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Q&A with the Board of Selectmen Candidates
WaylandeNews has submitted the following set of questions to each of the candidates. Candidates were given a limit of 100 words per response, and warned that longer responses would be truncated. Truncated responses are noted below. However, full responses for each candidate are included in separate documents linked at the bottom of this page. For a printable version of this page, click here.
SANTANGELO: Candidate Mark Santangelo has
chosen not to respond to the survey, but refers readers to
his candidate statement.
1. Have you identified any aspects of how Wayland town government has been managed that you believe need improvement, and specifically what would you change to achieve such improvement?
CORREIA:
Through my work on the Finance Committee, I have had the
opportunity to evaluate the work of the Ad Hoc Committee
that reviewed all town departments to identify opportunities
for improvement. I am impressed by how well our town
government works, and feel confident that there are more
efficiencies to come by all departments working together.
While Wayland faces many challenges, I feel there is a
healthy climate where meetings are open to the public and
citizens have many forums to voice opinions. Wayland is
filled with bright, committed, dedicated volunteers and our
government provides an opportunity for their involvement.
NOLAN:
I really think Wayland is exceedingly well run. I only
say that in small measure due to my personal efforts over
this last term. Wayland has made great progress in
reining in expenses and developing a realistic fiscal plan
going forward. It is amazing that we have been able to
sustain the services we have with state aid so drastically
reduced. The one area where we can make improvement
today is by consolidating our labor force under a DPW as
suggested in the 2002 Maximus town Government audit report.
Please vote to support this effort at Town Meeting.
REISS:
The Role of the FinCom in Budgeting:
The FinCom gets to review the town side
budget in great detail but only has that 30,000 foot. review
level for the school side budget. The BoS seems to greatly
rely on the advice and guidance of the FinCom so it makes
sense to me that a more detailed involvement by the FinCom
on the school side would also benefit the budgeting process.
Budget Type Modeling:
Wayland uses Traditional Budgeting rather
than Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB). In traditional
budgeting (TB) department managers justify only increases
over the previous year’s budget and what is (truncated for
length)
2. Do you generally approve of how Wayland has managed its fiscal constraints in recent years?
CORREIA:
Yes, I do. I
believe the long-range financial plan established by the
Finance Committee and Selectmen has shown great progress in
controlling expenses and managing our tax increases through
fiscally prudent budget practices. Wayland has worked very
hard to constrain and reduce some of our toughest budget
drivers. Healthcare, pension costs, utilities, and salary
negotiations with many of our unions have all seen positive
progress in reducing costs. Moody’s specifically mentions
Wayland’s tightly controlled expenditures and conservative
budgeting practices as two reasons why our AAA rating is one
of the highest in the Commonwealth.
NOLAN:
Despite rhetoric to the contrary by override opponents,
there is no fat left in this budget. That is why
detractors can only make generalizations and never suggest
specific cuts. The FinCom is loaded with great fiscal
minds that spend every budget cycle exploring and
implementing every efficiency possible. It’s easy to
say “Cut the waste” but after 25 years of Prop 2 ½ and
7 years of level service budgets there is nothing non
essential left to cut. Wayland is making real progress
compared to our peer towns in most every measurable
indicator including health care, and retirement.
REISS:
In general NO. Although state aid has been
diminishing and health an pension costs have escalated over
the years and in particular since 2002, Wayland has had to
balance its books either by depletion of cash, raiding Water
Department excess revenues or proffering 5 ballot override
questions in 7 years. The primary driver is salary and
benefits to its employees and Wayland is school centric to
the point of having a weak negotiating stance with the
Massachusetts Teacher's Association (MTA) which has a
standard negotiating tactic of threatening to take body
count losses rather than reduce salary increases. This very
(truncated for length)
3. Do you support a single override approach or a menu override approach? Please include a comment on whether you believe the approach you don’t support is divisive.
CORREIA:
I support a single override approach because
I believe it best reflects the need to continue providing
services for the benefit of all members of the community.
That is what community is all about. It has been proven
that other models such as a pyramid approach confuse
voters. I believe a menu override divides the town, and
that a single override, as Wayland has always had, is
consistent with the tradition and spirit of our town. Our
town charter gives citizens the opportunity to address
specific budget line items that concern them at Town Meeting
where the budget is voted.
