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To the editor:
Next week I will be casting my vote for Erin Noonan for Select Board. She has proved to be an incredibly valuable asset to our governing board now for five years. She originally ran for Select Board because she could see the structural deficit in our finances, the housing needs of our community and the environmental challenge of being a coastal community. In each of those areas she has stayed focused on making a difference for our town.
The runway to prepare us for this override moment has included making sure we had the information technology software upgrades to track money in various departments, ensuring more transparency and accountability. She supported moving town funds into higher-interest-bearing accounts, advocated for the adoption of the local meals and lodging tax and championed the addition of a sustainability coordinator position, which has helped departments reduce energy costs while securing significant grant funding for the town. She supported hiring a grant writer, who also brought in thousands for various town projects. Another fiscally sound move was advocating for starting our “rainy day fund,” which is so important in maintaining our bond rating and keeping our interest rates low.
In short, she cared about tightening up our budget, finding savings where we could and increasing revenue, all as a way to pave the road to this moment where we are at the crossroads of deciding on what kind of override we will decide on. Will we starve our municipal services or fund them appropriately, so we can maintain our buildings and equipment, keep more of our special-needs kids in district, help our seniors — Noonan cares deeply about our town and is the only candidate who has the foresight to say, we have made the painful cuts we were required to, but this is not the town most Headers want. She is also not afraid to make difficult decisions when necessary and consistently puts the long-term interests of the community first.
We need a multi-year approach to this $7.7 million deficit. It takes fortitude to serve this town and to make the tough but responsible decisions. We need Noonan’s leadership and professional legal background, to see us through whatever option the town votes for on June 9. I urge you to join me in voting for Noonan.
Jane Casler
Washington Street
