Susan Harrington’s goal for the Canton Select Board over her tenure?

“I want to bring a diversity of opinions and lived experiences to the conversation,” she says, emphasizing her dedication to “rebuilding the trust between the citizens, the police, and the Select Board…” during a period of Canton’s history marked by increased polarization.

 

Harrington, who was elected to serve as a Select Board representative this past April, unseated 13-term incumbent John Connolly in an election with an impressive 5,000 voter turnout. Harrington is the former owner of a veterinary hospital, according to her own website, and brings with her years of experience as a community leader.

 

Harrington founded the perennial performing arts fundraiser CantonStock and served as president of MusicCounts, an organization dedicated to preserving students’ access to art programs. She has continued her involvement with local performing arts by serving as a matriarch volunteer of the CHS Drama Club’s Costumes Department, and her undying efforts to support Canton’s youth proved to be a major stake in her campaign efforts. Speaking to the increase in voter engagement among youth this election cycle, she stresses the importance of their impact in bureaucratic elections: “Their voices and perspectives are needed for our public discourse, especially when it comes to climate change.”

 

Harrington’s win marks a potential period of progress for climate initiatives backed by town sustainability groups. She joins Patricia Boyden on Canton’s Select Board, climate advocate and founding leader of Canton Residents for a Sustainable, Equitable Future (CR4SEF), a local nonprofit that seeks to bring more sustainable infrastructure to the Canton community to lessen its carbon footprint.

 

Harrington’s own platform was centered on her passion for advancing climate policies in Canton. When asked about areas of improvement for Canton’s current climate policies, she touches upon the distinction between climate resiliency and mitigation efforts, stating the demand for more planning by town officials to reduce the harm of extreme weather events, such as the fires experienced last Fall, alongside a necessity “…to incorporate renewable energy into all new town buildings as well as renovations.”

 

Alongside Boyden, and with significant backing from youth voters, Harrington’s impressive push for Canton to become a Climate Leader Community, a statewide distinction that would increase access to green grants, could make strides unparalleled in the town’s past.

 

Susan Harrington is a community leader dedicated to forging change. She has proven herself to be in lockstep with the needs of young people, propelling Canton’s future as a climate leader as she cements her name in its history.