• broken image

    Dedicated, Experience,

    Hard Working, Fiscally Responsible

  • About Colin

    broken image

     

     

    Colin has been a proud member of the Haverhill community since 1997 when he moved here with his family. In 2009 he was elected to Haverhill's City Council and served 12 years, advocating for both the residents and the businesses of the City.

     

    On Tuesday, November 7th, he is seeking election to the City Council as an at-large candidate to continue to 'achieve more for the city with less' within the budget for the betterment of Haverhill.

     

    Pictured here visiting with his grandsons Ryan (11), Owen (7) and Luke (5) in Portsmouth, Virginia.

  • City Issues

    Less Talk ... More Action

    broken image

    Fiscal Responsibility

    Over the past few years, Colin has identified over $2.75 million dollars in unaccounted funds that have been better utilized to lower your tax bills and increase funding for public safety and educational purposes.

    broken image

    Public Safety

    Colin has continuously advocated for public safety improvements. He is one of the six Councillors who advocated to replace not one, but BOTH of the 33 year old fire trucks that were still in active service.

    broken image

    Education

    Over the past few years, Colin has identified under utilized funds in the city budget and led the way to reinstate the middle school health program with the appointment of 3 new health teachers.

    broken image

    Curbside Recycling

    Colin advocated for and assisted in the implementation of the curbside single-stream recycling program which has resulted in savings for the City of more than $2 million dollars in waste disposal costs.

    broken image

    Opioid Crisis

    Colin continues to advocate for a comprehensive health education program for our youth and visits our middle schools and high school to speak personally with students about the perils of drugs.

    broken image

    Energy Efficiency

    Colin advocated for the City to become a Green Community in which the City received a grant award of $315,000 in 2019 and will be eligible to receive $250,000 every year going forward.

  • Fiscal Responsibility

    "The Budget Watchdog"

    broken image

    Mayoral Debate Breaks Out Over Closing Out Haverhill's Hunking School Construction Account

    August 12, 2021 - WHAV

    Mayor Fiorentini stated, “The Hunking School project ended with a surplus, not with a deficit. There were items that were not directly connected with the project, but had to be done. The School Department did everything they could to put them through to the state to try to get reimbursement. The state turned them down and there was no deficit in Hunking School. It ended with a surplus on time, under budget,” he declared.

     

    OUR DIFFERING VIEWS on TRANSPARENCY, noted above and below.

     

    Mayoral candidate LePage stated, "I humbly disagree with the way the mayor characterizes this. We’ve known for quite some time that a $300,000 building permit was put against this project which was not reimbursable. It was basically saying ‘we are going to charge the city for services’ and the MSBA would not reimburse you for charging yourself and then give you 80% of that money. We got the voters to approve $61.5 million but $300,000 for a building permit was not to be included in that,” he charged.

    LePage said the $300,000 went into the city’s general fund and should be given back in the form of a tax break or some other method.

    broken image

    Haverhill Council to Consider Final Hunking School Price Tag; City Permit Cost May be Sticking Point

    August 10, 2021 - WHAV

    “It appears to be $177,000 over budget and, without the $300,000 building permit fee, it would have been under budget,” LePage said. The building permit fee was not among items the state would reimburse and was expected to be paid by taxpayers with interest over 20 years outside of the tax-limiting law, Proposition 2 ½.

    broken image

    City Charges Hunking School $300K Fee; Paid Outside Prop 2 1/2

    UPDATE - to be discussed at 8/10/21 Council meeting

    August 16, 2016 - WHAV

    “I do not understand why the city administration would increase the cost of its own project, one that was asked to be funded by the taxpayers through a debt exclusion vote,” said City Councilor Colin F. LePage, a member of the Caleb Dustin Hunking Building Committee.

    broken image

    Councilors Tie Cannabis Impact Fees and Haverhill Mayor's Refusal to Add Second Police Clinician

    June 7, 2021 - WHAV

    LePage noted retired Police Chief Alan R. DeNaro requested two “behavioral response” workers to deescalate violence and address core issues. LePage argued the city has the money for the extra position, noting $700,000 is expected next year from cannabis excise taxes ...

