BOS Candidates Use Debate for Final Election Push

Board of Selectmen candidates debated a long list of topics on Monday night at Tewksbury High School as they make a final push for votes with Election Day slated for Saturday.

The Board of Selectmen event, which was hosted by Tewksbury Patch and the Town Crier, featured four of the six candidates. Richard Menard, incumbent Todd Johnson, Ken Miano and Jim Wentworth were the hopefuls in attendance while Robert Marcin and Mary Ellen Fernald did not attend.

“I have the ability to bring some energy to the group, bring some excitement and get the ball rolling,” said Miano. “We need to get more energy involved in committees and get the town moving forward.”

The major topics of discussion were the negotiations with the South Tewksbury Fire Station, how to attract businesses to Tewksbury, and how to keep the budget from increasing dramatically.

As a firefighter in another town, Menard used much of the debate to use his expertise in that area to weigh in.

“We have to take the town’s safety, education and priorities and make sure they are focused and on task,” he said. “Some of the situations we’re facing right now, it’s a unified voice. I think you need an independent voice, and that’s what I would be bring. Not necessarily disagreeing, but just bringing a different perspective.”

Wentworth’s main area of focus was the town’s economic development. He spoke several times about the need to bring new businesses into Tewksbury to enjoy the commercial success that towns like Wilmington have enjoyed in recent years.

“(Wilmington) started their plan years ago and stuck with the plan,” said Wentworth. “You get an anchor store and all the other stores will build around that store. What we need to do is get very aggressive in going after businesses. We can’t wait for them to come to us.”

Johnson, the incumbent among the group, said that while he agrees Wilmington has had success in its business district, he also said it’s not a fair comparison between the two towns.

“We are very different from our friends next door. We’re a unique community,” said Johnson. “Commercial development and revenues from commercial tax contributions are critical. But you have to have the infrastructure to support it. Good schools, solid housing, good roads, water and sewer. Tewksbury needs to continue to invest in those things. We can’t ignore them if we’re going to truly attract strong businesses.” 

Election Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, in Tewksbury. The six candidates are battling for two three-year terms. Check back later Tuesday morning for coverage of the School Committee debate, which preceded the Board of Selectmen event on Monday night.