Dear Friend,
As your representative, I intend to stand for those things important
to the voters of precinct 8, and of course, the collective interest of Walpole. Knowing how difficult it is to reach
out to your representative to not only hear their views, but voice your concerns, I intend to use this space for just this.
As an RTM, I can assure you that I will take my responsibilities very seriously, and give careful consideration to each of
the articles included on the various Town Warrants. As a Walpole resident
for 10 years, I have come to appreciate the time and effort required by our town department heads, boards, and
committees. For each of the articles, in addition to your input, I will seriously consider the opinion of our
town officials, and Finance Committee recommendation.
To give you a sense of how I will represent your interests, here's where I stand on various issues facing our town:
I am very much opposed to the efforts of CPV to site a power plant in Walpole. While cognizant of our increased energy needs, I do not feel that Walpole will ever realize the benefits offered by proponents of this effort. In addition to the negative environmental impact this will have on our citizens and surrounding towns, I am very concerned with the hazardous chemicals that will be transported and stored on our aquifer.
As a property owner, I too have seen my tax bill increase substantially over the past decade. While I am very interested to see Walpole increase it's commercial tax base to lessen this burden, I believe we deserve better projects than those that have been brought to our town in recent years.
The effort required to reject these proposals (MWRA sludge landfill, propane farm, regional transfer station, cogenerator facility), and now the power plant serve to divide our town and divert energy and resources away from finding projects that will both benefit and preserve the town's character.
In attendance at the March 2008 Special Town Meeting, I was disappointed to see Article 2 not obtain 2/3 support from our RTMs. Leaving the 'Any Lawful Use' language in the zoning bylaws will only encourage more controversial projects in Walpole. As your representative, I will work to support smart development efforts, and discourage those that make Walpole inviting to those businesses that will adversely impact property values or the image of our good town.
As a fiscal conservative, I am a proponent of the changes proposition 2 ½ has brought since being introduced in 1980. In today's economic environment of spiraling cost increases, this law provides a useful set of checks and balances, and ensures that citizens will be involved in approving any spending expenditures over and above the percentage allowed.
More often than not, many communities are being asked to weigh overrides that will support many projects. I am in favor of the approach many towns are taking who offer their citizens 'a la carte' override menus. Having the flexibility to select those items we support, and are willing to pay for, serves to lessen the divide a large override vote can bring.
Thanks again for taking the time to see where I stand on particular issues. If there is a topic not listed that you would like me to respond to, don't hesitate to contact me.
