Political Web Page: www.mattcanterbury.com
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 6
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Candidate for Selectman, #5 on the Ballot - 2011
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Residential Concierge Service Owner; 19 years ago I started my company and for the past 9 years, it's grown 22.12% annually. I am proud of this accomplishment; especially since we are in the "worst economic crisis since the great depression".
Degrees Held / Education
Graduated Malden High School Class of 1983 -Received numerous certificates from courses/workshops I've attended over the years primarily from the Enterprise Center at Salem State University.
Currently A Member Of...
- Various Concierge Associations
- Saugus Care and Rehab; Family Council Volunteer
- Saugus Business Education Collaborative - Supporter
- Saugus Diamond Club - Supporter
What are your plans for the town over the next two years in light of the present economic situation??
I plan to address the lack of both short and long-term planning. Three plans come immediately to mind:
- A Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) is a blueprint for planning our capital expenditures and should be one of the most important responsibilities of the Board of Selectman. A CIP plan has many benefits, including enhancing our credit rating! Town meeting has already approved it, now we need to do it!
- An Environmental Vision Plan, I would make a motion to organize a committee to create an Environmental Vision Plan for Saugus and solicit input from organization like SAVE and subsequently review and update it each year. The Plan should outline what we envision our community looking like and being, one, five and ten years from now. It should also include strategies to help guide the Town in achieving this vision. The strategies become the basis for new initiatives that are incorporated into the upcoming fiscal year's budget; as resources permit.
- A Cliftondale Revitalization Plan, we need a vision and detailed goals to make Cliftondale more aesthetically appealing and a vibrant center of commerce. This would also help curb the drug dealing that is currently taking place there.
The next Board will need to address the Town Managers Contract. I've criticized the Town Manager when he modified the High school fence bid to include chain link fencing, which was not the will of Town Meeting; that issue was resolved to everyone's satisfaction. I've also stated that if the Town Managers Contract was extended, which I'd be in favor of for the shortest increments possible (1 yr +1 day). I would require monthly meetings between the Town Manager, whomever that person is, and the Selectman. At those meetings the Selectman should be provided with a detailed variance, as well as financial forecast reports.
We should know where we stand and which direction we're heading; at all times
One of our greatest challenges is the need for more revenue. We need to seek out ALL options available, which include additional Local Aid (Chapter 70 & 90); I believe that we should explore joining a class action suit to recoup the Chapter 70 funds, Grants; I am in favor of a Full Time Grant Writer, and a more equitable Vocational School Tuition Formula.
Public Safety is another one of larger issues. I am in favor of a West Side Fire Station, just like Chief Blanchard is and the 5 chiefs before him. In the wake of the recent tanker tragedy, it's obvious to me that Saugus would be the ideal community to position a water/foam truck; given the fact Rt. 1 runs thru the middle of our Town and not to mention our proximity to other Major Highways. I would encourage the Town to seek State and Federal funds to operate a combined West Side Station that houses a combination water/foam truck.
I am a proponent of Single Stream recycling, we've made great strides in reducing our trash tonnage with our current two bin system, but we can do better, we need to switch to single stream ASAP. I would also like to explore and implement the recycle bank program which promotes recycling and provides incentives for residents to recycle. We need to explore conserving energy usage in all municipal building and schools as well as alternative energy options, like solar hot water and electric panels -- JUST LIKE SWAMPSCOTT and other communities are doing.
Some have dubbed me the PRO-BUSINESS Candidate, because I want to work hand in hand with the new revitalized Chamber of Commerce. We need not only to attract new businesses to the Town, but retain the ones we have.
And finally, many of our seniors have been negatively affected by the economic downturn and I am glad that we have a place like the Senior Center, where seniors can go each weekday, where they can enjoy the company of others and get a healthy meal at an affordable price and participate in various exercise and entertainment programs, and I even more glad that they have a "support group" "Friends of the Saugus Senior Center", who were able to purchase a new mini bus and contributes financially to supplement their budget.
What else do you think is important?
I think creating a better sense of community, and getting our neighbors involved is extremely important. We all lead very busy lives but we need to become more involved in our community, even if it's only an hour here or there or a $5 donation / purchase at a fundraiser. We need to foster neighborhood awareness and oversight of our streets, parks and playgrounds. We need to create activity areas that our youth will actually use; like a skate park. I am also in favor of the Bike to the Sea community bike rail-trail. I realize that parks and bike paths do not build nor will they maintain themselves but we need to work together and find away to do both! These projects would be eligible for Grants and Private Funding at little to no cost to the Town and I'm confident the local business community would contribute to their upkeep as well. Once built I would advocate for the monitoring of the various parks and trails throughout Town to be done by Neighborhood Watch Programs. The Police and users of these facilities cannot do it alone, neighbors and parents MUST GET INVOLVED; like I've been doing.
