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Sunday, May 26, 2013

By Steve Myrick
Published: April 9, 2009

Campaign signs are sprouting faster than spring flowers in Oak Bluffs. The April 16 election features a five-way race for two seats on the board of selectmen, a three-way race for one school committee seat, and a two-way contest for town moderator.

Incumbent Greg Coogan is seeking reelection to a 3-year term on the five-member board of selectmen. Incumbent selectman Roger Wey chose not to seek an eighth term. There are four challengers after the two jobs.

Gail Barmakian is an attorney who currently sits on the zoning board of appeals. Kathleen Burton is a real estate professional and political newcomer. Herbert Combra Jr. is a former selectman and past highway superintendent. David Wessling is a former traffic planner for the Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC).

The Martha's Vineyard Times asked each candidate to respond to two questions in writing.

Question 1: Against the backdrop of a difficult economic climate, selectmen have proposed a $24.1 million town budget that includes a reduction in the highway department budget, but increases in the education and the police department budgets, and salary increases for town employees. Why should taxpayers have confidence in this spending plan, and how would you reduce the burden on taxpayers going forward?

Ms. Barmakian: I have a measure of confidence in the proposed budget knowing that the financial advisory committee has worked tirelessly with department heads, the town administrator, finance director, and selectmen to achieve a balanced budget, sparing the town from an override.

Financial problems facing all towns today are complex and pervasive. A cost/benefit approach is imperative, evaluating the costs of services, finding ways to provide them more efficiently without compromising quality, and examining regionalization or privatization of some, as long as the town maintains sufficient control and has the right to opt out.

Ways to reduce the burden on the taxpayer include working collaboratively with department heads and the financial advisory committee; consistently and periodically reviewing the budget; keeping a close eye at the federal and state level to take advantage of funding for infrastructure, environmental preservation, support for seniors and education; working with the schools and legislators to identify alternatives to the property tax for funding education, one of the most important functions of any community; outreach to experienced and longstanding members of the community; reducing operating costs in inventive ways; and creatively developing additional sources of revenue. Working together, I am optimistic we can weather this storm.

Ms. Burton: Oak Bluffs faces difficult economic times. It's important that we unite. All departments have worked diligently with restraint to decrease their budgets. Sacrifices have been made. Our most important infrastructure is our citizens; children, seniors and those in between. I commend our highway department for budget sacrifices in support of our human infrastructure, our children's education, and public safety.

In order to prevent this problem in the future, I believe we should increase proactive planning, short and long term, with contingencies and prioritization, limit discretionary spending, analyze all budget line items for efficiency or redundant functions and devise a plan to utilize our personnel resources most wisely. We should investigate green initiatives and grants to reduce energy expenses in our schools and town buildings. We should seek new sources of revenue by analyzing similar tourist destinations, securing grants, state and federal funding. We have great talent in Oak Bluffs. If we work together in a forward thinking manner, we can control our budget and reduce future burden on our taxpayers.

Mr. Coogan: What we did this year was take care of the people that work for us. We have contracts in place that were negotiated during financially easier times that gave percentage increases to those covered by them. The departments you list are all about people. We took care of them and postponed our paving plan for the upcoming year in order to do so. Kids, safety, and service to the townspeople rose above the road repairs this year. Next year we hope will tell a different tale, but during these difficult times it is our responsibility to provide a safety net for people and families that work for the town.

Mr. Combra: The selectmen, finance committee members, school committee and all town department heads worked very hard to avoid an override. At this time, due to the fact most personnel are under union contracts, it would not be fair to single out so few who are not in a union. The budget process should begin much sooner in the year, so you have more time and no last-minute confusion. All negotiations, I hope, would be in a hospitable atmosphere. In reducing the burden on taxpayers, we must look for alternative funding to increase our revenues. We must apply for grants from the state and federal governments with no strings attached. As a former selectman, I obtained grants for building the senior center in Oak Bluffs, and for bicycle paths and road paving. I was able to make it possible for Oak Bluffs to be self-insured on worker compensation, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. I negotiated and was successful in having all towns in Dukes County join the Cape Cod Municipal Health Group, thus saving all the towns thousands of dollars in health insurance. We will and must all work tighter in these most difficult times.

Mr. Wessling: Since Oak Bluffs's legislative assembly is its town meeting, the warrant article budget is merely the board of selectmen's recommended path. Enlivened by spirited give and take among town leaders thus far, shouldn't we expect sharp comments and downsizing amendments at town meeting? So, my confidence is in the town meeting "checks and balances" rather than in a proposed spending plan.

Reducing future tax burdens is an endless philosophic journey. Now, onward... Let's view the budget to be presented to town meeting as a collection of budgets (for example, federal and state funding as well as regional assessments). While the board of selectmen has little control over the budgets of our "partners," the board certainly can use its influence to obtain and share decision-shaping information with residents in a comprehensive and timely manner. This was part of my message presented at the League of Women Voters forum, at which I strongly advocated for improved public finance planning and communication. For the board of selectmen, that shouldn't be hard to do.

Question 2: An engineering study estimates it will cost more than $5 million to completely repair coastal banks and beaches along the town's waterfront. Can Oak Bluffs afford these repairs? Can the town afford to delay these repairs?

Ms. Barmakian: As a member of the Seaview Waterfront Committee, the waterfront is close to my heart. We must restore one of our most important assets, which supports our businesses, fishermen and provides enjoyment for our community and visitors. While Oak Bluffs can't afford to fund these repairs, we can't afford to delay them and allow the waterfront to further deteriorate. Taxpayers have generously funded necessary engineering studies, so the Seaview Committee has worked to identify alternative funding sources. Through the coordinated efforts of the Sea View Committee and our legislators, we have been assured that the restoration may be accomplished with sufficient federal and state funding without using local tax dollars.

Ms. Burton: The repair of our coastal banks and beaches is of critical importance to the future of Oak Bluffs. A scientific evaluation and engineering study spearheaded by the Oak Bluffs conservation commission with the support of Oak Bluffs citizens is vital for planning and funding the correct solution. This is under way and will continue with voter approval of Community Preservation Act funds at town meeting. Adjacent to our coastal bank is a "Mass Highway." The bank and beaches protect the road and should therefore qualify for federal and state transportation monies. If we use local funds for the repair solution, once it is designed, we will jeopardize federal and state funds. We must move as swiftly as possible to repair this vital area in a fiscally responsible manner.

Mr. Coogan: Of course we don't want to delay these repairs if we don't have to. However, we cannot swallow an increase in town expenditures of this magnitude without massive help from the state and the federal budgets. We are looking into these avenues for help, and in this financial climate that's the only way this will get done. We are doing our part by surveying the need and preparing the plans.

Mr. Combra: Oak Bluffs is not able to go forward with the present plan unless it is funded outside the town budget. Money is available now to repair the fencing along Sea View Avenue in the area known as the Inkwell Beach. These repairs will be done before July.

Mr. Wessling: Coastal engineering is not my first language. After reviewing several project documents and consulting with the conservation commission, I am in need of additional information before wading into the how, when and how much of the waterfront "repairs."