As summer campaigning comes to a close, the 10 candidates for six at-large City Council seats were asked to name their most pressing concerns.
The top answers centered on taxes and development, with eight of the 10 candidates speaking on one of the two.
Candidates Robert McGurrin, William Fowler, and Joseph Vizard all singled out overdevelopment as a major problem.
"We need to stop development in order to avert disaster," said Vizard. "Our population has grown faster than our infrastructure can handle."
McGurrin, a former School Committee member, wants to update the city's zoning ordinances "to reflect the current reality" and "protect our quality of life."
Fowler talked about a new policy instituting linkage payments for large residential developments that would go toward upgrading city infrastructure. He referenced the Walter E. Fernald Development Center and said controlling development is also about protecting undeveloped land.
"We should have an architectural review board to ensure all new development fits into the neighborhood where it is built," Fowler said.
Incumbent Sarafina "Sally" Collura said she wants to focus on "smart development" to make sure all new projects are "a good fit for our city." She said attracting the right kind of economic development is important for the city's vitality.
"I think we need to encourage businesses to make their home here," Collura said.
While their competitors focused on development, the city's fiscal responsibility topped the agenda for incumbents David H. Marcou Jr., Paul J. Brasco, and Kathleen B. McMenimen, as well as candidate David Gately.
Calling himself a "fiscal watchdog," Marcou, chairman of the council's Finance Committee, said the city's financial picture has always been his most important concern.
"I'm getting more and more concerned as we spend all this money," said Marcou, who mentioned over-budget city projects and a sharp rise in Waltham's outstanding debt this fiscal year. "We have to take a more long-term strategic plan for capital expenditures."
McMenimen, the longest serving councilor of all the candidates, said "responsibility to the taxpayers" has driven her tenure on the council.
"Coupling fiscal responsibility and integrity with overseeing responsible growth and development in Waltham is my priority issue," she said.
Brasco said it is especially important to keep taxes low for the city's elderly population and to "make sure people can stay within their homes."
Gately, Waltham's former mayor, wants to make sure those tax dollars "are being spent wisely and efficiently."
"I happen to think the most important task is to review the budget," Gately said.
Straying from the pack, incumbent Patrick J. O'Brien said the first issue he would focus on if re-elected would be finding space for a youth center.
"I want to see a community youth center in one of the surplus schools," O'Brien said.
Incumbent Thomas M. Stanley said he was "reluctant to pick one" but his priority would have to be ensuring a high quality of life for residents.
"It means preserving open space, reducing the residential tax burden, and addressing traffic," Stanley said.
Nicole Haley can be reached at nhaley@cnc.com or 781-398-8004.
