Meet the Candidates: Brook Padgett

(Editor's Note: Grafton Patch submitted a series of questions to the two selectman candidates, Brook Padgett and Bruce Spinney. Some of these questions were submitted by readers via Facebook. Both men are seeking the seat Padgett currently holds. Padgett's answers are posted here. Spinney's responses will be posted tomorrow. We encourage everyone to get out and vote May 14.)

Name: Brook Padgett

Address: 23 North St.

Age: 50

Education: Grafton Public Schools, Boston College, Northeastern School of Law

Relevant experience: Employed as a Hearing Officer for the Executive Office of Health and Human Service

Member of Finance Committee 1995 to 1999, 

Economic Development Committee 1996 to 2005 and 2006 to present,

Tax Increment Financing Committee 1999 to present,

Board of Selectman member 1999 to 2005 and 2006 to present,

Member of the One Grafton Common Oversight Committee,

Member of Library Accessibility Committee,

Member of the Grafton Land Trust,

Member of the Historical Society.

What is the most economical and sensible way to handle the library situation?

We cannot answer this question before we first address the four violations concerning handicap accessibility as we are subject to $4,000 a day in fines. These issues should be resolved  by the Library Building Committee before January 2013. Next we must determine what other potential accessibility risks the Library has via a building assessment and solve those prior to June 2013, per a recent AAB ruling. The building assessment will give us a better understanding of what the most economical and sensible solution to address the library and whether that means doing nothing, trying for another grant for a smaller building or building on our own.

What should be the town’s number one capital improvement priority? How about the top five?

The BOS initiated a series of capital project meetings with the major town board to come to a consensus regarding upgrading the Municipal Center, DPW, roads and library. The Municipal Center, roof and windows leak and the heating system are in danger of total failure so I would place this as one and the roads as two. The library can reapply for a grant for an appropriately sized building (2016) and DPW can be upgraded until a site and plan is determined (2020). I don’t consider sewer expansion  a capital project as it is paid by betterment fees and not taxes. 

What changes, if any, should be made to the traffic flow around the Common?

We recently approved a traffic study to determine just this question. The redevelopment of the Town House and the removal of the dummy has already resulted in a change in the flow. I feel the proper design will eliminate the confusion that comes from the large expanse of asphalt at the top of the hill often resulting in traffic circling the common rather than their intended route down 140. We can facilitate this flow by narrowing several of the streets coming into the intersection. Further work with curbing and stamping of the roadway can also do much to slow the traffic in the area.

What is the town’s greatest strength and most glaring weakness?

Although the residents are our greatest strength, the town is also financially strong. Our bond rating is AA and stable, a recent audit eliminated all material weaknesses which have been a problem since 2004 and our tax rate is one of lowest among the surrounding 15 towns.

Weakness is the lack of available commercial property resulting in our financial obligations being shouldered by residential property taxes. The EDC recognizes this and intends to develop an inventory of locations that may be suitable for economic development. This will require input from the community as zoning changes are decisions for Town Meeting and although most want to broaden the tax base, zoning changes are often controversial.

What are the three most important characteristics for a successful selectman?

1. Ability to listen with an openness to new ideas. 2. Commitment to the entire Town and not any one interest group and 3. Facilitate creativity, participation, consensus and vision. To be successful you need to have the integrity and character to listen to all sides of an issue and make the decision whether popular or not that will benefit all of Grafton.

There has been talk that Grafton is not a business-friendly community. Is that assessment accurate and, if so, what can be done to improve the perception?

The TA has worked to change the perception that the town’s purpose was hinder rather than help and there has been a greater emphasis placed on attitude and service. The Assistant TA is the point person for all business inquiries and members of the building, health and conservation departments meet regularly to discuss new projects and how to streamline their permitting process. This initiative has been very successful and I recently had several local contractor and an official from Unibank tell me that they had no problems with permitting and the town was a pleasure to work with. 

What will be your top priority as selectman?

Continue to get consensus for a capital plan so that if the town decides to go forward with any future projects such as DPW, roads, Municipal Center or library, they can be accomplished with the least impact on the tax rate. If the town can agree that these projects need to be addressed then having a funding mechanism where no debt is added until prior debt is paid allows the taxpayer some breathing room. Additionally I would like to establish a 140/122 Business Corridor Beatification Committee to develop potential improvements from Snow Road to Carroll Road and North Main Street.