Billerica
improved unemployment benefits and prevent widespread evictions, though she said her other top priorities are improving education and reforming the police.
“As your full-time legislator, using the same forethought and deliberate planning I use as a teacher, along with trust in our experts and in science, I will work with fellow legislators to keep Billerica the wonderful community that we chose,” English said, in reference to her husband and her deciding to move to town.
On the subject of the coronavirus, the candidates have taken opposing stances on how they aim to tackle the pandemic and whether or not they’d support a future COVID19 vaccine mandate.
During their debate last month, both candidates agreed that the pandemic is the most important issue facing Billerica, however English argued that the town’s focus must be on containing the virus and providing basic necessities to residents, whereas Lombardo expressed more concern with the recovery of the economy.
In regards to a potential vaccine mandate, English said she would support it so long as public health experts did as well, however Lombardo said such a decision shouldn’t be enforced by the government, in keeping with his strong stance against the state’s mandatory flu shot.
A topic both candidates have responded similarly to is Chapter 40B affordable housing, a controversial subject in Billerica, though Lombardo appeared to take a stronger
On the subject of the coronavirus, the candidates have taken opposing stances on how they aim to tackle the pandemic and whether or not they’d support a future COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
stance against it than English did during their debate.
“I’ve spent years fighting 40Bs and trying to change that law, which allows such dense housing projects to be dropped in and devastate our neighborhoods,” Lombardo said. “We as a community need to have control over how we want our community to look.”
English, however, described the issue as a regional problem and highlighted the importance of working with the Board of Selectmen and state representatives from other towns to address it.
“Together we can prevent 40B projects from being dropped in, but we cannot solve anything by being isolationist and by trying to ignore the effects that unaffordable housing around the Commonwealth is creating,” she said.
Lombardo also separated himself from English when the two were asked how the amount of time they’ve spent living in Billerica affects their candidacy, arguing that his knowledge of the town and its history helps him better understand the wants and needs of the residents.
“When you have to advocate on Beacon Hill for the important issues that matter to the community, having a foundation both as a lifetime resident and with municipal services, it makes a difference, it matters,” he said.
On the other hand, English separated herself from Lombardo on the subject of tolerance, highlighting his strong stance against illegal immigration and his lack of support for the LBGTQ community.
“I believe that every individual has inherent value and is deserving of dignity, regardless of their gender, sexuality, religion or where they come from,” English said. “He has in the past used very inflammatory language regarding immigrants and our friends who are LGBTQ . And as a representative I will value all of my future constituents, not just the ones that are like me.”
Lombardo however rejected this characterization, calling it “extremely inaccurate.”
“I would never accuse Teresa of not caring for others because they’re different than her and I’m really shocked that she was doing the same for me,” he said. “I live my life in a way that my parents taught me and the way that I teach my kids: that we treat all people as our equals, with love and respect. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have policies that are strongly against illegal immigration, for instance.”
As of Nov. 1, Lombardo’s campaign has raised $28,816 since the start of 2020, whereas English’s has raised $19,873, according to the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance.