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Date: 6/1/2022
MONSON – On the ballot for the June 14 election, four candidates will be competing for one open seat on the Select Board. The position is a three-year term.
The candidates include Anthony Allard, Lindsey Esser, Robert Kaddy and John Morrell.
In advance of the election, in an effort to inform voters, Reminder Publishing asked all candidates the same series of questions on their candidacies and visions for Monson. Below are their responses, organized in alphabetical order by last name.
Lindsey Esser did not reply to questions as of press time.
Reminder Publishing (RP): Tell voters about your professional and personal background. How does your experience translate to a position on the Select Board?
Allard: I’ve lived all of my 24 years right here in Monson, in a full house of 12 including my parents. At a young age I became interested in politics after I went to a rally for a U.S. Senator. After hearing the candidate’s speech, it inspired me to learn more about political science. Since then I have campaigned for over 18 candidates and I have worked on numerous committees, including the east to west rail from Springfield to Boston with a stop in Palmer. After college I decided to be involved in local government and I was appointed to the Pathfinder School Board. After experiencing how local government operates, I decided to run for my hometown Select Board.
Kaddy: I’ve been a Monson resident for 20 years. I attend Select Board meetings and town meetings. I compile information from other areas such as the Planning Board, School Committee and so on. I was an elected town meeting member for eight years and a Finance Committee member for two years when I lived in West Springfield. I helped establish the bylaw that passed town meeting regulating solar farms in Monson, protecting rural residential areas as well as other areas in town. In 2007, I filed a warrant article as the petitioner to town meeting which passed as a bylaw. It prevented the town from taking private property by eminent domain then selling the property taken to a private developer to increase the tax base. This was a counter to a U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo vs. New London, CT. I petitioned the Monson Board of Selectmen several years ago to lower the speed limit on Butler Road. The Trustees of Reservation properties are on Butler Road. This was a safety issue. I am a U.S. Army Veteran who served his country honorably. I am a conservative Republican who believes in the Constitution, family values and transparency in government.
Morrell: I have 51 years of experience as an elected official in the town of Monson. I’ve served 13 consecutive terms for a total of 39 years as the town Highway Surveyor, two terms for a total of six years on the town Water/Sewer Commission and two terms on the Monson Selectmen for a total of six years. No other candidate has my experience in our local town government.
RP: What do you see as the three largest issues facing the Select Board? How will you address said issues?
Allard: A) The first issue is how the Select Board is currently operating. It doesn’t appear that the Select Board is working together on most issues. The town is getting tired and upset that their concerns are not being taken care of. My goal is to work with the Select Board and all other citizens of the town alike to move forward.
B) The second issue is the hesitation of new business in town. We need to add more economical success in Monson and new businesses would help tremendously with the town’s revenue. There are multiple abandoned buildings on and around Main Street which is commonly traveled through between Massachusetts and Connecticut. If I am elected to the Select Board, my hope is to truly listen to business ideas and plans for Monson and bring in some new business that will benefit all and not lose our small farm town vibe.
C) The third issue is fiscal responsibility. We need to take full advantage of the various sources of money being made available to municipalities, for example infrastructure money. There are enough funds from the infrastructure bill to strongly improve Monson without raising taxes. This would put Monson in a much better position for the near and distant future.
Kaddy: There needs to be a change in Monson town government. I support a five member select board. We had an opportunity to decide this May 9 at our Town Meeting, but the Town Moderator decided not to let it go forward. We need fiscal responsibility and accountability. Too much of our tax dollars are being spent unnecessarily on different projects. Our money is being spent on equipment that should’ve lasted longer, if maintained properly. We need strong leadership. I will not be a rubber stamp for our town administrator. We must prepare for the next national crisis. Our senior citizens and others were not given adequate help for two years. The state gave priority to the cities. We need a good working relationship between our police and residents to curb crime in our communities. When elected, I will bring back the crime watch. Vote for a modernization of our fire department using grants from the state and federal government. Our fire department has been neglected for many years.
Morrell: New uses for the Monson Developmental Center Property, Federal American Rescue Act Plan funding and the State Complete Streets funds to be spent on town projects and improve relations among Board members. As far as the Developmental Center property is concerned, I would work with the State Department of Capital Asset Management to move forward on getting the property more attractive for new development to allow the town to collect revenue in the future. As far as improving leadership and better relationships among board members is concerned, I would work hard to get the board to be in unison with each other.
RP: An amendment and regulation of Adult Use Marijuana Establishments through the Monson Zoning Bylaw was recently approved by the town, do you think this will benefit the town? Why or why not?
Allard: I absolutely think this will benefit the town. Since becoming legal, Adult Use Marijuana Establishments have proven to bring revenue to the town that one is operating in. Adding an adult use retail store would drive more people into town that would then benefit other businesses as well. I have been an advocate for this in our town since it was first brought up. We have already passed up many opportunities and it is time to benefit like so many of our surrounding communities.
Kaddy: There are too many other issues in our town to deal with. I am not going to comment on this. I think the safety of our residents [public safety] comes first. There are a lot of other projects that come first before the marijuana issue.
Morrell: I think the Adult Use Marijuana will benefit the town. We at least now have a by law which has taken years to get approved. I am confident the planning and Zoning Board will work to enforce the by law and recommend any changes they may deem appropriate. Any establishment approved would bring revenue to the town.
RP: As a member of the Select Board, how would you support small business development and expansion?
Allard: Clearly, I am a fan of small business development and expansion in Monson. I would like to hear and review business proposals for our town so that we can keep Monson alive. There is so much potential for town revenue, jobs for local citizens, as well as use and upkeep of buildings that are currently run down and abandoned. As a Select Board member I would take the time to hear and review all ideas and proposals that come to the Board.
Kaddy: We need more businesses in Monson. Too much of our real estate tax is levied on the homeowner. There are more than enough area zone businesses, to bring a variety of businesses to Monson. With new business comes new opportunities and jobs. I will ask experts in their fields to come forward with ideas.
Morrell: I would first bring back the business forum I created when I was on the Board of Selectmen to listen directly to any businesses concerns. The town currently has very few areas that are zoned commercial or industrial. However, the Monson Developmental property will be a huge opportunity for businesses in the future. Also, the property along the Route 20 corridor would be much more attractive for development if the town sewer was expanded to this area. Research could be done for federal funds to make that improvement in the area of Route 20.