The Candidates Respond
SSC posed the following prompt to the candidates running for office the upcoming town election. We will post their responses below as they become available. We thank the candidates for sharing their views!
To learn more, attend SSC’s Candidates Panel, Monday, April 29th, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM, on Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/3524688267.
Update (5/5/2024): A recording of the Candidates Panel is available on Sharon TV.
Prompt: As Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac said in The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis, “We can no longer afford to assume that addressing climate change is the sole responsibility of national or local governments, or corporations or individuals. This is an everyone-everywhere mission in which we all must individually and collectively assume responsibility.”
If you are elected, you will be in a position to impact sustainable practices in all facilities and create opportunities to strengthen the environmental literacy of our leaders and residents. What is your plan in this regard and what specific programs or practices will you endorse?
Candidate Responses
Toben Asklar, School Committee Candidate
Sustainable Practices Action Plan
Advancing sustainable environmental practices in the schools is one of my core values as a Sharon School Committee candidate. I’m concerned about environmental health and climate change on a family level. Our at-home sustainability actions include solar panels, an electric car, recycling, composting, and gardening. If elected to the Sharon School Committee, I will support the School Committee’s existing commitment to the schools’ sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Actions like —
recycling, composting, waste reduction, and landfill diversion
hands-on teaching and learning about the environment
green building/facilities practices (like solar production, car charging stations, HVAC)
planting and gardening study and action
environmentally safe(r) chemical/materials use
I’d like to see the district’s sustainable practices grow, to hear at least quarterly from facilities, administration, teachers, students, and/or PTOs about initiatives and partnerships. I’m interested in promoting students’ continued engagement with Sharon’s natural resources (see below). I’d like to see more about food waste reduction and composting in the schools. Given the School Committee’s responsibility for oversight of facilities, I expect to examine current and future building standards with an eye on environmental sustainability.
My vision of my School Committee duties and responsibilities comes with a sustainability lens. That view includes considering reuse, recycling, facilities maintenance, transportation options, greening of spaces, and practical environmental and science learning experiences — Lake Massapoag water quality studies, Borderland and Moose Hill field research, planning/planting gardens and reforesting, applying engineering to conservation—as I participate with my fellow committee members in doing the work.
Lauren Grasso, School Committee Candidate
Serving the community as a school committee member provides an opportunity for sustainability practices and environmental education to be lifted up and worked into community conversations. I hope to spotlight the partnership between the Sharon Public Schools (SPS) and CMRK Inc. The textile recycling program is not only an effective sustainability practice, it generates funds for the SPS Recycling Program. Raising awareness and encouraging the use of these textile recycling bins located at every school building in town would further support environmental efforts in our schools. Mixed recycling is collected weekly by Republic Services, however with the continued vacancy of the Recycling Coordinator at SPS, existing student environmental clubs and sustainability initiatives are less supported than they once were. This could be an opportunity for me to rally community members, educators, students, and families to get involved to reduce our impact on the environment. Do you like planning events? Last year there was a drop and swap event during the Sharon Green Day Festival that successfully redistributed 40% of the donated items to other event participants, keeping all of these items out of landfills. All remaining items went to CMRK Inc. where they were further distributed or recycled. Does Arbor Day hold a special place in your heart? I would love to work with you to create events for our students. We as a community have such a wide range of interests and talents. Let's come together and share our skills with the district and demonstrate our commitment to sustainability.
Sam Liao, Select Board Candidate
I have a PhD from MIT, and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University. The profession I am in has been at the forefront of implementation of Sustainability in Design and Construction. Also, I have an MBA from BU, and thus have the management capabilities to implement sustainable practices and innovative programs for Sharon.
My record includes:
I was responsible for first proposing circa 2004-2005 the Mountain Street solar energy project, soon to be fully implemented.
In 2008, I edited a publication, “Engineering Strategies for Global Climate Change” for the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Recently, I voted at the Town Meeting to implement the Stretch Code, and to extend the artificial turf athletic field Moratorium.
Ever since the being on the former Sharon High School Expansion Building Committee in the late 1990s, which installed the grass field inside of the high school track, I have been on the side of grass. In addition to environmental concerns regarding artificial turf, grass fields are best for the safety of our children and student athletes.
