Politics & Government

Candidate Candor: William Pantazis, 'Communication is Essential'

Pantazis joins Jeff Amberson as two incumbents running for re-election to the Northborough Board of Selectmen.

Born and raised in Northborough, William "Bill" Pantazis has served three terms on the Northborough Board of Selectmen, and would love to go for another term. Married with six children, he is the owner/operator of Diamondscape Landscaping Company as well as a Merry Maids franchse. Pantazis also used to coach Star Hawk Youth Hockey, was a member of the Northborough Baseball Association, a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Shriners, United Brethren Lodge of Massachusetts and Valley of Boston Scottish Rite.

Northborough Patch: What is something you are most proud of having done on the board?
Bill Pantazis: When I first ran for election, my platform was communication between the town, schools, boards and commissions; to attract business to Northborough to help offset our tax base by developing a smart future plan; and being fiscally responsible and making sure our town government is transparent.

Communication between elected and appointed town boards is an essential component in effective town government. We have developed excellent communication between the Board of Selectmen, the superintendent of schools, the Northborough K-8, the Northborough-Southborough Regional (Algonquin) school committees, and all the boards and commissions that serve town government. We work together in a positive atmosphere and in a relationship of trust to provide the best quality education and level of services that the people in Northborough can be proud of and deserve. We look into the future to find creative ways to sustain these services to which Northborough has grown
accustomed, while keeping the town affordable at the same time.

As a selectman, I have been involved in the budget process for the last nine years, and have played an integral role in bringing new business and tax revenues to town, which has helped to offset the tax burden on residents; i.e., Avalon Bay, A. Dui Pyle Trucking, Genzyme Corporation, Northborough Crossing, National Grid, and the new FedEx Hub. Additionally, through negotiations with town employees and retirees, the town’s health insurance costs have been reduced by $400,000. Despite these challenging economic times, we have kept our town in solid financial shape while sustaining all services.

I believe the Board of Selectmen and how it does business has become very transparent. Our decisions and policies are thoroughly researched and discussed; and, ultimately, I feel we make the right choices for our community as a whole. Our budget has won the Distinguished Budget Award two years in a row by meeting the stringent program criteria of the Government Finance Officers Association as a policy document, an operations guide, a financial plan, and a communications device. This budget document available on the town website has further enhanced the transparency of our local government.

NP: Why do you think people should vote for you?
BP: I care about Northborough. I was born here, grew up here, and I know what is used to be. I live here and know what a great place it is to raise a family. I envision what it can be in the future, and I very much want to be a part of that future.

NP: What do you love about Northborough?
BP: It’s a great community. The people who live here care about their community; and it’s home.

NP: How do you label/describe yourself politically?
BP:  Fiscally conservative.

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