Candidates for Town of Union Board Chair

Cletus Fontaine (Incumbent)

Age: 79

Education: B.S. Biology/Agriculture Education, M.S. Agriculture and Extension Education, P.M.S. Educational Administration

Occupation: Retired teacher and educational administrator

Relevant Experience or Civic Involvement: Town supervisor – 1 term, Town Chairman – 3 terms, County Board Supervisor – 5 terms

What is the biggest challenge facing the municipality and how would you address it?

Town officials’ continued responsibility is road work and maintenance including snow removal and grass cutting. Levy caps legislation doesn’t permit towns to increase levy. Therefore roadwork and maintenance budget remains the same every year. Per mile cost for reconstruction or resurfacing keeps escalating. In order to keep within budget, the town must reduce miles to be reworked. Eventually the quality of the roads will deteriorate. Town has little control of snow removal costs which is dependent on amount of snow yearly.

If the board were forced to make budget cuts, what would be the first thing to go?

There is very little leeway in boards’ capacity to make budget cuts. Any cuts would necessarily come out of the road budget. Total road expenses in 2012 were approximately $117,500. State highway aids and shared revenue were approximately $89,300. Any cuts to town budget would come out of the $28,200.

Union township runs a pretty tight plan with all of the other activities which are necessary to keep health and safety of citizens in forefront.

What do you see as the board’s duty to the residents and businesses in the municipality?

The board’s duty is to represent the town’s citizens in all matters pertaining to health and safety, external relationships (other municipalities – county – state – federal) and to interface with all publics.  

Dennis Counard

Age: 60

Education: High School Graduate

Occupation: Retired

Relevant Experience or Civic Involvement: American Legion – Vice Commander, Finance Committee. Green Bay Area Great Lakes Sport Fishing Club – Board of Directors, Door Co. Fish Farm and Game Club, Bay Area Pheasant Forever – Treasurer, Lions Club

What is the biggest challenge facing the municipality and how would you address it?

The biggest challenge facing the municipality is communication, especially on big issues. We could address this by newspaper, radio and possibly e-mails or a website.

If the board were forced to make budget cuts, what would be the first thing to go?

If elected town chairman, I would sit down with the board to go over actual budget numbers. I would then have a better knowledge of where we could possibly make budget cuts.

What do you see as the board’s duty to the residents and businesses in the municipality?

Communicate with residents and businesses. Keep the town budget as low as possible, but still maintain services needed.