The rezoning of the Saunders Brothers mill from Industrial to Gateway Commercial to clear the way for Wal-Mart to possibly come to Westbrook (favored)
Not to clear the way for Wal-Mart, but to protect the neighbors from anything that might have gone into the site.
The additional site plan restrictions that limit the size of buildings in the Gateway zone developed by the Planning Board and approved by the City Council in response to the Saunders zone change (favored)
I commend the planning board for all of their hard work, the City Council for approving the Standards and Westbrook Our Home for their tireless effort to keep this issue in front of everyone.
Pay-as-you-throw trash pickup and curbside recycling (favors)
I am in favor of the right plan. So far the current administration has come forward with 3 different proposals/prices that were not based on facts, only what other cities have done.
The city purchasing land on Saco Street to market it as the Westbrook Heights Business Park (favored)
I would like to see more businesses come to Westbrook as long as the residents of Westbrook will benefit and they don’t have to worry about pollution (noise or air), increased traffic problems, etc.
How would you have voted on this year’s school budget? (no answer)
I was reviewing and attending the City Council budget meetings and didn’t review the school budget.
The potential redevelopment of Saccarappa Park as a combination commercial building/public park (favors)
I would be in favor of a development at Saccarappa Park if it made sense for everyone and not just to put the development in.
The City Council’s recent decision to add $150,000 to a capital improvement bond for playground improvements and the Westbrook Food Pantry (opposed)
I am in favor of both of these items, but I feel they should be included with the city/school budget instead of being bonded.
Please give us your comments on the following subjects:
Paper streets have been a major source of contention in the city recently. How would you have dealt with residents’ complaints about old paper streets being used for development?
Since the question about the paper streets had been around for a little while, I would have asked the city to put a moratorium on any development until the matter could be resolved. I think the moratorium was put into effect too late, causing unnecessary problems and ill-will from the residents as well as the developers.
How would you settle the dispute between the city and the two local businessmen who purchased the old Cumberland Mills police station?
I would make them stick to their agreement with the City. It doesn’t seem they ever had any intension of putting a small business incubator onto the site, but that’s what they proposed to the council, and what the council agreed to when they sold them the property.
What can be done to help lower Westbrook property taxes?
Streamlining more operations, cutting costs, working to eliminate mandatory overtime, bring in more business.
How would you work to settle the protracted dispute between the police union and the city?
I would first want to better understand the numbers behind their proposal and then work out a deal that benefits them and the city. I believe they should have a contract and I think that the residents of Westbrook need to know that they aren’t being taken advantage of.
What do you want to see done to improve parking in the city?
I am not sure, possibly more on street, metered or un-metered parking, which could become another revenue source but would also require additional staff to empty the meters and issue tickets if necessary.
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