FITCHBURG — City Councilor Sam Squailia wants to make city government more accessible and transparent, spurring a “genuine change” for her hometown.
Those key reasons are what spurred her decision to challenge incumbent Stephen DiNatale for the city’s mayorship. She said her commitment to accessibility sets her apart from the incumbent and other challengers on the ballot this fall.
“An effective mayor should be readily available to listen to the concerns and needs of the community to share information consistently and directly with residents. By being out everywhere in my community and responding quickly to our resident and stakeholder needs, I am able to understand their unique challenges, and work collaboratively to address them,” Squailia said.
Squailia, who was first elected to the City Council as an at-large member in 2018, also said during her tenure as a councilor, the city has made positive investments that should be capitalized on.
Improving the city’s roads
Anyone who has driven on the city’s roads recently, especially residents, know the city’s roads are in rough shape — it’s something Squailia believes is the biggest challenge facing the city. Despite road condition being a top complaint for residents, Squailia said the pavement condition deficit continues to grow by approximately $4 million annually.
“As part of my commitment to finding effective solutions for our roads, I have educated myself on pavement management strategies over my three terms as a councilor, taken many road paving courses and have long advocated for the implementation of a pavement management plan as a councilor,” Squailia said. “When councilors were given an agenda item to spend $60,000 on a streetscan system in 2019, I specifically advocated for and was told we could use this data to develop a comprehensive pavement management plan. However, despite these efforts and spending, we still lack a transparent plan for our roads, leaving our constituents in the dark about which roads will be prioritized, when they will be maintained, and why they were chosen.”
Squailia said she would prioritize the development of a Comprehensive Pavement Management Strategy that will maximize dollars spent on paving. The strategy would include data on pavement condition index, traffic counts, pedestrian access, and underground infrastructure. The strategy would be available to the public, something she cites as a difference between her and the DiNatale administration.
“This will not only improve the quality of life for our residents but also enhance the safety and efficiency of our transportation system. I am dedicated to working tirelessly to address our road condition for now and into the future, and to provide the solutions our city deserves,” Squailia said.
Affordability in Fitchburg
Like most cities and towns in Massachusetts, the cost of living is increasing in Fitchburg. For Squailia, she said a multi-faceted approach is required to ensure the city is kept affordable in the long term. As part of that approach, Squailia said the permitting process needs to be streamlined, red tape needs to be reduced, and there needs to be incentives to rehabilitate vacant and abandoned properties — steps that would increase the overall housing stock.
“Fitchburg, as a Gateway City and former industrial age mill city, has a significant number of vacant and abandoned properties. These properties have the potential to be transformed into market rate and affordable housing options through rehabilitation and repair. However, the bureaucratic processes and red tape surrounding these projects can hinder progress and affordability,” Squailia said.
Squailia added, “To overcome this challenge, I propose streamlining the construction processes and reducing the red tape associated with rehabilitating and repairing our existing building stock. By simplifying the regulatory framework and providing incentives for developers and homeowners to invest in these properties, we can increase the supply of housing inventory in Fitchburg and thus help to make costs more affordable for everyone.”
In downtown and other urban neighborhoods, Squailia said the city needs to continue exploring diverse housing models that promote vibrant live-work neighborhoods including mixed-income developments and condominium or cooperative housing, to ensure a range of affordable options for different income levels.
“This will promote inclusivity and enable our diverse community to continue to thrive in Fitchburg. Collaboration with community organizations and exploring diverse housing models will further contribute to overcoming this challenge,” Squailia said.
Spurring economic development downtown and beyond
Squailia said her decades of business management and three terms as a city councilor position her to be an inviting and knowledgeable leader who can foster partnerships with key stakeholders to spur economic development.
“As mayor, I will ensure that I am accessible in person, and through phone, email, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and any modern means of communication. By meeting people where they are and utilizing multiple communication channels, I will continue to establish strong connections with businesses and stakeholders and encourage them to live, work and invest here,” Squailia said.
As a member of the City Council, Squailia has been an active presence in the community, often utilizing social media to promote events and activity throughout the city. If she were to be elected mayor, she wants to continue being someone readily available to engage with the community and continue being approachable.
“I believe in promoting Fitchburg’s many assets to attract businesses and persons to our city from a regional and statewide perspective. I will showcase the advantages of investing in our city, such as our strategic location, available resources, and the strong sense of community that exists here. By effectively promoting these assets, we can create a welcoming environment for businesses, fostering economic development not only in downtown but also throughout the entire city,” Squailia said.
Choosing a new superintendent
With the resignation of Fitchburg Public Schools Superintendent Robert Jokela, the district is now looking for its next leader. Squailia said the search for Jokela’s successor is of paramount importance as the mother of a child attending public schools, and as a product of the district herself.
Squailia said there were four important qualities she would like to see in the district’s next leader.
“The next superintendent should be a collaborative leader. They should have the experience and the ability to listen to and understand the needs of our teachers, students, and staff. By fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment, the superintendent can bring all stakeholders to the table and create a shared vision for our school district. A collaborative approach ensures that everyone’s perspectives are considered, leading to more effective decision-making and the implementation of initiatives that benefit the entire Fitchburg Public Schools community,” Squailia said.
Additionally, Squailia said the next superintendent needed to have a strong understanding of educational best practices and a commitment to student success. She wants the superintendent to be knowledgeable about research and trends in education and how they can be applied to improve teaching and learning outcomes in the schools.
“The superintendent should prioritize creating an environment that supports academic excellence, social-emotional learning, promotes equity and inclusivity, and prepares our students for future success in our changing economic and social environment,” Squailia said.
Effective communication skills are also on the list of qualities for Squailia. She said she wants the individual to be able to communicate with multiple stakeholders including teachers, parents, School Committee members, and community members. This ability will help build trust, provide an informed understanding of community needs, and foster strong relationships, Squailia said.
“Our school superintendent should be forward-thinking and innovative. They should be willing to embrace new ideas, technologies, and approaches to education. By staying abreast of emerging educational practices and advocating for innovative programs, the superintendent can ensure that Fitchburg Public Schools remains at the forefront of providing high-quality education,” Squailia said.
In addition to searching for a superintendent that embodies these qualities, Squailia said she would continue to collaborate and advocate for what is best for students, teachers, district staff, and the superintendent for positive change, student success, and to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Collaboration at all levels
In addition to seeking a collaborative superintendent, Squailia said she will be a collaborative mayor with partners at the city, state, and regional level. Part of being an effective collaborator is being active and engaged, Squailia said.
“Collaboration requires respect and effective communication. As a candidate for mayor, I value the importance of communication and enjoy engaging and talking with all people. By actively listening to the concerns and ideas of residents, city officials, and partners, I will ensure that their voices are heard and incorporated into our decision-making processes. By utilizing additional communication channels, such as live videos, online platforms with quick communication, and on-site community forums, we can further facilitate open dialogue and allow for broader participation,” Squailia said.
Squailia continued, “Effective communication, combined with a genuine passion for engaging with people, will create a culture of collaboration and ensure that all voices are heard and valued.”
