My name is Denny Swenson and I am running for town meeting member because I believe the neighborhood voice is so important.

Denny Swenson (with her family), candidate for Milton Town Meeting Member, Precinct 5. Pictured: Reilly Sheehan, Ari, Jesse, Denny and Win Swenson

Years ago, Milton Mews was intending to build three, four and five story buildings in my neighborhood. The plan was 276 apartment units directly abutting the Fowl Meadow resource area.

I had very little understanding then of the various boards and committees in town. It was a very steep learning curve to begin to understand which ones would hear our neighborhood’s concerns and how to best reach out to them.

Through the process of advocating for historical preservation, archaeological resources, open space, and wildlife habitat I met so many people throughout the town who share these concerns with us.

I am running for town meeting member to continue to advocate for these principles and, most importantly, for the concept of neighborhood inclusion in any decisions related to changes in zoning in respect to their neighborhoods.

As a community we were able to defeat Milton Mews, but since then I learned from other neighborhood leaders across the town that their neighborhoods confront the very same challenges we faced. I also learned that many neighborhoods felt decisions were too often being made without their input and that they often had to scramble to play catch-up with town officials to be heard.

So, we formed the Milton Neighborhood Coalition. Our goal is to work together to better advocate for neighborhood concerns and to improve town-wide decision making with more attention to neighborhood voices along the way.

It is not about obstruction; it is about opening the process for better inclusion of the voices that care and know the most about their own neighborhoods.

I am running for town meeting member because I care about our neighborhoods, our precinct and our town.

I would appreciate your vote on April 27^th Precinct Five members.

All my best,

Denny Swenson
65 Green Street
President, Friends of Hemenway Woods
President, the Friends of the Blue Hills
Member, Milton Neighborhood Coalition

P.S. If you have any interest in joining our neighborhood coalition or receiving precinct or neighborhood updates send an email to me at [email protected]. I would be happy to include you on our list.