(one three-year seat)
Years living in town: I’m a 13 year Mason resident. I am a NH native and lifelong resident of the Greater Nashua area.
Previous or current elected office held: I am currently Chairman of the Board of Selectmen finishing my 2nd term in office. Past positions include the Mason Financial Advisory Committee 2011-2013; alternate on the Mason Planning Board 2012-2013; Ex-Officio to the Mason Planning Board 2014-2019 and Commissioner to the Nashua Regional Planning Commission 2015-2019. I am familiar with Mason ordinances, understand the roles of various town boards and the laws that govern them.
Other qualifications: I hold an MBA from Southern NH University. I am a seasoned professional with business experience in Team Building, Vendor Management, Planning, Operations and Budget Management. As an incumbent, two-term member on the Board of Selectmen, I bring to the table – solid business experience, strong integrity, ability to listen objectively, wade through the facts and be an independent thinker to solve problems and make reasonable decisions. I am community-minded and promote transparency. I am proud to serve the Town of Mason and support the many volunteers that make our community strong.
What are two issues you think are important and how would you address them?
1- Sustainability for the Future: Mason operates with a small core of employees and many volunteers. To maintain an acceptable level of service at a cost we can afford, we need to attract and retain skilled employees and volunteers. Working with department heads I am formalizing job levels and pay bands based on experience to develop a scalable wage structure.
The need for volunteers is ever present. Volunteers staff the Planning and Zoning Boards, Conservation Commission and other boards. The need for volunteer daytime fire fighters and 1st responders is especially critical. Mason needs to explore alternative models for daytime response readiness, I will work with the BOS, Fire/EMS and Police to investigate options.
I will also develop and promote a volunteer expo for the various boards, committees, Fire/EMS Department to provide residents the opportunity to learn about essential volunteer positions, time commitment and available training. I will also develop a volunteer jobs board on the town website to advertise all open volunteer positions. Just like Uncle Sam, We Want You!
2- Infrastructure Investment: The town is progressing addressing deferred maintenance of paved roads, aging equipment and modernizing facilities. But, much is left to do. This year, the Planning Board is updating the Master Plan which is a great opportunity for the BOS and PB to develop and adopt a formal Capital Improvement Plan, which I consider a priority and have been promoting.
The town has been inconsistent committing funds to capital reserve accounts for Highway and Fire Department. We have successfully implemented a cruiser replacement program for the Police Department. A CIP will put the town on a path to better anticipate major investment needs, and to manage future growth with the ability to impose impact fees on development.
Continuity of planning – During my first two terms the Select Board developed and implemented a paved road restoration plan. If re-elected I will continue that work by encouraging infrastructure investment in the maintenance and improvement of gravel roads. I recently voted with the board to approve a contract for liquid calcium chloride and application equipment, to provide better flexibility for routine maintenance, with a company that will advise on best practices and materials to build up trouble spots.
Years living in town: About two years.
Qualifications: I am a retired Disabled Iraqi War Vet. I currently work for the U.S. EPA and I am the Region 1 Safety Officer for New England.
What are two issues you think are important and how would you address them?: I believe in a clean environment through proper wildlife, and forest management and upkeep. I have experience in running large scale operations with a wide variety of responsibilities and resources. I look forward to becoming a Mason Selectman! When my wife and I discovered this wonderful town we both knew immediately that this was the town to settle down in and raise our family and be a part of the community.