Letter: Boshart Explains That He has 'Respect for All'

I would like to take a moment and elaborate on some of the issues that have been raised by the other candidate over the past few weeks relating to my candidacy as moderator in the May 2013 Town Election.

A recent letter to the editor from one of my opponent’s supporters suggested that I am against transparency in the committee appointment process. This is false. I have challenged my opponent’s idea of holding public meetings to vet potential committee appointments because I do not believe it is consistent with the moderator’s role. One of the moderator’s primary obligations is to maintain neutrality in the exercise of his or her duties. This obligation distinguishes the moderator from any other elected official or participant in the political process.  I believe that delegating any portion of the moderator’s responsibility to public hearings, as my opponent would do, risks the loss of neutrality to the political whims of a vocal few. The citizens of Weston elect a moderator whom they believe will responsibly appoint members to certain town committees in an unbiased manner. I am confident that I have the ability to faithfully perform this duty.

I believe my ability is also demonstrated by the many letters of support I have received from a wide spectrum of Weston residents, some of whom I have never met. The consistent theme set forth in these letters reflects, in my opinion, the essence of the moderator’s role. That is, whether you agree with a particular person’s point of view or not, the moderator should have experience and knowledge of the town’s operations in order to generate candidate interest and appoint the most qualified individuals in an unbiased manner.

Furthermore, I believe the appointment process is challenged by participation rather than transparency. The town is blessed with many talented and capable citizens, yet few candidates volunteer, resulting in some positions going unfilled. I would prefer to focus my efforts on increasing participation not working on procedural issues. By almost all accounts, the town committees (including the finance committee on which I served for 6 years) continue to serve the town well. I am not eager to change this process.

My experience on the Finance Committee will ensure strong committee representation through an understanding of how the committee works and its role and responsibilities. Strong representation does not mean fiscal conservatism as has been suggested by my opponent. The qualities desired for a committee appointee is time and talent rather than political or personal views. The Finance Committee serves as the primary financial advisor to the Selectmen and voters at Town Meetings and makes recommendations only after hours and hours of digesting presentations and budget books. The finance committee does not dictate policy, spend tax dollars or have any other power other than making recommendation to voters. Similarly, after making an appointment, the Moderator’s role is finished and has no other influence or involvement in that committee; that’s why it’s important to understand the role and responsibilities when making such an important selection.

Let me be clear: I have no political agenda and I will not be influenced by those with one.  I became involved in the finance committee when I first moved to Weston to see for myself how well the town is operated. My conclusion is that the town is very well run! My record has been very supportive of worthwhile town projects as demonstrated in my presentations at town meetings such as the Field School and public meetings for the Police Station Study Committee.

I agree with the other candidate that the moderator needs to maintain separation from the committees to which he appoints although he has recently narrowed the focus to single out the finance committee. As such he has stated that he has not accepted any public support from finance committee members or their immediate family. I have only received public support from a friend whose relationship predates his involvement on the finance committee who currently happens to serve the chairman. I am happy to have his support as he can attest to my skills and temperament. That said, he is just one supporter from a diverse group of supporters with whom I have interacted with over my many years involved in the town.

I encourage you to review the Weston Town Meeting Advisory Committee (WTMAC) meeting minutes and final committee report. The report does an excellent job of summarizing the committee’s 11 month body of work. The committee, however, was prohibited from addressing directly how the Town’s core functions should be presented at Town meeting so that voters are better informed. Accordingly, the Selectmen recently created their own WTMAC which will have the mandate and authority to address these functions. The Selectmen did not include the Moderator as a member of the Committee. I informally proposed to the Selectmen that at a minimum the moderator be appointed as a non-voting ex-officio member; a suggestion I’ve received positive feedback on from them.

As a member of the Selectmen’s Town Meeting Advisory Committee, I believe that anything to encourage voter participation should be considered whether it’s the day of the week and time of day that town meeting is held; notification requirements; method of voting; town meeting procedures, and live town meeting broadcasts. After all, this is one role of the moderator; to improve participation. The committee will focus its efforts based on the results of a planned town wide survey in which residents will be able to express their preferences. After thorough research and discussion, any recommendation made by the committee to change the town meeting bylaws will require a 2/3rds vote at Town meeting. The moderator’s role on this committee is certainly to advise and participate, but should not be the catalyst for change.

For those of you who may not know me, and I hope after reading this you have a better understanding of what I stand for. I have lived in Weston for almost 9 years and feel this a great place to raise a family and is an amazing community. I am passionate about this town and what it has to offer. The knowledge and experience I’ve gained over 7 years of involvement in town matters versus less than a year for the other candidate lend me greater insight into how we can improve our town and how citizens interact with each other and what we do as a community. No one has ever questioned my fairness or capability publically. The moderator role is not supposed to be a controversial position and I intend to return it to that way.

I encourage all readers to review my candidate statement, my letters of support, and ask your friends and neighbors about my qualifications and demeanor.  Or come see for yourself at the League of Women Voters Candidate night  May 2 at the Amy Potter Center at the Weston Middle School.  Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you at the polls on May 11!

Harvey Boshart
Dean Road
HBForModerator on Facebook

NOTE: HARVEY SERVED ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR 6 YEARS WITH THE LAST YEAR AS CHAIRMEN.  HE IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE POLICE STATE STUDY COMMITTEE