Meet Selectmen Candidate Paul Buckley

Seekonk Patch sent a list of questions to the three candidates running for one selectmen seat in the April 1 election. Below are the questions along with the answers submitted by candidate Paul Buckley.

—Jonathan Friedman, editor

Name: Paul Buckley

Age: 47

How many years have you lived in Seekonk? Lifelong Resident

Why do you choose to remain a resident of this town? Being a lifelong resident, I have roots in this town that keeps me here in Seekonk. I am most comfortable with my neighborhood, friends and surroundings.

What is your day job? If you are retired, what was your former job? I am a supervisor at a company called Unicom Engineering (formerly NEI) in Canton, MA. I have been employed there for over thirteen years

Why are you running? The culture of the Board of Selectmen needs to change into a constructive board instead of being destructive. It takes certain skills to accomplish that feat and I believe I have those skills…leadership, communication, and trust.

What makes you a better choice than your opponents? My two opponents have had their chance to improve the culture of the board and failed. It is time for a new face on the board who can bring a different aspect than the seasoned political veterans.

What have you done to contribute to the town? I have been serving on Seekonk boards and committees for over 10 years…from the Personnel Board to the Board of Assessors. I have participated in search committees for Town Administrator and Fire Chief.

As a selectman, what are the top five goals you would want to accomplish during the next three years?

• Sanitation Enterprise Fund - The Sanitation Enterprise fund is something I would like to see more oversight of. Taxpayers have paid increased trash fees to build up the fund. The fund pays for the operation of the transfer site and for DPW capital and non-capital purchases. As the BOS goes to borrowing money for these purchases, a hold on fees and/or a rebate should be discussed.
• Seekonk Sign By-Law - Establish a special by-law review committee to work to develop a sign by-law that is fair, sensitive to the needs of businesses and is enforceable.  I find that we are being restrictive to the smaller businesses in town by not allowing them to put out a small sign pitching a sale for a day or two without getting a permit.
• A selectman’s training policy – Develop a training policy that works to improve the performance of the board and to keep up on new laws and processes. This policy will work to foster job satisfaction, continuous improvement and safety practices. Putting the Selectmen in a room to complete a task together can only have benefits that are sorely lacking.
• Dedicated IT service in Town Hall - With the hiring of IT personnel in the school system, share that resource a few hours a week to keep IT check and balances in place in town hall.
• Human Resources Advisory Board – The Seekonk Charter directs the Selectmen to form this board. The Human Resources Advisory Board could represent many issues in the interest of our employees.

What do you think about the current state of Seekonk's government? Do changes need to be made? I think Seekonk does its best to provide quality services to the residents and the business community. Continuous improvement should be expected at every turn from town government. If changes need to be made, the drive will come from an annoyed electorate.

As a selectman, you are one vote of five. You need at least two people to agree with you to get anything approved. How are you at working in groups? What experience do you have with working productively as a group? As a supervisor in my company, I have had to learn to work with many groups and departments to accomplish tasks that were driven by upper management. If the goal is for an end result that will improve our products or continually keep the quality that customers demand at a high level, there is nothing else you can do but be your best and produce as a team.

What do you like to do in your free time? During the spring and summer seasons I enjoy working in my yard. I also like to fish whenever I get around to it. In the fall and winter it is all about sports with the Patriots and Celtics. And of course spending time with my wife and family.

Is there anything else we should know about you? I have enjoyed taking on new challenges and working to stay up to speed in any new environment.