Each spring, NGX runs candidate profiles of candidates for local offices. This year, there are two candidates for two open seats on the New Gloucester Select Board: Peter Bragdon and Stephen Hathorne. Because there will not be a candidates’ forum this year, NGX solicited questions from a cross-section of residents to include in candidate profiles.
See Peter Bragdon’s profile below. Stephen Hathorne declined to complete a profile, saying he’s too busy.
PETER BRAGDON
NAME.Peter R. Bragdon
OCCUPATION.Self-employed, PBnJ Yardworks
EDUCATION. GNG High School, Central Maine Community College, Associates in Applied Sciences, Business Administration.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS/ SERVICE. Select Board 2020-2023, Community Fair, Finance Committee, Capital Improvement Committee, Comprehensive Plan Committee, East Auburn Baptist Church – Leader Mens Fellowship
INTERESTS/ HOBBIES. Camping, fairs, car racing, animals
FAMILY STATUS. Married. Wife Jennifer, grown daughter and son
THE NG CHARTER MAKES A COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. WHAT SHOULD THE SELECT BOARD DO TO INVITE ENGAGEMENT AND CIVIL DISCOURSE?
I always enjoy hearing from the residents and their viewpoints. I also make it a point to respond to every email I receive. It is important to hear residents and also make sure they felt heard. Residents speaking at the podium is always a great way to receive information, but we all know the ability for people to attend meetings is difficult. One of my agenda requests will be to see the status of the Meetinghouse being set up for Zoom. The voters spent nearly $100k on upgrades to the technology of the Meetinghouse and Zoom capabilities was part of it. Allowing residents the ability to participate by Zoom is standard practice now and New Gloucester should follow suit.
THE CITIZENS APPROVED THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN 2021, WHICH INCLUDES A VISION, AND MANY GOALS AND STRATEGIES TOWARD THAT VISION. THIS HAS NOT YET BEEN USED BY THE SELECT BOARD AS A GUIDE. DO YOU FAVOR PRIORITIZING GOALS AND ACTIONS, SETTING TIMELINES AND REPORETING ON PROGRESS ON A REGULAR BASIS? WHY OR WHY NOT?
The Comprehensive Plan is a guiding document for the town. The plan was developed by a committee and adopted by the voters. The plan outlines several goals that should be reviewed to see what is attainable. The board should set goals, as they have in the past, and track on going agenda items. The progress should be updated routinely. I understand some towns post this information online, so the residents can follow along with the status of projects.
THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FACING OUR TOWN IS _____________ AND THIS IS WHAT I INTEND TO DO ABOUT IT.
There are several issues facing the town and to narrow it down to one is difficult. I think we really need to look at efficiencies. I respect what has worked for many years but there also must be adjustments made to meet current needs. Costs continue to rise and that is not going to change. The town needs to be able to keep current services while looking for ways to lessen the tax burden. There are also several projects that have been started and not finished. The residents have authorized the use of their tax dollars to fund these projects and that should be respected. I will request follow up on these projects and offer goals that will help with efficiencies in the town’s operations.
SHOULD THE BOARD FOCUS MORE ON LONG-TERM GOALS AND POLICIES VS THE SPECIFICS OF OPERATIONS? WHY OR WHY NOT?
I do think the board sometimes gets bogged down in items that should be handled by the staff. In the big picture the Select Board is the Goals and Policy Setters, and the Manager and Staff carry out the daily operations.
WHAT ARE TWO INSTANCES WHEN YOU VOTED AGAINST YOUR OWN OPINION AND PREFERENCES FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY? IN GENERAL, HOW DO YOU WEIGH YOUR OWN VIEWS AS YOU CONSIDER WHAT SERVES THE COMMUNITY’S BEST INTERESTS?
In the past I took votes personally. I realize I can’t do that. After hearing input from the residents, staff and discussion with the board there have been times that I changed the way I was going to vote. I plan to look at each agenda item through the same lens, to first determine if it has a positive effect on the town.
THIS YEAR’S BUDGET INCLUDES SIGNIFICANT EXPENDITURES FOR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO TOWN BUILDINGS. WHAT SHOULD THE TOWN DO DIFFERENTLY TO ENSURE TIMELY ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF ITS FACILITIES, AND HOW DO YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE BUDGETED?
Most all of the repairs or upgrades that have been completed have been reactive to issues rearing their head. An true assessment should be completed of each building the town owns to note needed repairs and future repairs. Currently there is no real funding set aside other than about $35k in an account for town hall repairs. Funds will need to continue to be set aside but it should be goal based to complete repairs. Without proper planning there may be a need to Bond the repairs to manage the financial impact. With our town hall, library, and meeting house being recognized nationally, for their historic value, it is even more important for proper care and planning.
WHAT AREA OF TOWN SERVICES OR OPERATIONS IS IN MOST NEED OF ADDED INVESTMENT?
The town really should use technology to be more efficient and ease workloads. This is not to forget those that are not tech savvy though. In a few examples: Most all timecards are handwritten, there are thumb print time clocks installed in each building that are not being used. By using the time clocks the employee would have an app to access all their payroll information and request time off through the same. The town’s voicemail system has no more space, deputy clerks are often taking hand messages and passing them along. The budget information could be sent in electronic file form and updates could be made immediately. Verses the 1000’s of pages being printed, and binders made. In Public Works, concerns from citizens could be received through an online form and the disposition would be updated on the form. These examples alone would save a lot of staff time. Lastly, technology can be used to dispense information to citizens through emails. The emails could cover upcoming events, road closures and emergencies. Citizens would sign up voluntarily and choose what information they receive.
DO YOU FAVOR PAVING/ CHIP SEALING SOME OR ALL OF THE TOWN’S GRAVEL ROADS? IF YES, WHAT ROAD WOULD BE YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY TO PAVE?
I think the town needs to put more effort into our dirt roads. There was money budgeted to bore test some dirt roads to see what material the road is composed off. I think part of Woodman Rd and Pond Road would be the first ones to be paved.
IF YOU COULD ADD ONE TOWN EMPLOYEE TO ANY DEPARTMENT (WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT THE COST) WHERE WOULD YOU ADD THEM?
Buildings and Grounds should have a full time supervisor. This position would focus directly on managing our facilities and addressing repairs. No fault to current staff, I just feel this area needs more attention.-
IF YOU COULD BE SURE THAT THE UPPER VILLAGE PLAN INCLUDED ONE SPECIFIC ITEM, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
Traffic Calming measures. For that area of town to be developed an useful the traffic needs to addressed.
DO YOU SUPPORT SINGLE-SORT RECYCLING AT THE TRANSFER STATION? WHY OR WHY NOT?
I support recycling and believe we are missing some opportunities with our current recyclables.
TRANSFER STATION SAFETY WAS RAISED AS AN ISSUE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. DO YOU FAVOR PRIORITIZING SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS THERE? WHY OR WHY NOT?
Transfer Station Safety has been on the burner since 2008. There is funding available and this should move forward. Despite being an efficient operation that are safety concerns.
~ Debra Smith
