The following was submitted by the candidate

I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Board of Selectman on April 28th 2015 in the town we all love and proud to call home. I was born and raised in Ireland and came to the US in 1988 at the age of 21. I’m a twenty two year resident of Milton, a husband to Mary (from Arlington) for 24 years and father to our three daughters, Emily (21), Northeastern University, Julia (20), Drexel University, and Olivia (17) MHS, all educated in Milton Schools. I am a business owner in real estate investment/development for 26 years; your current Selectman; a Town Meeting member for many years; a former School Committee member; and a member of multiple other town committees. I attended UMass Boston and Eastern Nazarene College for five years while raising my family and building my business, graduating at the age of 42 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business.

I ran for Selectman three years ago to be an independent voice for all residents and not just some. My experience as a businessman dealing with unions, contracts, negotiating skills at a top level, as a school committee member and town meeting member brought a wide array of necessary experience to the Board. Running a town is quite similar to running a business. My top priorities were to bring an independent voice and positive attitude, foster communication and seek efficiencies.

I promised you that I would make changes in town hall, so that all residents, and not just some, could experience a welcoming environment. All town employees work for you. I delivered results on that promise and today we have our first ever female Town Administrator who garners the respect of all department heads, employee’s and residents of our town.

I promised you that I would change the attitude of Inspectional Services (building dept.) so that it could realize its full potential as a key revenue generator. I delivered positive results on that promise and today, more permits are being issued than ever before and revenues are substantially higher.

I promised you that after decades of delays I would move the East Milton parking over the expressway to the next level so that we can alleviate the parking issues and create a better traffic flow for our small businesses and residents. Within a couple of months of being elected I was able to get this issue on the agenda and successfully voted on. By this time next year we will be underway with the construction of 32 extra parking spaces on that deck, at no direct expense to the Milton taxpayer.

I promised you I would be your watchdog on unnecessary overtime, excess airplane noise, Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for non-profits in town who are tax exempt but still utilize all our services, traffic problems in East Milton and much more. I have been that watchdog.

More than anything, I promised you that I would work hard for the good of all of Milton, to be visible and accessible for all residents, and not just some. I have delivered on that promise.

But there is much more to do. We have a number of proposed 40B housing developments on the horizon that may ultimately impact our schools. We are close to finalizing the site and construction of the new animal shelter. We are looking to create areas with our communications in town so that all residents, and not just some, can freely call and have someone respond in a timely manner. Our roads are in terrible condition after this winter and we are currently discussing a budget to repair and repave many of them. Finally, the proposed development at Governor Stoughton Lane is getting close to final approval after years of stalls.

For these reasons, my expertise is needed now more than ever on this Board to represent your interests. Business, real estate and budgets are my profession. Not being fearful of making decisions and getting the job done is my everyday life. I want to remain as your independent voice on the Board for another term so that I can continue to share my expertise in keeping Milton the beautiful town it is to live in. I respectfully ask you to put me there again by voting for Denis Keohane for Selectman on April 28th 2015. You won’t be disappointed.

If you would like to support my campaign, then please join me and many other supporters this upcoming Sunday March 8 2015 from 3-5pm at the Hoosic Club 193 Central Ave for a meet and greet/fundraiser. You can email me at denkeohane02186@gmail.com, follow me on Facebook at Denis Keohane for Selectman or follow me on twitter @deniskeohane.