Trying to Make a Community with the Naros

PLYMOUTH - Tim Naro, the newly elected Plymouth Selectmen, and his wife, Plymouth State faculty member Deb Naro, are proactively pursuing a number of issues in the community, from University/Town relations, to a state legislature bill concerning how much money the University gives to the town."Building a community between the University and the Town," is one of Tim Naro's main objective. A PSU alumnus, he also wants to provide a strong leadership for the town. The feud between the town and school has primarily been over money issues. The town feels that the school should be giving more money to the town for public safety reasons. The school is tax exempt and has no obligation to pay the town, but still choose to. "Even though there are money issues the University is giving back to this town in other ways," said Naro, "four of the town officials graduated from PSU." "I objected to the past negotiations between the town and school only because of how it was done. I didn't agree with the fact that it was done behind close doors and terms." Naro feels that it would have been much smoother for both parties if it were open for any resident to listen in on. Deb Naro, Tim's wife and fellow PSU alumnus, is very involved in the feud. As a town Legislature Representative and an employee of the school, she is caught up in the battle. Naro has spent months of research to figure out if the school is adequately funding the town. House Bill 610 has been her, "Blood, Sweat, and Tears bill." Residents in the town brought the House Bill to her attention. After reaching the funds from the town, she has come to a conclusion, "The school has it's own police Department, but most students do not stay on campus to party. If the school's enrollment increases in years to come, then the town will have to hire more police, which will be paid for by the taxpayers of Plymouth." Deb Naro was very hesitant about launching the Bill, but it was an issue of fairness that ultimately pushed her to do it. Tim Naro feels that the school has limited funds and they do have to fight for what's in their best interest. "I don't blame the University at all, it's the dynamics of negotiators and the town and school relationship all together." Tim Naro does have several ideas up his sleeve for building Plymouth into the Community it should be. He believes that filing for grant money could be a big help. Also starting a "Pizza and Politics committee." This would give students a chance to be heard. They could voice their opinions and tell the town politicians their ideas and standpoints on different subjects. Naro believes this would bridge the communication gap that exists between the town and students." Right now the school and the town are separate entities," commented Naro, "they should be moving closer together to be one, but they are only drifting apart." He added, "They need to find a common good and work towards a community."