Selectman Candidates Speak Out at Forum

Brook Padgett touted his experience while Bruce Spinney said he offers a “fresh, practical approach’’ as the two candidates for selectman squared off last night at a candidates’ forum.

The event, held at the and hosted by the Grafton League of Women Voters, brought candidates for elected officers together to answer submitted questions on a range of issues.

Padgett and Spinney are seeking the seat Padgett currently holds on the board.

Padgett, who has been on the board since 1999, said that elected officials on the local level have more impact on residents’ lives than those sent to Boston or Washington.

“I was instilled by my parents to give back to the community,’’ he said. “I try to make a difference in the town.’’

Spinney said the role of selectmen has shifted from the original purpose of developing policy and that too much of their work is now given to the Town Administrator.

“We need to step back from the expensive projects and develop a road map’’ toward the future, rather than “kicking the can’’ down the road and not taking action, he said.

In response to audience questions, the two addressed a series of topics, including:

The Honeywell project, which provided energy savings to offset costs of fixing the municipal center, after an initial upfront cost to the town. The project was rejected by two votes at a December Town Meeting.

Padgett said selectmen should bring back the issue to voters in some form, noting that the project lost by only two votes and required a two-third majority. He said the project, or something similar, could provide a creative way to solve a problem _ the fixes needed at the Municipal Center _ without adding to taxes.

Spinney said the vote shows that the town does not support the project and that the specific work on the building needed should be considered individually and judged against other town needs.

Should the town’s taxes be raised to the levy limit each year?

Spinney said the town should “not have to go to the levy limit each and every time. When you have the opportunity to cut back, you should.’’

Padgett said that, although that sounds good in theory, “we have to pay our bills’’ and fund the services and projects that people expect and want. He said this year’s budget was “scrubbed’’ very tightly.

Should selectmen have term limits?

Padgett said no, and said that experience on a board can be very valuable. He noted that he might view the situation differently if these were paid jobs.

Spinney said that the best way to enforce term limits is to have a large number of people participating in the electoral process.

Padgett said he deserved re-election because he and the board have accomplished a number of things through the years, including tax incentive financing for businesses, the development of Community Preservation projects and the recent summits that have brought town boards together to determine capital project priorities and plans.

He said he would like to see design standards set for Routes 122 and 140, to make the area more attractive, and hopes to see work done to North Main Street, including sidewalks.

Spinney said that through his work on the Economic Development Commission, Planning Board and other community projects he has developed a reputation as “a man of action’’ who follows through on his promises.

“The board needs to expand communication and increase transparency and the free flow of information,’’ he said. 

A successful selectman, he said, does not necessarily need to have “the loudest voice.’’ He said he brings instead a “reserved approach.’’

The Planning Board and School Committee candidates were also included in the forum. Their responses will be featured in the days ahead.