Goshen candidate Philip Canterino

The recent explosion in development, including high-density housing projects, has created an immediate need to review and update our town zoning. We seem to be heading into uncharted waters, and if we do not update our master plan, rather than progress, may be heading toward chaos. Town zoning provides the footprint for our infrastructure, taxes, housing density, schools, farmland, commercial zones, etc. Once you ring the bell, you can't un-ring it, so we have to get it right and adhere to it this time.

Master plan: The plan has not been updated since 2005, and normally should be reviewed every five years. With our rapid growth our zoning has not caught up with development, so this should be our first order of priority. The process should include:

Transparency during review: Input and guidance from Goshen residents to consider referendum on major or divisive changes in our law, and a comprehensive review of zoning in every district townwide.

Safety issues: The removal of the dangerous abandoned Salesian School building is long overdue. This falls under the village and town joint recreation responsibility, and we have been talking about its removal for over 10 years. Time to put this on the front burner and get it done.

Recreation facilities: With the increase in town and village residents, our recreation facilities are being stress to the limits. It is time that we upgrade our current fields and secure new additional recreation facilities.

As a former county legislator, town councilman, planning board member, and current zoning board and board of assessment member, I have the experience and understanding to work with all our boards to get these tasks accomplished.

I am a proud U.S. Army veteran and have 36 years of financial experience with General Motors financial corp.

On Nov. 5 I am asking for your vote so I can put my experience and municipal knowledge to work for you and the town of Goshen.