I attended my first Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday evening, Oct. 20. Like many residents, I follow town business, but my work (with a long commute) and family commitments have kept me less involved in town politics than I would like. I was compelled to attend the meeting, however, because I am so excited about the Harvard Cultural Collaborative and the gift that my neighbors are offering the town through this initiative. Given that this diverse group of skilled volunteers devoted dozens of hours over many months in careful planning and widespread consultation to present an inclusive, creative, and responsible plan to the selectmen to restore the old library into a vibrant cultural center, I expected our elected officials on the board to greet this effort with gratitude and appreciation for bringing a town commitment closer to fruition. Though some selectmen responded in this way, most of the discussion reflected an air of disgruntled skepticism with a confusing focus on a previous failed initiative unrelated to the current effort.
Pam Erdos eloquently challenged this line of questioning at the meeting itself, but I want to highlight the civic implications of this attitude. It was discouraging and disheartening to see my elected representatives act as suspicious gatekeepers rather than appreciative facilitators collaborating with generous and dedicated neighbors to help realize a shared civic vision. Attitude matters.
I am deeply grateful for the time, energy, resources, expertise, and vision that members of the Harvard Cultural Collaborative have contributed to our town through this proposal. Moving forward, I hope my elected officials will treat our neighbors with the respect and appreciation they have earned.
Diane L. Moore
East Bare Hill Road
