Selectman Candidate Mary Dunn Looking to Improve Town's Finances

Selectman candidate Mary Dunn, who is looking to fill the seat currently occupied by Bob Cohen, said the town must look at ways to increase the amount of money it brings in.

Dunn, who is facing Michael Carroll in the April 4 election, said Wrentham is currently facing a tough financial situation.

"I think the town is in a situation where it's looking to regain revenue and make itself whole again," she said.

Dunn said she thought the town should examine businesses that don't strain the town's services.

"I think trying to put in other businesses would eat up all our services," she said. "The tax money we get from them wouldn't make up for it."

According to Dunn, the town needs to develop in a way suitable for Wrentham.

"I've always been a supporter of appropriate development," she said. "I supported the zoning of Route 1A and Route 1, and I continue to support development that has no negative effect on residents."

Dunn also said the town should examine health care options for its employees.

"The days of $5 copays are gone," she said. "The biggest nut we have in town is the insurance payout."

She said the current deficit-bridging options being discussed by the board are only short-term solutions.

"I would like to see the town get fiscally responsible to the point where it doesn't need a debt exclusion," she said. "Next year, they'll just come back and say, 'What do we do now?'"

Dunn, who had previously served two stints on the board, said she felt her experience will be useful.

"The ways of doing business as usual have to change," she said. "We all have to pull together — it can't just be one person saying, 'We have to change this.'"

Check Wrentham Patch on Tuesday for a story on Michael Carroll's candidacy.