Five letters in praise of Colleen Roy and Mat Often for Select Board

Due to the sheer number of endorsement letters, Grafton Common is batching together the letters favoring Mathew Often and Colleen Roy for Select Board in a single post. This is the final day letters will be published. The Town Election is Tuesday.

‘It is very clear to me that a change is needed’

The best thing and the worst thing about local politics are really the same thing:  the people involved are all people we know.  It may be that we have sat next to each other cheering our kids on at a youth sports game, volunteered together on a school or town project, or met at an evening gathering hosted by mutual friends.  We shop at the same places, eat at the same restaurants, and share many similar experiences.  

It would be easy to fill out that ballot based on who I “know the best” or that my friends “know the best” or because they “seemed so nice that one time I met them.”  In fact, to do otherwise might even feel uncomfortable, because these candidates don’t enjoy the same anonymity of distance as our politicians on the national stage, and we will likely bump into them again soon.

Watching and attending meetings that included our select board, finance committee and school committee, I was able to observe behaviors and decisions that have painted a clear picture of our candidates’ priorities and the skills and capabilities each of them brings to the table. If you have not had the time to watch meetings or attend virtual meet the candidate events, please do so.  Many are recorded and available on-line.   

Based on my observations of those meetings, it is very clear to me that a change is needed.  

I will be voting to support Mathew Often and Colleen Roy for Select Board.

They have demonstrated that they will take a longer view of our town’s finances, rather than an approach of hope, delay, avoid, react.  I am confident they will not renew lucrative contracts several months ahead of their due date in the middle of a pandemic. They have the stamina and endurance to thoroughly prepare for meetings and remain engaged until the agenda is complete. They have demonstrated that they understand both the VALUE of an excellent school system AND the associated COSTS.  

I encourage you to watch those meetings and come to your own conclusions, and I hope you will join me in voting for Roy and Often.

Sincerely,

Chantelle Kimball

‘He has demonstrated his ability to avoid being a polarizing figure’

As members of the Finance Committee and the Planning Board, we endorse Mat Often for Select Board.  

It’s time for change!  We need a person with new and fresh ideas.  It’s imperative we elect a forward-thinking person who is capable of assessing our finances for a sustainable future.  A person who doesn’t just rubber stamp a TA‘s proposals but investigates for himself and challenges these proposals to prove the validity of these action plans. Mat’s allegiance will be to the whole community and he has demonstrated his ability to avoid being a polarizing figure.  

Mat is an effective communicator who is skilled and capable of conveying and exchanging information and ideas through dialog, not monologue, with his fellow board members and the community as well.   

In this time of the Covid crisis, it is essential we have a person whose leadership is focused and inclusive of all the issues that will affect our community.

We ask for your vote to elect Mat Often on June 23.

Dave & Sue Robbins

‘I’ve watched those meetings deteriorate badly in the past year’

I am what you might call a “newbie” in town – my husband and I elected to move and retire here five years ago. One way I learn about my new town is by paying attention to local politics. We’ve retired here, after all, and it’s important to me to know how the town is spending our tax dollars.  I watch Select Board meetings regularly. And I’ve watched those meetings deteriorate badly in the past year. It is so disheartening.

We need change.

I am writing today to endorse Colleen Roy for Select Board. Colleen educates herself about town issues – all issues, not just the ones that impact her directly. She does her research, asks questions, and forms her own opinions based on what she finds. Colleen is passionate about giving back to the community. She has volunteered on several town committees. Colleen has served on the Grafton Improvement Planning Bylaw Committee. She currently chairs the Capital Improvement Planning Committee, is a non-voting member of the Grafton Sustainability Committee and is on the Finance Committee.  

Colleen is committed to this town. She has chosen Grafton as the place to raise her children. She is here for the long haul, and I have no doubt that she will remain as active in this community in the future as she is now. I appreciate Colleen’s calm demeanor, the way in which she thinks carefully about and responds respectfully to questions, and the way she has immersed herself in her community. 

I encourage you to get to know Colleen if you don’t already. From experience, I can tell you that she is eminently approachable.

Vote Roy! June 23.

Mary Ann Brayer

‘Mat is always up to the challenge’

I am pleased to write this letter in support of Mat Often for Grafton Select Board. 

I have worked with Mat for more than ten years in technology management at Informa Plc, a multinational media and events company. He has worked closely with the finance department to build a global shared service budget for the services his team provides. He conducts monthly forecasting review meetings to keep the budget and forecasts in line, adjusting for rapidly changing conditions and board directives. He has the vision to build a 1, 3 and 5-years roadmap to reflect technology changes and to align with corporate needs in the coming years. 

Mat has shown his management leadership with his ability to build a highly functional global Agile service delivery team supporting over 140 offices in 30 counties. I can see the same dedication and drive in Mat as a Grafton Select Board member as I do within our Senior Management team at Informa. 

At Informa, the organizational direction, customer expectations and workload are always changing. This requires Mat to change and adapt with the new environment. The pace is quick, and Mat is always up to the challenge. As an example, under Mat’s direction, his team integrated ten newly acquired companies into the Informa technology portfolio last year alone. 

Mat’s success navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing global work environment, and his success in working with a diverse global staff, clearly demonstrate his ability to perform as a leader. Please join me in voting for Mat Often on June 23rd. 

Sincerely, 

Robert Hall

‘His rationale for making decisions balance the risk and tolerance of his constituents’

Dear Fellow Grafton Residents: 

As a lifelong resident of Grafton, I have had the privilege of serving on numerous boards and committees. Previously, I served on the Capital Improvement Planning Committee (CIPC) alongside Mat Often. 

Mat is a constant advocate for capital projects (building maintenance, vehicle upgrades, roads, etc.) With a current capital backlog exceeding $18 million, Grafton needs a leader who can help identify potential funding sources to overcome this hurdle. We need leaders that not only attend the Select Board meeting, they must bring “Out of the Box” ideas and plans, willing to listen to all participants, collaborate with other board members, committees and always check in their ego at the door! 

Mat is well known for his service on the Finance Committee. His rationale for making decisions balance the risk and tolerance of his constituents. He continuously asks the important questions: 

• Will this benefit the entire town or simply a select group? 
• What are the economic and cost ramifications, is there a better solution
• Are there outside funding sources, we as a town could leverage? 
• How will our decision impact the town three, five, ten years down the road? 
• How can we avert future proposition 2-1/2 over rides? 

Over the years, Mat has gained my respect representing various boards and committees. His insight into long term budgeting and fiscal responsibilities will be an enormous benefit to the Select Board, especially during Grafton’s current financial distress. Mat has proven time and again, he has the financial and business acumen to serve our great town as a thought leader on our Select Board. 

As we head to the polls on June 23, 2020, please join me in voicing your support for Mat Often, as our next Select Board representative. 

Best Regards,

Robert Nault