Submitted: 2011/11/05
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E-mail Address:
Precinct: 5
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Town Meeting Member, Precinct 5 (10 years) Chairperson, Saugus School Committee co-President, Saugus River Watershed Council Treasurer, Board of Directors, SCTV Past Vice-Chairman, Saugus Charter Commission President, Rumney Marsh Toastmaster Club past-President, SAVE past Board member, SHORE Collaborative
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Current: Joslin Diabetes Center, Budget Manager Prior jobs: John Hancock, Senior Financial Officer Wellpoint/UNICARE: Director of Financial Planning & Analysis Tufts HealthPlan: Actuarial Manager
Degrees Held / Education
Bachelors in Accounting, Suffolk University (Magna Cum Laude) Masters in Business Administration, Northeastern University American Real Estate Academy - Real Estate license
Currently A Member Of...
SAVE, Saugus River Watershed Council, Friends of Breakheart, Friends of the Saugus Historical Society, Toastmasters, Board Member/Treasurer of SCTV, PTO, Blessed Sacrament Church
What are your plans for the town over the next two years in light of the present economic situation??
Summary / Opening
Saugus faces the challenge of remaining a full service community during challenging economic times. My financial and communication skills are well suited to help meet this challenge. The next Board of Selectmen should be more engaged in the budget process throughout the year. Monthly budget reports as well as working with the Town Manager to establish short and long term goals and a capital plan are ways to address this challenge.
Finance Issues / Budget
Being a TMM for 10 years, I have seen what happens on TM floor when there is additional cash to be allocated, or when budgets have to be reduced. It can be very difficult because TM members want to do what's best for the community.
When it comes to the budget, the Selectman (per the Charter) receive the budget to review on February 15th, and need to give their recommendations back to FinCom by March 1st. That gives them less than two weeks to review.
Where I see an opportunity is that the BOS can become more involved throughout the year in monitoring and evaluating the town budget and program spending. We need to review publicly monthly variance reporting, which compares the actual financial results to the budget, by department. That way, if there are any potential year-end misses from budget, we can take action earlier in the year to alleviate the problem. Unless additional free cash comes into Saugus (like it just did), we typically don't like surprises when it comes to budgeting.
We need to continue budget meeting prior to the Selectman making their budget recommendations. But we should also administer post budget evaluations to examine if spending achieved defined goals. When we budget, we should have not just financial goals, but strategic goals as well. We want to know where we are heading as a community. That is one of the reasons that I feel it is important to have a capital improvement plan. It is important that we are continuously maintaining our buildings, so a maintenance plan for each town building is important.
Environment
Saugus is still under an Administrative Consent Order for our sewer system from the Mass Department of Environmental Protection which was issued on April 15, 2005. This was due to Saugus dumping raw sewage into the Saugus River. It is important for us to keep the Saugus River clean. By controlling the inflow and infiltration system capacity, we can better utilize the sewer system which is related to increasing the tax base. We all want a clean environment, but we still need to insure orderly growth to our tax base.
The Town's recycling contract is about to expire. The next BOS will give input to the Town Manager, and really look into single stream recycling. I'd like to make it as easy as possible for people to recycle so that we can increase our tonnage and lessen the amount of trash that goes to RESCO.
Communication
Another significant challenge for the next Board of Selectmen is to improve communication among board members and with the public. I would advocate for more opportunities to listen to the public prior to making any policy decisions. I believe that communication is as much about listening as it is about being heard. If the public feels they are being listened to, and if they believe what they say matters, all things are possible in Saugus.
Conclusion
My approach to those I serve with is to include, involve, insure all voices are heard and respected. Issues facing Saugus require openness and collaboration.
What else do you think is important?
- Maintaining our Library
- No third burner (or any other type of expansion) at the RESCO facility
- Single-stream recycling
Saugus should achieve and then exceed recycling expectations- Continue public forums with citizen input
- Belmonte school override (I'm in favor)
- Saugus High School --> I'd like to see Saugus get state aid for our High School
- Eliminate illegal dumping
- Preserve Recreational /Historical / Natural Sites in Saugus
- Keep Essex Street Fire Station open
- Setting goals for the Town Manager and having yearly evaluations
- Ensuring that newly licensed establishments have sound business plans that will result in success.
- More community involvement for the youth of our town. I do support the skate park. I've always supported our Youth and Recreation center. It is vital that we have organized activities for our children and a safe place for them to socialize.
- Making sure that the Senior Citizens in town are engaged in the happenings in Saugus. One way to do this is by having the Selectmen visit the Senior Center on a quarterly basis to give updates and answer questions. It is also important that we maintain our Senior Center.
Submitted: 2011/11/07
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