    broken image

    Haverhill Ponders to Spend $38.4 Million in Federal COVID-19 Relief; Awaits Rules

    March 31, 2021 - WHAV

    LePage explained that this plan extends through the end of December, 2024. He said this gives the city plenty of time to determine the most productive ways to spend the money.

    broken image

    Haverhill Council Expresses Frustration, Makes Case for Earlier Spending on Priorities

    February 12, 2021 - WHAV

    Under the city’s charter, only Mayor James J. Fiorentini may put money in the budget. LePage again linked the difficulty the Council faces in spending on priorities. His voice cracking with emotion at times, he pointed to extraordinary efforts he took more than five years ago to have the school department receive money to hire middle school health instructors.

    broken image

    Lupoli to pay city $112K in mortgage arrears

    July 15, 2020 - Eagle Tribune

    "I work for the taxpayers of Haverhill. I informed people two weeks earlier and never heard back," LePage said at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. "I'm not against this project by any means, but I want things to be done right."

    broken image

    Haverhill Councilor Says Developer Missed Mortgage Payments to City; Mayor Calls it Oversight

    July 8, 2020 - WHAV

    Council Vice President Colin F. LePage says “The Heights” 10-story Merrimack Street building under construction by developer Salvatore N. Lupoli, owes more than $225,333 to the City.

    broken image

    State Formally Awards Haverhill $315,000 State Energy Grant; Becomes a "Green Community"

    April 8, 2019 - WHAV

    As early as March of 2017, Councilor Colin F. LePage advocated for the green designation, having Joanne Bissetta, deputy director of the state Department of Energy Resources, address city councilors. “I’m looking out for the taxpayers. I wanted to go after $300,000 that can be used for other purposes,” LePage said.

    broken image

    Council to Revisit Hunking Building Permit Fee;

    Mayor Says It's Too Late

    August 10, 2018 - WHAV

    Councilor LePage said Tuesday night that residents shouldn't be paying for the city's 2015 building fee and expected interest. "We reduce the total by $300,000 so the taxpayers don't pay it over 20 years ..."

    broken image

    Tight Vote Approves Compromise Budget;

    $200,000 More for Schools

    June 21, 2018 - WHAV

    LePage earlier reminded the mayor of the excess in snow removal expenses and the expected income from Lupoli. He told WHAV he has found $1.8 million in obscure accounts or underestimated income.

    broken image

    Analysis: Whether City Can Afford More For Schools, Police - A Matter of Opinion

    June 15, 2018 - WHAV

    If history is any guide, at least one city councilor says, the money will be there for the wish lists without touching more of the surplus or the rainy-day fund—and without raising taxes to the limit.

    broken image

    Behind This Year's Budget Battle,

    a Councilor Hits the Books

    June 29, 2017 - WHAV

    His spreadsheets and charts may cause eyes to glaze over, but even those who disagree with him at times respect Councilor LePage’s ability to dig into City Hall’s most boring documents and find money.

    broken image

    Mayor Vows to Keep City Running

    After Council Kills FY2018 Budget

    June 21, 2017 - WHAV

    Councilor Colin F. LePage, a member of the majority who voted “no,” argued that the budget the mayor submitted does not emphasize what the city values.

    broken image

    City Charges Hunking School $300K Fee; Paid Outside Prop 2 1/2

    August 16, 2016 - WHAV

    “I do not understand why the city administration would increase the cost of its own project, one that was asked to be funded by the taxpayers through a debt exclusion vote,” said City Councilor Colin F. LePage, a member of the Caleb Dustin Hunking Building Committee.

    broken image

    Mislabeled City Fund Reveals $600,000 for Taxpayers

    April 27, 2016 - WHAV

    Council President John A. Michitson, left, reacts to Councilor Colin F. LePage’s discovery of $600,000 in unused money in an obscure city spending account.

    broken image

    Councilor: Spend 'hidden' money on school repairs

    June 18, 2013 - Eagle Tribune

    City Councilor Colin LePage noticed the mayor put only $100,000 in projected “miscellaneous” revenue in next year’s spending plan. “I got $200,000 with one comment,” LePage said. “Who knows what else is in there.”

