Soon after 8:00 on Saturday evening, my family followed the Decoste Family into the lobby at the Middle School to await the election results.

I joked with Chuck and said, “Shouldn’t take too long, given the turnout.” He laughed, which I took as my invitation to add, “And I meant what I wrote in that text I sent you yesterday.”

Which was this:

(And a landslide it was.)

But before we knew the results, I said, “You do know that I came to you first because I thought you’d be into the idea of a public license doing some real public good. No matter what happens, I still think it’s a good idea.”

“It’s a great idea,” he said without hesitation.

I shrugged and said, “And it could be the case that Littleton’s not the place where this great idea gets tried out.”

Right about then, Littleton’s Town Clerk came in the lobby. Chuck went over to his family; I went and stood next to Rob.

In a very clear voice that everyone could easily hear, Diane said Chuck’s name, 899, my name, and 307.

Chuck had won.

By a landslide.

Even so, let’s take a moment to realize that 307 Littletonians came out to the polls and voted for an idea—the idea of ending local poverty.

That’s truly astounding. Over 300 people, right here in Littleton, made a statement about a value they hold and a value that they were willing to single-issue vote on.

Even so, by a 3 to 1 margin, voting Littletonians selected Chuck.

As I approached him, arm extended, offering a congratulatory handshake, I said, “I’m so relieved. There’s nothing ambiguous about that at all: Littleton isn’t the place to try out this idea.”

Keep in mind, Chuck and I are still holding hands, though the shaking has stopped, and since he’s smiling warmly at me, I add, “And it wasn’t just that one idea about the cannabis and alcohol licenses. I had other ideas on how we could end local poverty.”

And then, I sighed before saying, “Well, my Monday will be far less exciting now. I’d pictured getting sworn in first thing and then driving up to Sal Lupoli’s office and waiting in his lobby until he agreed to see me.”

Chuck laughed—perhaps at the picture I’d painted, but hard to know for sure—and I went on: “Had I won, I was planning on saying to him, ‘On Saturday, Littleton voted to end local poverty, and you, Mr. Lupoli, can be a big part of helping that to happen.’”

Chuck looked genuinely curious. (We’re still holding hands.)

I continued: “I’d say, ‘As the fourth-largest developer in the commonwealth, you, Mr. Lupoli are clearly a success. And I’m here to offer you an opportunity for something far more interesting: a legacy.

“Mr. Lupoli, you’re going to be the first developer in the commonwealth—no, in the nation—to do something radical: You’re going to build those thousand units here in Littleton, and then you’re going to sell them at cost.”

Chuck had been spellbound until that last bit.

When he started shaking his head, I said, “It’s not right that housing in the US is treated as a commodity and not a human right. Those thousand units are going to pull in two million dollars in rent, each month for him. Month after month after month—in perpetuity. And that’s not right.” (Oddly, we’re still holding hands.) “If Sal Lupoli sold those apartments at cost—for, let’s say, $50,000, $60,000—my kids could move out of my house and build some equity in something they actually own. And the seniors in town? They could downsize and stay here. We need truly affordable housing. This idea gets us there.”

Chuck blinked hard before saying, “Now, that’s a great idea.”

Littleton, Chuck Decoste has just won another (his 4th) three-year term to serve the people of Littleton. He is, as your re-elected Select Board representative, in the unique position of already having a working relationship with Mr. Lupoli and, as of 8:35 on Saturday evening, a “great” reason to call him.

If you agree that Chuck should use the power of his office to advocate for affordable housing, let him know, offer your help, and ask that our town adopt policies that can serve these ends.

With thanks and in hope,

Jenna