News and Updates

Clinton Selectman Sean J. Kerrigan is happy to announce office hours for the February 2018, a combination of in-person and online sessions intended to improve communication with the residents and business owners of Clinton.

As always, residents are welcome to submit questions, thoughts and concerns though Facebook, online at kerriganforclinton.com, or via email at kerriganforclinton@gmail.com.

 

FEBRUARY 2018 OFFICE HOURS SCHEDULE

IN PERSON:

Wednesday, February 7, 10 to 11 a.m.: Clinton Senior Center, 271 Church Street

ONLINE/FACEBOOK (FACEBOOK.COM/KERRIGANFORCLINTON):

Wednesday, February 14, 9 to 11 a.m.

Wednesday, February 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday, February 28, 7 to 9 p.m.

I know it’s a busy time for everyone, but I’ve scheduled some office hours around the holidays in case anyone has questions or concerns about how the town is being run.

As always, residents are welcome to submit questions, thoughts and concerns though Facebook, online at kerriganforclinton.com, or via email at kerriganforclinton@gmail.com.

 

HOLIDAY 2017 OFFICE HOURS SCHEDULE

IN PERSON:

Friday, December 22, 9 to 11 a.m.: Coffeelands, 50 High Street

Tuesday, January 2, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Selectmen’s Chambers (Second floor), Town Hall, 242 Church Street

ONLINE/FACEBOOK (FACEBOOK.COM/KERRIGANFORCLINTON):

Wednesday, December 27, 12 to 2 p.m.

 

On Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen held its annual tax classification hearing. At it, I voted to lower the town’s tax shift two points, from 160 to 158 percent. In the broadest of terms, it means we’re going to continue to close the gap between residential and commercial/industrial property tax rates in an effort to make the town more appealing to businesses. The new residential rate is $16.98, the new CIP rate is $30.73.

As a result, business owners will pay a little less next year and residential taxpayers will be paying a little more — about $20 over the normal increase for an average home — to make up the difference.

It wasn’t an easy decision, but I sincerely think it’s best for the town, and I wanted to explain why I voted the way I did.

First, some background: Every year, the Board of Selectmen is responsible for setting the town’s property tax rate. In Clinton, where we have a split rate — one for residential property and another for commercial, industrial and personal property (CIP) — that involves deciding how much more the CIP rate will be. The total amount of property taxes raised remains the same. It’s simply a matter of how big a share each group pays.

Here’s more, from the state Department of Revenue:

An amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution endorsed by the electorate in 1978 resulted in the Classification Act. This Act requires municipalities to classify real property into one of four classes, according to use: residential, open space, commercial and industrial.

Cities and towns that are certified as assessing property at full and fair cash value may elect to shift the tax burden among the major property classes within certain limits established by law. The adoption of different rates does not change the total property tax levy; rather it determines the share of the total levy to be borne by each class.

After many years at the maximum shift, the board began to chip away at the business rate in 2013. Since 2015, it’s moved from 165 percent to 162 to 160. It’s small but steady progress, a sign to the business community that we understand their part in making Clinton what it is.

When I ran for selectman, I said I’d consider any reasonable way to attract new business to town, and to support the businesses already here. Clinton isn’t like many of our neighbors: We were born from the mills, and industry has been part of our fabric for more than 150 years. I firmly believe that, if we are to reach our full potential as a town, we need to embrace that history and get Clinton back in business.

We’ve got a long way to go. The town’s three priority development targets all have challenges, and High Street is currently facing a vacancy rate of more than 30 percent. Still, I’m hopeful. Our downtown is the kind of walkable, diverse and resilient district many towns only dream of. We’ve got streetlight, facade improvement, and wayfinding projects in the works, and people are starting to notice.

I think that continuing the progress we’ve made will keep this positive momentum going. Our FY2017 commercial/industrial rate of $31.95 is the 22nd highest in the Commonwealth, higher than Berlin, Bolton, Fitchburg, Lancaster, Leominster, Marlboro, Maynard, Northboro, West Boylston, and a host of other neighboring communities. If we are to compete, we need fewer liabilities and more advantages. I believe that lowering the shift represents one such potential advantage.

