Selectmen candidates were asked five Yes/No questions about issues that will be decided at Town Meeting this spring. They were then given a total of 200 words to further explain their answers.
The questions were:
1. Do you support the Town Meeting article to turn back on 600 streetlights that have been darkened?
2. Do you support spending up to $50,000 more on Andover Youth Services than the town manager recommends?
3. Andover can only use two ambulances at a time and has a 2009 and a 2007 vehicle, plus a 2001 in reserve. Do you support buying a new ambulance this year?
4. Do you support spending up to $400,000 for about 1 acre of land near the proposed Blanchard Street playing fields?
5. Do you support spending up to $480,000 for conservation/recreation land at Fosters Pond?
Alex Vispoli
Incumbent
1. No. That is not necessarily a popular answer, but it is the right thing to do given our budget constraints. Other towns have done this with no negative impacts on public safety. We engaged the Andover Police Department for a full safety assessment and implemented this so it does not impact public safety. It does however, free up money that helps us fund critical programs that keep our town safe and strong.
2. Undecided. We haven't completed the current budgeting process. I've always been a strong supporter of Andover Youth Services. My children participated in AYS programs. We need to maintain AYS programs at current levels while staying within the budget constants all departments face. I called a special meeting for Friday, March 12 to review this.
3. No. We should plan on replacing the reserve ambulance next year, when the reserve ambulance will be 10 years old. We currently have four ambulances, two are in reserve.
4. Yes. We have purchased the adjacent land to accommodate for the loss of the Deyermond Fields. This purchase will allow for better access, parking and increased safety.
5. No. Although very appealing, this is a nice-to-have item that we cannot afford at this time.
----------------------------------------------------------
Larry Bruce
Selectmen candidate
1. Yes. Turn them back on! Shutting off the streetlights last May was our selectmen's tacit admission that they are out of ideas. It was an act of finality - turn out the lights, good night everybody. The streetlight motion was introduced by an incumbent selectman and seconded by another, and I'm running against both of them. Remember on March 23 - the two incumbents are the same guys who shut off your streetlights, after raising your property taxes and your fees. We need to send them a message.
2. Yes. I'd double the appropriation for AYS to $100,000. Look at all the programs and after-school activities AYS sponsors - snowboarding, flag football, lacrosse, field hockey, etc. Busy kids are a lot less likely to get into trouble. Better to pay for AYS than for yet another hire at Town Hall.
3. Undecided.
4 and 5. No. I'm not necessarily opposed to future acquisitions of conservation land, but not now when the town (and its taxpayers) are struggling to keep their financial heads above water. Why pile even more indebtedness on ourselves and future taxpayers for what is not, let's face it, a critical need? Fire, police, schools and AYS come first - in that order.
----------------------------------------------------------
Jerry Stabile
Incumbent
1. Yes. I understand the rationale behind the decision. We have been reducing expenses in every corner of the budget but the real budget issue is labor costs. We are a state leader when it comes to utility-cost reductions, however, streetlight shut-off makes us look desperate. A 1-percent cost-of-living-increase give-back in the union contracts would more than cover the streetlight savings. I have challenged union leadership to start thinking more in line with the times.
2. Yes. Visit the AYS office at 3 p.m. on a weekday and you will see firsthand the value they bring to our kids. I would challenge every school and town department to lend AYS the gap and know that they are willing contribute to sustain the programs. It is my intent to ask the town manager to make this request in support of AYS prior to Town Meeting.
3. Yes. There is a proposal in the works that would enable the fire rescue department to perform transport services in Andover that would generate much needed revenue.
4. No. It makes sense for alleviating some traffic concerns but I cannot see appropriating the funds at this time. That parcel will be there down the road if it is required.
5. No. I really support open space, but not at this time.
