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Most candidates favor future override, more aid, less division |
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Written by Bob Sprague
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Sunday, 30 March 2008 |
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Page 3 of 3
Treasurer
In his opening remarks, Stephen Gilligan, uncontested in seeking the office he has held since 2006, said he recovered more than $13 million is in state school-building reimbursements that had been allowed to lanquish. That included $5,046,728.71 as a lump-sum payment for the Dallin School rebuild and an additional annual payment of $810,00, or $8.1 million plus for the life of the borrowings, for the other remaining schools.
During questions, he was asked whether the current economic downturn might affect town investments. He said he expected investment return to do less well in the coming fiscal year as it did previously. He said aggressively seeking the best financial deals for the town resulted in exceeding short-term deposit projections by an additional $980,000 in the current year and does not expect that in fiscal 2009.
Asked whether he would invest town pensions in the state retirement system, as some in Town Meeting have suggested, he said he prefers managing that money locally. He said town pension funds have had a 8 1/4% return over the last 20 years, but the last three years have been lower.
AssessorUncontested candidate Mary Winstanly-O'Connor was asked whether adjustments wrere expected for taxpayers since value of all properties is lower. She responded that Department of Revenue figures show total is not lower and that a townwide revaluation is coming up this year. She noted 115 applications for abatements, indicating genereal public satisfaction with how properties are assessed.
Housing Incumbent Richard Murray was unable to attend, and no reason was given. Under LWV rules, challenger Patricia Worden could not speak publicly.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 05 April 2008 )
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News 
Enuma Elish
performs "Metropolis" Thursday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. at the Regent
Theater. General admission...