NOLAN:
I
do not support menu overrides for small towns like Wayland
because they do pit neighbor against neighbor, service
against service. The real example of praying on
people’s fears and pitting one against another is to suggest
that we can both cut 1.9 million from our budget AND have
zero impact on Police, Fire, and the COA. It’s
fantasy. The only realistic way to do this is to GUT
ALL other departments or ABANDON our commitment to educate
our children. It’s a great sound bite but so was “Just
say no”. Its empty rhetoric and is devoid of fiscal
reality.
REISS:
A very complicated question posed here.
In Massachusetts overrides and underrides are permitted. For
overrides, three types are legally possible. The YES/NO all
or nothing single question. Menu choices. Pyramidal choices.
Many municipalities take advantage of all types over time
and for different and varying reasons. Wayland, not failing
an override in 20 years, has always used the single YES/NO
type question. At the top level, there must be
recognition that there are services that involve life and
death issues and these must be distinguished from non-life
and death issues. The most prominent of the essential (life
and death) issues (truncated for length)
4. Do you have any ideas for improving the transportation network, in particular the challenges of commuting to Boston, or improving public transportation options?
CORREIA: We
should be thinking about more green options with more
efficient, realistic and affordable transportation options.
We should consider more centralized parking in Wayland with
shuttle service to major train stations in towns such as
Natick and Lincoln. Wayland has already joined the
MetroWest Regional Transportation Authority which will
improve transportation service for our seniors and disabled
citizens. We accomplished this by working at the State and
Federal levels. We also need to develop more partnerships
between inter-town governments to evaluate new commuter
alternatives.
NOLAN:
I led the towns decision to join the Metrowest RTA.
This will save the town hundreds of thousands of dollars
over the first 5 years and will leverage our current MBTA
assessment at no cost to provide triple the transportation
funds available to Wayland’s elderly, handicapped, and
regular commuters. All while saving money! Like
the idea of a local bus that ties into the MBTA and the
Ride? It’s coming, and I am proud to say that it was
my idea. This initiative saves money that will
directly benefit our seniors and handicapped while improving
services, that’s rare.
REISS:
Each member of the Wayland board of Selectmen
has taken a role which best suits his or her expertise. In
the case of regional transit authority,
Selectman Joe Nolan
is the designated hitter on this and can
speak very intelligently about this topic. I fully support
his recommendations on this matter and have fought and voted
to maintain our participation in the MRTA (Massachusetts
Association of Regional Transit Authorities). Because of
this I will quote directly from their website as follows:
“Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) are the sole providers
of public transportation in 231 Massachusetts cities and
towns outside of
(truncated for length)
5. Do you have any ideas about improving traffic and pedestrian safety?
CORREIA:
Wayland faces significant traffic challenges
and we need to work together to develop mitigation plans
that keep our streets safe for all of Wayland. Some
specific ideas include: 1) working with the Town Center
developer to address issues with the Route 20 corridor and
streets leading to/from the center, 2) keeping abreast of
neighboring developments, specifically in Framingham and
Sudbury, that put strains on our streets, and pursuing state
reimbursement for improvement projects, and 3) reviewing all
crosswalks and pedestrian lights to insure they are safe and
in the appropriate locations to keep all our citizens safe.
NOLAN:
Traffic is like water, you squeeze It here and it turns up
there. As a construction mitigator for major
transportation projects, a 6 year member of the BoRC, and
current BOS member I am particularly well suited to
participate in this discussion. The truth is that every
action has an equal opposite reaction. Short of people
abandoning cars, local traffic will continue to grow,
We can do speed bumps, stop signs, and the like and I
support that to slow people down. The real answer is
public transportation, as gas goes up that may become more
realistic.
