Two candidates, including the incumbent, are running for a seat on the Norfolk Select Board in the May 5 Town Election. Both agreed to answer some questions for readers of Local Town Pages.

Catherine Brown

Occupation: Small business owner, Jay-Bird Fence.

Town boards/committees you’ve served on, or volunteer roles in the community: I have not served on a formal board or committee, but I am a very informed and actively involved resident. I’ve spent time understanding town issues, budgets, and decisions, and I want to bring that level of awareness and perspective—as a taxpayer and community member—to the Select Board.

Why are you running for Select Board? I’m running to be an advocate for the residents of Norfolk. I want to make sure everyone feels heard, respected, and involved in the decisions that impact their daily lives. Town government should reflect the people it serves, and I want to help strengthen that connection.

What are Norfolk’s challenges and how do you propose to meet them? I see two major challenges: a lack of transparency and accountability, and ongoing financial pressures. To address transparency, I want to improve how the town communicates with residents—starting with revamping the town website so important information, documents, and financial data are easy to find and understand.

On the financial side, we need a more collaborative and balanced approach. I want to involve residents in conversations about priorities while also working closely with town departments, who already make difficult budget decisions. By combining community input with responsible planning, we can build a budget that reflects both our needs and our limits.

Anything else you’d like the community to know? I’m always open to hearing from residents. I’m happy to speak with anyone about their concerns, ideas, or questions—because good decisions start with being a good listener.

Anita Mecklenburg

Occupation: I am a retired educator. I taught for 30 years and then was a school administrator for 10 years. Most recently I was the proud building principal at the Winn Brook School in Belmont, MA.

Town boards/committees you’ve served on, or volunteer roles in the community: I have served on school councils at H. Olive Day, Freeman-Kennedy, and King Philip for years. I have been on superintendent hiring committees, a shared use committee and strategic planning. Most recently I have been on the Norfolk Select Board for 6 years.

Why are you running for Select Board? I am running for Select Board to make a difference, because Norfolk matters. I believe my experience in leadership and organizational management are assets to our community. I also believe my ability to listen with an open mind and build partnerships helps me play a positive role in solving problems in our community. 

What are Norfolk’s challenges and how do you propose to meet them? Norfolk residents rely on essential services every day, from emergency response and road maintenance to schools and public spaces. I am committed to maintaining them responsibly. While financial pressures require disciplined leadership and clear priorities, my focus will remain on protecting the services that matter most to our community. I will carefully manage town resources, control costs where possible, and make thoughtful trade-offs to limit the burden on taxpayers, meeting our obligations in a way that reflects the needs and values of our community. Planning ahead is also essential to avoiding costly surprises and preserving what makes Norfolk special. We will look ahead on infrastructure, capital needs, and financial planning to support responsible growth and long-term stability.

Anything else you’d like the community to know? Learn more at anitafornorfolk.com.