A need for leadership and improved communication among boards was part of the rallying cry of candidates during this spring’s town election. It wasn’t that long ago, which, in light of the heated discussions at this week’s Board of Selectmen meeting, prompts us to comment, “How soon they forget.”

At this week’s selectmen’s meeting, newly elected School Committee member Keith Cheveralls, speaking, he said, as a private citizen, raised objections to the way in which the schools’ Connect-Ed system was used by School Committee Chairman Stu Sklar to remind people to get out and vote at the special town election on June 11.

At the same meeting, selectmen Chairman Leo Blair admonished the three School Committee members who were present for the committee’s lack of action on the special education audit which was mandated by voters at the 2007 Annual Town Meeting.

We can’t help but wonder why town officials can’t do a better job of communicating directly with people or boards with whom they have issues. It seems to us that, as a first step, Cheveralls could and should have expressed his concerns to Sklar, and that the appropriate forum for his complaint would have been a meeting of the School Committee, not the selectmen.

As for Blair, it must be said that his communication style seems at times to be lacking in respect for his fellow town officials, which is unlikely to produce the cooperation desired.

Direct confrontation can be difficult and uncomfortable. But it seems to us this ability is the mark of a good leader.