Middleboro's Town Charter charges the Board of Selectmen with the responsibility to act as Water Commissioners. Their failure to act to increase water rates, when Marsha Brunelle was chairman caused real estate tax bills to be sent out late.
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A Water Rate Hearing was held to increase rates and restored solvency to the Enterprise Account.
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The supporting documentation was presented during the pubic hearing, from Selectman Patrick Rogers' lap top. When I requested a copy of that documentation from the Selectmen's Secretary, I was informed that no records existed within Town Hall. When I requested the information from Patrick Rogers twice, I was finally told that he had not retained the information.
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So, water rate payers are paying increased fees and no one felt the need to respect the Public Records and Archive statutes enough to preserve information? Baffling! When issues of Transparency are raised repeatedly, this is why.
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Because the Board seems frozen in inaction and merely continues to add to the long list of items never addressed, I had suggested that a sub-committee of sorts be appointed by the BOS to act as Water Commissioners, maybe meeting quarterly to review rates, fees, ongoing projects and plan for the future.
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That suggestion was met with the predictable knee-jerk response by the illustrious Town Fathers.
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During a subsequent conversation with Selectman Patrick Rogers, he indicated that he had participated in a committee that studied aspects of combining the Water and Sewer Departments, traveled to other municipalities to evaluate their solutions.
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It was determined by that committee that the most effective solution was combining Water, Sewer and DPW.
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The Chairman of the committee was Tom White, from whom I requested a copy of the report. Never received.
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There is no indication that information or meeting minutes were ever received by the Town Clerk.
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Although this is Mushroom Farming in its purest form, it ignores that a member of the Board of Selectman is obsessed with Compression.
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That Selectman, always after the fact and oblivious to reality, waited until hiring a Fire Chief was imminent before campaigning for a Public Safety Director.
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Now that both the DPW Superintendent and the Water Superintendent have announced their retirement intentions, it might seem a good time to consider Mr. Spataro's Compression Theory. Or will Mr. Spataro wait until replacements are about to be hired before raising the issue?
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Let's not forget that Mr. Spataro, in questioning the DPW Superintendent's comment about road salt tripling in price, asked the cost. When the cost was quoted, Mr. Spataro then asked if the cost was for a pound.
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This is not the way other Towns operate.
13 comments:
Sputero went on that irrational and embarrassing public rant against the town manager candidate.
You won't catch me voting for him. That was totally unprofessional and disrespectful. Is anyone watching these meetings?
We're on town water and the increase was steep. Glad to know there's no written justification. Where's Jane on all this?
We couldn't attend bos meetings because our laughter would disrupt, but the stupid comment about road salt by the pound???
Paleeeze!! That was almost as funny as Marsha not knowing what Tyvek envelopes were. What world do they live in?
Speaking as a water ratepayer, your idea had merit and I considered volunteering for the group if it was created. There hasn't been adequate oversight or do we call it transparency these days? The Fuller St swampland was the gravest insult to ratepayers. What you've taught me about my town has been important in understanding what's going on. I appreciate the information you provide and hope you'll continue doing so.
When we watched that meeting, combining the 2 jobs came to mind and we didn't know all that you have written. What's wrong with these people that they don't even think of the obvious?
You can see the bos on tv or attend their meetings. It isn't just them. Take a look around at the cronyism, nepotism and the other stuff going on around town. The management of the town's a laughing stock among other towns. Don't voters get it?
We're on town water and appreciate knowing there is no information about my rate increase. Jack uo my rates and don't tell me why.
When I think of the things these people should have been doing, I get pretty heated.
OMG does he really not KNOW that it is by the ton. Heck, could have told him it was sold by the MORTON SALT CONTAINER. Bet he would have bought that too.
The world and surrounding towns are passing Middleboro by because of this Board. They're getting grants. They're saving energy $$$$ because they have green committees. They're getting MTC grants because they participate - which would cost each of us $.0025 per kilowatt hour (~ $6-7 per month for a potential return of MILLIONS), but they haven't even noticed. Other towns have adopted CPA and are using the funds wisely, as well as getting additional grant money. Two years ago, the bos discussed a Charter Commission. Not Done.
When the new Town Manager began in July 2007, his first project was supposed to be the trash fees. Not done. And supposed "town leaders" oppose CPA and remain silent about the trash fees?
The PTWS is a disgrace. The IT Director assured the bos more than a year ago that a calendar would be added. Not done.
The Lakeville water IMA?
For a number of reasons, a regional water authority with surrounding towns might make sense. With this Board? In what year?
Take a look at this ---
Middleboro ATM: Page 35 Employee Fringe Benefits
Spataro: One Trick Pony
With the resignation of Adam Bond, you now have Marsha Brunelle as Chairman, again. Marsha fears dissent. Marsha fears voters stepping up to the microphone to ask a question or voice an opinion.
Your votes, your participation and the importance of you watching the meetings so that you remain informed cannot be overstated.
If a committee opening becomes available, please consider volunteering.
If you have a night free, please consider attending a town board meeting -- Planning Board, Finance Committee, Zoning Board and so on. They're posted. They're public. It's your town.
You explained things I never knew and didnt understand. Please keep calling things to our attention. We moved here from another town that had a more professional board of selectmen so we didnt have to be vigilant, but this town is so poor, we trying to watch and discuss it with our neighbors. Salt by the pound? Even I know it's by the ton. I'll vote only for a candidate who's smarter than me. That disqualifies this whole board.
We just moved here 2 years ago from a town that presented information the its web site. So much has been said and written about the 'PTWS' as you call it, why don't they do something?
It could be done for free.
Why doesn't the board just fire the man if he can't do his job?
In response to "WHERE'S JANE" have you not read Tom, Dick, Jane, Sally and Spot? Jane seems to be where she wants when she wants. She only publishes matters she choose appropriate. She is very CAUTIOUS WHOSE TOES she STEPS ON. Now run Jane see Spot jump.
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