Brian Sollosy

Political platform statement

I’m Brian Sollosy, and I’m running for reelection to the Manchester Select Board. For those who may not know me I would like to take a few moments to introduce myself, outline my accomplishments from my first three years on the Select Board and discuss the challenges as well as my goals for the next three years.
I have lived in Town for 30 years, been involved with youth sports coaching my son in baseball and basketball; and I can still be seen on the basketball court refereeing new generations of Manchester kids.
In 2007, before I was a member of the Select Board, I was involved with local residents and the Cape Ann Chamber in the development of the Festival-by-the-Sea at Masconomo Park. I have been a member of the Manchester-Essex Rotary for many years, and still work the grill at the annual Red, White & Blue Pancake Breakfast at Tuck’s Point.
In 2019, I became a member of the Manchester Zoning Board of Appeals and served on that board until 2024 to make room for new volunteers who were interested in engaging in our Town. In 2022 I was elected to the Manchester Select Board with the idea that I would bring a commonsense approach to the Board.
In the past three years the Select Board has faced many challenges, including Climate Change and its direct impact on our town’s vulnerable infrastructure, most notably the Rotunda at Tuck’s Point and Ocean Street and White Beach. We are addressing PFAS in our public water supply and managing an aging infrastructure. We have hired a new Fire Chief, a Deputy Harbor Master and, just recently, a new Town Administrator who will start his position on July 1. We (the Board) have had a few bumps along the way, but I believe we have been a strong advocate for the Town and its residents.
Personally, I have been working as a Select Board appointed liaison with Town staff and Cell Signaling Technologies, which will be bringing a biotechnology campus to the Limited Commercial District, to ensure that the best interests of the Town are being addressed and will continue to be. I’ve enjoyed serving as a liaison between local government and community events and projects. I was instrumental in bringing back the Hornets Booster’s Carnival to Masconomo Park for the last two Octobers, and I look forward to many more. As a Select Board member, I was also involved with the interview process for our new Fire Chief, Jake McNeilly, and growing the ranks of our Call Firefighters. Finally, I was directly involved representing the Town in negotiations to save the mission of the Manchester Community Center. Unfortunately, this didn’t come to fruition, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying on the Town’s part.
I am also quite proud of the part I played in our new Senior Center. After two years and hundreds of hours of discussions and negotiations with the Manchester Masons, we have a Purchase and Sales agreement for a place our seniors can call home. When it is complete, it will be a real accomplishment for the whole community, not just our seniors.
I still believe I have a lot of work to do, including the next phases of the Senior Center (fund raising and construction); working to increase out affordable housing inventory, and bringing the Town’s Master Plan and Facilities Plan to fruition.
I will continue to employ a commonsense approach to the job and bring local government back to the people.
Thank you for your consideration at the polls on May 20.