Candidates trade positions in Marlborough forums
By Kate Daly Assistant Editor

Marlborough - In two forums sponsored by the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce Oct. 16 and 18, candidates for mayor, City Council and School Committee traded opinions and, occasionally, barbs, as they answered ques- tions from a panel of four representing the media and the chamber.

The mayoral debate Oct. 18 was the most heated, with the two candidates asking each other questions.

Incumbent Mayor Nancy Stevens defended her record in her first two-year term, and emphasized her experience not only as mayor but as a former member of the council and the School Committee. Challenger Patrick Hogan, a city police officer, questioned the effectiveness of Stevens's administration.

Stevens questioned Hogan on the speed with which he would make changes recommended by the state Department of Revenue and whether he would support a four-year mayoral term as recommended. Hogan has said he would implement the changes immediately. Stevens noted that the city under her guidance has implemented or made progress on 15 of the 23 recommendations and that some, such as changing the length of the mayor's term, take time to implement.

Hogan asked Stevens how much the city had spent on outside legal counsel since hiring a full-time counsel and assistant counsel for the city.

Stevens said the restructuring was successful in that the staff was "proactive" in helping the city avoid lawsuits.

"The only outside legal counsel we have hired in the last two years has been, the majority of it would be, labor counsel. We were in the middle of negotiations with 13 bargaining units," she said. "Labor is a highly specialized area of law and we want to make sure that we protect the taypayers' money."

At-large council candidates

In the Oct. 18 forum for at-large city councilors, six of the seven candidates for the four open seats appeared. Incumbent Michael Ossing was out of town.

Incumbents Arthur Vigeant, Patricia Pope and Steven Levy and challengers Jennifer Boudrie, James Joyce and Sean Navin addressed issues from water treatment upgrades to the city's business climate. The incumbents agreed that the most pressing issue for the city over the next two to five years would be the wastewater treatment plant upgrades, which could cost more than $40 million in the first stages.

Navin said attracting businesses with creative economic development was crucial because the city needs to more businesses. Boudrie said the city needs to manage its environmental issues, including energy costs and conservation. Joyce said education should be the city's highest priority.

Ward elections

Four wards will choose a councilor, and three of the races have incumbents. In their forum Oct. 16, road and traffic conditions and blight were raised as concerns.

In Ward 2, incumbent Paul Ferro said that the council's efforts to streamline the special permit process has helped attract businesses. Challenger Danielle Gregoire said the biggest obstacle to business is the city's westerly water treatment plant.

Ward 3 incumbent Scott Schafer and challenger Paul Brodeur agreed they did not support opening a casino in Marlborough. Schafer cited existing traffic problems and questioned whether the income generated from a casino would compensate for the costs it generated. Brodeur said the ward is ripe for development and the city needs to choose carefully how to develop the area.

Ward 4 challenger Steven Kerrigan said that he was running to give a voice to ward residents because incumbent Peter Juaire has had to abstain from some votes because of his employment with the Fire Department. Juaire said he represented the residents of his ward despite abstaining on votes involving the Fire Department, as required by state law. He said working for the Fire Department helps because he knows city department heads and how the city works. He also said he plans to retire in 2008.

Ward 7 candidates Ralph Belmore and Donald Landers both agreed that the biggest problems in the ward are road and traffic conditions. Belmore noted that speeding is a concern that needs to be addressed. Landers said sidewalks also need attention.

School Committee

Three seats are open on the School Committee, with five candidates, including two incumbents Katherine Robey and Cosmo Valente. Valente did not attend. Also running are Monica Burnett, Margaret Dwyer and Katherine Hennessy.

Issues raised in the forum included fees for sports and activities, uniforms, teacher retention, the school budget and new construction for the district over the next five years.

To ensure the district taxpayers get their money's worth, the single thing Robey would focus on is professional development. Burnett said she would like to see the curriculum enhanced and that restructuring the students' day could result in more results for the same amount of money. Hennessy agreed that the quality of staff and increasing professional development are important, as well as enhancing school programs and after-school activities

Dwyer said she would like to see the district focus on the "middle-of-theroad" students to ensure their success.

Editor's note: The writer participated in the forums as a panel member, presenting questions to the School Committee, mayoral, at-large and Ward 7 candidates.