LETTER: Seeking re-election, Mike Bard ‘proud to represent all’ on the select board

March 2, 2025

To the Community: 

My name is Mike Bard and I am running for a one-year term on the Waterbury Select Board and I am requesting your support. 

Incumbent Mike Bard is running for a one-year term on the Waterbury Select Board. Photo by Gordon Miller

I have been proud to represent all Waterbury residents for the last six years.  I try to listen to all Waterbury residents and bring common sense administration toward the affairs of our town. As inflation has affected us all, I have helped bring fiscal responsibility to the running of town government. People on fixed incomes, renters, businesses, are all struggling to make end meat.  The existing selectboard has tried to hold the line on property tax increases to help make our town more affordable. Most of tax increases are due to large increases in education taxes which the selectboard has no control over.

I am very concerned over the affordable housing crisis. The cost of a home and rental prices continue to rise.  The selectboard created the Housing Task Force to look at ways to control rental costs and look at projects to bring more affordable housing into town such as the 51 South Main Street project. More projects are currently in development.

Our town needs to look to the future but embrace our past. A selectboard member needs to be forward-thinking while considering fiscal stability. We also need to embrace past traditions such as Town Meeting, the Historical Society, service clubs and others to bring perspective to future growth. I feel that I have and will continue to bring this perspective to town government. We have a diverse and vibrant citizenry, a town I am proud to call home since 1987.  

Feel free to contact me at 802-244-6292 or michael.bard22@gmail.com with any concerns or questions.  As always, I hope to earn your support. Thank you for reading.

Mike Bard

Waterbury