My second endorsement as the Millennials take charge of Belmont.
Townie Talk endorses Paul Joy for Select Board
This April you will have a choice between Paul Joy and Taylor Yates for the Select Board. The Select Board oversees the Town Administrator, approves tax rates, determines whether overrides and debt exclusions go to the public for a vote, and is the general face of the Town among other things.
Taylor Yates is a successful realtor in a nearby community, married with children, and moved to town 6 years ago. He has been politically active from the start with a stint on the Vision 21 committee, Town Meeting since 2022, Chair of the Campaign to replace the elected Treasurer with an appointed one, and Planning Board Chair since 2024.
Paul Joy is a successful management consultant in the environmentally sustainable infrastructure industry. He is married with kids and well known in the youth sports world as a member of the Belmont Soccer Board, Practice and Clinic scheduling coordinator, and coach. He also chaired the Belmont CO-OP Nursery School Board. He was equally as committed on the political side having chaired the Economic Development Committee, been appointed to the MBTA CAC and elected to Town meeting for Precinct 7.
Both men have showed their commitment to Belmont through their volunteer service, and both have the background to serve on the Select Board.
My reason for endorsing Paul Joy is simple… we need fresh faces in Town leadership that will listen to all residents’ concerns before deciding on an issue. We can’t afford the same backroom deal making being sent to Town meeting for a rubber stamp of approval. Paul has shown the courage to challenge plans at Town Meeting and seek amendments to them. As you can imagine, anyone that challenges anything at Town Meeting is usually shamed quickly. Ask Mr. Macero or Mr. Roberts to confirm this. 😉
I am impressed with his ability to handle stress. Can you imagine being a practice coordinator for Belmont’s 90+ soccer teams in a Town with limited space. Clearly, he can get things done. I already vetted that he is an advocate for Seniors. I pray for Belmont that he uses his intellect and compassion in a way that prioritizes the basic needs of all our residents before special interests.
My major concern with Taylor is his willingness to “play the political game” catering to the powers that be. The recent Belmont Center Overlay Plan meeting he led feels like checking the box. His endorsements feel like he was hand selected to toe the company line.
This Election for Select Board will be as consequential as the 2002 election between the legendary William Monahan and Paul Solomon. There is no conservative in the race this year, but this election is guaranteed to see a transfer of power from the Boomers to the Millennials. We Gen Xers apologize to the Millennials for not being able to slow the Boomers down enough from their spendthrift ways. Kinda sucks when your inheritance is massive debt but as I have heard for decades… you could always move.