Politics & Government

Selectman Ben Tartaglia Running for Re-election

The town election will be held on Tuesday, May 3.

Jennifer Lucarelli, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

Office running for: Selectman

Name: Ben Tartaglia

Address: 19 Kenilworth Rd., Shrewsbury

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Occupation: Executive Director, International Disaster Recovery Association

Party Affiliation: Independent

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Previous political experience (if any):

  • 3 years as Selectman; Founding Chair, 6 years Seniors for Responsible Taxation; Jaycees; Meskill for Governor, Single ZIP Code.

What are the major issues facing Shrewsbury and how will you tackle these issues:

  • Decreasing support from the federal and state governments:

  • We need to continue to shrink our government footprint whenever possible, contracting out services, combining positions and controlling personnel costs.

  • We should continue to look for opportunities to regionalize services.

  • Incorporate technology advances where practical.

  • Unfunded Mandates:

    • Pressure federal and state representatives to stop further mandates.

  • Implement only the minimum requirements of mandates.

  • Elect those opposed to unfunded mandates.

  • Publicize the insanity of mandates such as January street sweepings.

  • Pension and Healthcare unfunded liabilities:

    • Continue to fund $20,000,000 in unfunded pensions by 2022.

  • Plan to begin funding $90,000,000 in healthcare & other costs ASAP.

  • Search for and implement ways to reduce future costs for both.

  • Increasing commercial development:

    • Commercial development is not a panacea. However, every dollar we can obtain from commercial development is a dollar freed-up for town services. The Shrewsbury Development Corp. was founded just for this purpose. Eventually SDC’s hard work will pay off.

    • We should emphasize Shrewsbury’s single tax rate, our low taxes and our great school system.

  • Shrewsbury has low electric costs, and a stable, efficient local government model. Both are important to companies (re)locating.

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