Leo Bartolini is running for a seat on the Board of Selectmen against incumbent Bill Boland. On Saturday morning, Bartolini will host an informal get-together at the new Red Barn Coffee at 20 Turnpike Road (Route 9 eastbound).
Interested residents are invited to come meet Bartolini and enjoy a free cup of coffee. The event runs from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
Aren’t there two seats open? I thought Mr. Rooney announced his retirement.
John Rooney’s term ends in 2013. He has said he will not seek reelection at that time.
I for one hope he’ll reconsider…John Rooney is a terrific Selectman.
For those wondering, this article discusses Rooney’s stated reelection plans: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x122729740/Southborough-selectman-won-t-seek-re-election
Best of luck to Mr. Bartolini. We need a final shot of new blood on the board.
Resident,
I find it really hard to think of Mr. Bartolini as you described him as new blood. I saw Mr. Bartolini at the trasfer stationon Saturady and he was introduced to others by former Selectman Sal Giorlandino.
That seems to me to be more of the same, not something new.
I look forward to hearing him speak at the candidates night.
Just because a former selectman is supporting a candidate that does not mean that they espouse the same opinions or beliefs. To your exact point, it is my recollection that Mr. Bartolini and Mr. Giorlandino have disagreed with each other on several things in the past. Consider what it might mean for someone to think of the good of the town and respect/support someone who steps up to serve, even if they are NOT in 100% agreement with them. Mr Boland is undoubtedly more of the same. After 6 years it is time to give someone else a chance.
I agree with Mr. Ford. I hope Mr. Rooney reconsiders running for a second term. He has done a great job and I am looking forward to seeing what he will do this year as chairman.
I consider myself mostly independent. There are candidates I may mostly agree with and
those are the ones that I vote for. Yet, I may disagree with some of their views but I will still vote for them.
The town needs a Board of Selectmen who are independent and willing to make decisions based on what is good for the town and not for select groups within the town. I have watched nearly all of the meetings after they have been recorded and hope for the good of the town Mr. Rooney will give to the town another term. I do not agree with him at times, but no one can disagree that his decisions are well thought out and seem to be made without any goal beyond the town. Just the other night when discussing how mitigation funds from a 40B should be parsed out, he suggested consideration should be given to money going to the schools since they would be impacted by the development. That suggestion shows a commitment to fairness even though the school supporters lobby against him. Whenever a group rises up in opposition you need to dig down to figure out why. They don’t like him because he asks hard questions. His 40B analysis tells me he has no other goal beyond doing what is fair and right.
I am glad we have a contested race this year, but I have been very troubled by Mr. Bartolini’s conduct at many ZBA hearings I have attended. He has refused to listen to important discussions and fights with his other members. He fought bitterly with Mr. Stivers whom I know and respect. I don’t think that is the face of the Board of Selectmen this town needs. I have not seen Mr. Bartolini exhibit any patience, intelligence, or creative solutions, and I think these are important pieces to the puzzle.