Tradition and Middleboro Town Meeting

There's a homily about a young married couple in which He comes home from work. She's prepared a roast for supper. He asks 'why did you cut off the ends of the roast?' She responds 'I don't know. My mother always did.' He asks his new mother-in-law why she cut off the ends of the roast, to which she responds, predictably, 'I don't know. My mother always did.' When he then asks her mother, the response is 'I did it because the roasting pan was too small.'

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Traditions serve us well in perpetuating family heritage, as reminders of the past, creating connections, providing stability.

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Laws and statutes that create a framework for minimal legal compliance frequently become 'traditions,' that fail to evolve with technology and changing lifestyles. Frozen embryos that created custody battles and uncharted legal territory come quickly to mind.

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The antique framework dictating Town Meeting proceedures and timeframes fails to conform to the Town's changing needs and has failed to evolve. And they fail to provide TRANSPARENCY.

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It is no longer acceptable that a Town Manager present union contracts to the BOS for signature at Town Meeting and disregards the Finance Committee. It is not acceptable that Warrant Articles fail to contain details and dollar amounts. How does that provide transparency to voters?

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It was totally unacceptable that Sapphire Engineering had to present details of their own TIF at Town Meeting. Instead, it has been voiced by many that the TIF Agreement should have been posted on the Town's Web Site (such as it is) and it should have been widely circulated PRIOR to Town Meeting.

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That numerous articles on the STM Warrant were tabled raises questions of competence.

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And the Eminent Domain Article on ATM is yet another questionable matter that defines the current BOS.

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It was only the early availability of the ATM Warrant that allowed research into issues surrounding the Articles, such as 43D. The opinions and information were circulated on nemasket and among several private email discussion groups.

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Legal compliance should not be the determinent, but rather the GOALS of TRANSPARENCY, INFORMATION, INCLUSION and ATTENDANCE should be held in high esteem.

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It would seem that past poor attendance has been determined by the failure of the BOS and the Town Manager to provide adequate information, publicity, education and the willingness of those few who attended to simply approve Articles with no comprehension.

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The Moderator has worked diligently to ensure that voters fully understand what their vote represents, which can be confusing when confronted with Amendments and other motions.

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And so, my friend, my comments represent those voiced by others and not a legal opinion about Town Meeting Law nor the lack of my familiarity with same. They represent what make sense to truly INFORM and not merely comply with the law. And my friend, those who cling to the homily and insist 'we've done it this way for 100 years ...' have already been left behind.

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Those recently involved newcomers are already considering Charter changes that provide a sensible framework and timeframe, but in the meantime, recognition of attempts to reduce Mushroom Farming should be paramount.

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Simply put, if you want voters to attend Town Meeting, they need information far enough ahead of time to research, question and understand, and more importantly, AN INVITATION.