John Amport

This question appears to exclude placing a priority on repair of our roads and bridges that should be able to be handled through the ongoing Long Term Capital Plan. It also excludes the annual effort by the BOS and BOF to minimize the impact of Town government expenditures on the MIL Rate. Therefore, I take this question to mean; if you were go to the Town (Town Meeting/Referendum) for expenditures above and beyond the annual budget for ongoing operations what top three priorities do you envision?

Given the above, the following three areas lead my list of priorities.

Recreational Facilities – We need to be prepared to complete the effort to bring the Town current with regard to its recreation needs and ensure the plan encompasses the immediate future requirements. I do not know that this cannot be accomplished without bonding, but I would not vote to approve a recreational plan that continued to leave the Town short of the require facilities simply because we cannot fund it "out-of-pocket".

Town Office Facilities - The "Town Office Building Committee" is well along with their report. It is clear that we do not have sufficient meeting space and that Town Hall is not currently a very efficient facility from a number of points of view. If I am elected, when the committee's report is complete, I would have a public information meeting to seek taxpayer input on the report. Then I would seek a consensus on the BOS to begin the process of implementing a solution prior to the end of the lease on the modular addition to Town Hall.

Open Space - This is a subject that means different things to different people. I think of the acquisition of open space on a "value" basis. What that means is:

1. Can the Town acquire the property at or below its Fair Market Value?
2. What are the possible uses of the property for the Town now and in the future?
3. What alternative development possibilities exist and what would the impact of those alternatives mean to the Town?

Each one of the above can enhance the value to the Town and its residents.

I have one final word on bonding. The Town, like a household, cannot continually borrow to provide things today and leave payment for the future. The judicious use of leverage (bonding) is a valid means to provide essential facilities (like a home) but needs to be approached with caution when used for items that are "nice to have".