Letter to the Editor correcting Feyler inaccuracies

I am responding to several inaccuracies in Mr. Feyler’s letter. [Editor's note: link to that letter here.]

I am on the ballot for Assessor in addition to Selectman because I had already taken out papers to run for re-election as Assessor when I learned of Tony Antonellis’ intention to step down as a Selectman. I asked several people if they would be willing to take out papers to run for Assessor and no one was interested. Rather than have a blank space on the ballot I am willing to also run for that office and if I am elected Selectman I will step down as an Assessor this summer to allow a new Assessor to be appointed (it is much easier to find a volunteer if the person does not have to go through the nomination and election process).

Mr. Feyler also seems to think that it is a problem to have people who have served as volunteers on town boards holding my signs and supporting my candidacy for Selectman. I am proud to have Mr. Antonellis and so many elected and appointed officials who have served with me on the Fincom, Business Development Advisory Board and Long Range Financial Planning Subcommittee supporting me. They know my leadership abilities, independence and judgment. They agree on many things and disagree on many others as do the other 175 people on my list of supporters. The only promise I have made to any of them is to do my best for the Town of Westwood.

No one talked me into running, I believe my 20+ years of senior public finance experience will be a great asset for Westwood as we work through our financial challenges and uncertainties in the next three years.

To answer his last question I absolutely do want to be the next Selectman in Westwood, and I have worked tirelessly the last two months to prove that to my fellow voters and to earn their votes.

Phil Shapiro
Westwood