Leaders, Administrators and Dinosaurs #3

The greatest hurdle a potential candidate for Selectman needs to consider is the time commitment.

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Without adequate preparation and research time, a person is doomed to failure, as is clearly visible among the current BOS.

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Numerous highly qualified candidates are disuaded solely by that issue.

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Can it be improved?

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There might seem to be a number of conspicuous responsibilities that the current BOS are handling poorly or lack the expertise that would be more effectively handled otherwise.

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1. Board of Health

The Health Agent appears before the BOS with shoulders more sloped and appearing shorter, as if the weight of her responsibilities are wearing her down.

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The BOS clearly have little knowledge or interest in the wide ranging issues that fall within this department's jurisdiction.

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Having discussed the matter with the Health Agent, her reluctance, caused by the failure in other instances is entirely understandable, but surely another town has created a workable solution that combines the necessary expertise and comprehension into a workable framework.

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The issue deserves a public discussion.

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2. The Middleboro BOS currently handles WRPD and Earth Removal Permits.

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One of the last WRPD hearings was an embarrassment to the Town.

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The information IS NOT posted on the Town's Web Site for the public to review for comprehension.

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The BOS discussed posting on the Town's Web Site in 2003 and determined that purchasing the pertinent regulations was such a great source of revenue, it was sensible for the Town Clerk to continue to sell the confusing mass of Town Meeting votes.

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If you haven't examined the copies for yourselves, you might consider doing so. It's yet another embarrassment for the Town and further defines the management as incompetent.

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Clearly, the BOS had not recently reviewed the WRPD for clarity.

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And when it comes to gravel operations, does that belong under the control of the BOS?

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Candidates for Town Manager offered other suggestions.

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We need to discuss both issues.

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3. Animal complaints

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No matter other than the Town's Web Site has provoked more jokes or more negative comments.

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No other issue made the Middleboro BOS appear as complete buffoons.

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Get over it. Address it. Resolve it. It doesn't belong in a public televised hearing.

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4. Meeting organization

Currently, meetings are held with Executive Sessions conducted at the end of the meetings when everyone is tired.

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Frequently, counsel has waited WHILE ON THE CLOCK --- YOUR TAX DOLLAR.

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Let's correct that.

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Let's have a discussion about a 2nd night devoted exclusively to Executive Sessions.