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Politics & Government

Patch Sits Down with Councilwoman Amelio

Marlane Amelio discusses some of the wide-ranging initiatives she is currently working on.

When Marlane Amelio came into office last year I did one of her initial interviews and found her to be full of energy, passion and enthusiasm. I forecasted she would be a breath of fresh air in the local political spectrum.

Now in her second year in office, Amelio hasn’t disappointed me.

She is as full of spirit as ever, and has shown herself willing to listen and fight for residents. She has been an independent and strident voice, fighting for the issues she believes in.

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I sat down with her recently to talk about some of the projects she is currently working on.

The first involves an update to regulations for new businesses that Amelio hopes will stimulate growth. 

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“I was in the municipal building and overheard a new business owner complaining that it was taking too long to get his permits," she explained. "He was paying rent while waiting and simply could not afford to keep doing that.” 

After the owner left Amelio spoke with Bob FitzSimmons at the building department, who agreed, saying the town has outgrown much of its existing commercial and retail regulations. Amelio and FitzSimmons decided to work together to overcome this roadblock for new business.

Their first focus has been removing the cumbersome approval process for new retailers who are moving into space already zoned for retail use and those existing retailers expanding into additional retail-zoned space.

“I hope we can vote to remove the existing requirement for a public hearing and planning board approval for these specific circumstances,” Amelio said. “Instead of the current approval process with all the delays inherent in a busy planning board schedule and public hearings, approval will rest directly with Bob Fitzsimmons, which will speed up the process unbelievably.”

Amelio’s on-going focus is to bring the downtown business district back to life.

“The downtown business district has to be our number one focus right now—it will bring new life, new money and new movement to the whole town,” she said.

To this end, Amelio is also hoping to get outdoor dining approved for the town’s restaurants.

“It has been so successful in increasing business in other communities and would be great for our restaurants and residents wanting to make the most of our short summer season,” she said.

The mention of summer reminds Amelio of her project with director of community services, Nina Marraccini.

“Community services has been receiving phone calls from residents who don’t have air conditioning and are suffering in the current extreme heart. This includes elderly, infirm and families that just don’t have the financial wherewithal to provide for their own,” Amelio explained.

The program seeks to provide donated air conditioners to these families for next summer. Richie Dionisio, who owns an electrical company in town, has volunteered to check out all donated air conditioning units, Amelio said. Anthony Robinson in the department of public works has also allocated space at the old MTA building as a drop off point and storage area for donations. 

“We hope that residents will donate both units and money to help us get this program underway by next summer,” Amelio said.

The town’s corporations are also in Amelio's focus. Amelio is working with Marraccini and several residents to create a framework for a corporate giving program.

Under this initiative the town’s corporate neighbors would be encouraged to donate funds annually for everything from downtown flowerpots and awnings to park benches, fire and police department needs and community services vehicles, all with signage and sponsorship advertising for the companies.

“These companies have charitable giving offices and as large corporate neighbors I hope to encourage and make it easy for them to participate in the town and be seen as the good and supportive community residents they are,” Amelio said.

But don’t think these projects are the extent of Amelio’s energies.

Amelio is working on everything from protesting town-sponsored development and sale of town-owned sites like Old Orchard Street, to looking at the possibility of using our green spaces for resident farming and feeding our local hungry.

She was a strong voice for residents opposing the original WestMed garage plans and is also pushing development of a master plan.

This is on top of being married, holding down a full-time job, being a weekend horsewoman, a self proclaimed "gym rat" and an active mother and grandmother.

Being outspoken and wanting change has also brought her under attack and she faces some strong opposition at times, but that hasn’t stopped her.

“This is the town my grandparents came to a hundred years ago and where some of my grandchildren are now growing up,” Amelio said. “I love this town and want to do whatever I can to ensure it prospers now and for future generations.”

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