Election Guide: Selectmen Candidates on Businesses and Taxes

On Tuesday, voters will go to the polls and elect two Selectmen. There are 5 candidates running for two, three-year terms on the 5-member Framingham Board of Selectmen.

On the ballot are Incumbent Selectman Laurie Lee, Deborah Butler, Doug Freeman, Ryan Gagne, and Cheryl Tully Stoll.  Selectmen Chair Dennis Giombetti chose not to run for re-election.

Framingham Patch asked each of the candidates a series of questions. The answers to those questions will be published now through today, March 30. Framingham Patch will also have a primer on the race tomorrow, March 31.

A majority of Framingham's budget comes from taxpayers - more than 70 percent. Some have argued that more businesses in Framingham will help reduce the burden on taxpayers. 

Framingham Patch asked the candidates: What would you do as a Selectmen to encourage more businesses to move to Framingham and what would you do as a Selectman to help existing businesses grow?

Below are the candidate's answers as written.

Tully Stoll: "I would work with my fellow Selectmen, the town manager and the Economic Development department to promote Framingham as a good place to do business. We have a reputation as being business unfriendly. While that was the case at one time, it’s is rapidly changing for the better and we need to let the business community know that.

We need to publicize these changes and reach out to members of our local business community as well as promote our business climate and premium commuter location and other wonderful community benefits throughout Massachusetts and nationally to draw new businesses here.

I would also encourage the administration to create a business concierge function within town hall that wouldn’t necessarily be a new position, but rather a function similar to an account manager that could be shared by several individuals in multiple related departments to be a primary source of contact for new companies coming to town or existing companies which want to expand. This would create a very user-friendly experience for businesses and help expedite new growth the way a sales function works in the private sector.

I would also like to reach out to the business community to see about forming a business roundtable, so that town officials would be aware of issues as they arise and not months later when they have become much more problematic. 

We can’t improve the vibrancy of our business community without giving them a seat at the table, and addressing their concerns in real time."

Lee: "Recent initiatives I have supported such as adopting expedited permitting, working with TJX Corp to remain in Framingham and grow their corporation here, securing a $13 million grant for Genzyme to expand in Framingham and streamlining municipal permitting and approvals are part of an ongoing long range plan to increase our commercial tax base. The Board is working with the Town Manager and Economic Development Director on expanding our efforts in business retention as well as growth, continuing the practice of regular meetings with our local business community, reaching out to partner with them on any issue involving the Town. 

It is essential we maintain the efforts to streamline the permitting process within our Town Departments and ensure that we continue to develop a business friendly attitude and approach. We have made significant progress and the word is getting out. 

Recently at one of our business retention meetings, a member of the Economic Development Department learned that a local corporation intended to leave Framingham to grow their business elsewhere. Her passion, dedication and efforts not only kept this company in Framingham, larger than before, but her actions also sent out a clear message of support and assistance to our business community."

Gagne: Did not respond to this question by the deadline.

Freeman: "The tax burden on both residential and commercial property in Framingham has increased significantly in the past six years. Framingham ’s residential rates have increased by about 43% while surrounding towns have increased by a smaller (Natick ’s was about 28%) amount. The commercial rates have also increased in Framingham over that time by approximately 38%. This situation calls the affordability of Framingham into question. This impacts the desirability of Framingham as a community of choice, regardless of our strong demographics and central location. The increases in taxes are often driven by spending. My 35 years of experience in auditing and finance, combined with my experience in Town government make me well positioned to seek answers to spending decisions to ensure that every tax dollar is spent efficiently. 

As to new businesses and existing growth, I believe that as we demonstrate that we can be more effective in expending tax dollars, new business opportunities will arise. We can do better. I’d like to lead the efforts to help demonstrate that Framingham can be viewed as a well run Town that spends its residential and commercial tax dollars wisely."

Butler: "More businesses must pay their fair share of taxes to help reduce the burden on residential taxpayers. If elected I would work to that end to bring tax fairness. Businesses will also prosper if their employees can afford to purchase homes in our town without excessive property taxes and/or assessments."

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Yesterday, Framingham Patch asked the candidates about who is underserved in Framingham and how they would work to unit the neighborhoods.

On Friday, each of the five candidates identified three ways the Town of Framingham could be more efficient and or save money. Click here to read their answers.

On Thursday, Framingham Patch asked the Selectmen candidates where do you stand on the town's budget? Would you support a 1%, 1.5%, 2% or 2.5% increase? Click here for their responses.

On Wednesday, Framingham Patch published the candidates' answers to the question - what is the biggest issue facing Framingham? Click here to read their responses.