Odabashian Again Joins Bellingham Select Board
When Select Board member Kelly Grant resigned, experienced former member Ann Odabashian ran to fill her shoes in the interim. She will run again for a 3-year-term, and plans to be available to Bellingham residents.
Will Serve until May Elections, but Plans to Run Again
By Dave Dunbar
“Bellingham is at a crossroads.”
This is how the newest member of the town’s Select Board sizes things up. Ann Odabashian was elected recently to fill the seat vacated by Cindy McNulty. And this ain’t her first rodeo.
She has served 12 years on the Board, chairing it twice. She was Town Clerk from 2008 until 2019. She has served on the School and Finance Committees.
“It is a pleasure to have Ann rejoin the Select Board. Her years of experience are sure to prove to be an asset as we maneuver through the first budget year for several new department heads, as well as hire a new Town Administrator and CFO,” says Michael Connor, Select Board Chairman.
“I am willing to work with everyone,” explains Odabashian. “Let’s put aside differences and do the people’s business.”
During her campaign to win the seat on the Board, she picked up some themes about what Bellingham residents currently care about. “They want to see a cohesive Select Board… they’re concerned about education and the town administration, and they’re not crazy about all the building and traffic problems.”
She will serve until May’s town elections. She jokes, “I have all these yard signs left over from the last election, and I might as well use them again next year.” So, she’ll be running for a full, three-year term.
Right after the special election a few weeks ago, another Select Board member decided to resign. Kelly Grant will continue her post-graduate studies and has accepted an upper management position in a neighboring town.
“I am absolutely heartbroken to have to end my service to Bellingham and to you all, especially now,” explains Grant. “It is because of my service that I found the confidence and knowledge to help lead another municipality. The employees of Bellingham are the true backbone, and the residents who get involved and put themselves out there all work towards a better community. I consider myself so very fortunate to have worked and served with so many.”
Odobashian’s advice to Grant? “Don’t feel bad about bettering yourself.”
“We were blessed with a town administrator (Denis Fraine) for 35 years,” says Odobashian. “He truly cared about Bellingham.” Fraine stepped down a few months ago for health reasons. Some key positions are now vacant including his and the Chief Financial Officer. There are new heads of the Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments.
“I’m going to work my hardest,” Odabashian promises, “to make sure our leadership comes together and moves our town forward.”
She is especially interested in the welfare of the town’s senior population. “I love the seniors,” she says. “My biggest support network is the seniors… they’ve always been there for me, and I will always be there for them.” Odobashian says the Senior Center is “great.” She adds that the town needs more affordable senior housing. “We must prioritize needs in the budgeting process which will begin in December.”
For three years, Odobashian was the owner of the restaurant Ann’s Lakeview Farm on South Main Street. Most popular were turkey dinners.
Odobashian loves to cook and share food with family and friends. She loves to travel. And she is fond of attending concerts at area casinos. She has been married to Albert since 1971; they live in Bellingham, have three children and one grandchild. They are regulars at the VFW… “It’s awesome,” she says.
She wants people in Bellingham to know, “I’m here for you. I’m available at the town hall a couple of days a week. If you have an issue, then get in touch with me.” Call (508) 657-2800.
