GREENSBORO – In a year with lots of stress due to the summer’s flooding, Select Board Chair Peter Romans reported, “To repair town roads, the town borrowed one million dollars and subsequently spent most of it.
The town’s proposed budget of $1,956,009 comes in with an increase of 6.93% after “lots of hard work” according to town clerk Kim Greaves.
“The bottom line is that our town’s cost of providing public services in a manner similar to the services we have come to expect and depend on will cost 6.9% more this year than it did last year,” reads the town report, adding, “As evidenced by the numbers…, most of the cost increases are not costs in the select board’s control.”
There’s little that appears controversial in the town’s warning, though a resolution declaring the town of Greensboro to be a pollinator-friendly community proposed by the Greensboro Conservation Commission might be expected to bring some discussion.
Two select board seats are open this year. Incumbent Ellen Celnik intends to run again for a two-year term. MacNeil has announced he intends to run for the three-year seat now held by Gary Circosta, which Circosta is expected to run for again. The Gazette’s request for candidate statements was answered only by Celnik and MacNeil.
MacNeil states, “I have decided to run for select board because I believe that after decades of serving on various boards, commissions and committees the most effective way to further goals and initiatives that concern me is from the vantage point of the select board.
“Over the years I have served on three separate school boards and am currently a member of the Hazen Union School Board.
“I have had two tours with the planning commission, first as chair in the 1980s, and most recently for the past couple of years.
“My most recent tenure on the Greensboro Planning Commission was founded on a desire to work on issues related to exploring ways to expand housing opportunities. I am also currently a member of the Development Review Board which hears issues related to zoning. Between serving on the two boards I have a comprehensive understanding of the Greensboro Zoning Bylaws. Relative to those boards I have served on subcommittees concerning housing and wastewater which are important for Greensboro as it seeks to be able to attract families to live and work in Greensboro.
“Indeed I believe one of the most important issues for Greensboro is to develop housing. It is important to know that more people work in Greensboro than can find a place to live here. “Few would disagree that Greensboro is a unique and very special place. There are challenges everywhere in this life, but Greensboro is unlike other surrounding towns with the multitude of natural resources, simply amazing businesses, and cultural offering.
“I am still involved with school business and am greatly concerned with the challenges faced by the Lakeview campus of the Mountainview Union Elementary School District. Our school has always been vital to the needs and identity of the town and I believe we need to be steadfast in supporting it.
“With the resources available to all ages in the town; the lake (swimming lessons!), Barr Hill nature preserve, the library with its multiple programs for kids and adults, the basketball court in the Bend, the rail trail; Greensboro punches way above its weight. I hope to be able to use my experience and involvement with our town’s government to strengthen and advance the many challenges we face.”
Celnik, before responding to the Gazette’s list of questions, noted, “We first visited Greensboro the summer of 1997 and continued to rent Barr Cottage on North Shore Road. Having fallen in love with Greensboro, in 2011 we purchased our home on The Bend Road.”
Q: Why are you running for Select Board?
Celnik: Even before running for the Select Board in 2022, I attended almost every monthly select board meeting for a year to familiarize myself with issues that came before the board and what was involved in serving the community. After serving on the SB the last two years, it is evident that Greensboro, as well as other small rural communities, will be facing some major challenges. These challenges range from developing infrastructure plans that will require being able to access available resources. It includes looking at what upgrades are needed to address natural disasters like the July flooding, or planning for modest income housing to attract young families while conserving the natural resources of our community.
Q: What experience do you bring to the position that will benefit your town?
Celnik: After falling in love with Greensboro in 1997, we bought our home on The Bend Road in 2011. For 22+ years I worked as a Social worker in NYC. The last 17 years I was Director of Social Services and Supportive Housing serving over 300 seniors, disabled and working actors, dancers, and musicians for The Actors Fund of America in NY. I retired in 2015 and was able to move to Greensboro more permanently. For 20 years I volunteered for a NYC non-profit with an average budget of 5 million handling their financials that included annual budgets, payroll, audits, etc.
In Greensboro [I’ve] Served as Select Board Member from 2022 to 2024; worked on Town budget committee each year; served on the Greensboro Planning Commission from 2018 through late 2022 and worked on the last Town Plan; served as Co-Chair on the housing Committee with Kent Hansen, serve on the Recreation Committee as treasurer; worked on the ice-skating rink, as well as helping to set up the swimming program for kids on Caspian; served on the ARPA committee as liaison to the Select Board.
I have worked in public service most of my life. And also, I promised Anne Harbison I would run for Select Board when I retired. I am glad I kept my promise to her.
Q: What do you see as the most important issues facing your town?
Celnik: 1) Modest income mixed population housing to attract younger people, families, as well as address the fact that our community is aging and the need for housing for seniors is becoming a priority. Affordable, modest income housing or starter homes is key to attracting employees to maintain businesses such as Jasper Hill, Hill Farmstead Brewery, the Greensboro Nursing Home, Willey’s and other small business ventures.
2) Roads, bridges, and infrastructure planning to reduce the damages from major storms, flooding, or drought.
3) Creative solutions to keeping Lakeview Union School open. Providing housing opportunities is going to be key to keeping the school viable.
4) Coordinating and funding projects like building a new Town Garage. The current one does not serve the town well, does not protect equipment (not enough space), does not maximize resources or provide for optimum work space for road crew.
5) The economic challenges of rural towns as costs keep rising. This will require thinking of ways to support the Select Board by considering investing in a position with the expertise to coordinate funding resources (millions of infrastructure grants), overseeing major projects like Town Garage or wastewater system, or possibly overseeing the coordination of road crew projects that address future needs. This position will more than pay for itself by providing the SB additional resources for decision making and increase access to economic
opportunities.
Q: What things about your town make it a great place to live?
Celnik: The people, the lake, the natural resources and trails, the library, cross country skiing. I could go on and on. But most important is this community always seems to find ways to help each other.
Q: What is your town doing to be a good place for families to raise children?
Celnik: We have so many resources that include arts, recreation, lake, walking trails, ski trails, day care, the new trail for bikes and walking connecting towns at the Bend. The library is a great resource for all, including home schooling. The variety of events and the Funky Fourth. And hopefully the plan for 20 modest income apartments incorporating the use of the town hall. This will include one-bedroom to three-bedroom apartments in the heart of the village, with rents ranging from $833 to $1,387 which includes all utilities and internet.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
