Middleboro candidates make their cases at forum

MIDDLEBORO — Six candidates _ three each for Select Board and School Committee _ made their pitches to voters Thursday March 20 at a candidates forum sponsored by the Middleboro Rotary Club and Nemasket Week and held at the Middleboro Council on Aging. 

School Committee challengers Shannon Breen and Abbie Gonzalez attended. Incumbent Christopher Benson provided a statement.

Select Board incumbents Brian Giovanoni and William Pike and newcomer Sarah Wilbur attended in person.

In the School Committee race, Breen said her background in human resources will be an asset.

A human resources professional, she noted that the Middleboro School Department is the town’s largest employer but has no dedicated human resources person. The schools have experienced a “large turnover,’’ she said, with no specific answers. 

She said she wants students to be able to “be ready for the outside world’’ no matter what their future path. “School is not a one-size-fits-all,’’ she said, and not every student goes on to higher education. She supported vocational training options and noted that certain trade skills are in high demand in the workforce.

She seeks to improve communication between the schools and parents, which she described as a “huge issue.’’  

She noted that Superintendent Carolyn Lyons is “now under a microscope’’ because she applied unsuccessfully for the Mansfield Superintendent of Schools position. “Carolyn has to prove she’s invested in Middleboro.’’

She also said the schools need to “get rid of’’ the three-minute limit for public comment during School Committee meetings because people’s “comments and concerns can get cut off.’’

Gonzalez said his background in technology makes him a problem-solver. He has two children in the Middleboro schools and is “very protective of them, as every parent is.’’

He said that when Covid hit and his children were especially vulnerable, particularly a child who has kidney disease, the schools came through for his family. “The staff was as concerned for their safety as I was,’’ he said. 

He acknowledged there may be communication issues between schools and parents, which he attributed in some part to today’s hectic schedules.

“We’re all busy,’’ he said. “We all have a lot to do. Teachers are pressed to do a lot more than they are able to do.’’

Flexibility could help, he said. “There can be a lot of pressure to have concerns addressed during times when you’re available,’’ he said. 

One solution, she said, might be to offer “more channels’’ of communication, such as texting or automated calls. 

This would allow “getting ahead of things in a very good way.’’

Incumbent Benson could not attend but submitted a statement.

“Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with families and other members of the community to voice their concerns, celebrate the achievements of our students and staff, advocate for student safety and work to strengthen the relationship between our school district and the community.’’

He said his core beliefs are that “safety and security in school is a primary part of education.’’

He also said that “it is essential that families feel heard, supported, and included in the decision-making processes that affect their children’s education.’’

“Our district is filled with hardworking, talented individuals, both students and staff, who deserve recognition. From academic accomplishments to extracurricular successes, I believe we must consistently lift up those who are making a difference in our schools.’’

“There is no singular pathway for education,’’ he said, so “students should be exposed to as many pathways towards their possible future endeavors as possible. ‘’  

Three candidates for Select Board _ incumbents Brian Giovanoni and William Pike and newcomer Sarah Wilbur _ made their cases to the public.

Giovanoni has spent three years on the board and previously served on the School Committee and other boards. 

In his first term on the select board, he said he is especially proud of hiring Jay McGrail as town manager. “He’s brought a breath of fresh air to this community,’’ he said. 

He also takes pride in developing a balanced budget, something he said that not all communities can claim. “I want to continue to move this town forward,’’ he said.

He cited three priorities for the town. One is the outcome of the town’s lawsuit against the state, which was discussed by all three candidates. 

The town has sued the state about the MBTA Communities Act, which requires MBTA communities, including Middleboro, to create districts to allow multi-family housing by right within a half mile of the train station. 

This act should not apply to Middleboro because the town already has a 40R district that meets the criteria, the town has argued. 

The time has come to “work on the roads,’’ Giovanoni said, which have been described as being in poor conditions in parts of town. 

And he would like to reduce the “agita’’ over “small things’’ and instead focus on working together. 

Pike was elected to a one-year term last year to fill a vacancy and is seeking a full term this year.

He previously served on the Finance Committee, which he said helped greatly in understanding fiscal issues.

A top issue for him in town is also the MBTA Communities Act lawsuit. “I’m proud that we have taken a firm stand,’’ he said, which reflects the will of Special Town Meeting voters. 

The voters overwhelmingly voted to reject a plan that would show compliance with the act. “We in Middleboro know Middleboro a lot better than Boston does.’’

The water issues are another priority, he said. PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals that have been used in the manufacturing of certain fire-fighting foams, moisture and stain-resistant products and other industrial processes. 

Exposure has been linked to certain types of cancer, impacts to the immune system and other health risks.

The chemicals have been found in some town water at levels above the recommended standards. He noted that the town has funded a new treatment facility to filter out PFAS. 

He also spoke of the importance of communication between the board and the community. “We are very open to someone coming up to us and asking us a question.’’

Wilbur is a newcomer to the town, having lived in Middleboro for eight months. She noted that “I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.’’ 

“We all want better for the town,’’ she said. 

A top priority is the water situation. “It’s weird that I needed a filter for my water,’’ she said of the PFAS levels. “That’s something I’d like to look at.’’

The town has a “very vibrant downtown for a couple of blocks,’’ she said. “I’d like to see it for five or six’’ blocks.

There is a way to combine business expansion with maintaining the town’s rural character, she said. “We’re huge,’’ she said, citing Middleboro’s large geographical area. “We have the room for both.’’

She said she wishes the public would have had “more input’’ about the MBTA lawsuit and “more talk about it.’’

The town knew the MBTA station was coming, she said, and had time to plan. 

“I’d like to have seen more people come out’’ to vote on the compliance issue. “That speaks to the need for getting the word out.’’