Middleboro Board of Selectmen and Progress

A number of comments have been made to me about the most recent Selectmen's Meeting and offering opinions about what is transpiring.

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Recently, when discussions about Rockland Industries finally appear to have reached a potential resolution, I have reminded others that previous Boards have nodded their heads, instructed those who have kept this issue alive for 40 years to "Keep us posted," and escaped any involvement.

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In essence, each successive Board has passed along the MESS, the toxic waste that seems to be causing inexplicable neurological problems and elevated cancer risks.

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Each successive Board has ignored this, until finally forced into action by a committee created by Victor Sylvia. Vic continuously reminded everyone "I won't live forever." Praise and standing ovations are deserved for those responsible for what appears to be a forthcoming successful resolution, but I would also point out that at last year's committee meeting that Victor Sylvia helped organize, no single incumbent Selectmen attended. Mrs. Duphily, who has since been elected to the Board did not attend.

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Consideration of the Rockland Industries MESS is raised only to point out that, for whatever reason, the Middleboro Board of Selectmen apparently has an unwritten policy that is distributed in secrecy cautioning against taking any concrete action or future planning or showing any positive leadership or resolving any issue. Said policy indicates that, by postponing action successfully creates the muck and mire of continuously dealing with past problems and prevents future planning.

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Such is the case of the mobile home park issues.

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I won't dabble in the details and legalities, but point out that the Commonwealth overwhelmingly voted to rescind rent control housing in 1994 with a complex history (LINK) and Middleboro instituted rent control in 1985, but failed to enact regulations.

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The Middleboro Board of Selectmen has allowed a simmering issue to percolate, tempers to flare beyond reason by its inaction.

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At his wife's funeral, I spoke with Wayne Williams, owner of Edgeway Mobile Home Park, unaware that he had signed himself out of the hospital AMA (Against Medical Advice) to attend. During our conversation, his last words to me were "The tenants are going to kill me."

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Any who have watched the ComCast broadcasts over the years are probably as tired and worn about the issue as the tenants of both Hillcrest and Edgeway. Clearly, it's time for a resolution.

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Instead, the Board tossed the issue to the new Town Manager to resolve what 23 years' worth of inaction has caused.

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Jeff Stevens offered a great presentation of the proposed expansion of the Soule Homestead projects that would include photovoltaics, SIPs, solar collectors, composting toilets, and much other GREEN TECHNOLOGY.

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Selectman Patrick Rogers' sticking point was a review of the lease signed by the group.

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Not to get mired in this issue, but Pat, maybe if that lease was posted on the Town's Web Site, you could access it at home, prior to the meeting and not postpone endorsement of the proposal. Just maybe voters might like to have the details available for their review in an attempt at transparency. Have you reviewed the Middleborough Web Site recently? LINK And how about the Selectmen's Agendas? LINK Has anyone noticed the dizzying array of formats in which the Agendas are posted and how user unfriendly the site is?

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The Dead Horse of the Middleborough Town Web Site will not be beaten again, but maybe a few Selectpersons need to review what other towns have accomplished, offered by MMA: LINK

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At one point, Selectwoman Brunelle indicated the something should be posted on the Town's Web Site. Marsha, dear, pleeaaze! Have you looked at the SITE?

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At another point, Selectwoman Brunelle commented about the Board's prior discussions regarding Town Policies and the need to accumulate them in one collection. Weren't you Chairwoman when some of these policies went into effect? Weren't you Chairwoman when the Town's Vehicle Use Policy was amended? And by the way, where can the Town's Vehicle Use Policy be found? Is it on the Town's Web Site? Shouldn't Town Policy be available for public scrutiny?

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And Marsha, dear, how about that NEW Town of Carver customer who received water on an emergency basis? According to the IMA, wasn't that supposed to be approved by Town Meeting Vote? Weren't you Chairwoman at the time?

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And the Town's Bylaws? Zoning Regs? Planning Board Stuff? That WRPD Stuff the Selectmen talk about? The Board acts on regulations that are not available to the public for review.

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At a recent meeting, the Town's by-law governing signs was discussed. Where on the Town's Web Site are those posted? The Chairman criticized the vagueness of the by-law which forces one to wonder where his proposed amendments are. Or was the criticism just intended to defend the erection of banners which his wife, Victoria was promoting?

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OKAY, so I don't buy razzle dazzle superficial 'now you have an opportunity to speak' that other towns have offered for years.

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I'm looking for substance that I'm not seeing.

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Yeah, voters aren't being ignored as they stand at the podium, as Wayne Perkins did.

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Yeah, voters aren't being gavelled to silence as Chairwoman Brunelle did.

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But where's the substance of change?

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To me, it's SAME OLD SAME OLD until proven otherwise.