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Mr. DeCastro,

In response to your question about the amount of grant funding Ms. Wells has brought into the town in the past two years, I can tell you of three that I know of (but assume there is more based on my past work in the position) - a DEM trails grant in 2013 of $62,500 (right there is probably more than her annual salary - at least it was when I was in that job!!), a Planning Challenge Grant in 2012 (with Bristol) for $30,000, and annually the Director of Planning and Community Development is responsible for applying for and managing the Community Development Block Grant program that brings in between $100,000 and $200,000 annualyl. All of those funds go out to low income persons and/or programs in the town.

The "planner" postion is not a cake-walk position. You serve the Planning Board, the Conservation Commission, assist the Historic District Commission, Harbor Commission, Rec Board...pretty much ever board in some aspect. There are a great number of longer than 8 hour days and constant night meetings. There is a great amount of contact with the public as well. The position also assists in plan reviews, zoning reviews, zoning and other ordinance drafting...the list goes on.

As for the budilding official job - that was a very poor choice in terms of cuts....This is the one position that safeguards the town's people from construction issues, tenant landlord issues, trash problems, etc. This position serves the zoning board and the planning board. Again many hours outside of the scheduled work day. This person in this job needs to constantly be training and certified as well. With Mr. Nash leaving for greener pastures, good luck finding someone that will do all that work for 1/2 the salary of anywhere else in the state.

The Town Clerk is the actual face of the town after the Town Manager. She has more people come to her for service than anyone in town hall. This position is responsible for all town documents, bid processes, town meeting schedules, licensing requirements....the list goes on.

I understand Warren pretty well, and I have experienced the personality issues and conflicts first hand, but targeting positions that service the residents of the town because certain people out there, for whatever reason, that don't like the individuals serving in those positions is a bad move...especially at the cost to the public with a gain of a total .02 off their tax rate.

From: In Warren, a financial blood letting

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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.