As you all know, the Select Board used to be called the Board of Selectmen. What you might not know is that Littleton’s Board of Selectmen was once known by a far longer title:

The Board of Selectmen and the Overseers of the Poor

In Littleton’s second century, this publicly elected board provided Littleton’s poorest citizens with housing at 547 Great Road, work at the Poor Farm, and some pocket money.

Back in the olden days, by conduct and by policy, Littleton took care of its poor.

Today, the Select Board is no longer bound by title or duty to do anything at all to help the 6.3% of Littletonians who live below the poverty line, but this does not mean you can’t or that you shouldn’t help.

A week from today, Littletonians who experience year-round, grinding poverty will get a brief respite thanks to the seasonal generosity of their neighbors. Food drives and toy donations will make seven days from today a little less bad—and while any community’s generosity is appreciated, there are still 364 other days in the year.

Littleton has a chance to do something profound and meaningful with the obscene profits that can come from one license to sell cannabis.

We have a rare and precious opportunity to do meaningful good for people in need, right here in Littleton.

That license came into existence after a public vote.

That license is under the control of this public board.

That license ought to do some public good.

It is my great hope that, as public officials, you agree and that you will go on record with your pledge to award SAGA Cannabis that license because you, like me, want to do something good with your public service.

Do I have your support?

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The foregoing was read to the Littleton Select Board on the evening of December 18, 2023.