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4/10/2013 6:45:00 AM Templeton hopefuls focus on town's finances Candidates for local office set to appear at Thursday forum in Baldwinville

Kerry O'Brien News Staff Writer TEMPLETON — In light of concerns over issues facing the town, a group of residents are hosting a new candidates’ night Thursday at the Baldwinville American Legion with the hope of focusing more attention on civic affairs ahead of this year’s election. “We’re a group of citizens that are concerned about the future of Templeton,” said Bob Columbus, one of the event’s organizers. The four candidates for two available seats on the Board of Selectmen — Kenn Robinson, Paul Cosentino, Gerald Skelton and Doug Morrison — have similarly expressed concern about the state of town affairs, particularly in terms of finances.  They each cite their experience as an asset in addressing the issues the community faces. Mr. Robinson — an attorney and native of Pennsylvania who recently moved to town — said in a statement that he hopes to use his experience and background in public policy to work in the town’s best interest. “I have spoken to numerous members of our community and am aware of and sensitive to the pain and dysfunction that this town has endured,” he said. “Being an outsider and a pragmatist, I hope to heal old wounds and move the town forward through transparency, reason, communication and economic growth.  I am on no one’s side but the people of Templeton.” Mr. Cosentino, who has been an active voice in the community and maintains a blog on town affairs, said his primary motivation for running is to protect taxpayers and those who are struggling during difficult times. “There’s been nobody looking out for the taxpayers,” he said.  “So many people in town have lost their homes. I see houses go down the drain and there’s no way the families can get out of it.” A former selectman and former manager of the Municipal Light and Water Department, Mr. Skelton said he will be at candidates’ night to discuss why he wants to return to the board. “I just think the finances in town are getting out of hand, and that’s one of my areas of expertise — finances,” he said. “I managed the light and water (department) for 28 years. I know the town’s needs.” Mr. Morrison, who has long been involved with the new senior center project, also said one of his main reasons for running for the board is to help the town manage fiscal issues. “I have a pretty long career in manufacturing industry. I have good business sense,” he said. “Our financial situation is one of the biggest issues that we have at the moment — how to get back under control reduce debt avoid future debt. I’m looking forward to helping the town continue to recover and move forward. I’m hoping that I can help in that process and bring up some good ideas.” The three-way race for one seat on the Light and Water Commission is also a point of interest for this candidates’ night organizers. Special Town Meeting voters recently — and overwhelmingly — rejected a citizens petition seeking to abolish the commission and transfer its duties to the selectmen. David Smart — who filed the petition and confirmed he will attend on Thursday — said he is running for a seat on the commission in order to get answers to questions he’s long been asking. “My biggest reason to get on the team is to bring more transparency and more openness to the questions that come from the audience,” he said. “There’s been a lot of controversy. If I can get on the board, I can find out a lot more and be more accurate as far as what’s going on.” Mr. Smart said getting on the board is his “Plan B” following the failure of the citizens petition. The two other candidates for the light and water seat — Planning Board member Frank Moschetti and incumbent Gregg Edwards — also confirmed that they will be in attendance on Thursday. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion hall, located at 3 Central St. Each candidate will speak for five minutes, followed by questions from the audience. Mr. Columbus said they expect the event to continue until approximately 8:30 p.m., followed by light refreshments.