Highlights from the Canton Board of Selectmen: A Change in Recreation Department and Landfill Concerns

There was no word on the outcome of the executive session held to discuss possible charges against a public employee, but when it concluded at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, got right down to business interviewing candidates for

Vying for the position were candidates Rodger Ribeiro, Robert McGann and Janet Mcguire. Town Administrator Bill Friel kicked off the interviews by noting that the three were selected from among around 40 applicants vetted by a nine-person search committee.

Asked about their experience, each candidate described many years of experience directing recreational programs, but there were big differences in the types of recreational programs each has been involved in. Rodger Ribeiro stressed his experience as a recreation director at IBM and his 18 years as Recreation Director in Delray Beach, Florida.

wondered how he might adapt to Canton’s very different climate, but Ribeiro appeared undaunted. He told the committee he has big plans for Canton Recreation, like creating a skate park and recording studio. He would improve communication with residents by encouraging interaction on the recreation web site and getting back to inquiries within 48 hours.

Candidate Robert McGann talked about his 30 years of experience in recreation programs in Boston. Most recently he has worked with regional community centers that partner with private non-profit organizations, and has established licensed pre-schools and senior centers, among other initiatives.

When Selectman Elkort asked him how he would adapt to a small town like Canton after his experience with city youth he answered, “The recreational needs and desires of kids are pretty similar, no matter where they come from.”

When asked by what he saw as weakness in the Canton Recreation Department, he pointed out that the stadium could be used year round instead of only during the school year.

Candidate Janet Mcguire stressed her connection with Canton and her seven years of experience as Director of Campus Recreation at Bridgewater State College. After passing out an action plan for the to committee members, Mcguire said, “There are a lot of intelligent people in this town who I would tap into.”

Asked about her budgetary experience, Mcguire said she had experience planning budgets, but not one as large as the Canton recreation budget. However, she said after  looking over the budgeting process with town officials, “I am confident I can get up to speed quickly.”

She said that brainstorming with residents and frequently meeting with town boards are ways to generate ideas and keep programs fresh. “I want to take the Recreation Department to the next level,” she said, proposing ideas like family nights and on-line learning.

Board of Selectman Chairman John Connolly thanked the candidates for coming and stressed that the decision about whom to appoint would not be made immediately.

At the end of the meeting, Connolly, reading from a prepared statement, gave an impassioned denunciation of a postcard sent by the IBEW to Canton residents claiming that might be subject to explosions.

“The town of Canton disputes the false allegations contained in the recent IBEW 103 Union propaganda, relating to the private development ,” read Connolly.

The statement went on to make an 11-point rebuttal and questioned the motives of the IBEW.

Both the town's statement and the IBEW statement are attached to this article.

The next Canton Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for March 20.