REISS:
One thing that I would like to propose is
that Wayland purchases commercially available traffic
simulation software which can be obtained for about $10K and
over time, and with either known or police data gathering
equipment, begin to hone a computer based model of the
traffic patterns in our town, until a point can be achieved
where the model is a close predictor of what is actually or
predicted to actually happen. As commercial development is
added or subtracted, or as 40B projects come on line or as
development external to Wayland comes on line, the Board of
Road Commissioners
(truncated for length)
6. Do you support the development of affordable housing?
CORREIA:
These
state-supported projects allow some developers to threaten
and pressure our planning processes. Uncontrolled 40B
projects can change the distinctive qualities that make
Wayland unique. While affordable housing is important, we
need to be cautious of how we proceed. The Nike Project
shows how cooperation and partnership can bring affordable
housing to Wayland in a positive way. By contrast, the
Cochituate project is oversized, out of character and
presenting traffic and safety concerns. We should work with
the State to change the 40B laws and develop alternative
plans to save open space and protect the special
characteristics of our town.
NOLAN:
Yes, when done correctly. A great example is the Nike
Site development. 16 home ownership units at a local cost to
Wayland taxpayers of about 5% ($600,000 of the 5 million
cost). There where many opportunities for this
project to fail. I was consistent in my support and
will remain so. The 40 B proposed for the Catherine
Barton site is the opposite. It is rental property of
a scale that its Damon Farms neighborhood cannot support and
its wrong for our town. I cannot support it. 40B law
stifles local control on these projects and needs to be
revised.
REISS:
Absolutely I am a supporter of affordable
housing. The average person I speak with gets an education
when I explain the basics of a 40B project. A developer
wishes to make use of his or her land and may wish to
develop it commercially. The zoning of that land may
not be correct for that purpose and they must ask the town
for permission to change the zoning. This is a long and
tedious process and one that is not guaranteed to have a
positive outcome for the developer. Ultimately, it is the town that decides
whether to change the
(truncated for length)
7. Do you support...
a) the high school project?
CORREIA:
Yes, I support the High School Project. Wayland is a
community that values education and Wayland High School is
one of our greatest community assets. As a result of changes
in the educational program, the age and condition of the
buildings, and the resulting overcrowding, the facility is
beginning to impact the quality of the education being
delivered. I support the High School Building Committee's
efforts to collaborate with the Massachusetts School
Building Authority and Wayland residents to define a
reimbursable project. We must maintain our high level of
education, which includes keeping our facilities safe and
effective.
NOLAN:
Yes.
When we get a state commitment to fund their portion of this
project and have a defined fixed cost, I will vote to
put it on the ballot for Wayland’s voters to consider and
will work to get it approved and built. It takes a 4/5 vote
of the Board of Selectmen just to get this issue on the
ballot. This is one of the reasons that I am seeking
re election.
REISS:
There is no doubt that Wayland High
School will need renovation, perhaps demolition and rebuild,
or some combination of the two. The school is about 48 years
old and has served us well but is growing tired. My main
concern is twofold; first we need guaranteed state funding
and reimbursement. No state funding then no project of any
grand scale. This was the root problem of the last try on a
new high school. My second concern is public funding. We
have frequent overrides, everybody knows that. There is a
bandwidth or money tolerance that people can afford, to fund
(truncated for length)
b) the library project?
CORREIA:
Our Library
is a wonderful jewel bringing a small town feel as you walk
down its aisles. However, libraries across the country are
redefining their role and leveraging technology to
efficiently meet the demands of its visitors. The
traditional town library is evolving from a place to access
books into a destination to access many forms of
information, a community center -- a place to meet, learn
and reflect. We must support our library as it further
defines its role, considering how to integrate with other
town services and what role technology plays in delivering
information to its visitors.
NOLAN:
The Library is one of our greatest assets. I have
served on committees supporting the library program, I
support its inclusion as the major municipal component of
the Town Center development and with my family I am an
active patron. I have been very busy of late and I think I
owe some fines, I promise to make good on April 9th.
I may soon have more time on my hands to read!
REISS:
The library project, as I understand it,
could be a mixed use building on the 40,000 sq ft municipal
pad that was negotiated under the town center developer
agreement. The existing library would be sold and the funds
would be used to build the new library. This is a definite
asset towards the realization of this project. Having the
library multi-functional (as C below) is also an asset and
we should plan and build in such a way that some state
funding can also help out. I am all for this project.
c) the community center project
CORREIA:
A Community Center would be a great asset in
Wayland, serving as a focal point for both personal
enrichment as well as strengthening our community. A
multi-generational Community Center would provide a safe,
accessible space for activities and programs to meet the
needs of the many diverse groups in Wayland. As a popular
meeting place, it would provide valuable resources of
education, entertainment and art. Specifically, our elderly
population continues to grow and the present space is
insufficient. A multi-generational center could give seniors
their own space while also bringing together all age groups
under one roof.
