Town Redistricting Committee Delayed

A town committee to look into redistricting Chelmsford's legislative seats is still looking for applications.

At its last meeting, the town Board of Selectmen voted to move the date because of applications coming from only Republican candidates.

Town Manager Paul Cohen voiced concern over this pattern as he asked Democrats and unenrolled residents to become involved.

"To have (too many) from one party may seem like there's a political agenda," he said.

The move marks a temporary delay in a joint initiative first proposed by town Democratic Town Committee Chairman Sam Poulten and Republican Town Committee Chairman Paul Rigazio.

Both committees issued a joint resolution on July 26 urging the Board of Selectmen to "take an active part in the 2011 state redistricting in order to achieve the best representation for the town of Chelmsford in the Massachusetts legislature during the next ten years."

The Board of Selectmen moved quickly, and Town Manager Paul Cohen issued a charge for the committee, to be composed of two selectmen and at least three town residents, on Aug. 3.

Both town committees' concerns were rooted in the decision to split Chelmsford into four districts in 2000 during the last redistricting, which is carried out by the state legislature.

Before then, the town had a single state representative, Republican Carol C. Cleven. After 2000, the town has been split among four districts, currently represented by Tom Golden and Dave Nangle, both D-Lowell, James Arciero, D-Westford, and Cory Atkins, D-Concord.

Rigazio said that redistricting decision was what drove him to become involved in town politics.

"I've lived in Chelmsford for 40 years… [I] only got involved in the Republican Committee 10 years ago when the state legislature gerrymandered Chelmsford out of existence."

Rigazio also said his feelings that Chelmsford's split into four districts was conducted with political motivations.

"They obviously did it to get rid of a Republican rep. That's what the issue was. Chelmsford is primarily a conservative, Republican town," he said.

Rigazio and Poulten have differing opinions on the work Chelmsford's four state representatives have done. 

Rigazio said his feelings that Chelmsford's awarding in August of $553,265 in federal state education aid was less than what the town could have received. "Chelmsford got the biggest hit in local aid reduction," Rigazio said.

On the other side, Poulten said the town's four state representatives were doing "a great job."

"I can't think of a vote where they've sacrificed the interests of Chelmsford for something else," he said.

Despite their differing views, both are united on trying to secure a more unified vote for the town.

"We have to make sure Chelmsford gets the best deal we can," Poulten said, "and we have to worry about what's best for the residents of Chelmsford, not what's best for one political party of even the current state reps."

"If we're successful," Poulten said, "we'll wind up with two representatives. Chelmsford and some other places will be part of two districts."

Part of the problem for Chelmsford is that it has approached the population required for a single district without achieving it, said Poulten. Each state district covers about 40,000 residents, and in the 2000 U.S. Census Chelmsford was counted with a population of 33,858.

Rather than count against having a more unified representation for the town, Rigazio said these figures bolster his case.

"[Chelmsford] is almost a full district, we're the only town in Massachusetts that's split four ways. That's not right," he said.

Rep. Tom Golden said while he welcomes all citizen efforts to become involved in politics and make their views known, he is not sure what will happen when the 2010 population figures come out in December.

"I think anytime that people get involved at any level is a good thing… but right now we're not sure what the exact population level of Massachusetts yet," he said.

Golden also said he believes Chelmsford's four representatives have had "a lot of successes" for the town within the last year, including funding for Parkhurst Road redevelopment, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, and school building reimbursements.

"These are truly homegrown projects the delegation has taken on… I think the argument could be made, it's better to have four votes, as well," he said.   

Once the committee is approved, Poulten and Rigazio hope it is successful in enabling the town to press the state legislature to restore a primarily Chelmsford representative, regardless of party.

"In my perspective, this is truly a nonpartisan issue. Good government has no party. It's good people representing us in elected positions," said Poulten.