Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Published: 3/5/2021 8:02:12 AM
Political newcomer Michael Pellerin is challenging Wilton Select Board Chair Matt Fish for his seat this year.
The two candidates spoke about their goals during a Candidates’ Night, hosted virtually by the Wilton Lions Club, on Tuesday night, where residents asked about their priorities and views on proposed conservation and improvement projects.
Fish, who is completing his first term on the board this year, runs an excavation business as well as running his family farm. In addition to his service on the Select Board, he’s also been a 19-year member of the Planning Board.
“I feel my track record is self-explanatory, having dealt with a steady hand, been compassionate to those in need,” Fish said.
Fish said one of his strongest achievements has been leading the town through the solidification of a Town Administrator-led government, modernization of emergency services, instating multiple policies and procedures and maintaining a flat tax rate.
Pellerin has lived in Wilton for 60 years, is a former member of the Fire Department, and said his priority would be building a stable tax base by attempting to retain businesses.
Pellerin said the town needs some stable staple businesses in the downtown, and needs to make a plan to attract larger-scale businesses, after several large employers have left or are planning to leave town, including Label Art, one of Wilton’s biggest employers.
“This is going to be a big problem for Wilton,” Pellerin said. “I really do believe that is the foremost thing. We need these businesses and have to come up with a way not to lose them.”
The two candidates weighed in on some upcoming proposals, such as expanding the town’s river walk.
Fish said there were aspects of the current plan that were “unachievable” due to costs and regulations, though he applauded the efforts to create downtown attractions and what had been done so far, and said additions such as a pavilion would be assets to the project.
Pellerin said there is “nothing more important” than attractions to the downtown, and to the businesses there.
“I’m in big agreement with any project that brings people to Wilton,” Pellerin said.
When asked about their conservation priorities, Fish said he was “all for” the town purchasing conservation properties, and said if he had to chose a single project it would be to pursue the acquisition of Garwin Falls, and continued development and conservation of the reservoir.
Pellerin said one of the reasons is he has safety concerns about the use of the reservoir for swimming, but said he encourages other uses of the property.
On the budget, Pellerin said he believed the budget was “under tight scrutiny” and there were no obvious areas to cut. But while he wouldn’t cut the budget, he said he likely wouldn’t be amenable to increases, either.
Fish agreed, saying the board went through the budget the previous year to make cuts anticipating a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and said he wouldn’t advocate for further cuts at this point.
All other races this year are uncontested.
Town elections are scheduled for March 9 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative High School. All other warrant items are scheduled to be voted on in person at Town Meeting on June 10 at 6:30 p.m., outdoors at Whiting Park in front of the Florence Rideout Elementary School.
March 05, 2021 at 08:06PM
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Pellerin challenges Fish for Select Board seat - Monadnock Ledger Transcript
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