Acushnet candidates face off

By Beth David, Editor

Candidates running for office in Acushnet faced each other and answered questions submitted by the public at a candidates night spon­sored by the Acushnet Lions Club at the Acushnet Council on Aging/Senior Center on 5/3/23. Local radio per­sonality Phil Paleologos moderated the event that was attended by about 50 members of the public.

Acushnet has two contested races in the election this Saturday. Selectboard incum­bent David Wojnar faces challenger Eric Chew; and the School Committee has three people running for two seats, with incumbent Ronald Houde run­ning for reelection and newcomers Melissa Cordeira and Ebony McGlynn also running for a seat.

Selectboard

In his opening statement Select­board in­cum­bent David Wojnar de­scribed him­self as a “long time public servant in Acush­net,” noting that he served on the Selectboard some years ago, took a break, and returned to office three years ago. 

He recounted some of the projects he helped usher in, saying he worked with “countless volunteers” and was not taking credit for them alone. He said they worked to improve the infrastructure in town, renovated the school, reconfigured the Parting Ways complex, youth athletic fields, and fought “tooth and nail” with St. Luke’s Hospital for Acushnet to get its fair share when they combined fire and EMS. He also said he supported Acush­net becom­ing a “Green Community.”

He also noted the town got “creative” to renovate the new library

“But that was then,” he said. “You’re only as good as your next at-bat.”

He said he would like to continue  improve­ments at Lake Street, and the current board has tried to curtail aggressive solar installations by instituting a moratorium on large solar arrays. The current board is also fighting with the state over proposed new septic regula­tions that would cost homeowners thousands. He said he would like to see more over-55 housing in town.

Mr. Wojnar said he has made mis­takes, but he tries not to repeat them.

“I’m battle tested,” he said. “Been there, done that.”

But, he said, he is willing to learn.

Challenger Eric Chew said some would recognize him from the exten­sive COVID testing that Acushnet conducted during the pandemic, when he put in about 280 volunteer hours. 

He said since the pandemic he has been concerned with the direction the town is heading in, including “lack of oversight” on some issues.

The recent beautification projects are nice, he said, but “we have decaying infrastructure in town, and it’s not getting any better.”

He said some projects, such as Slocum Street, seem to be stalled, and that puts the federal ARPA money at risk.

“I am concerned we used our CARES money to buy sign boards and holiday lights for town buildings,” said Mr. Chew, when they could have used it for first responder apparatus. 

He said they still have not decided what to do with the Russell Memorial Library building.

He is most concerned, he said, that the town is losing staff at an “unprecedented rate,” and they are not replacing key positions.

He said personnel issues caused the department heads to form a union; the “ongoing battle with” PJ Keating is costing the town a lot in legal expenses; and the SB meetings being held at 4 or 5 in the afternoon discourages public participation.

An IT professional, Mr. Chew also criticized the town’s handling of IT infrastructure.

He, too, said the town needs to do more to help seniors stay in town.

The two candidates were asked for three things they have done to make Acushnet a better place. 

Mr. Chew said he volunteered 280 hours to help with COVID testing, participated in food distributions at the Council on Aging, and helped out with IT infrastructure.

Mr. Wojnar said he did things as a member of a team, and noted combining fire and EMS, Lake Street improvements, and the Parting Ways Green.

He took his chance to address the criticism of beautification projects, saying Lake Street will also include safety improvements. His “overall approach” is for a better way of life.

The candidates were asked what they would do to recruit “top talent” for the Town Administrator position. Current TA Jamie Kelley has plans to retire in the next two years.

Mr. Chew said he would do what they used to do, and that is create a committee of residents and department heads to help select the next TA.

Mr. Wojnar noted that he had been through the search process “a number of times.”

He noted that Mr. Chew has an “inherent conflict,” because his wife, Heather, “who we all love,” he said, is the COA Director. 

She is also part of the union, said Mr. Wojnar. It is a conflict of interest, he said, “not to criticize Eric or Heather.”

He said Eric will not be able to weigh in on the decision for TA, nor will he be able to negotiate the department head contract.

“As a selectman, you have to be unencumbered,” said Mr. Wojnar. “So, in my opinion, he would be in a tough spot,” with his spouse reporting to the TA.

They were also asked how they would  bring on new employees and keep them, as “many good people” have left.

Mr. Wojnar said it was “heart­breaking” to see so many good people go. He said one issue is that the town does not pay enough.

“We should address that,” said Mr. Wojnar.

He said he has always been supportive of employees, and he would like to create a “performance bonus structure.”

“I don’t have to haggle every single penny out of our town employees,” said Mr. Wojnar, adding they should be treated fairly.

Mr. Chew said he agreed with Mr. Wojnar.

“We need to recognize and reward those employees better in this town to help keep them there,” he said. “I’m not saying we need to sit there and break the bank and make everybody rich.”

He said it has to be fair to the tax­payers and the employees.

The two were also asked what the top three issues in Acushnet are.

Mr. Wojnar said it all comes down to finances, and economic develop­ment is number 1.

He said he would like to hire a full time town planner who can bring in more revenue, so they can pay employees more. Infrastructure is also “huge,” he said; and public safety is number three, and noted that South Main Street is one of the “unsafest streets in Southcoast.

Mr. Chew said housing is going to be an even bigger issue with the train to Boston getting to New Bedford. He said it will increase household demands in Acush­net, so they need to find ways to increase affordable housing in town. 

Mr. Chew also said infrastructure needs to be addressed; and PJ Keating.

“We’ve got to get the issues with PJ Keating resolved,” said Mr. Chew.

Mr. Paleologos noted that several towns are considering Proposition 2 1/2 overrides, asking, “What are your thoughts on this issue?”

