Candidate Profile: Tyler Ward (Select Board)

In the final eight days leading up to Peterborough’s 2023 Town Meeting, we will be posting profiles on all candidates — or as many candidates as provide responses to GoMonadnock. We’ve asked all candidates from a given race the same questions and are printing their answers unedited.

Across different towns in New Hampshire, Select Boards vary widely in style and approach to carrying out their lawful duties and responsibilities. How would you define the proper role and character of Peterborough’s Select Board?

The Select Board must simultaneously act as our town’s citizens’ check on our municipal government while also championing the budgets, policies and decisions on which we work with Town Administration.

In what ways does the current Select Board fulfill this proper role — and in what areas and aspects might it improve?

Always with an open ear toward the community, we strive to implement the elements set forth in Peterborough’s Master Plan as derived through outreach with a diversity of constituents, our neighbors. With the Select Board’s liaison duties to the various Boards and Committees we ensure a cohesive collaborative ecosystem eliminating silos of thought or practice.

A major challenge with outreach is actually reaching everyone. Considering that though, Peterborough does have an above average response rate to surveys, etc. and overwhelming volunteer support.

What are the greatest challenges facing Peterborough — not just immediately, but in the medium and long term, and how can the Select Board of the future adapt to meet them?

Immediately, we are faced with our next big infrastructure project with the Fire Station project. It is imperative we deliver a facility that meets the current and future needs for service and at a cost that does not drastically effect the Town portion of the tax rate. Which, incidentally, has remained at an average of $10.02 for the last nine years, currently at $9.17.

Obviously, housing has been an issue for years. Peterborough is making strides in a positive direction. One recent example is the Select Board’s establishment of a proper “Affordable Housing Subcommittee” of the Economic Development Authority.

What distinguishes you from your opponent?

Over the years, I have held liaison duties with the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Heritage Commission, Agricultural Commission, Master Plan Steering Committee and West Peterborough TIF District and implemented the creation of the Recycling Center Advisory Committee.

In the broader community, I am a husband, father, Co-Founder and on the Board of Directors at MAXT Makerspace as well as Co-Founder of New Hampshire’s first Repair Café.

What else do you want the citizens of Peterborough to know?

I will be at the the Recycling Center Saturdays April 29 and May 6 from 12pm-2pm. You will see me at Peterborough Welcome Team’s event at the Library Friday May 5 from 5pm-7pm.

And the “Ward for Select Board” campaign is holding a meet and greet at Aesop’s Tables on Saturday May 6 from 8am-10am.

Or you can always find me walking Downtown ready to listen and chat.