GREENFIELD — Local business owner Andrew Killeen, one of four candidates vying for two at-large seats on the Town Council, said he hopes to bring unity to the legislative branch of town government.
“I believe it’s time for us to start working together to solve our problems,” he said. “I’m hoping to be a voice for civility and a less partisan tone in our politics.”
The election is Tuesday.
Killeen, 34, is president of Detectoguard Inc. on Wells Street, which specializes in security systems. This is his second run for council — Killeen also ran for the Precinct 8 seat in 2015.
Since the preliminary election, Killeen said he’s been meeting with a wide range of residents, listening to their concerns and working to find common solutions.
“I hope to draw good ideas from wherever they may come from,” he said.
Killeen hopes to focus on making schools, public safety and public works priorities for the town.
“I want Greenfield to be a great place to live, and my hope is that we can have A-plus schools in town,” he said.
Killeen, who also serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the YMCA board of directors, said community involvement has always been important to him.
“It’s an instinct to want to serve and give back,” he said.
Killeen is a Greenfield native who has lived throughout Franklin County, including Bernardston and Montague. He served on the Montague Finance Committee for three years, and also chaired the Montague Economic Development and Industrial Corporation.
“I’m an experienced business person in town. I own a house and a business and I have a family in Greenfield and a child in the Greenfield school system. I have experience in municipal budgeting, as well as giving back to the community in a number of ways,” he said.
Killeen said in the long term, he would like to reduce the municipal tax rate to make it more in line with the state average. He said a lower tax rate would help seniors age in place and attract young families to Greenfield.
“The Town Council is the legislative body and ultimately has the power of the purse in town,” he said. “I believe that growth is important, and I believe that budget cuts should be done with a scalpel and not a broad sword.”
He said large capital projects, such as the proposed new library and public safety complex, should be undertaken with full appreciation for current and ongoing costs. He said if the council is asked to appropriate money for the projects, he would have to assess economic and other conditions in town before making a decision.
“Education is my first priority, by a wide margin. If confronted with a spending decision, and the choices are roughly equal, I would choose education,” he said. “In addition to helping our children and grandchildren get off to a good start, a strong school system can bolster property values and attract School Choice dollars to defray costs.”
He said he is not familiar enough with the idea of turning the former First National Bank building on Bank Row into a downtown cultural center to comment on it at this time.
Killeen added that he wants to ensure that people are treated with respect and dignity in Greenfield public spaces.
“I think people are ready for, in their local politics, a little more local and a little less politics,” he said.