Letter: I strongly support increasing the size of the Select Board from three members to five

First, I would like to address the stewardship of our Select Board and the dynamics between the SB and the Town Manager’s Office. With the understanding that TMO handles the day-to-day operation, SB taking the back seat, we are still mandated by the state, and reasonably expected by the town folks, that the Select Board performs the functions of making important decisions; functioning as the stewardship of the town folks–monitoring and coordinating all town functions as the trustworthy caretakers of the town’s interests. 

We are privileged that our previous and current SB and the TMO have provided top-notch services to the Town of Weston. However, as expressed by two of the three current members of the Select Board, Lise Revers and John McDonald, with the broad responsibilities and the limited time and manner of conducting the Select Board functions, it would be tremendously important for them to be able to invest a deeper and more timely dive into the important issues that impact the town citizens for 10 or 100 years.

As always, changes need effort to adjust. The need for the Town Manager’s offices to get decisions approved quickly will now temporarily require the effort of both the SB and the TMO to adjust to the new five-member board. However, knowing all other similar towns have expanded to five-member SB, how our other boards of five+ members, including the School Committee, function, and with the wealth of experience, skills, and dedication from both sides, I am confident our TMO and the SB will be successful with this change.

Secondly, although it might not be as convenient, it is mandated that the balance of powers among the three bodies–the town folks, the town committees, including the SB, and the TMO–is upheld. Things get simpler and less confusing if we respect the rights of every side to guard their power. It is healthy for this tug-and-pull, as long as we are not negative or getting personal about it. As such, it is within the domain of town folks to determine who is “qualified” to serve on the SB by their votes. The points raised by TMO’s former staff were to guard the rights and the familiar way of operation of TMO, rightfully. Likewise, two current SB members are guarding and shoring up the stewardship of the SB in support of three to five.

Lastly, this is an infrastructure change that will improve Weston for generations to come. It’s propelled by the natural growth of this town and manifested by the votes of the vast majority twice at the Town Meeting. It has come a long way. Hyper-focusing on individual members of the SB, or anyone in town, is not proportional to the issue. Boxing anyone for being “conservatives,” “liberals,” “DEMs,” “GOPs,” or anything else is not relevant either, because, for town matters, those have never been part of the equation.

Let’s move beyond the personal things.

Please vote at the Town Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, or now at the Town Clerk’s Office. Vote “Yes” to increase the size of the Select Board from three members to five.

Tricia Liu

Winthrop Circle