Position paper: Paul Cimino

Seat: Board of Selectmen – 3 year term

(vote for 2 candidates)

Why I am running for office:

Southborough needs thoughtful, responsive leaders who will seize the tremendous (and unprecedented in our 287-year history) opportunity now available to our Town as a result of the historic change from a 3- to 5-member Board of Selectmen. As our Town continues to grow and evolve, gone are the days when Selectmen could simply show up at periodic meetings to conduct and complete the Town’s business in one night. Issues are complicated, and hard work is required at all hours of the day and evening. Proper preparation for Selectmen meetings along with a host of other public obligations is constant, as is working cooperatively with other Town boards and committees on a variety of issues, from municipal budgets to addressing individual resident concerns. So the larger Board represents a remarkable prospect – a significant increase in capacity for responsive, collaborative and productive leadership and problem solving. This is the unique opportunity that lies ahead, and I’m running to offer my skills, experience, energy and commitment as part of a renewed and re-energized effort to move Southborough forward.

Why I am the right candidate for the position:

I believe that great leadership as a Selectman absolutely requires three things that I will offer every day:

• Calling it as you see it in a way everyone can understand — taking a position, clearly stating the reasons, and meaning what you say.
• Investigation (learning the history), listening (to all available viewpoints), asking (probing questions) and evaluating (all options), and only then making a responsible decision.
• Being responsive to those you serve – because the obligation to the voters begins (not ends) on election day and every day thereafter.

In addition to responsive leadership, I am driven by a desire to serve the people of Southborough, and not by a desire to favor or affect any one or two particular issues. Although there will always be matters of lesser or greater importance before the Selectmen, citizens deserve that every matter gets thoughtful consideration. So I come to this election with no agenda, no pet issues, beholden only to the voters, and with an unconditional commitment to tackle the hard work that moves Southborough forward.

My priorities/Key issues:

• Advocate for continued excellence in K-12 Education
• Support smart Economic Growth, especially on Route 9
• Cultivate and improve on what makes Southborough so special (beautiful public spaces, etc.)
• Review/optimize use of Town Departments, Facilities and Assets
• Ensure that tax dollars result in excellent Municipal Services
• Increase Communication with Residents, Town Boards, and State Officials

Additional Comments:

I would be honored to receive your vote on May 12th. I am endorsed and supported by:

Lee Bartolini, Chairman, Zoning Board of Appeals
Roger Challen, K-8 School Committee, former Selectman
Dana Cunningham, former Planning Board Vice Chair
Dennis Flynn, President, Southborough Village Society
Sal Giorlandino, former Selectman
Bill Harrington, Chair, Council on Aging
Jim Hegarty, Advisory Committee member
Peter Kachajian, Trails Committee member
Joe Laning, Chair, Recreation Commission
Steve Morreale, Chair, Personnel Board
Donald Morris, Chair, Planning Board

My service to our Town:

• Planning Board (2010-present)
• Economic Development Committee (2013)
• Town Administrator Search Committee (2012)
• Town Governance Study Committee (2007)
• Northborough-Southborough Superintendent Search Committee (2006)
• Personnel Board (2004-2010)
• Committee Member, Boy Scout Troop 92

My personal information:

• Graduate: US Military Academy – West Point (1988)
• Veteran: Gulf War I (1991)
• Law Degree: University of Michigan (1995)
• Wife: Dani – mobile veterinarian based in Southborough
• Two children: Thomas (11th grade) and Emily (8th grade)
• Long time, active member of St. Matthew Parish
• Vice President & General Counsel at CSG in Westborough

To contact me to help support my candidacy:

Paul Cimino
3 Austin Kelly Lane
Southborough, MA 01772
(508) 357-8835
paulcimino6@gmail.com

Click here to see the candidate’s flyer.

(Contributed photo)

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