Q&A With Danvers' Selectmen Candidates

On the first of May, challenger Rick Bettencourt will take on incumbent selectmen Bill Clark and Gardner Trask in the race for two seats on the Danvers Board of Selectmen.

Here's a closer look at each of the three candidates. For a complete look at the ballot, .

1. Biographical: Please tell our readers in 40 words or less who you are. This can include anything you want such as family, occupation, experience, residence, education, age etc.

Bettencourt: Richard M. Bettencourt Jr. 36 Years Old Wife: Jennifer Bettencourt Daughter: Kailey Bettencourt Education:Bachelor of Science Water Resource Management w/ Minor in Earth Science and a Hydrology Focus from University of New Hampshire Occupation: Managing Partner of our family owned mortgage company, Mortgage Assistance Company, LLC Professional / Life Experience:2012 - Present - Vice Chairman, Government Affairs Committee for National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) 2008 - Present - Board of Director, Masachusetts Mortgage Association (MMA) and Chairman of Education CommitteeCity of Peabody Conservation Committee 2003 - 2007 Volunteer Danvers Parent Advisory Committee Highlands School Assistant Coach Danvers Youth Softball (2 years)

Clark: Life long resident, retired teacher, farmer, long term town meeting member, 6 year selectman, 67, B.S., M. Ed., Salem University, wife Elaine, children Jennifer, Jason, Joshua, and Hobie, step daughter, Heather, 9 grandchildren, Topsfield Fair executive board, local business owner.

Trask: Hello, I am Gardner S. Trask. Trish and I live at 31 Fellows Street with our dog Scout. We have three children in college; Gardner, Lisa, and Julie. I am a Senior Project Manager for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

2. What motivates you to want to serve (or continue serving) on the Danvers Board of Selectmen?

Bettencourt: My motivation to want to serve on the Board of Selectman for the Town of Danvers comes from both personal and professional life experiences. As the son of a Police Officer, I was raised with the moral and ethical beliefs that it is an honor to serve your community. As life would have it, law enforecment was not a career I decided to pursue, however that drive to serve my town as my father did never died. My first job was as an analytical chemist for Clean Harbors Environmental, Inc, North America's largest environmental remediation company. I was promoted to Field Service Supervisor where I would have regular interactions with a variety of local, state, and federal agenices at each non-hazardous or hazardous emergency response I was called to oversee. I have managed our family owned mortgage company for almost 10 years now and the intimate knowledge I have regarding the housing industry and it's slow recovery will most certainly be an asset to the Board of Selectman. During my time in the mortgage business I was nomiated by my peers to serve as a Board of Director for the Massachusetts Mortgage Assocation and as Vice Chairman, Governement Affairs Committee for the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. Both of these boards are on a volunteer basis and the time sacrifice I make on these boards, I do it without hesitation because of my passion for being the voice of those that can't be heard. My responsibilities on these two boards allow me to interact with our State and Federal representatives to assist with the implementation of rules and laws that are designed to protect current and future homeowners. This political experience will most certainly allow me the ability to act as a member of the executive board of this town. I also served as a Conservation Committee member for the City of Peabody for 4 years. Each of these experiences have given me knowledge that will be helpful and in many ways applicable to the job responsibilities of a Selectman. I will be able to bring a greater diversity to the board which will ultimately benefit the residents of Danvers.

Clark: Continue to contribute in the dynamic leadership in Danvers and make it a place my children and grandchildren would nd could choose to live in during the 21st century.

Trask: Serving as a Selectman, for me, is part of fulfilling the social contract. I consider my work to be community service, not “political service”. While some people give back as sport coaches, or school volunteers, I have collaboration and communication skills that make me a good Selectman. Experience is important, and my efforts over the past 6 years have helped maintain balance. Danvers is a great place to live and I take pride in being part of Town leadership.