NOLAN:
Yes, provided we can identify both construction and
operating funding. This is no small task but can be
done. I worked on this idea as a high school kid in
Wayland and agree that it is an idea long overdue.
REISS:
As described above, to be incorporated with
the library project.
d) the highway garage
CORREIA:
As a member of FinCom, I acknowledge the need
for a new highway garage. Given the prospect of a
consolidated DPW, I believe the organizational structure and
facility requirements need to be finalized before proceeding
with a building project. The Road Commissioners chose to
move forward with a designer/consultant without first
creating a building committee to bring in other
perspectives. It is hard to envision and support the
construction of a new building without first understanding
the new organization. The project has not been fully vetted
and it would be premature to bring it to Town Meeting at
this time.
NOLAN:
This is needed infrastructure. A building committee
needs to be established in the short term to review the
scope proposed by the Board of Road Commissioners and Park
and Rec.
REISS:
The first time this project was presented to
me I was reluctant to place it onto a town meeting article.
The price tag was large ($14M) and I was in no mood to spend
that type of money. However, that being said, there is a
serious need for this garage and perhaps one could be built
at a lower price tag. I would like to hear more about this
before finally giving or retracting my support for it.
e. the Wayside Rail Trail
CORREIA: Bike paths are
immensely popular with riders, roller bladers, walkers and
runners who are uncomfortable traveling in traffic on our
roads. Bike friendly road improvements are worthwhile as we
look to reduce our carbon footprint. We should be
encouraging more paths to reduce traffic on our streets. If
Wayland endorses the Rail Trail, our regional planning
agencies can begin negotiating with the MBTA to lease the
right of way and design the trail with funding from the
Massachusetts Highway Department. I believe it would be a
worthwhile project with minimal expense, of benefit to
people of all ages in town.
NOLAN:
I am a major supporter of creating biking/walking paths
along the rail corridor from Route 20 to the library and
perhaps further. This is part of my plan to increase
safe pedestrian access downtown. By securing State and
Federal grant we can build this portion of the bike path, a
historical railroad interpretive park at the depot, and new
sidewalks from the Mellon Green to Russell's with little or
no local dollars. I am already working on this.
REISS:
The rail trail is a terrific idea and would
nicely integrate with the town center concept. I also
believe that private and/or commercial funding can be used
to help out on this one.
f. Assuming that these projects would have to be developed over a number of years, how would you prioritize them?
CORREIA:
Wayland has
established a new Capital Improvement Plan to provide
structure and consistency in identifying, approving, funding
and managing capital improvement projects. This process
brings in knowledge of debt capacity, the impact on taxes,
availability of other funding sources, the relative need of
buildings, etc. The CIP should be used to fairly evaluate
proposed capital requests. I believe the only project that
should be given priority is the new High School building
given that the state concurs with Wayland’s feasibility
study and our High School Building Committee is working
closely with the MSBA to define a reimbursable project.
NOLAN:
In roughly the order they are presented, depending on
available State and Federal Grant funding.
REISS:
I think the highest priority is the high
school because it will be the most difficult to ultimately
get done, just because of its size and scope. So I believe
that we should continue to aggressively look at state
funding and continue planning and at the same time be
cognizant that our citizens have to pay for this and we
should start to make some sacrifices in services to allow
for such a large project. The library, community center and
rail trail can be timed with the roll out of the town center and as that project develops and
starts
8. Please provide any specific ideas you have about growing town revenue other than through residential property taxes.
CORREIA:
We need to
think “outside the box” in looking for other
revenue-generating opportunities. Some ideas that we should
carefully analyze include: 1) consider increases to town and
school fee structures, 2) reevaluate fees and licenses such
as food and liquor licenses, which appear low in comparison
to other towns, 3) continue to explore the sale of surplus
land while balancing conservation considerations, 4) look
for sites where appropriate commercial development is
compatible with existing neighborhoods, and 5) install
parking meters on main streets in the new Town Center which
could generate several hundred thousand dollars annually.
