Northborough – Three candidates will be on the ballot for one seat on the Board of Selectmen in the Tuesday, May 14 Annual Town Election. The Community Advocate has invited the candidates – incumbent Leslie Rutan and contenders Millie Milton and Jason McDonald – to share a bit about their backgrounds and why they are running for this position. Here, in their own words, are the answers from two of the candidates, Rutan and McDonald – who have responded thus far.
Leslie Rutan – I am a member of the Northborough Board of Selectmen. My husband and I have lived in Northborough for 28 years, and our children Patrick, Emily, and Ben attended the Northborough schools and graduated from Algonquin. I have worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, and am also a proofreader/editor. I volunteered in the schools as a PTO Co-Chair and Treasurer, School Council member, as a member of the Northborough Education Foundation (NEF), and I currently serve on the Melican and Algonquin School Councils. After winning two terms to the Northborough School Committee, I was then elected to the Board of Selectmen, where I have served as Chair and Vice-Chair, as liaison to many town subcommittees, and as Chair of the Lincoln Street School Building Committee.
It is important to me that residents continue to have a Board of Selectmen member who listens, responds in a timely fashion, and has the knowledge gained from serving on the Board and in other volunteer capacities, to quickly and efficiently address areas of concern. I enjoy working with residents on various issues and areas of interest, and continue to work with transparency and a skill set obtained from having served on both the Northborough School Committee, and currently as a member of the Board of Selectmen. It is also an opportunity to work first-hand on the Annual Town and School District Budgets and Capital Improvement Plan, to oversee the hiring of fire and police personnel which impacts the safety and well-being of our community, and to work with residents and legislators on various issues facing our town.
Northborough is a wonderful community with residents who offer a variety of talents. My hope is to attract more residents to the many volunteer positions available on our boards and committees. There are positions that meet at varying times and which suit a variety of schedules! If you have an extra time slot in your week, please consider applying for a spot via our town website: http://www.town.northborough.ma.us/Pages/index . We need you! In addition, the issue of recycling is front and center, and the Board of Selectmen will be reviewing trash hauling and recycling proposals that make sense for Northborough both logistically and budgetarily. The Master Plan Subcommittee is also hard at work, and there will be much upcoming discussion surrounding that, which will benefit greatly from residents’ feedback!
Jason McDonald – I’m running for Board of Selectmen. I’ve spent my entire life as a member of the Northborough community. My wife Shannon and I met during our time at ARHS and we have been fortunate to be able to raise our children here. My 23 year career in software customer service and management allows me to utilize my listening and leadership skills every day to help others. I enjoy volunteering and have had the opportunity to be everything from Cubmaster to coach for baseball, softball and football.
I am running for Selectman because I believe the town needs a new voice who is willing to listen to and act on the concerns of the citizens. Someone who has the perspective of a lifelong resident, but also shares connections with the vibrant newer members of our community. Someone who believes that Northborough is already a great place to live, but who sees the potential that its future holds if we work together and each take part and share our voices.
If elected, my first priority will be to ensure that the town administration continues its work towards a more open and transparent government. Our policies should facilitate the rapid and accurate disbursement of town materials that our citizens have demanded. I also believe that we can do better with engaging and motivating people to take a more active part in their town government and this will be a focus of mine.
Photos/submitted