J a m e s E h r h a r d
C a n d i d a t e f o r S e l e c t m a n
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
C a n d i d a t e f o r S e l e c t m a n
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
P r e p a r i n g F o r S t u r b r i d g e ' s F u t u r e T o g e t h e r
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Preparing for Sturbridge's Future Together: Agenda Last year I ran for Selectman on a message of fiscal discipline with focused moderate commercial growth, all while protecting Sturbridge's vast natural resources. Although my campaign fell short by only 14 votes, that message is even more relevant now than it was last year. As the residents of Sturbridge suffer the debilitating effects of the current economic recession, elements of Sturbridge's current leadership continue to believe the town can fund needed and important large town projects on the backs of residential property taxes all the while burdening our hotels and restaurants with higher taxes. We can do better. We must do better. We need to actively lay the groundwork for other revenue streams that will take pressure off the crushing tax burden our residents are going through currently. This groundwork does not mean changing the character of Sturbridge. Quite the opposite. It means protecting Sturbridge's historic and rural character for our children by ensuring that our town has prepared for the future by making smart choices. It means facing the reality that the Route 15 corridor with prominent exits off of I-84 practically screams for the infrastructure to attract tax paying commercial businesses and their employees. It means facing the reality that we will not be able to purchase more land for conservation without increased revenue. It means understanding that our trails and open land cannot thrive without the revenue to support their protection and management. It means providing real support to our new Town Administrator and other town leaders such that they can confidently seek out private-public partnerships to begin revitalizing Routes 20 and 131. Building Consensus My record of service on the Tantasqua Regional District School Committee and as chairman of the Town Administrator Search Committee show that I can work to find common ground among disparate personalities and differing opinions. I will endeavor to bring meaningful discussion and debate to the Board of Selectmen where policy will be guided by an effort for unanimity and not dissension. I will strive to refocus the efforts of the Board of Selectman to where the Board as a whole does its best work for the residents of Sturbridge. I will provide the leadership that will help build a consensus among the members of the Board so that we as a town can prepare for the future while vigorously protecting Sturbridge's storied past. One Thousand Houses and a Master Plan I pledge to the residents of Sturbridge to walk to at least one thousand houses before election day. This effort not only allows me to personally bring my message of an optimistic future to a large swath of residents, it allows me to hear their concerns first hand. This conversation with the people of Sturbridge, in conjunction with the Master Plan currently being prepared, allows for a deep understanding of how the people want to see their town move forward.
PREPARING FOR STURBRIDGE'S FUTURE
The theme of the campaign is "Preparing for Sturbridge's Future Together". The below headings are some of the central ideas I will bring to the Board of Selectmen.
Revisit Tax Policy The town has implemented sweeping tax policy changes recently. It has increased the tax on hotels and restaurants. These tax increases have occurred on the back of additional large property tax increases through debt exclusions votes. The Board of Selectmen must revisit the hotels and meals taxes. Our hotels and restaurants are having their profit margins squeezed even further by the increase in their tax requirements. I will help re-start a dialogue and find a solution. Protecting Public Health Although the Board of Health is an independent authority in its management of the Recycling Center and Landfill, we need to diligently protect Sturbridge's interests and its residents' health as the Southbridge Landfill is expanded. One of the issues that has been continually brought up to me as I have talked to voters is whether the Board of Selectmen has any direct control over the Board of Health (BOH) and its oversight of the health inspector and other BOH employees. The simple answer is that the BOH is no different than the Tantasqua Regional School Committee in regards to the Superintendent and the Board of Selectmen in regards to the Town Administrator. The school committee has absolute and sole supervisory control over the Superintendent and the Board of Selectmen has absolute and sole supervisory control over the Town Administrator. Under the Sturbridge Town Charter, the BOH has absolute and sole supervisory control over its employees, including the health inspector. This control does not mean the BOH can be derelict in its duty to make sure that its employees effectively discharge their duties. If the members of the Board of Health fail to properly supervise, the voters can and should through the annual town election vote to replace the members, just as the voters can do with the members of the school committee and the Board of Selectmen. Route 15 Corridor We need to implement a plan to bring utilities to the corridor making it perfectly suited for reasonable development. At the same time, the utility extension along with the current zoning will respect the residents who live in the area. Route 15's unique location with easy access off of I-84 makes it perfectly suited for development and the tax revenues such development puts into the town's treasury. We should not be handing those tax dollars to our neighboring towns when the people of Sturbridge want some type of development in that corridor. Protecting Seniors and Retirees The senior residents and retirees of town should expect that their Senior Center is, at the very least, level funded. Additionally, the transportation services for this segment of the town's residents should be vigorously defended. We must explore public-private partnerships and initiatives for providing home care. Seniors and retirees should not be skeptical that their tax dollars are being used for their benefit. Quality of Life Upgrades The following three quality of life improvements stem from the long term expansion of economic development and should be implemented when the opportunity arises:
Open Space and Recreation Sturbridge is blessed with open spaces and outlets for active recreation. The Westville Dam area, Wells State Park, Streeter Point, and the land purchased along Stallion Hill Road and Leadmine Road are the jewels of town. Unfortunately, in too many circumstances the land is not used to its fullest potential. That said, we must always keep in mind that the residents of town are extremely fortunate to have enormous efforts in support of our open space acquisitions from the Open Space Committee, PLAC, and Trails Committee. Their continuing efforts have produced significant return on investment in terms of the Heins Property, which is a true credit to their hard work and sacrifices. Land acquisitions such as the former OSV property as well as the River Lands can produce similar results if we continue to support and recognize their efforts. Though certainly the economy will dictate how much we can reasonably expend in terms of funds, we must continue to recognize the value of those properties. Where the topography and funds allow, we should strive to create trails which are stroller and handicap friendly for use by all Sturbridge residents. This will require a greater focus by the Board of Selectman on finding the resources, be they volunteer or financial, to make this happen. |