Highway, Planning Board members challenged

 

By Jonathan Cook

Turley Publications Reporter

WARREN – On Tuesday, May 4, voters will have 12 hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to cast their ballot in a pair of contested races – hghway surveyor and Panning Board.

Incumbent Highway Surveyor Gary Odiorne has served in this post for nine years and has faced a challenger only once. This year it looked like Odiorne would have three challengers, but two have dropped out of the race leaving newcomer Tom Boudreau as the only challenger standing.

To Odiorne, it has come as no surprise that someone is seeking his job this year, given the unemployment rate. But he says it’s his experience that makes him the better choice.

One thing he has learned from experience is the town’s by-law on disposing of equipment means all equipment, even surplus backhoe buckets that don’t appear on the inventory.

In 2008 the state police investigated the alleged theft of three pieces of backhoe equipment. According to interviews conducted in the investigation, Odiorne had given Highway Department employee Raymond Blais permission to give the equipment away. Witnesses said Blais sold the equipment, but that was never proven. Subsequently, the equipment was returned and Blais was suspended for 15 days without pay. Blais also agreed to sign “a last chance agreement” with undisclosed contents.

Recently, Odiorne said the incident is the only blemish on his career and he wants voters to know he has learned from his mistake and will be a better public servant as a result.

Odiorne also says he is the best candidate to deal with the tight budget the department faces moving forward.

For Boudreau, nothing could be more important to the Highway Department right now than new leadership.

Having been in town through only one winter, Boudreau says people can rest assured that he has no ties to established political agendas.

Furthermore, one winter has been plenty long enough to see the road conditions, which he says could be a lot better.

Boudreau thinks that salt and sand need to be better targeted and timed. He adds that drainage should be a priority for summer work.

Downtown needs to be swept more often, too, he says.

As for the budget, Boudreau admits it would be hard for him to know if it is adequately funded until he gets in there. But, he says, whatever the budget is, he would strive to make each dollar work efficiently.

Incumbent Sue Libby also faces a relative newcomer to the town in her bid for re-election. And, just like Odiorne does, Libby points to her experience as a reason she can be an effective public servant.

Having recently changed careers from construction to nursing, Libby has five years of experience on the board. Her top priority is to protect the town’s character while supporting new business. She says “Wright’s Mill should be utilized in the process.”

As a resident of 12 years, Libby knows well the previous discussions of turnpike access. Recently with the potential for a casino in town, the discussion has begun again and Libby says the town will see the value of the recently adopted Site Plan Review process the board uses to protect the rights of the developer as much as the town’s.

Libby points out that her construction background also gives her a perspective on both sides of a development. She said the board is currently considering proposing new zoning that would result in cluster housing while reserving other space for parks.

Her opponent, Zoning Board of Appeals member Richard Czaporowski moved his family here two years ago, and says he wants to serve the Planning Board because he feels it’s the best way to keep what he loves in his new hometown.

Czaporowski says what he brings to the board is lack of political enemies, giving him a freedom to face the challenges of the board without perceived bias.

Czaporowski also he plans to remain on the ZBA in the event that he wins a seat on the Planning Board. He said he’s asked the town counsel and learned that it is not a conflict.

He says that progress is necessary for the good of the town, but it needs to be balanced with small town character.

Also, he said, the Planning Board needs to find a way to get cell phone service downtown.