Espindola Supports Mello
Early in her campaign, Natalie Mello reached out to me as a twelve-year member of the Select Board for a bit of history and for me to share some of my experiences. I walked away quite impressed. She understands that the single most important responsibility of the Select Board comes at the time of hiring a Town Administrator. Natalie has had relevant experience in hiring high-level executives including the Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the President of The Forum on Education Abroad (a professional association of over 5000 international members), the Superintendent of Schools and Executive Directors of Non-Profit organizations. That type of experience is directly relevant and would be a great asset to the Select Board in the TA hiring process.
Natalie also understands that, in order for the Town to get back on track, we need an experienced, professional Town Administrator willing to dig into the details. She understands the importance of realistic short and long term financial forecasting. She realizes that the Town needs a comprehensive plan that considers the enormous impact of pending union contracts, staffing analysis, capital needs, etc. The Select Board is responsible for the delicate balance between services, care of our assets (including historic buildings) and tax impact on residents.
Major policy decisions should not be made without complete information, without a vision toward the future. Unfortunately, that is what the Select Board has had to do in recent years.
Natalie understands that the outlook of the Town is not as bleak as some would have you believe. She understands that, with the right decisions, the Town actually has the capability to improve services over time and, through a proper debt management plan, the capacity to tackle large-scale capital projects. Without a plan, it’s logical to conclude that it’s impossible, but the Town deserves better. I was pleased to learn that Natalie and I share an analytical way of thinking and I am very confident that her critical thinking skills will serve the Select Board well.
Natalie is a realistic person. She does not subscribe to the belief that the State has the capacity to bail out the Town of Fairhaven (and the other 350 communities in Massachusetts) through their rainy day fund, as some would have you believe. A cardinal rule in government finance is that you never use reserves to fund annual operating expenses because it is not sustainable. It is not prudent to assume help will be on the way with a simple request to the State and taxpayers should not be misled to believe the state’s rainy day fund is the answer.
Natalie will push for the type of analysis and vision the Taxpayers of Fairhaven deserve from Town Administration. With that in hand, the Select Board will be in a much better position to make sound policy decisions that can get the Town back on track in short order.
I hope you will join me in voting for Natalie Mello for Select Board on April 7th.
Bob Espindola, Fairhaven
•••
Click here to download the 3/27/25 issue: 03-27-25 MarchForMeals
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
