Candidate Debate Night

On Saturday, May 6, Littleton residents will be asked to vote new members onto the Board of Selectmen. The Board is responsible for executing the policies voted for by the public in town meetings. As our school year draws to a close, many seniors will now be eligible to vote not only in national elections, but also in local ones. Littleton will be undergoing many changes in the near future, and now more than ever it is important that young adults, such as newly-enfranchised high schoolers, make their voice heard in local matters. 

Recently, the Littleton High School Environmental Club advocated for a plastic bag ban. Their bill was successful, and will come into effect on August 1st. This was a great example of how students can influence local policies to reflect their values and help their community. 

I attended the Select Board candidate’s open house night on April 26th in order to report on each potential Board member’s campaign and highlight what issues are relevant to young voters. 

Each candidate opened with their primary goals and a brief overview of their background. Three years ago, incumbent Selectman Nordhaus ran on a platform of transparency and remarked that the future of town-government communication is in the hands of the Select Board. He has 25 years of small business owner experience, as well as cross-disciplinary management ability that he claims has benefited him in his role as selectman. 

Selectwoman Napoli is focusing her potential renewed term on solidifying protocols and procedures within the Board that were lost as seasoned members departed. She hopes to continue her work on the Board with what she views as her proven leadership in the role. She has previously spearheaded policies to support veterans, including renovating a local World War I monument. A lifelong resident of Littleton, she believes her experience as a paralegal for 30 years provides her with conflict-resolution skills and the ability to work with a diverse population.

Ms. Morrison, the only non-incumbent candidate, has oriented her campaign around providing a voice and perspective that is not currently present on the Board. She believes that her history as a government contracts lawyer will help her navigate the complex nuances of the selectperson role. Additionally, as a mother, she claims her ability to problem-solve and multi-task will be extremely beneficial, remarking that “the more multitaskers [there are], the better the government will be”.

All of the candidates view communication as a key aspect of their campaigns. There is a universal desire to increase the dialogue between the town government and citizens, although all are approaching this goal in different ways. A recent development project on Littleton Common has caused many residents to feel as though they are kept out of the loop of government business, and a consistent question has been how the town can maintain its character in the face of its changing population. A special permit was recently approved that would allow the construction of high-density housing in the lot that currently houses the disused IBM building. Citizens are concerned about how this development will strain the town’s infrastructure and alter the aesthetics of the area.

Resident discontent regarding town-government communication is also rooted in the presence of 80+ gun dealers at the Mill. Last September, at a special Select Board feedback meeting, many citizens voiced their concern over lack of communication, and harshly criticised the Board for failing to inform them of what later turned into a front-page scandal. The town’s aggrievance centered, in particular, on the gun dealerships that were permitted to operate in a manner that sidestepped the weapons ban on assault rifles. When the news broke as the lead article in the Sunday Boston Globe, it was the first time many residents had heard about the issue.

One contentious question of the evening focused on a zoning bylaw that was passed during the February town meeting, which places more stringent restrictions on new gun licences operating in town. All three candidates were asked how they voted on the bylaw.

Selectman Nordhaus openly stated that he voted in favour of the bylaw. He remarked that, regardless of his personal opinions on gun ownership, every single resident he spoke to supported the bill. It is his belief that Select Board members should vote by the will of their constituents, the townspeople.

Ms. Morrison also voted in favour, as she appreciated the dedication and care put into drafting the bylaw and did not approve of the presence of gun dealers at the Mill.

Selectwoman Napoli refused to answer the question, arguing that it “sets a bad precedent” to ask a town official to reveal a vote they casted by secret ballot.

Transparency and communication were prevalent themes throughout the night. Recently raised concerns over staff turnover and workplace environment make these issues a prime topic of conversation.

The following question directed towards Selectwoman Napoli by a member of the public sparked discussion: “You’ve heard from staff, the public, and the Select Board chair [Nordhaus] that your interactions at town hall are problematic. How will you change your behaviour if re-elected?”

In response, Selectwoman Napoli claimed the accusations of workplace harassment were unfounded and politically driven. She argued that Selectman Nordhaus did not substantiate any of the aspersions with evidence.

Ms. Morrison followed up on Selectwoman Napoli’s response, saying that although the public is not privy to executive session, “it is a matter of record that 10 Board heads have left government in 3 years, [...] and the town has had 4 administrators in 4 years”. She also stated that many town employees fear retaliation for speaking out. Later in the evening, when the topic was raised again, Selectman Nordhaus admitted that he believes the government has a workplace bullying problem which has “increased staff turnover and damaged the town’s reputation”.

Another member of the public asked Selectman Nordhaus about a potential conflict of interest with respect to his wife’s cannabis retail store. Selectman Nordhaus stated that he has always recused himself from town business related to cannabis.

Selectwoman Napoli responded that the public’s question was “accurate”, without providing any concrete example of Selectman Nordhaus failing to recuse himself from a government matter concerning cannabis.

Littleton’s lack of a town newspaper is a key issue for several of the candidates. Selectwoman Napoli has announced her intention to start a town newsletter that provides a consistent and reliable information stream for residents. Ms. Morrison is also invested in this issue and has created an initiative with Littleton High Press that would provide students with community service hours in exchange for reporting on Select Board meetings. She stated that she has “practical ideas for bridging the communication gap” between town and government and wants information to be more accessible to residents. As well as Board-to-town communication, she values the outside perspective and scrutiny that a town newspaper would bring to the table.

With the interests of future LHS voters in mind, I asked the candidates why high schoolers should vote for them. I also asked what their policies were, in the simplest and clearest terms.

Ms. Morrison stated that her policies were professionalism, community service, and objectivity. She argued that “ultimately, we don’t know what specific issues we will be facing in the future” and believes that voting for the best candidate to fit the role of Select Board member would produce the best results. She encourages young voters, saying that the more citizens involved, the better the flow of information will be. Ms. Morrison said, if elected, she will be the only Board member with children in the Littleton Public School district. 

Selectman Nordhaus said his policies are understanding, involvement, and transparency. He added that he is dedicated to ensuring that information is easily accessible, and that making town residents feel enfranchised is valuable. He also noted that policies relating to sustainability and conservation were vital, as the younger generation will inhabit the future we create.

Selectwoman Napoli offered an explanation of how town government works, stating, “I can have my personal policies as a member of the Select Board, but I’m really governed by the town’s policies”. She reiterated that she was a paralegal for 30 years and is “very policy-driven”. 

Both the candidates and the regular attendees expressed their enthusiasm over seeing young people participating in local politics. Without a presence, the values of young voters will not be reflected in town policies.