Three candidates vie for two seats on Ware Board of Selectmen in Tuesday's town election

Incumbents John A. Desmond and Melissa D. Weise and challenger John E. Carroll are on the ballot for the two selectmen seats.

From left, John A. Desmond, Melissa D. Weise, John E. Carroll

WARE – A three-way battle for two seats on the Board of Selectmen, featuring incumbents John A. Desmond and Melissa D. Weise and challenger John E. Carroll, is the only contested race on the ballot for Monday’s town election.

There is also a ballot question aimed at moving the town budget process later in the year so that more information about revenue sources for the spending would be available when discussions are held.

Desmond, 69, has served two non-consecutive terms on the Board of Selectmen.

During his campaign, Desmond has said the most important issue facing the board in the near future will be reacting to a decreasing level of state funding, which makes up a significant share of the town’s revenue.

“We have to make sure that we utilize our money wisely and smartly,” Desmond said.

Because this major revenue source is shrinking, Desmond said the review of all town departments and their expenditures which has been started by Town Manager Mary T. Tzambazakis will be of great importance for future decision making.

Desmond also feels that with a revised town charter now in place for a few years, this will be a good time to take a serious look at how its provisions are working out in practice and to see what changes may need to be made.

Weise, 30, is also concerned about the town’s finances in light of the economic downturn of the past few years and the shrinking state contributions to municipalities.

Because of the financial difficulties, Weise feels the town has to work toward greater efficiency in its operations and also take steps to attract new businesses to Ware to boost the property tax base.

Weise also wants to play a role in what she feels is a community-wide discussion of establishing a new identity for a town where factories used to dominate the economy and job picture.

“We can’t go back to that, but we can make our future great,” Weise said.

Carroll, 56, a retired state trooper, is a member of the Park Commission and has served on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Carroll sees the town as being in a fiscal crisis which is getting progressively worse and he feels fresh eyes and fresh ideas are needed to find ways for carrying out town services less expensively.

“I think the secret is to streamline,” Carroll said.

Tax and fee increases are not the answer because residents cannot afford to pay more to the town, Carroll said.

Putting effort into renting out some unused municipal buildings would be one part of his approach to the financial problems, Carroll said.

Question 1 on the ballot would affirm a prior Town Meeting vote to push back deadlines for the submission of budget proposals by one month, something town officials said would allow the spending plans to be put together with more information about likely state aid levels.

Voting will be in Town Hall from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.