Chelmsford

All four candidates said they would support the formation of a committee to study the town’s greenhouse gas emissions and reduce them to net-zero by 2050, a proposal first put forth by a citizen petition. George Dixon called it “a specialty area,” but said he’d support it and general increased participation in town politics. Danielson said she had been attending meetings organized by Chelmsford Climate Action, the group that posed the question to the candidates, but would need to do more research on the topic to learn more herself. Latosha Dixon mentioned her desire to increase

the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in town. Carota added that these initiatives would need to be budgeted for.

The candidates differed over the Town Meeting article that would allow nonmedical, nonretail marijuana facilities, such as those for cultivation, research and testing. Latosha Dixon and Danielson were in favor, largely for their revenue-generating potential. Carota and George Dixon said they’d want to first consult public safety officials on the matter. Dixon previously voted against a similar proposal.

When asked by The Sun

how they’d support diversity, equity and inclusion in Chelmsford, George Dixon reminded the audience that he signed the Diversity, Racial Equity & Inclusion Committee’s antiracism proclamation after a few rounds of edits. “I’d like to see them helping businesses, I’d like to see more businesses working with, you know, in this respect,” he said. “The committee is young, and I think as they progress, they’re going to bring a lot of ideas to the town and potentially some business.”

Carota alluded to the proclamation as well.

“It’s important to have

the pledge, I think it’s important that we practice it, but I also think it’s important that it follows through and all of our policies and procedures within the town halls so that it’s the way we do business,” he said, specifically mentioning being cognizant of diversity in who is issued town contracts.

Latosha Dixon highlighted her work as vice chair of the Diversity, Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee, the group that presented the proclamation. Danielson said she has already brought this perspective to other boards she’s served on in her work.