I’m writing to strongly endorse Ken Swanton’s candidacy for the Board of Selectmen. Ken is a former business owner with a 30-year record of accomplishment in town government in Bolton as well as in Harvard.
As chair of the School Committee in Bolton, Ken successfully negotiated a contract that enabled the schools to retain valued teachers while remaining affordable for taxpayers. As director of the Bolton Conservation Trust, he led the development of agreements that saved the Nashoba Valley Winery and the International Golf Club from becoming housing developments while obtaining $1.6M in grants for farmland preservation. As a Planning Board member he was responsible for the passage of numerous protective zoning bylaw amendments including a key provision which has generated hundreds of acres of open space at no cost to the town.
In Harvard his chairmanship of the Historical Commission has been marked by a cooperative relationship with the selectmen to make critical repairs to Town Hall while staying within budget. He cut through the controversy to work successfully with the Cemetery Commission to address tree growth at the Shaker Burial Grounds, and he is leading the restoration of the accident-damaged Powder House for less than the insurance proceeds.
As a former selectman, I understand that the board needs people focused on outcomes and not just process. Ken is committed to moving forward with sensible renovations to Hildreth House to provide a center for our seniors while also understanding that its cost should not be a factor in driving seniors out of town. His record indicates he’s the right person to achieve this objective.
Bill Marinelli
Stow Road
