Town Meeting should look at options on November 17

Fellow Town Meeting Members:

Shrewsbury’s annual budget is nearly $100 million. Preparing a balanced budget in this tough economic climate is more challenging than ever. We depend on our Finance Committee to lead the development of our town’s fiscal strategies and to communicate proactively with our citizens.

Town Meeting Members received the official packet from the Town Clerk regarding the November 17 Special Town Meeting. We also received information from Town Moderator Kevin Byrne detailing his reasons for rejecting the proposal to change the way Finance Committee (FinComm) members are selected.

I appreciate Mr. Byrne’s efforts to explain the current system, as this process has never been clarified before. However, his letter raises some concerns:

1) Mr. Byrne states that the process is open and transparent, yet the document I received last weekend is the first time I have seen the process described. Why isn’t there an open call for letters of interest when there is an opening on the FinComm? What are the minimum qualifications for consideration? What are the performance standards for reappointment? Mr. Byrne has been Shrewsbury’s Moderator for more than thirty years. What criteria will our next Moderator use to select FinComm members?

2) Mr. Byrne asserts that he has selected FinComm members who are objective and neutral, without any agenda other than “wanting what is best for our community”. I feel that this is unrealistic. Each and every person (elected or appointed) comes to their job with a set of experiences, perspectives and priorities. It does not mean that they aren’t open to new ideas or to compromise; it means that they have taken the time to consider the issues and form opinions. Ideally, the FinComm will include citizens from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds, to ensure an open & comprehensive dialogue on the critical financial issues facing our town. “Neutrality” as a selection criterion eliminates many thoughtful and involved citizens from consideration.

3) Nonetheless, despite Mr. Byrne’s efforts to create a neutral committee, the FinComm has NOT been consistently objective or open-minded. In-depth discussion of the issues among the committee members is not the norm; dissent, differing opinions and approaches among the members is uncommon. In my opinion, this reflects the fact that all members were selected by the same person. I believe that a more diverse FinComm would result in a broader pool of ideas and more creative problem-solving.

The current processes for both appointment and reappointment need to be reviewed and adjusted. The processes should be more open and transparent and encourage the selection of FinComm members who are smart, thoughtful and creative. As Mr. Byrne stated in his letter, the purpose of the Finance Committee is to provide expert advice to the Town Meeting Members. Why don’t we consider allowing the Town Meeting Members to play a role in selecting the members of the FinComm? This is too important a task to rest in the hands of any one individual.

Please come to the Special Town Meeting on November 17 with an open mind about how to build the very BEST Finance Committee possible for Shrewsbury. Thank you.


Johanna B. Musselman
Town Meeting Member, Precinct 8
39 Stonybrook Lane
Shrewsbury