Town Election candidates debate the issues
Published on March 28th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - Debate was both polite and spirited at various points on Wednesday night as candidates for several town offices vied for support in the upcoming Town Election. Hosted at the Senior Center and co-sponsored by the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters of Stoneham, Candidates Night gave those running for public office in Stoneham a chance to introduce themselves, explain their positions, and solicit votes for April 3. The liveliest discussion took place among three candidates for the two available seats on the Board of Selectmen. Incumbent Patrick Jordan, former Selectman Anthony Kennedy and School Committee member Mary Pecoraro are each seeking a three-year term on the board. Not surprisingly, the town budget and Chapter 70 funding dominated much of the conversation. Despite the current ongoing struggle to develop a balanced fiscal 2002 budget, both Kennedy and Pecoraro questioned whether or not a crisis really exists. "It is my belief that we do not have a budget crisis at all," said Kennedy. During the past year, Kennedy has investigated sources of revenue that he says, if aggressively pursued, would eliminate the deficits the town is facing. In the last two years, for example, the town has received $230,000 from the state in additional lottery aid. That revenue, however, is not included in the fiscal 2002 budget because, he charged, no one has asked for it. "I also am troubled by the appearance of a fiscal crisis here in town," said Pecoraro. "I think there is actually a crisis more of leadership." Pecoraro stated that financial summit meetings need to return. In addition, the town needs to manage its money correctly and not run to Town Meeting in a panic. She accused the current Board of Selectmen of not working on the budget until recently despite a preliminary budget submitted to it in January by former Town Administrator Jeff Nutting. But Jordan refuted that charge, stating that the Board of Selectmen and Nutting reviewed the Police, Fire and Building department budgets back in September "because we saw problems coming and we wanted to have a firm handle on the biggest departments on the municipal side." He added that the board would present its balanced budget this week (See Town Notes). "Anyone who tells you you don't have a budget crisis, you want to pay close attention," he said. "There are tough days ahead." Sizable cuts have already been made, and the town has offered several early retirement incentives to fire and police personnel in lieu of layoffs. And, while the town has seen glory days of late, Jordan cautioned that homeowners will begin paying for the skyrocketing value of their homes as the Board of Assessors embarks on it revaluation. While confusion still exists over whether Chapter 70 funding is town or school money, school systems have traditionally benefited from those funds. Jordan stated that he has done little in pursuit of Chapter 70 money because it is a School Committee issue. "I am a candidate for the Board of Selectmen, not the School Committee," he said, and as such has successfully lobbied for municipal money such as Chapter 90 funding which covers the rebuilding of Franklin Street and South Main Street. Pecoraro stated that, while she has advocated for Chapter 70 funding as a member of the School Committee and has forged good relationships with Stoneham's state legislators, she is "outraged" that Jordan has not done more. Kennedy described Chapter 70 funding as one line on the state's cherry sheet and stated that when he served on the board, he actively pursued state funding for schools. “Failure to pursue Chapter 70 funding is a disservice to the town," Kennedy said. With regard to changing Stoneham's form of government to a city government, all three candidates agreed that they wanted the issue to go away and continue to support Stoneham's open Town Meeting process. The three candidates described the issues of greatest interest that each would pursue as a member of the Board of Selectmen. Pecoraro would continue to advocate for Chapter 70 funds; continue to support revitalization of Stoneham Square, in part by supporting the existing businesses; actively pursue grants as the school and police departments have successfully done; and look into opening the Stoneham Arena year-round. She added that Stoneham needs to aggressively pursue more revenue for the town, needs to have a good budget process and needs leadership. Since the next Board of Selectmen will appoint the new Town Administrator who in turn will select a new Police Chief, Pecoraro stated, "This election is more important this year." "This will effect how the town moves forward for the next generation." Kennedy stated that, if elected, his energy will be spent largely on creation of a Stoneham Arts Center; requiring each department in town to list all grants available to them and a plan for pursuing those; and creating a town-wide Chapter 70 committee. "We will push until Stoneham gets its fair share...Come hell or high water, we'll get some money from the state and federal government." "I'm not just a numbers person. I will respond to the people. I genuinely care about the people." In the next three years, Jordan would like to concentrate his efforts on seeing the successful completion of the Town Common and repair work to the Town Hall; supporting a Town Meeting article for improving the town's sign bylaw, an action he said will go a long way in improving the looks of Stoneham Square; and investigating how to add housing for senior citizens to buildings in the square. "A lot of wonderful things have happened in the last few years. People have a good sense of what is happening in the town...Viewing that and knowing there are tough days ahead, I felt that I had a responsibility to the town to try to help us through the next few years, which will be tough." Two residents are vying for the lone available seat on the School Committee. Daniel Moynihan and David Sheils have each been active in the town for several years and are running for the same reason - for the sake of their children and the children in the Stoneham public schools. Both addressed hot topics of the day, including MCAS, Chapter 70 funding and budgets. Sheils described the MCAS format as a brand new way of taking tests and credited Stoneham teachers with heading in the right direction. Improvement in scores is still needed, he said, particularly in the lower grades, and therefore, greater parent participation is needed. "It can't all be done during the school day," Sheils said. Moynihan stated that despite all the mandates, the school system must not teach to the MCAS test. He suggested that both teachers and parents play a more active role in the current educational setting. He credited the MCAS test, however, on its strong writing demands on students. Moynihan stated that while it was difficult to point out one great strength of the Stoneham schools, the faculty is clearly a major contributor to the system's success. "It's critical for children to find role models," he said, adding that Stoneham faculty serve as great role models and great teachers. Sheils described the students as the system's greatest strength. "The school system as a whole has a great bunch of kids." Regarding the current budget, both expressed ideas on how to reduce it by $100,000. Moynihan stated that first he would investigate fully if cuts really had to be made. He would look to departments, not educators and outsource areas such as technology if possible. He called an override a "knee-jerk reaction," and stated that Stoneham taxpayers already pay "a healthy amount" of taxes. Instead, he would look at other avenues for balancing the budget, such as a stabilization fund transfers or private relationships with businesses or universities. Sheils stated that he would support the current budget and push for rental of the East School for income revenue, a move that could generate $100,000. "I would support everything short of an override," Sheils said, and he added that additional revenue streams should come from the town. "I can't see looking at anything further on the school side...The next cuts will be very, very painful," he said, referring to the only area left to cut - those extra programs which he described as "all the things that make kids well rounded." Both candidates described service on the School Committee as the next logical step for them in terms of their service records. "It's time for new blood (on the School Committee)with young kids in the program," said Sheils. Moynihan stated that as a parent, teacher and a lawyer, he can assist the School Committee on interpreting the maze of state laws it faces. "I am running for the future of this town." Two men want the one available seat on the Planning Board. Mark Shamon told the audience that as a member and chairman of the Board of Appeals, he has consistently handled cases judiciously. As a civil engineer for 17 years, he has spent much time working on issues similar to those faced by the Planning Board. His challenger, John Biggio, was not in attendance on Wednesday night due to conflicting vacation plans. Biggio has 20 years of service to Stoneham town government, including two terms on the Board of Selectmen. The Planning Board seat is a five-year term. Michael Rotondi is seeking another two-year term as Town Moderator and Richard Mangerian wants three more years with the Board of Assessors. Neither has competition and both were present on Wednesday to address voters. Other lucky candidates running uncontested are incumbents John Hanright for Town Clerk, Benedict DiRusso for Board of Health, William Jordan for Housing Authority, and Susan Fixman and Susan Doucette for Library Trustee (two seats available).
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