We are pleased to introduce this year's candidates
who are running for offices in the May 2008 Town Elections.
Please click on their names to read their statements.
The Town of Charlton does not officially endorse any particular candidate.
PLEASE VOTE MAY 3, 2008
Heritage School, 34 Oxford Road, Charlton
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| Contested Races | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BOARD OF SELECTMEN (Seat 5) One 3 Year Seat (vote for 1) Kathleen Walker - Incumbent Sandra Dam |
BOARD OF HEALTH
One 3 Year Seat (vote for 1) Barbara A. Dean - Incumbent James J. Millett |
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| TOWN CLERK
3 Year Seat (vote for 1) Susan J. Nichols - Incumbent Lawrence Gilligan |
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| Uncontested Races (candidates either running for reelection without opposition or the only candidates for the position) |
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| Board of Selectmen (Seat 5) - 3 Year Seat (Choose One) | |||
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KATHLEEN WALKER |
Kathleen Walker Announces for Board of Selectmen This is to announce my candidacy for the Charlton Selectboard at the upcoming town election on May 3. Having completed two terms on this Board, I am looking forward to staying the course for a third term. I am happy I was able to accomplish as much as I did during the last three years and appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve the Town of Charlton. My major accomplishments and interests have been varied, but one of my major goals has been to insure that our Board and the Town Hall in general become more "user friendly", that the Selectboard and Town offices are accessible and accomodating to the public. To that end, I have supported candidates who are interested in forwarding the same agenda of courtesy and respect to all those who come before our Board. I have contributed to making sure our Board meetings are open and that the members show respect for one another. Although we often disagree, we are not disagreeable. Although we differ on many issues, we do not differ on our efforts to stay calm and respectful to one another. This follows through to the employees we have hired and appointments we have made, in that we are always looking for the person who can get along with others, has a smile now and then. I am also working consistently to protect the environment on a number of different fronts. Initially, it all started when I was able to coordinate the first Household Hazardous Waste Day for Charlton; this has continued once or twice a year ever since. I then helped form the Recycling Committee which has been active for over four years. This Committee has steadily and consistently put forth their recycling agenda. Although we were not successful at getting the Town to adopt townwide recycling two years ago, we did manage to bring the issue to the forefront and educate the residents about the benefits of recycling. When the opportunity came to engage with a company who would provide that service, the SelectBoard unanimously supported that effort and now every Charlton resident has the option to choose recycling for their trash removal and, at a lower cost. As a member of the ad hoc Charlton Water Search Committee, I have worked to find alternative sources of water to help offset the well contamination in Town. That effort is ongoing but we have identified at least three Towns who may be willing to provide water to Charlton. I have been active in working to pass on the cost of the contamination resolution to those parties who are responsible and spent much of last summer bringing around a petition to encourage the Town to support that effort. Although I did not support the hiring of BATG to complete our landfill, I have stayed with this issue and followed up by attending Board of Health and Dept. of Environmental Protection meetings, by visiting the landfill and becoming conversant with the contract. My efforts to provide added oversight to this project have only helped to keep us focused on making sure everything is being done correctly and safely. I've lived in Charlton on Baker Pond Road for the past 13 years with my husband, Mike Lally. We have both been involved in the peace process for Northern Ireland for some years; this culminated in a major conference in Boston last October wherein parties from both sides were brought together to cross the divide. I plan to bike ride with Follow the Women (an international group of over 300 women, 12 of whom attend from the US) in the middle east for two weeks in May to bring attention to the peace initiatives there. My daughter and her family also live in Town. Three of my grandchildren attend Charlton Schools and enjoy town sports - there's a two year old also. I also have a son who is a police officer in Lowell, MA, and who has given me four more grandchildren. Having recently retired from the Postal Service where I worked as a site acquisition specialist and lease negotiator, I have more time to devote to Charlton. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University and am continuing to educate myself by applying to the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement in Cambridge, MA. In addition to the Water Search Committee and Recycling Committee, I am also a member of the Democratic Town Committee, the Municipal Building Committee and the Old Home Day Committee. My hobbies are piano lessons, fitness and nutrition research, and ballroom dancing. I would very much appreciate your support for my candidacy and can be reached at 508-248-9791 or kathleenwwalker@charter.net. I will be happy to answer any questions and would like to thank you for your continued support thus far and for the trust you have extended to me - I has been a real pleasure to serve as one of your Selectpersons this past six years. |
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SANDRA DAM |
Hi, my name is Sandy Dam. I respectfully request your support in my bid for the seat of Selectman. I have been a resident of Charlton all my life and am married with two children. I graduated from Shepherd Hill Regional H.S.
