As I near the completion of my first year as a member of the Peterborough Select Board, I’d like to share some of what I’ve learned. Running for office was the easy part. Assuming the duties of the position, well, that’s been another thing. Learning the ropes takes time and this is a job that you learn as you go.
Liaison assignments: At the very first meeting we chose our committee assignments. That’s when I learned that there are more than 25 active committees and commissions working in town. Each of the three Select Board members acts as liaison to a group of them. This year, I worked with the Recreation Department, the Economic Development Authority, the Master Plan Steering Committee, and the Selectmen’s Advisory Committee to the ConVal Board of Education. I am also the representative to the recently formed Economic Ecosystem Hub. Depending on the group and the work being done, meetings are monthly or more often. If you want a broad view of the role volunteers play in shaping our town initiatives, this is a great way to get it. Because Tyler and Barbara were attending a number of other meetings, I asked that we add a section to our regular meeting agenda that would allow us to provide updates on what we were learning. That one small change has really helped me understand more fully how so many aspects of public life are connected, and how easy collaboration across issues might be initiated.
Projects: There are two collaborative regional projects that I got involved with this year: the Cold Stone Springs water project and the Housing for All project, both with the town of Jaffrey. I’m a big fan of regional solutions and understand that sustainability, both financially and as applies to resources, must be seen through a wider lens. We live in a small state with limited resources. None of us can afford to go it alone, nor should we. Being good neighbors on projects that provide mutual benefit builds trust and future collaboration.
All the rest: Let’s just say that there are many more than the standard twice per month Select Board meetings. During budget season, we met six Tuesday nights consecutively, on top of our regular meetings. Select Board members are required to be on hand at town elections and we all do a four-hour shift through the day. I really enjoyed this chance to say hello to neighbors and hand out stickers. We are also required to be there at the end of the day for the count and to tally write-in votes. Then there’s ribbon cuttings, retirement celebrations for long-term employees, and a number of other fun community activities we get invited to. And that doesn’t count the one-on-one conversations with constituents.
In the training workshop I attended, I received a large manual and detailed instructions about the Right-to-Know law, which prohibits any two Select Board members from having a conversation for risk that someone might think we’re conducting town business. So how does a new member learn the ropes if not from the other board members? I’m grateful that we have such talented and competent administrative staff and department heads here in our town government. In my weekly meetings with Town Administrator Rodney Bartlett, I have the opportunity to bring my questions and ideas to someone with decades of experience. Deputy Administrator Nicole MacStay has a deep knowledge of how state regulations work and apply to administration of town business. They both have been immensely helpful. I was blissfully ignorant of all that I didn’t know when I started, and can say that I’ve progressed in this year to the point where I’m now very clearly aware that there’s more I don’t know than I do.
Here are my major learnings from this first year:
It’s all about balance: You must balance the needs of our current residents with the desire to attract new families and businesses to town. You must balance the cost of providing quality town services with the fixed incomes of a growing number of older residents. You must balance needs for housing and development with preserving the character of our town, maintaining quality of life, culture and recreational offerings.
All issues are connected: Property taxes are directly connected to the cost of providing quality education. Providing a quality education helps future workforce development. Smart housing options and quality education attract and grow businesses. New and growing businesses seek to hire local talent. Attracting new talent and young families is connected to the availability of housing options, quality education and cultural opportunities. You can not separate economic development and the resources needed from conservation and recreation issues. You must consider educational opportunities, housing and services for the workforce needed to care for our aging population. And that doesn’t even consider what it takes to maintain and operate current infrastructure and resources. Everything is connected and interdependent.
We are impacted by state, national and international trends: It’s tempting to imagine we live in a sweet little bubble here in the Monadnock region. But the cost of living here, our desirability as a destination for business and young families, the cost of energy and so much more are driven by factors well outside of our control. Smart growth strategies, forward-looking leadership, regional collaboration, and fiscal responsibility must all be employed if we are to face the future as a vibrant and thriving community. Standing still is actually rolling backwards as neighboring states attract our workforce and create opportunities for young families.
It takes all of us working together to forge our future: Thomas Jefferson often spoke of the importance of an “engaged and informed” citizenry. The level of engagement here in Peterborough is pretty high, but it will take more of us becoming informed and willing to dig in to understand the broader issues if we are to create a sustainable and thriving community into the future. How we do this will be key. Can we listen respectfully and with an open heart, especially when we are afraid that something we value will be lost? Can we put ourselves into the shoes of our neighbors as we look for ways to implement changes? Can we stop vilifying those who disagree with our positions and seek consensus as we work through difficult issues.
As I enter my second year and welcome a new member to the Select Board, I ask all of us to come together as one community to work in the best interest of our town and its future. That is my promise and my pledge. I hope you will join me.
Karen Hatcher is a member of the Peterborough Select Board.