Candidate Response to BTA Questions

Selectman:

 

 

Billerica Taxpayers Association

Electronic Candidate Questionnaire

 

Office: SELECTMEN Questionnaire             Michael S. Rosa 

Question 1:  Over the last decade or so, Billerica Taxes and revenue have grown at an unprecedented rate.  The chart below (generated with DOR data) demonstrates this growth.  The yellow line represents a straight-line growth of 4%.  What is your impression of this chart and its implications?   

 

 

(INSERT ANSWER) the chart is a good piece of reference material. However the only number that is fixed is the 2.5 % on the levy from the previous year. The new growth is not something the town can control. The new growth could go way up relative to development. As far as the budget requested is different than what it takes to run the town over and above what a department head has requested you have other costs like health insurance, Middlesex retirement, capital purchases to name a few. We always need to look at every dollar we spend and look for ways to save.

 

Question 2:  Given the state of our economy and the continued loss of jobs and State funding provided to Town, what would you propose to address these issues if the economy worsens? How should the Town address a situation were a Taxpayer has lost his or her job and is unable to meet their full property tax obligations? I have been on the front line with letting residents pay there taxes with a credit card and if a resident needs a payment plan the tax collector will work with the resident

 

Question 3:  What do you view as the top three challenges facing Billerica at this time?  How would you resolve or address these challenges?

(INSERT ANSWER) vacant commercial property, cuts in state aide and maintaining the services to the residents 1) in dealing with vacant properties we are marketing Billerica to fill our commercial properties. At town meeting we made Billerica an E.O.A. sins that we have done 15 certified projects, which filled commercial property that has been vacant for over 2 years. We got a grant for a part time economic development coordinator. She has brought bissness to Billerica. By filling the vacant commercial property it will take the burden off the residential taxpayer. 2) To deal with the cuts in state aid we have the department heads cut there budgets down by 1.25 % we have instituted several cost cutting measures such as changing the lights at the W.T.P to save $9,500 a year, instituting recycling over the last # years has saved $825,000, we received a grant of $160,000 to upgrade the pumps at one of the pump stations and we received a grant of $1,100,000 for the waste water treatment plant. These are just some examples. 3) We have done a pretty good job of maintaining the services that residents expect and in the fy 11 budget we are budgeting for 2 part time in water, 3 part time in sewer, 6 part time in dpw and we are filling 3 positions in the fire department that were funded infy10 but not filled.

Question 4: Do you approve of making any changes in Proposition 2 ½?   If yes, what changes?

(INSERT ANSWER) the board of selectman cant makes changes to prop 2.5 it would have to be on the state level but I would look at any changes proposed and if they make sense I would support them.

 

Question 5: Town Meeting has endorsed a resolution on two occasions requesting that “Sick Leave Buy Back” not be a component of new Town and School Contracts.   If elected, what would you do to ensure this resolution is fully implemented?     

(INSERT ANSWER) As a current board member I have supported the removal of sick leave by back. As you know it need to be negotiated with the unions. And we have made head way with cutting it back in some of the contracts

 

Question 6: Would you be willing to get rid of “sick leave buyback” in exchange for long-term disability?

(INSERT ANSWER) you need to look at the cost for both and which would be cost affective in the long term. That would have to be negotiated by the town and the union

 

Question 7: What happened at the Parker School should never have happened.  What are your plans to ensure that it does not happen to any of our municipal properties again?

(INSERT ANSWER) as a board member I have made town wide matinees plan a priority with the town manager to keep up with all town and school infrastructure

 

Question 8: At the last charter review, the BTA supported a charter change to require that a schedule of maintenance be developed on all town and school property.  It was defeated.  However, last year we saw a fire alarm system fail at a school and we had to purchase a vehicle for the fire department for inspections through the use of Fin Com reserve funds.  Fin Com members were visibly upset about this and wanted to know how this could have happened without anyone noticing.  Do you now think that we need to develop maintenance / inspection schedules for all of the town’s and school’s property? (Please note that it is normal to inspect fire alarm systems several times a year to insure that they are operating properly – in fact, it is required by law)

(INSERT ANSWER) yes and it is being developed

 

Question 9: At the last charter review, the BTA supported a charter change to require a long-term (20 year) capital improvement plan that would be updated on an annual basis.  It would address both Town and School needs.  It was defeated – with several Selectmen, Fin Com members and the Town Manager speaking against it.  With our recent experience with the Parker School and the obvious neglect of School and Municipal infrastructure, do you think a long-term capital improvement plan would have helped the Town and Town Meeting to identify and focus our tax dollars these critical needs?  List and address the pros and cons of having a long-term capital improvement plan and if you would support a requirement to produce and maintain one.

