Schools

Selectmen Give Stoughton 8th Graders Inside Look at Town Government

Selectmen John Anzivino and Cynthia Walsh recently visited Caitlin Murphy's 8th grade social studies class at the O'Donnell Middle School.

John Anzivino and Cynthia Walsh, the chairman and vice chair of the Stoughton Board of Selectmen, visited Caitlin Murphy's 8th grade social studies class at the O'Donnell Middle School last Friday, May 17 to discuss the role of local government and their position as Stoughton Selectmen.

Learning about local government and the role active and responsible citizens should play in it, 8B students wrote letters to the Stoughton Selectmen, voicing their various concerns for the town. 

The letters addressed topics including roads, crosswalk/sidewalk safety, environmental concerns, improving Stoughton center, education/school support, underage issues, and parks/playgrounds. 

Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Many of the topics were discussed with Anzivino and Walsh when they visited the class. 

“It’s been a few years since I was in eighth grade," Anzivino joked. "We selectmen enjoy reading your letters - it gives us a new perspective when you get involved and use your voice."

Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Anzivino, who has been on the board since 2008, said he averages 40 hours a week working as selectmen chair - in addition to his day job.

“You get what you put into it,” he said. 

He brought in town budget proposals and discussed the role of selectmen and other processes in Stoughton’s town government with sutdents.

In response to a student's question "What’s your favorite part of the job?" Anzivino replied, "I enjoy working with the Veterans Memorial Square committee, who honors worthy veterans in square dedications…It’s very rewarding to see the appreciation of the families. You get a good feeling knowing you can give back and honor those who are no longer with us."

Walsh, who first served on the board from 1980 to 1982, and starting again in 2009, said she is the longest serving female selectman in the history of Stoughton.

She brought in copy of Stoughton’s constitution and discussed changing of the town and amendments with students.

In response to a student's question "What made you realize you want to be a selectman?" Walsh replied, “Instead of complaining about the system, I wanted to become part of it. This is my town, this is the place I want to spend my time in and volunteer.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Stoughton