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10/11/2021 12:00 AMThe candidates for the Board of Selectman took the stage in the Oxford Academy to answer questions from the crowd on wide ranging issue important to residents. The event was recorded and will be broadcast.
Every year the Westbrook Council of Beaches (COB) holds a candidates’ forum where those seeking office are invited to answer questions from the residents at the annual candidate’s forum. This year the candidates are: Republicans John Hall and Joe Campbell and Democrats Chet Bialicki and Vince Gentile. Hall and Bialicki are the nominees for first selectman. Campbell and Gentile are candidates for second selectman. Three out of the four will be elected.
This year, the candidates were given timed opening and closing statements, then were asked questions that residents submitted in advance of the forum. The candidates were given the list of the questions at the same time, a week in advance. A call for questions from the in-person audience was made, though none were offered.
Climate change, economic development, and Westbrook schools were among the subjects addressed.
On the question of using some of the American Rescue Plan money for coastal resiliency projects, the candidates said they’d like to see the money spent elsewhere, but agreed the issue is important.
Hall said that the planning commission is working on the issue and noted that this is not an issue unique to Westbrook.
“I think this is an opportunity for regionalism,” said Hall, who noted that neighboring shoreline towns can pool money to tackle the issue.
Campbell seconded Hall’s thoughts and noted that at meetings to discuss how to use the recovery money, nobody had brought up spending on coastal resiliency.
Gentile said that while he agrees coastal resiliency is an important issue, “I personally think the priority should be for projects that support economic development.”
Bialicki said that the discussions on how to use the money has exposed several projects that he believes should have been worked on over the years.
“I really believe the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance need to come together to talk about how to pay for some of these projects,” Bialicki said.
A question on how to stop increased flooding due to climate change prompted similar responses.
“We need to work with other communities because it’s not just a Westbrook problem,” said Campbell.
Gentile mentioned that the town no longer has a planner on staff, which he said could help confront the issue.
“We need to make sure we have the proper staff,” said Gentile.
Bialicki called for a committee to be formed that would which deal with climate change issues, as well as for rehiring a town planner.
“We can’t go another year without this,” he said.
Hall pointed out that flood planning is a long-range issue that will require input from the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and regional leaders.
“To me this is much bigger than a small town of Westbrook issue,” said Hall.
On topic of reducing the cost of education in town while keeping the schools competitive, the candidate discussed various approaches.
“I think the best way to reduce the cost per student is to attract more students,” said Gentile.
Gentile specified more affordable housing as a way to attract more young families to town and get more students in the school.
Bialicki said that he would convene meetings between the Board of Finance and Board of Education “to talk exclusively” about school issues. Bialicki also said that he likes what the schools have done to regionalize some sports teams without cutting programs.
Hall pointed out that the Board of Selectman by rule can only have very little say over what the Board of Education does. Hall said that while he is not in favor of regionalizing the high school, he is in favor of what the school has done with regionalizing some of the sports teams.
“Every town around here is also dealing with declining enrollment,” Hall pointed out.
When the talk turned to attracting more businesses to town, Hall disputed the assertion that economic development has been stagnant. Hall pointed out that the revelation may have changed numbers that affect the Grand List but there were still around 170 building applications filed and a couple large-scale projects over the last several years.
Hall also said he was excited by the top 10 highest taxpayers in town continuing to reinvest in the town, which he said shows they believe they can do business here.
Campbell, who owns a business in the town center, said he wants to “show people it is possible to be successful in the downtown.” Campbell said he wants to deal with the different relevant commissions to put together a plan to work on the downtown.
Gentile said that there has been a “lack of vision” over the last 10 years when it’s come to dealing with the downtown. Gentile said that finding a way to deal with the downtown septic system issues has to be the first priority to fix to attract people to town.
Bialicki said that he would have a webpage on the town website dedicated to economic development that listed the available commercial properties and businesses for sale. He also said he would hold an economic development fair to invite businesses leaders to town to show them the opportunities in Westbrook.
The candidates also responded to questions about sidewalks, conservation and development, attracting businesses, and told the audience more about themselves.
“I think it went very well,” said COB president Pat Marcarelli, who added that he was impressed with the questions submitted by residents. “Speaking with the candidates after I can say they thought so, too.”
The complete video of the event can be seen periodically on Valley shore Tv Channel 19 over the next month as well as on the VSCTV website www.vsctv.com and COB website www.westbrookcouncilofbeaches.org.