Candidates respond to moderated questions, summary for the 3 contested races - School Board, Budget Committee, Select Board.
On May 26, residents were able to hear candidates answer moderated questions about relevant town issues. The evening was an opportunity for the community to hear candidates voice their opinions and to see how they compared on issues. Below is a summary of contested races. The recording of actual responses can be viewed at: HERE
The municipal election is scheduled for June 8. To see a sample ballot with all offices listed: HERE
School Board
What are the roles and responsibilities of the MSAD 51 School Board?
McGuinness believes School Board members need to operate as responsible stewards, rather than imposing personal agendas. This requires being willing to “ask difficult questions” and to “challenge others” to ensure the District is fulfilling its mission. The School Board needs to guide the District to “provide an education that will enable all of our students to discover and pursue their best selves.”
Bryant agreed personal agendas should not be part of School Board function. It is important to include community input to define goals that will set the course for the District. It is important to hold Superintendent accountable for District performance and abiding by policies.
Both candidates agreed that high district rankings are something to celebrate, but there is more to measuring a district’s success than rankings.
What has the school done well and what could be improved?
Bryant celebrated the District’s initial response to the pandemic and quickly implementing an education mode that adhered to early guidelines. The decision to use a hybrid model going into fall 2020/21 school year was the most appropriate option. However, the District could have worked harder to bring all students back into the buildings for the spring. A more proactive communication model about the District’s plan throughout the process was needed. Looking to the fall, the District needs to be ready and not just revert to hybrid. Bryant fully supports a return to full, in-person learning. “Our children need in person learning. We cannot fail them again.”
McGuinness appreciates that the District consistently has high test scores, but really “values the emphasis on emotional wellbeing.” Guidance counselors and the work they do are an asset. He also noted the significance of the fact that the District celebrates the variety of talents within the student community.
Bryant added the District does much well. However, there is a gap for kids who are not at the ends of the education spectrum. The District has great programs focused on “high learners” and IEPs. However, “there is a bulk in the middle that is being neglected.”
What are your thoughts on equity education in schools?
McGuinness “absolutely supports the District’s equity work”. He has no intent to be an “an activist for curriculum”. Instead, he values academic freedom and would defer to teachers to make decisions about how they implement curriculum in their classrooms. He supports providing equity resources and training to teachers who want it and believes this will only produce better teachers. He does not see this as work that will “radicalize kindergarteners”, rather he sees this as preparing kids for the realities of our complex world.
Bryant supports the steering committee’s work. An equitable school enables students and staff to perform at their highest level. She emphasized the value of expanding educational resources focused on treating each person with humanity and basic decency to achieve growth. Lessons valuing basic human decency are currently being taught and should continue.
Bryant closed with, “It is not who you vote for, but how you treat those who vote differently that will grow and move forward our community and the world to be a better place.”
McGuinness summed up his priorities. He is committed to achieving success for all students. He also noted the need for healing to rebuild relationships within the community. Finally, he would advocate for a continued focus on student mental health.
Budget Committee
What is the primary responsibility of Budget Committee members?
Palmer supports the role of the Budget Committee as outlined in the town Charter. Members are expected to follow the direction of the Select Board. Their responsibility is to give recommendations to the Select Board for a “budget that is reflecting the needs of the community as expressed by the voters.”
Young agrees that the Budget Committee function is clearly defined by the town Charter and should work to give good recommendations to the Select Board that support what the town needs. He believes there is urgency “to put more teeth into the budgetary process”. He is concerned about anticipated tax increases related to the proposed new school building. He recommends looking into departments to identify opportunities for savings. He also believes there is need to provide oversight and audit of the TIF.
Merrill agrees that the Budget Committee duties are defined by the town Charter, but these guidelines need revision. The current committee role is weak and is limited. He has concerns about the audit process. It is focused on compliance, rather than an in-depth process. “There are no established goals, no review of procedures or tracking of accounts.” There is nothing to suggest there are currently any issues, but a more thorough audit should be standard procedure. The committee would benefit from “beefing up” its role in the budgeting process to actively work with the Select Board to set priorities. He also recommends delivering the proposed budget sooner and including a public hearing process.
What are the most critical challenges North Yarmouth faces in regards to the budget?
Young feels it would be hard to identify a single issue of most concern. He restated the need to reevaluate the budgeting process. He is concerned the impact of the Comprehensive Plan on incremental growth and its effect on services. Fire and Rescue has the biggest budget. Examining per diem and considering possible consolidation could be a way to keep taxes down. He also feels there is lack of understanding about the TIF. He is adamant that TIF districts do not benefit small towns, but amount to tax shifting. However, the TIF is a reality so oversight of TIF is needed, because it generates a considerable amount of revenue.
