To the editor:
Marblehead is fortunate to have two strong candidates for Marblehead Light Commission: Adam Smith and Lisa Wolf. Both currently serve on the board and are working hard to modernize our aging electricity infrastructure while at the same time making sure we keep rates low, keep the lights on, and help the town meet its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Lisa Wolf is the current vice chair of the Light Commission and is seeking reelection to a second three-year term. She is an environmental engineer by training who currently works as sustainability coordinator for the Town of Wellesley Municipal Light Plant. Her focus has been on strategic planning and establishing a capital budget. As the first and only woman to have served on the Light Commission, she has been blocked by the “old guard,” who has resisted her efforts at every turn.
Adam Smith was appointed by the Select Board and Light Commission to fill a vacancy in 2022. He is running to serve the remaining year of his predecessor’s term. Adam has worked in the technology and innovation field for more than 20 years, including 17 years at Google designing software systems and leading customer digital transformation projects. Adam is currently leading the first “made in Marblehead” energy project to put solar panels on the roof of the new Brown School. Since the Light Department has no IT staff, he is also helping upgrade its software systems and address cybersecurity issues.
Lisa and Adam are hoping to make transformational change at the Light Department, which is sorely needed. We know that because among the three of us, we have attended many Light Commission meetings over the years. At a recent meeting, the department’s new distribution manager told commissioners that the system is “crumbling” as a result of 25-35 years of deferred maintenance. If we fail to act now, all residents — regardless of income — will be impacted.
Please vote for Lisa Wolf and Adam Smith on Tuesday, June 20. Our energy future depends on it.
Sincerely,
Lynn Bryant, Petra Langer, and Eileen Haley Mathieu
Marblehead