Southwick Polls Open May 13th 7AM
Our Town Our challenges
Our Team
Opportunities
Our Taxes
We have great staff and department heads – I believe in letting them do their jobs. We need to be there to support them. To many times I see officials getting in the weeds. This slows progress creating animosity and stagnating the process. Our department heads need active communications to help balance their challenges- not adversarial
We have great staff and department heads – I believe in letting them do their jobs. We need to be there to support them. To many times I see officials getting in the weeds. This slows progress creating animosity and stagnating the process. Our department heads need active communications to help balance their challenges- not adversarial encounters. In essence, creating clear boundaries and positive communication channels between the board and department heads can streamline decision-making and encourage proactive leadership. This structure helps both parties stay aligned with long-term goals while respecting each other's roles.
Our Taxes
Opportunities
Our Taxes
I’m frustrated with how much my taxes have gone up—but what’s the solution? Our town employees can’t afford to live where they work. We all want quality education for our kids and grandkids, reliable emergency services when we call 911, and well-maintained roads free of potholes. All of these require funding. Every department faces unfu
I’m frustrated with how much my taxes have gone up—but what’s the solution? Our town employees can’t afford to live where they work. We all want quality education for our kids and grandkids, reliable emergency services when we call 911, and well-maintained roads free of potholes. All of these require funding. Every department faces unfunded state mandates that ultimately fall on us taxpayers. Unfortunately, we can’t sustain this path forever.
It comes down to simple math: either we cut spending or increase revenue. Cutting spending means cutting services, which is never popular.
Increasing revenue has two choices raising taxes - something nobody wants. The best alternative is attracting new businesses, but Southwick has a reputation for being unfriendly to businesses. It’s time to take a fresh look at our challenges, rethink our approach, and explore creative solutions.
Opportunities
Opportunities
Opportunities
We must look at how we do things - For example, our own town’s accounting systems are severely outdated. If you analyze how much time our nearly 100 employees spend manually filling out a paper time sheet, physically copying them and walking or driving them to town hall is crazy. Multiply that time spent in an employee’s thirty year car
We must look at how we do things - For example, our own town’s accounting systems are severely outdated. If you analyze how much time our nearly 100 employees spend manually filling out a paper time sheet, physically copying them and walking or driving them to town hall is crazy. Multiply that time spent in an employee’s thirty year career and the cost is staggering . The same can be said for processing of accounts payable.
The Sam West Road/Hudson Drive industrial area is a prime area to develop business with minimal impact on the town. New growth here would increase tax revenues and have a positive financial effect through the entire community. Solar fields might feel good but they don't support local businesses. This should be our highest priority supporting economic development to expedite growth and join the manufacturing surge.