and earned an Associates Degree from Quinsigamond Community College. I am part time secretary for the Charlton City United Methodist Church, and am active in the Methodist Women's Organization, a member of the Charlton Garden Club, a Girl Scout Troop Leader, and treasurer of the New England Belted Galloway ("oreo cookie" cows) Society. I work full time as the Charlton Water & Sewer Administrator, have six years of experience as a Water & Sewer Commissioner, and have served seven years on the Board of Health. I have worked hard as a member of the current Water and Sewer Commission. I have researched issues, have taken my responsibility seriously, and have tried to make the best decisions possible for the users and residents of Charlton. I am extremely fiscally minded and have prepared years of budgets which have enabled the enterprise fund to operate on its own. This has resulted in savings for the taxpayers of Charlton. Due to my diligence and understanding of the debt issues of the sewer and water enterprise funds, $225,000 in interest payments have been saved over the life of the loans. This translates into a loan paid off early and eventually releases that revenue stream for other major projects that are being proposed for the Town such as a new Highway Barn, Fire Station, and Senior Center. Some of my other accomplishments have included implementation of numerous policies and procedures to correct deficiencies in standard operating procedures and establishing a metered rate structure including a surcharge component for large users such as the MTA shifting the burden of responsibility away from the residential users. Another great success of this surcharge component is that as of July 1, 2008 there should be a rate reduction for all sewer users as capital expenditures and some expenses will be covered by retained earnings for FY2009. This has been possible because of years of fiscal responsibility, finding sewer users that were tied in but not paying, charging all users in the same way, adding new customers, and adopting the new rate structure. I have successfully negotiated an agreement with Southbridge for water and an agreement in principle with ExxonMobil for the construction of an Interconnection Facility to bring that water to Charlton. I have interacted with engineers, legal counsel, State Representatives, and DEP personnel to move numerous complex issues to a final outcome. I negotiated a 1.886 million dollar settlement with the Masonic Home which resulted in a payment that funded the majority of the sewer upgrade. I have set a strong foundation for the sewer and water operations, which include procedures, policies, and legislation that have translated into self supporting projects now and into the future. As you can see by all of the above, I have gathered a vast amount of knowledge regarding the numerous complex issues facing the Town of Charlton and would like to put that knowledge to use as your Selectman. I have a full understanding of the workings of Town Government and how to accomplish the goals set by the Taxpayers. I am respected in the community for what I have accomplished, my desire to do my best for the town and community, and for my excellent work ethic. I have shown the ability to master new concepts quickly and to research and learn whatever is needed to accomplish the task at hand. The responsibilities of the Selectmen are constantly expanding and changing as the Town experiences ongoing growth. I would welcome the challenge to grow with the Town and continue to serve the people of Charlton. My involvement has taught me how to handle complaints, respond fairly and within the rules of my office and I take pride in things being done correctly. I am honest, fair, and conscientious and believe that my knowledge and skills will be an asset to the existing Board. I have a vested interest in this community as my family lives here and has lived here for generations. Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank You. Sincerely, Sandra (Mann) Dam |
Town Clerk - 3 Year Seat (Choose One) | |
| SUSAN J. NICHOLS |
Dear Friends, My name is Susan Nichols and I am running for re-election for the Town Clerk’s position. I was born and raised in the Town of Charlton and have also raised my family here. I have been married to my husband Tom for 38 years, have 4 children and 8 grandchildren, seven of whom live in town. I have served in this town in several capacities since 1976. I worked as a census taker, election worker, Registrar of Voters, Assistant Town Clerk and am honored to have been your Town Clerk for the last 15 years. When I first started working in the Clerk’s office we did not even have a computer. We now use optical scan vote tabulators at our elections which enable us to get election results within an hour of most poll closings, and our voters list are on the state election system. We are presently working on a state-wide vital records system that will enable us to provide birth certificates from anywhere in the state. I am proud to say that we have modernized and updated this office significantly to date and still have more changes planned. I believe my fifteen years in this office has helped to make myself and my assistant invaluable resources to the Town as this job has many facets, all which have to be dealt with according to Ma. General Laws. In closing, I would like to thank you for considering me as your Town Clerk for the next three years and I will serve you in the same courteous, friendly manner as I have for the past fifteen years. Susan Nichols Candidate for Town Clerk |
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LAWRENCE GILLIGAN |
Lawrence Gilligan to transform Charlton's office of the Town Clerk.
