that we’re allowed, while maintaining the services. That’s important to us, not burdening the taxpayers, with any additional priorities on their plate.” One strategy involves shifting some of that financial burden through targeted business development.“We want to try to share that wealth with a commercial base. So we are looking into that as a priority of ours,” she says.“At the same time, making sure that we have the right staff in place so that we can provide the right services for our residents is key.” Sukeforth agrees that economic development must align with the values of the community. “A big theme in the town, especially with the Select Board, is economic development without changing the character of the community,” he imparts. “What has happened over the years is projects just come in and people just develop how they want, and the town hasn’t had a collaborative effort with that.” He underscores that this is changing as Lakeville works toward more transparent relationships with developers, especially on larger projects like the Lakeville Hospital redevelopment, and the Howland Road property. As for future projects, a new fire station, and a regional vocational high school are on the horizon. Privately driven development is also expected to accelerate. “There’s three or four big housing developments that I would say are going to have some sort of either 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07
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