Rich Koenig, currently a Gardiner town councilman, is running on the Independent and Conservative lines.
Why did you decide to run for the position of town supervisor?
I decided that I have something to offer the people of Gardiner and that I want to be a part of the public discussion that shapes our town.
What positions, experiences and skills believe will make you a competent supervisor?
I am serving out my four-ear term on the town board, where I’ve been involved with the operations of the town. I’ve addressed issues with open space, the establishment of guidelines for conservation easements, the transfer station, budgeting, real estate re-evaluation, building repair, etc. I’ve researched in the assessor’s office, subdivision road issues to better understand road maintenance costs. Using the financial reports that the town is required to file with the sate cmptroller each year, I’ve compiled the revenue snd expenditure data from 2004 through 2012 to better understand the financial trends that we have to deal with.
What are your thoughts on the possibility of Gardiner getting municipal water and sewer?
Gardiner has municipal sewer in much of what is called the central hamlet. This was necessary because as the density of the hamlet increased over the years the in-ground septic systems were inadequate. There are sewer districts, and they will be expanded as necessary.
Municipal water will be a decision that will require careful thought, not just because of the cost, but because of the effect of the character of the hamlet. Density control in the current zoning law keeps development more or less on a small scale. Municipal water will change that considerably. We need to understand and recognize the possible changes and make our decisions accordingly.
What do you see as the three greatest challenges facing the town of Gardiner right now?
Not necessarily in order:
Taxes: The tax levy percentage of what the town spends has grown significantly over the past six years as income from mortgage tax (mortgage-tax revenue was $388.000 in 2005, $162.000 last year) and building fees have fallen. While there are many things that would be nice to have, we need to spend wisely on what is necessary.
Infrastructure: The town highway garage and equipment need significant attention
Master plan: The master plan needs to be updated.
If elected, what would be your top three priorities?
Again, not necessarily in order:
Accounting: An accounting system that allows data analysis in more then just the current month. This is necessary to be able to set metrics and track them, especially spending. Currently, if you want to figure out spending on a particular item, you have to go through file drawers, the same as you had to do before computers.
Meeting format and agendas: Return to the meeting format of years ago, with the first meeting of the month a workshop meeting and the second meeting a business meeting. This will allow the full board more discussion time on issues, projects and concerns. Agendas would be set a week in advance to allow board members the time to prepare, ask questions, and do research prior to meetings, and allow more productive discussion and more timely decision-making.
Solar: Pursue photovoltaic solutions to reduce utility bills.
Your story is incorrect. Carl Zatz is NOT running on the Republican line. Also, you seriously need to use spell-checker.
what happen to the comments from carl zatz on the face book page its hard to follow when some ones comments are deleted in this campaign every one should have the right to be seen with there comments , he being my supervisor i’d like to know what he said to know his stance on the issues of ” where the moneys going ?
why where they deleted ?