Town Manager plans to bring business in, keep taxes down

By Emma Bouthillette

yccs@seacoastonline.com

November 17, 2011 2:00 AM

 

ARUNDEL — Just six months after taking the job, Todd Shea has settled in as Arundel's new town manager.

Shea came to the position after serving five years as city manager in Hallowell. His desire to work in Arundel comes from being a York County native, having grown up in Biddeford and now living in Lyman with his wife, Nicole, and daughters Libby, 8, and Summer, 4.

"It seemed like a good fit for me," he said.

Those who hired Shea couldn't agree more. Board of Selectman Chairman Velma Jones Hayes said his can-do attitude set him apart from the rest of the applicants.

"You see that, if you talk to him he has this positive energy and enthusiasm," she said. "It's not just the fact he had the credentials, but the enthusiasm he has for the job."

Shea's sight is focused on drawing businesses to the town. He sees Route 1, which links Biddeford with Kennebunk through Arundel, as an ideal corridor for this.

"We have a wonderful opportunity for economic development. Route 1 is a resource that has yet to be tapped," Shea said.

He hopes to reduce the residential tax burden by expanding business.

During this past budget cycle, residents saw a property tax increase of about $200 per $100,000 in home valuation, Shea said. Maintaining tax levels is an issue he faced working in Hallowell, too. He said minimizing the impact on taxpayers not only includes adding commerce to the town, but taking a hard look at spending and ensuring expenses are justified.

Shea also has experience working with the Maine Legislature and hopes to continue that, to be a voice at the state level for the small York County town.

In addition to reducing the tax burden, Shea is also prepared to face challenges in the town such as the current tension in RSU 21.

Three years ago, Arundel consolidated into a school district with Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. Since then, Arundel residents have voiced concerns regarding equity within the district and have started a citizen's petition to separate from the district, Shea said.

Shea said tension has been caused by increased taxes for Arundel residents, the percentage of student population utilized in the cost sharing formula and the contract the town has with Thornton Academy in Saco for students to attend middle school there. He said he is working on collecting data about the district in preparation for when a petition is presented.

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