New Peabody school board member wants public to have voice

PEABODY – At only two weeks into his term, newcomer Ed Charest is certainly stirring things up at Peabody School Committee meetings.The Committee Monday discussed two issues of major concern for Charest: the policy surrounding public participation and regulating the clearing of sidewalks for children walking to school.As a former frequent public participant, Charest knows what it’s like to share his opinions before the Committee. He said he also knows what it’s like to not get any feedback for his interest, which is why he ran for School Committee in the first place.”I value very much what the public has to say,” said Charest. “I didn’t see that type of feedback when I was (a member of the public).”What Charest would like to see is a forum where the public can speak with Committee members, face to face, about their concerns. He suggested possible “office hours” before regular scheduled meetings at least once a month, which all members seemed to support.Charest also recommended that Committee members take the public’s opinions into serious consideration by putting them on the next meeting’s agenda for further discussion.Committee member Beverly Ann Griffin Dunne agreed with Charest’s concerns and said she would bring them to the table at the next meeting of the Quality and Standards Subcommittee.Charest also made a motion to suggest that the City Council consider creating an ordinance that requires residents living in school zones to shovel their sidewalks within a reasonable amount of time after snowfall. He cited that other surrounding areas, such as Lynn, Saugus, and even Boston, have implemented such ordinances with much success.”These are our kids and we need to make every effort to keep them safe,” said Charest, noting the recent instances of pedestrians hit by cars and plows because sidewalks were not cleared.Once again, Dunne backed him up wholeheartedly.”When you see small children walking in the streets, it’s frightening,” she said. “Sometimes we have to impose rules or regulations to make people do the right thing.”All voted in favor of Charest’s motion, except for Dave McGeney.”I’m not comfortable with an ordinance,” he said, adding that he’s not sure if he would ever be OK with implementing fines for those who don’t comply. McGeney said he would rather bring the safety issue to the attention of the Council and seek their advice on how to properly solve it.Charest’s motion passed 5-1.