  • Education

    My Commitment to Our Youth

    broken image

    Haverhill passes $217M budget ahead of new fiscal year

    June 30, 2021 - Eagle Tribune

    Councilor Colin LePage, a fervent supporter of the creation of a fund to assist Haverhill youth, said he was grateful to see the fund he's long advocated for come to fruition. “These aren’t just talking points,” LePage said. “I would like to think we’re going to talk more about the funds for the Department of Public Health you’ve created and the stabilization fund. People are really affected by (substance abuse). That way, we can really address them and we can actually put action toward them rather than words.”

    broken image

    LePage Backs DiZoglio Bill to Ban Marijuana Billboards; Rule Similar to Tobacco Ads

    December 30, 2019 - WHAV

    For LePage, it’s personal. In a letter to WHAV, the councilor writes, “…having lost my youngest son to alcohol and my oldest son to opioids, I know all too well the consequences of not having as many safeguards as possible in place to protect children from outside influences.”

    broken image

    CHEERS to Haverhill City Councilor Colin LePage and his mission to educate teenagers about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and vaping.

    October 21, 2019 - Eagle Tribune - OPINION

    It takes a strong person to cope with the losses that have touched LePage and his family. It takes an even stronger person to talk about them, and to open up about one’s personal story in hopes of helping others. Thanks to Councilor LePage for doing both.

    broken image

    LePage Opens Up About Family Substance Abuse Struggle: 'It Can Happen to Anybody'

    October 21, 2019 - WHAV

    Four years ago, City Councilor Colin F. LePage spoke to 400 eighth graders about making healthy decisions around substance abuse and addiction, and on Friday, LePage returned to check in on those same students—now Haverhill High School seniors—for a check-up.

    broken image

    Councilor revisits students to talk about healthy choices

    October 19, 2019 - Eagle Tribune

    LePage noted the city's Youth Advisory Council ongoing youth needs survey, 70% of those ages 15 to 17 say they need more access to resources for addictions, including vaping and smoking. The survey will be discussed during Tuesday night's City Council meeting (10/22/19).

    broken image

    Councilor: If "Joe Camel" Can't be on Billboards, Neither Should Pot Ads

    September 11, 2019 - WHAV

    “That’s a Whittier Tech bus. That’s also the bus stop and route for the Haverhill High School, Nettle, Golden Hill and Bradford Elementary students. What should we do?” LePage asked.

    broken image

    Haverhill Seeks Permission to Waive Bid Laws and Make 'Emergency' Whittier School Repairs

    August 6, 2019 - WHAV

    Councilor LePage asks, “How much less would these things have cost if they had been taken care of when the issues came up? And what could possibly happen after this?”

    broken image

    Hillie Wrestler McCartney Receives LePage Memorial Scholarship

    March 14, 2019 - WHAV

    The scholarship, established in 2016, pays tribute to the late Chris and Sean LePage, who both took part in the school’s wrestling program alongside current coach Tim Lawlor. LePage presented McCartney with the tribute award at the March 11 team banquet.

    broken image

    Councilor Invokes Memory of Lost Son in Quest to Alleviate Opioid Crisis

    March 21, 2018 - WHAV

    ... there are ways to fight the opioid crisis that don’t cost money, but will call for an expenditure of courage, as LePage displayed during the meeting. He speaks to Haverhill eighth-graders about ...

    broken image

    Telling the tough story about drugs

    May 26, 2016 - Eagle Tribune

    He didn't tell them he was a city councilor nor did he immediately reveal the identity of a young man who died last year of an apparent drug overdose. But when he did, tears welled in the eyes of some students at Consentino School.

  • Recycling Timeline - My Involvement/Results

    "More residents than ever are recycling their trash, and that is raising money for the city." Mayor James Fiorentini - Eagle Tribune, 9/27/2013

    "Recycling efforts have saved the city more than $2 million in reduced trash disposal costs since we began citywide curbside recycling in 2010," Mayor Fiorentini. - Eagle Tribune, 8/29/2018

    1

    February & March 2008

    Became member of Team Haverhill Recycling Committee & Mayor's Recycling Committee

    2

    July & August 2008

    Collected signatures (1,000+) for curbside recycling "petition"

