Wilton Board of Selectmen: 3-year seat

Thursday, February 18, 2010

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2010 Wilton Town Meeting
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Name: Steve McDonough

Age: 48

Address: 9 Brown Road

Years of residency: 13 years.

Employment: Restaurant business, car wash business, real estate management.

Given the money constraints on local government, give an example of a town service that could or should be cut to save money and an example of a service that should not be cut under any circumstances, and explain why you feel this way. Please be as specific as possible.

Bob Duquette:

The times we face ahead now are more challenging than ever before. We are experiencing an economic downturn that reaches all the way to Washington D.C., with cutbacks to all of the states. In turn the states are cutting back on their spending. Taxes are going to have to be controlled in all directions. We have school issues, environmental issues and town needs that are going to have to be addressed. The people of this town are going to have to make some very important financial decisions. There are no sacred cows. Everything is subject to adjustment.

Steve McDonough:

I feel as this economic downturn approaches its third year of cuts in town spending. It is time to focus on a few items that should really be addressed. The local fire station is in need of upgrades. These dedicated volunteers deserve a proper changing area as well as a decontamination area after going out on calls. It is a safety issue for them. To retain and/or attract people to serve in this capacity it is essential to provide them with the tools they need to protect the people of the town.

The town reservoir dams are another pressing issue. We are not in compliance with the state and may be fined if we do not take an aggressive approach to the problem. This is also the back up water supply for the town that should be upgraded and protected in the event they are needed.

One other area that we need to look at is the Recycling Center. The incinerator was recently “decommissioned” and the waste is hauled off site. At some point, the town may want to invest in scales on-site in order to realize the revenues they should for the waste that is handled.

Police, schools, roads are all basic services that need to be funded and maintained. I know that it’s difficult in these times to provide for all the demands that are out there, but I feel they need to be looked at individually and met to the best of the town’s ability.