CarolGloff
Natick Board of Selectmen
Results
 
Result: Making every penny count.
  • Carol has a proven record of making Natick run better and more efficiently – that means money saved. Carol has led on issue after issue that’s saved the town money. From adopting Medicare for retirees, to consolidating town departments, to renegotiating the town’s incineration contract with Millbury, Carol does more than talk about saving taxpayer money. She does it.
Result: Accountability. 
  • Carol promised to make town government more accountable, and she has. Carol’s vigilance has meant that problems like the long-neglected Walcott Trust Fund for supporting needy residents got fixed. That 2007 election errors were publically aired and fixed. Carol doesn’t just talk about accountability. She insists on it.
Result: Effective collaboration with the schools and funding of our school system.
  • Carol’s dad was a custodian who taught Carol the value of a dollar – and the value of education. As a scientist, consultant, and small business owner, Carol well understands what the future will demand of today’s students. That’s why Carol has worked to ensure much-needed funding for educating the children of Natick. And thanks to Carol, representatives of the Selectmen, School Committee, and Finance Committee meet regularly and openly to collaborate on budgetary issues. Carol does more than talk about education. She helps make it possible. 
Result: A town that just runs better.
  • Carol has used the extensive knowledge of Natick’s government she gained in 8 years on the Finance Committee to make the town run better – just as promised. Working relationships with other communities, the hiring of the new Town Administrator, tireless advocacy, effective housing, transportation plans, and more have laid the groundwork for a town that just gets better and better. Carol doesn’t wish for continuous improvement – she makes it happen.  

Result: Real listening, real communicating, and real defense of the values that unite us.
  • Carol promised to work for the whole community, long term, and she has a strong record of having done it. The selectmen’s office hours, town newsletter, and more were started under her watch. She leads the way in much that makes us all proudest of our community – seniors, schools, affordable housing. And when the mall wanted to call itself “Natick,” Carol started the petition that turned them around. Carol doesn’t just make promises about responsiveness and community. She really listens to citizens, keeps townspeople in the loop, and defends our community values.
Result: Making every penny count
  • Carol has a proven record of making Natick run better and more efficiently – that means money saved. Carol has led on issue after issue that have saved the town money – from adopting Medicare requirements for retirees, to consolidating town departments, to renegotiating the town’s incineration contract with Millbury. Carol does more than talk about saving taxpayer money. She does it.
Under Carol’s leadership as a Selectman,
  • Natick saved money by joining the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, which has already saved over $60,000 of your tax money, and will improve transportation service.
  • Natick saved money by moving eligible Natick retirees to Medicare, lowering taxpayer costs by over $600,000 while maintaining retiree benefits. 
  • Natick is working to save money by improving the Contributory Retirement Board’s investment practices in order to save future tax dollars while maintaining local control over retirement benefits. 
  • Natick saved money by using the Pay-As-You-Throw trash bag system, thus reducing tipping fees (Carol helped develop the program).
  • Natick saved money by its prompt re-negotiation of its contract with the Millbury incineration plant for taxpayers’ trash, resulting in an annual savings of $250,000 beginning partway through fiscal year 2009.
  • Natick saved money by purchasing less expensive binders and paper for records of warrants approved and paid.  It’s a small amount, maybe $1,000 per year, but Carol looks at all levels of savings to help the taxpayers. 

