Dino DeBartolomeis: 'Accessible, Experienced' Leadership in Milford

Dino DeBartolomeis has been a Milford selectman for 30 years, and is seeking an 11th term on the three-member board. The regional director of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, DeBartolomeis grew up in Milford. Prior to serving on the Board of Selectmen, he was on the town's School Committee for five years. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from College of the Holy Cross and holds three advanced degrees: a master's degree in public administration from Framingham State University (then college); and a master of business administration and a master of counseling psychology and guidance from Anna Maria College. DeBartolomeis is running against on a platform of experience, leadership and a passion for the town. The town election is April 2.

Editor's Note: What follows is an edited transcript of an interview with DeBartolomeis. was published on Monday.

Q: Why are you seeking re-election to the Board of Selectmen?

A: It's been a tremendous honor and priviledge to have served the people over many years. I love the job. I love helping people. I love creating a situation in Milford where we have a good community, a special community, to raise your family. And I want to continue that effort. All the things we do is geared to achieving these goals. Every one in , we work as a team to make sure were doing the right things, spending money appropriately, and conservatively. And the results show, no question.

Q: What distinguishes you from your opponent?

A: My accessibility. I've been doing this for a long time. I don't make any promises. The only promise I made a long time ago. I would work hard, I would be accessible. I would listen to people. So, I've continued to have my public meetings, at night. Two or three times a year, I have a meeting at Town Hall, at night, and publicize it, where people can come in. I've done that. My commitment, my passion for the town. My experience. I mean, any major thing that's happened in the town, I've either been a part of it or was a major advocate for it.

Q: What would you say to people who feel that 30 years is too long?

A: You can have people who are two to three years in public service, who are terrible. You have to say, well, let's evaluate his commitment. Let's evaluate what he's done. Let's evaluate what he's promised. Is he just talk and not doing anything? Look at the town of Milford. The town of Milford is in good shape fiscally. The programs and services we offer are second to none. The people of Milford want and demand good services, and I think we've been able to provide that.

Q: Do you think immigration and crime are major issues for Milford?

A: No. We have an excellent police department. We have a full complement of [police]. We've supported both chiefs in public safety, 100 percent. We have fine facilities. The officers are trained. And he allocates his resources, depending on what the situation may be. Milford is a very safe community. Illegal immigration, I think the town of Milford has done more [to address] illegal immigration, going back to 2005, than any other community in the Commonwealth. In 2005, I convened a meeting, of town officials, at town hall, to discuss the secondary effects. The neighborhoods were deteriorating. We had a lot of overcrowding. We started saying, what's happening here. What type of programs can we do, to try to address these issues. From that, the housing occupancy program was brought to Town Meeting. [For multiple family structures] renters had to have their places checked. We had situations where there might have been 25 people or more living in a basement. This is not a new issue at all. We started talking about this in 2005. Thirteen years ago, I started neighborhood meetings. I also started a task force, to go into these neighborhoods, to look at these overcrowding issues.

Q: Is the too intrusive?

A: Our job is to do what's best for the general good. The reason why these things happened was because the residents themselves came forward and said, you have to help us. Most landlords follow the law. It's those five or 10 percent who are irresponsible, and the absentee landlords, who are not living here.

Q: What are the top issues facing Milford?

A: The is the budget. The reason why Milford is in good shape is because we've done all that work, all the that diligence. Working together, and making sure the expenditures were appropriate. The budget continues to be a major priority. You can only increase it so much. When I first ran, I promised we would never had debt exclusions or overrides. And we've accomplished that. And we've been able to do all of the capital projects. For example, the town hall, the fire station, the library, the highway barn, the youth center, the senior center: all of those projects were done within the operating budget, without a debt exclusion or an override. It took planning. Our stablization fund, we've raised that to $9 million. It's the fifth-highest in the commonwealth, the stablization fund. The three priorities: the budget, maintaining services, and our infrastructure. ... Milford Pond is another priority. Those are the major things I want to continue to work on.

Q: What is your position on a casino in Milford?

A: It's an opportunity. We would ... investigate to give people the information. It would be irresponsible for me to say, I'm in favor of it, if I don't know [the negative effects]. It's a major deveopment opportunity, it has to be looked at. With the power plant [development], we worked with neighborhood groups. Am I going to allow anything that would be detrimental to my neighborhood? It's an opportunity that has to be investigated. From what I've gotten so far, two people want it, two people don't want it, and five or six people say, let's have the information. The ultimate decision will be by the townspeople.

Q: Should Milford take over the private utility

A: I've been involved with this twice in the past. Two committees were set up. It's always when there's a rate increase. The Water Company was always a good water company. We had that situation a few years ago, and we've been trying to work with them. My feeling is that, personally, I think government is good but in that particular case, if we have a good water company and they're doing what they supposed to be doing, and they're following state guidelines, it's better they remain private. We have to look at the town budget.