Chuck Woodard: The Issues That Are Important to the Future of Sudbury

I care deeply about the future of Sudbury, the effectiveness of our government, and its use to preserve and enhance our community.  I have a lifetime of professional financial experience together with a unique understanding of Sudbury’s budget issues as its three-time FinCom Chairman.  The issues that are most important to me:

• Informed and Engaged Voters.  Informed voters make better decisions.   As FinCom Chairman, I spearheaded significant changes the Town Warrant to present information in a more transparent, understandable format for voter evaluation.  I would make use of conventional and social media to be transparent on what the Selectmen are doing and why.  Each BOS meeting should allow for regular feedback from residents.

• Meeting Our Financial Challenges.  Sudbury has buildings, vehicles and equipment as well as many miles of roadway that require upgrade and replacement.  We have a large OPEB liability for retiree healthcare.  We need to develop a long term capital plan, with meaningful public input, to deal with our needs without stressing our taxpayers.  We also need sustainable operating budgets.  If elected to the Board of Selectmen I will push for the implementation of a solid capital plan and a very public leadership role in shaping the growth of our operating budget.

• Community Preservation and Development.  We have an ongoing need to protect the remaining open space in Sudbury that is integral to the beauty of the community and to preserve and enhance the recreation fields, our outstanding library, facilities for our seniors and all of the other things we love about this town.  With $9 million in State matching funds the Community Preservation Act program has enabled us to spend 55% more on open space, recreation, historic preservation, and the affordable housing mandated by the State than had we simply pursued these initiatives without the CPA mechanism.

I am a fair, respected and independent leader who will apply the same rational and balanced approach that I used on the FinCom in evaluating our financial challenges to bridge both sides of the political spectrum and address the Town’s broader issues.  I have the experience no other candidate brings to the table to move Sudbury forward.  Please help me do this for you by voting for me on June 25^th.

Chuck Woodard

32 Old Framingham Road

ChuckWoodardforSudbury.org