Town Councilor Hannah Belcher Announces She is on the Ballot

Special to the Transcript

Stating that she wants to build on the leadership that she has shown on the Town Council as Vice President and as a Councilor representing Precinct 3 for the past three and a half years, Hannah Belcher has announced that she is seeking the role of Town Council President and her campaign has begun connecting with voters.

“As Vice President, working with my fellow Town Councilors, a majority of whom have been elected or appointed since 2021, we have dealt with some of the most pressing issues that were left unresolved for many years, such as the building of a new fire station, reuse of the old Middle School site, and providing necessary funding for a chronically underfunded school system”, stated Belcher.

“I am running for Town Council President with a vision for our future – and a deep respect for our past”, she declared. “Winthrop has always been my home, and I am dedicated to ensuring everyone in our community – lifelong residents and newcomers alike – is welcome and just as proud of our community as I am. I believe in preserving what makes our town special while moving forward with integrity, transparency, collaboration, compassion, and a shared sense of purpose”, added Belcher.

As Vice President of the Town Council, Hannah Belcher currently chairs the important Rules and Ordinance Subcommittee and is serving her fourth year on both the Finance Subcommittee and the Finance Commission.  She also serves on the Appointments, Committees, and Commissions Subcommittee and has previously served on the Public Works and Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittees.

Belcher’s service extends beyond the Town Council: she is a member of the Charter Review Committee, Fire House Building Committee, Scholarship Committee and Affordable Housing Committee.  She is also the Council liaison to the Commission on Disabilities and represents Winthrop on the Board of Directors for CAPIC, Inc., a nonprofit organization supporting low-income residents across the region including Winthrop.

Hannah Belcher’s engagement in town government began before her election to the Town Council in 2021. She served on the Scholarship Committee and chaired the Air, Noise, and Airport Hazards Committee.

“Our community is facing significant challenges: our Town finances are strained; much of our infrastructure is old and not in a good state of repair; many neighborhoods have been facing increasing flooding for over twenty (20) years and additional areas will undoubtedly be affected by climate change; many of our residents are concerned about the rising cost of living; Logan Airport has grown in size and operational capacity; and our neighboring communities of East Boston and Revere have grown more dense, making it increasingly difficult for our residents to leave and return home”, stated Belcher.

“I am concerned about the pace of our town government’s response in relation to growing challenges.  Problems are routinely not addressed until there is a crisis.  I believe that thoughtful planning and policy can help Winthrop manage changing circumstances more effectively.  What we can do is rethink how we meet the needs of our community without relying on last-minute overrides and debt exclusions. With best practices, we can make the cost of town government more predictable – even as costs continue to rise”, Belcher declared.

“It is time to document, review, and improve our processes.  The value of maintaining the status quo is quickly diminishing. If we want Winthrop to thrive for generations to come, we need to be relentless in pursuing practical reforms and open governance. And we will need assistance from the federal and state government whenever possible”, she added.

Hannah Belcher is a graduate of Winthrop Public Schools (Class of 2008) and went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Suffolk University and a Master’s degree in Psychology from Harvard University. She is employed at Harvard University in the Physics Department.

Calling on all residents to participate in the town’s future, Belcher declared, “Town government should not be an inside ballgame.  All voices matter.  I am asking not just for people to support my candidacy for Town Council President, but for them to be engaged and offer their ideas and concerns.  I have been privileged to serve as Vice President of the Town Council, and I look forward to the opportunity to gain the support of Winthrop residents in my campaign for the Presidency.”