There are two seats up for grabs on the Norfolk Planning Board in the annual Town Election, set for Tuesday, May 6. The Planning Board primarily reviews and approves land development projects while ensuring compliance with local regulations, state laws, and the town’s master plan. Three residents are running: Gary William Sullivan II (running for re-election), Daniel Sieger, and Benjamin P. Sprague. They all agreed to answer some questions for readers of Local Town Pages.

Gary William Sullivan II

Please give a brief history of any town experience you have, including serving on any committees. Since moving to Norfolk in 2014, I have been involved in several boards and committees. I served on the Cultural Council (including two years as chair), the Town Government Study Committee, and the B-1 Zoning Committee. I currently serve as a member of the Planning Board and the Community Preservation Committee (as Planning Board rep).

If re-elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your tenure as a Planning Board member? I want to continue the work I’ve already started, particularly around updating Norfolk’s bylaws so they align with our newly updated 2025 Master Plan, which was developed over nearly two years by a working committee of residents and Planning Board members, with input from hundreds of community members. This includes preserving our semi-rural, agrarian character in residential areas while reducing unnecessary obstacles for existing and prospective businesses. My goal is to shape policies that respect our town’s heritage and foster responsible growth.

What do you think are the most important issues the Planning Board is facing? A key challenge is adapting Norfolk’s zoning bylaws—especially in the B-1 district—to changing market conditions. We need to make sure these bylaws promote the development our residents envision for this zone: ample businesses, walkable spaces, and opportunities that complement our community’s character.

How can Norfolk best balance the interests of existing residential property owners and the need for more housing? We can protect Norfolk’s rural feel while still embracing thoughtfully planned growth. This means encouraging developments that fit in with existing neighborhoods, investing in adequate infrastructure and open space, and exploring zoning adjustments for varied housing types. It’s not possible to stop residential growth here in Massachusetts, so by staying true to our town’s Master Plan and getting feedback from existing residents, we can enable development that welcomes new residents without compromising what makes Norfolk so special.

Daniel Sieger

Please give a brief history of any town experience you have, including serving on any committees. Through my 15 years of public and private sector work I have had extensive experience with local government. As Undersecretary for Environment for Massachusetts, I served as a central point of contact for mayors and town administrators, helping to advise on local issues that intersected with the state environmental agencies on everything from housing development to water use. In addition, as a consultant, I represented real estate and energy clients before planning boards in Massachusetts. I hope to combine my extensive experience in state and local government with my private sector work, to serve the residents of Norfolk.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your tenure as a Planning Board member? Norfolk is at a crossroads between being a growing community and maintaining its small-town character. I firmly believe that with responsible planning and development both of those are possible. My priorities are to drive commercial growth, conserve open space, and promote the responsible development of housing that is informed by the input of current residents.

What do you think are the most important issues the Planning Board is facing? As Norfolk moves into the implementation phase following the adoption of the Master Plan and the MBTA Communities Act, I think it is important to find opportunities for local revenue that minimize disruption on the town’s services. Promoting commercial development, supporting neighborhood connectivity and accessibility, and ensuring responsible, community-led housing growth are, in my view, the most important issues facing the Planning Board.

How can Norfolk best balance the interests of existing residential property owners and the need for more housing? The town has engaged extensively with residents in the development of the Master Plan. As we move forward with the implantation of that plan, it will be important to keep residents informed and engaged so that we can continue to grow responsibly as a community, with an eye towards maintaining affordability, and not overly burden the town’s existing resources.

Benjamin P. Sprague

Please give a brief history of any town experience you have, including serving on any committees. Since moving to Norfolk in December 2020, I’ve been an active member of the Norfolk Lions Club, volunteering at events whenever I can. While I haven’t yet served on a town committee, my professional background includes working for MassDOT as a Relocation and Right of Way Agent, handling infrastructure-related projects, and also working with NHDOT and in private-sector real estate and development. That experience gives me the tools to navigate complex planning and transportation issues—like the one Norfolk is currently facing with the Park Street Bridge.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your tenure as a Planning Board member? My top priority is helping Norfolk advocate for a timely and accountable solution to the Park Street Bridge closure. This bridge is essential to our local traffic and community connectivity. Norfolk voted in favor of the MBTA Communities Act, and we deserve timely action in return. With my past experience at MassDOT and my knowledge of Massachusetts General Laws, I will press for clear communication and a reasonable timeline from the MBTA and MassDOT. Additionally, I’ll focus on implementing the Norfolk Master Plan, ensuring that growth is planned in a way that benefits both residents and infrastructure.

What do you think are the most important issues the Planning Board is facing? The Park Street Bridge closure is the most immediate and visible challenge. Beyond that, the Board is also navigating how to implement the MBTA Communities Act, managing pressure from developers, and making sure our infrastructure keeps up with residential growth. Every zoning decision made now impacts Norfolk’s future, which is why experience and thoughtful leadership matter.

How can Norfolk best balance the interests of existing residential property owners and the need for more housing? Norfolk can strike a balance by planning for housing that supports community needs—such as senior, workforce, and appropriately scaled multi-family housing—without undermining the small-town character that residents value. That requires strategic zoning, public input, and a commitment to fairness and transparency in the review process.