James Yates. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

James Yates, a private practice attorney, grew up in Harvard and attended the Harvard public schools, starting in kindergarten and graduating from Bromfield in the late ’70s. Along with resident Jim Lee, he co-captained the first soccer team to be coached by local legend Tom Hill. In the early ’80s, after college, James returned to Bromfield to do some coaching of his own and substitute taught there as well. Next stop was graduate school in Colorado, where he earned his master’s in psychology. He returned east to New Hampshire, where he lived for four years while completing a law degree at the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover. For the last 10 years, James has lived in Clinton.

James recently moved into his childhood home, where he lives with his wife and their three children, all of whom attend the Harvard public schools. He practices law from his home, specializing in estate planning, mental health, and guardianships. While living in Clinton, James served on the board of Clinton Youth Soccer, and he keeps his own soccer career alive in the over-40 league with a number of his childhood friends and former teammates.

Press: What has inspired you to run for election to moderator?

Yates: I want to become involved. I knew and admired (former moderators) Dick Cronin and Bill Patton and I have been inspired by who they were in the town. Growing up, if I wasn’t at home, I was at the Barbas’—Mario was another inspiration for being involved in town.

Press: What do you see as the role of moderator?

Yates: To make sure that town meeting is efficient and fair, and that everyone gets their questions answered and opinions heard. To keep it to the issues and not let the issues get personal.

Press: What skills would you bring to the position?

Yates: I’m calm and deliberate. I think about decisions and their consequences. The combination of my background in mental health and law is a nice mix. I keep to the rules, but don’t misuse them. I get issues addressed and questions answered, so nobody is left out.

Press: Where do you stand on the citizens’ petition [to elect rather than appoint Finance Committee members] going before this Town Meeting?

Yates: I don’t know if that would be good or bad. It would depend on the philosophy of the moderator as to who would best serve the town. I don’t know if you would get better people that way. The solution could be either changing the process or changing the moderator. I worry about not enough people running.

Press: If the petition fails, would you change the appointment process? If so, how?

Yates: I wouldn’t change the process; I don’t think so. The moderator should be neutral. Input would be great, but I don’t know about votes or vetoes on appointments—you’d be more likely to have an agenda that way.

Press: Do you think the moderator should limit the length of debate on an issue?

Yates: No. The group can do that. Parliamentary procedure exists to do that. My father, Ken Yates, was a real parliamentarian—he memorized the book. Larry Finnegan used to say that my father knew all the rules. (Here he shows the interviewer the battered old book that has been passed on to him—Town Meeting Time.)

Press: Do you have a personal statement of mission that would guide you in the role of moderator?

Yates: Try to make sure it’s a fair and efficient process, so that everyone gets as accurate information as they can before they vote.