Cheryl Tully Stoll Announces Candidacy for Framingham Board of Selectmen

Long-time Framingham resident Cheryl Tully Stoll has announced her candidacy for one of the two available seats on the Framingham Board of Selectmen in April’s election.

“My family and I have had a wonderful life in Framingham, and I think others deserve that same experience. Framingham is a great place to live; but we are facing unprecedented challenges to keep it that way. I believe I can help Framingham address these challenges in a constructive way.” said Tully Stoll.

With the proposed tax rate for 2014, Framingham’s average residential tax bill will have increased nearly 20 percent since 2010, while the average income of town residents has declined. Additionally, the town’s high commercial tax rate is discouraging new companies from locating here and forcing those already here to leave or consider growing elsewhere.

“This is unacceptable. The property tax situation is making it very difficult for senior citizens and growing families alike and we need to change that. Our seniors helped make this town such a wonderful place to live and they should not be forced out of their homes due to high property taxes. On the other end of the spectrum, young families are being squeezed from every direction financially; and they need some relief that doesn’t come at the expense of their children’s academic achievement.” stated Tully Stoll.

Having begun her community service activity in Framingham at the age of 16, as the founding Chair of the Framingham Youth Advisory Board, Tully Stoll, now 51, has spent thousands of volunteer hours on behalf of the residents of Framingham and believes that this extensive experience, combined with her education and business expertise gives her the history, knowledge and tools necessary to help move Framingham forward.

“Whether you have children in the schools, own a local business, use the Callahan Senior Center, or depend upon the top-quality public safety services that let us all sleep better at night; you know this town offers something for everyone. The challenge now is to find a way to preserve these excellent services while at the same time keeping this an affordable place to live and do business,” elaborated Tully Stoll. “We face new hurdles; and old ideas aren’t going to get us over them. It’s time for new ideas and new energy and I believe I can provide both.”

When asked why she is running, Tully Stoll responded, “After nine years I am finishing up my last term on the Framingham Grants Panel of the MetroWest Health Foundation. As a panel member I have had to make some difficult decisions due to the increasing needs of our seniors and public school students among others. While I have reached my term-limit with the Foundation, there is no limit to the depth of my commitment to Framingham and our people. I’ve been very fortunate in this life and that good fortune is partly due to having had the privilege of growing up in Framingham and receiving an excellent education here. Because of this, I feel it’s time that I step up my commitment to the town so that others will be able to say the same down the road.”

Tully Stoll is a graduate of the Framingham Public Schools; holds a B.A. in Economics from Framingham State University and an MBA from Bentley University. She works as a marketing consultant.