In praise of Hartman’s ‘balanced, thoughtful approach to questions’

I first met Mary Hartman when she was serving as the member of the Finance Committee observing and providing feedback to the Affordable Housing Funding Study Committee. Initially I saw her questions as challenges to, or disagreement with, suggestions that arose in that committee. I thought she was trying to thwart what we were trying to do.

But when we brought the results of that committee to annual Town Meeting, I realized that our proposals were much more acceptable to citizens and taxpayers because we had had to “answer” Mary’s questions.

Since then I have seen her apply this same approach, sometimes appearing as the “Devil’s advocate.”  I continue to be impressed by her knowledge of most of the topics that have come before the Select Board and her willingness to admit if she is not yet knowledgeable enough and to learn more to make an informed decision about something.

Acton is well served by her balanced, thoughtful approach to questions, her energy, and her thoroughness applied to important decisions facing the town.

I hope you will join me and the many people who see Mary as a key to enabling the Select Board to guide the Town of Acton through the major decisions of the next few years.

Ray Andrews

Dalton Road