Candidates test each other at East Weymouth Neighborhood forum

By JACK ENCARNACAO
The Patriot Ledger

WEYMOUTH - Colin McPherson sought to put Sue Kay on the defensive early when responding to a question about a proposed affordable housing project on Pond Street that may be supported by Community Preservation Act money.

McPherson stressed that, unlike him, Kay supported the town’s adoption of the state’s Community Preservation Act and is a member of the board of directors of the nonprofit organization that wants to build the Pond Street project.

Weymouth voters adopted the state law in 2005. It imposes a property tax surcharge that can be used in part for affordable housing projects.

‘‘Since my colleague’s speaking for me, I guess I’ll tell you exactly how I feel about it,’’ Kay said with a smile, defending her position on the project and the preservation act.

The exchange Thursday night between the two mayoral hopefuls highlighted a candidates’ night organized by the East Weymouth Neighborhood Association. About 100 voters turned out at the Weymouth Elks Hall on Washington Street for free pizza and to question the candidates. The election is Nov. 6.

In addition to Kay and McPherson, the 10 candidates for five councilor-at-large seats took questions. The councilor candidates promised to be accessible if elected.

‘‘Call me, tell me what you want,’’ candidate David Wight said. ‘‘My ears are open.’’

Kay portrayed herself as the ‘‘CEO of a neighboring town’’ and said her skills gained as Braintree’s executive secretary readies her to run Weymouth. Kay will lose her Braintree job in January when that town adopts a mayoral form of government.

‘‘I do this every day,’’ she said. ‘‘I love it, and I want to do it for Weymouth.’’

She also cited her work with youth soccer.

‘‘People call me sometimes a soccer mom,’’ she said. ‘‘I think I’m much more than that, and yet I’m very proud of that.’’

On a question about whether to build a new central library at Libby Field, Kay said she is ‘‘not in favor of moving Tufts Library to Libby Field.’’ McPherson said: ‘‘I don’t want to foreclose that possibility, but I think the taking of open space is problematic.’’

Both candidates addressed the town budget.

McPherson said the only reason the budget was balanced this year was because the town sold the former Fulton School. He noted there was no easy solution to growing health care costs. Kay said she was exploring having town employees joining the state’s Group Insurance Commission.

McPherson, an accountant, said there can’t be any sacred cows when it comes to the budget.

‘‘You can’t just say, ‘We won’t touch this because that’s that group,’’’ he said.

The Fore River Bridge was also discussed. Referred to by audience members and the candidates as ‘‘the Erector Set,’’ the bridge and the state’s plan to replace it took some criticism.

‘‘You can’t get answers,’’ Kay said. ‘‘The state is hedging.’’

‘‘I think it’s time to start making some noise,’’ McPherson said.

An issue that generated a lot of buzz in the audience was wind power and whether the candidates would consider it. Kay drew applause for saying looking into it is a ‘‘no-brainer.’’

‘‘How can we not?’’ she said. ‘‘It’s successful in many areas all around us. We really have not explored that to the extent we should.’’

McPherson was not so sure.

‘‘I would be glad to look at that, but there’s only limited places in Weymouth where you could put it,’’ he said.

Jack Encarnacao may be reached at jencarnacao@ledger.com.

Copyright 2007 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Friday, September 28, 2007