Maura Healey's transition policy teams getting help from key players on the SouthCoast

BOSTON — Maura Healey is getting help from several leaders on the SouthCoast as she prepares her transition from attorney general to governor.

On Monday, Healey and Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Driscoll announced the full makeup of six “transition policy committees” that will be tasked with translating their campaign platform into governing policies.

The committees, each of which have about two dozen members, include four people with major ties to the SouthCoast.

Thomas Anderson, who has served as superintendent of New Bedford Public Schools since 2018, has been tapped to be a member or the “thriving youth and young adults” committee.

According to a release from Healey, they will be tasked with mapping out how the incoming governor’s administration should “address learning loss from the pandemic and give all children and families equitable access to the educational, social, emotional and behavioral supports they need.”

DEP regulations:New food waste limits have businesses scrambling. This Freetown facility is here to help.

Fall River developer Ken Fiola will serve on the committee overseeing “affordable, abundant housing.” Fiola is executive vice president of the nonprofit Bristol County Economic Development Consultants, which has ties to major projects in the city including the redevelopment of City Pier.

Rayford Kruger, president and CEO of Southcoast Health, will serve on the health and safety committee that will oversee policies around things like mental health resources and substance use recovery services.

Kruger, a surgeon by trade, was selected as acting CEO of the healthcare system last November following the sudden departure of Keith Hogan after the former leader was charged with domestic violence. He stepped into the permanent role earlier this year.

Jeffrey Walker, executive director of Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), will serve on the committee charged with helping to make public transportation in Massachusetts “safe, reliable, affordable” and able to connect the entire state. SRPEDD is a regional planning agency that works with cities and towns on things like community master plans, regional transportation projects and planning, habitat restoration and zoning bylaws.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Maura Healey taps SouthCoast leaders for transition policy committees