League of Women Voters Holds Selectmen Debate

The League of Women Voters held a debate for the candidates, as challengers and were given the opportunity to express their views regarding various issues that impact Winchester.

The incumbent – – was unable to attend. O’Connor traveled to California on business recently and due to the earthquake and tsunami that recently hit Japan, he was unable to get a flight back to Massachusetts in time for the debate.

Patty Muldoon, who is a member of the League of Women Voters in Arlington, moderated the debate.

The debate ranged from a new – both candidates believed the town needs to hire one as soon as possible – to of course, the override. While Wilkinson has spoken out against the override, Marmon believed it was a good decision to send the vote to the residents of Winchester, and allow them to make the decision.

“The Board of Selectmen reduced the size of the override to as small as it could be,” Marmon said. “It’s right to put the question of the override to the citizens. It will be their choice whether we maintain services or cut them.”

Wilkinson has been against the override, and he stood by that point again during the debate.

“We’re all asked to live within our means, and the town also needs to do that” Wilkinson said. “They can’t keep going into the citizen’s pocket every time they need money. Eventually there’s going to be nothing left. They need to tighten their belt.”

The two candidates disagreed on health insurance. Marmon would like to see the town move its employees to the state-run GIC program, while Wilkinson would like the town and the unions to continue to work on improving the current healthcare plan.

Currently, Winchester pays approximately 11 percent of its budget towards

They both were in agreement on – they should not be placed in the Town Center. Wilkinson suggested looking at having commuters pay to park in the various lots, but agreed with Marmon that parking meters in downtown Winchester would be a bad idea.

As that debate wrapped up, selectman chair, Thomas Howley, and Finance Committee chair, Peter Cheimets, spoke about the

“This override would provide level services,” Howley said. “We don’t have sufficient revenue to continue the quality of education and municipal services without it.”

“Our budget must grow to keep up with inflation,” Cheimets said. “But our costs grow fast than 2 ½ percent. That’s why we need an override about every three years. It’s inescapable that we would need an override every three to five years. It’s part of the numerical logic of Proposition 2 ½.”

Residents will head to the polls next Tuesday, March 29 to cast their ballot for both the selectman seat, as well as the general override question.

To see more of the debate and the override discussion, be sure to click on the videos to the right.