(INSERT ANSWER) as a member of the B.O.S I did not speak agents it. We need it and I am working on getting a plan in place

 

Question 10: Last fall the Beacon Hill Institute came out and said that all municipal governments should cut salaries by 5%.  Are you in favor of this and your reason for or against?

(INSERT ANSWER)  a recommendation like that dose not looks at each individual town. We have done a salary survey in Billerica to make sure we are in line with our salaries. Any impact to salaries would be negotiated and in these tough economic times I am shore this will be one of the to issues for the town manager

 

Question 11: Now that stimulus funds are going to dry up and state revenue projections are below expectations, what are your plans to cover the cut backs in local aid?

 

(INSERT ANSWER) As of right now the town has a fully funded budget with out using any one-time money. We will have to wait and see it state aid changes.

 

Question 12: Do you favor increasing taxes by any means including the new local option meals tax?

(INSERT ANSWER) no

 

Question 13: The gap or spread between the levy limit and the levy ceiling shrank by 9% in FY 2009. In FY 2010 in shrank by a whopping 16%. What are your plans to reverse this trend?

(INSERT ANSWER) the gap between the levy limit and levy ceiling is shrinking because economic growth has slowed down and the value of the real property in town has gown down. The best way to reveres that trend is to bring in new businesses and encourage economic development.

 

Question 14: Would you consider not increasing the property taxes by the 2.5% and living off of the current levy limit for FY2011 plus any new growth that might occur?

(INSERT ANSWER) there is no way to eliminate both without decimating the town and its services. If you were to do this in the FY 11 budget you would lose 3,880,325. dollars. From a budget that the department head have already reduced there budgets by 1.25 % less than FY 10

 

Question 15: What specific actions or initiatives would you support at the Town level in pursuit of the goal of fiscally disciplined, highly cost-effective government?

(INSERT ANSWER) any and all ideas that are achievable should be looked at to give us the greatest vale for our dollar. The recycling plan I brought before the board of selectman in 3 years has saved the town 825,000. dollars. 

 

 

Question 16:  Would you support stronger Conflict of Interest and Ethics requirements be met as a prerequisite to run for elected office and serve on boards and committees?   Explain your position.

(INSERT ANSWER) these are in place and need to be followed

 

Question 17:  Would you support a change to the Town Charter/By-Laws that would specifically address Conflict of Interest and Ethics requirements that must be met in order to run for elected office and/or serve on boards and committees?  Explain your position.

(INSERT ANSWER) any elected or appointed official needs to follow the laws of MA.  I would not care if it was in the charter but it would be a duplication of what is on the books already

 

Question 18:  Would you support the required use of Zero-base Budgeting for generating Town and School Budgets?   If not, explain.

(INSERT ANSWER)I am willing to bring it to the town manager to see if it can be implemented. We do look at every line in total not just what was above the last years budget. The FY 11 budget is a good example the department heads on average reduced their budgets by 1.25%.

 

(Definition:   Zero-base budgeting does not use the previous year’s budget or expenses in setting a new budget, since the Town’s circumstances and finances may have changed. When building a budget from a zero base, every expense must be justified. This differs from only having to explain the amounts requested in excess of the funding received during the prior year. Zero-base budgeting helps you control spending and expenses because you build your budget from zero rather than building your budget on top of what was spent during the prior period funded.)

Question 19:  Would you support a change in the Town Charter and or By-Laws that would require an automatic offset applied to next years taxes if the revenues collected exceed the Town and School approved budgets by more that 2%?  (Those revenues exceeding 2% of the approved budget would automatically be applied to offset next year’s taxes)  Explain your position.

(INSERT ANSWER) I file a warrant article every spring to return money back to the taxpayer. It might not be 2% but I do believe we should pay cash when we can, we should put money in the stabilization account and we should give money back to the taxpayer

Question 20:  Are you or any member of your immediate family employed by the town/school (including consulting or contracts)?  If yes, list position and relationship.

(INSERT ANSWER) no

 

Definition of immediate Family at:   http://www.mass.gov/ethics/powerpoint.html 

 PAST AND CURRENT ELECTED OR APPOINTED POSITIONS HELD IN TOWN: town Meeting 16 years and Board of Selectman 12 Years ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

AFFILIATIONS THAT MAY RELATE TO OFFICE BEING SOUGHT: town committees ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OCCUPATION: owner of Mike’s Precision Machine in Billerica __________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

School Committee:

 

 

 

Office: School Committee Candidate Questionnaire   Sandra Giroux

 

Question 1:  What do you view as the top three challenges facing Billerica’s Schools at this time?  How would you resolve or address these challenges?

The largest challenge facing Billerica’s public schools is striking a balance between providing an education that prepares our students for life after high school and maintaining our existing infrastructure.  These two goals seem to be in conflict this year as available funds shrink.  I would support the creation of a new shared account for town AND school building maintenance which would fall under the same scrutiny as the other shared accounts.