I don’t like raising taxes. But I firmly believe that strengthening our long-term economic foundation is worth sacrificing some short-term relief. If we can attract more businesses, if we can fill some of those empty storefronts and warehouses, we’ll not only broaden and our diversify our tax base, eventually giving all of us some relief. We’ll also be improving the quality of life for everyone who lives here. More places to eat, shop and work at. A better Clinton we all can be proud of.

Still, I know some of you think this is a bad idea. Good news: I’ve been named to a special board subcommittee to recommend future changes to the tax shift, and I need your help. If you have an opinion, if you agree or disagree, please let me know. As I said on Wednesday, we were elected to make tough decisions like this. I’m happy to explain more to anyone why I voted the way I did.

Furthermore, I promise to work with the Assessor’s Office to find assistance for those hardship cases who need it. Here’s a link to available exemptions, including those for the elderly, disabled and veterans.

This week, Clinton added a new business to its downtown business district, as Bryley Systems moved into the old post office on Union Street.

According to this week’s Clinton Item (I couldn’t find a link; it’s on page B6 in the paper UPDATE: Here’s the link.), Bryley Systems is relocating from Main Street in Hudson, where it’s been for the past 26 years. The company, which manages IT and cloud services for organizations throughout New England, now calls Clinton home.

Gavin Livingston, president of Bryley, told the Item: “My wife, Cathy, and I have lived in Berlin for the past 34 years; we always loved walking the dam and reservoir . . . which always attracted us to Clinton.”

In a time when so many people ask me, “Why can’t we be more like Hudson?”, this move is a great sign that we’re catching up to our neighbors to the east. Bryley had been in Hudson for almost 30 years, and saw something here that made them want to move.

“We saw the building for sale in 2016, and were able to make it work early in 2017,” Livingston told the Item. “We love that it is downtown, but also abuts Central Park and is across the street from the Museum of Russian Icons.”

Bryley has 24 employees. That’s two dozen people who’ll be eating and shopping on High Street, two dozen people who’ll see what we have to offer here and who’ll help spread the good word that Clinton is on the rise.

We have in High Street what so many communities in Massachusetts dream about: a diverse, walkable downtown. I’m thrilled that Gavin, Cathy, and Bryley are taking a chance on us. They won’t be disappointed.

I’m happy to announce office hours for November 2017, a combination of in-person and online sessions I hope will improve communication with the residents and business owners of Clinton.

I’m mixing in-person and online office hours once a week throughout November, and hope to continue every month for the rest of my term. It’s really important that I make myself available to you, the people I represent. I’m planning on trying a few different locations and times to see what works best for people. I hope to hear from you.

The schedule kicks off with an in-person session at Clinton Town Hall on Tuesday, November 7, the day of the special state primary to choose candidates to replace retired state senator Jennifer L. Flanagan. If you vote in the morning, stop by and say hello. I’ll be upstairs in the selectmen’s chambers.

I’m also doing three online chat/Q&A sessions in November, through my Facebook page, facebook.com/kerriganforclinton. I might even try a Facebook Live session if I can squeeze it in.

As always, residents are welcome to submit questions, thoughts and concerns though Facebook, online at kerriganforclinton.com, or via email at kerriganforclinton@gmail.com.

NOVEMBER 2017 OFFICE HOURS SCHEDULE

IN PERSON:

Tuesday, November 7, 7:30 to 9 a.m.: Chamber Room (second floor), Clinton Town Hall

ONLINE/FACEBOOK (FACEBOOK.COM/KERRIGANFORCLINTON):

Tuesday, November 14, 12 to 2 p.m.

Monday, November 20, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Wednesday, November 29, 7 to 9 p.m.

 

Clinton’s redevelopment effort got a nice boost of energy this afternoon with a visit from Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito to one of our priority development properties, the Bigelow Spinning Mills on Main Street.

