2024 County Commissioner Norfolk County
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There are fourteen counties in Massachusetts, five of which have active county governments. In Dukes county there are seven county commissioners who are chosen in county-wide elections and serve two-year terms. In all other counties there are three county commissioners. In Plymouth, Bristol and Norfolk county, two commissioners are chosen in presidential election years and the other commissioner is chosen in gubernatorial election years; all commissioners in these counties serve four-year terms. Despite these differences, county commissioners in all counties manage the county’s schedules and budget through meetings usually held twice a month. County Commissioners in Massachusetts oversee the administration of the jails and houses of corrections, county courthouses, registries of deeds, agricultural high schools, recreational facilities, and solid waste management. Commissioners can also oversee such functions as road maintenance, economic development, recycling programs, and natural resource conservation.
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Joseph P. Shea
(Dem)
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Richard R. Staiti
(Dem)
Of the services that your county currently provides, which do you consider most important?
What steps, if any, would you take to make sure county services are available to people of all socio-economic backgrounds?
What role, if any, can your county government play in addressing the climate emergency?
What role, if any, can your county government play in addressing the housing crisis?
What are the key issues facing your county in the next year?
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Campaign Phone
7815751291
Measures
N/A
Among the many responsibilities that we had as commissioners the past few years, the overall management and supervision of the Federal Funds sent to the county via the American Rescue Plan of Action (ARPA ) was most important. Since 2021, Norfolk County has established itself as the leading county in the state , successfully distributing over $122,000,000 in ARPA grants to all twenty eight cities and towns in the county which have been used by the member towns to make vital improvements to water, sewer, roads, playgrounds, schools, police, fire, health and a wide range of other areas. We have established strong connections with our local, state and federal leaders in working together to obtain the best use and results of these funds.
Continue to work with local elected and appointed officials to identify areas that need improvement in their respective communities. Continue to create an open and welcoming meeting format that invites discussion and dialogue with citizens with diverse backgrounds. Investigate with our appointed administrative team areas we can directly assist in problem areas in the county. The recent significant grant to SAFE in Franklin and to the BCF in Brookline as well as the various and numerous Opiod grants to several communities that we have awarded are just a few examples. Continue to seek out and connect with various diversity groups across the county to establish and continue dialogues on critical issues.
Over the past four years we have begun to address this important issue. The next four years we need to continue to examine ways to reduce the carbon footprint. We have already utilized solar energy in one area of the/our county. We need to examine other areas as well. We are applying for state and federal grants to install charging stations at our court and county parking areas. We need to examine and review our heating systems in our buildings. We should conduct an energy audit to ensure our buildings strive towards energy efficiency. This is just a start and more of this work needs to be examined , discussed and be developed over the next four years.
County government does not have the zoning authority that the state or local governments have to enforce or implement zoning zones to promote housing . However, thru the ARPA grant process over the past several years, the county has issued thousands of dollars in funds to local housing authorities that have been used to improve, modify and build housing units throughout the county.
Without a doubt securing a steady source of funding is our top priority. We have petitioned the state legislature to amend the present distribution of the deeds excise tax to allow a modest increase to be retained by the county for its services. This is not a request for a new tax but instead a reapportionment of the present tax. In addition we need to expand and develop new regional services. As an example we now provide - Sealer of Weights and Measures. Presently five (5) towns are served by Norfolk County and more are expected to sign up soon ! Third, we need to maintain the high standards of education and instruction at the Norfolk County Agricultural School while seeking ways to make important and timely capital improvements.
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