Get to Know: Cynthia Walsh, Candidate for Stoughton Board of Selectmen

In an effort to give residents a last chance to hear from the candidates before the April 10 Town Election, Stoughton Patch sent a questionnaire to each of the candidates running in a contested race.

The questions are printed as they were presented to the candidates and their answers are printed as they were received (unedited).

The following responses are from Board of Selectmen Candidate Cynthia Walsh:

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• Background information (how long you've served or your prior service on various town boards) and any other pertinent info you would like readers to know about you.

I have lived in Stoughton since 1948. I attended Stoughton schools, graduating in 1965. I graduated from Bridgewater State College in 1969. I taught at the Edwin A. Jones School from 1969 to 1999.

I have served on boards and/or committees since 1978. I served as a Selectman from 1980-1982. I serve currently as a Selectman and as a town meeting representative from precinct 2. I am a member of the Cedar Hill Golf Course Operations Committee, Stoughton Reads Together Committee, Veterans Memorial Square Committee, Town Code Publication Committee, and the Stoughton Woman’s Club.

I volunteer at the library, leading its monthly book discussion group. I also volunteer at Party All Night Long on graduation night. I fund a scholarship each year for a graduating Stoughton High School Student.

• Why are you running for this position?

I am running to continue bringing my knowledge of the town’s history and its government to bear on today’s problems. I have a common sense approach and am aware that the average taxpayer does not have unlimited resources.

• What separates you from your opponents? Why should residents vote for you?

Please reread my previous two answers.

• What is the most important issue facing the town?

The most important issue facing every town, including Stoughton, is how to provide the services people expect within the budget the townspeople can afford. One selectman can’t do this alone. It requires the cooperation of the various boards and town meeting.

• What is your take on the procurement issue between the town and the schools? How can the relationship between the town side and schools be improved in general?

It appears this issue has been resolved as of Monday, April 2. Cooler heads have prevailed. Nobody likes change. It takes education and calm leadership to implement it. If there are bumps in the road from this point on, I believe face-to-face conversation is better than a flurry of e-mails and press releases.

• What should the Board of Selectmen (and the town) be looking for in a Town Manager?

I hope the next Town Manager will be an experienced town manager. Stoughton is no place for on-the-job training. Government is complicated. The ability to listen, be patient, and compromise are the attributes I’d like to see. A knowledge of budgeting is very important. The town manager has to inspire trust. He/She represents the town, especially before the body that decides where the money goes—Town Meeting.