This profile is part of a “Meet the Candidate” series. All candidates were given the opportunity to answer the same questions. Their responses are published verbatim, without any editing.
Why did you decide to run for office?
I decided to run because I thought our alternatives were not going to be good for the ward. Ward 6 needs someone in city hall that is going to speak to their needs. I have a good deal of experience in city hall as a community organizer, and I know how hard it is to prioritize the needs of Ward 6 in council. It’s not about administrating or brandishing torches and pitchforks, you get things done in council by knowing what your priorities are, and my priorities are ward 6.
If elected, what would be your top 3 priorities?
Fixing Neighborhood Infrastructure:A major priority is addressing longstanding local infrastructure problems, such as the flooding and drainage issues on Phillips Drive. It is well documented that it takes multi-year efforts by residents to persuade the city to budget the necessary funds to fix road and drainage problems in their community.
Improving Parks and Recreational Spaces in the city:There is a significant focus on the challenges residents face in finding safe and local spaces for recreation. This includes securing better fields for youth sports leagues and finding open spaces for all ages such as the pickleball community. We have experienced so much tension in our communities developing creative solutions to balance recreational needs with respect for neighbors due to the city’s limited number of parks. It’s time to look at other solutions than over-programming existing park spaces.
Prioritizing Residents in Policy Decisions:
My core theme will be to ensure that policy decisions benefit local communities rather than developers or outside organizations. I will advocate for my ward, always. This priority is a promise to be a voice for constituents and focus on local needs while blocking out national political noise.
How has prior experience (either professional or personal) prepared you for this role?
Community and Team Leadership:
My experience as a community organizer, volunteer, and board member for youth sports leagues like the Pioneer League and Cape Ann Babe Ruth demonstrates my long-term commitment to Newburyport. This work has given me direct insight into the challenges residents face. Professionally, my role in executive R&D leadership required extensive Team Building skills , where I built a robust data division from the ground up and lead multiple teams toward common goals.
Proven Advocacy and Consensus Building:
I have a proven record of successful advocacy for Ward 6 residents. I was a major part of organizing the community to resolve the Phillips Drive flooding issues, a process that required working with mayors, state representatives, and state senators to build the consensus needed for a unanimous City Council vote. This demonstrates my ability to navigate complex political landscapes and deliver tangible results for my community.
Analytical and Data-Driven Problem-Solving:
As the Head of Data and Analytics at SmartSense, my career has centered on using Data Analysis to solve complex problems and drive innovation. I specialize in creating solutions that are scalable, maintainable, and cost-effective—skills directly applicable to managing a city budget and evaluating municipal projects. This data-driven approach can help ensure that council’s decisions are based on evidence and are financially responsible.
Strategic Planning and Project Management:
Throughout my career, from startups like AIRXOS to large corporations like Schneider Electric and SmartSense, I have been responsible for project management, architectural guidance, and executing product roadmaps. I have experience with buy-vs-build analysis, vendor negotiations, and cost modeling—all crucial skills for a city councilor tasked with overseeing city contracts, new initiatives, and long-term planning.
Technical Expertise for Modern Challenges:
My deep background in technology, specifically in IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), AI, and Machine Learning, positions me to understand and help guide Newburyport through modern challenges, whether they relate to infrastructure, data privacy, or implementing new technologies to improve city services.
What can city government do to make local housing more affordable?
- Increasing Housing Supply through Zoning Reform
- Allow more flexibility ADU (Accessory Dwelling Units)
- We have existing programs like the Inclusionary Zoning program and the Affordable Housing Trust. We’ll have to look and see if these are working.
- Work with the city and the residence of Ward 6 on our Wards position on the MBTA Communities Act and Rezoning. I’m not going to be shooting from the hip on this one. The council has access to much more information and I’ll be hitting the ground running on this issue.
- Advocate for Change
- I’d like to see more focus on pathways to homeownership and affordable homes for seniors.
Do you think residents are getting their money’s worth in city services from taxes?
I am from Ward 6 and I have been fighting like hell for our money’s worth in city services from our taxes. Certainly, Phillips Drive has benefited from advocacy and solid community organizing around singular focused needs. But the rest of Ward 6, it’s hard to get everyone together and focused on one thing in this modern day of social media and polarization. With all respect to everyone who has helped improve Phillips Drive, I’d have to say no.Ward 6 residents still have septic, old original roads, no sidewalks in places we need them, an absence of no parking signs around the parks, families parking in the roads for field access, speeding problems and missing traffic signs. I’d say no, ward 6 residents need continued representation on their needs in City Hall and not party lines from either major party.
How would you balance historic preservation with more practical concerns like safety and accessibility?
First and foremost, we must recognize that our city’s history is our greatest asset. My love for Newburyport’s architecture is what drew my family here 22 years ago , and my interest in our local history, like the life of 18th-century musician Moses Kimball – who played in Timorthy Dexters Tavern and house parties, runs deep. Preserving the unique character of our streets and buildings is essential for maintaining the soul of our community and is a top priority.
As a youth baseball coach and community volunteer, I’ve learned that the best outcomes happen when everyone feels heard. Addressing these complex issues requires bringing together the Historical Commission, disability advocates, public safety officials, and property owners to find common ground.
Ultimately, my goal would be to apply a “whole picture” approach —one that honors our invaluable history while ensuring Newburyport remains a safe, accessible, and welcoming place for all its residents to live and thrive.
How do you think Newburyport schools stack up against others in Essex County?
My instincts are to the data, but as a parent, you have to look at the outcomes. My oldest son Owen too his k-8 public education at Newburyport all the way Brown University where he studied Mechanical Engineering and is now an Ensign in the US Navy, a Submariner. My twins Jacob and Juilia have each leveraged their k-8 public education to get into Phillips Exeter.
Kids are getting into MIT and Harvard from Newburyport High. They are going on to have amazing careers as actors, doctors and teachers. I couldn’t be prouder of our education outcomes. But these outcomes aren’t shared by everyone.
In Ward 6 council I’d be looking at the impact of inter-district school choice program. I’ll also be taking a hard look at our ongoing special education issues, the BSEA’s being filed. I mean we are talking about adding all this housing for the MBTA Communities Act and Rezoning but we have to consider if we are doing well enough in other areas and the impact of more kids in the schools.
I will thoroughly review school funding proposals to ensure our taxpayer dollars are being used effectively to deliver the best possible outcomes in the classroom, supporting our teachers and students without placing an undue burden on residents. My experience will be directly applicable to evaluating the long-term financial impact of any proposed projects or initiatives.
What else should voters know about you?
I lettered six times in track and 5 times in cross country at Sandwich High, in the Caoe Cod League. I walked on to D2 Track and Cross Country at UMass Lowell. I ran for the BAA and completed several marathons. I am a competitor, and I take my challenges very seriously. I had to earn my spot every single day through hard work and perseverance. This experience shaped my life and taught me how to tackle challenges head-on. I will bring that same tenacity to the City Council, fighting for the needs of Ward 6, no matter how difficult the challenge.
I have a unique ability to balance competing interests. I was the only Varsity Athlete in the music program at UMass Lowell. Juggling the intense demands of a competitive athletic schedule with the discipline of being a musician taught me invaluable lessons in time management and the importance of balancing different, equally important priorities. As a city councilor, the job is to listen to and balance the diverse needs of our community—from youth sports and pickleball advocates to residents concerned about neighborhood peace. My unique background has prepared me to understand and harmonize these competing interests to find the best solutions for everyone.
Philip Cootey is a candidate for Newburyport City Council, Ward 6. Election and early voting information can be found here.
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