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Bruce Mayer

Running for Planning & Zoning Commission (4 year)

6 CTNewsJunkie Reader Endorsements

Party: Democrat

CEP Status:

Website: www.tollanddemocrats.org

Age: 57

Marital Status: married

Current Residence: Tolland

Current Job: Research biologist and professor, UConn Health

Previous Job:

Previous Job:

Education: BA Wesleyan University, PhD Rockefeller University

Why are you running for this office?
I have served on the Tolland Planning and Zoning Commission for the past four years. There is a steep learning curve, and I have learned a lot about our town, its zoning regulations, and trends in land use and planning over my current term. I would like the opportunity to use this knowledge by continuing to serve in this position for the next four years.
What is the most pressing local issue facing your community and how would you solve it (within the capacity of the office for which you are running)?
Long term budgetary issues are the most serious issue facing our town. A combination of past land use decisions (single family homes on large lots), limited land area for commercial development, and current crises such as crumbling foundations and state budget woes have put the town in a difficult position. We need to be creative and adopt zoning regulations that encourage new businesses and families to move into Tolland while retaining the quiet, rural lifestyle that attracted many current residents.
With the state's ongoing budget crisis looming over the election, what are your plans for your community's budget? Is there anything you can do make your town less dependent on revenue from the state?
Planning and Zoning has no direct budgetary input. However, through zoning changes and through the Plan of Conservation and Development, PZC can set in place a framework that will encourage business and residential growth that is right for Tolland and that helps increase revenues while minimizing impact on the cost of services.
The legislature has been debating various ideas to allow towns to raise revenue locally through something other than property taxes. If you could ease your residents' property tax burden by adding another method of taxation, is there anything you might consider for your town?
Are you in favor of regionalizing more services in conjunction with other nearby communities? If so, which ones?
Regionalization of some services makes sense for smaller communities such as Tolland, but must take into account local control and maintaining the quality of services expected by residents
Should your school district get the same amount of education funding from the state if your district's enrollment is dropping?
What's one thing most people don't know about you?
When I was a teenager I helped build an energy efficient underground house and a community solar greenhouse.
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