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Jack LeMenager
Town Meeting, 6th Precinct – Candidate for Re-election
As a Town Meeting representative for the past 15 years, I’ve learned that the job is more than just showing up for the spring and fall sessions. It’s a year-round responsibility. We must stay apprised of town business, always attuned to the townspeople’s needs, wishes, and best interests.
I also serve on the Executive Board on the Winchester Town Meeting Members Association (TMMA), a non-governmental, non-partisan association formed to help Town Meeting members be better informed about town issues and warrant articles ahead of Town Meeting sessions. My role as TMMA’s Communications Manager underlines my commitment to improving communications among Town Meeting Members and with town officials. We must also enable better communications between Town Meeting representatives and their constituents. The latter task is the tougher one, but also the most important.
We all crave a quick and easy means of connecting with the taxpayers. But there is no such thing. It is a primary goal and an on-going effort of the TMMA to create and encourage various means of two-way communications between Town Meeting reps and the voters.
Town Meeting members speak, act, and vote in the interests of our constituents on the various issues that come before Town Meeting. We should not operate in isolation on our own behalf. So, when individual constituents reach out to me with their thoughts on the issues, I am grateful and pay attention, always responding appreciatively.
Budget Review
The most important and difficult task Town Meeting faces is the annual budget review. As we anticipate our work for the coming fiscal year, I am troubled by a projected deficit of about $3.5 million, including a school budget request that’s 5.84% more than last year. I wonder how we will close the gap to balance the budget without tax increases or overrides while still providing the services townspeople need and deserve. It’s an annual struggle, striving for a balanced budget while not harming critical services: schools, public works, and public safety. We never relish the task but it’s one that we deal with head-on every May, as we will again this year.
In considering the many budget line items, I operate as I do with my own household budget. What is critical that we cannot do without? Which expenses can be trimmed or postponed? And what are the nice-to-have things when we can afford them?
Town Bylaw Changes
Changes to the existing Town Bylaws or adopting entirely new bylaws are common. In each case, I do my homework by reading the proposals and background material thoroughly, speaking to the proponents, and attending public hearings. How will the new bylaw or bylaw revision improve the town? Will it save us money, or cost us more? What will be its long-term effects?
During debate, proponents are questioned closely, and opponents get their chance to be heard. It is not unusual for me to change my mind on an issue because of the debate, even after having done my homework. It’s what any thoughtful Town Meeting representative should do. Our constituents should expect no less.
My Background
My wife and I moved to Winchester in 1988 and raised our two sons here, both of whom went through Winchester’s school system. In 2009, my concern for the preserving town’s unique architectural heritage and my desire to become active in town government led me to seek appointment to the Historical Commission where I still serve, the past eight years as Chair.
In my role as Chair, I have served on numerous temporary and ad hoc committees, including the train station study committee, the Community Preservation Act Advisory Committee, and others. As Historical Commission Chair, I regularly consult with town officials, including the Town Planner, Building Code Enforcement Officer, Town Clerk, Town Manager and other boards and commissions, as well as officials at the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
As a recent retiree, I am fortunate to have the time to devote to the town in these various roles. Previously, I worked for management consulting firms, helping businesses deal with change and improve their employee communications. I have published two books on employee relations and change management. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Willamette University, including a year abroad at the University of London. My greatest passion is reading, particularly histories and biographies. My avocation is writing novels, of which I have published two. At present, I am working on a third.
Jack LeMenager
10 Johnson Road
jlemen11@icloud.com
781-454-7611
