League of Women Voters of Saratoga County
Q&A Responses
Phil Barrett
Republican, Conservative Parties
Education: Graduate of Providence
College
Occupation: Town Supervisor-Town of
Clifton Park, County Supervisor-Saratoga County Board of
Supervisors, VP-Key Bank
Qualifications for office:
- Served the Town and County as Supervisor since 2000
- Commissioned Officer in US Army, professional
financial experience in the private sector, served as volunteer for
the Town and for other organizations prior to elected office service
Question and Answer:
- What should the County’s role be in economic
development, and how would you balance that with environmental
concerns?
Response: Proper planning and judicious use of IDA resources are two important aspects of this issue. Economic Development is vital to the fiscal health of our County. However, this is balanced by the County's Open Space/Farmland Protection Planning Efforts and the funds that are allocated each year toward preservation. In Clifton Park, we completed an Open Space Plan Process that commenced in 2000. Since that time, we have permanently protected more than 950 acres of Open Space, including 3 working farms, created the Dwaaskill Nature Preserve and expanded recreational opportunities. Subsequent to the Open Space Plan process, we also completed a large GEIS Study, to allow for improved management of future development. The third leg of our long range planning process, the Recreational Master Plan Study, is currently being conducted. The cornerstone of all the aforementioned planning initiatives has been many public forums, surveys and other means of receiving feedback from residents. Saratoga County and Clifton Park are desirable places to live. Therefore the decades of development pressures we have experienced will continue. Proper land use planning and preservation efforts will ensure we achieve the balance between development and our natural resources.
- Question: How would you encourage collaboration
between municipalities in the county?
Response: Municipalities must work together to provide services at the lowest cost possible to the taxpayers. To achieve these partnerships, elected officials must work in a bipartisan manner and focus on delivery of services, not politics. County officials have a long history of partnership including the delivery of sewer and water services. In the aftermath of the 2008 Ice Storm, municipalities shared equipment and manpower. Other initiatives that I had direct involvement with include, the emergency Reverse 911 Phone System, legislation restricting Sex Offenders, the Open Space/Farmland Preservation Plan and the County's emergency radio project to name a few. In Clifton Park, we share Sheriff Deputies with Halfmoon, purchase water from Glenville, are currently in the process of a major sewer initiative with Glenville and the Niskayuna School District and have two major trail projects slated to be completed in partnership with Halfmoon. I foresee additional initiatives working with our neighbors across County and Town/City borders in the future. Given our successful track record working together and the grant monies available from New York State for municipalities that partner, I foresee many additional collaborative efforts in the future.
- Question: What are your top one or two
priorities? Explain how you plan to accomplish them.
Response: Two of our top priorities include, long term fiscal stability and enhancing the quality of life in our communities. In Clifton Park we have paid off all Town Debt and reduced our Highway tax over 80%. We have saved for a rainy day, resulting in a 2010 budget with no Town property Tax and no increase in the small Highway Tax, while preserving all town services, programs and jobs. Clifton Park remains without a Town Property Tax in 2010. Our healthy rainy day fund has allowed us to weather a difficult budget year and will protect us for years to come. The third leg of our Long Term Visioning Process, the Recreational Master Plan, ensures our Town is well positioned for the future. Proper planning, based on professional studies and resident input, has created a road map for the future. Since 2000, the Open Space Plan, Farmland Protection Efforts and the 18 month Environmental Impact Study, have delivered results and we will build on these successful efforts. Through this process Clifton Park has received two state-wide Smart Growth Awards and a Trail Development Award stemming from the miles of new sidewalks and trails in our town.
