Sean Roche is one of three candidates seeking the two at-large City Council seats from Ward 6. A first-time candidate in Newton, Roche has been long engaged in Newton governance. He said, “I think politics are a necessary piece of civic engagement.” He described becoming a bike commuter when he moved to Newton. As an avid cyclist, he was Vice Chair of the Newton Bicycle/Pedestrian Task Force.
Roche identifies climate change as the most pressing issue facing Newton and says that taking climate action must be a strategic goal that informs all City decisions and actions. While acknowledging that much climate action is outside the scope of what Newton can do, Roche states that Newton can make sound land-use policy, and can encourage more climate-friendly construction and energy use.
Roche believes strongly in denser development, especially in village centers. He said, “We have the unique capacity to solve that [housing] problem ourselves. Newton has the building types that the zoning is designed to allow, and if we want something different, we can fix that problem ourselves. We don’t need anybody’s permission.” Roche advocates for a wider range of housing options and more housing, particularly near transit.
Roche has had a varied career. After law school, he was a prosecutor in the Bronx County (NY) District Attorney’s office, focusing on crimes against children, then transitioned to litigation in a Boston law firm. He got involved in the firm’s technology infrastructure and strategy, which led him to work as a software product manager, and subsequently, to work in healthcare information technology. He has recently started a job as operations coordinator for a not-for-profit that runs six group homes for developmentally challenged adults.
Asked about the Washington Street Pilot, Roche was effusive, saying “I love the fact that we’re doing a pilot.” He said, “Great ideas, when they run into the real world, you find there’s something you missed or there’s an opportunity you missed, so the ability to change a design before it’s finalized is important. The fact that we’re doing a trial and investing in a trial is so great.”
Regarding public transportation, Roche said “The biggest transformation we in the city can make in the next ten years is the completion of the [MBTA Commuter Rail] platforms. “And without totally nerding out, the fact that there’s only a single-track platform has service implications, in terms of both the number of trains in and out of the city and the performance of the trains.”
His campaign website is www.seanroche.org .
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