    3

    February 2009

    Single-Stream Recycling (SSR) program begins at the DPW yard (500 Primrose St)

    4

    July & October 2009

    Curbside SSR Pilot program starts on Tuesday and then Wednesday collection routes

    5

    July 2010 (start FY2011)

    Curbside SSR program is instituted throughout the entire City

    6

    August 2018

    In just 8 years of the Curbside SSR program, the City has saved over $2 million dollars in waste disposal costs

  • Past News

    broken image

    Council to explore weekly recycling collections

    October 25, 2017 - Eagle Tribune

    "If the implementation of curbside, single-stream recycling did not occur, the city would have paid an additional $1,303,265; which would have been dollars thrown in the trash," said Councilor Colin LePage.

    broken image

    Councilors Formally Ask Mayor

    to Refund $300,000 Hunking Permit Fee

    March 29, 2017 - WHAV

    Councilors led by Colin F. LePage, voted to have the disputed building permit fee removed from the Hunking School construction budget before final bills are totaled for the city's portion of the project.

    broken image

    Council: Mayor Must Answer More Questions,

    Faster Per City Charter

    February 17, 2017 - WHAV

    Reading from the city charter, Councilor Colin F. LePage noted the administration is legally bound to answer questions after one week. LePage said Mayor James J. Fiorentini has not adequately answered city councilors questions—some dating back six months or longer.

    broken image

    Council Seeks Update on Upgrades for 3 Haverhill Schools - Tilton, Consentino & J.G. Whittier

    January 4, 2017 - WHAV

    “We should be having a discussion about what the city has planned for the future for our schools,” LePage said. “We need to find out what needs to be done, what the cost will be and how much the state would be willing to pay,” LePage said. “We want to be in that funding pipeline.”

    broken image

    Curbside recycling goes citywide this summer

    March 7, 2010 - Eagle Tribune

    LePage ran for council on a promise to push for more recycling and worked with the mayor and Team Haverhill to make it happen.

    "Now we can use our energy to promote the heck out of this, rather than on convincing everyone that it's the right thing to do," he said.

    LePage said the city could lower its waste disposal costs from $1.4 million annually to $1 million by increasing its recycling rate from the current 10 percent to the state average of 37 percent.

    Fiorentini said it would great to see Haverhill raise its recycling rate, but that he has seen little evidence of an increase since the city implemented curbside recycling on the Tuesday and Wednesday trash routes. "Our rate has stayed around 10 percent," the mayor said.

    broken image

    Mayor: Haverhill can't afford city-wide recycling pickup

    February 9, 2010 - Eagle Tribune

    City councilors, residents and civic groups such as Team Haverhill have been pushing the mayor to bring the program to the entire city. The council is scheduled to continue the pressure at tonight's meeting at 7 at City Hall. Councillor LePage requests to discuss the benefits of a City-wide, curb-side single stream recycling program.

  • How Can You Help?

    Contact us: VoteColinLePage@gmail.com

    broken image

    Door-to-Door Volunteer

    We can always use a few extra hands (and feet) to canvas the city and handout postcards to residents, educating them about Colin and his efforts.

    broken image

    Host a Lawn Sign

    Looking to spruce up your lawn? A Colin LePage lawn sign is the perfect accessory. Give us a shout and we would be glad to drop one off.

    broken image

    Saturday Sign Holding

    Looking for something to do on a Saturday in September thru October or on Election Day... we have just the thing! Support Colin and hold a sign.

  • Contact Us

    Thank you for your support!

    5 Sunrise Drive
    Haverhill, MA 01835
    978-372-8727
  • Make a Campaign Contribution

    To donate by PayPal:

    Donate by PayPal at votecolinlepage@gmail.com or click the button below:

    To donate by check:

    Please make checks payable to:

    Friends of Colin LePage Committee

    5 Sunrise Drive

    Haverhill MA 01835

    Contribution Rules and Guidelines:

    • Contributions must be made from personal funds and cannot be provided by another person or entity for the purpose of making this contribution on their behalf.
    • Contributions by credit card must be made with personal credit cards and not with a corporate or business credit card or a card issued to another person.
    • Contributor must be at least eighteen years old.
    • Contributor must be a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted permanent resident (i.e., green card holder).