Caruso Wins Sherborn Caucus Nomination

There were two nominations at Sherborn's Town Caucus Thursday night for the open seat on the Board of Selectmen.

Voters had a choice between Ed McGuire and Peter Caruso. They chose Caruso by a vote of 94-41.

“Well, it’s great to have the support of so many people in town. It helps to live here for 25 years; you get to know a lot people. I think they all love living here and that’s a beautiful thing. We’re all wanting the same way of life I think to continue,” Caruso said after the Caucus.

The Caucus nominee spoke about what he believes he can bring to the table as a candidate.

“I do bring experience. I spent some good time on [the Advisory Committee] where I really learned a lot about the inner workings of the budgets, and as a result, how the town works and the schools because I was liaison to the schools. In doing that I had sort of a unique body of knowledge that would kind of be a waste to not utilize in some way and so I think this is the right time for me to use that knowledge," he said.

“The issues are there are a lot of legacy costs to deal with. I’ve been pushing that since I’ve been on Advisory and a part of that is just educating people. The smarter the stakeholders in town get the more they’ll be comfortable with what’s happening,” said Caruso. “The other way I look at things is a concept of stakeholder value. Should we spend money on rebuilding a tennis court or shouldn’t we? Well, if it adds value to the town maybe it’s worth spending the money.”

Caruso's opponent McGuire was not available immediately after the Caucus but said in an email statement today, “I am disappointed in not receiving the Caucus nomination. I think that what happened last night speaks volumes as to what I said in my announcement letter and what Russ Pollock, who nominated me, said in his speech. It is very difficult for the majority of the town to attend important meetings like those (Thursday night, 8:00pm) with all the work, and child commitments they have. If that group really wants to be part of the process, then they have to make the time to get their voices heard, or we have to make changes in how the process works. As of this time, I haven’t decided my course of action going forward.”

Pollock, who nominated McGuire believes he would be able to serve all residents of the town, not just a "vocal minority."

“Ed clearly has a track record of dedication to our community,” Pollock said. “More importantly perhaps, at least in my mind, is Ed’s a straight shooter, he’s straight with people he expects people to be straight with him. He has common sense, he calls it the way he see’s it - we need people like that in our town – and represents all the people in the town, not just the folks who are able to come out to the meetings, not just the vocal minority that come to meetings and make their voices known. He represents all of the townfolks even those people that can’t get away from their families, their current travel commitments, their jobs, their lives to attend the meetings on a Tuesday night or a Thursday night.”

“And that’s a very important issue. Especially at this juncture in our town, because I feel like we’re at the point where people are willing to compromise and really destroy our resources, our institutions and the very things that make Sherborn a great place to live for a quick buck. We need solutions to the problems that face our town, we don’t need a quick buck and I believe Ed is the person to provide those solutions,” Pollock said.

Both Caruso and Pollock believe said they believe that either candidate would be a good choice to help lead the town.

“I’m excited. Ed is a great candidate so he would serve the town very well and I think as the process continues the voters have great choices. So I’m looking forward to the process," said Caruso.

“I will say it’s a talented field and we’re fortunate to have two candidates, really two fine gentlemen running for Selectmen this year. I wish we were fortunate in that regard every year when there is such an election,” Pollock said.