On the getting the Town to zero carbon emissions by 2050, and other issues for the future, I have many specific ideas for the Recycling Coordinator, the Planting of Trees, and the Adoption of Black Earth Compost services, but the 250 word limit for this statement does not allow all the ideas to be articulated here, so please fell free to call me at 781-784-0421 if you would like to hear them.
Ahmed Ali Mohamed, School Committee Candidate
School committees have the opportunity to support environmental initiatives by implementing eco-friendly policies, promoting sustainability education, incorporating renewable energy sources, and partnering with local environmental organizations for guidance and resources.
School policies for sustainability and environmental protection may include:
Waste management Initiatives to reduce waste through recycling programs, utilizing digital resources to decrease paper usage, and promoting composting practices.
Energy Efficiency practices like installing energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and HVAC systems, as well as encouraging staff to adopt energy-saving practices.
Sustainable Transportation by encouraging walking or biking to school to reduce carbon emissions.
Eco-Friendly Building Standards in new construction or renovation projects.
Environmental Education by integrating sustainability and environmental topics into curriculum to raise awareness and foster environmental stewardship among students.
Creating outdoor areas where students learn and connect with nature to promote health and well-being.
Collaborating with local environmental organizations, hosting events that support the local community's environmental goals.
Water Conservation by implementing measures to reduce water consumption, such as installing water-saving fixtures and promoting responsible water usage.
By implementing these strategies, school committee can actively support sustainability and environmental protection while providing valuable opportunities for students education and engagement.
Allan Motenko, School Committee Candidate
I am committed to the mission and goals of the Sustainable Sharon Coalition, whether that be net zero emissions by 2050 or preserving and enhancing the town’s composting program.
But I am not the person you want crafting scientific practices to get us there.
The school committee has as potential subject matter experts: the members of this group, the science teachers in our district, our creative students, parents/community members that work on sustainability as a vocation, and town employees with expertise. Further, the School Committee can access best practices that other communities have implemented through the MA Superintendent’s Association, MA Association of School Committees, and MA Municipal Association.
The School Committee’s role should be to convene these constituencies, provide them with the resources they need to research and gather information, and then empower them to develop formal recommendations for the School Committee.
The School Committee then becomes responsible for establishing the timeline, policies, and funding needed to implement those recommendations.
I believe this is the best way for the School Committee to support a more sustainable community.
Dan Newman, School Committee Candidate
School Committee has an obligation to sustainability in Sharon’s schools. Proper planning by our school district reduces waste, preserves our environment, and keeps students healthy.
School construction should incorporate green principles. Solar installations generate revenue for the district by producing clean energy. Sharon’s schools are near streams, ponds, and Lake Massapoag, requiring special care of school grounds. In particular, schools should avoid using fertilizers or artificial turfs that could negatively impact Sharon’s groundwater.
School meals should be healthy for students as well as the environment. School Committee should request a school meal improvement plan from administrative staff. The plan should increase fruits and vegetables and decrease red meats and fried foods. The plan should reduce single-use disposable plastic, such as sugary beverage cartons, and instead encourage students to drink tap water from reusable bottles.
School Committee should promote walking and cycling to school. School properties should have proper sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes. School Committee should keep bus fees affordable to promote bus use by students outside a walking or cycling range.
School Committee has a responsibility to reduce waste. Sharon’s schools should consult the recycling coordinator about best practices for composting and recycling. School Committee should promote paperless communication in its own business and in the schools. Modern business requires very little, if any, paper communication. The schools should teach students paperless habits at the appropriate grade levels.
School Committee should partner with Sustainable Sharon Coalition to advise these initiatives.
Oanh Nguyen, Planning Board Candidate
My name is Oanh Nguyen (pronounced “Wine New-yen” and I am running for Planning Board Member. Thank you for the opportunity to share my views on protecting the environment. I believe that protecting our environment is one of the most important actions we must take, to ensure a healthy planet for future generations. In the Planning Board role, I will contribute to the decision-making process for how land in Sharon is used. I plan to always consider the environmental impact of all projects undertaken and believe that as a Town, we could go further, and set the highest standards for energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
One of my goals is revitalize the Town Center, or the Business District, through zoning and improve the walkability of that area, to make it safer for residents through centralizing the parking area and widening the sidewalks. Along the way, with a lens towards placemaking, I would push for higher standards in design and environmentally friendly standards for any new projects in that area.
