Candidates' Night in Middleboro

Middleboro Gazette editor, Jane Lopes and the COA deserve thanks for sponsoring a successful Candidates' Night, as do all of those Verizon customer who lack local access coverage who filled the audience.

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There are some interesting contested races that deserve attention.

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For those unable to attend due to the religious significance of the day, ComCast will re-broadcast, I believe:

Friday, Saturday 7:30 PM

Sunday 10 AM

Wednesday, Thursday 7 PM

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the following are some comments offered:

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Middleboro is undergoing fiscal problems created by poor historical decisions.
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Today’s sound-byte is ‘REVENUE’ with little consideration or facts.
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I would suggest instead, that what is labeled REVENUE, should be considered:
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1. Lost opportunities
2. Costs Savings
3. Lost Revenue
4. Misspent funds

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The other candidates speak of attracting new businesses, yet ignore the Office Park at South Pointe that Middleboro opposed in court . When the developer prevailed in court, his tenants were gone.

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Middleboro has missed other opportunities and discouraged other clean businesses.
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You might not label spending money wisely and getting the biggest bang for your buck as REVENUE and it’s not exciting, but the results are the same.

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Recently, I requested a copy of the WAGE COMPARISONS that were used during recent contract negotiations.

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The response I received was that NONE existed.
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How do you negotiate contracts if you don’t know what comparable towns are paying?
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Municipal wages are widely posted and publicly available.

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Can Middleboro taxpayers afford to pay for 90% of town employees’ health benefits while other towns only pay 60%?

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The Board of Selectmen caused the real estate tax bills to be sent out 3 months late.
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What was the cost of that delay?

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The cash flow from the G&E allows Middleboro to avoid borrowing, but what interest income was lost by not investing those dollars in this fiasco? If it was $150,000, might that represent 2 teachers?

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The Dept. of Revenue recommended QUARTERLY TAX BILLING AND BI-MONTHLY PAYROLL LAST YEAR.

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Combining those 2 options, would enable the town to avoid hiring additional personnel.

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The Selectmen have failed to act.

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Quarterly Tax Billing MIGHT provide the town with another $150,000.
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The sound byte may be REVENUE, but no one is watching the LOST REVENUE.

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When I reviewed the list of Town Insured Vehicles, 212 ITEMS were listed, most with $500 deductibles.

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Vic Sylvia reminded me that when he was Selectman, the Town insured a vehicle it no longer owned.

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When was the last time an audit was done on those 212 Items?

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Insurance companies are telling you that you can save money by increasing your deductible.

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Can’t Middleboro?
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I have suggested a TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE that would address Windmills to Web Sites -- anything technological.
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What could we save of your tax dollars by insulating the Town Hall where 12 town employees work?

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No one seems to know what it costs to heat and air condition.

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Funding is available for programs that Middleboro is not pursuing.

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What could we accomplish?

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Last year, when former Town Manager Jack Healey prepared the budget, handouts were available at each Selectmen’s Meeting. And many of his figures were on the easels, clearly visible to the audience and easily understood.

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This year, the interim Town Manager NEVER even projected the budgets on a screen.

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The information was vague and not included in the Selectmen’s Meeting minutes.

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Don’t they want voters to have the information?
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Also, this Board of Selectmen has pitted one department against another for dwindling resources in a manner that is unacceptable.

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Each year, the Park Department, Library and COA are the sacrificial lambs.

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We can work together to make this better! Residents have offered numerous creative ideas that are being ignored. We need to listen.

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Last year, the Department of Revenue raised numerous issues that would SAVE money that have been ignored.

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In 2003, the current Board discussed the Seniors’ Discount program that allows Seniors to volunteer their time and receive a reduction in their property taxes.

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With rising heating fuel costs, it would assist our seniors in staying in the homes where they raised their children.

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The program is still not implemented.
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The Board of Selectmen are charged in the Town Charter as Water Commissioners, yet the failure of the Board to increase water rates delayed the tax bills.
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Is it time to discuss a separate water commission to protect the interest of rate payers?

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We need to re-visit trash fees.
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Newcomers and long time residents need to unite to create a vision for the future to develop a community that serves all.

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We need to share ideas and work for solutions.
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We have the resources, talent and ideas to create positive changes and working together, we can make it happen!
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Let your voice be heard on election day.
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I ask for your vote on Saturday, April 5, 2008, election day for Middleboro Board of Selectmen.

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Polls are open 8 AM until 8 PM.

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If you’re unavailable on that day, call the Town Clerk for an Absentee Ballot at 508 946-2415.
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Jessie Powell
Candidate for Selectman
508 946-9761
Call me if you want to know my positions.

Call me if you’d like a lawn sign.