Bob Espindola
Fairhaven Selectboard
I have really enjoyed serving as your Selectman over the past six years and I am looking forward to another three year term.
Three years ago I spoke about the critical time the Town was about to go through, in selecting our first ever Town Administrator to lead us through a change in our government structure. I advocated strongly for Mark Rees and I am very glad that our board eventually formed a consensus and he was hired for the job.
Mr. Rees has done a remarkable job and, in my mind, the transition could not have gone much smoother. His knowledge, experience and leadership have all played a part in allowing for a smooth transition when it could very easily have been a different story. With a Town Administrator in place, the Selectmen are now able to focus on bigger picture, policy issues.
Our board now holds an “Annual Goal Setting” session.
This has been a very healthy and productive exercise, and that process now helps guide the nuances of our budget process.
In one example, Mr. Rees has committed to working with Dr. Baldwin this year on a possible Revenue Sharing Agreement between the School Department and the Town. This was recommended several years ago by the Department of Revenue. If we are able to come to an agreement there, that will provide stability to the budget planning process on both sides and help each side project forward with multi-year plans more confidently.
Moving away from parochialism and toward collaboration is what is best for the Town and you will see this with Public Works and the Board of Health as well.
I am also proud of the direction the Town has taken with policies and with long term planning.
We now have a Capital Improvement Committee using a structured, analytical approach, with a weighted grading system, to prioritize capital projects across all departments, and projecting forward for five (5) years.
We adopted Financial Policies to guide us through our annual capital and Operating Expense budget process. These policies require us to maintain healthy, but not overly conservative margins.
These Policy changes have resulted in improved financial stability and an improved bond rating. Now, when we borrow funds for projects like a School Building or infrastructure projects, we will receive lower interest rates from lenders.
We have invested in studies to help guide us through Master Planning, Hazard Mitigation and Economic Development and Facilities Assessment initiatives.
As a result, the Town will now be eligible for matching grant funds from the State and Federal Government to help pay for infrastructure projects. Equally important, the Town will have a road map to follow, that was put together with input from all departments and any resident interested in participating in the process.
One of my priorities is listening to the community. Please contact me via the Town’s web site, if you have any comments or concerns.
And please don’t forget to vote on Monday, April 2nd.
Mark Sylvia
Fairhaven Town Moderator
My name is Mark Sylvia, I am running for re-election as Fairhaven Town Moderator.
I am grateful to the voters of Fairhaven for providing me the opportunity to serve as Town Moderator since 2009.
Town Meeting plays a very important role in determining the future of our town. As the legislature for Fairhaven, Town Meeting approves the annual budget and capital plan, authorizes general and zoning bylaws and makes other lasting decisions for the citizens of our Town. In support of this role, Town Moderator is responsible for ensuring that Town Meeting completes its work in an efficient and orderly fashion.
To that end, working with Town Meeting members, Town officials and the public, we’ve accomplished a great deal together:
• Town Meeting is more efficient and completes its business in a timely manner;
• Town Meeting members and the public receive more information about the issues being voted on at Town Meeting than ever before;
• We established a Town Moderator page on the Town’s website providing important information about the town meeting process, orientation material, minutes and warrants and additional information from the state;
• We continue to offer an orientation to town meeting members;
• We started outreach with history students at FHS and community groups to encourage greater participation.
Building on these accomplishments and again working with town meeting, town officials and the public:
• I will continue to work with the Town Administrator and other town officials to increase the amount of information provided to Town Meeting members and the public;
• I will explore utilizing social media to raise awareness about what Town Meeting does;
• I will explore the use of technology to aid Town Meeting in our deliberations and exchange of information;
• I will continue to engage with the public in an attempt to increase Town Meeting participation.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Town Moderator. I respectfully ask for your vote on April 2, 2018.
Nicholas Gomes
Acushnet Town Moderator
Thank you to those devoted residents of Acushnet for entrusting me with the honor of serving as your Town Moderator.
I am eager to fulfill my dedication to keeping the residents informed and administering the Town Meetings efficiently and fairly.
An informational session was held on 3/20 at the Town Hall to review the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting.
This session is now running on Cable Access TV in Acushnet, Channel, and is available anytime online at http://50.252.230.113/ Cablecast/Public/Show.aspx?Channel ID=1&ShowID=2236
Please watch this meeting to to learn about the article. I hope to see you all at the Annual Town Meeting on May 14, 2018.
Please contact me with any questions or requests to become involved at Town Meeting as an assistant by e-mail at moderator@acushnet.ma.us.
Lastly, please note the new centralized voting poll location in Acushnet is at the Ford Middle School from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. this Monday, 4/2.
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