Select Board Governance

Tomorrow night, Wednesday, May 4th at 7p.m. at town hall, the Select board meets to welcome it's newest member, Chuck Walkovich.  While we have been in opposition at times, welcome Chuck to this leadership team.  I celebrate the democracy that creates the path for all elected officers. to pursue their goals to serve their community.  

On this night the first agenda item is to reorganize the roles of the Three Select Board members, electing the next Select Board Chairperson.  Historically in Pepperell, the Chairmanship has been filled by the senior member of the Board.  Having completed my second year on the Board, as Clerk, I have hoped to be elected to that post.  I have taken great pride in my Select Board work and take credit for initiating the Climate Change Committee, reviving the Agricultural Commission, working with State and Federal Legislators, starting and Chairing the regional  North Central Climate Change Collaborative , and most of all, listening to Pepperell citizens and bringing their concerns and wishes to the Select Board.

As politics will have it, the choice of our next Chair Person may be impacted by the current dynamics between the three Board members.  I find myself, quite often, as a dissenting voice on the Select Board and attribute that to my determined stance on the importance of maintaining our conservation and farmlands.  Any loss of those resources to make room for further development, I believe jeopardizes our work against climate change, future food supply, clean air, clean water and aesthetic quality of our rural lives.  I believe growth is best limited to redevelopment projects and all current and new buildings should be limited by it's measured contribution to our carbon footprint.

I hope that my co-Select Board members, Mark Mathew and Chuck Walkovich will recognize that I am a good choice and elect me to the position of Chair Person.  I offer the assurance that while I hold to my environmental convictions, my greatest responsibility is to uphold the principles of our Democracy and the guarantee of fair respectful and open debates and the give and take required to reach agreements.  

If members of the public wish to participate in tomorrow nights reordering of the Select Board I encourage you to attend.  The meeting is both in person, at Conference Room A and virtual by accessing the link on the Town of Pepperell web site.

Whatever the outcome of the Select Board vote, I am deeply thankful to be participating in our democratic process and hope you share my enthusiasm for the work of elected officers,  and the democratic principals that guide them.    .

Regards, Tony Beattie