“Affordable housing, employment, and school systems to name a few.The current construction of workforce housing, two new schools, and employment demands in industries all around Somerset, make this town an ideal place to live and work.” The town has two deep-water port sites at former coal plants (Brayton Point and Montaup) for industrial redevelopment.“That is a huge attraction for industrial-based companies to set up shop,” states Ullucci, highlighting their potential for clean energy projects and both federal and state brownfield grant incentives. These strategic priorities position Somerset for continued economic growth while maintaining fiscal stability. STRATEGIC POSITIONING FOR FUTURE GROWTH Somerset offers a compelling proposition for Ullucci, introduced a tax levy savings of nearly 2 million dollars. Keeping overall budget growth to just 2.5%. “This fiscal year is the first year in a very long time where this budget is growing without artificially paying down the tax levy with free cash or some other source of funding, and no overrides,” Ullucci notes, demonstrating sustainable financial management. Selectman Todd Costa expressed the importance of measuring purchasing decisions against fiscal impacts for residents. “I served this wonderful community for over 30 years as a police officer, my last three years as the Chief of Police. I grew up in Somerset. My wife and I raised our children in this beautiful town. Finding the balance between town revenues, town projects and affordability for all of our community members continues to be our top priority.” Selectman Costa also talked about what drives people to places like Somerset. 152 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07
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