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)

I was in favor of the re-zoning for Saunders Brothers but not just for a Wal-Mart development. This piece of property is a key piece to the expansion of commercial development in Westbrook and it needs to be developed.

Obviously, a well thought out and developed office park offering class A space would be ideal but I am not sure of the economics in developing the site. My fear is that residents will resist any development and this vital piece of property will remain in its present state.

Pay-as-you-throw trash pickup and curbside recycling (opposed)

Pay-as-you-throw trash pickup and curbside recycling should not be mandated by the city. The city’s proposed plan is simply another tax/fee. I oppose any attempt to institute pay-per-bag. Last year Westbrook increased its recycling rate by 9 percent resulting in a savings of $65,000 to our city. Where is the need for a mandated program? A pay-per-bag program doesn’t make financial sense. It mandates the citizens pay an additional $305,000 in fees/taxes. This is in addition to the $972,000 we already pay for trash pick-up as part of our taxes. This fee is an increase in our taxes. Call it what it is!

The city purchasing land on Saco Street to market it as the Westbrook Heights Business Park (favored)

I support private-public development. My worry with this project is that the city has taken on all the risk associated with development of this parcel of land. I hope this is an exception and won’t become the rule for development in Westbrook. With that said, I think this particular project has potential and the current council and economic development director should be commended for trying to move things forward.

How would you have voted on this year’s school budget? (no answer)

I have had the advantage of participating in four previous school budgets. The discretionary spending within our school budget is not that great. I dare any citizen to come up with a better review process of a budget than what the school committee currently uses. It is a laborious, tedious, and thought provoking process. The budget is developed and passed with one thought, how does this affect the education of our youngest citizens. As it should be.

The schools are dealing with parents that demand smaller class sizes, we have expanded services for special education, transportation costs are increasing exponentially, and increased insurances all contribute to higher education costs. Add to this that the state of Maine has NEVER lived up to its promise of providing 55% of the cost of education. Where is the pressure from residents to make our state senators and legislators responsible? I would have supported the school budget; however, the state money for property tax relief should have been applied directly for tax relief and not used to balance the city/school budgets.

The potential redevelopment of Saccarappa Park as a combination commercial building/public park (favors)

I support developing Saccarappa Park period. It is the key to continuing the downtown development the city promised. We have an underperforming TIF in the Downtown District that is costing the residents of Westbrook hundreds of thousands of dollars. What is the solution? We only have so much city property we can sell to offset this debt.

I was disturbed to read that the Mayor thinks economic development in Westbrook is progressing at the right speed. Please direct me to the development. This community was sold a lemon with all the promises made about development in the downtown. Take a look at the initial plan presented to the citizens of Westbrook to sell it on approving the TIF. The city has not lived up to promises made.

Our current revitalization needs to be centered on smaller stores with offerings that are unique and specialized. Increasing foot traffic on the boarwalk and opening inviting shops will revitalize our downtown.

What can be done to help lower Westbrook property taxes?

Strong commercial development needs to get on the fast track. Look what has happened in Lewiston/Auburn the past 4 years. Anyone been to Windham, Biddeford, or Sanford lately? Why isn’t Westbrook on the same pace of development? Commercial development uses less city services and pay more in taxes.

What do you want to see done to improve parking in the city?

The current traffic study should provide details concerning a course of action. We do need to address the serious issue of people outside our community using our largest lots as commuter lots to save on parking fees in Portland.

Copy the Story Link