Political newcomer Dawn Anderson hopes to be the next Grafton Town Moderator

Dawn Anderson jokes that she is a Town Meeting fan girl. 

She’s been among the last to leave at a late-night session — yes, even at the old high school, in the auditorium with the uncomfortable wooden chairs. She has opinions on how a meeting should be run and how to attract more voters.

She would like to be Grafton’s next town moderator and, so far, she’s the only person in the running.

“The fact that the world had to stop and slow down (with the COVID-19 pandemic) so much I thought ‘where do I put my energy?’” said Anderson, who has lived in town for more than 13 years. “I’m thinking that now’s the time.”

Anderson’s public service in Grafton at this point has been attending Town Meeting — a lot of Town Meetings — and working on the Grafton Middle School Parent Advisory Committee and the Grafton Public Library Capital Committee.

The speaking part of the moderator’s job doesn’t scare her. In her prior career, she worked as a marketing/project manager, speaking in sales trainings and at conferences. In college, her work on various student committees kept her up-to-date on campus issues that she passionately advocated for other students to follow.

“I really do believe having more people involved in the process makes for better citizenship,” Anderson said. “The town moderator needs to make sure everyone gets their chance to talk and ask questions.”

Anderson said she enjoyed 2020’s two outdoor Town Meetings, which she felt were necessary. 

“Making the decision to hold Town Meeting indoors or outdoors shouldn’t be something that’s decided by just one person,” she said. “It’s something that needs to be discussed and based on whether an indoor meeting is actually safe for voters.”

For now, Anderson’s challenge, like every candidate in 2021, is to gather signatures by the end of March — during a pandemic. 

“Who knows?” she mused. “Maybe the fact that I am nobody will have people coming to Town Meeting.”

The seats on the ballot this year include:

• One three-year term on the Select Board. Incumbent Ed Prisby is not seeking re-election. Ray Mead has returned his nomination papers.
• Two three-year terms on the Board of Library Trustees. Doug Bowman, Stephanie Teixeira, and Aaron Venesteen are up for re-election. All are seeking re-election; Julie Feeney is also seeking nomination.
• One five-year term in the Grafton Housing Authority, currently held by Jim Gallagher. Gallagher is seeking re-election.
• Two three-year terms on the Planning Board, now held by Bob Hassinger and Justin Wood. Both are seeking re-election.
• Two three-year terms on the School Committee, now held by Laura Often and Elizabeth Spinney. Both are seeking re-election and have returned their nomination papers.
• One two-year term as Town Moderator. Dan Concaugh, who was elected last year, stepped down in the fall. Dawn Anderson has pulled papers.

Due to COVID-19, interested candidates may contact the Town Clerk’s office to set up an appointment to receive their papers. Someone from the office will meet the candidates outside of the Municipal Center to sign forms and ensure all information is correct. The same process will be repeated when returning forms.

Candidates are required to obtain 50 signatures in ink — no electronic signatures are allowed and no extensions have been given. Papers are due back to the Town Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 30.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. on April 15 to withdraw their nominations.

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