Table of Contents
Preferred contact method:
rbwilsonjr@comcast.net
What experiences and perspectives would you contribute to Town Meeting?
I ask questions because I try to make informed and careful decisions on behalf of the people I represent.
-5 terms as Vice President and President of Middle and High School Parent-Faculty Associations
-26 years as member of Town Meeting
-9 years (3 terms) on Finance Committee
-Co-chair, Traffic and Transportation Advisory Committee
-Founding Board Member Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy
-FinCom representative to Personnel Board and Capital Committee
-Long time advocate for walking and bicycling and of open space for recreation.
-Former owner of a successful business that provided training to senior state and local officials across the country
-Poll Warden for many years
What are two or three issues facing Winchester that you think are most important and what are your positions on them?
Three key issues are:
-The rate of growth in taxes and fees
-The rate of productivity and quality improvement in town services and education
-The allocation between capital spending and operating spending
I believe are growth rate should be in 4-5 % range supported by periodic modest overrides. I think productivity improvements in the 1-2 % range is achievable year over year and should be a consistent source of additional capacity. And I think at least in the near future we should be allocating a proportionately increasing percentage of spending to capital as a way to realize productivity improvements and maximize the useful life of our assets. I know that quality can be improved by careful measurement, error reduction and clear improvement goals. There is no reason why Winchester can not become the best managed little town in America - we are already doing quite well.
What is a special challenge in your precinct that might not be faced in other precincts?
We need to be sure that Muraco gets rebuild to appropriate standards in a reasonable timeframe.
Why should voters elect you to represent them?
Town meeting is the legislature of the town. I contribute to the balancing of our interests by learning about the issues as they arise, asking questions to help all of us truly deliberate, and ultimately making a call as I see it on any given issue. I enjoy the role and am thankful and humbled by the opportunities.
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