Select Board 3 to 5 vote

Engage Weston sent this message, shown below, and received a comment we hadn't been "balanced", as they thought we should have been. We didn't intend to present a balanced viewpoint actually, as that would be taking a position on the issue, which we decided the group would not do. What we wanted was for both the 3 and 5 positions to be fully visible to voters and since the 5 position had been sent by mail to every house in Weston at some expense, we thought we'd "balance" that visible position by disseminating the 3 position at least partially as widely as the 5 position had received. The key conclusions produced with considerable effort by the very experienced study committee on the 3-5 issue seemed to us to deserve equal visibility to voters and to not be underrepresented in the public square.

Our position is that the integrity and commitment to the general welfare and sense of community of the town is what is important for Select Board members, and the numbers of members is a secondary issue, though the transition from 3 to 5, if it is approved, will challenge the town's ability to find 3 worthy candidates at once to staff that increase successfully.

Again, please vote on the issue at Town Hall on January 13 or request a mail-in ballot at: https://www.westonma.gov/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Vote-By-Mail-35

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Engage Weston is publishing this letter from Kara Fleming, a former town employee from the Select Board’s office and a Weston resident to add to the conversation on the issue, not to take a stand on the issue.

Engage Weston is interested in sharing balanced views on the upcoming vote on whether or not to increase our Select Board size from 3 to 5. We were so committed to educating voters and offering both perspectives—to stay at 3 or increase to 5—that we, with the League of Women Voters, attempted to hold a community forum on the topic. Unfortunately, none of the 5 residents we approached who advocate going to a 5 member board were willing to participate in the panel so it has been canceled.

We are publishing this letter to offer a balance to the opinion that has been shared via a letter to all town households advocating to increase the size to 5. Some advocates for positions on the issue had been using attacks on the integrity and character of previous Select Board members and supporters of opposing positions as arguments for changing the size of the board. Such attacks are unbecoming by people advocating serious changes in town government. Changing the number of board members doesn't fix our risk of inappropriate behavior by the board or redress previous behaviors.

Elections are our tool for selecting reliable board members. Both 3 and 5 member boards can include unwise and unreliable public servants. Understanding the facts about this issue is critical as we all work together as a community to analyze and decide on this vote. Personal attacks and calling into question the motives of people with whom we disagree are divisive and harm our sense of community.

Engage is not taking a position on this topic. We hope, however, that you will consider carefully the issue and vote on January 13th to help the town make this important decision. Below, Kara outlines the significant research done on this topic.

Kara Fleming served on the Town Governance Study Committee researching the 3 to 5 issue as well as other governance issues, composed also of former select board members, committee volunteers, and the Town Moderator, including Harvey Boshart, Michael Harrity, Michael Pappone, John Thompson, Alice Benson, and Rip Hastings (who abstained from the unanimous recommendation). You can read more about the TGSC and its findings at https://www.westonma.gov/1890/Town-Governance-Study.

--- Engage Weston Team ---

Insights on Select Board Size

By Kara Fleming

The town election on January 13, 2026 is to secure – or not – the Town Meeting vote to expand Weston's select board from three members to five. The primary information residents have received strongly argues for moving to five members. But that is not the whole story. There is a unanimous recommendation to remain at three members for the time being, from the seven-person Town Governance Study Committee (TGSC).

The committee recommended before expanding the select board, we should first (a) improve citizen engagement to address our declining resident participation, and (b) conduct a comprehensive review of Weston’s government. The current board of Lise Revers, John McDonald, and Tom Palmer voted 2-to-1 to dissolve the TGSC after giving this recommendation. This alone is problematic, but the committee was originally tasked with reviewing Weston’s whole government and the question if the select board should be expanded.

Let’s examine the reasons that have been given to expand Weston’s board, and include the TGSC’s research findings and its understanding of how Weston’s Town Government functions. This point/counterpoint presentation is to provide voters with a balance of information to help form an educated decision and is not intended to be an argument in either direction.

