Mayoral candidates off er diff erent strategies
By Doug Grindle Community Reporter

Marlborough - Each of the two candidates in the race for mayor of Marlborough have said they off er the best choice for bringing efficiency to city government.

Incumbent Mayor Nancy Stevens and challenger Patrick Hogan will face off at the polls in November.

Stevens said her reorganization of two city departments - information technology (IT) and facilities - is tangible proof that she is able to bring efficiency to government. By combining the departments, which used to be split between the city and the school district, Stevens said the city has saved money and gets better services.

The IT department has improved, Stevens said.

"It has been much more efficient to keep up with our technology needs," Stevens said.

Hogan said his plan to introduce efficiencies into city government would revolve around a report issued by the state, which makes 23 suggestions for improving how the city is run. The Financial Management Review was completed in December 2006 by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue's (DOR) Division of Local Services.

"The DOR report says it all," Hogan said. "That would be my 23 top things."

Hogan said the recommendations in the report need to be pursued with more vigor.

Stevens has said she is working with the City Council to implement the recommendations, but that takes time.

The candidates disagree over how to manage other departments, such as the Legal Department. Under Stevens, the department hired full-time lawyers to act as city solicitor and assistant city solicitor. Stevens said that was a good move.

"For a city of this caliber we needed a Legal Department of this size," she said.

She said having full-time staff on hand would save the city from preventable lawsuits, which would save the city money.

"It will help prevent some litigation from happening," Stevens said.

But Hogan said he considers the full-time lawyers a waste of money, especially because the city continues to hire outside counsel for contract negotiations with city unions.

Stevens said contract negotiations require more expertise than a general attorney can provide, and the city needs to hire outside legal advice to get the best result.

"I believe that they are highly specialized areas, just like physicians," Stevens said.

Hogan disagreed, and said as part of his work with the patrolmen's union, he had worked with the part-time city solicitor previously in negotiating sessions.

Hogan also said he would run City Hall diff erently, using a round-table of experts to help implement the recommendations of the DOR report. And he would hold public meetings in neighborhoods to figure out how best to improve the city.

"I would do a meeting once a month in a diff erent neighborhood," Hogan said. "And I think you'd get people excited. It gives people a sense of pride."

Stevens said she also works well with others and has been able to improve cooperation between city departments. In working out this year's capital budget for the city, for instance, the department heads sat down and figured out collectively what is best for the city. They used to confer individually with the mayor, who would issue a unilateral decision.

"My management style is a very inclusive style and a collaborative style," Stevens said.

She said she regularly attends functions hosted by many city organizations.

"I think we have been very open," Stevens added. "I try to get out there in the community all the time."

Both candidates said that because the city is required to spend millions to upgrade its two wastewater treatment plants, every effort needs to be taken to find outside sources of income, through grants and low-interest loans. Stevens secured a $10 million grant from the state to help pay the estimated $80 million bill for the upgrades.

"I have taken a personal interest in making sure we get any and all dollars for this project," Stevens said.

Hogan said the more money the city saves on its administration, the easier it will be to pay for the upgrades.

"Start by saving the money where the money can be saved and these things wouldn't be such a burden on us," Hogan said.

If a third candidate enters the race, a primary will be held prior to Election Day.