Potential Candidates Gearing up for Election ‎in Foxborough

The Foxboro Jacyees held their annual candidates night forum last evening, Thursday, April 14.

Candidate night allows those running for elected office the opportunity to state why they deserve the community's vote.

Board of selectmen candidates, Steven Sloan and Mark Sullivan, were on hand to debate why they should be elected to the one, 3 year term, selectmen seat. Incumbent, Paul Mortenson, was unable to attend the forum because of a prior commitment.

The event also featured the three candidates running for two seats on the planning board. Incumbent Bill Grieder and appointed member John Rhoads were both live in the Foxborough Cable Access building. Challenger Shannon L. McLaughlin was unable to attend.

Unopposed candidates were also invited to make a statement. Charlene Ayers Kaye, running for a seat on the Housing Authority, Beverly Lord for the school committee and Kevin Penders who is seeking a 3-year term on the Library Trustees, all gave a 5 minute statement regarding their qualifications for election.

The candidates night was moderated by Pam Warren, publicity director for the Foxboro Jacyees, and questions were asked by Frank Mortimer of the Foxboro Reporter.

Each day, Foxborough Patch will give an overview of the discussion and debate that took place between candidates during the forum.

Part 1 of "Meet the Candidates" will feature Mark Sullivan and Steven Sloan, who are both in the running for one seat on the board of selectmen.

Opening statements:

Mark Sullivan: [I have served on the board for 2 terms. One was a 1-year term back in 05' and the second year was a 3-year term. I want to give back to our community. I like to go out and try to help people...Foxborough has always been kind about that and good about helping everyone in the community especially when someone has been stricken with an illness or a sudden fatality]

I also decided to not put out lawn signs this year. The reason for that [is because] myself, Steven and Mr. Mortensen, we have a lot of the same mutual friends and it creates animosity amongst them. We have a couple mutual friends and their children, our children...same soccer. It does kind of hurt feelings towards some people. I wanted to make that statement because I am not up here thinking I have it nailed in this year and say I have this licked and I am not concerned with my components. Both of my components are great people. I also think in the future coming forward, even if I don't win this election, I will always be there if anyone needs anything from me.]

Steven Sloan: I have resided in Foxborough for 50 years. I have lived my whole life here [and it is] a wonderful place to grow up. I never plan on leaving. That being said, I am trying to throw my name in the selectmen race because I know I can help and I am positive I can help this town move forward as we are going through some of these [tough times].  I hear the word of the street...I am getting that we need to stop the spending. I agree, [that in] this type of economy that we are [currently] in that it is not  going to get better anytime soon. I was told to send a message to stop the spending. I believe this is a blue-collar community. It is time to hunker down and stop the spending for a little while and live within in our means.

Paul Mortenson's statement read by Pam Warren: [He is sorry that he cannot be with us tonight. And while he is unable to answer any questions here, he welcomes everyone to read his candidate statement and invites anyone to call him at his home with questions. He also welcomes anyone to stop him in town common when he is holding campaign signs on Saturdays. He asks for your vote on May 2.]

Question: Ideas to stop the spending?

Steven Sloan: In the last couple years we have built a public safety building. We are renovating the High School. We are currently taking on the library project and now down the pike is a town hall project. What other town has done that? A public safety building, a library and now throwing in the town hall. What about the person that has retired 15 years ago...living in their house on a fixed income, makes no more money and the property taxes keep going up?...Throwing everything back on top of them [including] heat and oil, [which are] going through the roof. Take a breath, and let us blue collar people in town catch up...gives us a breathe...you can’t keep piling.

Mark Sullivan: [When I first got elected in 2005 the towns budget was 44 million. [Now] we are up to 56 million. That is unsustainable. It has gone up over 2 million dollars a year in the last 6 years primarily from health insurance benefits on the rise and for the fuel costs. If we don’t get help from the federal and state government, especially bringing the CEOs of the health insurance companies to the board to discuss the situation, it is not going to get any better. You can tax anything you want to tax, but you can't keep up with a 2 million deficit per year in this town. That is how it has been and it will continue. I know how it feels personally. My income has dropped over 400% over the last 7 to 8 years.]

Question: Specific ideas on stopping the spending other than federal money?

Steven Sloan: [I just don’t think it’s the proper time for a new town hall. Of course we need to renovate. but is it really the climate to put that up in. Do we have to build it now, is what I am saying...just because building prices are cheap? I would like to wait to see what we get from the sale of the fire station...lets get the money first and then see where we are at.]

Mark Sullivan: [The only thing we have in our control as a municipality is by taxation. The best taxation this town has received in the last 5 years is on a commercial base. We have an opportunity to develop the other side of route 1 for a biotech park. The big Y is going to be a big income booster for the town (as long as they take into consideration the other small businesses there)...that is the only control we have is to develop more tax revenue.]

Question: Do you support the meals tax?

Steven Sloan: No.

Mark Sullivan: No. No new taxes at all.

Question: What problems or challenges do you see on the horizon for Foxborough?

Steven Sloan: [Talking about word on the street...it is the same resounding we need to harness in property taxes. We cannot afford to live in Foxborough. Stop the spending and live within our means. That is what we are all doing in our own households. We need to apply it to the big household of Foxborough.]

Mark Sullivan: [I see the same problems here as every town, only we have been 3 years behind the chaos that other towns have had. The town of Foxborough is fortunate of the added taxation from the development of Patriot Place and Chestnut Green....[It has helped us control the budget.] We need to remember one thing. It is called the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. No department is more important than that of any other department. It's not about what’s good for you, it's about what is good for everyone. We need to get back to focus on that.]