It’s the first time in a long time that Rochester voters have actually had a choice in the election, commented Richard Cutler, candidate for the Rochester Board of Selectmen on April 2 during the Candidate’s Forum hosted by the Rochester Senior Center.
The three candidates – Cutler, Greenwald “Woody” Hartley, and incumbent Selectman Naida Parker – had a chance to talk directly to the voters about their priorities and aspirations if elected or reelected.
Cutler said he was a selectman from 1996 to 2002 and decided not to run for a third term to make way for some new energy to join the board – a board he says is tasked with providing the Town with coordination and leadership for other boards and committees. He criticized the lack of dialog between selectmen and other boards.
“Without the energy to engage,” said Cutler, “it leaves a great deal of frustration.”
Cutler, the current Zoning Board of Appeals chairman and a member of the Zoning Bylaw Subcommittee, stressed the importance of the article on the Town Meeting Warrant to change the zoning bylaw and said the lack of action from the selectmen has “stymied” the effort.
More houses are being built in Rochester, stressed Cutler, which will require increased services – more services than what the average citizen funds through taxes, Cutler said, adding that zoning bylaw restructuring to accommodate a growing business tax base in town was needed.
“Even though the town’s population is growing, we have few people willing to put in the time (to serve on boards and committees),” said Cutler. He also emphasized the importance of the upkeep of the town’s assets, such as the Rochester Memorial School building.
“The budget needs careful review by people who know what they’re looking for,” said Cutler.
Hartley, the current town moderator, said his years of experience as a project manager along with his negotiation, organizing, and planning skills make him qualified for the Board of Selectmen.
“I like to think of myself as a leader, an organizer, a planner – but I most like to think of myself as a communicator. A leader,” said Hartley.
He highlighted his contribution toward transforming the old bothersome campground in Rochester into The Pines at Hathaway Pond, which he said brings the Town $250,000 in tax revenue annually.
“That wasn’t just an accident, that happening like that,” said Hartley. “I thought about that…. Our Board of Selectmen needs to be doing things that they have not been doing.”
The board needs to lead he said, instead of asking other boards and committees to attend selectmen meetings to “update them on what they’ve been doing.”
“I have been unifying … for years,” said Hartley. “I feel we’ve been going backwards in town-wide coordination and cooperation.”
Hartley said it was time to move forward with new leadership and new ideas.
“I believe many have lost confidence in our board. I can restore confidence,” said Hartley. “I have the skills. I have the expertise. I have the time and energy to lead Rochester into the future.”
Parker, also the town clerk, focused on the work she has done as a selectman for years, recalling when she served with Cutler while he was on the board, and turned to the Rochester Police Station and the overrides to build it. She cited the timing of the RMS building construction, which she said benefitted the Town because of a stagnant economy that drove down the cost of borrowing and the cost of construction. Parker, like Cutler, stressed the importance of quarterly inspections of the buildings in town to keep future repair costs low.
“If we’re not in that building on a regular basis … then we are not going to be aware of what needs to be done with it.”
Parker cited her contribution to the renovations of Town Hall and the efforts to preserve the historical charm of the building, without needing a Proposition 2 ½ override to fund it. She also pointed out that, as selectman, she saw the basic ambulance service grow to an advanced life system EMS and enhanced 911 services.
“So, we do talk on a regular business,” said Parker. “The selectmen need to be involved in these conversations. And if we haven’t done our homework, then we are not prepared.”
Parker said she and the other two selectmen are currently moving forward with development of County Road, the new Rochester Crossing retail development, and enticing new businesses into town.
“I would like the opportunity to continue to serve,” said Parker. “And I hope that you all realize and appreciate that this town has my full commitment and will continue to have my full commitment.”
By Jean Perry