Town Council Candidates

Late last week, I sent a list of 19 questions to each of the three Town Council candidates asking about policy, funding, and how government works. I also included some personal questions about each candidate’s early work history and the challenges they each faced when starting a business.

I have already received answers from Julie Smith-Galvin, and Anne Danehy’s are on the way. Hopefully, Brandon Flanagan will take part, as well.

In the meantime, I thought I would start by sharing Smith-Galvin’s answers to a few questions about issues that are of concern to our community and have been discussed by all three candidates. As someone not involved in politics or government, I found her answers helpful.

Here is the first question on the list, followed by Smith-Galvin’s answer: What is your understanding of Town Council’s role and legal ability as to controlling private development in our town?

“Government’s role in private development is to first set the vision, followed by developing rules and programs that reinforce that vision. This includes activities such as developing a master plan, setting zoning bylaws, and providing incentives for the type of development we want to attract. Developers use this information when deciding whether to purchase land and how to develop property.

“The Town Council works together with multiple appointed and elected committees across town government to set the vision and propose rules, but legally all bylaws, including zoning, must be passed by the Town Meeting.”

As to the condition of our roads and sidewalks, I asked: Do you see a specific way to get our roads and sidewalks repaired that would be quicker and more financially efficient than the current 5-year plan?

Smith-Galvin responded: “At our last Town Meeting, those who participated voted to approve the issuance of bonds (which are efficient given our AAA bond rating) to systematically repair roads and sidewalks. The current plan allows for consistent investment in our 88-mile roadway network on a schedule that allows for optimal coordination of utility work (so that we don’t repair a road then have it torn up by utility work) and takes into consideration other upgrades when needed to deal with drainage, sidewalks, safety, and accessibility. I believe the financing mechanism and plan are appropriate and will provide our Department of Public Works with a base that can be sustained over time.”

Another concern in our community is the ongoing opioid crisis, which I addressed with this question: What do you recommend that our police department do to further address the opioid crisis and how should it be paid for?

Smith-Galvin’s response pointed out additional plans being presented at the upcoming town meeting: “The opioid crisis continues to ravage Wakefield as well as other communities. Our police and fire departments work closely with our public health professionals to offer counseling and other services to address the complex problem of substance abuse.

“Our next budget, to be voted on at our May 8 Town Meeting, includes increased funding that will allow us to expand the availability of counselors. We also have a grant that enables WAKE-UP, a respected coalition that regularly brings first responders, health care workers, school personnel, business owners, counselors, and other community members, including youth, together to troubleshoot substance abuse issues. We need to ensure that this program continues.”

I will be discussing the additional questions and answers that I sent to the three candidates via posting here between now and the April 27 election. A lot is going on in our town; I hope I can help clarify the stances of all three Town Council candidates so we can all make informed decisions when we vote.

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