[Editor’s note: This Tuesday, Southborough has one pre-printed name on the ballot for Planning Board – the incumbent. However, another candidate decided just recently to run as a write-in the seat. To help you make that decision, I am allowing each candidate to submit one letter. (This one is from the write-in candidate.)
As in past years, you may use comments to endorse the candidate. No mudslinging allowed here.]
To the Editor:
Hi everyone, my name is Alan S. Belniak. I previously served as a member and vice chair of Southborough’s Economic Development Committee, and as a member of the Southborough Extended Day Program board. I’m a registered civil engineer in the state of Massachusetts. I also previously led the authorship of the Transportation, Transit, and Circulation chapter of the 2008 Southborough Master Plan.
I am running for a five-year Planning Board term, and I ask that you WRITE IN my name as your vote for me on Tuesday, May 14.
Why I am I Running as a Write-in Candidate
The recent departure of the Stronger Uprising gym frustrated me. Here we had a Southborough business that wanted to stay in Southborough, but antiquated and unclear zoning bylaws made it a challenge for them to find suitable space in a reasonable amount of time. The response from the town when they asked for help was confusing and unhelpful. Put another way: not only are we notattracting small, local, community-friendly businesses, but we are actively repelling them.
I’ve had an interest in the Planning Board for a while. I served on the Economic Development Committee (EDC) for some time, and had opportunities to interact with the Planning Board. I realize the amount of influence the Planning Board has on how our town is shaped for all residents – whether they have been in town for multiple generations, or have recently moved here.
When I was on EDC, I learned that a whopping 87% of our Town’s revenue – the money to operate the Town – comes from residential tax base, I was astounded. And as costs increase to run a Town (salaries, materials, vendors, everything), taxes will increase. I thought: “This has got to change. This can’t be sustainable.”
With the median home price in Southborough over $1M, it worries me that those who wish to age in place will increasingly have fewer and fewer options to stay in Southborough. Smaller-scale, smartly-located denser housing options that are affordable to seniors are not plentiful in Southborough.
Nearly half of surveyed Southborough residents strongly support mixed use development along/in Route 9’s business district, and a third somewhat support it (source). Where are we with this?
Of surveyed Southborough residents, when asked, “Please tell us where you do each of the following”, not a single category had Southborough ranked as first (source). What are we doing about that?
I understand it is not the purview of the Planning Board to create these businesses. But it is the Planning Board’s job to oversee and amend our zoning laws, and work with businesses who are seeking to locate in Southborough. The overview of Southborough’s Planning Board states, “[…] From time to time the Planning Board proposes and amends zoning bylaws for Town Meeting approval.” If we do not do the difficult work to make changes, and continue to be perceived as ‘hard to work with and within’, we’ll never be able to respond to our own friends and neighbors are telling us what wewant in ourown town. I am willing to do the difficult work to make changes that move Southborough forward.
Elected Planning Board members are also responsible for executing the recommendations of the Master Plan. Southborough taxpayers have paid a tremendous amount of their money for these studies. Unfortunately, little has been done to fulfill the study recommendations. I would make it a priority to address the recommendations of the Master Plan and be accountable to the residents on the Planning Board’s progress.
Recent focus areas of the Planning Board have been on open space and tree preservation, and in the past two years, the Planning Board has focused their efforts on bringing issues of additional tree oversight to Town Meeting. While I am supportive of the character and country feel of this town, these items are not the purview of the Planning Board. We have Open Space Preservation and Conservation Commissions that should own or champion these tasks. I would focus on the charter and mission of the Planning Board, and let the capable members of the other commissions, committees, and boards focus on theirs, while maintaining strong essential collaboration across groups.
I view success in this role as helping shape a future Southborough that we can all be proud of, while striking a balance of a quaint New England town with smart growth and realistic plans that retains our character.
Why I’m Qualified
- I’d offer a fresh perspective to the Planning Board.
- I use a common-sense and practical approach when dealing with issues and problems, striving for timely and equitable solutions.
- In my civil engineering career, I have worked with many municipal planning boards. Through this work, I have built a sound working knowledge of the Massachusetts municipal planning board role and process, and how it can help shape a community – for current and future residents, and I have seen many ideas and approaches across Massachusetts.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from WPI, and a Technology-focused MBA from Babson College. My education and background are well suited for a planning board seat.
So Now What?
If you want to change the status quo, then vote for me. However, if you are happy with the work of the planning board to date, please, vote for the incumbent. To vote for me, please WRITE-IN ALAN S. BELNIAK 5 Boswell Lane on May 14.
Sincerely,
Alan S. Belniak
5 Boswell Lane
Updated (5/14/24 8:52 am): This morning, Alan Belniak asked me to add a link to a new position paper.
