Why You Should Run for Office and How to do It

On Wednesday, The Waterford Representative Town Meeting (RTM) passed the budget for FY2012. On Wednesday, May 18, 2011 (postponed from the regular meeting date of Wednesday May 11, 2011) the Waterford Board of Finance (BOF) will set the tax rate the all taxpayers will pay in July 2011 and January 2012.  Did you follow the budget debates?  Are you concerned that your taxes are going up?  Do you want to do something about the current situation?  Do you think the Town may be able to provide more services?  Do you want the Town to cancel some of the services it currently provides to cut expenses?  Do you want some additional service that the Town does not yet provide?  Do you think the Board of Education (BOE) cut too much or not enough from their budget before sending it to the BOF and the RTM?  Are you convinced that you are able to do as well, if not better than the current elected officials?

If you answered “YES” to any of the above questions, you should run for public office in November 2011.  That way, if elected, you will be in a position to influence and to make those key decisions that will shape the future of Waterford.  One of the great joys, and also one of the frustrations, of local office holding, is the immediate feedback you receive regarding a decision.  There is the good feeling when a project you supported and approved is completed.  Even if you disagreed with a decision or a vote, you know that you had an impact on the decision.

What type of commitment is involved in being elected to a Waterford elected position?  The Waterford Board of Selectmen (BOS) meets twice a month on the first and third Tuesday (sometimes this changes if there is a holiday on the day of the meeting).  The BOF regularly meets on the second Wednesday of the Month but may meet on other days if necessary.  It also meets twice a week during March to approve the next fiscal year’s budget.  The Waterford Board of Education (BOE) regularly meets on the fourth Thursday of the month.  The BOE members also attend State BOE panels and forums.  The RTM meets six times a year starting in December and then in February, April, June, August, and October.  There is also the regular budget hearing the first three work days in May.  RTM members also serve on standing committees that often meet during the off month.  There is also some “study” time before each meeting to review the backup material provided by the departments, boards, and agencies so that you are able to ask questions or just approve the request.  If you have the time to devote to any of these offices you are encouraged to become a candidate.

The two parties are required to fill out their slates for the local elections in July.  That means the search for candidates has already started.  Some slots will be filled by incumbents seeking reelection but there are still enough open seats that there are generally more positions than candidates.  This is the first election that the First Selectman and the two other Selectmen will be elected to a four year term.  The Town Clerk, Tax Collector, and Town Treasurer will also be elected to four year terms.  Four seats on the Board of Finance and Four seats on the Board of Education will be on the ballot for four year terms.  All twenty two seats on the RTM will be up as well for two year terms.  Districts 1 and 2 currently have five representatives and districts 3 and 4 currently have six representatives.  The majority party may elect up to four members in each district.  There are also openings on the Zoning Board of Appeals – two members and one alternate and one seat on the Board of Assessment Appeals.  It takes a number of volunteers to make Waterford’s government work. 

The First Selectman, Town Clerk, and Tax Collector are paid full time positions, the Treasurer is a paid part time position, and the other two selectmen are paid an honorarium.  The member of the Board of Assessment Appeals is paid $100 per year as required by State Statute.

If you are a Republican, or an unaffiliated voter that leans in the Republican direction, contact the Chairman of the Waterford Republican Town Committee, G. Brian Vachris at 860-447-0142 or by e-mail at gbrianvachris@att.net.  If you are a Democrat or an unaffiliated voter that leans in the Democratic direction, you may contact me at 860-442-9053 or by clicking on the “contact by e mail” at the bottom of this column.  Either of us will be happy to provide more details on what exact positions are open and the commitment requirement for campaigning between September and November.  If your life experience makes you particularly qualified for a specific position, such as investment experience for Treasurer or accounting experience for Tax Collector, please be ready to provide such information.  YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE – BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR OFFICE!