5 Questions with Board of Selectmen Candidate Chris Brown

What motivates you to want to serve on the Wayland Board of Selectmen?

I want to serve on the Wayland Board of Selectmen to ensure that Wayland remains a fiscally responsible town that plans for the long-term, not for the short-term. Wayland is known for its great schools and its great services. I don’t want to get to the point where we have to have difficult discussions about which programs do we need to cut. I want to develop a long-term strategy where we can keep all of our outstanding services and still continue to enjoy our semi-rural way of life.

What qualities do you possess that make you a positive leader for Wayland?

I listen.  I listen first, seek to understand, and then speak. I don’t pretend to know all the answers or to be an expert on all things. I think the most important quality in any public service position is to listen to all sides and then make an informed decision on what is best for the town.

What issues do you consider to be the most important facing the incoming Board of Selectmen?

The political tone in town has gotten loud, disrespectful and personal. I have talked with residents who have lived in town their whole lives and they agree that they have never seen the level of distrust and anger get to where it is today. We need to try and unite the town. Of course you will never satisfy 100 percent of the people, and a vigorous political debate is healthy; however, I would like to try and work with people where possible to come to reasonable compromises. Because at the end of the day, we are all neighbors, we all shop together, we all worship together, and our kids go to school together. We need to remember this and get back to a more civil and respectful discourse. 

What strikes you as the greatest challenge Wayland will face over the next few years?

The biggest challenge Wayland faces is the ability to maintain its level of services. Wayland has been fortunate in that we have not had to have had discussions about which programs it will have to cut. It will be a challenge for the town’s leaders to manage its finances in such a way so that we won’t have to get to that difficult question, “Which program do you want to cut?” I trust that Wayland’s citizens can work together – as opposed to against each other – to accomplish this goal.

What makes Wayland special to you?

Wayland is a unique oasis in Massachusetts. Where else can you find a working farm, hundreds of acres of conservation land, and excellent schools all just 20 minutes from Boston? This is why I chose to call Wayland home, and I believe a great number of us feel the same way. Wayland is special; Wayland is unique; and I want to keep Wayland the same strong, great town that it is today.

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