Lieutenant Governor Polito came to Clinton to discuss the $50,000 MassDevelopment Site Readiness Grant recently awarded to the town so we can look into potential uses for the historic mill building, which dates back to the mid-19th century and Clinton’s beginnings of a town at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution.

Also present were State Rep. Harold Naughton, my fellow Selectman Michael Dziokonski, Town Administrator Michael Ward, Community and Economic Development Director Phil Duffy, MassDevelopment’s Director of Land Planning and Permitting Ed Starzec and VP of Planning and Development Claire O’Neill, and Suzanne DiSalvo of Lerner Ladds Bartels, the architects conducting the site readiness study.

Clinton was born from its mills, and redeveloping this site into something that benefits the town, residents of Clinton and the greater region overall, and the building’s owners is a huge priority for us. I’m really excited to see what DiSalvo and her team come up with. We’re hoping to see something by the end of the calendar year.

Monday is Election Day in Clinton. I’m running for Board of Selectmen and I’d appreciate your vote.

For the past two months, I’ve met with people from all over Clinton. Republicans and Democrats. Seniors and young parents. Lifelong residents and recent transplants.

Some think local government has failed them. They’ve lost faith in Town Hall and think the people who should represent them don’t care about the things they stand for.

Others say we’re on the verge of becoming Massachusetts’s next big success story. They say our taxes are low, our services solid, and that we’ve done the planning needed to make huge strides very soon.

The one thing they all agree upon, however, is that the next 10 years will be pivotal for Clinton. Almost everyone I’ve talked to believes what we do over the course of the next decade will decide the fate of our town for generations to come.

That’s why I’m running for selectman, and that’s why I ask for your vote.

For the skeptics, a vote for me is a vote for transparency and accountability. I want you to believe in your town again, and will do whatever it takes to restore your trust.

For the hopeful, a vote for me is a vote for continued planning, and re-energized action. Any success we see in the coming years will be a result of us chasing it down. As selectman, I won’t take my foot on the gas.

For those of you in the middle, a vote for me is a vote for what we all want: A better Clinton, with a sturdy tax base and improved quality of life. Let’s finally put aside the petty tribalism that holds us back so often. We need to look ahead, to plan, and to act. Together.

It’s a big election for the town. Besides the selectman’s race, there are four people running for two spots on the School Committee. No matter who you support, make sure you come out and vote. It’s so important.

Thank you for listening. Thank you for caring. Come out and vote for me on Election Day. Together, I know we can make Clinton a better place for all of us.

 

At the recent Clinton candidates night, I spoke about overcommunicating. Tonight’s Annual Town Meeting provided a great example of how aggressive communication with voters and taxpayers could not only prevent misunderstanding, but also get people feeling good about the direction local government is heading in.

The issue in question was Article 18, asking to borrow $350,000 for a consolidated software suite for the town.

For the lay person, that’s a lot of money for software, but everything I’ve heard is that a move like this, if handled correctly, will go a long way toward modernizing Town Hall, enabling interdepartmental communication, and improving transparency.

So why wasn’t that story told ahead of time, instead of leaving voters in the dark until they were asked to vote?

Sure, the article passed, but not before a bunch of great questions: Does this amount include annual fees? Have we settled on a vendor or particular suite of software? Will this new technology work with the computers we have now? Will the Board of Selectmen consider any citizen input, particularly from citizens with experience in information technology, in making its decision on how to spend this $350,000?

What if, instead of leaving this vacuum of misunderstanding, we had gone to the Clinton Item with a story about how this change, this investment, will be good for everyone? What if we had some kind of mechanism in place to share success stories with our taxpayers, so they know we haven’t forgotten their hopes for improved efficiency and transparency?

As I said at candidates night, in order to enact any meaningful change, we’ll need to meet with every stakeholder in town. There will be differences in opinion, but we cannot continue to let opposition and gridlock to take root in miscommunication.

