Janet Sharkey Potter

Selectboard Candidate
2-year Term

Bio

I have resided in Hartford since 1996, and gone to school in Hartford since 1992; though I will claim residency in utero, as I was then located at Chambers Mobile Home Park. I spent most of the 80s visiting my Great Grandmother on South Main Street and have many fond memories of WRJ and the surrounding area.
I graduated Hartford High school in 1998. I have worked in Hartford for the last 25+ years in various social service roles. We have lived in our current home overlooking WRJ since 2007. I am happily married to Andrew Potter, and we have two wonderfully rambunctious teen boys, two ill-behaved rescue dogs, three emotional support cats, and the occasional flock of chickens.

Q & A

1. Why do you want to be on the Selectboard and what skills would you bring to the role?

I don't want to be on the Selectboard, I have been trying to avoid this for YEARS. I was told to get off Facebook and to stop complaining and actually do something...so here I am. I love this town, that is truly the reason for doing this. I believe that I would bring my experience and training with non-profits, which would be beneficial given that Hartford has become the social service capital of the Upper Valley. I would also bring my expertise as a substance misuse and mental health provider, as the town is currently in the midst of a crisis fueled by these two issues. The skills I would bring to the selectboard would be my ability to listen to multiple viewpoints and ideas respectfully, my work ethic and honesty.

2. What do you see as the main purpose of the Selectboard?

The selectboard's primary function is to serve the best interests of the TAXPAYERS of the Town of Hartford, and to direct the town manager to carry out the mission and function of the government to protect and serve the populace.

3. What do you think are the top three issue areas in Hartford and what ideas do you have to make progress in those areas?

1. Safety: service providers need to be held accountable for discarded needles, unhoused folks need a designated location to get basic needs met (we need to offer public bathrooms so they are not causing public health hazards, and designated camp sites that are frequently visited by our police outreach and social work team), we need clear rules for law enforcement within our town to be unmasked and have warrants signed by judges prior to search or detainment, there needs to be more intensive & sustainable plans for severe climate events (flooding, drought, wildfires, etc). 2. Affordability: following the direction of the taxpayers (not using COVID relief funds to install parking meters), not creating new positions unless there is a clear need and it will not increase tax burden, lower tax rate by negotiating with other more affluent towns to pay their fair share directly to Hartford (there are 182 property tax exempt properties in this town alone--social service agencies that service all Upper Valley account for 18 million in value, not including the VA and Twin Pines). 3. Community & Communication: I would utilize the list serve and other mechanisms to survey taxpayers on current issues facing the town/board.

4. What strategies would you propose to limit increases to the Town tax rate and increase affordability for all residents of Hartford?

1. Negotiate with other more affluent towns in the Upper Valley to pay their fair share directly to the town of Hartford. There are 182 property tax exempt properties in this town alone--social service agencies that service all Upper Valley account for 18 million in property value, not including the VA and Twin Pines. Lost property taxes are one price tag, another is the increased demand on police, fire/rescue, and hazardous waste clean-up costs. 2. Complete a town wide audit to determine if there are areas to decrease expenditures 3. Stop hiring firms to search for town staff from a national perspective--this has been done several times and costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and has not yielded enough longevity in any of the hires to warrant this expense. Qualified candidates should come from within the town/area. 4. Stop putting social service program funding on the ballot, many of these programs are funded sufficiently through insurance, medicaid, grants, trusts/endowments, etc. A number of these non-profits have significant assets (in the millions), and we already support them by hosting them in town and having their property taxes waived.

5. What strategies would you propose to address affordable housing challenges in Hartford?

Allow folks to throw up a yurt in their backyard with a composting toilet Encourage home sharing (especially elderly with younger folks, would be mutually beneficial) Work with the mobile home parks in town to create member owned cooperatives, possibly allowing for the creation of more tiny home/mobile home parks on unused land

6. How would you approach balancing local concerns and broader state or national issues that come before the Selectboard?

It is presumptuous of town officials to take on international issues. How does one choose which international genocide to decry? Is there any real action that passing a resolution effects? National issues should only be addressed when they directly impact the town (ie. establishing a town ordinance that all law enforcement must not wear masks and must have identification). If folks want to address those issues, they need to run for state or federal office, write/call their representatives, give to international charities, etc.

7. What are some Town initiatives or services that you would like to improve or change?

I want the recycling education center brought back to it's original glory! The road needs to be paved, the education center re-opened (perhaps in partnership with one of our wonderful non-profits?), the recycling sorting area needs to be re-opened (perhaps with updated artwork from youth?). The current situation is not just complicated and environmentally unsound, it is dangerous--someone died last year after being pinned by a car while trying to move from dumpster to dumpster--go on a busy Saturday morning and you will see what I am talking about. The bike paths...need to be converted back to car lanes from November 1-May 1 (or something like that), especially on school hill. There should also be better exiting from the school complex, as right now it is completely bottle necked. I would like to expand the efforts of multiple groups that are planting trees to help control erosion on the river banks, eradicate invasive species like Japanese Knotweed, and planting edible perennials. I would also like to expand the parks and recreation program efforts to include more offerings and support for teens in town as an alternative to making unhealthy choices.