Four candidates debate over three seats on BOS

CORNWALL — As the days wind down to the Nov. 3 municipal elections, four candidates for the three seats on the Board of Selectmen engaged in a debate that was civil, but made clear that there are choices to be made about how the town is governed.

The Oct. 25 afternoon debate, held on the Cornwall Consolidated School stage, brought out about 30 people. Ed Dorsett of the League of Women Voters moderated an agenda of opening and closing statements, prepared questions about goals and such, and those submitted in writing by the audience about the West Cornwall septic issue, state aid and alternate resources, local economy and climate change.     

First selectman

The two candidates for first selectmen brought very different ideas about what the position should be.

Incumbent Democrat Gordon Ridgway has held the position since 1991 and sees its full-time status as necessary to running the town. He keeps morning office hours, but spoke of the considerable time he spends at meetings, tracking legislation and state doings, volunteering on the fire department and attending events where residents often catch up with him to discuss ideas and concerns.

K.C. Baird, a Republican and former selectman and member of the Board of Finance, said he thinks the job should offer part-time pay, no matter what the hours. And while the first selectman should not shirk any responsibilities, delegating some of the work and bumping up the duties of the selectmen, with more pay, is his goal. 

Baird said his plan would save the town $40,000 annually, while making the work of the selectmen more of a team effort.

“The first selectman’s job should not be a long-term occupation,” Baird said, “with total compensation over $85,000. It’s a service, and I realize it’s a 24/7 job. With that said, I would like to bring at least the wage part back to where it was previously, to a part-time position, but I’d also like to increase the other selectmen’s compensation by 50 percent.”

The salary for the Cornwall first selectman is $50,759.93. Each of the two selectmen is paid a salary of $3,691.65.

Baird confirmed that he will keep his full-time job out of town, when the matter was raised. But he said he will always be available, at least by email. 

Ridgway upheld his style of generally being in the midst of things.

Ridgway’s running mate, incumbent Selectman Richard Bramley, spoke of giving back to the town, his work on the Economic Development Commission and moving forward with capital needs without raising taxes.

Criticisms of the past

Incumbent Heidi Kearns, who is wrapping up her first term on the board, opened with a candid assessment of what she felt was a frustrating two years spent trying to make decisions often without sufficient information or time. She noted some improvements made in that area at her urging, and better town building maintenance.

She sees town government as a two-way street, with input from the community a vital component. She described her emailed summary of board meetings, ‘The View From My Seat,” as well-received.

Baird urged more citizen input as well, and the two Republicans advocated for separate town email accounts for each board member so that communications are not filtered through the first selectman.

Plans for the future

The incumbent Democrats each had a list of accomplishments and goals for the future. 

During statements and in answer to questions, Ridgway and Bramley spoke to successful efforts that include a new dial-a-ride van, supporting open space initiatives, facade grants and weathering a bad economy and worse winters without significantly raising taxes or going over budget. 

Should they be re-elected, they plan to continue moving forward with energy efficiency, economic development and a solution to septic issues in the center of West Cornwall.

Ridgway also spoke to using the available regional planning consultants, looking to other towns for good ideas and the proposed regional food hub to create new ways to distribute locally produced food. 

“I want to make sure Cornwall does not have regulations that preclude agricultural businesses from coming to town,” Ridgway said.

Baird said his priority is to see the town connected to fiber optics, and create a new selling point for Cornwall — especially when it comes to Internet-based businesses.

Kearns spoke of a missed opportunity to use a state grant (Nutmeg Network) to connect the town offices, emergency services and the school to an existing cable. 

Seeking better relations

In their closing statements, in the order of the debate, Baird said Ridgway won’t change his operating style, which is opposed to his goal to work more as a board and with the public.

Kearns spoke to involving a larger part of the community in decision-making, and finding satisfaction in helping individuals. She used the example of seeing through to the building of a family home stalled by drainage issues. 

Ridgway called for cooperation on the board. He said the election comes down to a choice between a team that has accomplishments and one that has a plan for a part-time first selectman.

Bramley said that his five terms on the board and years as a business owner have given him a good grasp of Cornwall, its people and its challenges. He described himself as a team player with a goal to stay focused on the big picture.

While only one can win the first selectman’s seat, both Ridgway and Baird could be elected selectman. State election law dictates that the top two vote-getters among selectman candidates and those not winning the first selectman’s seat (not with the same party affiliation) will be elected to the board.

Election polls are open Nov. 3 at Cornwall Town Hall from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.