I communicate for a living. That’s what I do. If you elect me to the Board of Selectmen next Monday, June 12, I’ll make sure to tell the good stories coming out of Town Hall, and to share the less-than-great news, too. You deserve to know what’s going on. You deserve to know where your tax dollars are going. You deserve better.

It’s voting time in Clinton, as residents decide a combined 43 warrant articles at Special and Annual Town Meetings tonight, June 5, followed by Election Day next Monday, June 12.

A Special Town Meeting starts things off tonight at 7 p.m. Here is the warrant listing the seven articles we’ll vote on.

The Annual Town Meeting follows the Special Town Meeting, with 36 articles, including the annual budget, special requests for school books and Town Hall software, and citizens petitions on livestock — and chickens! — and cleaning up litter. Here’s a link to the Annual Town Meeting warrant.

The Clinton Item did a preview in Friday’s paper, but it’s always a great idea to at least read through the warrant articles before the meeting. It’s a lot of information to digest on the spot.

It’s just the beginning. Clinton’s town election day is next Monday, June 12. With two spots open for both the Board of Selectmen and School Committee, your voice could help decide where the town goes from here — not just for the next three years, but for the next decade or more.

Please, come out tonight for Town Meeting, and vote next Monday. Together, I know we can make a better Clinton for all of us!

The former Harvard Square Theater in Cambridge closed in 2012, a major blow to one of the city’s busiest neighborhoods. The closing affected several neighborhood establishments, who saw a drastic drop in business. Some were even forced to shut down altogether.

City officials were given hope in 2015, when the property was purchased by a developer. But, as of the start of 2017, city counselors hadn’t heard from the theater’s new owner and were getting frustrated with the lack of progress at the site.

A signature property sitting empty and in disrepair, bringing down an entire neighborhood. Sounds like several properties in Clinton: Potential jewels that are either ignored or underused, with no hope or change for something better on the horizon.

Well, in Cambridge, that wasn’t good enough. In a bold move, the City Council used some muscle to push the owner toward something that would benefit Cambridge and its taxpayers. According to the Boston Globe, this past February the council announced it was considering an ordinance “to discourage real estate investors throughout Cambridge from the practice of ‘land banking,’ or sitting on vacant properties for long periods for later profit with no intention of redeveloping them.”

“A proposed ordinance would require owners to maintain vacant or abandoned buildings and impose fines if they remain empty beyond a designated period of time,” the story continues. “If after two years the properties remain vacant or abandoned, the city would begin eminent domain proceedings.”

It worked. Today, the Globe is reporting that the building’s owner is planning to demolish the old building and replace it with a five-story office and retail complex, which includes a new cinema, a concession to neighbors.

“They hit it out of the park,” City Counselor Marc McGovern – who had threatened to take the property by eminent domain just months prior – told the paper. “The theater is coming back, the retail is going to liven up the street, and it’s a really spectacular-looking building that’s a piece of art itself.

“Normally, in these situations, it’s easy to find a couple things to complain about,” he added, “but honestly, I’m having a hard time finding one here.”

Neighborhood activists are similarly thrilled with the proposal. It’s a complete winner that will bring foot traffic and a sense of excitement back to a part of the square that had grown depressed.

Clinton isn’t Cambridge. I don’t want it to be. But I want it to be the best Clinton it can be, and in order to reach our potential we desperately need to develop cornerstone properties like the Bigelow Mills and the former Swift Building on Main Street at Depot Square.

Instead of shrugging our shoulders about owners’ non-cooperation, can’t we try something new? Abandoned buildings are demoralizing to residents and a disincentive to potential developers and business owners. And the longer they sit in disrepair, the closer they are to becoming unsalvageable altogether.

As selectman, I will not rest until any and all options for smart, aggressive economic development are exhausted. It’s too important not to care any more.

Only a handful of days are left before June 12 town election. If you agree with my ideas and my hopes for a better Clinton, tell your friends. Spread the word. Together we can make this town better for all of us.