I am writing to support the reelection of Scott Kimball to the Board of Selectmen in Harvard. Having served five years on the Board of Health, I had the opportunity to experience how town government functions from the inside. During that entire five-year period, mold in the kindergarten wing of the Harvard Elementary School was one of the more contentious issues between the Board of Health and the selectmen. Members of both boards were entrenched in their positions and the matter appeared headed for court—with the selectmen unwilling to budget $60,000 to remove moldy carpeting and replace it with tile. As Board of Health chairman and chairman of the ad hoc committee charged with addressing the mold issue at that time, I can tell you that Scott Kimball was the only selectman willing to talk to me about the issue, listen to what I had to say, and provide constructive feedback. Following our conversation, Scott initiated dialogue between the boards that led to the agreement allowing replacement of carpet in the wing to go forward. It is comforting to know that there is at least one selectman who recognizes that investing in the health of our children and school staff is more important than paying legal fees for people to litigate the question. Listening, mutual respect, and pragmatism are qualities Scott possesses that will serve Harvard well.
Bill Spacciapoli
Ayer Road