Result: Accountability. 
  • Carol promised to make town government more accountable, and she has. Carol’s vigilance has meant that problems like the long-neglected Walcott Trust Fund for supporting needy residents got fixed. That 2007 election errors got publically aired and fixed. Carol doesn’t just talk about accountability. She insists on it.
  • Worked with the Town Counsel, Town Clerk and the Acting Town Administrator in resolving Town Meeting ballot errors for two precincts and gaining court approval for a new election in 2007. 
  • Developed guidelines for management of the Walcott and Kennedy Trust Funds, by appointing full membership (5-members of Natick’s Clergy) to the boards who oversee these trust funds, which provide support to needy Natick residents.
  • Established guidelines for these trust funds, which were left to the Town over 75 years ago. 
  • As Chair of the Financial Planning Committee (FPC), led a comprehensive review of Town finances to ensure that the residents can make important decisions based on accurate information. 
Result: Effective collaboration with the schools and funding of our school system.
  • Carol’s dad was a custodian who taught Carol the value of a dollar – and the value of education. As a scientist, consultant, and small business owner, Carol well understands what the future will demand of today’s students. That’s why Carol has worked to ensure much-needed funding for educating the children of Natick. And thanks to Carol, representatives of the Selectmen, School Committee, and Finance Committee meet regularly and openly to collaborate on budgetary issues. Carol does more than talk about education. She helps make it possible. 
  • Actively supported successful campaign to pass debt exclusion funding for Wilson and Kennedy Middle Schools.
  • Voted to demonstrate Town’s commitment to replace or renovate Natick High School.
  • Supported funding to decrease school bus fees.
  • Supported essential increases in school budgets over the past 11 years. 
  • Worked closely with School Committee and Finance Committee representatives, and school and town administration to make certain that all needs of the community, both education and municipal services, have appropriate funding.
  • Chair of Education Sub-Committee of Finance Committee for 4 years
  • Member Middle School Advisory Committee in 1999
  • Steering Committee of “Yes on 9” campaign to support Wilson and Kennedy Middle Schools in 2000.  
  • Financial supporter and member of Natick Education Foundation
Result: A town that just runs better.
  • Carol has used the extensive knowledge of Natick’s government she gained in 8 years on the Finance Committee to make the town run better – just as promised. Working relationships with other communities, the hiring of the new Town Administrator, tireless advocacy, effective housing, transportation plans, and more have laid the groundwork for a town that just gets better and better. Carol doesn’t wish for continuous improvement – she makes it happen.  
  • Developed and implemented guidelines for ambulance billing procedures and past due accounts, ensuring the continuance of delivering life support services in a well-managed and properly accounted for manner. 
  • Supported efforts to balance Natick’s Public School and general government needs, while continuing to deliver high quality services to the entire Town.
  • Hired the new Town Administrator, while also facilitating successful transition to new management. 
  • Represented Board of Selectmen on interview committees for Council on Aging/Human Services Director, Human Resources Director, and Town Comptroller.  
  • Promoted innovative strategies to address downtown parking limitations, in order to enhance the vitality of Natick Center for business and residents.
  • Directed the Town Administrator to prepare a 5-year capital plan as required by the Town Charter 
  • Helped to update the Morse Institute Library Long Range Plan as the Selectmen’s representative, with a goal toward delivering enhanced library services. 
  • Through the Natick 360 process, worked with other town boards and residents ensuring progress and collaboration on strategic initiatives.
  • Established working relationships with representatives of other communities through Leadership MetroWest and the Massachusetts Municipal Association. 
  • Maintained strong working relationships with our State and Congressional legislative delegation 
  • Worked with Mass Office of Economic Development, Mass Executive Office of Transportation, Congressman Markey and Senator Kerry, to secure funding to improve critical traffic bottlenecks.
  • Advocated with the State for:
    • Additional local aid for Natick
    • Passage of local options to help Natick property taxpayers
    • Revamp of Chapter 40B, the state law that permits developers to circumvent local zoning and neighborhood concerns
    • Inclusion of Natick retirement funds in State-managed investment program in order to increase investment returns, thus lowering costs to Natick taxpayers while preserving local control over benefits.
    • Timely passage of legislation to benefit Natick, e.g, Home Rule petition for long-term lease of Middlesex Avenue parking garage site.
Result: Real listening, real communicating, and real defense of the values that unite us.
  • Carol promised to work for the whole community, long term, and she has a strong record of having done it. The selectmen’s office hours, town newsletter, and more were started under her watch. She leads the way in much that makes us all proudest of our community – seniors, schools, affordable housing. And when the mall wanted to call itself “Natick,” Carol started the petition that turned them around. Carol doesn’t just make promises about responsiveness and community. She really listens to citizens, keeps townspeople in the loop, and defends our community values.
  • Established regular one-on-one time between Selectmen and citizens by starting Selectmen’s office hours.
  • Supported improved town communications, including the Town Administrator’s quarterly newsletter, the town website, and statements on major town issues.  
  • Initiated petition that convinced the Natick Mall management to not rename itself as “Natick” 
  • Fostered a climate of courtesy, respect and efficiency as Board of Selectmen chair.
  • Supported design and study money for a new senior/community center. 
  • Advocated for added resources at the Senior Center.
  • Helped Natick control future residential development and provide affordable housing choices for the community by representing the Selectmen on the Community Development Advisory Committee.   Finalized the Natick Housing Plan, which was approved by Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) increasing the Town’s leverage with 40B developers and keeping Natick’s housing more affordable. 
  • Led the effort to establish the Affordable Housing Trust Fund channeling private funding and grants to develop affordable housing in Natick. 
  • Worked with DHCD ensuring certification of Natick’s affordable housing units in accordance with the Natick Housing Plan and protecting Natick from additional 40B developments during 2007. 
  • Ensured that new affordable housing provided by the developers of the Natick Mall meets high standards.
  • Advocated that the Selectmen give preference for affordable housing units to Natick residents, their families, and Town employees. 
Carol’s Background
  • 3 years on the Natick Board of Selectmen, chair 2007-2008.
  • 8 years on the Town of  Natick Finance Committee:
  • Vice Chair of the Finance Committee  (1 year) 
  • Secretary of Finance Committee  (3 years) 
  • Chair of Education Sub Committee  (4 years) 
  • Chair of the General Government Sub Committee  (3 years) 
  • Chair of Personnel & Benefits Sub Committee  (3 years) 
  • Member of Budget Planning Sub Committee  (4 years) 
  • Member of Public Works Sub Committee  (2 years) 
  • Member of Public Safety Sub Committee  (4 years)
  • Library Long Range Planning Committee
  • Graduate of Natick Citizens Police Academy
  • Graduate of MetroWest Leadership Academy
  • Member Fire Services Study Committee 
  • Town Meeting Member (4 years) 
  • Recycling Advisory Committee (2 years)
  • Member, Natick Education Foundation
  • Friends of the Morse Institute Library  (13 years) 
  • Trustee, Natick Visiting Nurses Association (3 years)
  • Member Middle School Advisory Committee (1999)
  • Member Pay-as-You-Throw Task Force (2 years)
  • Member League of Women Voters (15+ years, 6 years in Natick)
  • Steering Committee of “Yes on 9” campaign to support Wilson and Kennedy Middle Schools (2000)

Committee to Elect Carol Gloff, c/o Christine Weithman, Treasurer, 6 Spring Valley Road, Natick MA 01760
 
This page was last updated 14 February 2008