GUILDERLAND — Democrat Peter Barber, an attorney and longtime chairman of the town’s zoning board of appeals, said, if elected supervisor, he hopes to continue what Kenneth Runion has set into motion over the past 16 years.

He called Runion, also an attorney, an “outstanding steward for the town.”

Barber said he has been campaigning for several months now in an attempt to prove that he is the better candidate.

“I’m very supportive of any efforts by the town to address the vacant and foreclosed properties because they affect the quality of life for nearby residents and businesses,” said Barber.

The key, he said, is going to be enforcement, and making sure the law isn’t used for unintended purposes.

“Everyone has a different idea about how a property should be maintained and we are not a town that’s going to require maintaining a perfect standard,” he said. “We have an acceptable suburban standard and that’s basically keeping the grass cut and the lawns free of garbage.”

He said he wants to see how the law works in the early stages and get feedback from the building department and the residents.

“A responsible town should always be ready to amend a law if needed,” he said.

From being the chairman of the zoning board, Barber said he knows that there have been hundreds of new or expanded businesses in the town over the past 15 years.

“I think the town’s zoning code is very balanced in terms of promoting business development, but also making certain that residents have a say and that businesses won’t negatively impact residential properties,” he said.

A new code, which he and a committee developed over a period of several years and proposed, will streamline the process even further, he said; that code should be adopted either at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

Currently, any business proposal must be brought before the town’s planning and zoning boards. The new code would allow low-intensity development proposals to require the review only of the planning board, which would make the process faster.

“The key to me is that the zoning and planning boards are open and fair and that residents and applicants are both able to make their case,” said Barber. “It’s most important that people know they are being treated fairly.”

“By all measures,” he continued, “the town of Guilderland is business friendly, but there is always room for improvement.”

Barber said the reason the town’s tax rate has remained flat is not just prudent fiscal management. It is due in part to assessments going up.

“As assessed value goes up, you are able to collect more revenue,” he said.

He mentioned budgetary items coming up within the next year, including building a new pool house in Tawasentha Park and addressing flooding issues in McKownville, which will require a large capital contribution.

“We will be mindful to address these urgent needs before they become more of a problem,” he said. “These things can occur within the existing tax rate and there’s no need to increase taxes to meet these needs.”

For the most part, Barber said, residents seem to be pleased with the services the town offers.

“A new administration has the opportunity to look at what’s occurred over the past 15 years and determine whether there need to be adjustments made to the programs,” he said.

Barber said he is endorsed by the New York League of Conservation Voters, the leading state environmental group in terms of government action.

“I’ve made it clear both through that interview process and also as chairman of the zoning board that we need to turn toward more green technologies,” he said. “I think the town and school district should be leaders in that regard.”

“I think my leadership of the zoning board through rather controversial and intense hearings, and being very firm and fair about my decisions, proves that I have the integrity to lead this town,” he concluded.