Jean Ann Guliano Questionnaire Responses

1. Why are you running?  

I want to encourage East Greenwich to maximize its resources specifically by utilizing cost efficiencies gained through shared services between town/schools, and with adjacent municipalities. In addition, I’d like to create a blueprint of collaboration between the town and our local businesses, ecumenical community, residents and charitable organizations. We should think of EG as one community with so many dedicated and talented people that collaborate and work with one another, not just to save money, but to solve programs and create opportunities that benefit everyone.

2. What are the three most important issues facing the Town of East Greenwich and how would you address each?

The ones that I hear most often are Property Taxes, Schools and general Quality of Life. In short, how do we balance our desire for outstanding schools and services without excessive property taxes?

The recent re-evaluation lowered the value of the majority of homes in EG - and some significantly. While these changes are reflective of the broader economy (state and nationwide), it appears that East Greenwich has weathered the housing crises better than most RI communities. Our foreclosure rate is down and home sales are up. Most people acknowledge that East Greenwich is still a desirable area where people are willing to pay more for a home here primarily because of the quality of the schools, safety and quality of life. Appropriately funding education and safety, while maximizing cost efficiencies (through shared services, for example), will help ensure that our property values are maintained without significant increases in taxes.

There is no denying that Rhode Island has some of the highest property taxes in the country.  East Greenwich ends up paying more partially due to our home values, but also due to a lack of state funding for education. 95% of the cost of education in EG is paid by the taxpayers. On the other hand, in surrounding communities, at least 17% to 40% (as in West Warwick) is paid by the state. Roughly 57% of our tax revenues go toward education with 30% going towards municipal and fire services and 13% towards debt service.  

I believe there are several ways we can reduce our tax burden without jeopardizing town services or education. The first is through fire district consolidation (see below). Second, last year’s report by the Finance Committee emphasized efficiencies through shared services between the town-school and possibly municipality-municipality. This is the first thing we should pursue. A Memorandum of Understanding needs to be drawn up to create shared services for maintenance, custodial services, payroll, buildings and grounds, etc. An excellent example for this is the snow plow MOU drawn up between the town and the schools in 2009. This was a well-planned and well-executed consolidation that should be the model going forward. Third, create a long term strategy to limit tax increases to every three years – occurring the same time as re-valuation. This can be done by staggering wage increases, capital projects and technology upgrades across all entities. I also support a true tax freeze for seniors who have lived in EG for more than 40 years, not just a deferment.  

3. Do you think the EG Fire District should be merged with the Town, even if it involves a “hostile takeover”?

I fully support merging the Fire District with the Town. East Greenwich pays one of the highest cost per capita rates for fire protection in the state. While I thoroughly read both recent and past consolidation studies, I don’t believe these reports examined a key issue…why and how do other communities pay significantly less for fire services? Communities with similar populations to EG are mostly municipalities with fire departments – not a separate fire district. Those communities can deliver fire services for sometimes half of what we spend. Through consolidation we have a tremendous opportunity to compare and learn from other municipalities in order to lower our cost for this important service.  

I also don’t believe the decision to merge the fire district with the town will be a hostile one.  

4a. Is there any part of town government spending that should be reduced?

Again, I think we will find much needed cost efficiencies with shared services and fire district consolidation.

4b. Is there any part of government that should not be cut?

I strongly believe it was short sighted to reduce support to the Animal Protection League, Teen Center and Main Street, last year. The total reductions came to less than $20,000 for these programs. With a $50 million budget ($56 million if you include the fire district), we can certainly find a way to fund these programs that are essential to our community and provide tremendous value at a low cost.

4c. Is there anything that should be expanded?

Currently, I don’t see any aspect of the town that needs to be expanded unless we are talking about expanding collaboration across all aspects of the various community entities. Although, I do think we need to do a better job of supporting affordable housing opportunities, particularly for seniors.

5. Beyond the town’s financial agreement with New England Tech, in what ways should the town seek to benefit from the school’s presence?

I’d like to see a voc-tech program between EGHS and NEIT. The current program sends students out of district when we might be able to create something right here to serve and expand the program for students. Secondly, we spend an awful lot on technology both at the town and the school level. I’d like to see some cost sharing strategies between the town and NEIT when it comes to buying equipment, computers, maintenance, repair and infrastructure.  
6a. Should the Financial Town Meeting be abolished?
 
No. Although it is unfortunate that people have not seemed to attend the FTM in recent years, I still believe it is important to have a system of checks and balances in place if, at some point in the future, our town government ever strays from doing the will of the taxpayers and voters.  

6b. What ideas do you have to better engage people in town government?

Transparency and accessibility. We do a pretty good job with this on both the town, school and fire district level, but I believe we can do even better. All financial information should be posted on the website and easily accessible at town hall. Budgets, employee contracts (including administrative and management), check register, etc., past and present, should be both posted on the town website and easily accessible at town hall. I also believe that any contract negotiations that are not resolved three months prior to their expiration, should require that all proposals be opened up to the public.  

7. In 100 words or fewer, explain why people should vote for you.

I hope that people choose to vote for me because they know me, my heart, and my commitment to this community. East Greenwich has been my home for almost 16 years and it’s the only home my sons have ever known. Because it’s their hometown, it’s my hometown, and I want what is best for them and for everyone else in our wonderful town. I believe in public service, and take that role very seriously. For me, being a servant of the public and steward of public funds means being responsible, respectful and accountable to those who have elected me.