NOLAN:
First we need to partner with our peer towns to insure our
fair share of state aid going forward. Metrowest is
the second largest economic entity in the state to Boston
and we need to use our influence to get consistent local aid
committed. The aggressive pursuit of State and Federal
Grant funding to rebuild our infrastructure is also
critical. We cannot do it alone.
REISS:
A merging of town and school side operations
could help a lot and a DOR audit (for free) of the entire
town could help to identify how and where that can be done.
Energy savings and energy production can also accomplish
growing town revenue and there are a number of ideas, which
can be incorporated. Town Buildings could be improved by
30-40% in efficiency by increasing insulation; auto set back
thermostats in areas that are not being used, motion control
switches, and heat sensing switches. New varieties of
lighting with high light output without generating lots of heat.
Grants are
(truncated for length)
9. Do you support the Town Center project?
CORREIA:
Yes. The Town Center will represent
significant progress toward FinCom’s goal of expanding the
commercial tax base and will assist in eliminating the need
for annual overrides. The substantial new revenue will help
alleviate the burden on residential property owners. Given
Wayland’s limited commercial tax base, these revenues are
critical as we confront fiscal challenges. The Town Center
will also provide a tremendous community gathering
location. While challenges remain that need to be
thoroughly analyzed and managed to protect our community and
our long-term fiscal plans, I am confident that the Town
Center will be a tremendous addition to Wayland.
NOLAN:
Yes, I was a major supporter and helped craft a very
generous development agreement in favor of the town.
This development was a once in a lifetime project, 54 acres
downtown adjacent to our existing business district.
This is one of the many reasons I have sought reelection, to
see this project through.
REISS:
Not only do I support it, I put
my heartbeats into it. I gave it that 'two bites of the
apple' developer negotiation try and lived through its first
zoning failure to help bring it back to life a second time.
I became very involved in the wastewater aspects of the
property and made all attempts to bring parties together to
work for common solutions. I always tried to be an
inter-mediator to bring the parties together to work through
the various issues that arose. I firmly believe that the
developer views me as an asset to the process and (truncated
for length)
10. Do you support the proposal to create a Department of Public Works, and why/why not?
CORREIA:
I favor a
Department of Public Works because of the many benefits the
town would see. There are the opportunities for cost savings
by consolidating departments and streamlining staffing
levels. Benefits would include less overtime, better
utilization of equipment and stronger buying power through
centralized purchasing and bidding processes for outside
contracts. There would be a better management structure to
improve coordination and communication, and improved
long-term planning of all operations and facilities as the
town grows. Finally, I believe overall customer service will
prevail by having a centralized organization to respond to
citizen requests and expedite emergency responses.
NOLAN:
Yes, this is the management model used by 14 of our 15 peer
towns. We can do better with less. Wayland can no
longer enjoy the luxury of separate departments. When
a backhoe costs $130,000 and we own four (4), we need to
change. A DPW was recommended by the Maximus town
government audit in 2002, and has been studied for the last
two years by the DPW committee. This is the one area of the
municipal budget left where efficiencies can be made and we
owe it to our taxpayers to consolidate these operations.
REISS:
What I’m about to say is the result of many
hours of thought, study and consultation with a wide group
of people with varied opinions.
This is one of those 'not very easy decisions' but I have
made my decision. A
few weeks ago, Selectman Tichnor made the statement that
everybody who is against the override is also against the
DPW. I want Selectman Tichnor to know that his perception is
not accurate, and the issues of override and DPW are clearly
separate and distinct in my mind. First, a guy like me who is for fiscal
conservatism and is
(truncated for length)
11. How would you evaluate and prioritize conservation expenditures?
CORREIA:
Any property
being considered for acquisition or conservation restriction
should be evaluated against a set of defined conservation
priorities. These priorities should tie in with the town’s
master plan so that expenditures are based on a stated value
for the town and a projection of what the town should look
like in the future. Some of these priorities should
include: contains endangered species, abuts existing
conservation land so it will form a larger habitat area,
protects wetlands, is ideal for passive recreation for the
public, etc. Scoring each property being considered for
preservation ensures a fair and methodical evaluation.