The next challenge I think that faces the school system is the lack of adequate materials (e.g. updated text-books and supplies).  Currently funds are given by PTO’s fund raising and grants.  While I support these efforts, the burden needs to come back to the school department.  These supplies need to be included in the budget, perhaps on a rotating schedule.  For example, one year math books, then science etc.

Finally, the safety of students must be maintained.  Through my experience on the school counsels, I’ve learned first hand through surveys that students are concerned about bullying, drug & alcohol use and their overall safety in the school buildings.  The technology bond from several years ago has helped with the addition of security cameras, but more still needs to be done.  I would like the school department to utilize the school resource officers more to help in this area

Question 2: Do you approve of making any changes in Proposition 2 ½?  If yes, what changes?

 

No – Proposition 2 ½ has been the key to keeping property taxes stable.

Question 3: Town Meeting has endorsed a resolution on two occasions requesting that “Sick Leave Buy Back” not be a component of new Town and School Contracts.  There has been some movement in recent contract negotiations toward the elimination of “Sick Leave Buy Back”.  If elected, what would you do to ensure this resolution is fully implemented?

 

As you know, school contracts no longer contain this benefit for new-hires.  I would lobby against the administration if they decided to return to giving sick-leave buy back as a benefit in future negotiations.  We’ve all seen how much this benefit costs the town as long term employees retire.   We simply can’t afford it.

Question 4: Would you be willing to get rid of “ sick leave buyback” in exchange for long term disability?

Yes – But only if the annual cost of this benefit was less than that of the annual cost of allowing sick leave to be paid out upon retirement.

Question 5: What specific actions or initiatives would you support within the School Department in pursuit of the goal of fiscally disciplined, highly cost-effective government?

Throughout my campaign for school committee, I have advocated for a top to bottom “internal audit” of all school department policies and procedures.  I’d like to take an independent view of the activities of the department and try to flush out the inefficiencies wherever they exist and report on procedures that are done well.  Let’s benchmark the procedures against best practices and change where necessary to streamline operations where feasible.

Question 6:  Under what circumstances would you be in favor of new school construction?  Explain your position.

New school construction should be a last resort when there is no safe alternative.  The safety of students and personnel has to be the first concern.  There are other conditions that could trigger a new building, such as the projected overcrowding of our current facilities.  In the event that the overcrowding had an adverse affect on the educational process, then a new building could be justified.

Question 7:  What are your plans for maintaining the new parker school so that what happened there does not happen again?

I would advocate for a comprehensive maintenance plan for the new building as well as all the school buildings.  Each year, the principals of each of the schools present a school improvement plan to the school committee.  Appropriately, the focus of the report is the academics achieved or needing improvement in each of the buildings. 

If elected, I would advocate for a similar but separate periodic presentation by the principals regarding the condition of the nine school buildings.  I think that presenting these issues in a public forum on a regular basis will help to keep all interested parties informed as to the deficiencies in our facilities.

Question 8:  What are your plans to ensure that what happened to the parker does not happen to the rest of the schools?

I would advocate for a comprehensive maintenance plan for all the school buildings.  Each year, the principals of each of the schools present a school improvement plan to the school committee.  Appropriately, the focus of the report is the academics achieved or needing improvement in each of the buildings. 

If elected, I would advocate for a similar but separate periodic presentation by the principals regarding the condition of the nine school buildings.  I think that presenting these issues in a public forum on a regular basis will help to keep all interested parties informed as to the deficiencies in our facilities.

Question 9: The school department hired a professional to assess the needs to the rest of the schools. They came up with a cost of $38 million in 2008 dollars.  What are your plans to implement this?

By state law, the school department budget is not held to the same scrutiny as the rest of the town departmental budgets.  One of my opponents in this election has advocated for a small amount to be included in the school budget for building maintenance.  The $250,000 proposal is a great start, but because of the legislated lack of scrutiny, there is no guarantee that the funds will be used in this manor. 

I would advocate for and support the creation of a new shared account.  This concept was started several years back to show town and school shared expenses such as health insurance.  I propose that the same type of account be created for town and school building maintenance.  The account should be funded first, right off the top and would be used to maintain town and school facilities and be held to the same scrutiny as the rest of the town budget.  Admittedly, in the short term, it could be painful in terms of funding to start this, but the long term affects would benefit the entire town.

Question 10:  Last fall the Beacon Hill Institute came out and said that all municipal governments should cut all salaries by 5%.  Are you in favor of this and your reasons for or against?

 

As you may know, this type of cost reduction has been used in private industry.  However, it is probably fair to say that the private industries in which this has been done were likely non-union shops.  As you also know, school department employees are, for the most part organized labor. 