Merrill believes there is immediate work that needs to be done in regards to the TIF and disbursement of funds. There needs to be a plan with goals that set how much to raise, priorities and identifies ways to provide relief to the Farm and Forest District. Other areas to consider include regionalization opportunities for rescue services. He also proposed identifying ways to stabilize taxes to help keep residents in their homes. The committee needs to look at all areas of the budget to ensure “our residents are getting the best they can afford”.
Palmer acknowledges that the TIF district will continue to be an issue, as it is projected by 2036 to have more than $5M in revenue. There is a need for oversight. How to spend that much within the TIF will be challenging, because there is only so much that can be spent on things such as landscaping and sidewalks. He suggested the possibility of using credit enhancement. Other areas of need include Public Works and Fire Department Building. Public Works needs a fuel bay, wash station and an indoor maintenance area. The town also needs to be developing a plan to for future Public Safety Building. Regarding services, there is already an effective regionalization structure for some functions, such as Animal Control, that is cost beneficial to the town.
Are TIF districts a good idea?
Merrill adamantly opposes the TIF. He faults a rush to bring the question to vote before residents were fully informed for the current situation. Residents expected the TIF to lower taxes related to the town’s portion of the school budget. TIF tax benefits result from commercial development within the zone, as these activities require less services and do not increase school expenses. However, the way the North Yarmouth TIF is structured gives few opportunities to achieve a tax benefit. The TIF has mostly been filled with new homes that target families. This ultimately adds to the town tax burden that will need to be covered elsewhere. Residential growth is not the issue, rather it is the poorly structured TIF. Since the town is “stuck with this”, a plan is needed that best benefits all residents. Not incorporating parks within the development areas was a significant missed opportunity. There are few remaining areas to spend the projected revenue.
Palmer anticipated that the TIF would bring “magic to this community”. There have been benefits such as sidewalks and expansion of the Village District. Concentrating development in the Village District will serve to preserve the rural character of North Yarmouth. The projected large revenue is a concern and the town needs to have a plan to determine how to best spend the money.
Young opposed the TIF from the start. There is a lot that residents need to learn about what a TIF is and how it functions. How the town can spend the revenue is very restricted. For example, amounts that can be used for infrastructure or services, such as towards a new fire truck, are related to the call volume. Cumberland has been able invest to install water and sewer. North Yarmouth residents need help towards tax relief. Credit Enhancement would only benefit developers since North Yarmouth land values have remained high, and the town does not suffer with any blighted areas.
Select Board
Does North Yarmouth need a police department?
Both candidates agree North Yarmouth does not need a local police department due to costs. Hodgetts added that there is a need to explore ways to maintain services that were cost effective. He suggested considering expanding mutual aid agreements with neighboring communities as a likely solution.
What is the primary role of the Select Board?
Berry sees the Select Board as having 2 main functions. First, the Board sets goals and priorities for the town to guide committees. These committees are the volunteer experts which the board will need to “listen and pay attention” to. Also, the Select Board must “make sure the town has something meaningful to vote on at the town meeting.”
Hodgetts views the Select Board as the town’s “governing body” that oversees the other committees. He also emphasized the importance of “listening to the people to do what’s best for the town and the people in the town.”
What are your thoughts on growth of the Village Center?
Hodgetts is opposed to changes to the Village Center zoning from the Comprehensive Plan. “I don’t like what I’m seeing. It’s moving way too fast.” The process relating to the future of Sharp’s Field was frustrating. He also feels some of the Village Center zoning needs to be changed. The appearance of developments using the new ¼ acre lots and setbacks is not what was expected. Additionally, communication about the Fire Station caused confusion. He feels the Select Board needs to carefully look at current developments and evaluate whether they are moving in the right direction. The reality of the new Village Center that conforms to the new zoning is a shock to some residents. Hodgetts said this is not a criticism directed at new residents but rather siting problems with the Comprehensive Plan.
Berry acknowledged that not everyone approves of the new zoning changes, but he feels “they are doing their job.” Residents in these new developments are happy, which is a “mark of success”. He believes current North Yarmouth growth is a continuation of a decades long trend. He believes this trend will continue due to the desirability of North Yarmouth as a residential community. He supports concentrating that growth within the Village Center. Policies will need to be looked at “so there is not one blanket approach to the entire Village Center.”