Who Is Responsible for Economic Development in Canton?

In the Town of Canton, economic development is a policy and leadership function, which places it squarely under the Select Board, not the Board of Assessors. In Canton the Chair of the Board of Assessors is the serves as Chair of the Economic Development Committee.

The Select Board’s Role in Economic Development

The Select Board is responsible for economic development strategy and direction, including:

Setting the town’s economic development priorities

Supporting business attraction and retention

Working with developers, business owners, and regional partners

Appointing and overseeing any economic development staff or committees

Coordinating across departments (planning, zoning, public works, utilities)

Balancing economic growth with community goals and infrastructure capacity

Using policy tools (permitting coordination, zoning initiatives, incentives allowed by law)

Economic development is inherently about vision, coordination, and policy — all of which are Select Board responsibilities.

If Canton wants more commercial tax base, redevelopment of underused parcels, or better support for local businesses, the Select Board must lead that effort.

A Governance Question in Canton: Who Is Leading Economic Development?

Economic development works best when leadership, accountability, and roles are clearly defined. In Canton, however, the current structure raises important questions about who is responsible for economic development—and whether that responsibility is being exercised appropriately.

At present, Town of Canton does not have any sitting Select Board members serving on, or directly leading, the town’s economic development efforts. Instead, economic development activity is being led by the Board of Assessors, a body whose statutory role is valuation and taxation—not economic policy.

That arrangement deserves thoughtful public discussion.

Economic Development Is a Policy Function

Economic development is not a technical or clerical task. It is a policy-driven function that involves vision, coordination, and prioritization. Decisions about business attraction, redevelopment, infrastructure alignment, and long-term tax base growth require elected leadership and cross-department coordination.

In most Massachusetts communities, economic development is:

Should be led by the Select Board or Town Administrator

Supported by an economic development committee that reports to elected officials

Informed by assessors, planners, and finance officials—but not directed by them

In Canton’s case, no Select Board members currently serve on or lead the town’s economic development committee, which creates a disconnect between policy authority and execution.

Questions About External Board Participation

Another issue worth public discussion is why two members of Canton’s Board of Assessors also serve as directors of the Canton Association of Business and Industry (CABI).

CABI plays an important role in supporting the local business community. However, when sitting Assessors—whose duty is to impartially value commercial and industrial property—hold leadership roles in a business advocacy organization, the appearance of overlapping interests can arise, even if no actual conflict exists.

Best practice in municipal government is not only to avoid conflicts of interest, but also to avoid the appearance of conflicts, particularly in areas as sensitive as taxation and economic policy.