Letter: My pledge is to bring stability and direction to Monroe

To the Editor and the people of Monroe:

My name is Benjamin Sabia, and I am running for Monroe Town Council. I appreciate the opportunity to engage with my neighbors through your pages and to clarify what I stand for and what I hope to accomplish for our town.

I have lived in Monroe for virtually my whole life. I went through our local school system, and I now serve on the Inland Wetlands Commission, where I’ve worked to balance environmental protection with reasonable growth.

Over time, I’ve seen both positive change and troubling decisions; I believe our community deserves leadership rooted in transparency, commitment and accountability.

One of the greatest challenges I hear from residents is uncertainty, not just about tax increases, but about what the future holds for our schools, our property values, and our quality of life.

My pledge is to bring stability and direction to Monroe. I will make it a priority to support a sound financial footing for the town, preserve and even enhance our educational quality, and ensure that all residents, whether they use the school system directly or not feel they are getting value from our municipal government.

Growth and development can’t be avoided. In many cases, we need new businesses and development revenue to help ease the tax burden. But growth must also be responsible. We must guard against overbuilding, especially cluster housing that strains infrastructure without delivering proportional benefit. I will advocate for smart development, projects that meet our need for revenue, but that also protect our environment, traffic, open space, and the character of our neighborhoods.

I am not here to make empty promises. I believe in rolling up my sleeves and doing the hard work, asking tough questions, listening to all voices, and making decisions that consider long-term consequences.

I vow to remain approachable and responsive: you can call me, text me, email me, or sit down for a conversation, I’ll even cook lunch if you want while we discuss the nitty gritty intricate details of what you want in town. Just look for the giant in the brightly colored shirts.

My experience on Inland Wetlands has taught me that governance isn’t black and white, it demands tradeoffs, careful judgment, and openness to feedback.

If elected, I will bring that same mindset to the Town Council: one that respects our past, addresses present needs, and plans wisely for the future.

I ask for your trust and your vote on November 4. Together, we can chart a course where Monroe remains a place we’re proud to call home, for long-time residents and newcomers alike.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Sabia