No dismissal worries for Mathews, Annarummo

WOONSOCKET - Joel D. Mathews has been instrumental in charting the city's planning for more than three decades.

He's served under seven mayors, the planning director proudly points out.

Mathews enjoys his job. He'd like to keep it.

But Mathews is a political appointee and, after 14 years, a new mayor will be elected Tuesday, either former state representative and retired police detective sergeant Todd R. Brien or City Council President Leo T. Fontaine.

Regardless of who wins, however, Mathews' job seems secure.

Brien and Fontaine say they will invite Mathews and Michael Annarummo, director of public works/administration, to join their new administrations.

"Both Mr. Mathews and Mr. Annarummo have distinguished themselves in their public lives and are respected statewide. The institutional knowledge that they bring to the table is, in my opinion, absolutely invaluable," Brien said.

Fontaine said he'd like to keep Mathews and Annarummo on board to provide continuity to the numerous projects currently under way.

If elected, Brien said he's also invited state Rep. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt of Woonsocket to fill the economic development director's post, which she's considering.

Baldelli-Hunt has more than 25 years experience in residential and commercial real estate, Brien points out.

As a small businesswoman, "she understands the struggles a small businessman goes through," Brien said.

She also has her finger on the pulse of what's happening among the small business community, Brien believes.

Furthermore, Baldelli-Hunt has demonstrated "a record of getting things done," Brien said.

Baldelli-Hunt also will not require health care coverage, Brien pointed out, saving the city about $15,000.

Baldelli-Hunt will devote all her energies to economic development.

"We cannot have a part-time economic development position," Brien insists, which exists in the current administration as Economic Development Director Jeffrey Polucha splits his time between economic development and the vacant human services post.

"We need to energize this critical component of our municipal government in our continuing effort to stabilize the tax rate and expand our tax base," Brien also said.

Brien and Fontaine intend to conduct reviews of the remaining appointed positions, including Theodore Przybyla, finance director, and Robert Iuliano, city solicitor.

Fontaine intends to reorganize the economic and law departments to "take advantage of every opportunity to provide better service to our businesses and residents in as cost effective a manner as possible."

Both candidates say they will seek the best talent to fill their administration.

"My intent is to have a hard working and open minded team of qualified professionals committed to open government and willing to challenge the status quo and to expand our base of knowledge to find creative solutions to the problems facing our community," Fontaine said.

Brien is seeking bright, energetic, experienced and hard working individuals that would exemplify the type of administration he envisions: committed, responsive and knowledgeable.

Fontaine also pledged to work cooperatively with the City Council.

"We need to understand that we are all in this together. Having served on the council for the last 16 years, I understand the importance of having an administration work cooperatively with the council, and this will be one of the primary goals as we address the challenges facing us as a team," he said.