NOLAN:
We need to sustain the character of our town by preserving
open spaces. I have always supported sustaining,
maintaining, and when possible expanding town and privately
owned natural resources. I will continue to be an
advocate for these resources and will rely on input from our
conservation leaders on the Con Com, on the Sudbury Valley
Trustees, and our numerous local associations to advise me
in these matters.
REISS:
Wayland has its “townies”, those are the very
long-term residents who have lived here for decades, were
born here or came from previous generations who moved here
long ago. I was born in Philadelphia, PA, and cannot call
myself a Wayland “townie” even though I am in my 20th year
of residence. My hat’s off to the Wayland ‘townies’!!
I think people move to Wayland or have moved to Wayland more
recently for any or all of the following reasons: 1.
Proximity to High Paying Jobs, 2. The School System, 3. Open
space and Wayland’s semi-rural character.
The priority of
(truncated for length)
12. If you can, then please name anyone of prominence in Wayland, either inside or outside of town or school government, that you admire, and state why?
CORREIA:
I have great
respect for so many serving now and I am grateful for so
many who have come before me. The High School Building
Committee members, Wayland to Waveland volunteers, Wayland
Schools Foundation board members, Save Our Services are just
a few groups that exemplify our town’s commitment to helping
our community locally and afar. If there is one person who
just shines, Jack Wilson is someone who has so impressed me.
I have volunteered with Jack and his belated wife Jo across
multiple community programs. His tireless energy, commitment
and enthusiasm is something we could all learn from.
NOLAN:
Wayland enjoys great educational, business, government, and
artistic leaders. I am loath to mention any to the
exclusion of many. Personally, I need only to look
around the room at any gathering of local government to be
humbled by the company I am fortunate to keep. I am
most impressed by those who give of themselves to contribute
to our community and world, the Wayland Angels, Wayland to
Waveland, Spread the Bread efforts come to mind. Our
silent benefactors are among us. We know who they are and
our town would not be the same without them. Thank
you.
REISS:
There are many people in our town government
that I admire and by mentioning just a few, I would be
leaving out many more. I am fortunate to have gotten the
advice, insight and guidance of former Wayland Selectmen,
many of whom have been mentors and teachers to me and helped
me come up to speed quickly to do this incredibly awesome
job. There are also a number of other public servants and
Wayland citizens who have wisdom and knowledge in areas I am
not expert. They have also supported and informed me
and helped me widen my vision and (truncated for
length)
13. Are there any other issues that you would like to address?
CORREIA:
Next week,
Wayland will be making an important decision on the
Override. I believe it is critical to pass the override to
maintain the quality of services and educational programs
the town has always valued. I want to thank WaylandeNews for
the opportunity to address so many important questions.
People should feel free to call or email me (stevencorreia@comcast.net)
to discuss their questions, concerns and ideas. Please come
out and vote on April 8th and to Town Meeting on
April 10th.
NOLAN:
In 10
years of elected service I have confirmed one thing.
There are no easy answers to the fiscal challenges we face.
We want the best for our children, ourselves, and our
seniors. At the same time resources are diminished and
we are challenged to provide our basic services. It is
not an optimistic situation but I can tell you that we won’t
solve our problems with simplistic short sighted policies.
The economy is cyclical and better times will come. In
the interim we need to keep working together to find our
collective way.
REISS:
The structure of Wayland government needs to
be changed at its core. Lets first consider the structure of
the Federal Government where there is a division of power
between the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch and the
Judicial Branch. The Legislature can create laws, which are
then sent to the president who can accept, or veto and if he
vetoes then the law goes back to the Legislature for a super
majority vote to override the veto. If the law does make it
out of the president’s hands or the legislative branch then
it travels to the judicial branch which
(truncated for length)
Link to full detailed responses, or additional information supplied by candidate
CORREIA: Responses shown
above are available in a
single document
here.
NOLAN:
I have expanded on many of these themes on my personal
website. Please go to
www.josephnolan.com
to further review my positions and to contact me directly.
Responses shown above are available in a
single document here.
REISS:
Alan Reiss' full response is available in a
single document here.