This type of proposal would require collective bargaining.  It is unclear from the question what the town would have to give up in order for the union membership to agree to such a wage reduction.  The cost – benefit would have to be analyzed.

Question 11:  Would you support the required use of Zero-base Budgeting for generating School Budgets?   If not, explain.

Zero based budgeting is a perfectly acceptable method to construct a budget.  However, we hire professional managers to do a job.  I think we owe them the professional courtesy to allow them to use whatever tool they are most comfortable with in order to accomplish the goals that we the residents, through our elected boards, charge them with.  If that was the methodology chosen by the superintendent or school business manager, I’d support that effort.

(Definition:   Zero-base budgeting does not use the previous year’s budget or expenses in setting a new budget, since the Town’s circumstances and finances may have changed. When building a budget from a zero base, every expense must be justified. This differs from only having to explain the amounts requested in excess of the funding received during the prior year. Zero-base budgeting helps you control spending and expenses because you build your budget from zero rather than building your budget on top of what was spent during the prior period funded.)

Question 12:  What do you think the mission/role of the School Committee is?  Explain.

MGL Chapter 71 – Section 37 states: The school committee in each city and town and each regional school district shall have the power to select and to terminate the superintendent, shall review and approve budgets for public education in the district, and shall establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the district consistent with the requirements of law and statewide goals and standards established by the board of education.

Above, I’ve copied the law, word for word as it reads at: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/71-37.htm.  This law delineates the role of the school committee   However, I think there is much that is not delineated here.  For example, what attributes need to be evaluated when deciding to hire or fire a superintendent?  What goals is the community striving for?  These goals need to be kept in mind as a hiring or firing decision is made and when a budget is being constructed.  The educational needs and goals of students need to be considered when establishing educational goals and policies. 

Considering these points, the role of the school committee is to be the representatives of the students, parents and residents who may not have children in the system, but still support the school department through their real estate taxes.  The school committee represents all these groups as an oversight board for the school administration.  It is much like a board of directors in a private corporation overseeing the CEO.  

Question 13:  How do you see your role in relationship to students, parents, and teachers in balancing competing interests?  Explain.

 

My first priority as a member of the school committee must be the students. The role of the school department is to educate the students and prepare them for the next chapter in their lives.  Some will go on to college or other post secondary education, some to the military, some to the world of work.  It is the role of the school department to prepare this next generation to lead productive lives. 

It is the role of the school committee to ensure that the school department accomplishes this task in the most effective and efficient manner possible while maintaining high standards.  I will want to know what is going on in the schools.  To that end, I propose to hold regular “office hours” so that parents, teachers, students can come and discuss whatever issue that they feel they need to.  I’d be available in a public place (e.g. the library) or by phone for an hour or two per week to discuss any issue that the individual feels compelled to discuss.  I want to be the second best advocate your child has.  You, the parent, must be the first. 

Question 14:  Town Meeting voted to fund specific needs of the school using “Free Cash”.  How would you ensure that the funds are used for the specific needs it was appropriated for?  Explain.  (Please note: “Free Cash” funding is outside of the basic school budget)

As a member of the school committee I would track more closely the town meeting votes allowing the use of free cash for specific school projects.  As I stated in question 8, I would advocate for a comprehensive maintenance plan for all the school buildings.  If elected, I would also advocate for a periodic presentation (at least annually) by the principals regarding the condition of the nine school buildings.  I think that presenting these issues in a public forum on a regular basis will help to keep all interested parties informed as to the deficiencies in our facilities.

It would be during these presentations that I would follow up with the assistant superintendent for business or the principal how the free cash provided by Town Meeting was being used.  I would ensure that the project as described in the warrant was or is in the process of being completed. 

Question 15:  Are you a member of any organization that is involved in collective bargaining or contracting with Schools within the state of Massachusetts?  If yes, explain.

 

No

 

Question 16:  Are you or any member of your immediate family employed by the town/school (including consulting or contracts)?  If yes, list position and relationship.

 

No

State Ethics Commission Definition of immediate family:   http://www.mass.gov/ethics/powerpoint.html 

 

 

Question 17:  There have been many articles written about the stagnation and lack of innovation in teaching methods.  Do you think it is time to bring our educational system and teaching methods into the 21^st century?  (i.e.  Distance and electronic learning / less dependency on standard brick-and-mortar institutions / flexible schedules / access to thousands of courses using technology / focus on creativity and critical thinking skills) If yes, explain.

