Politics & Government

Candidate Profile: Dana McFee

The Republican is running for a second term on the Montville Town Council

Editor's note: The following candidate profile comes from a questionnaire the candidate filled out.

Dana McFee, 54, is a Republican who currently serves on the Montville Town Counil.

He grew up in Waterford, and moved to Montville in 1985. He graduated from high school in 1975, and has some college credits.

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

McFee works as a home improvement contractor, a real estate investor and as "Mr. Hotdog."

He was elected to the Montville Town Council in 2009. Before that, he began playing Snoopy in the holiday parade and formed  a group called “Neighbors Helping Neighbors."

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

What do you think are the three top issues facing the town, and how would you fix them?

1. The budget

Next year's budget will be ugly. The bond payment for the Rand Whitney lawsuit begins, the Board of Education will no longer receive federal stimulus  money  in the amount of $600,000, topped off by property revaluation.   

No  easy answers here. Very tough decisions will have to be made to offset some of the increase so we don't over burden residents with a large tax increase.

2. Proposed sex offender facility

It appears it’s coming. Fortunately through our efforts the state made major concessions on how the facility would be run and who would housed there.
I feel much better than I did based on what the state's original plans were as to what they are now, however we can not let our guards down for one second!! 

What I’d like to see is a special subcommittee of the public safety commission dedicated to making sure that all aspects of the “memorandum of understanding “between the state and town are adhered to and to take immediate action if any violation occurs.

3. Tarragon property and foreclosures

We need to make an amendment to the blight ordinance to include foreclosures.
The amendment should allow the town to clean up and maintain blighted foreclosures, and allow us to lien the property for the cost of the upkeep. Those properties will sell eventually and when they do we will be repaid in full.

As far as the Tarragon properties, this property is the future of Montville’s tax base, and needs to be developed into what will become one of the towns major taxpayers  We need to follow very closely the bankruptcy proceedings to ensure this property does not  become nontaxable tribal land.

What's one thing most people don't know about you?

This is a tough one to answer so I asked my wife and daughter what they thought and their answers ranged from “you are actually nice,” to “you are a big loveable dope,”  to “you are a vast reservoir of useless knowledge,” and “you have performed impressive feats of strength” and  “you make the best chili in town,” so take your pick. I guess my secret's out. Except for making the best chili in town, everyone knows that. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here