3. What local issues do you consider to be most important today?

Bettencourt: I see a inadvertent breakdown in the communication the residents of Danvers have with their town meeting members and the Board of Selectman. During the last 9 weeks of my campaign I have spoken with numerous residents, and very few could name more than one of their town meeting members and perhaps two of the existing selectmen. Now with the re-districting of Danvers and numerous new town meeting members being voted in, it is more important than ever to engage in regular conversation with our town meeting members. I want to try and eliminate that communication barrier so that the board is a voice for the people and not just 5 individuals passing policy for 26,500. Our Fire Department and Police Department are both understaffed and as a result are forced to rely on a disproportionate amount of ovetime to ensure our public safety. If this situation is not addressed we could see additional cuts which will direclty affect the ability of our public safety departments to do just that, provide public safety. I am anxious to play a role in the yearly interactions with the school committee. As someone who was not "born" in Danvers, I feel I can objectively interpret and analyze various spending habits within our school department to ensure our children are recieving the best education feasible. As it stands right now and based on data obtained from the 2011 School Rankings from Boston Magazine, Danvers was ranked only 70th out of a 135 schools within the Commonwealth both in "In Class Room" and "Academic Performance". Many of the people I've spoken with that are from Danvers feel our school system is "excellent", however, as someone who wasn't born here it would appear to me based on the statistical data I've found, Danvers has room for improvement.

Clark: The most important issues today are traffic, water, dealing with state mandates, and property taxes.

Trask: Danvers is emerging from 6 years of the worst economic period since the Great Depression. Through sound leadership and fiscal prudence we have maintained service levels and continued major capital projects like the High School and Water Treatment plant within acceptable debt guidelines. Maintaining that delicate balance of services and acceptable growth within the budget (without the overrides that plague surrounding communities) is paramount.

4. What is the one thing about Danvers that you would change, if you could?

Bettencourt: I would love to change the notion that unless you have a long family history in Danvers, you are frowned upon and disuaded from running for office. The theory that family roots and name recognition are the primary reasons for selection to office, is in my opinon, an old and antiquated means of governing a town, city, state, or country. Those with history outside the town can in many ways benefit Danvers. I think our town meeting members need to meet more than ONCE a year and not just when an emergency presents itself. I would like to see a representative of each precinct present at every Town Selectman meeting. This way, we know that each of our precincts have representation. I would like to see our Annual Town Election moved to November to coincide with the national and state elections.

Clark: If I could, I'd get the reservoir built in Middleton that we worked for in the 1980's and 1990's but are stymied by state and federal regulations. We in a climate of over 40" of annual rainfall should not have to deal with water restrictions on an annual basis. An adequate water supply and reserve is critical economic stability for the future.

Trask: I will continue to work toward the revitalization of downtown Danvers. With the influx of several high-end restaurants, the square is becoming a “destination” spot. Linked to the bike path and with encouragement of more craft and artisan businesses, the Square can become more vibrant and welcoming.

5. What is the one thing about Danvers that you would keep the same?

Bettencourt: I would like to keep our town as a town! That is probably the main reason people fall in love with our town, the fact that we have a thriving downtown that is only getting better. We have a wide range of family activities throughout the year and several conservation areas that give our children the opportunity to learn more about nature and the environmental surroundings. I am an advocate of conserving our open space and limiting unnecessary development. I want to ensure that our children enjoy all that we have for years to come.

Clark: I'd try to maintain the level of service without exceeding Prop 2 1/2 guidelines. We're the ONLY community on the North Shore  that has done it since 1981, and we should be able to continue doing so.

Trask: Years ago, Town officials and Town Meeting identified corridors of business along Endicott Street, 114, and Route 1. This has provided for an excellent commercial and residential mix. Businesses benefit from a strong community, and residents retain a “small-town” way of life while benefiting from reduced taxes based on commercial classification. I will remain consistent in my efforts to maintain this balance.

Next week, check back for a Q&A with the candidates for the Danvers School Committee.