Name: William Trotta Position sought:
Paxton selectman As a longtime resident of Paxton with my wife, Wendy, and children Andrew and Allie, I have served on the Select Board, Recreation Committee, and as interim Director of Emergency Management. I’m a retired lieutenant from the Worcester Police Department, and I served as Emergency Management Director, Homeland Security Coordinator, and several command and management positions in the police department. I have a master’s degree in law enforcement and have taught at several colleges and negotiated many contracts.
After attending town budget committee hearings, I was shocked to learn that we have a $250,000 deficit. This figure was arrived at after stripping the town’s departments to bare bones. This situation is definitely going to impact the quality of services to the town. A crisis exists in several essential town departments. The DPW is short staffed, and some employees are thinking of leaving. The police have had veteran officers leave for other departments for better benefits and salary. At least one shift may have to be eliminated, leaving the town very vulnerable. Paxton Center school is in need of $100,000 in repairs. The only way Paxton can stop the deficit problem is fiscal responsibility. We do not want to raise taxes or have to rely on Proposition 2½ overrides. Where did the $1.5 million windfall from the American Rescue Plan Act go? Below are some of my proposed solutions to these issues.
Instilling fiscal accountability in all departments and the WRSD. The Select Board should instill the system of management by objectives: Present what you want to accomplish in a fiscal year and what it will cost. Also implement a Friday afternoon report to the town manager and Select Board to track what is being accomplished.
Secondly, strict accountability of the WRSD School Committee. The WRSDSC budget subcommittee has to take a stronger watchdog position on their budget before it is presented to the towns for approval.
Most importantly, the town’s newly formed Economic Development Committee has to start immediately to bring new development to Paxton to increase our tax base. They must seek out and work with contractors, developers and Realtors. As a selectman, I will commit myself to work with them.
My goal on the Select Board will be to maintain quality of life and education for our community.
Please vote for me, William Trotta, on May 8. Thank you.