Yes – I would support being innovative in terms of the way we teach.  If there are alternative teaching methods out there that accomplished the goals that we set as a community, I would support a review of them to determine their feasibility for use in the Billerica Public School System.  Included in the feasibility study must be a cost analysis

NAME: _Sandra Giroux___________   

SEEKING WHAT OFFICE:_____School Committee______________________________________

PAST AND CURRENT ELECTED OR APPOINTED POSITIONS HELD IN TOWN:

• Town Meeting Representative for over 9 years.
• Member of the Board of Health for over 10 years.
• Member of the Yankee Doodle Homecoming Committee.
• Member of the Billerica Twinning Group.
• Served on the Town Manager Screening Committee (2008).
• Served on the General By-Law review Committee (2005).
• Currently a Parent Representative on the Marhsall School Council.
• Past Parent Representative on the Hajjar School Council.
• Member – Billerica Substance Abuse and Prevention Committee
• Taxpayer
• Proud parent of a Billerica student.

AFFILIATIONS THAT MAY RELATE TO OFFICE BEING SOUGHT:  

None 

OCCUPATION:____ Billing Manager for a heart monitoring company

 

 

Office: School Committee Candidate Questionnaire    Anne-Marie Norman

 

Question 1:  What do you view as the top three challenges facing Billerica’s Schools at this time?  How would you resolve or address these challenges?

1.)    Decrease in federal and state reimbursement for federally mandated programs.

 

I would lobby our state and federal officials to try and get them to reinstate budget cuts to education. The No child Left Behind Act is federally mandated but we are not getting federal financing to help support the programs. There was supposed to be a history MCAS Test in place in FY2009 but there was no money to develop the test so the testing was cancelled and has not been rescheduled at this time. We are also not getting the federal money to help fund the special education programs that are also mandated. The special education costs continue to rise but the funding to support the programs has disappeared our federal and state legislators need to know that this is unacceptable.

 

2.)    Increasing class sizes especially in the elementary schools.

 

I would work to try and find ways find the funding to replace the teachers we are losing because of teaching openings due to retirements that are not being replaced. This causes larger class sizes and that will impact our MCAS scores that have been improving from year to year. It is very difficult to manage larger classes and students who are struggling will fall through the cracks. The other problem we begin to see with larger class sizes is a drop in the moral of teachers and that will also impact the way they teach their classes.

 

3.)    Building Maintenance

.

We have to maintain our buildings by fixing problems as they occur, before they become bigger problems. We cannot continue to replace buildings; we do not have the money even with state reimbursement.  We need to take care of the building we have making sure that they do fall into the disrepair state that the Parker School is now in.

.

Question 2: Do you approve of making any changes in Proposition 2 ½?  If yes, what changes?

No

Question 3: Town Meeting has endorsed a resolution on two occasions requesting that “Sick Leave Buy Back” not be a component of new Town and School Contracts.  There has been some movement in recent contract negotiations toward the elimination of “Sick Leave Buy Back”.  If elected, what would you do to ensure this resolution is fully implemented?

 I would keep including it as a discussion point of contract negotiations. It must be negotiated with the union, but not to the point that it would cost more to eliminate it than keep it.

 

Question 4: Would you be willing to get rid of “ sick leave buyback” in exchange for long term disability?

That’s an interesting concept. I would need to see a cost projection before endorsing this plan.

Question 5: What specific actions or initiatives would you support within the School Department in pursuit of the goal of fiscally disciplined, highly cost-effective government?

I would look to see how we could consolidate positions in the school department (i.e., custodial services, building maintenance, grounds keeping) to see if we could merge them into a town wide department rather than town vs. school employees. I know in the town I work in there is a building maintenance department that is responsible for maintaining all the town owned buildings, the custodians work for the town rather than the school department. They fix the problems as they occur rather than waiting for the problem to become a bigger more costly problem to fix.

Question 6:  Under what circumstances would you be in favor of new school construction?  Explain your position.

I would be in favor of new construction only if the building has become a safety issue and the problems cannot be repaired. The Parker School was in jeopardy of being closed by the state and that would have caused overcrowding in all our other elementary schools. I was on the redistricting committee 10 years ago when the Ditson was being built and we knew back then that the Parker school was going to have to be the next school to be replaced. 

Question 7:  What are your plans for maintaining the new parker school so that what happened there does not happen again?

As I said in question 1 I believe in fixing something immediately when it needs repairs, not waiting until a later date when it has become a bigger more costly problem.

Question 8:  What are your plans to ensure that what happened to the parker does not happen to the rest of the schools?

I would push to have the problems fixed immediately not waiting until it becomes a bigger more costly problem to repair. There is a town maintenance department in the town I work in and they go to all the schools to repair the problems as they occur. They keep supplies as uniform as possible and keep them in stock so that they can make repairs.

 

Question 9: The school department hired a professional to assess the needs to the rest of the schools. They came up with a cost of $38 million in 2008 dollars.  What are your plans to implement this?

Unfortunately the money is not available at this time. I will not sacrifice our students education to set up a maintenance fund for the schools.

