Southborough – This spring Southborough will be holding its Annual Town Election Monday, May 11. Four candidates are running for one spot on the Southborough Board of Selectmen. Here, in their own words, are thoughts from two of the candidates – Desiree Aselbekian and Brian Shea.
Desiree Aselbekian – It is with great enthusiasm that I ask for your support and vote for the Southborough Board of Selectmen on May 11. I’m ready to bring a fresh perspective to the Town House and hope that you will join me in this effort.
If you entrust me with your vote, my goal as selectwoman will be to promote open government, transparency, accountability, and provide the leadership to apply these principles throughout the town’s organization. Our town is in desperate need of a comprehensive strategic vision; a plan that is no longer reactionary and stagnant but looks toward strategically planning for the future needs of our community.
I have extensive experience as an active community participant. I first ran successfully for the Algonquin Regional School Committee in 1999. In addition to my six years on the ARHS School Committee and five years on the K-8 School Committee, I’ve had the pleasure to serve on many local boards. Over the years, I have stayed current on the many issues facing Southborough and have become increasingly concerned about how our local government is being run. I see board members who want to move the community forward, and I hope to work with them to focus on the short and long-term needs of Southborough. I will always work tirelessly to get the best deal for the taxpayer.
As a fourth generation resident of Woodland Road, I understand and deeply appreciate the history and character of our Town. While we will never forget our history, we must lead our community into the future by making essential investments in technology, infrastructure, and economic development.
I would encourage any voter who wants to learn more about me and my vision to visit my campaign website at http://ElectDesiree.com. I look forward to meeting people, discussing our Community, and earning your trust. I ask for your vote on Monday, May 11.
I’m for moving Southborough forward! I know you are too.
Bill Boland, incumbent – I am honored to have served Southborough as a Selectman for the past nine years. I ask for your support on Monday May 11 to re-elect me for a fourth term. I’m a fourth generation resident. My wife Caitlin and I have three children who are attending or have graduated from Algonquin Regional High School.
In my nine years, I believe I have a strong record of voting on issues that were in the best interest of the town. The selectmen and the administration have worked hard to continue to provide the excellent services that our residents expect while keeping our tax increases to a minimum. We started a new streamlined budget process with a goal of providing more information to the residents in advance of Town Meeting. We have realized substantial cost savings by working with our employees to reduce insurance and benefit costs which have
significantly lowered our OPEB, or post employee benefit costs. While some other towns face overrides, our budget is $2 million below our levy capacity.
We are actively working on attracting new business to town as well as retaining those current businesses to increase our commercial tax base and keep our residential tax rate stable. We are implementing a new town website that will be more user friendly and provide better communication and easier access to information for our residents.
In the coming years, we will need to prioritize attention to the town’s Capital Plan, especially facilities for public safety, our seniors, transfer/recycling center and final design for our Main Street.
As a selectman, listening to the opinions of our residents is most important. It is discouraging to see how few people attend public meetings, however, I’m encouraged when so many people tell me they watch our meetings on television. I always try to make time to speak with our residents as many would rather share their opinions privately in person and not via letters and email. Unfortunately, the hardest part in listening is occasionally telling someone that, although you appreciate their view, you believe there is another option that better serves the needs of the town.
Brian Shea – This coming December will mark the 20th year since my wife Anne and I moved to Southborough. Our three daughters have grown up in town and attended our town’s schools. I have been active in coaching their soccer teams, and also at St. Anne’s Parish. In my professional life I am an environmental engineer and have worked at Fay, Spofford, and Thorndike since I graduated college 29 years ago.
I became involved on town committees when I was one of the first appointees to the Municipal Facilities Committee in 2003. Since then, I have participated on the Advisory Committee, the Town Administrator By-law Committee, and the Main Street Design Working Group. I am currently serving as the chair of the Advisory Committee.
Since we moved to town, Southborough has made a significant investment in our school buildings. This has benefited all citizens of the town, but has come at the expense of advancing other town facility needs. My vision for Southborough includes a new facility that addresses the needs of our Police Department; improving Main Street in a manner that will be done in a way that maintains the character of a small New England town, yet has the benefit of improved access to downtown businesses; planning for a community center for use by our increasing senior population; and engaging local businesses to broaden the tax base.
My experience with the committees that I have served on uniquely qualifies me to advance these initiatives at the Board of Selectmen level, while also recognizing that these must be done in a manner that keeps property tax increases in check.
I bring an analytical thought process and ability to carefully consider all issues that are brought forth, to make a fair reasoned recommendation based on the merits of each issue. These skills along with my working knowledge of the town will help me to serve as Selectman. I am confident that by staying true to myself, and to the core values that we all share as citizens and families, I will be successful in this race.
I humbly ask for your support.
