Dear Editor,
With Rep. Chris Taylor stepping into the role of town manager, the Milton Selectboard now has the responsibility of appointing someone to fill the seat he left behind.
This decision comes at a time when political power in Milton is more concentrated than ever. Before Taylor’s appointment, four out of five selectboard members also served as state representatives. Now, with his departure from the board, three of the remaining four members still hold legislative office, and Taylor himself will now manage the town full-time while continuing to serve in the Statehouse.
That means four Republican legislators are now at the center of both Milton’s local governance and its state representation. One person — one party — one perspective.
There’s only one woman on the board, who is also a Republican and a state representative. While she brings valuable experience, the broader picture reveals a troubling lack of political, gender and experiential diversity in Milton’s leadership.
This moment presents a clear opportunity — and responsibility — to appoint someone who brings a new perspective to the board. Milton is a diverse and growing town, and our local government should reflect that diversity.
Let’s move away from one-party rule and toward a selectboard that welcomes different voices, ideas, and lived experiences. I urge the board to choose a replacement who will represent the many people in Milton who currently feel unheard.
We deserve a local government that listens to everyone — not just those already in power.
Sincerely,
Lonnie Poland
(chair of the Milton Democratic Committee)
Milton
