by Lex Thomas
Candidates vying for seats on the Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, Trustees of the Conant Public Library, and Town Moderator gathered at a public forum on April 24 to state their platforms, and answer questions posed by Sterling Meetinghouse News, and from the audience of about 25 Sterling residents.
Candidates for Board of Selectmen articulate vision
Candidates Maureen Cranson and Michael Padula, competing for one position with a 3-year term, both leaned on their records of service to the town, but took differing approaches to their visions for Sterling’s future
Cranson, who championed the fight for a new senior center and who is currently chair of the Senior Center Building Committee, cited her experience as an organizer and event planner, emphasizing that she would utilize her teamwork skills to bring back the sense of community she feels Sterling has lost over the years.
Padula, a veteran of numerous town boards and committees over the past 15 years, including Planning Board, the Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, the Police Station Building Committee, and various search committees, said that his 25-year background as a self-employed business owner gave him the sense of fiscal responsibility he would bring to the position of selectman.
Board of Health candidates differ on need for medical expertise
Candidate Sue Valentine and incumbent Gary Menin, competing for one seat with a 3-year term, each attempted to convince voters that the different backgrounds and skills they each have were most urgently needed by the Board of Health.
Menin, an engineer and certified septic inspector argued that his experience was a key to dealing with Title 5 issues that constitute the bulk of the board’s concentration.
Valentine, a nurse specializing in infection prevention, noted that the current board doesn’t include anyone with medical expertise, which she feels would hamper the its effectiveness in the event of an infectious disease epidemic.
Public awareness key to library success
Edward Tatten, candidate for one of two Trustees of the Conant Public Library seats with a 3-year term, stated that keeping the library current with technology, introducing new programs with wide public appeal, and keeping the community informed about the library’s many offerings, would be among his priorities.
Streamlining the Annual Town Meeting
Amrith Kumar, candidate for the 3-year term as Town Moderator, described the smooth running of the Annual Town Meeting as the most important function of the moderator. He would like to keep future town meetings shorter than they’ve been in recent years, and believes that making them briefer and better organized would attract more local residents to attend and become involved in the process of decision-making for the town.
Candidates Night was broadcast live by Sterling-Lancaster Community Television and moderated by Sterling Meetinghouse News editor Lex Thomas. A replay of the broadcast may viewed here on Town Hall Streams.