N. Stonington candidates warn of tough times ahead

North Stonington - First selectman and selectmen candidates see tough budgets ahead and said it will take strong leadership to get the town ready for economic recovery.

Republican incumbent Nicholas Mullane, a 24-year veteran, faces Democratic challenger Marilyn Mackay for the position that pays $52,800. First-term Republican incumbent Shawn Murphy and school board member Leroy "Bill" Briscoe are vying for seats on the board.

The losing first selectman candidate could be elected to the Board of Selectmen if that candidate receives more votes than the selectmen candidates.

Mullane has created a position paper stating the positions he and running mate Murphy "will fight for," giving a detailed list of projects and issues and an organizational chart for town government.

The first selectman, Mullane said, is responsible for many aspects of town operations, ranging from road work to animal control and public health. Mullane said the state soon could force the town to join a health district, adding more expense.

Last year, the town cut "to the bare bones," Mullane said. The highway crew was reduced from 18 to 13 employees. Town Hall was cut from 13 to 9 1/2 full-time positions.

Mullane said he oversees construction projects, saving thousands of dollars on project managers. Mullane supports cutting expenses by computerizing documents and allowing residents access to them without staff help.

The town is studying whether it can extend sewers into town from Stonington and to determine the town's water resources - for town use and possibly to export to other towns.

"If you want economic development, you need sewers and water and police," Mullane said.

Mackay said residents are frustrated at lack of communication between agencies and the public and among agencies themselves.

Mackay said extending sewers from Stonington could be very expensive for North Stonington and could undermine the town's rural character. She would promote farm vacations in which families could experience real farm life using some of the large unused farm fields in town.

She supports a proposal to open a year-round farmer's market, with a freezer for meat and fish and craft booths. She wants all town agencies to meet and form a 10-year economic development plan.

"My forte is in business," she said. "I'm a hard worker, always innovated, stay one to two steps ahead of the others."

Murphy said he is seeking re-election to continue projects such as the Boombridge Road bridge replacement and efforts to increase affordable housing in town.

Murphy proposed offering tax breaks to homeowners to place deed restrictions stating that their property would remain affordable.

"We have a lot of housing where the income levels and property values would qualify as affordable housing," he said.

Zoning regulations could require affordable housing with new residential developments. Accessory apartments that already exist on some homes could be designated as affordable through the permit process, Murphy said.

Briscoe said he would like to run for first selectman in the future and hopes to gain a seat on the board as a start.

Briscoe said his primary concern is with town finances. Cutbacks and reduced maintenance have led to road and drainage issues, he said. The town has been warned about potential loss of accreditation for Wheeler High School, "and we've been very slow to respond to that," Briscoe said.

The Board of Selectmen has no direct authority over the Board of Education but has leadership responsibility for the entire town and should take an active role in supporting public education, Briscoe said.

Selectmen also need to review all expenses for the best values, not just the lowest prices.

"In a small town, it's the quality of life that matters," Briscoe said. "Try to maintain the services you have and let people keep a little of what they have in their pockets. I don't think people would mind paying taxes as long as they get value."

c.bessette@theday.com