ROCKPORT — Residents Ellen Canavan, Christopher Lewis and Andrew Heinze each hope to garner enough votes tomorrow to catapult them to one of two open seats on the Board of Selectmen.
Current Selectmen Chairman Joseph Lisi and Selectwoman Roxanne Tieri did not seek re-election this year.
Lewis recently spearheaded the renewed effort to establish an Open Space and Recreation Planning Committee in Rockport; he and opponent, Heinze, both presently sit on the Open Space Committee and would have to step down if elected to the board.
Lewis, 59, is in favor of promoting tourism and searching for new sources of revenue for the town. He told the Times on Friday that he is in favor of developing a master plan that he doesn't believe the town administrator should have any influence over appointments to town committees and boards.
"I have had a successful business career, a successful nonprofit career and have founded my own foundation," said the Bayridge Lane resident. "I am qualified to look at all the financial matters facing the town and have the leadership skills to get this done."
Lewis has also pointed out many issues facing the town, including the need to make the volunteering process easier on the individuals willing to donate their time, sale of tax-title lands and the on-going debate over how best to use the money, as well as the financial crunch and the need for creative solutions.
Canavan moved to Rockport two years ago but has already seen plenty she'd like to change, particularly the disrespect shown to citizens by the Board of Selectmen.
"I want to be part of the dialogue about the lack of respect that I feel the Rockport Board of Selectmen shows the citizens of this lovely little community," said the 67-year-old resident of Granite Street.
Canavan, a former state representative for Needham and Dover in the 13th Norfolk District, is a member of the Rockport Garden Club, Republican Town Committee, Historical District Commission, Sandy Bay Yacht Club and Manchester Athletic Club.
She considers her experiences in municipal government bodies and committees as a strength. If elected, she said, she would ensure all public meetings are advertised, available and convened in public.
Heinze, a member of the Conservation Commission for the past six years, has been a vocal critic of the current Board of Selectmen's performance. He believes selectmen are guilty of handing over too much power to Town Administrator Michael Racicot, and in doing so, are failing the people of Rockport.
"(Town administrators) are supposed to give advice, suggestions and recommendations to the Board of Selectmen, and then they act," said Heinze, 66. "I don't see that's the case here. The way they are trying to run this town is something that Rockport cannot be."
In addition to working on the commission, Heinze is a member of the board of directors for the Thacher Island Association and Chorus North Shore, and president of the board at Rockport Golf Club.
Debt exclusion
Voters will see a question on the ballot asking if the town "shall be allowed to exempt from the provision of Proposition 21/2, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds to be issued in the principal amount of $2,735,000 in order to finance the ongoing replacement of outdated computer systems, replacement of the first line pump — Pigeon Cove Station, SCBA tank replacement, roof repairs on town buildings, education technology standards — five year plan and school bus replacement as voted under Article 6 of the Warrant for the April 5, 2008 annual Town Meeting."
Selectwoman Sarah Wilkinson said residents are being asked to invest in Rockport's future.
Selectman Charles Clark, a member of the Capital Improvement Planning Committee, said the town had been watching its debt for years and felt this year, for the first time, it could make significant progress in capital improvements.
Unlike a normal operating override, a debt-exclusion override adds money to the tax levy for only as long as the life of the bond.
"None of this money stays on the tax rate forever," Racicot said Tuesday. "Once the items are bought and we've paid for the debt, it comes off the tax roll."
Racicot explained passage of the debt-exclusion override would save the average taxpayer $37.52.
The town is retiring approximately $600,000 in debt service next fiscal year; the passage of this debt exclusion item would add back approximately $450,000 resulting in a net decrease in the debt and its corresponding impact on the taxes.
Racicot explained there would be a net decrease of 8 cents per $1,000 on tax bills. The current rate is $8.39 per $1,000 of assessed value.
"It's a real opportunity for the town to get things we need, not want but need," Clark said. "We need to do these things and now we can do them with no pain."
Selectman Armand Aparo warned the town could see far greater expenses if these capital items are put off any longer.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
Reader Box
Where, when to vote
r Polls in Rockport will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow, for the town election to decide the fate of a ballot question asking voters to pass a debt exclusion override of Proposition 21/2 in the amount of $2,735,000 in order to pay for several capital improvements. Town Meeting voters approved placing the question on the ballot.
r There are contested races for the Board of Selectmen (choose 2) and School Committee (choose 2).
r Several local officials are running unchallenged including Robert Visnick for Town Moderator, Patrick Beaton for Housing Authority, Sam Coulbourn and Patricia Edgerton for the Planning Committee, Nancy Kearns for Library Trustee and George Hobbs for the Board of Assessors.
r All three of Rockport's voting precincts, listed below, will be open for the election. For more information, call the town clerk's office in Town Hall at (978) 546-6894.
Precinct 1 Pigeon Cove Circle, Breakwater Avenue
Precinct 2 St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 24 Broadway
Precinct 3 Rockport Elementary School, 24 Jerden's Lane
