Incumbents Antonio Dos Santos and John Da Cruz decided not to seek reelection.
Candidates Carmina Fernandes, Christine Peacey, Manuel Silva, Timothy Donnelly and Walter Craven, clockwise from top left, are seeking two seats on the Board of Selectmen in Ludlow's annual town election March 26.LUDLOW - The five candidates running for two open seats on the Board of Selectmen all say the town needs to hold the line on tax increases.
None of the selectmen candidates in the March 26 town election are incumbents. The two incumbents, Antonio Dos Santos and John Da Cruz, decided not to seek reelection to the board.
The candidates for the two three-year terms on the board are Carmina D. Fernandes, Christine D. Peacey, Manuel D. Silva, Walter E. Craven and Timothy S. Donnelly.
Fernandes, a practicing attorney in town who was born in Portugal, said she has traveled the world “and truly appreciates what Ludlow has to offer.”
She said her focus as a selectman would be to make Ludlow a fiscally responsible and independent town “without always relying on increasing taxes and fees to its residents.”
She said innovative solutions are needed to increase income while controlling spending.
Fernandes said another one of her goals would be to offer transparency and information to residents.
She said she would seek to develop business interests in the town without compromising the needs of town residents.
Peacey, whose husband, Walter Peacey, is a town firefighter, said that insurance co-pays should be raised to save the town money.
Incentives could be given to encourage town employees to voluntarily go on their spouse’s health insurance plans, Peacey said.
Peacey, who will not be able to vote on matters related to the firefighters’ contract, said she will look for ways to grow current businesses in town and bring in new businesses.
“Increased business would bring in more tax revenues which would help residents with tax burdens,” Peacey said.
Peacey said she is a Ludlow small business owner of Hair Salon and Spa. Peacey said she also is an active town meeting member and familiar with the challenges Ludlow faces.
Silva, who is an assessor in Wilbraham, said some town services may have to be cut.
Silva said insurance co-pays can be raised, but the savings probably will be absorbed by projected increases in energy costs.
“We need to focus on keeping property taxes down by generating more local receipts, tightening our belts and attracting additional revenue sources,” Silva said.
Tough decisions are going to have to be made, via budget cuts, paying for non-reimbursed storm damage and determining which essential services are priorities,” Silva said.
Craven, who has twice run unsuccessfully for School Committee, said he has identified three areas that need continued effort for the long-term financial health and quality of life for the residents of the town.
He said the first area is the stabilization and reduction of the residential tax rate, the second area is the reduction of non-employee related expenses in the town, and the third is the continuation of the business development plans along East Street and Center Street with a focus on long-term planning and attraction of upscale larger businesses.
He said the town should look to centralize purchases and maintenance to save money.
Donnelly, former cable operation manager for Ludlow Community TV, said town departments already are lean. He said he favors continuing discretionary services such as the senior center, library, Board of Health nurses and Recreation Department.
Donnelly said the town could cut its $283,000 yearly contribution to the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club & Community Center and make the club become self sufficient.
Donnelly said town department meetings with the selectmen should be held on a more regular basis.