The Republican candidates for Town Council are incumbent Ray Primini, incumbent Richard Fusco, incumbent Richard DiFederico, Tom Winn, Mary Ann Rosa and Kace Duplissie. The candidates for Board of Education are incumbent Rich Mazzamaro, Richard Beland and Guy Buzzannco.

Voting will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, at the following polling places: Judson, Heminway Park and Swift Middle School. Those voters who normally vote at Polk School will vote at Swift Middle School.

The Republican candidates for Town Council and Board of Education have proposed a unified front in the battle over residential real property taxes.

"It's simple really," said Mr. Buzzannco. "The only way to reduce residential real property tax rates without harming town services or education is a two-fold attack, coupling an increase in the commercial tax base with wise use of tax dollars."

The Republicans want the town to become competitive in the business development marketplace.

"Other area towns are winning the competition for attracting business," according to Mr. Primini. "We have a very effective Economic Development Coordinator, a viable Economic Development Commission and hard working land use boards. Unfortunately, the coordination between them is somewhat lacking, and we as the governing body need to promote business growth through the various boards and commissions."

Mr. Winn, who is seeking his first full term on the Town Council, said it does not make sense that every existing or new business looking to expand or locate in Watertown needs to individually petition the Town Council for any tax incentives, when neighbors have established universal policies that make it easier for businesses to make investment decisions.

Ms. Duplissie noted that there are a number of vacant store fronts along Main Street.

"How can we encourage business to come to town if Main Street is empty?" she asked. "We should look at providing incentives. Manufacturers in our area are constantly receiving letters from other towns about incentives they offer. We need to work to keep our old businesses as well as attract new business."

Mr. Winn agreed.

"Our town cannot progress and grow until we look at the businesses coming into town on Main Street and Route 262," said Mr. Winn. "We need to develop what's best for the town, not special interests."

Mr. Primini stated that the Town Council needs to work with the boards and commissions to review the town's ordinances and the charter, to "bring them into this century."

"We need to revise them to help bring in development instead of throwing up roadblocks," said Mr. Primini.

The Republican Party would also like to make the economic development coordinator position full-time. They would like to also help streamline the process for a new business looking to come to Watertown.

"[Economic Development Coordinator] Joe Seacrist has done a great job for us in the past," said Mr. Primini.

The candidates pointed towards Stop & Shop as an example of "good development."

"When that project was in public hearings, people worried about traffic," said Mr. Primini. "But traffic has actually improved up there."

Mr. Winn believes that the Planning and Zoning Commission needs to be more business friendly.

"They need to stop looking at things in black and white," said Mr. Winn. "They need to look in the gray zones and stop being so controversial. They should listen, be friendly and be problem solvers."

Ms. Rosa also weighed in on businesses in town.

"In my 15 years on the Board of Education and now running for Town Council, there has never been a unified front for the promotion of business," she said. "It has been so bad that the term economic development has become something of a joke around town. We need to change with the times and become truly proactive in our means and methods of attracting business, and stop relying on methods that haven't worked for more than 20 years. This is too important to our children and our town not to take seriously."

Mr. Primini stated that "one thing [he] constantly hear[s]" is that there will be no Social Security increase this year.

"There are a lot of elderly people out there afraid for how they will pay their taxes," said Mr. Primini.

Mrs. Duplissie stated that her next door neighbor was having difficulty because of the lack of a Social Security increase.

"There are a lot of people out there with that problem," said Ms. Duplissie. "If we have enough room in the budget, we need to provide tax relief for the elderly."

Mrs. Duplissie and Mr. DiFederico, both seeking election to the Town Council, have specific residents in mind for tax relief. Mr. DiFederico focus is on veterans and Mrs. Duplissie takes an interest in the overburdened senior population. They said they both realize that the tax dollars must be replaced from someplace, and business development is the only viable source for new tax revenues to give residents true tax relief.

"The reason I'm involved is because of the veterans and the elderly, and also the children in the school system" said Mr. DiFederico.

The Republicans hope to look for ways to make the town work more efficiently to help control the budget. Mr. Primini stated that during his time on the Public Works Subcommittee, he has seen changes take place, such as the town trucks hauling its own sand.

Recycling initiatives have created an extremely high recycling rate in this town, which has saved on trash hauling, he said. Mr. Primini also stated that he has helped work with insurance companies to help keep the town's insurance costs down.

He said the town should develop a capital improvement fund, so that when construction needs to be done, the town could pay for it on its own instead of paying bonding costs.

"There should be enough to do the basics," said Mr. Primini. "The Town Hall is a good example of what happens when you don't take care of buildings."

Superintendent of Schools Karen Baldwin recently reviewed the town's CAPT and CMT scores, and found that Watertown's third graders were near the bottom in the state in math, reading and writing.

"They're not failing, they're only at proficiency, which is not acceptable," said Mr. Buzzannco. "They are not meeting the standards of the state Board of Education, which are challenging but achievable."

Mr. Mazzamaro stated that the superintendent and school board are already reviewing curriculum changes in the math program. The Republican candidates hope to see the scores improve through improved curriculum and monitoring and improving teacher performance.

"Student performance is a key priority for us," said Mr. Mazzamaro.

Mr. Mazzamaro stated that on a position note, the Republicans on the board have overseen four major school projects - Swift, Polk, Judson and Watertown High School - which all came in on time and under budget.

"The bottom line for us is that we want to give the children the education they deserve, and give our taxpayers the efficient school system they require," said Mr. Mazzamaro. "For the tax dollars we are given, we will use wisely and efficiently. I want to give the kids now the quality education I had when I attended."

Mr. Buzzannco stated that as the Republicans have led the renovations of the school buildings, they now want to lead the renovations of the work going on in the schools.

"We want to ensure that the taxpayers get the most for their money," said Mr. Buzzannco.

If elected as town clerk, Ms. Dalton said she will bring her skills in training and education in community service to the position.

"It's what I do best," said Ms. Dalton.

She would prioritize the town's future business projects.

"Someone looking to bring business to Watertown is first going to come to the Town Hall and the first place they will go is the town clerk's office," said Ms. Dalton. "I will be open to business coming in."

Mr. Winn stated that the thing that the Republicans bring most of all is calmness - as opposed to the anger he believes are the hallmarks of the opposition.

"We are ready to sit down and work while the other parties seem to be angry about something," said Mr. Winn. "The Republicans are ready to bring the town into the 21st Century with calmness and drive instead of anger."