The recent Select Board meeting brought to light a concerning number. A total of 66 appointments to town boards and committees have been invalidated because the appointees never took their oath of office. This is a legitimate problem that speaks to a breakdown in process and communication, and it’s a conversation our town needs to have. However, the immediate and public criticism of the Select Board chair, Kevin Canty, seems to have missed the point entirely. Instead of focusing on fixing the systemic issue, some members chose to engage in a public scolding.
The job of a Select Board is not merely to appoint people; it is to ensure the town’s administrative machinery runs smoothly. When the process for swearing in new volunteers fails 66 times over two years, it’s not a single person’s failing – it’s an administrative one. The issue is not just that one committee chair had trouble reaching her new appointee, but that a fundamental step in the volunteer on-boarding process has been repeatedly overlooked.
It is easy to point a finger and lay blame, but leadership requires more. It requires a collaborative spirit, a focus on problem-solving, and the recognition that public disagreements can erode trust in local government. Chairman Canty’s proposal to re-appoint the 66 individuals and provide clearer communication in the future demonstrates a proactive approach to solving the problem. The fact that the town’s email communication has since been updated to clarify the 30-day further supports the idea that this was an administrative failing, not a personal one.
Our town’s boards and committees are an important part our democracy. They rely on the good will and volunteerism of our citizens. When the process for welcoming these volunteers is so flawed, it casts a shadow on their hard work and commitment, we should be asking why the system failed so many, and what steps are being taken to fix it.
– Patrice Minton