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Select Board interview subcommittee recommends Ria Rao, Barty Patel to town committees
Summary
The Select Board interview subcommittee voted to recommend Ria Rao for the Community Affairs Committee and Barty (Bartiban) Patel for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging committee; both recommendations will go to the Select Board for final action on July 13, 2026. The subcommittee deferred decisions on registrars appointments.
The Select Board interview subcommittee on Tuesday recommended two residents for appointment to town advisory committees and said it will forward both recommendations to the full Select Board at its July 13, 2026 meeting.
The panel voted to recommend Ria (Maria) Rao for the Community Affairs Committee and Barty (Bartiban) Patel for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) committee. Both recommendations were made for three-year terms ending April 30, 2029.
"I have been in Northborough for almost five years," Rao said during her interview, noting she teaches math at Marlborough High School, runs volunteer events and has experience coordinating large gatherings. Susie Suzelica, introduced as chair of the Community Affairs Committee, described the group's work on town events including the summer concert series, tree and menorah lighting ceremonies and the "Merry Markets," and urged the subcommittee to recruit people who enjoy planning and outreach.
During the meeting Jeff Ostegay moved to recommend Rao and Leslie Rutan seconded the motion; the subcommittee recorded a voice vote in favor.
Barty Patel told the panel she has lived in Northborough for about three decades, works in health care and wants to bring her diverse life experience to the DEIB committee. Angie, the staff representative, said the DEIB committee is currently focused on ADA compliance and state-required documents and is struggling to maintain quorums for monthly meetings. "We meet the fourth Tuesday of the month," Angie said, adding the group is trying to balance compliance work with outreach and education.
Ostegay moved and Rutan seconded the recommendation to appoint Patel; the subcommittee voted to forward that recommendation to the Select Board as well.
The subcommittee emphasized both recommendations are advisory: the Select Board will make the official appointments at its July 13 meeting. The panel also deferred deliberation on three applicants for the Board of Registrars until a later interview session so members could meet again and consult with the staff liaison.
The subcommittee closed the session with brief thanks to applicants and staff. Applicants will be notified of the subcommittee's recommendations and the Select Board will consider the nominations at its next scheduled meeting.
