Offers Education, Training and Experience For Town’s Top Leadership Role

Heather FitzPatrick has put herself forward as a candidate for one of two open positions on Westford’s Select Board.   She offers education, training and valuable experience to the town at a time, when capable and competent  leadership is an absolute necessity. 

          Heather has been a resident of Westford for 16 years and has a very distinguished record of service to the community.   As a nine-year member of the Finance Committee, it was Heather, who challenged the Select Board’s support for a 6.8M override last year, boldly claiming that not enough had been done to efficiently apply existing financial resources to the town budget.  She identified 400K in overlooked revenue, held in school reserve accounts, that had not been applied to the budget.  Westford School Superintendent Dr. Christopher Chew, in his evaluation of the failure of the override to pass, publicly admitted that it was the reserve account issue that was primarily responsible. Since that time, because of Heather’s oversight, the School Committee has conducted a significant rewrite of its policies so that the roadblocks preventing the application of those funds have been removed.

            Her stellar effort in the great override debate of 2024, is just one of several examples of her skill, courage and talent.  She has served for many years as the FINCOM’s liaison to the Capital Committee, where her scrutiny has been instrumental in prioritizing the numerous projects seeking funding from various departments and interests.  She has consistently ensured that each tax dollar is wisely spent. She has also served on the SLIDTR Committee seeking ways to assist elders and others on fixed incomes from being overwhelmed by increasing property taxes.

            Heather’s skills and talents were honed over years of education, training and experience. She is a graduate of James Madison University with a degree in Finance and Accounting. She holds a CPA and an MBA from Suffolk University. Heather has worked as an auditor for labor unions in the DC area working with their benefit plans.  As a mother of three she has coached soccer, volunteered with the girl scouts, and has served as a school volunteer.

             Her candidacy comes at a critical juncture for town government. Finance Director Dan O’Donnell, who has provided reliable, effective and competent stewardship of the town’s finances for the past 23 years has announced he is leaving for a private sector job.  His departure will create a significant vacuum in terms of skill and experience in the management of town finances. Heather FitzPatrick has the background to fill this gap and to ensure that whomever is selected to replace O’Donnell will have the same commitment to efficient financial management as he did.   A vote for Heather FitzPatrick is a vote for competence, experience and town-oriented stewardship.