Editor’s Note: The Daily Bulldog asked the two Wilton candidates running for a three-year selectman seat a few questions to help voters decide in the Tuesday, June 9 election. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office. The annual town meeting will be held Monday, June 15, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Academy Hill School cafeteria.
MICHAEL BURKE
Occupation? College Professor, English Department, Colby College. On leave this year, but next year back at UMF as English Prof. as well.
Age? 56
Years residing in Wilton? 22
TOM SAVIELLO
Occupation? Environmental Manager, professor, State Legislator
Age? Young old person
Years residing in Wilton? 18
DAILY BULLDOG: The reason you are running for selectman?
BURKE: I am hoping to do what I can to address the infrastructure and economic needs of the town. When we moved to Wilton in 1987, most residents worked in town or not far away. Many of those businesses have closed, yet the town has much to offer, either to similar businesses or new kinds of enterprises, which should want to take advantage of our excellent work force and our lovely setting. In relation to this, I’d like to see what can be done with the downtown blocks. The same storefronts that were vacant in 1987 are still vacant, and we haven’t thought through how our major asset — the stream — is blocked from view, and what impact the buildings themselves have on our economic future.
SAVIELLO: I can bring my experience and contacts at the state and federal level to help and improve the town.
DAILY BULLDOG: Much of the major, recent economic development in the town of Wilton has occurred along the Route 2 and 4 corridor, including the Comfort Inn and Tractor Supply Store. Do you see this particular trend as beneficial for the town and, if so, how do you think the town should proceed to capitalize on it?
BURKE: In the absence of anything else, such development is probably necessary, but obviously it does nothing for that part of town where people live, and contributes to the spreading out of businesses, rather than the centralization of them, which most people would agree is more desirable. I’d rather put our efforts into downtown, making it vital and viable, than to develping businesses along the highway. Still, if there is going to be development along Route 2/4, I’d rather see it being something that adds to the image of Wilton, rather than detracts from it.
SAVIELLO: This is a great opportunity for the town. This is the beginning of the “lights” coming on towards Wilton. We, as selectmen, working with the Wilton development corporation, Alison Hagerstrom and the new town manager, Rhonda Irish, can put the sign out “Wilton is open for business.” We need to work with Maine DOT to insure state regulations do not hinder our efforts. I have been working with the current selectmen to understand this concern and take appropriate action. Note: I am have already contacted Tractor Supply to ensure there are no stumbling blocks to prevent or delay their construction.
DAILY BULLDOG: During the budget review this spring, the board of selectmen voted 3 to 2 to cut the recently established lieutenant’s position in the Wilton Police Department. Do you agree with the majority decision? Please explain why or why not.
BURKE: I don’t enough about the specific budget issues, but I know that years ago there was a great deal of concern about the size of the police force for a town of Wilton’s population. We seem, as a town, to have decided that we need this level of police protection, but I’m always interested in asking questions about that. I must say, though, that as far as I’ve seen, the new police force is doing an excellent job. Very professional.
SAVIELLO: Yes. Hard decisions had to be made and this is one. However, I also support Chief Brown’s effort to obtain a grant to restore the position. We need to find creative solutions to our budget concerns. We need to challenge ourselves as selectmen and as departments to find new ways to pay for and finance our town needs without raising property taxes.
DAILY BULLDOG: Much of the recent activity at the selectmen meetings has involved attempts to revitalize the downtown area. Do you see this as an important effort and, if so, what do you think are some avenues the town should be considering to continue that effort?
BURKE: From the above, you’ll understand that I think this is crucial. We need to tap into some of the expertise available at UMF and even at Colby or Bates, in terms of finding out the latest thinking on civic infrastructure and how to attract grant money for redevelopment. I’m reasonably certain there are grants available for this sort of thing, and I know there have been some committees in town working on it, but we really need to focus on and come to some agreement about what is to be done. We’re talking about a fairly short stretch of town, and we shouldn’t be afraid to think boldly about redesigning a part of town that simply hasn’t been working as well as it could for the last 20 years, at least.
SAVIELLO: Wilton’s downtown has such rich heritage. I have supported at least two efforts in the past to revitalize downtown Wilton. I fully support the recent attempts. In fact I attended the first “third Thursday” in May. I also attended the window painting efforts at Halloween. It was fun to watch people enjoy the fellowship. It was wonderful to look at the kids smiles as they painted the windows. We have a special place in the heart of Maine.
DAILY BULLDOG: What, if any, are some ordinances you would like to see passed to make life safer, cleaner or better in Wilton? Are there ordinances you would like to see altered or done away with?
BURKE: I think Wilton is a relatively safe, clean and good place to live. I’d like to see our level of poverty reduced (see above), and I’m pretty happy with the citizen’s efforts in terms of maintaining a healthy town. I approve of the curfew ordinance which has been in effect for downtown for quite some time (and I think still is). We do a good job with recycling, etc. We could try to provide more in the way of modern recycling (electronics, toxics) on a regular basis, and I’m all in favor of anything that protects the pond, including any restrictions necessary on affects to it and behavior on it. But for the most part, we handle ourselves pretty well in Wilton.
SAVIELLO: At this time I do not have any ordinances or rules I would like to change. However, I am very concerned about the future and what will happen as we face the future state budgets cuts. We will have to make some hard decisions. We need someone with state and local experience to lead us in this time of uncertainly. My experience as a previous selectman, school board member and legislator makes me an excellent candidate to address the future. Wilton is a special place. I look forward to the challenge.
Admin logging in for Lance Harvell:
In support of Tom Saviello
I have had the great honor of serving in the Legislature with a great representative. Being here in my first session I have seen many who do not work as hard or share their commitment to the area they represent.
Not a day goes by when Tom isn’t speaking for or working to help his constituents. His sense of duty to those he serves is rare in Augusta.
Having been raised in Wilton I can assure you that Tom is the best choice for selectman; he will bring the same traits to the selectman’s job that he does everyday to his job in Augusta.