I have decided to run for Charlton Town Clerk because I value transparency and openness in government. When we elect officials, they are to represent us and do the work of the town on our behalf. In essence, our elected officials should personify trust. When we have questions, they should be answered. When we seek service, it should be given. As citizens we at least deserve these minimum standards. I propose going beyond the minimum by putting the "servant" back in "public servant". I truly believe that elected officials are public servants obligated to serve the people. Service comes in a variety of ways, but most importantly is customer focused. The citizens of Charlton are the customers and deserve (and should demand) prompt, competent, complete, and accurate service. As Charlton Town Clerk this will be my top priority. I envision transforming the office of Town Clerk into a citizen focused information center; making access to town data user friendly. Better utilization of cable access channels, a revamped Town Clerk's web page, and information seminars for our senior citizens would be a top priority for me as your town clerk. I will not draw a salary or benefits as Charlton Town Clerk; saving our town some funds. Instead I would like to institute internships, in order to get our high school and college students involved and passionate about town public service. These opportunities would make a lasting connection with our younger citizens, with the ultimate goal of creating young stakeholders committed to the future of Charlton. A portion of the savings from not drawing a salary or benefits would establish these internship positions. The way in which we conduct elections in town will be reviewed, and any procedural safeguards will be implemented, to ensure the integrity of the election process and guarantee every vote cast is accurately counted. I am confident in my ability to effectively and efficiently run the office of town clerk. I am confident that I give the residents of Charlton an alternative to ‘business as usual’ when it comes to running the office of town clerk. The main issue at hand is the fact that the residents of Charlton now have a choice for town clerk. You are welcome to email Mr. Gilligan at lebagill@msn.com. |
Board of Health - 3 Year Seat (Choose One) | |
BARBARA A. DEAN |
BARBARA DEAN Chair Person Board of Health 26 Little Mugget Road PO Box 136 Charlton Depot, MA 01509 Position Sought: Re-election to the Charlton Board of Health for another 3 year term Family: I have 3 sons who grew up in Charlton and still have ties to the community. I have 8 grandchildren, one living in town. Education: Commerce High School, Worcester MA Real Estate Life Crisis Counseling College of Experience Prior Public Service:
I have lived in Charlton for 48 years and I’m a former business owner. I have seen the town grow from a population of 4000 to the present. I am genuinely concerned about the many issues we are facing during this time of heavy growth. During my three year term on the Board of Health, the office has grown and changed. We have an excellent office staff and the BOH has subcontracted the job of Health Agent to a well qualified person. More positive things are said of our office than negative. The landfill is being closed at no cost to the town. We have hired CMG Environmental to test and monitor some wells around the Landfill in an effort to alleviate the concerns of the residents in the Burlingame Road area. We have made numerous other changes to better serve the residents. I feel that I have made a worthy contribution to the Board of Health in the past three years and I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Charlton. |
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JAMES J. MILLETT |
Office Seeking: Charlton Board of Health My Name Is: James Millett I am 63 and married to Linda Millett. Raised eight children who have gone through the Charlton school system, Jodel, Ellie, James, Roberta, Dana, Jenn, 15 year old twins Sara and Laura, and eight grandchildren. I have lived at 39 Richardson Corner Road, Charlton for over 20 years. Education: St. Pauls school and graduate of Worcester Boys Trade High School, electrical, numerous courses in the Air Force. I am presently working as a groundskeeper for the Venerini Academy and Venerini Sisters home in Worcester. Experience: Retired after twenty years in the U.S. Air Force and a Vietnam Veteran. Held top secret S.C.I. clearance. Ten years experience as a safety officer, responsible for environmental health, fire, traffic and personal safety of a hundred seventy-seven man squadron. Two years as a project manager for installation of crypto equipment, and eight years head of a thirteen-man crypto work center. President of the Squadron Booster club, and president of the Enlisted Advisory Council, held positions of armor, treasury, vice president and president of the Hanscom Air Force Base Sportsman club. After retiring from the Air Force I was a school bus driver for Webster and Bay path Schools, custodian for Oxford and Charlton schools and Charlton Baptist Church. Technician for Alphatronic Alarm Company, security guard during construction of elementary and Heritage schools of Charlton, security guard for B & B security of Worcester. My Saying: “If your not part of the solution, than your part of the problem.” “Treat others as you would want to be treated.” Why I want to serve on the Charlton Board of Health: I believe all people from the old timers to the new comers to the town of Charlton should be treated with dignity and respect when they come before the board. The meeting should be tape-recorded and kept on file to protect not only the Board of Health but also those who come before it. Minutes should be typed verbatim, so they reflect the actual meeting, otherwise why tape them? The meeting should be shown on town cable T.V. just like the selectman’s meetings are, so as to keep everyone civil while at the meetings. I would like to pursue issues on fact of law and not opinions; I would like to see a balance between the people and the needs of Charlton. I would like to be part of that change. If you want a representative on your behalf that would like to see accountability and change, then I respectfully request your vote. James Millett 39 Richardson Corner Road Charlton, MA 01507 508-248-4675 |
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