Recap of Selectmen’s Debate
by Mark Collins, Staff Reporter
April 30, 2010

PHOTOS BY MICHELLE MURDOCK

Preparing for the Hopkinton Independent Selectman Candidate Debate at HCAM Studios.

BELOW PHOTOS BY KATHLEEN CULLER

HCAM Streaming Program

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The four Candidates for the Board of Selectmen gathered at the HCAM studios on Wednesday night April 29 for the Selectman’s Candidate Debate organized by Sarah Duckett of the Hopkinton Independent. Duckett began the debate by welcoming the audience and introducing the candidates for the two open seats, Joe Nealon, John Mosher, Todd Holbrook and Ben Palleiko. Following the candidates’ introduction, Michelle Murdock, News Editor for HCAM News and Tom Moroney, Bureau Chief of Bloomberg News were introduced as the panelists and Chuck Joseph was introduced at the debate moderator. 

The debate didn’t follow a traditional format. As described by Joseph, the debate would have a more informal feel, more like a conversation. Forty-five seconds were allotted to each candidate to respond to the issue at hand. The format worked well given the more casual nature of the event. 

Starting the discussion, the candidates were asked to characterize what they thought they brought to the job of Selectmen. Palleiko stressed his experience as a financial executive. Holbrook mentioned his tenacity and experience as a trial lawyer. Nealon stated his reasonable nature and his ability to listen to people as his best characteristic he would bring to the job. Wrapping up the question, Mosher said his ability to take the next step, to ask the next question on a financial or community matter.

Next on the agenda, the panel asked about the role of the Board of Selectmen, has the role changed, and how so. Three of the candidates were on common ground with this question, agreeing that the role has changed into much more of an advisory role, removed from the daily business of the town. Palleiko was the only dissenter here, asserting that the Board should act in more of an involved fashion, becoming more involved with policy setting and forward looking. 

Keeping with the Board of Selectmen role, the candidates were asked to discuss what they thought was the most important role of the board. Nealon launched into this question by stating the Board of Selectmen need to set the strategy for the town. They would act in a more advisory role for the town. 
Mosher agreed with Nealon relative to the advisory role. He also added the Selectmen needs to really listen to what the people of the town were telling him, listen to his community. Holbrook agreed it’s more an advisory role. The Selectman also needs to play more of a role outside the community, listen to where the town is going. Citing some minor semantic differences in the Town Charter’s description of the selectmen’s role, Palleiko again departed from his fellow candidates by mentioning his advocacy of a more active involvement with town management.

Budgets and budgetary priorities were the next item on the slate. This discussion turned in to session on balancing all other issues against the financial requirements of the school system. Nealon mentioned the school system as the core of our town, one of the most important budget items. Mosher took a slightly different approach as he described the schools as a top priority but from a more situational approach. Holbrook categorically stated that roads will never be as high of a priority as the schools. Palleiko agreed with placing schools as our top priority, likening good schools to the bedrock of our town. 

As everyone anticipated, the topic eventually turned to taxes. To the question of raising taxes to support the school budget the candidates were of one voice. Yes, they would raise taxes for the support of our schools. There were some caveats throw into the discussion but the net result was the same.

Still on the tax theme, the proposed CPA tax reduction was raised. Nealon was in the minority here as the only candidate that would support the tax rollback from 2% to 1.1%

Closing out the discussion phase of the debate, the candidates were asked to comment of the two barrel trash can limit. Holbrook didn’t like it; he couldn’t see where there was any real saving. Palleiko and Nealon were not big supporters of the limit either. Mosher was in favor of the limit but was opposed to how it was implemented.

Ending the informative night, each candidate was asked to sum up their candidacy. Mosher said one of his primary goals was to improve the student teacher ratio. Reiterating his pro business and pro technology philosophy Mosher said;

“Sound environmental practices are good for business.”

Holbrook wants to attract more business to town, saying;

“I want to concentrate on growing the town the right way, growing and attracting business in the right way.”

Palleiko commented on the key issues in his candidacy saying;

“I believe in balance and continuing to work to make the town a great place to live.”

The final message from Nealon framed the role of the Selectmen.

“It is the job of the Board to define the character of the town for the next ten years” Nealon said. 

With that comment, the moderator ended the debate, thanked the candidates and the panel and hoped that everyone had a better sense of who the candidates were.

You can see the debate in its entirety at the right of this page.