Question 10:  Last fall the Beacon Hill Institute came out and said that all municipal governments should cut all salaries by 5%.  Are you in favor of this and your reasons for or against?

This is a great sound bite, but it is unrealistic. Teacher salaries are governed by negotiated contract, to break the contract and cut the salaries is inviting an expensive lawsuit. Tewksbury did that last year and their teacher’s union has brought a suit against the town. You also need to face the reality that living expenses continue to grow. If you cut salaries and the teachers cannot afford to keep the job; they will leave the job and that will affect the quality of the education that we provide the children of Billerica.

 

 

Question 11:  Would you support the required use of Zero-base Budgeting for generating School Budgets?   If not, explain.

I believe this is a worthwhile plan to look at.

(Definition:   Zero-base budgeting does not use the previous year’s budget or expenses in setting a new budget, since the Town’s circumstances and finances may have changed. When building a budget from a zero base, every expense must be justified. This differs from only having to explain the amounts requested in excess of the funding received during the prior year. Zero-base budgeting helps you control spending and expenses because you build your budget from zero rather than building your budget on top of what was spent during the prior period funded.)

Question 12:  What do you think the mission/role of the School Committee is?  Explain.

The mission of the School Committee is to provide the best education possible for the students of Billerica.

Question 13:  How do you see your role in relationship to students, parents, and teachers in balancing competing interests?  Explain.

I see my role as an advocate for the students of Billerica.

Question 14:  Town Meeting voted to fund specific needs of the school using “Free Cash”.  How would you ensure that the funds are used for the specific needs it was appropriated for?  Explain.  (Please note: “Free Cash” funding is outside of the basic school budget)

I would only vote to expand free cash money on the items it was intended, nothing else.

Question 15:  Are you a member of any organization that is involved in collective bargaining or contracting with Schools within the state of Massachusetts?  If yes, explain.

I am employed as a special education teacher for the Wilmington Public School System. I am a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. 

 

Question 16:  Are you or any member of your immediate family employed by the town/school (including consulting or contracts)?  If yes, list position and relationship.

No

 

State Ethics Commission Definition of immediate family:   http://www.mass.gov/ethics/powerpoint.html 

 

 

Question 17:  There have been many articles written about the stagnation and lack of innovation in teaching methods.  Do you think it is time to bring our educational system and teaching methods into the 21^st century?  (i.e.  Distance and electronic learning / less dependency on standard brick-and-mortar institutions / flexible schedules / access to thousands of courses using technology / focus on creativity and critical thinking skills) If yes, explain.)

There are electronic courses offered at the high school already. I would not advocate for more because nothing can replace the human contact and availability for help if a student is having trouble than having an actual teacher and sitting in a classroom. Teachers are constantly going to school and learning more innovated ways to teach our students.

SEEKING WHAT OFFICE: School Committee

PAST AND CURRENT ELECTED OR APPOINTED POSITIONS HELD IN TOWN: ___Democratic Town Committee Member

Arts Council 1993 – 1999

Former Town Meeting Member 1986 – 1988

AFFILIATIONS THAT MAY RELATE TO OFFICE BEING SOUGHT: Masters In Education

OCCUPATION:____Special Education Teacher Wilmington Public School Systen

 

Planning Board:

 

 

Office: Planning Board  Questionnaire                          Robert  W. Casey

 

Question 1:  What do you view as the top three challenges facing Billerica’s current and long-term development?  How would you resolve or address these challenges?

1. Re-vitalize the town center business district to create a lively attractive, prosperous commercial center.  I have advocated for the mixed-use overlay as a viable strategy to address the issue.
2. Protect neighborhoods from invasive development proposals that encroach on the  quality of life and long term economic vitality of our community.  A pro-active Planning Board must be vigilant and willing to stand up for neighborhoods on a project by project basis.
3. Support a well coordinated effort to attract high quality economic development to Billerica.  The Planning Board and its Director need to team with the Town Manager and his administration to accomplish this.

Question 2: Do you approve of making any changes in Proposition 2 ½?  If yes, what changes?

Without specific changes to consider, I could not comment on this question.

Question 3: Explain the role of the Planning Board and how you see yourself contributing to that role?

The Planning Board is responsible for insuring proper regulation of the zoning by-laws with regard to sub-division and other development.  In other words, development proposals in excess of 5000 sq ft typically come before the Board for site plan permits.  The Board is also responsible for recommending changes to the zoning by-laws.

I have brought a fresh, critical pair of eyes and ears to the Planning Board during the past 3 years.  I have supported several projects that bring economic growth (revenues and jobs) to the community, and I have been unafraid to ask tough questions and vote against proposals that do not meet the by-laws, the master plan or the long term interests of our neighborhoods.  To put it in a slogan, “Business as usual is not how I do business” on the Planning Board.

