Dedham 2014 Candidate Profile: Dennis Guilfoyle, Board of Selectmen

Editor's Note: The following profile is part of a series highlighting the candidates running for seats in contested races as part of this year's town election, which takes place on Saturday, April 12. Dedham Patch is looking to showcase why the candidates are running and what they hope to bring to the table. Check back leading up to the election for more profiles on the candidates. If you’re a candidate and would like to have a profile included, please email mattp@patch.com for more information.

Dennis Guilfoyle is running for Board of Selectmen this April against Thomas Boneck, Mary Gilbert, Kenneth Gilchrist, Cheryl Schoenfeld, Brendan Keough, Dan O'Neil and Dennis Teehan Dedham Patch recently spoke with him regarding his campaign. For more information on Guilfoyle, visit his Facebook page at Elect Dennis Guilfoyle Dedham Board of Selectman.

Why are you running for Board of Selectmen?

I am running because I believe that my passion, commitment and energy will help move our town in the right direction. We have made great progress in the past several years but much work is still left to be done. Two vacancies to the Board of Selectmen create a unique opportunity for not only the candidates, but for the voters as well.

What do you hope to accomplish on the board?

As a homeowner and small business owner I completely understand the concern of the residents about our tax base and spending priorities. I assure you that I share your concern and I hope to create an atmosphere of transparency and sensible priorities maintaining a stable tax base and fair assessment values. While working to create that atmosphere, we also need to take a hard look at our facilities and infrastructure. Our continued commitment to our infrastructure is key to our success. We are in desperate need of a newly constructed police and fire station as well as a senior center. I feel that my experience will make me a valuable member of the board in these areas. As we look at the viable options, I will maintain a fiscally responsible attitude with realistic expectations.

What do you see is the most pressing issue facing Dedham right now in relation to the seat for which you're running?

The most pressing issue to me is to hire the best possible person to be our next Town Administrator. This is the most important decision that will affect our community for many years to come.

What do you think you could do to help resolve this issue?

With an open position of that role, it’s important that we develop a process to review all qualified candidates while ensuring transparency to the residents. The hiring of a first rate Town Administrator is paramount to our future success.

Name one unique idea you would like to bring to the table if elected in April.

My vision for all of Dedham is to live in a town where our residents are safe, our children have access to a quality education, recreational space and activities are available for young and old, we are green, fiscally responsible, can rely upon our neighbors and be confident that our elected officials are acting in the best interest of ALL of our residents. I want everyone to be proud to say that they live in Dedham and I want all of our children to want to live here when they become adults.

What is one thing voters might not know about you?