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At Board of Selectmen Candidates, we asked the recall candidates to provide information about their positions. This is Selectwoman Marsha Brunelle's response.

See also Wayne Perkins response, Greg Stevens response and Michael O'Shaughnessy's response .

Marsha Brunelle's response

What experience do you have that you believe qualifies you for this position?

I have over 25 years of municipal experience.
Selectman for 8 ½ years, currently chairman
School Committee member for 3 years
Finance Committee member 4 years, served as chairman for two years
Council on Aging member 4 years, served as chairman for one year
Memorial Jr High Reuse Committee
DPW Building Committee
Collaborative Leadership Group
Elected Precinct Representative (Town of Ludlow) 6 years

Having served the community in these various positions has given me an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the operations and various needs of all departments within Town government. I believe this is a requirement of anyone serving as Selectmen in order to make the necessary policy decisions required to provide services to the residents.

The DOR report requested by the current Selectmen suggests that the Board should formally give up some of its present powers to the Town Manager. Do you agree or disagree with this?

I do agree with many of the suggestions made in the DOR report. It will improve efficiencies and streamline some of the processes resulting in cost savings. It should be noted here that the Selectmen have very little power in anything. As the Executive branch of Town government, we are a policy making body. Most of the actual authority is vested with the Town Manager, other elected officials, department heads and Town Meeting.

For sitting Selectmen you asked for DOR's help, do you want to take the advice that was given?

As stated above, many of the suggestions result in cost savings to the Town. Each one will have to be evaluated thoroughly to make sure it results in improved government for Middleborough. Some of the suggestions have already been implemented, such as the lock box system for real estate and utility billing. This required upfront funding but will decrease the work load in the Collector's office thereby giving the staff more time to attend to other functions within the department and not increase staff to do so. Many others will require a change in our Charter and additional funding to implement. One item we can implement immediately is improve communications with our department heads. This is critical in times of financial crises so that the public has a better understanding of the deficiencies or inability of the Town to provide required or expected services.

Regardless of whether or not you believe the proposed Wampanoag Casino has positive or negative impacts on Middleborough, we need to get through at least three to five years before any of that will happen. What's your plan for doing that?

This must be a collaborative effort with all departments. Unless we find new revenue sources in the interim and/or reduce expenses, we will continue to reduce services via reductions in work force. While a Proposition 2 ½ Override or Debt Exclusion may not be palatable to many, we must face reality and realize that our current revenue cannot continue to support the services we provide. The Selectmen have already indicated publicly that we will be asking all employees, through negotiations, to increase their contribution to health insurance costs. This is one of the largest expenses in our budget and it continues to increase disproportionately to our revenue. Through the Educational Reform Act we must allocate a portion of our new growth to our educational system. This is a state mandate of which we have no control. The requirements of increased net school spending usually absorb our entire new growth revenue. Both of these expenses, health insurance increases and net school spending requirements, consume all of the new growth and 2 ½% increase in our annual levy limit, leaving nothing for increases in fixed costs, capital expenditures or salary increases for the employees.

If you are opposed to this Casino Resort, but it does become a reality, do you believe that you can work effectively with the Tribal-Town Advisory Committee?

I am not opposed to the Resort/Casino and feel that the Advisory Committee and the Town can work together for the benefit of Middleborough.

If you are opposed, do you plan to use the powers of this office to work toward negating the actuality of this project if possible?

As stated above, I am not opposed and will work towards supporting this project for all the benefits it can bring to our community.

Overall, do you feel Middleborough needs to concentrate more on reducing costs or increasing revenue?

We always have and will continue to concentrate on both. It is the responsibility of all Town officials and employees to do so.

If the Casino does NOT come to Middleboro (or if it comes and is, in fact, a cash drain rather than a benefit), what is your plan for fiscal stability long term

Please see answer above . We must continue to work with all departments to achieve financial stability for the Town.

If you feel we do need to increase revenue, do you think we need to increase homeowner taxes to meet our needs, and if so, what is your estimate of how much they might need to increase?

Since Fiscal 1990 the Town has had a structural deficit. This means that we have not produced a balanced budget at our Annual Town Meeting and have used one time revenue sources to cover ongoing expenses. What I mean by this is that we have used Free Cash (which is certified in the Fall) and sold tax foreclosure property to cover ongoing budgetary expenses. This has hampered our ability to set aside reserves to help offset real estate taxes and set aside funds for capital expenditures. As an example, the average real estate tax bill is about $3,300; the cost for one child in the school system is about double that amount. Without an increased permanent revenue source we will continue to reduce services to the residents. We had estimated to cover Fiscal 2008 budget request (which was approximately 10% less than Fiscal 07) it would cost the average residential taxpayer about $450 additional.

Do you feel that the Board needs to be more responsive to the Town's voters?

I believe that the Board has been very responsive to the voters and will continue to do so.

Do you feel that the Board has a responsibility to present clear and complete information to Town Meeting voters and if so, do you think they presently accomplish that goal? If not, what changes would you try to effect?

We try very hard to do so. However, there is always room for improvement. One thing I would like to see changed is to have a Personnel Wage and Classification Plan By-Law. This is something I have been advocating for several years. This will give voters a better understanding of salary levels of all town employees and give voters more opportunity for discussion.

Do you think Oak Point homeowners should be paying more taxes?

The taxes being paid by Oak Point homeowners are determined by State regulation. This is not anything that can be changed at the local level. If anyone takes the time to assess the impact of Oak Point, one would notice that the only service the Town provides is Police and Fire Protection. Even then, it is mostly emergency medical services (ambulance) for which the patient is charged. Oak Point residents are not a drain on any of the Town services. In fact, they have a positive contribution to the community through the many activities and fund raising events they sponsor. They assist in the Town's revenue through excise tax payments for their vehicles and sales taxes through the businesses they patronize. Many of the residents have served on various boards and committees and have given back much to the community in the short time they have been residents.

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