Select Board appoints Chris Kelleher to Westborough Planning Board after joint interviews

The Town of Westborough appointed Chris Kelleher to the Planning Board after joint interviews with two finalists and a roll-call vote. The appointment follows public statements from both candidates about their experience and priorities and a deliberation among select board and planning board members about immediate needs for the board.

Chris Kelleher introduced themself to the boards as a Westborough resident of about 10 years and a member of the master plan implementation committee, saying involvement in that committee had given them insight into the town's priorities and how departments implement the master plan. Kelleher told members they intended to run for the remainder of the seat in March and said serving on both the implementation committee and planning board would be “beneficial to both sides.”

Christian Hedrick, the other finalist, described a professional background in architectural history and practice (including a PhD and experience in design review) and framed planning as balancing historic preservation and new development. Hedrick noted prior service on the design review board and as chair of the historical commission.

Board members emphasized different strengths in the two candidates. Several members highlighted Kelleher's direct involvement with the master plan implementation committee as evidence she could "hit the ground running" on implementation priorities; others said Hedrick's architectural and historic preservation experience would help on design and review issues. Select board members also discussed representation on town committees and the practical limits of committee seats and quorums.

A motion to appoint Chris Kelleher was made and seconded; the roll-call vote on the motion carried and the board congratulated Kelleher on the appointment. The transcript records the motion language as: "I move that we nominate, appoint Chris Kelleher to the planning board." (Mover and seconder were board members speaking in the public record; roll-call votes are recorded in the transcript.)

The boards asked that the candidate who is not appointed continue to participate in other town committees; both candidates were thanked for volunteering and encouraged to remain involved.

Next procedural steps: the newly appointed member will serve through the next election cycle and, if choosing to run, must file the required nomination papers for the March election, as discussed at the meeting.

Sources: Statements and questions in the joint meeting of the Town of Westborough Select Board and Planning Board; full transcript on file with the Town of Westborough.