I look forward to serving the Town of Sharon and will continue to promote sustainability as a core objective for the Planning Board.
Jeremy Kay, School Committee Candidate
One of the main reasons I moved back to Sharon was its natural setting. Having grown up on Billing Street, I spent countless hours at Mann’s Pond and exploring the surrounding woods. Professionally, I spent a significant portion of my career at companies with missions related to sustainability (Zipcar and Indigo Ag). Outside of work, I enjoy the outdoors; I am an avid hiker and plan to rejoin the Appalachian Mountain Club when my daughter is five or six. This past summer, we traveled to both Acadia and Yellowstone National Parks.
As a committee member, I would encourage teachers and students to take advantage of Sharon’s natural spaces. I fondly remember going to Borderland with my Earth Science class to learn about the impact glaciers had on the landscape of the park. I love the idea of partnering with the Sustainable Sharon Coalition to explore sustainable practices and enhance nature-focused education in our schools. Many connections between the natural and the modern world are under-appreciated. For example, the discovery that led to Ozempic's development was found in Gila monsters, highlighting the importance of nature in scientific innovation and health.
For the specific topics mentioned, I would need to do more research. However, I would be cautious about building artificial turf fields due to the environmental impacts of plastics, including on our health and ecosystems. I would love to see more—and better-kept—sidewalks around town, promoting a more walkable and environmentally friendly community.
Xander Shapiro, Select Board Candidate
I will continue to advocate for initiatives that preserve our environment and keep our community green. Collaboration with groups like SSC is key to our collective action. I spearheaded last year’s Green Day, reaffirming our town’s commitment to environmental protection. As a Select Board member, I’ll continue to work with stakeholders to further our local sustainability. As a member of the town’s solar projects board, I’ve contributed to projects that save Sharon approximately $750,000 annually and offset up to 100% of energy consumption for each building.
My four sustainability priorities:
Recycling: Let’s fill the vacant recycling coordinator position, pivotal for both town and schools.
Lake Massapoag: Our beloved lake must be preserved for future generations. I support collaborative efforts to reduce pollutants and address legacy contamination, as demonstrated by the new LoveOurLake campaign.
Composting: Despite low participation, our curbside composting program is a simple yet effective way to reduce landfill methane emissions. I’m committed to doubling household involvement through education and incentives.
Athletic Fields: Recognizing the community’s desire for better athletic facilities, I want to create a task force to explore sustainable enhancements, including bioplastic turf options.
With my extensive leadership experience across various town committees, I am well-equipped to serve Sharon effectively on the Select Board. Learn more about my vision at Xander4Sharon.com, and remember to vote on May 21st. I promise to listen and lead to deliver for Sharon.
Veronica Wiseman, School Committee Candidate
I am grateful for the work of the Sustainable Sharon Coalition which has been a tremendous educational resource for our community and our schools.
In Sharon, we are incredibly fortunate to have proximity to Borderland, a working farm, an active CSA program run through Mass Audubon and of course our beautiful Lake Massapoag.
As our community works to protect these precious assets, we must educate our children to do so as well. From preschool to graduation, all of our students should understand their role in maintaining the health of our planet, and how local action in their own community is essential to that goal.
As an SC member I can ensure district policies reflect best practices within our school buildings. I can support and strengthen the district’s partnership with Sustainable Sharon which has been instrumental in the mentoring of students in important projects through their Green Day events and community education. I can continue to work with the Rec Advisory and other town committees to collaborate on action plans for change.
Currently the town is operating without a Recycling Coordinator and we are relying on maintenance personnel and parent volunteers to help maintain existing programs within our school buildings. I would advocate for making the hiring a recycling coordinator an important priority and look to that professional to partner with SPS teachers and curriculum coordinators, to expand the emphasis on issues within our curriculum related our environment.
