Northborough Selectman’s Race: Is It Time for Someone New?
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Amberson, who has already served 12 years, is seeking re-election for a fifth term. Pantazis, a three term selectman, is looking to be elected to his fourth three-year term, while Maselli says it’s time for someone new. GoLocalWorcester reached out to Stone, but calls to him were not returned.
“I’m a firm believer in term limits,” Maselli said. “You need to change the complexity of the board – you can’t always have the same people.”
Pantazis said his reason for running remains the same as it was nine years ago: “I’m a lifelong resident, I love the town and I love helping out.”
“People have a voice with me – I try to help them out, get them an answer or direct them to the right person,” he said.
Amberson said the town has been fortunate to be able to add $142 million in new growth during the last two years. “It’s well over a million dollars in new taxes,” he said. “We’ve made a real concerted effort to attract responsible businesses to town.”
Jeff Amberson is running for a fifth term on the Board of Selectmen
Maselli touted her experience on town boards including the Westborough Finance Committee as the reason to vote for her. “I know how to get things done,” she said. “I can bring new life to the Board of Selectmen.”
Incumbents Claim Success in Town
“Nine years ago, my goal was to build communication between town boards and commissions," Pantazis said. “It’s a positive working relationship.”
Amberson said the big issue has been keeping the town’s finances in order. “The extra income (from new growth) means we’re in excellent financial shape. Our increases have been well below the Prop 2 ½ levy limit. While the rest of the communities have been losing revenue, we’ve been gaining.”
Both Pantazis and Amberson cited the addition of the Northborough Crossing mall, A. Duie Pyle, National Grid’s headquarters and the building of a FedEx facility as part of the town’s success.
Pantazis also said the town was able to negotiate changes to health insurance benefits that will result in annual savings of $400,000.
Big Business vs. Small Business
While the new businesses in town have been beneficial for the tax base, small businesses in town have taken a hit in recent years.
Lisa Maselli is looking to unseat a longtime selectmen in her first bid for selectman
Amberson defended the town’s efforts to market Northborough as a business-friendly community, given Wegmans' decision to come to Central Mass.
“When Wegman’s originally considered locating in Northboro, they were also considering a parcel of land less than a mile down the road in Shrewsbury,” Amberson said. “If they had chosen otherwise, and located in Shrewsbury, the effect on our small businesses would have remained the same, with the only difference being that Northboro would have been without the benefit of the additional tax revenue they brought with along with them.”
Selectmen’s Responsibilities in Town
Maselli cited her ability to write bylaws and her design perspective as reasons to vote for her, while Pantazis said the board can only hire the police chief, fire chief, DPW superintendent, school superintendent, town accountant and town administrator, deal with the finances of the town, and conduct dangerous dog hearings.
“I look at things through the eyes of a designer,” Maselli said. “And there are a lot of empty places along Route 20.
Pantazis said Maselli’s concerns about town zoning bylaws do not have a place on the Board of Selectmen.
“I told her that if that’s your concern, you’re running for the wrong thing,” Pantazis said.
Amberson agreed. “It is important to remember that the Board of Selectman does not dictate zoning, they do not propose zoning regulations. Zoning proposals come under the auspices of the Planning Board, who propose changes, which are then voted on by the citizens at Town Meeting.”
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