Job Interview: Board of Selectmen

A couple weeks ago I wrote about . Let's look into how that could apply to a Belmont Board of Selectmen's campaign.

First, just what is the job description for the Board of Selectmen? That is difficult, since it is so amorphus in Belmont. No one seems to have the same view, even those who have served in that position. Article 4 of the Town by-laws describes official responsibilities. Some are spelled out in minute detail, but the general catch-all in section 4.2 says "The Selectmen shall have the general direction and management of the property and affairs of the Town in all matters not otherwise provided for by law or by these By-Laws." In other words, whatever they think is best for the town.

I like what former Selectman Ann Marie Mahoney has said quite a few times: It's a policy-setting board. In Massachusetts this is generally the rold of school committees, and I would like the Board of Selectmen to have that scope and focus.

What else do I look for? For generic qualifications, some combination of the following. Someone who has a track record of making significant contributions and getting things done in complex organizations. This could be in their profession, volunteer organizations, or other boards in government. Relevant experience both inside and outside Belmont is a big plus. Both Andy and Dan easily meet all these.

We very often see endorsement lists in elections. I admit I am influenced by the 'key' people who endorse local candidates, especially if I don't know the candidates well myself. This works in both the positive and negative directions. But lending your name is easy, and often just a returned favor. Campaign staffs tell a lot – people who actually give their time to a candidate – and for whom the candidates have worked in the past. I think yard signs make Belmont look trashy, though I end up hosting one-half-the-time.

In some past elections, I've heard candidates claim they would bring 'balance' to the Board of Selectmen. That has often meant the liberal-conservative spectrum. For demographics, we now have three age 50-plus white males, and we will continue with that this year, so that aspect of the mix won't change. I do like the mix of our Selectmen's (including the candidates') day jobs since I've moved here: business, law, medicine, accounting, religious education and engineering. I wish the State House or Congress were as broad.

The Selectmen interactions with other committees and boards, and with Town staff, are vital. Other elected and appointed officials are a good source for how BOS candidates can contribute to, or hinder, progress. Most staff are too professional to give negative opinions on elected officials, and that is probably wise. I've learned quite a bit from officials and staff at Conley's or little league games. It just takes some asking and a lot of listening.

This year I'd like to hear more about the role the candidates see for the Selectmen moving forward. Patch's Question of the week,  is a good start. With the recent and ongoing work on government restructuring, this is the perfect time. How much micro-managing vs delegating to hired professionals? How to take more control of budget process, and more importantly, Town priorities, where the Warrant Committee has been allowed to drive the bus too much? How to make the job attractive to more people?

Personally, I want to retain our strong schools and keep my houses's property value high – the former directly feeds into the latter. I also want someone with an eye for longer-term planning. If you don't know where you want to go, how can you get there? Too often Belmont has lived year-to-year, though this has improved in the past decade. I don't mind a Selectman telling me I'm wrong, providing data and reasoning to back up his or her views.

Finally, I want a Selectman who will teach me some things, even things I may not want to hear, and make me see Belmont from a different perspective.