Peter Burns is making another run for selectman after losing his bid last year to incumbent Cliff Emery.
Burns, 61, is one of four candidates on the ballot challenging two incumbents as each vyes for one of the two selectman seats.
Although he said the town needs a new public works garage, he doesn’t favor the $1.8 million one proposed by selectmen for Tuesday’s referendum. “I definitely would like to see it, but it’s too costly,” Burns said.
He would favor spending $1.2 million for a garage. He said it started out as a $600,000 to $800,000 project that ballooned, and he’s concerned about cost overruns.
“Now its got to the point that it is way more than the town should take on as debt,” Burns said.
Voters Tuesday will also decide on a part-time town planner that Burns feels the town needs. But he is undecided about whether the town should hire one because it has yet to write a job description. “They’re doing it backwards,” Burns said. “I’m on the fence.”
Burns is experienced in business. He worked 27 years as a supervisor and manager at National Semiconductor. “I’m used to looking at balance sheets,” he said.
He’s a regular attending selectmen meetings on Wednesdays. “I’m in town hall quite often,” Burns said.
If voters elect Burns, he would be available for residents. He’s a cabinetmaker with flexible hours.
Burns, a four-year Air Force veteran, has family roots in town. He was originally from Buxton and returned in 1969. His wife, Ilse Burns, is a School Administrative District 6 teacher. “I love the town,” he said.
Burns said volunteerism is falling off in Buxton and he is unhappy with recent voter turnout percentages. If elected, he would like to increase public participation.
In Buxton, he has served six years on the budget committee with three years as chairman. But now he wants a direct input and said he’s more fiscally conservative than the selectmen. He said the town is starting to be like other governments – “spend, spend, spend,” he said.
cutline (Peter Burns) – Peter Burns
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