Chronicle questions

The editor of the Chronicle emailed some questions for Select Board candidates. The questions were provided by Mr Barboza to me and Ms Horan McLean. I thought I would share my answers with you here.

Select Board Questions

1. What do you think are the best strategies or new ideas that can be used to help solve Dartmouth’s financial problems?

Prioritize, Plan, Partner, and Communicate

Dartmouth's financial problem is that expense is growing at a faster rate than revenue. Therefore, an override is a temporary solution since it fails to address the root cause. Without question, some sort of override is needed to sustain the town. But by itself, an override will not solve our problem. In order to reconcile the rate of growth of expense with that of revenue (this is sometimes called a structural deficit), we must change our way of doing business. First , we need to have a discussion in the town and set our priorities. Having defined those priorities, spend on the highest priorities and hold down increases or cut the lowest priorities. Any spending increases must be closely examined for the future affordability. Current spending must be examined for sustainability. Every opportunity to reduce the rate of growth of spending must be sought out and implemented. We need to partner with employees, citizens, UMass Dartmouth and other communities and government agencies to find ways to deliver services at reduced costs. Finally, the electorate must be kept abreast of the progress made in the process.



2. In your opinion, what are the most important override questions on the ballot in this year’s election?

The politically correct answer is that all are equally important. Since the override questions will be decided an the same day as my candidacy, I could pander to the voters and support them all. It would probably get me a few votes. I will not give that answer because I feel that what has been lacking in town is the leadership needed to make difficult decisions and to take the needed actions to correct our problem. Refer to my answer to the first question as to how I would go about that.

Question 1 is $500K for 7 police officers, I support this question because I feel the town places high priority in public safety. I met with the Police Chief and was convinced of the need.

Question 2 is $89K for additional funds for the library. I find this question puzzling. It does not give the library enough funding to meet the certification requirements and, due to the closing of two branches, the town should be able to spend less if only one building is open and staffed. While I personally hope this passes since I value the library, I would not have voted to put it on the ballot or would have included this modest amount in the general government question.

Question 3 is $2.1 million dollars for the schools. This question includes about $1 million for new personnel. With cost of living adjustments and step increases, the rate of growth of expense for these new hires will approach 7%. That rate of increase is not sustainable from the tax levy over the long term. It includes $667K for technology and instructional materials and $400K for reopening two schools. The school department wil get a $1.6 million increase in their budget because higher mandated spending by the state. Since the school department will get increased funding and because of hiring people that we cannot afford going forward, I do not support this question.

Question 4 is $325K for extracurricular sports and music fees. This override costs the town twice the $325K tag. We lose $325K in revenue and must make it up with $325K in spending. School fees are a fact of life throughout the state. I do not support this question.

Question 5 is $1.5 million for general government. This question will not effect the funding of the police department because the Select Board has decided that their budget will not be cut, even if this question fails. The town departments need $1.2 million dollars for level service funding for FY 09. The other $300K is to hire new personnel. If this question passes, the town will be able to sustain level services for ONE year, FY 09. The next year, unless significant reductions in the rate of growth of expense are made, the town will fall short of funds again. I think that this work should have begun already this year but it has not. If the question fails, deep cuts will have to be made in the various departments. The result of these will be a significant reduction of services. I reluctantly support the question but we have work to do here and it needs to start immediately. I will not support additional overrides until there is quantifiable progress in cost reduction and planning.

Question 6 is $1 million appropriation to the Stabilization fund. This question is needed to extend level services funding through FY11. I want to see progress toward goals before providing added revenue and I do not support this question.

Question 7 is a debt exclusion for maintaining and improving town buildings. I support this question.



3. Do you think Dartmouth taxpayers have been getting their money’s worth in municipal services, at all levels, from clerks and road crews to senior administrators, in the last few years?

The current fiscal crisis has been on the horizon for several years. Our senior town administrators have not taken effective steps to avert or ameliorate the problem. This is a failure of planning and foresight. There has also been a failure to communicate the true nature and magnitude of the fiscal crunch. The DOR stated in their report that a multi year forecast and financial plan be prepared and that furthermore, the plan be presented to the public in a format that facilitates understanding. This has not yet occurred and should have been a integral step in planning for override questions. Uncertainty and confusion on the part of the voters will not be helpful in securing added revenue. Everyone in Dartmouth is going to have to share some of the burdens of our fiscal constraints, taxpayers and town employees.



4. How would you vote on a hypothetical personnel bylaw that would cap municipal executive salaries at $100,000 a year, perhaps with standardized benefits, for all department heads now holding personal contracts?

I support a plan to put the management and supervisory personnel on a salary schedule with defined ranges for each position. Those ranges should be set by amending our Personnel Bylaw to include these positions in a schedule similar to those schedules for other town employees. Personal service contracts should be eliminated except as allowed by state law. Salary increases should be based on merit and progress in achieving goals set in annual reviews. These contracts should be limited in duration to one year as they are subject to appropriation by Town Meeting. Benefits should be standardized and limited to those available to all employees.



5. If you had a one-wish magic wand, what one wish for Dartmouth would you make on April 2, the day after the election?

My wish would be that our community would come together in a spirit of compromise and cooperation to help solve our town's fiscal problems, put aside past differences ,and recognize our common interests. Regardless of the outcome of the override question votes, there is serious and difficult work ahead. My wish is to lead in using our collective wisdom, energy, and talent to make us a better town and community

6. Briefly suggest what leadership, organizational, or other special skills that make you a good candidate for the Select Board

I believe that my leadership skills gained through my service in the Air Force and work as a manager, supervisor, and task team leader can help to move the town forward. My training as an engineer gives me problem solving skills and critical thinking abilities that can aid in formulating our future path. Engineering problems involve constraints and compromises. Even the space shuttle is built by the lowest bidder. Engineers work to provide the best possible solution within the constraints. I will bring that ability to the board. Openness, transparency and a fair hearing of all sides promotes confidence in and support for our town's decision making process. As a Select Board member, I will strive to be a model of civil discourse, courtesy, and respect for my fellow citizens. I want to bring fiscal responsibility, transparency and civil discourse to the Select Board. I ask for your vote on April 1st.