strong desire by many seniors to continue to live in Harvard, but few places to downsize to, and no assisted living. I’d love to see us make those options available,” she said.
Nickerson said she will bring strong analytical skills to the Planning Board, as well as some firsthand knowledge of the challenges of the building process. She has experienced multiple residential construction projects, including designing and building a deck when she lived in Wisconsin, planning and executing minor home remodeling in Pennsylvania, and drafting and overseeing a major home remodel here in Harvard.
The importance of encouragement
All three candidates said they were encouraged to run for their positions, often by other volunteers in their current activities. In a race with just enough candidates for available slots, there hasn’t been the need for much campaigning. But they said that even if the races had been contested, they would have run. “This is the right time for me to be involved in this group. Hopefully, I’ll be able to contribute where there is a need,” said Lancellotti.
All the candidates said they are well qualified for their roles, recognizing the intersection of their skills and interests with their anticipated positions. “I think this an area where I can do some good and bring some perspective,” said Nickerson. All three spoke similarly about the importance of stepping up to fill vacant positions, and take they their volunteerism seriously. “I am honored and humbled to have this opportunity to serve,” said Traphagen.
Town Election is Tuesday, April 7. Registered voters can cast their ballots between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. in the Bromfield School cafeteria.
