Candidate profile: Whitney backs affordable housing, Palmer is unresponsive

Part of a series on candidates for Grafton Select Board in the May 17 Town Election.

All four candidates for Grafton Select Board were contacted for in-person interviews with Grafton Common in late March/early April. Two, Richard Whitney and Carl Palmer, did not respond by the deadline, despite several reminders via email, social media, and phone.

Whitney, a lifelong resident of Grafton, is a member of the Community Preservation Committee and a former member of the Conservation Commission. He retired a decade ago after working as a state auctioneer, running his own company, R Whitney Auctions, as well as owning several businesses in the automotive and banking industries. He also served in the U.S. Army. He is known locally for always offering, free of charge, to help residents who want cast-off metal items hauled away.

He has been a visible figure during the campaign and boasts that he attends every Select Board meeting from start to finish.

Whitney frequently stresses that affordable housing is one of his top priorities.

“In essence, affordable housing: We need it, we’re always going to need it, otherwise your kids might not be able to afford to live here,” he said at the League of Women Voters debate.

Palmer is an IT professional.