Platform
Property Tax Policy
The board needs to implement the maximum CIP (commercial, industrial, property) shift allowed by law. In addition small business exemptions and residential exemptions should be implemented. The town has not approved the maximum CIP shift it was allowed under Division of Local Services over the past 20 years. As a result the Select Board has shifted $1.1 Billion of tax liability from business to residents over the past 20 years.
Improve The Procurement Process
While working Canton's procurement process, I was able to see arears of improvement the town can take to make projects more affordable. The largest procurements on the towns buildings has substantial room for improvement to keep costs down for all the tax payers. I'm suggesting the town hire a municipal buildings Chief of Operations crate a Department of Public Buildings to oversee all new construction and renovation projects. Currently the town has a group of volunteers procuring and overseeing the highest priced projects in town which are negotiated through personal email addresses. The town needs to have more control on how its money is spent, by utilizing full time employees and elected officials to procure all projects.
Introduce and Scale Artificial Intelligence To Government Processes
Introduce AI into town government functions through the towns current ERP and website platform. By implementing AI the town will create incremental cost savings in future years. The annual savings can be used to funds increases to union contracts for Police, Fire, Schools and AFSCME.
Ask The AG To Review The John O'Keefe Case
The Select Board needs to ask the Attorney General and Department of Justice to open an investigation to review the John O'Keefe case. A police officer's death should be taken seriously and the responsible parties should be held accountable.
Restore Trust With The Police
The new Police Chief appointed by the Select Board looks to be an excellent candidate for heling to restore public trust. I promise to work with the new Chief to implement some of the fantastic ideas he had during his Select Board interview. I would also like to work with the Chief for creating a strategic plan for the police department, which the town does not currently have at this time.
Set Spending Limits For All Mitigation Funds
The Select Board has unlimited power to spend mitigation funds without Town Meeting approval on whatever it pleases. Updating this policy to set spending limits to mitigation funds would ensure the Select Board can't use these mitigation funds for projects that circumvent Town Meeting approved appropriations.
Require All Committee Meetings Be Televised
There are too many committees where the residents are not seeing transparency from the town. Operating an open government where videos and meeting minutes are posted to the town's website will help to improve trust with the residents of Canton.
Hire A Grant Specialist For The Town
Hiring a full time employee to specialize in state and federal grant writing could provide more opportunities and funding sources to the town. This would take the burden of department heads, and the town would join the growing list of communities in the county that employ a grant writer.
Add Bike Lanes On Major Town Roads
Creating bike lanes on the town's major roads will help the town to make a meaningful impact on reducing carbon emissions. With the passage of the MBTA community zoning, bike lanes are needed more than ever to help our residents have accessibility to MBTA stations.
Establish a Code Of Conduct For Town Officials
Canton needs to implement a code of conduct for all elected officials and committee members, so town officials know what behavior is expected.
Convert Municipal Vehicles To Hybrid or Electric
The town currently has more charging stations than electric vehicles, so we have the capacity to convert our fleet to electric of hybrid vehicles. While the town has had this capacity to purchase electric vehicles, the Select Board has failed to adopt a policy for purchasing new municipal vehicles.
Offer Resident Curbside Leaf Pickup
Utilize the DPW and their current equipment to pick up leaves curbside from residents. Leaf pick up trucks can be visible clearing leaves in front of some residents homes, but this service should encompass all residents homes in town.