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09/21/2021 01:42 PMWith election day in fast approaching Westbrook voters are beginning to turn their attention to the municipal races. That race is highlighted by the contest between Republican John Hall III and Democrat Chet Bialicki.
In Westbrook, this year’s election means a guaranteed change at the top level of municipal government. For the first time in nearly 15 years, Westbrook is guaranteed to have new leadership. Earlier this summer First Selectman Noel Bishop (R) announced he would not seek an eighth term as first selectman.
While local elections can be overlooked, especially when compared to the buzz that presidential elections receive, they are still critically important to the day-to-day life of Westbrook citizens. Arguably, they could be even more important.
For example, some of the issues that will be determined by the 2021 election includes who will be able to set town policies and determine the direction the town will go in by holding a majority on the Board of Selectmen (BOS). Voters will also elect the people who will determine the curriculum for students in the school system, the people who get to approve or deny prospective development in town, and the people who track town finances.
In Westbrook, the town polices will be directed by whomever is elected first selectman.
The CandidatesJohn Hall III
John Hall III is the Republican nominee for first selectman and has a long history of experience in municipal government. Hall has been a selectman in Westbrook for close to 12 years and before that was the chairman of the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals for more than 20 years. He’s also been engaged with church groups and served as the chairman of the Westbrook Foundation for 10 years. He was also a candidate for state representative in 2020, though that campaign was ultimately unsuccessful.
Of his decision to run for first selectman, Hall said “I’ve always had an interest and I’ve been on the BOS for 12 years so I’ve got experience.”
Besides his work as a member of the selectmen, Hall is the president of the Middlesex County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Hall is the owner of Maple Breeze Farm, which has been in his family for hundreds of years.
As for issues he’d like to tackle upon taking office, Hall said the town’s finances take first priority.
“The biggest issue for me is keeping the taxes reasonable and the contents of the budget,” said Hall.
Hall said he wants to make sure the budget is one that is responsible fiscally but also provides all the necessary services.
“That’s what I’ve always been concerned about and keeping the town moving forward,” said Hall.
Besides the budget and taxes, Hall said he would also like to “keep working to strengthen our police force.”
Historically Westbrook has had two resident state troopers as well as constables. However, the cost of having the troopers has risen to around $200,000 per trooper. Instead, the town has recently moved to having two full time police officers in addition to the constables and one trooper.
“I’d like to have one more police officer as well in the next budget,” Hall said.
As for the continuing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Hall said that he believes the Westbrook Health Department is doing a good job handling the updates and information form the virus.
As towns begin to receive federal relief money, Hall said a public hearing will be held to get public opinion and then the town will determine how to best allocate the money.
“I worked very closely with Noel and while we haven’t agreed on everything, we always worked out our differences and got a lot done for the town. I don’t think it’ll be a big shock to the system for anyone who knows me,” Hall said .
To learn more about him and his campaign, Hall directed people to his Facebook page “Team Hall/Campbell for Westbrook.”
Chet Bialicki
Chet Bialicki is the Democratic nominee for first selectman. A longtime educator in Westbrook, Bialicki said about 15 years ago he started working on developing leadership attributes in his students.
“I realized the kinds of 21st-century skills I’ve been working on are the skills we need to move our town forward,” Bialicki said of his reason for deciding to get into the first selectman race.
Bialicki has worked in the school system for 44 years. He’s worked with special education students, as a transition coordinator, and most recently in a role developing teen leadership.
“You wear a lot of hats in a small school,” Bialicki said.
As for civic engagement, Bialicki has been a member of the recreation board and even ran for selectman 18 years ago, but fell just three votes short of getting on the board.
“Most of my involvement in town has been at the high school level,” said Bialicki.
He noted that every year he also writes a grant for the town that allows for students to go work with businesses in town to get work experience.
As for priorities he’d like to see the town work on if elected, Bialicki pointed to development initiatives.
“We need to revitalize the town center, no question in my mind,” said Bialicki.
Calling the changes to the center long overdue, Bialicki specifically mentioned fixing the septic issues in that area as a key component of any plan to increase economic development.
“It’s certainly an issue we need to look at,” said Bialicki.
As for other issues, Bialicki said he’d like to increase transparency in town.
“I believe in making accurate and concise information available to the public,” Bialicki said, adding that he believes there is sometimes a lack of coordination between entities that makes finding certain information time consuming.
“Communication and understanding are very important skills and what we need to move forward,” Bialicki said.
As Westbrook continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Bialicki said that the town will need to continue to rely on the local health department, which he said has been doing a good job during the pandemic.
As for the federal relief money slated for town recovery, Bialicki mentioned that it may be a good idea to see if some of the money could be used for fixing the septic issues in the town center.
“Without addressing that we’re not going anywhere,” said Bialicki. “I’m looking forward to what the townspeople say they want to spend it on,” he added.
More information on Bialicki’s platform can be found on the Westbrook Democrats Facebook page and website.