Hello, Westford!

I’m Ming Zhang, a proud resident of this town for over 15 years and a father of three. I’m honored to be here today as a candidate for the Westford Planning Board. Thank you for taking the time to be part of this important conversation about the future of our town.

Westford is a community that deeply values the place we all call home. As we look ahead, we must ensure that growth strengthens—not strains—our town’s character, infrastructure, and quality of life. That’s why I’m running: to bring strategic, balanced planning to Westford, together.

I bring over two decades of leadership experience, including Director- and VP-level roles in business strategy, financial planning, operations, and community management. I’ve worked with organizations of all sizes to create solutions that are both data-driven and people-focused.

I have supported more than 20 homeowner associations, serving over 1,000 households across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Every day, I help communities navigate financial planning, budgeting, operations, and vendor relationships—from selection to ongoing management for preventive maintenance. As a business owner managing multiple rental properties for over six years, I understand firsthand the complexities of housing development, zoning, and affordability. I’ve seen both the homeowner’s and the town planner’s perspectives, and I know that sustainable, well-planned growth requires transparency, engagement, and informed decision-making.

So, what are the biggest challenges we face today?

1. Housing Development & Affordability

Westford must find the right balance between growth, affordability, and infrastructure capacity. We need solutions that expand housing opportunities while preserving our town’s small-town charm and ensuring our schools, roads, and public services can keep up.

2. MBTA Zoning Law Compliance

Recent zoning changes have raised significant concerns. We need a strategic approach—ensuring that any new zoning decisions are backed by impact assessments, infrastructure readiness, and a clear plan to prevent overcrowding and congestion.

3. Community Engagement & Transparency

For years, we’ve talked about engagement and made various efforts, but there’s more work to do. This is where my experience comes in. I’ve worked with organizations to qualify and quantify engagement, making sure that voices are heard and decisions reflect community input. As your representative on the Planning Board, I will push for a more inclusive process before major zoning decisions are made. Westford’s future should be shaped by its residents—not just by state mandates or outside developers.

I’ve led high-impact projects for major firms, requiring foresight, collaboration, and problem-solving. I’m also honored to have been named a Top 50 Influencer in Customer Success, a recognition of my ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver meaningful results.

But at my core, I am a community-first leader driven by a labor of love. I believe in solutions that work for Westford, by Westford. I believe in partnership over partisanship.

If elected, I will be a fresh voice with fresh energy—championing strategic growth, infrastructure-first planning, and total transparency—because our town deserves nothing less.

I invite you to join me in shaping a future where progress and preservation go hand in hand. I would be honored to have your support and look forward to working together to build a stronger, more connected Westford.

Thank you!