Finally, the Planning Board represents a broad spectrum of the community, yet we work well together, get things done and showing  government can work. I am proud of my ability to help foster the lively, civil, participatory environment that the Planning Board enjoys.

 

 

 

Question 4:  What ideas do you have to improve development in the whole town?

 

It is imperative that we use our zoning-by laws and the Master Plan to guide development in Billerica.  The sad fact is that the town has not done its due diligence whether it’s from zoning changes to taking a passive any or all economic development is good if it generates revenue mindset.  Lost in this attitude is that sub-standard development lowers overall land values, which in the long term reduces, not increases revenues.  For example, whatever new revenue the so called Billerica Mall Revitalization may have generated would have been offset by lowering of property values in the Center area and inordinate community safety services such a project would have required.  The same might have been said of the Power Plant in North Billerica. 

 

Question 5:  If you support the mixed use overlay for the center area of the Town, what effect do you think the Kelo vs City of New London SCOTUS decision will have on the area?

 

I  strongly support the mixed use overlay for the Town Center District.  First, the overlay does no more than create a second option, subject to extensive controls, for property owners to consider as they develop or re-develop their parcels.  The benefit to Billerica is the possibility of development that fits better with the Town Center Historic District and creates a lively, attractive, pedestrian friendly atmosphere in the town center.  Further, the mixed use district may generate more tax revenues from the area and perhaps more significantly, it would boost property values for the surrounding neighborhoods by making the center a more attractive place to live and do business.

 

Kelo vs New London has no particular relevance to the mixed use overlay proposal.  For the question to suggest a connection creates a specious argument that does not exist.  The Supreme Court ruled that a municipality could take private property via eminent domain and transfer it to other private ownership for development purposes. 

 

 Almost as unpopular and ill-advised  as the recent SC ruling that designates corporations as individuals and allows them to contribute to political campaigns, Kelo vs. New London could be applied to any privately owned parcels, irrespective of zoning or overlays, thus rendering the the BTA question moot.  I understand that some BTA members have opposed mixed-use, but to obfuscate the issue with  reference to Kelo disallows an open discussion of the merits of the  mixed-use concept.

 

 

 

 

Question 6:  Are you a member of any organization that is involved in collective bargaining or contracting with the Town or School within the state of Massachusetts?  If yes, explain.

 

(INSERT ANSWER)  NO

 

Question 7:  Are you or any member of your immediate family employed by the town/school (including consulting or contracts)?  If yes, list position and relationship.

(INSERT ANSWER)  NO 

 

State Ethics Commission Definition of immediate family:   http://www.mass.gov/ethics/powerpoint.html 

 

 

 

NAME: ____Robert  W. Casey_______    AUTHENTICATION CODE:_________________________

SEEKING WHAT OFFICE:____Planning Board

PAST AND CURRENT ELECTED OR APPOINTED POSITIONS HELD IN TOWN: ______

Vice Chairman, Planning Board

Chairman, Town Manager Screening Committee, 2009

Town Meeting Member, Pct 1, previously precinct 7

Billerica School Committee, 3 terms, 78-87

AFFILIATIONS THAT MAY RELATE TO OFFICE BEING SOUGHT:

OCCUPATION:__Senior Adjunct Lecturer, Northeastern University

                               Part-time Education Specialist, Middlesex  Sherriff’s Office__

 

 

Office: Planning Board  Questionnaire                 David A Kinsella, AIA_

 

Question 1:  What do you view as the top three challenges facing Billerica’s current and long-term development?  How would you resolve or address these challenges?

(sensible planned growth that maintains the towns attributes; creditability within the community; the boston road corridor)

Question 2: Do you approve of making any changes in Proposition 2 ½?  If yes, what changes?

(no)

Question 3: Explain the role of the Planning Board and how you see yourself contributing to that role?

(I am a resident of 44 years with residential and business property in the community; I am an architect that has planning training)

 

Question 4:  What ideas do you have to improve development in the whole town?

(eleiminate conflicting zoning uses; remove blighted areas by stimulating new desirable development.) 

 

Question 5:  If you support the mixed use overlay for the center area of the Town, what effect do you think the Kelo vs City of New London SCOTUS decision will have on the area?

(I do not know what kelo vs city of new London scotus is about-send your research and I will be happy to respond to the question more sysinctly; however if we do nothing something will take care of it for it self-not to plan is to plan) 

Question 6:  Are you a member of any organization that is involved in collective bargaining or contracting with the Town or School within the state of Massachusetts?  If yes, explain.

(no)

 

Question 7:  Are you or any member of your immediate family employed by the town/school (including consulting or contracts)?  If yes, list position and relationship.

