By Bonnie Adams
Government Editor
Westborough – Selectman Lydia Goldblatt has always been interested in politics, even as a girl.
“I remember being 10 or 12 years old and watching the political conventions on television and being fascinated by them,” she said.
But she never imagined back then, she said, that someday that interest would lead her to not only serve her community in a variety of capacities but also as a key staff member for two of the commonwealth's most important Republicans in recent history, former Gov. Mitt Romney and U.S. Sen. Scott Brown.
Goldblatt currently is the director of Constituent Services and the deputy state director for Brown. She is also the chair of the Westborough Board of Selectmen.
After graduating from high school, Goldblatt worked in New York City before moving to Westborough with her family. It was here that she got her first taste of local politics – as the room mother for her daughter's kindergarten class.
After several years of volunteering in the schools, a guidance counselor encouraged her to run for School Committee.
“The first time I ran in 1986, I lost,” Goldblatt said. “But then I ran again in 1987 and won. I served nine years. I also served on the Finance Committee for three years.”
In 2000 she ran successfully for a seat on the Board of Selectmen. Then, in 2002, her career took on a different tangent, thanks to her “great friend” former state Rep. Karyn Polito.
Urged on by Polito, Goldblatt was hired as the statewide volunteer coordinator for Romney. That position helped lead her into the role of director of External Relations for the governor's staff. Goldblatt was also appointed by Romney to serve as the chair for the state's Civil Service Commission, where she oversaw an agency consisting of over 60,000 civil servants.
Now, in her position on Brown's staff, she is what she calls the “Jack of all trades,” overseeing the senator's schedule and helping his constituents on a variety of issues.
“Constituent service is one of my top priorities,” Brown said, “and I’m grateful to have Lydia's steady leadership in my office. Her many years of public service, knowledge of Massachusetts and her commitment to helping its citizens are invaluable to the people of the Bay State.”
The job of deputy director is a busy one that consumes huge amounts of time, Goldblatt said. Each day she takes the 6 a.m. train from Westborough into Boston and often does not return until 8 or 9 p.m., unless she has a selectmen's meeting. When she does have some down time, she tries to spend it with her three daughters and three grandchildren or a group of close friends.
Even though she has a busy schedule, being a selectman is a privilege, she feels, and not something she takes for granted.
“I have been tremendously fortunate, and I appreciate the trust and confidence of the people of Westborough who have voted for me each time,” she said.
A Westborough selectmen's meeting typically covers an array of topics from public hearings, budgets and other town issues, which Goldblatt, as the board's current chair, oversees.
“You may not always agree with me,” she said, “but you must know that I always have the best interests of Westborough at heart.”
At the end of every meeting, she makes sure to thank the men and women who are serving in the armed forces.
“My brother served in Vietnam and I had friends who were killed there,” she said. “I saw how vets were treated when they came back. I vowed that if I were ever in a position to do so, I would always make mention of how much that commitment to serve is appreciated.”
According to Goldblatt, her future plans are not clear.
” I never know where my path will go next,” she said. “But really, how lucky am I? I'se been so fortunate.”