Jonathon Coste, Community Planning Commission 2-year seat candidate
CPC candidate, 2-year seat
My name is Jon Coste, and I’ve been a proud resident of North Reading for over 18 years. In that time, my family and I have built strong roots—raising four children, forging lasting friendships, and developing a deep appreciation for what makes this town such a special place to live.
I’m running for the Community Planning Commission and I would like to give you some reasons to vote for me. North Reading has given so much to my family, and I want to help guide its future. I believe thoughtful, strategic planning today ensures a thriving community for generations to come.
The CPC plays a vital role in shaping our town—developing and updating the Master Plan, ensuring zoning laws support our long-term vision, and carefully reviewing proposed developments for their impact on traffic, the environment, and community character. Balancing progress with preservation is essential.
Zoning and land use decisions directly affect daily life, and it’s critical that they reflect a shared community vision. Listening carefully to residents, maintaining transparency, and promoting engagement must be central to our work. I also believe we must expand our methods of communication—leveraging social media and other tools to reach more residents, keep the community informed, and encourage broader participation in planning discussions.
With nearly two decades of experience living and raising a family here, I bring a grounded perspective and a strong commitment to serving others. As an airline pilot, I practice Crew Resource Management—a collaborative approach that ensures everyone works together toward a shared goal. I believe that the same spirit of collaboration is essential for planning our future, especially regarding important matters like compliance with the MBTA zoning law and the continued development of our Main Street area.
There are many factors in my life that give me a unique perspective, with exposure to a cross section of the town. I have four children, all currently in the school system and active in town activities. I am a property owner in North Reading and plan to be here for years to come. My mother-in-law lives with us here in town, and I help my own father, who resides in senior living in Middleton. All of these items combine to help me make decisions that, hopefully, bring our town together rather than further dividing it.
I look forward to the opportunity to serve and help build a future for North Reading that honors our past while embracing the promise ahead.
Edward Sheehan, Community Planning Commission 2-year seat candidate
CPC candidate, 2-year seat
My name is Edward Sheehan; my wife Renee and I have lived in North Reading for over 13 years. I graduated from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in 1992. After receiving my degree, I applied my Pharmaceutical trade at Walgreens for over 30 years as a pharmacist, pharmacy manager and district pharmacy supervisor. In 2021 I started and operated my own pharmacy, dedicating myself to providing exceptional and personal health care service.
Over the past few years, I became increasingly interested in our town’s government and began attending meetings of the CPC and Select Board in person, via Zoom, and on YouTube. When a position opened in 2024 for the Community Planning Commission, I decided to complete an application for consideration to be on the CPC. I reached out to all the CPC and Select Board members, offering to speak and/or meet with them. At the joint meeting of both the Commission and the Select Board on November 18 I was appointed to the CPC by a 7 to 1 vote. I was told the determining factor for being selected was my being involved and attending meetings prior to joining the CPC. They felt that I was likely to hit the ground running, reducing the learning curve.
During my time on the CPC we have dealt with many issues, most notably the MBTA overlay and ADUs. You may agree or not with my position on any given issue. My thought process will be consistent with the mission, vision, and philosophic principles of the Planning Commission.
No doubt the state will be back with more mandates. My responsibility will be to identify the pros and cons of how they impact the people of North Reading, and the town in its entirety. I will more than listen, I will bring your input to the table to be part of the discussion. You will be pleased that you have a CPC member that will push back and fight against government overreach. In me you will have a member who will represent the whole of North Reading, not just those you may think I ideologically align with.
With this in mind, I respectfully ask for your vote at early voting and on May 6.