GRISWOLD — Small town politics are nice, said Alexander Grzelak, Republican Candidate for Board of Finance, because they aren’t entirely partisan.
“It’s really more about doing good for the town,” Grzelak said.
Gordon “Butch” Santerre, a Democrat running for a seat on the same board, feels the opposite of Grzelak, saying party lines are what’s preventing things getting done in town, pointing to arguing that took place over the senior center.
“I see a huge divide among parties, and I want that to change,” Santerre said. “We’re a small town.”
Three seats on Griswold’s Board of Finance are among those up for election on Nov. 2. Democrats on the ballot for the jobs are Santerre, Gary Beaulac and Amanda Brycki. Republicans running are Grzelak, Tom Palasky and Valerie Grills.
Bulletin staff asked candidates to weigh in on the issues, including the senior center, new financial growth, and the importance of communication and transparency.
Grills did not return a request for comment.
Griswold Senior Center
One of the most important issues before the Board of Finance this past year is the Griswold Senior Center. The project, which was $945,645 in debt in March, saw a great deal of discussion about how to pay for things and what to cut. However, the project was salvaged through grant funding from the USDA and other sources.
“I believe there has been course correction, and there has been communication between the building committee and the board,” Brycki said. “We want to get it completed so the seniors can enjoy it.”
Brycki, a sitting Democrat appointed after the project started, said continued communication between different parts of the town government and the public would help prevent issues, like those with the senior center, from happening again.
“I think it’s important that there is a lot of two-way and multi-way communications for project updates,” Brycki said.
Grzelak, also a sitting member of the Board of Finance agrees with her, as the finance board now has monthly updates from the Senior Center Committee, as he felt it was handled poorly before.
“The more transparency, the better,” Grzelak said.
More:What to know before you vote in Griswold Nov. 2
Bring in business, expand utilities
Beyond the senior center issue, another is that of economic development.
Palasky said the town has faced a challenge with being equitable in managing the budget. However, he also said it’s hard to get larger businesses into town without being a burden on the town, due to the currently limited capabilities of the town’s utilities, though the town bonded $6.07 million for a water and sewer line extension in May 2019.
“That’s always been an issue; to try and increase the tax base,” Palasky said.
Palasky noted that some of the larger businesses in town include American Industries, Ocean State Job Lot and Tractor Supply Co.
Beaulac also said “expanding the tax base and keeping the mill rate under control” through projects like expanding the utilities is important.
After school activities
Santerre said one issue he’s concerned with is being able to provide for kids’ after school activities. Santerre said the after school activities are costly, even with students and parents running fundraisers.
“Just a little bit more would be nice,” Santerre said.
