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Town Council Issues

Main Issue

Other Town Issues

Saylesville Issues

Today's Main Issue

This month's main issue remains the removal of the buffer zone surrounding the track. When the Planning Board met recently it decided that more information was needed. The next meeting of the Planning Board is October 25th, but it is not listed on the agenda as a continuance. The Board wants more information before it votes on whether or not the proposed zone change conforms with the Town's comprehensive plan.

My proposed noise ordinance, even though it was passed out of committee last month, was put back for discussion by the committee chairman Eddy Del Grande. Mr Del Grande and Mr. Depault were both in favor of the ordinance in August, but got cold feet after the ACLU began asking questions. The ordinance committee received input from the ACLU, but I remain leary of a legal group drafting laws. I have received several calls from people who wish the ordinance was in place to help improve their quality of life, and I have put them in touch with their council member. This happened against my wishes, as I feel the ACLU is a legal organization, and not a consulting firm.

The sidewalks are starting to get fixed. A drive along Smithfield Ave will show asphalt being laid and the town beginning the long process of repair to the walks. The Town Administrator has written to the state asking them to make Smithfield Ave a priority. As anyone who has walked that area knows, the drainage is a major problem and has a great effect on the sidewalks. A quick patchwork job would only fall quickly into disrepair. Please inform your elected state officials when they come by that you want them to do something at the state level to help fix drainage before your tax dollars get totally wasted. Thanks to all of those residents who understand how town government works. I was against spending $30,000 on the sidewalks last year because a quick fix would not have been useful. I helped get extra money at the Financial Town Meeting and that is money that will be well spent on Saylesville.

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Other town issues you may be interested in include:

The audit.Our town audit was finally completed but the firm of Parmalee Poirier and Associates is holding the audit hostage until they get money they feel is owed them. Now a council majority, not including me, has decided to take legal action against the Town Administrator. My argument was, if the auditing firm is not getting paid, should they not be the ones hiring the lawyers. Now, it appears the tax payers may be on the hook as the Council majority takes action. This entire situation has turned into a debacle. The School committee also chose not to pay, but for some reason, Mr. Auclair does not wish to take action against them for the auditor.

24 Hour LawThe Council recently ennacted a 24 hour operation law specifically for Stop and Shop. I have proposed an amendment to it limiting the scope of applicants to BL-0.5 zones. This would take the track and local gas stations out of the process. The application for Stop and Shop does not take place for another month, so, hopefully, the ordinance committee will jump on this amendment in November.

A Juvenile Hearing Board. This Board passed the council and was refered to the General Assembly for their O.K. Unfortunately, in its rush to adjourn, the Assembly found no time to review this important board. It had some roadblocks placed upon it through its journey to passage, but it remains something that many other towns have put to good use.

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Issues that are of interest to the Saylesville resident include:

Re-election. I have decided to ask the people of Saylesville to allow me the honor of representing them again on the Town Council. Despite being outnumbered, I have been able to draft and pass quality legislation that can only make this town a better place to live. I have begun walking and mailing out information. One of the great things about face to face meetings is gathering feedback from constituents. Some constituents have concerns, and I am only glad to help. So far, over the last three weeks, I have gotten a guard rail fixed on Reservoir, and am working on fixing some bumpy roads and getting some trees trimmed off of Smithfield Ave.

The Bakery Lot, Unfortunately, the Town Council Ordinance Committee decided against passing the proposed zone change for this lot. My ordinance would have enabled the developer to build only 7 homes. Instead, because of the non-passage, Heath Managment has approval to build 16 senior condos. The only good thing out of all this is that these condos will be marketed to empty nesters, so that our school should see no change in enrollment. The Zoning Board did the best it could given the restrictions and the law, and placed several caveats on the property which should make this a nice development and hold everyone's property value around it. Now the developer is looking for a partner to help finish the job. He still plans to live in one of the units himself and have his sister live in another, so I feel the neighborhood should have nothing to worry about.

Street lights on Parker St. It was recently pointed out to me that the bottom of Parker St. is quite dark. I went over there with the Town Administrator and we realized that, even though the town rule is every other pole for a light, the bottom of Parker has an uneven distribution of lights. The town is going to be adding another street light to Parker St, just below the entrance to Fairlawn School.

The Division of the Rooms at Saylesville School has begun and the rooms look gorgeous. Thanks go out to everyone who helped, especially the S.I.T Team from Saylesville which has been fighting for this for years. I'm glad that I could play a small part in helping this project go through, and from my daughter, I thank you all for voting for the money at the Financial Town Meeting. Our children in Saylesville will now have all the benefits of the rest of the town.
The Fire Building Expansion The expansion went through. Credit goes to the Chief and the Board of Fire Wardens for their efforts in getting the word out to the people. The building should retain its historical significance and, most of all, silence that obnoxious horn.
Signs An Ordinance that I originally drafted two years ago and was ultimately edited and passed does not allow the placement of poltical signs until 30 days before an election. That will be this Saturday, October 7. I have several going up around Saylesville. Please note that my signs only go in yards where I have permission and do not get stuck in the middle of town owned fields. If you wish to help my campaign by the placement of a sign in your yard please don't heisitate to call or e-mail me.
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Any other concerns please don't hesitate to e-mail me.

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