A Case For Change On the Board Of Selectmen

A Letter to the Editor from Shawn Brandt:

On April 3, Reading will have two choices for the Board of Selectmen: John Arena, the incumbent and current Chair; and Vanessa Alvarado, a tenured member of the Finance Committee who will be seeking a first term on the BOS.

Mr. Arena’s supporters will highlight his experience as a Selectman as a key differentiator. I believe it is critical that before giving “credit” for this experience, we assess some of the recent missteps residents may not be aware of if they aren’t regularly following Board of Selectmen meetings:

Did you know that in April 2017, when the Board reorganized to select a new Chair, Mr. Arena failed to recuse himself, and even voted for himself as Chairman? This, despite a Board of Selectman guideline that one not serve as Chair during an election year. It is a reasonable policy which helps ensure that candidates for re-election don’t face any potential conflicts of interest when setting agendas, leading meetings or otherwise conducting business as Chair. For Mr. Arena and two other Selectmen, “it isn’t the first time” was reason enough to ignore their own policy document.

Vanessa Alvarado will be a Selectman who understands that transparency means acting in ways which ensure fairness even when predecessors have fallen short or it’s not expedient to do so.

Did you know that the BOS has had trouble working effectively with a number of the town’s volunteer boards and committees? Our form of town government relies on an army of volunteers who lend their expertise to various topics. Over the summer, the BOS removed a Board of Health member over a disagreement about a decision which, by statute, belongs to the Board of Health. Another vacancy was filled without the required public notice, and it was filled by a former Selectman with no specific experience in lieu of a candidate with deep expertise in public health. The Board of Cemetery Trustees experienced unilateral decision-making by the BOS with limited or no consultation. We’ve lost many volunteers during the past year, several of whom have openly cited their treatment by the BOS as a key driver.

Vanessa Alvarado will be a Selectman who values the volunteers who are so critical to our “nighttime government” and will respect their function as advisors who bring specific expertise.

Did you know that the Board very nearly put forth an override ballot question that, for many residents, would have literally forced a choice between retaining teachers or hiring police officers? It was only through the dogged determination of Selectmen Friedmann and Berman, and a late change of heart from Selectman Halsey, that we were able to preserve the One Reading approach which has been so critical to our town’s success over the years.

Vanessa Alvarado will be a Selectman who truly understands the premise of Commonwealth, which emphasizes the notion of working together for the common good.

While I am appreciative of Mr. Arena’s service to the town, I find myself frustrated with a persistent lack
of transparency, fairness and deference to the rules and policies that should govern BOS activities. We need a fresh start, and I am confident that Vanessa Alvarado is the right person for the role. Please join me in voting for her on April 3rd.

Shawn Brandt, Franklin Street