NORTHBOROUGH – A permanent Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee has been established in Northborough.
This marks the first recommendation that the Board of Selectmen have adopted from a final report issued by the previous, ad hoc Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
“The reasoning behind us recommending a permanent committee really stems from a lot of the community conversations that we had with other boards and committees, members of the community from our listening session, staff — there’s a real excitement and desire to see the work continue,” said Assistant Town Administrator Becca Meekins Feb. 14.
Committee developed, presented report
Meekins was one of the members of the ad hoc committee, which was established in 2020 by the selectmen.
The committee was tasked with conducting a review of Northborough’s policies and procedures through a lens of diversity and inclusion.
Last month, the committee presented their final report to the selectmen. The report contained a number of recommendations, ranging from establishing this permanent committee to other steps, like adopting a formal policy for using the Town Common.
“Many of our recommendations have long-term implications and require some long-term work,” Meekins said. “So, for that, we think it makes sense for this board to establish a permanent committee to undertake some of that work on your behalf and ultimately assist you with putting any recommendations we have in place further.”
The committee will be made up of nine members — the Town Administrator or his designee, a representative from the School Department’s Coalition for Equity, a representative from the Council on Aging and six at-large members.
“I personally feel that this is a no-brainer,” said Selectman Leslie Rutan during a Feb. 14 Board of Selectmen meeting.
She added that it was “obvious” that much of their work needed to incorporate inclusivity.
Selectmen share thoughts
Selectman Julianne Hirsh asked if the vote to establish this committee meant that the selectmen accepted the report.
“The formation of the committee was one of the several recommendations,” Chair Jason Perreault said. “We’re only acting on this one recommendation tonight.”
As Perreault described it, the selectmen may review each of the recommendations in a succession of meetings.
He thanked the ad hoc committee for their work.
“It isn’t three paragraphs on one side of one sheet of paper,” Perreault said.
As a result, he continued, the town will not be able to “undertake all of it in one big gulp.”
“This is certainly an important step and provides the continuity and continuing operation for the other activities we have queued up here,” he said of the new committee.
How to join
Northborough is seeking members to join the committee.
Anyone interested can submit a letter of interest and resume no later than March 14 to the Board of Selectmen at 63 Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532 or by emailing Diane Wackell at [email protected].
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