“No,” said Mr. Wojnar, simply.

“Not on my watch,” said Mr. Chew.

The candidates were also asked if there are any plans to make Acushnet more climate friendly.

Mr. Chew again brought up PJ Keating, saying they have to get them back operating but the town needs to make sure they are good neighbors and are not polluting.

He said they have to be careful about solar farms, and noted some problems they are already having.

“This is a farming community,” said Mr. Chew. “We can’t be digging up our farms to make solar panels.”

He said he supported the solar array that is proposed for the parking lot at the schools, and they should utilize the roofs of other town buildings.

Mr. Wojnar said he worked to get Green Community status for the town which helped them get solar panels on the fire station, and grant money to retrofit town buildings.

“I’m for that,” he said. “I have been for that.”

In his closing statements, Mr. Chew said he remembered being part of “Team Acushnet” during the pandemic and it was a great feeling to be part of the team. He said he wants to bring that feeling back to town. He was the one who was at the school and the COA for all the testing days; and helping with food distribution, putting produce in cars, etc.

“It was me,” said Mr. Chew, along with “so many others.”

He said he stepped up, in person, “when this town was suffering,” and did not hide behind a Zoom screen.

“Longevity breeds complacency,” said Mr. Chew.

Mr. Wojnar thanked Mr. Chew for his service during COVID, adding Eric was a “great guy” and a great public servant.

But, said Mr. Wojnar, he has an inherent conflict of interest. Purely from a business standpoint, he said, consider that Mr. Chew will not be able to help choose a new Town Administrator, and he will not be able to negotiate the depart­ment head contracts because his wife is the COA director.

“You want a Selectman who can vote on all the issues all the time,” said Mr. Wojnar. 

He said it is true that serving a long time can lead to complacency, and that is why he took time off.

He returned because he saw what was happening, and he was not happy.

He said he was “thrilled” to be working with the board now.

“I’m committed to the job,” said Mr. Wojnar. “I love the job. And I’m committed to the town of Acushnet.”

School Committee

Two of the three candidates for School Committee attended. Melissa Cordeira was unable to attend.

In her opening statement, Ebony McGlynn said she has lived in Acushnet since 2005 and has two children in the school system. She works with Special Needs students advocating for families. 

“Education is the foundation for success in life,” said Ms. McGlynn.

She said her top priority will be com­mu­ni­ca­tion and being responsive to what families need, and making sure parents have a voice. 

She said she will bring a “fresh perspective” to the committee.

Incumbent Ronald Houde said he and his wife moved to Acushnet in 2014 so their children, now 11 and 8, could attend Acushnet public schools. He said he is in Human Resources and worked at an accounting firm so he has a “unique skill set” in HR and finance.

Serving on the SC is his way of “giving back,” he said.

“I like to solve problems,” said Mr. Houde. “I’m a life-long learner.”

He said the district needs a “talent strategy” to retain good teachers and to get new teachers into the system to replace those about to retire.

Both candidates faced questions about nationwide trends and contro­versies including school shootings and book banning.

Ms. McGlynn said she did some research and felt that the school department was doing a lot “behind the scenes” to address the possibility of school shootings/violence. 

She admitted she worries about her children who are there.

“I do think they are addressing it,” she said.

Mr. Houde reminded everyone that Acushnet had a murder in the school in 1993 when David E. Taber killed school nurse Carole Day with a shotgun. Mr. Houde was in high school at the time.

“As far as I’m concerned, we can’t do enough,” said Mr. Houde. “I’m com­mitted to leave no stone unturned.”

Mr. Paleologos asked both candidates if they support teachers and let them choose reading matter for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). 

Ms. McGlynn said her whole career is about serving different communi­ties. She said they need “family involvement” in those decisions, and there should not be a few people deciding.

Mr. Houde agreed, adding that the school librarian explained the process of how she chooses books to the SC. He said they should hear from parents.

“Everybody has a say in this,” he said.

The candidates were also asked about including “religious doctrine” in the curriculum.

Ms. McGlynn said it was a “difficult question,” and believes that there should be education around religion, but they should not be “filtering or persuading” in certain beliefs.

Mr. Houde said it is exactly what the SC has talked about and they need feedback from stakeholders.”

The candidates were also asked how the would vote on banning specific reading material from the student body.

Mr. Houde said it would depend on the material and he would want to hear from all stakeholders.

“No one should unilaterally make that decision,” said Mr. Houde.

Ms. McGlynn agreed, saying curric­u­lum should be a “joint decision.”

“I believe everyone should have some say in that,” she said.

When asked what is the greatest problem schools face, Ms. McGlynn said it is not just the schools, it is the commu­nity as a whole. She said they need more of a relationship if they are going to work together. 

Mr. Houde said it was hard to pick, but safety was one. He said he could not imagine how kids feel when they do safety drills.

He also said they needed a long term “talent strategy” and are competitive.

Michelle Skaar is running a write-in campaign for Library Trustee, which has one vacant seat and no declared candidate on the ballot.

Ms. Skaar told voters she has been a “patron and lover” of libraries her whole life. She said libraries are integral to com­mu­nities. She works at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, and said she has “dedicated my whole life to libraries.”

Ms. Skaar said she will provide stickers to voters at the polls. To write her in, voters will have to include her name and address .

Unopposed candidates who also spoke included Town Moderator Les Dakin; Town Clerk Pamela Labonte; Robert Brown, who was appointed to the Board of Assessors to fill a vacancy, and is running for the remainder of that term.

The election is on Saturday, 5/13/23. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. All precincts vote at the Elementary School, 800 Middle Road. Contact the Town Clerk, 508-998-0200, for more information.

The entire event is available for viewing on the town’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBHrT7iZX5g

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