Norwell Candidates Face Off in Chamber Forum

NORWELL — The Norwell Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Candidates Night on May 13 at Town Hall, offering voters a chance to hear directly from candidates on the May 17 ballot. Amid concerns about rising costs and tax burdens, the candidates focused their remarks on qualifications, fairness, and future planning.

Assessor Candidates Focus on Fair Valuation and Oversight

Incumbent Mary Granville and challenger Sean Joyce are vying for a three-year term on the Board of Assessors. Granville, a certified appraiser and current chair of the board, emphasized her extensive background in property valuation and commitment to equity.

“I want every tax [payer] to be fairly assessed based on the criteria set by the Department of Revenue,” Granville said. She noted her experience spans residential, commercial, and industrial properties, with her own appraisal firm operating since 1980.

Granville highlighted her goal to ensure "nothing is missed" in the town's tax assessments, adding that fair assessments are critical for maintaining revenue without unfairly burdening property owners. She also pointed to the potential for modest revenue growth through accessory dwelling units and commercial development, though she acknowledged such progress would be gradual.

In contrast, Joyce presented himself as a newcomer focused on increasing transparency and accountability. A venture finance advisor with a background in economics and investment banking, he emphasized his fiscal acumen and community involvement.

“I want to be a voice for those that are on a fixed income in this town. I also want to be a voice for the young families,” Joyce said. “The Board of Assessors is the primary office that is credited with generating revenue for the town, so I think it’s a very important seat.”

While he does not have direct assessing experience, Joyce said his work in financial analysis and his personal stake as a property owner give him the perspective needed to serve residents.

When asked to clarify the relationship between rising assessments and tax bills, Granville explained that “our tax rate has actually gone down” and that assessments are based on market value from sales in the previous year. “Because the property values have gone up… those are the values that establish the tax base,” she said.

Select Board Candidates Debate Override and Budget Philosophy

Three candidates—Mark Cleveland, Lorenda “Ren” Layne, and John McGrath—are running for two open seats on the Norwell Select Board. The race features divergent views on how the town should approach its fiscal challenges, including a pending $3.7 million budget override.

Cleveland, a member of the planning board and former pharmaceutical executive, positioned himself as the most fiscally conservative of the three. He opposes the override and warned of a “tsunami of expenses” ahead, including potential capital projects such as a new high school and water treatment facility.

“I intend to vote no,” Cleveland said. “I understand that many families move to Norwell because of our excellent schools, but I also believe Norwell should remain a good home for all generations.”

Cleveland said he would push for consolidation of town and school services and strengthen the advisory board’s role in budget analysis.

Layne, a former brewery executive and strategic planner, expressed support for the override while calling for longer-term planning and greater collaboration between departments. She emphasized her ability to develop creative, practical solutions and strategic outreach.

“There’s no silver bullet, there’s no quick fix,” Layne said. “We need to build a comprehensive plan for attracting and retaining businesses that contribute to our tax base in a meaningful and growing way.”

She proposed better online communication tools, zoning reform, and outreach initiatives to support economic development.

McGrath, the chair of the advisory board and a management consultant, also supports the override and advocates for a data-driven, transparent approach to financial planning. He pledged to implement scenario-based modeling software and financial dashboards to track real-time spending and performance.

“We need a transparent plan that brings our community together around shared solutions,” McGrath said. “Overrides will eventually be unavoidable… but they should absolutely be a last measure.”

He emphasized the need for proactive workforce planning, revenue diversification, and stronger tools to evaluate the financial impact of decisions.

All three candidates agreed on the need to address the town’s reliance on residential property taxes and discussed prioritizing capital projects. However, their approaches to budget control, community engagement, and readiness to implement or reject the current override diverged sharply—setting the stage for a closely watched election.

Other Candidates Outline Goals Across Town Boards

The forum also featured candidates in several uncontested races. Christina Kane, current chair of the Norwell School Committee and Scott Dyke, candidate for Norwell School Committee, spoke about the importance of long-term planning and supporting the town’s students amid changing educational needs. Nancy Dooley addressed her bid for reelection to the Housing Authority, citing her 21 years of experience and a focus on maintaining quality affordable housing. Dannielle Shepherd, running for town clerk, emphasized modernizing services and improving public engagement. Matthew Greene shared his goals as town moderator, highlighting a commitment to procedural consistency and exploring technological enhancements for town meeting. Additional candidates included incumbents Brian Greenberg for planning board, Glenn Ferguson for highway surveyor, and Fred St. Ours for water commissioner, each detailing ongoing efforts and priorities for their departments.

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