Longtime resident sworn in to Healey administration seat, received support from Nguyen and Moulton
Terry Musgrave was sworn in yesterday by Town Clerk Denise Graffeo as the newest member of the Tewksbury Housing Authority. Musgrave will fill the seat, formerly vacant, designated for an appointee of the Healey administration and round out the five-member committee.
Governor Maura Healey’s office will appoint citizens to more than 700 boards and commissions across the Commonwealth, including city and town housing authorities. Barring a resignation or unusual circumstance, Musgrave will hold the seat until a new governor takes office and makes his or her own appointments.
Musgrave is well-versed in housing issues from her role as Young Adult Supported Living Program Director for Plummer Youth Promise, which supports foster youth as they age out of the system. She holds a Masters in Social Work from Salem State, is a licensed social worker, and previously served as a domestic violence advocate for Alternative House, an emergency domestic violence shelter based in Lowell that also runs a well-regarded transitional housing program.
She joins current members John Deputat, Cheryl Wight, Marc Difruscia and Ryan Lloyd. Wight was the state appointee to the Housing Authority from October 2019 to July 2021, when she resigned to take the town-appointed tenant member role, leaving the state-appointed seat vacant.
The Tewksbury Housing Authority oversees almost 400 state and federally funded units in town.
“I am thrilled to receive the nomination to sit on the Tewksbury Housing Authority Board,” said Musgrave. “I work with transition-aged youth in foster care, and I have seen how stable housing creates positive outcomes for young people and their families. Tewksbury has been my home for the last 14 years, and my children have been lucky enough to grow up in this community and make lifelong friends and connections. Through this nomination I hope to learn the housing needs of the town and support the community with creating affordable housing so people are able to maintain Tewksbury as their community, and we can continue to welcome people into the town.”
Rep. Seth Moulton and Rep. Tram Nguyen supported Musgrave’s nomination.
“I am delighted that the Healey administration appointed such a well-qualified candidate to the Tewksbury Housing Authority,” said Nguyen. “Expertise matters. Terry’s background and education equip her to be a strong advocate for those already in Tewksbury’s affordable units and those in need of shelter and support. As Tewksbury works to develop its housing production plan, Terry will be an excellent asset for the town.”
Moulton has sought increased federal funding to reduce housing costs for lower-income families in his district.
“I was proud to support Terry Musgrave’s appointment for the Tewksbury Housing Authority because she has a proven track-record of serving her community,” said Moulton. “We need qualified people from every community across the Commonwealth to work toward new solutions to our housing challenges. Terry’s experience and drive make her a perfect candidate to build out affordable housing programs and other initiatives to protect and provide housing stability for all.”
THA Chair John Deputat told the Carnation he’s just pleased to now have a full five-person board.
“I appreciate her volunteering for a job that’s been vacant too long,” said Deputat.
Lorna Garey
Lorna is a U.S. Army veteran and 25-year resident of Tewksbury who has written for organizations ranging from the DIA to InformationWeek to a free weekly in New London that sent her to interview the pastry chef at Foxwoods.
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