GREENSBORO – In preparation for town meeting day, area communities are holding informational meetings and forums for those interested in running for town offices. As of last Thursday’s meeting, the town of Greensboro had received several petitions, some for select board seats, others for municipal positions. The meeting began with introductions, before moving to a questions and answers session.
Town clerk Kim Greaves announced she will be running once again. Greaves has a long history with the town, initially hired as an election official in 2004. She worked as assistant town clerk for a time, and was hired as town clerk in 2017. Before entering the municipal profession, Greaves was a legal secretary for several attorneys, as well as a bookkeeper and parts manager for her own business for thirty-odd years.
“I think the town clerk’s office is the front face for the town, we’re a customer service operation. We keep the books of our land records, which are the crown jewels of Greensboro. That’s where I am and I want to continue,” Greaves said.
Select board member Ellen Celnik is also running for re-election, for a two year term. Celnik provided some background on herself for those unfamiliar. Introduced to the Greensboro community in the late 1990s by Hansell Patterson, Celnik was initially looking for a place to vacation for herself and her partner. “We fell in love with Greensboro the first day we went to Willey’s, and then looked for a place to rent in the summer every year, which we did for thirteen years. I did take the time to be here during the winter: You really need to be here in the winter, it’s a big investment, it’s a big commitment. I loved it in the winter, actually more than the summer.”
Celnik and her partner purchased their Greensboro residence in 2011. In 2015, after a workplace injury left Celnik disabled with a serious concussion, the pair made their move permanent with Celnik’s retirement. Celnik says she and her wife made a point to become involved with organizations like the historical society and planning commission,
“I thought it was a good opportunity, when we were putting the town plan together, to really be involved and get to know the town in a very different way. I did choose to become a full time resident.”
After her time on the planning commission, Celnik was asked by other residents to join the select board, which she did. “My background is in affordable housing, and that’s something I did focus on. What’s important to me, is that there be a select board that focuses on productive debate. In these times, it’s so easy to slide into divisive debate, and I think it becomes too important that we maintain constructive debate, and prioritize the needs of the community, and I certainly hope to serve that purpose.”
Peter Romans, former select board member who served on many town committees, is vying for the same seat as Celnik. For those unfamiliar, Romans has been a Greensboro resident for twenty five years. He previously served on the board for eight years, with five as chair. “I have more experience than anyone here, except probably Mike. I have invested a lot of hours, anybody who was on the board or any office staff knows that I put in a lot of time.” Romans said he’s looking to help out and solve problems.
Board member Tim Brennan jokingly asked what inspired Roman’s return, saying “You haven’t had enough? I’m curious, what’s your motivation to come back? Got tired of being a private citizen?”
Romans said, “It’s ingrained in me, to help my friends and neighbors, and yeah, that’s basically what it is, public service.”
Current select board member Judy Carpenter is also running again, for a three-year term.
Carpenter has previously served on the board in the past, her return this last year coinciding with the once-contentious Rural Edge debate.
“It’s been a challenging time for the town, and I think part of the job of the select board has been to try to get past the upheavals of the past couple of years and develop a civil conversation and working together with lots of different people. I think that’s something I’m pretty good at. As a retired special educator, I had to work with lots of different people.”
Carpenter said over the course of the fall, with budget meetings and such, the group has worked very well together, something she’d like to see continue.
Michael Cloutier is running for his second term as collector of delinquent taxes. Cloutier took over when his predecessor, Janet Long, retired. “I am your current collector of delinquent taxes. This is my second year. I am devoted to the job. I am keeping up with all the state statutes, which are constantly changing. I’m very good at customer relations, dealing with people. I’ve been a resident of Greensboro since 1987. That’s 40 years going on. I grew up in East Hardwick, and I’d appreciate it if you vote for me, and want to let you know I am dedicated to doing the job.”
Resident Mavis MacNeil announced her bid for moderator, for a term of one year. “In the last few years I have really enjoyed watching Tim [Nisbet] be moderator, and sometimes I thought, wow, that seems like a very cool thing to do, that I’d like to try someday. I think that my skill set and my teaching experience makes me a good candidate for this role, and I’m comfortable with public speaking and comfortable with facilitating conversations, even when tensions run high, because I do that every day with thirteen year olds,” MacNeil said.
Carol Reynolds and Jan Terwiesch are running for library trustee, each for terms of three years.
Terwiesch was present, speaking for himself and Reynolds. “Carol has served for quite some time, and I’m the newbie on the board. The library is essential to the town. Greensboro is a literary community, books have played an outsized role, the professors, the artists, the writers that have added so much to our town. I’d love to continue being a part of that.”
Greensboro Free Library trustee Jennifer Lucas spoke to Reynolds’ long-time dedication to the library and its endeavors, “Carol’s been there many more years than I in various capacities, she’s been not only a trustee, but an alternate, she takes care of the book sale area. She does so many things, and she has agreed to step up to be the secretary, but also to be a full-time trustee, which I heartily endorse. She gets my full support.”
Lucas spoke up again to commend Terwiesch as well, “Jan’s been there for just one year, but his contribution has been wonderful. The building, as you know, belongs to the town, and Jan’s been instrumental in helping with the maintenance and all the construction and any issues related to the building. So I think he’s been terrific, and I would hope you all support him.”
Select board Chair MacNeil is running for cemetery commissioner, for a term of three years. MacNeil spoke briefly, saying “I have been on the cemetery commission for about six years, and have submitted a petition to serve another three year term. I think I’ve been on almost every commission and committee in town, sometimes multiple times. I would have to say that of any of the committees or commissions that I’ve been on, I appreciate the cemetery commission in a special way. Our constituents do not complain,” MacNeil concluded with a joke.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
