Dear Fellow Residents of Westford,

My name is Heather FitzPatrick, and I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the Westford Select Board. I was inspired to run for this position after the overwhelming support for my vocal opposition to the massive override request at the May 2024 ballot. As a fiscally minded individual, I am committed to fostering a common-sense approach that benefits our entire community.
I believe a thriving community comprises people from all walks of life, and it is essential to maintain a balance between supporting our excellent schools and ensuring that Westford remains an affordable and attractive place to live for people in every stage of life. Westford can be a welcoming community while preserving its rich history.
I have dedicated nine years of service to our town’s Finance Committee, which has provided me with a deep understanding of Westford’s operations, departments, and schools. My experience will enable me to make well-informed, financially responsible decisions that ensure your tax dollars are spent wisely on maintaining our investments in assets, buildings, schools, and employees. While budget challenges are evident, there are solutions, and I will work tirelessly to ensure your voice is heard, listening closely to your ideas and concerns, and your tax dollars are used wisely.
For those who don’t know me personally, allow me to share a bit more about myself. My family and I have called Westford home for over 15 years, with connections to the town through my husband’s work since the late 1990s. Before choosing to prioritize my family, I pursued a career in corporate accounting and finance, where I managed budgets, forecasts, and SEC filings after obtaining my CPA license in public accounting. My three children have all attended Westford public schools since kindergarten, and two of them have gone to Roudenbush Preschool. Currently, I have a child in middle school, one attending Westford Academy, and my eldest is a freshman in college.
We all share the common goal of making Westford a wonderful place to call home. As a Select Board member, I am committed to ensuring that our town remains a vibrant and welcoming community for all of us. If you would like to connect with me, please reach out at 774-813-0597 or heatherforselectboard@gmail.com. Look for me on Facebook: Heather FitzPatrick for Westford Select Board. I am eager to contribute my experience to the Select Board and work together to make Westford an even better place to live. Please feel free to share my information with your family, friends, and neighbors and don’t forget to Vote May 6th.
Thank you for your support, and I look forward to serving our community together.

1. How is your background related to the position you are seeking on the Select Board? Please include your participation in any town or community-related activities.

My professional background is in accounting and finance. After graduating from JMU, I earned my CPA license working as an auditor for unions and their benefit plans in the D.C. area. After a few years, I moved to Massachusetts and earned my MBA from Suffolk while working for publicly traded biotech companies doing budgeting, accounting, and SEC reporting. I spent the last nine years on Westford’s Finance Committee. For seven of those years I was the liaison to the Capital Committee. I also served as the alternate for the SLIDTR Committee. My involvement on the Finance Committee has provided me with an in-depth understanding of department level expenses and a comprehensive knowledge of Westford’s operations.

Throughout my time in the community, I have participated in various volunteer roles. For nearly a decade I contributed to the Friends of the JV Fletcher library as the assistant treasurer and then the treasurer. I also co-led a girl scout troop for six years and was an assistant youth soccer coach for a season. When my children were younger, I volunteered in the Westford Public Schools dedicating time to the library and the classroom, at fifth grade camp, field days, festivals and book fairs, and managing the school store at Robinson and Crisafulli. Additionally, one summer I made trips to Concord to collect and distribute fresh produce for Tadmuck Housing.  I’ve also actively volunteered for my daughters’ swim and skating clubs. Most recently, I served as a poll worker for the last election.

2. Why did you decide to run for the Select Board this year?

My motivation to run for the Select Board arose from the overwhelming support I received while advocating for a more reasonable approach to the town’s budget constraints, particularly in response to the proposed $6.8M override last year. Many residents expressed gratitude for my stance highlighting the need for sustainable financial strategies which would minimize the financial pressures on tax payers. Numerous individuals encouraged me to consider a position on the Select Board, recognizing the value my experience and perspective could bring to local government. Encouraged by fellow community members, I recognized the value I could bring to the Select Board. Through my town committee service, I’ve forged strong connections, aiming to bridge residents’ ideas with decision-makers.

While enjoying my time on the Finance Committee, I recognized that new perspectives and ideas are essential for the town’s progress. I believed it was time for fresh insights. Despite stepping down, I remain dedicated to staying informed and engaged with local matters. With upcoming budget challenges, continuity in leadership is crucial. My extensive background in town finances equips me with the necessary knowledge and experience to excel as a Select Board member, ensuring optimal outcomes for our community.

3. If elected, what issues will be a priority for you and how would you address them?

Addressing the pressing budget challenges is undoubtedly a top priority.  Throughout my time studying the town’s budget, I have identified potential solutions to budget constraints in addition to Budget Task Force recommendations, information obtained from experienced volunteers and town employees, and state initiatives from Governor Healy’s proposed Municipal Empowerment Act. Municipalities must unite and advocate for an end to unfunded state mandates and to pressure the state to provide more aid. Westford also needs to be prepared for diminishing federal and state resources. Please see here for specific budget relief ideas.

With numerous ongoing and planned projects, the town must exercise prudence to ensure that expenditures remain within our means and contribute lasting value. To achieve optimal outcomes, it is necessary to increase collaboration among boards and committees, school and town leadership, and our residents. I am committed to enhancing communication and engagement with the community to develop a sustainable, long-term fiscal plan.

In addition to fiscal concerns, I aim to promote a vibrant, diverse yet united community in Westford. It is not sustainable if Westford becomes a transient town where families move in to educate their children and then leave once their children have graduated from Westford Academy. The richest community is made up of people from all stages and walks of life who can come unite for common goals. We need the generational families to remain in town while welcoming new neighbors. We need to safeguard our natural amenities, our history, and our connections – all which make Westford special.