Each year I request the Selectboard candidates to provide some details surrounding their candidacy.
I have received a response from our current Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger however I don’t expect to receive one from current selectman Charlie Papillo seeing that he submitted a narrative to Front Porch Forum and the other candidate Peter Walsh has dropped out of the running against Charlie Papillo.
Pam Loranger:
1) What do you think is the biggest issue the Town of Colchester needs to address?
Thanks to great planning and fiscal restraint we are on very solid ground. We have taken on two major initiatives in the past two elections, the Malletts Bay Sewer and the Recreation Center. Our focus this year is on the completion of the Recreation Center and the future operations plan for the Center as well as the commencement of the Malletts Bay Sewer line construction. It is time to review the Town Plan and strongly consider Capital Improvements to the Library.
The Town Plan this is an excellent opportunity to consider how we can improve Town wide cohesion and community.
2) What initiatives do you want to bring to the Board this coming year?
As mentioned above we have 2 major initiatives underway. It is not the time to overextend however I would like to start laying the groundwork for a Library Capital Improvement.
3) How should Colchester support ideas of inclusion and equity across all neighborhoods within the Town?
We have broad information and public outreach in our Newsletter posted in them now Town wide Front Porch Forum and residents can sign up with the Town for the newsletter to be sent directly to their mailbox by contacting the Town Manager at [email protected] or the Town website has information regarding all
Town Departments, Governance, the Library etc. Look there for current information and upcoming agendas. In 2022 the Selectboard approved a statement of Diversity and Inclusion. Our doors, emails and phone lines are always open and we encourage our residents to stay informed, volunteer or attend our meetings and contact us with your concerns. If you cannot attend a Selectboard meeting and want your issues to be heard you may always submit your concerns to the Town Manager.
4) Do you see a commitment to the select board as a short or long-term Commitment?
Definitely long term. I have the unique perspective of serving locally on the Selectboard, regionally on District 4 Act 250 Environmental Commission and statewide on the Transportation Board. I believe this broad frame of reference as well as over 20 years of volunteer service to Colchester is an experiential investment that serves Colchester well.