In one of only three contested ward city council tests this year in Haverhill, Oliver Aguilo, a city engineer with Lawrence and 20-year resident of Haverhill, is taking on incumbent Michael S. McGonagle, a Haverhill native, to represent Ward 6 on Haverhill’s City Council. McGonagle owns a real estate company.
Both candidates appeared on WHAV’s morning show and answered a series of questions about issues facing the city. Here are their answers in the order the candidates appear on the ballot.
Why are you running for City Council?
“Well, this would be my ninth term and I’ve done a lot of good things, I believe, and I would like to continue working for the people of Haverhill,” McGonagle said.
“As a city engineer, I notice a lot of things that are really bad in the city that need to be addressed right away. That’s what I am running for,” Aguilo said.
Is Haverhill building too much housing?
“I believe that if we build more, we get more tax revenue. You increase the tax base,” McGonagle said.
“We need to grow with the city. If we are going to build more houses, we need to make sure we have enough water for everyone,” Aguilo said.
What can the City Council do to promote more affordable housing?
“We passed a nice project last night (Oct. 28) at the City Council meeting of four units in a place where there was run-down garage over in the Bradford area. That’s the type of development we need so people can have homeownership,” McGonagle said.
“If we have more houses, then probably prices will go down,” Aguilo said.
The death of Francis P. Gigliotti II while in police custody and the death of Officer Katelyn M. Tully have left the public looking for answers, especially in light of changes at the top of the police department. Do you think the public has the right to know more and how quickly and what types of information do you think is properly withheld?
“I do believe that the public deserves to know. The families deserve to know. The reputation of the Haverhill Police Department needs to be cleared if there is a cloud hanging over it, and I believe that’s what the mayor has done by making these changes at the top,” McGonagle said.
“I think the public has the right to know everything that is going on. The only thing that I think the police department has to cover is any information related to the investigation. If it is going to interfere with the investigation, it has to be private. Other than that, it has to be public to every resident,” Aguilo said.
Do you think residential property taxes are too low, too high or just right?
“About right. And if you want an explanation, I can go there. I just think Haverhill is one of the most affordable towns or cities in the Merrimack Valley. With all we have to offer we’re a good place to be,” McGonagle said.
“There are lot of families struggling right now. It is a bad situation right now. Economically, a lot of people are struggling and I am one of those persons having trouble with the economy,” Aguilo said.
What city departments would be your top candidates for cuts?
“The budget is pretty substantial, over $200 million. And you have to look at line item by line item. I couldn’t just tell you, ‘Hey, this is something we’re going to cut’”, McGonagle said.
“Right now I don’t really have an answer to that question right now,” Aguilo said.
The final day to vote in Haverhill’s general election is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To check on a poll location, residents may visit the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office online.
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