GOSSELS FOR SELECTMAN

Wayland's Town Election will take place on April 1st and I am asking you to vote for me, Bonnie Gossels, for a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen. Volunteering to serve on the Board of Selectmen is my way of expressing my thanks in deeds, not just words, for the opportunities Wayland has given me. For example, the wonderful 12-year education I received in Wayland Public Schools prepared me for Yale (BA-1984) and Harvard (MBA-1988). Wayland Recreation programs taught me how to swim at Lake Cochituate and engendered a lifelong love of theater. Helping out at various town activities over many years provided me with role models and demonstrated how Wayland's vibrant community is made strong by actively-engaged volunteers. My past contributions helped support the Gossels Family Fund for Academic Excellence in the Wayland Public Schools as well as Wayland High School scholarships named in honor of teachers. Now, with your vote on Election Day, I will contribute my professional skills to Wayland as a member of the Board of Selectmen.

My work experience in commercial property management will bring practical knowledge and relevant skills to the Board of Selectmen. As we know from Town Meeting, the disposition of real property often has long-term ramifications. My position on leasing, rather than selling, town-owned property is based on how hard it is for Wayland to obtain ownership of key parcels, and the underlying premise that we are stewards of valuable town-owned properties now and for future generations. This idea is a general principle that applies whether Town Meeting decides to use a site for housing, commercial uses, solar/wind/methane energy production, agriculture, or some other suitable purpose.

This is a critical juncture for Wayland: soon we will have new individuals as Town Clerk, Town Administrator, and Public Buildings Director. It will be my priority as Selectman to establish a positive tone and standards of excellence as we bring a fresh outlook and enthusiasm to doing the business of our town. My attitude is positive and respectful. It is time to move beyond the counterproductive disputes of the past few years and work together with civility. My watchwords as your Selectman will be courtesy, cooperation, and clarity.

In my opinion, Wayland functions best when town employees cooperate with the dedicated volunteers on boards and committees who set policy and oversee operations. The generous involvement of so many hard-working and thoughtful volunteers makes Wayland's participatory government dynamic and provides our community with talent we could not otherwise afford. Moreover, there are many smart and capable residents who want to volunteer for limited-time projects. The recent OPEB Advisory Committee, which has worked out a fiscally sound approach to a formerly controversial issue, is a prime example of how successful such a task force can be. I intend to propose that the Board of Selectmen appoint well-qualified volunteers to task forces to review other issues, such as:

          1. How we address legal and litigation matters;

          2. How we could optimize use of town properties;

3. Whether to transition to cost-based financial planning to keep up services, maintain our excellent schools, and apply tax dollars thriftily; and

4. How we should address risks from periodic flooding, long-term climate change, and health hazards to protect the long-term safety and well-being of all residents.

           As your Selectman, my task will be to maintain and enhance the quality of life in Wayland. A high quality of life includes continuing to provide top notch schools for all Wayland students; as well as athletic, recreational, conservation, cultural and educational offerings for all ages; while not creating a tax structure that causes residents to be "priced out" of town. I believe that we have sufficient resources to do so if we apply them fairly and effectively.

          The Board of Selectmen does not have authority over the schools or Council on Aging. A Selectman can, however, initiate a discussion among School Committee members and Council about ways to cooperate that might be beneficial to Wayland and further the mission of each group. If we can work out the details between the School Department and the Council on Aging, for example, after the school day ends and during school vacations, classrooms and auditoriums could be used by senior citizens for the raft of superb programs the Council organizes. Using our existing facilities more cost-effectively in these ways will build continuing support for our schools throughout our whole community.

          There is so much to love about living in Wayland. We all appreciate the convenient location, beautiful natural features, supportive businesses, worthy civic institutions, stimulating and fun programs for all ages, and neighborliness of a caring community. As we celebrate Wayland's 375th birthday, we reflect back on traditions that make us proud: participatory self-governance, respect for diverse viewpoints, and a history of generosity and intellectual influence disproportionately larger than our small geographic size and population. As we look forward, there are ways we can work together to improve and adapt Wayland to 21st century concerns.  Please use my website, BonnieGossels.com, to let me know your suggestions for how to improve vital aspects of the town we cherish and share. Please go to the polls on Tuesday, April 1st. With your vote, I am eager to get to work on the Board of Selectmen.