Years in Concord: Fourth generation Concord native
Experience: I am a licensed professional engineer and currently serve as the director of public works in Bedford NH
Three key issues and potential solutions
■Quality of life. Geographically, Ward 10 is the largest, most rural and least densely populated area in the city. One of my priorities is to maintain the quality of life that we as East Concord residents enjoy. Police, Fire and General Services play a significant role in ensuring residents are safe and they are the people who provide basic city services we all rely on. All three of these departments have significant personnel vacancies which in turns strains other staff members in the performance of their respective duties. The city needs to continue and expand efforts to improve employee compensation and retention for first responders as they are the folks who we rely on for safe streets and neighborhoods. Well maintained infrastructure including roads, clean water and sewer infrastructure, parks, pools, hiking trails, the city ice arena and golf course facilities are important city attributes that resources should be directed towards. The increase of homelessness, encampments and panhandling has significantly impacted and altered the delivery traditional city services and is a public safety concern. I support an all hands-on deck approach to help those who need and want help to get them off the streets and into housing.
■Property tax stability. Economic development is necessary to expand the tax base and lessen the individual tax burden. Economic growth must foster ideals that promote good and safe roads, clean water, provide good environmental stewardship and recreational opportunities. Economic development must be thoughtful, well planned and methodical with a purpose that contributes to the tax base while minimizing the need for city services. The redevelopment of the Steeplegate Mall appears to fit this criterion with a nice blend of housing and commercial uses. The city should use any existing capital reserve accounts dedicated for this purpose in the area if utility improvements are needed which should be minor given the surrounding city infrastructure including roads, sidewalks, municipal water and sewer was designed and engineered to accommodate the original use. Public private partnerships are also a great tool to grow the tax base. Expanding the use of tax increment finance districts to grow the tax base will assist in reducing the individual tax burden. The city should support partnerships that benefit both the city and the developer. We have seen positive results of public private collaboration on Main Street over the past several years, this has spurred investment and reinvestment the corridor. If elected I would promote these same efforts along the Storrs street corridor with a street connection to Constitution Drive and the Horseshoe pond area.
■Affordable housing. Providing affordable housing is critical if the city is to retain its workforce and keep young professionals and families in Concord. I believe Mayor Bouley and city staff have done a remarkable job promoting affordable housing in Concord. For the past several years the city has relaxed its developmental impact fees and since 2020 city staff and the Planning Board have advanced approximately 3,000 units of housing that are in various stages of development. This includes 575 affordable housing units. This is a significant commitment to housing which makes Concord a leader when compared to our neighboring communities in terms of the number of housing units increased per capita. Concord can not solve the housing crises alone; other communities need to be encouraged to step up their efforts to mitigate the housing shortage.