Serving as Harvard’s town moderator provides an individual with the opportunity to listen, learn, and gain insight into numerous issues and activities shared from a multitude of perspectives. Individuals, committee members, board members, and town personnel share knowledge with the moderator on current and future opportunities for our town. Acting and retired moderators, from both in and out of town, have shared how they have worked to facilitate constructive conversations without swaying the direction of this information, to ensure there is an open dialogue within the community. The guiding imperative is that the moderator does not tip the scale and encourages the sharing of a variety of viewpoints so all voices are heard.
Additionally, the moderator has responsibility for appointing members to the Finance and Capital Planning and Investment committees. These appointments, each a three-year term, provide an opportunity to have the diverse voices that represent Harvard heard in committees that have significant impact on our town’s direction. Based on research, over two-thirds of surrounding towns also have town moderators serving three-year terms. Part of this rationale is to ensure the cohesiveness of these committees. These are the driving reasons why I want to continue serving as Harvard’s moderator.
Also, this fall we are bringing technology to Town Meeting to assist in sharing information and managing the vote. We are working toward displaying the warrant articles visually, so all can see the language being voted on, as well as moving to electronic voting. Using electronic clickers to vote will speed up the process and eliminate the need for volunteer counters. We will take time at the beginning of this meeting to ensure all are comfortable with the transition.
Please vote on May 9—your voice counts.
Bill Barton
Stow Road