Reasons vs Research

80% of towns with similar populations operate with five-member boards.
Research - this broad generalization ignores:

• the town’s organization
• The “power” of the town’s administrator or manager
• If a board is “policy” or “working”
• the complexity of the town including industries, commerce, and licensing.

Not all towns are similarly organized, nor do all boards carry the same responsibilities. Weston’s board is defined as a “policy” board because it is supported by a town manager who performs many duties that in other towns remain with the board itself. Traditionally, Weston’s board utilizes separate working and study committees to research issues and make recommendations. Some towns operate with “working” select boards that retain a lot more of the hands-on responsibilities.

• dispensary and liquor licensing
• commercial enterprises: industry, businesses and agriculture
• tourism and hospitality

Weston is arguably more narrowly a bedroom community than many towns, and has remained more constant in size and complexity than many communities. Our population has remained largely flat for over 25 years and is not projected to grow significantly in the next 25.

More expertise at the table - giving a wider range of professional experience and ideas, providing healthier debate for balanced solutions.
Research - This is precisely why Weston has long relied on publicly appointed working and study committees made up of experienced residents, working with our town employees who also provide skills and experience.

• These separate committees conduct in-depth discussions and debate before presenting recommendations for further consideration.
• This process has encouraged constructive dialogue and balanced outcomes through many resident voices, especially early on in the process.

Adding more select board members to working committees seems likely to limit the inclusion of the broader views, skills and experience of residents on important projects.

Strengthens local democracy
Research - The strength of Weston’s democracy is dependent upon the participation of its residents:

• Weston's select board elections aren’t regularly contested - in the last ten years, five were, demonstrating a shortage of residents who want to do the work of a select board member.
• Finding more qualified residents may be challenging:
• There is a reported decrease in volunteers.
• More than 40% of Weston households have their mail forwarded during at least part of the year, indicating a smaller volunteer pool than assumed.

It’s been argued that more seats on the board will attract more people to run, but based on our history, it is highly likely it will result in more uncontested races. Our executive board composed largely of uncontested members raises important questions:

• Is there demonstrated skill and judgment required to govern effectively and uphold public trust?
• Could those known to be lacking the necessary fortitude or approach gain access and introduce operational or reputational risks?

More capacity to get things done and a lighter workload
Research - Other towns reported:

• More “vanity” type projects were brought to the table, which did not improve productivity and occasionally reduced it.
• The increase in the number of projects negatively impacts town staff, presenting a potential financial concern.

Former Weston Select Board members didn’t indicate an overwhelming workload. That’s largely due to the supporting committees and that Weston’s projects and priorities are staggered for financial reasons with progress depending on the capacity of other public bodies.

More transparency and collaboration - two members can meet outside a public meeting.
Research - this is counterintuitive. A three-member board is automatically transparent since all discussions must be public. Further, reports involving five-member boards include:

• An increase of Open Meeting Law complaints and violations, per Town Counsel.
• Private discussions and decision-making among three members were evident.

As for board collaboration, other towns reported:

• Board in-fighting became a negative issue, not a constructive one.
• Single-issue members were less inclined to participate in debate and consensus.

No town has reverted back to three.
Research - This is misleading:

• Ayer reverted back to three and Groton strongly considered it.
• Pepperell and Holliston chose to make changes to their government structure before considering expansion.
• Belmont voted down expansion twice, citing impact to town staff as a financial concern, lack of transparency, the potential for factions to develop on a larger board, and the lack of a government study.
• Lancaster said no to expansion on their ballot vote.

In line with other public bodies - School Committee and Planning Board have five members.
Research - the duties and support of these two bodies differ greatly from those of the Select Board. It’s an “apples to oranges” comparison.

Happy New Year
Engage Weston
Alice Benson, Stefania Mallett, Nancy Piedra, Tom Timko, Alan Day