As a Town Meeting member, I want the moderator to be able to conduct fair, unbiased sessions consisting of thoughtful, balanced discussions. The moderator selects and appoints members of key committees. These appointments must be people with the expertise needed for the positions they fill; they must represent the entire community, not just one segment or group.
The job is more complex than it sounds. Navigating and managing Town Meeting sessions with over 300 participants so that all can be heard requires a unique skill set.
The moderator must not only have a deep knowledge of the community but must have in-depth knowledge and experience working with the many groups―town school, autonomous ―that comprise Belmont’s government. He must be independent and unbiased.
From my perspective, both as a Town Meeting member and as a Belmont resident, Mark Paolillo is the right choice for moderator. He has many years of service to Belmont in elected and appointed positions, starting as a Town Meeting member. His committee work has dealt with financial and community issues, including work for Belmont’s seniors, its adults, and its school-age populations.
Mark’s 12 years on the Select Board have given him experience conducting meetings in a fair and respectful manner; he knows how to facilitate complex conversations with differing views and opinions while making sure that people and residents are heard and their views considered.
Throughout his many years of service to our town, Mark has combined the best of Belmont’s government with innovative efforts. As moderator, I am confident that he will continue to assess and implement changes as needed to further enhance our Town Meeting processes and town appointment procedures. He will do so with a balanced hand and vision for the needs for our community. Please vote for Mark Paolillo for moderator.
Kathleen Keohane, Rutledge Road