Candidate Page ~ Mark Siegenthaler ~ Selectmen

Campaign Wrap-up Statement

I am running to offer my skills and expertise in the best way I know and at the highest level I can.  I offer a valuable combination of experience, accomplishments and creative thinking.

You’ve elected me as a Selectmen before.  During those years, we accomplished many things together and I worked hard to represent your interests.  We built or rebuilt all four schools, the police and fire stations, both Town Halls, Town Center, the Senior Center, the Library and the DPW.

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We also rebuilt and repaired streets, sidewalks, trails and bikeways.  We went from 5% affordable housing to 18%.  We welcomed a variety of housing types, and recently shaped and permitted innovative cottages on Pine Hill Road.

We protected historic resources, funded community preservation, banned plastic bags and committed to energy and waste reductions including net-zero policies.  We have balanced our budgets, funded our priorities and have never had an operating override of our property taxes.

I have been involved in, contributed to, or led on your behalf, in all these efforts.

We have more to do.  We need to communicate better between residents and town government, we need to pilot energy and waste reduction activities, we need more sidewalks, bike paths and trails, and we need to continue our efforts to offer housing to residents that need it.

I have the skills, energy and experience to help us move forward with our goals.  Thank you for your past support and I ask for your vote on March 14th.

Questions from the League of Women Voters of Bedford

> Previously you were a Selectmen but retired a couple years ago.  Why have you decided to return?

In 2017, I decided not to run for re-election, but I continued to volunteer in town government.  I served on the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust and then a vacancy occurred on the Planning Board.  I was appointed to fill the vacancy, and then was elected to finish the rest of the Planning Board term through this coming March.

Continuing to serve reinforced for me, that my skills, interests and long-term experience are still well-matched to the work of the Selectmen.  I am running again to offer my skills in the best way I know how.  I spent many years working with others to refine the services and programs our town provides so we can fully enjoy our community.  I am excited by the challenges we face, the projects we are pursuing, and the environmental, housing and community initiatives that are still ahead of us.

> What is your position on the proposal for a new Fire Station? 

It is time for the town to support construction of a new fire station.  The Bedford fire department has been evolving over many years. It was once a smaller department focused on fires, accidents, and EMT calls. The department is now a multi-faceted emergency response team capable of responding to a broad range of specialized rescue, hazardous materials incidents, and disaster events, as well as fires and major medical emergencies.

Our fire department personnel have worked diligently to expand their knowledge and expertise.  The Town has provided the vehicles and equipment, but we have continued to house it all in a cramped and increasingly unsuitable facility.  It is time to build a facility that provides appropriate space for our personnel, vehicles and the equipment they need to effectively and efficiently respond on behalf of our residents and businesses.  A possible location will be detailed and discussed at Annual Town meeting.

> What do you identify as areas you would like to influence some changes in how the Selectmen meet their responsibilities or influence the direction that has been taken on particular issues?

I have demonstrated the ability to sort through the competing components of an issue or challenge, and to help others arrive at reasonable solutions, approaches or outcomes. Sometimes, gathering input to accomplish this can be challenging.  Residents should feel encouraged to bring or submit their views on issues to the Selectmen. Meeting agenda items for general input, and a correspondence review to publicly discuss any written comments received, could help with this.

In the short-term, there are two issues – environmental sustainability and senior housing – that need a continued sense of urgency on the part of town government. We need to do a better job identifying what the Town can do and when we can do it.  We should try to move more quickly for example, in piloting approaches to source reduction in solid waste and recycling, reductions in energy usage and next steps for senior housing.

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