Joseph announces candidacy for Dudley Board of Selectmen

DUDLEY - Paul M. Joseph announced that he is seeking re-election to the Dudley Board of Selectmen.  His nomination papers have been submitted and certified by Ora Finn, Town Clerk.

In his announcement, Joseph stated “I have been honored and privileged to serve the Town with a candid and independent voice for the past nine years.  We currently have an excellent Board of Selectmen that works hard, and well, together. Each of us brings a separate and complementary  set of skills to the table.  As a former college administrator and Dean, I bring 31 years of contract negotiation, legal issues knowledge, analytical skills, and management experience to the Board”.

“I am constantly aware of the need to think, and act, outside the box; especially when it comes to financial issues.  In my first term on the Board I saved the Town over $35,000.00 by personally co-ordinating the difficult move from the former Town Hall to the new Dudley Municipal Center.  During my second term, I initiated the effort to bring Tax Title properties to auction in a timely manner.  Thus far, we have generated nearly $450.000.00 in revenue to the Town from these sales.  That’s $450K that we wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t worked hard to make those sales a reality.”

“Yet, much remains to be done to insure that we have sufficient funds for future years, and this will require continued creative problem solving.  We have already initiated, and must continue to work with our local legislators to eliminate the burden of unfunded state mandates”.

“We must develop innovative TIF (tax incentive) options, within the law,  to attract clean, local businesses to our Town.  We need to petition our legislators to support expansion of our infrastructure along Rte 197 (West Main St) and Route 131 north so that we can attract more businesses along those main roads, and ease the tax burden on home owners in Town.”

“We must review and revise our local By-Laws and policies to adapt to the changing needs of our citizens, and to the local economy.  And we need to continue to ensure that families have a safe and comforting environment to learn and grow”.

“Finally, we need to recognize the outstanding work that our Town departments and employees provide, with limited funds; and we must ensure that they continue to have the training and equipment necessary to provide for the safety and security of all of our residents”.

“For nine years the residents of Dudley have known that I am not afraid to ask the tough questions on their behalf to make sure that the Board of Selectmen AND the citizens of Dudley know the facts. I would dearly like to continue this work for you”.

“I ask that you support my re-election with your vote on June 25.  Thank you for your consideration.”