dd Littleton Common: March 2009

“If you never change your mind, why have one??"


Monday, March 30, 2009

THANK YOU ALL - SECOND ANNUAL GREEN FORUM

The Second Annual “Green Forum” was a success - "Preserving Farmland in these Tough Economic Times." Farmers, local selectmen, planners, advocacy groups and interested citizens all came together for what turned into an informative and fun night. There is still much to do to integrate the preservation of farmlands into our overall economic development strategies. However, through the testimony of our experts, we now know it makes for a valuable tool to add in our planning toolbox.

I want to thank Senator Eldridge, Representatives Arcerio, Commissioner Petersen, Chris Chisolm and Jamie Cruz for their enlightening remarks, dedication and support.

I want to thank the local businesses who not only made this event possible but gave it elements of fun and class. Your community spirit is outstanding, your donations remarkable in these tough economic times. Those organizations and businesses are Agway, Cataldo’s Nursery, Ed’s Weenies, Fallon’s Liquor Store, Gary’s Farm, Green Sanctuary Task Force, Harmony Horse Stables, Littleton Conservation Trust, Littleton Town Democratic Committee, Lombardo’s Loam & Gravel, Pet Thingz, Red Oak Renovations, Spring Brook Farm and Springdell Farm. Indian Hill and North Middlesex Savings, your sustaining force in community spirit is amazing.

Foremost I want to thank the group of volunteers who helped organize the whole event, set up and clean up at the end. Janet Dutcher, Julie Lucas, Linda Cantillon, Bev Cyr, Jane Chrisfield, Jodee Coke and Jamie Cruz - you are the best of the best!

This event was specifically kept free of any political identity. This was not a candidate event, but a community event. I only wish that my opponent and his supporters would have refrained from labeling it as a political event. This event was in the works well over a year ago when we started planning for the first “green” event. I hope to hold the third such event next year. I wish that everyone could have accepted it for what it was and set aside some of the politically based acrimony. Had they embraced this event they soon would have realized the value of the information and the resultant networking. Had they embraced community spirit over politics they would have been better equipped to serve. Our community and our relationships with neighboring communities has improved. These benefits know no political bounds.

Nonetheless it was a successful night and we look forward to next year!

posted by Alex McCurdy at 9:13 AM 6 Comments Links to this post

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

THE HEARTBEAT OF LITTLETON: OUR COMMON


We have to make deliberate and wise choices to restore and craft a new a “Common Strategy” which is reflective of the needs of our community for the years ahead.

I don’t believe this can be done with the ideas from yesteryear. Rather, it should be a blend of the general planning efforts guidance such as the Master Plan, combined with a new level of thinking, all taking in the factors of today. The Board has moved in this direction and has updated its level of thinking. This is and will be reaping very positive results.

Today, the Board of Selectman is diligently planning economic development that includes all aspects of the Common, including the look, feel as well as the overall desired town character the Common will signify. Of course, reaping the advantages of economic development is very important, but not to the detriment of the Town. We have chosen the front door, an up-front and open minded, inclusive and consensus approach; we want what you want.

What many people don’t see yet is how much effort is being put into this. Rather than a single study (centered around infrastructure), we are now putting an unprecedented number of resources together to create an integrated planning effort. We are meeting jointly on a regular basis with the Planning Board and other key boards and committees; we are being open and transparent in our efforts, we are even coupling this effort with a comprehensive review of our sign bylaw and we are talking with our neighbors. New faces are joining in to freshen the mix. After all, this heartbeat of Littleton is part of your Littleton. I have gone into this without pre-conceived notions and plan to reap the benefit of our planning effort as my guide going forward.

This hard work is also being facilitated by the professionals and planners we have put in place and empowered over the last three years. These professionals have been able to secure grant funding and support from the State; to widen the view that includes new traffic studies and zoning overlay scenarios that will give the townspeople choices on how to go forward with our Common Strategy. We have saved the Town money in the process and we are producing results. In-depth detail can be found on the Town’s official website for all to see. (BTW, Littleton’s website itself is now award winning in dispersing information to the public.) We’ve come a very, very long way in the last three years!

All too often, “campaign rhetoric” touts a change in strategy…promising a quick fix, enticing voters who want to see something done. Often a campaign strategy points fingers and blames the incumbent. However there is no quick fix, no magic bullet. This planning effort that we are on now is comprehensive and well thought out. It has been far removed from “political razzle dazzle.” But when campaign rhetoric starts to fly, know this: We are getting it done like never before!

There is more to do!
For years, we have underutilized our areas zoned for business. The problem extends beyond the Common. We must work to develop a town-wide strategy, a strategy that meets our wants and needs including additional tax revenues. We have drawn IBM to the Common and we are in a position in another area to not only keep another business here but allow it to grow. This too will improve upon tax revenue; this too will help us attract additional economic opportunities.

Working Together
This Town has come together in the last three years and is a place of which I am proud to live in, and yes, very proud to serve in as well. The contemptuous divisions which were so prevalent in the past have almost disappeared; trust is restored; a touch of government humility keeps us focused on serving you, all of you, as best we can. The last three years have been a metamorphosis of sorts for our citizens and our Town employees alike.

Need proof? Try a walk around Town Hall. There is a positive and optimistic feel there despite this being worst of economic times. The teamwork, the mission and the responsiveness of our professionals prove how working together, out in the open, with a broad consensus has taken us so far in the last three years. You are all finally getting the respect you deserve. You are our bosses; this is your community. We have been given the awesome responsibility of the care and upkeep on your behalf.


As of this writing, no opponent has handed in their nomination papers. That does not lessen my sense of responsibility to you, my commitment to openness or my great enthusiasm about our community…far from it. I will continue to attend many board meetings, solicit feedback and seek ways to reach you, to know what you want. Opponent or not, I’ll be out there seeking your feedback and hopefully your approval of my work. I have made a career of service to others. Yet even today, the importance of that service humbles me under the greatness of our people and our country.

I ask for and look forward to seeking your vote of approval for another three years of service to you!

posted by Alex McCurdy at 8:56 PM 10 Comments Links to this post