(no)

 

State Ethics Commission Definition of immediate family:   http://www.mass.gov/ethics/powerpoint.html 

 

 

 

NAME: ____David A Kinsella, AIA___   

SEEKING WHAT OFFICE:_Planning Board_____________________________________________

PAST AND CURRENT ELECTED OR APPOINTED POSITIONS HELD IN TOWN: _Historic District Commission and Historic District creation._____________________________________________

AFFILIATIONS THAT MAY RELATE TO OFFICE BEING SOUGHT: American Institute of Architects.________________________________________________________________________

OCCUPATION:_Architect___________________________________________________________

Candidate Questionaire Saviano Planning Board

Rome Capobianco

Seeking:  Seat on Planning Board

Current Town Service:  Housing Authority since 2005,

Chairman of Composting Committee since 2005, Town Meeting Representative since 1989.

Occupation:  Retired Developer; currently operate Price Farm

1.      Top three challenges

         a.  To save the taxpayers money

         b.  To reduce waste and duplication

         c.  Maintenance of municipal buildings

In 2005, Town Meeting voted for the manager to start composting.  We are paying $30,000 per year to take our leaves out of town.  If this initiative had been followed, we would have saved $150,000 by now.

The Cabot Land needs thousands of yards of fill.  We are presently paying to get rid of our fill! 

We are not properly maintaining our schools, and the costs will increase later when major system fail and major repairs are needed.

2.         I continue to support Proposition 2 ½ because it makes us face our financial obligations and maximize our existing resources.

3.         Role of Planning Board

I offer solid experience in construction and building, so I would ensure that subdivisions are built according to bylaws.

4.         Ideas to improve development.

Fight 40(b) developments because they inevitably allow higher density and congestion which taxes the capacity of the sewer and water systems more than is wise.  It is preferable to plan for smart growth.

We need more housing for seniors and veterans.

5.         Mixed Use Overlay for Billerica Center

I don’t support it; Town Meeting has twice turned it town.  The town center is already congested, with high traffic and lack of parking.

6.         No, not involved in any organization that does collective bargaining with Town of Billerica.

7.         No, no family members employed by Town or local schools.

Town Moderator:

 

Office: Town Moderator Questionnaire                Gil Moreira

 

Question 1:  What is the role of the Town Moderator within Town Meeting?

 

Answer:  The Moderator is simply the facilitator.  He/she makes sure that the meeting runs in a  fair and orderly manner.

 

 

Question 2:  What are some of the challenges a Moderator faces in Town Meeting?  How would you resolve or address these challenges?

 

Answer:  I think that the biggest challenge is to try to have everyone have a fair chance to be heard. I think that I took some steps towards that goal and look forward to trying out some other ideas in the spring.

Question 3:  In selecting members to fill committees that you have appointment powers, what are the criteria used to determine those appointments?  Would you call out people if there were undue influence, which would be different than lobbying?

 

Answer:  My first time appointing people will be in June. I plan to set some reasonable criteria for guiding my choice, but I am still in the process of formulating that criteria.

 

Question 4:  What would you like to see done to make town meeting run more efficiently? 

 

Answers: 

 

Stress the need for members to attend all meetings and to come prepared.

 

Encourage members to seek out town officials ahead of the meeting to get information that is important to them in helping them to make their decisions.

 

Make the preliminary meeting in to more of an informative meeting rather than just a meeting where representatives are sworn in and precinct captains are appointed.

 

Question 5:  Would you like to see more debate on warrant articles or less?

 

Answer:  No opinion, that is up to the representatives.

 

Question 6:  What rules are used in managing Town Meeting?  Are there any external forces preventing one from following the rules, ie  the mass. moderators association, the town, etc?

 

Answer:  Town Meeting Times provides the rules of order and our council provides the legal opinion.

 

Question 7:  Are you or any member of your immediate family employed by the town/school (including consulting or contracts)?

 

Answer:  NO!

 

 If yes, list position and relationship.  

Definition of immediate Family at:   http://www.mass.gov/ethics/powerpoint.html 

 

IF NECESSARY, PLEASE USE THE BACK OF THE CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE (OR AN ATTACHED SHEET OF PAPER) FOR YOUR RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONS ABOVE

NAME: ____Gil Moreira_____________________   

SEEKING WHAT OFFICE:_____________Town Meeting Moderator

PAST AND CURRENT ELECTED OR APPOINTED POSITIONS HELD IN TOWN: 

Over 20 years as Deputy Town Moderator, Almosr 25 as a Town Meeting Representative, member of many committees (40B Audit Committee, original Boston Road Safety Committee and ,many more)__________________________ _

AFFILIATIONS THAT MAY RELATE TO OFFICE BEING SOUGHT: _____Member, Mass Moderators Association

OCCUPATION:_____CFO for retirement benefits consulting firm.