Kudos to Marcus Baptiste for speaking out!

Someone always has to be the first to speak up!

The Middleboro Town Planner and Planning Board have long been Equal Opportunity Harassers, preventing construction, discouraging new businesses, creating irrational costs and obstructed sensible planning considerations.






Middleboro selectmen criticize Town Planner, Planning Board

- See more at: http://www.enterprisenews.com/article/20150118/News/150116671#sthash.iF2krE6g.dpuf


By Alice C. Elwell
Enterprise correspondent 
Posted Jan. 18, 2015 at 11:20 PM
Updated Jan 18, 2015 at 11:23 PM 

MIDDLEBORO – The Planning Board and Town Planner are under heavy fire by at least two selectmen and a developer.

Town Manager Robert G. Nunes is meeting this week with local builder Marcus Baptiste to address a nine-page letter of complaint that he calls “disturbing.”

Last week, Selectman Stephen J. McKinnon fired off a volley of grievances against the Planning Department that included, “I think it obvious that this department is one of the greatest encumbrances to the growth of our town. In fact, this department is, in my opinion, a great embarrassment to the Town of Middleboro.”

Leilani Dalpe, vice chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen said she’s also handed the town manager a laundry list of planning problems with past and ongoing projects in town.

“I spoke to Bob Nunes with a handwritten list mentioning Edgeway, Fernway, Ja Mar, Christmas Tree Shops and Oak Point as issues I thought there should be intervention with the Planning Board,” she said

This week Baptiste threatened to walk away from Eastwood Estates, a 28-lot affordable housing project permitted by the Zoning Board of Appeals in 2006 and built off Purchase Street.

Although the project was permitted by the appeals board, the Planning Board weighed in on the road layout and Baptiste contends the subdivision remains unfinished because the Planning Board is holding up roadwork.

In the letter Baptiste said, ” I will not do any work if there is any involvement at all from the Planning Department or the Planning Board.”

Baptiste said over the last 15 years, he’s built more than 100 homes in town and it has been an “unpleasant experience” working with the Planning Department.

“All I want to do is finish the road and move on,” Baptiste said when the Enterprise contacted him.

Planning Director Ruth E. Geoffroy declined to comment on the letter from Baptiste and said the Planning Board referred it to Town Counsel Daniel F. Murray, who also declined to comment on the matter.

- See more at: http://www.enterprisenews.com/article/20150118/News/150116671#sthash.iF2krE6g.dpuf

Dumbfounded #2

One of the last things I cared to do was sit through the candidates' interviews for Fire Chief, listen to the uninformed comments about casino impacts, yet again, by a Bored [sic] that's unlike any other, especially on a Fall Sunday. But the lack of videotaping, attendance by the press (can't say I blame them), poor attendance by 'regular' voters (can't blame them either) and the lack of transcription, seemed to merit attention as indicated in Dumbfounded #1.
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Selectwoman Duphily seemed to have finally figured out by the fourth candidate that activities of the Fire Department, Police Department and the ambulance service would increase should the casino ever be constructed based solely on the increased traffic. (Referring to the CRAC report, traffic was estimated at 50,000 cars per day.) Mrs. Duphily is a lovely and multi-talented lady, whose calendar seems so filled, she's unable to devote any time to research or enlightenment. Her efforts at improving the Town Hall lawn are a noticeable improvement and at the suggestion of an anonymous poster elsewhere, clearly worthy of Town Groundskeeper, an office for which she could successfully run. From her comments, however, one can deduce that she has failed to avail herself of the forums and courses offered to inform officials of their responsibilities, the pertinent laws and procedures, the basic functions of town government. Hopefully, at some point during her term, she will elect to do so, but barring that, those who supported her might step up to the plate and provide some background information to reduce the embarrassment those of us who watch suffer.
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Although it is doubtful that the casino will ever prevail for a large number of reasons (Check out CarverChick for a simplified explanation of some of the legal issues. She has an impressive ability to explain complex issues in an easily understandable fashion.) and organized opposition that continues to fight armed with the facts, it is clear that the inevitability has evaporated.
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My good friends and fellow bloggers, Bellicose Bumpkin and Gladys Kravitz and Carl's Casino Quotes have recently blogged about the local impacts of casinos on surrounding towns.
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But, I digress.
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More than a year has transpired after the TMFH that the Bored [sic] forced onto the Town, before an agreement existed, and before the Town had adequate time to review, digest and question the contents of the flawed agreement, the Bored [sic] still hasn't figured out its contents.

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Fellow bloggers have explained how the Agreement netted half of what it should have, failed to adequately address impacts, ignored the impacts on schools and much else.
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Enter Selectwoman Duphily.
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Round about the fourth candidate for Fire Chief, in questioning an out of state candidate for Fire Chief, Selectwoman Duphily stated that HOPEFULLY the casino would pay for the additional costs to the Town.

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The candidate responded with "the casino ought to pay."

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So, where and in what legal dictionary is HOPEFULLY and OUGHT TO defined in terms of a legally binding contract that casino supporters blindly accepted and the BOS signed with a Sovereign Nation?

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The Agreement that the TMFH approved with the Mashpee Wampanoag is posted nemasket. Those who would defend the document need to print it and re-read it. And please, while you're at it, print a copy for Mrs. Duphily and provide a crash course in contract law. Like it or not, those are the terms that were agreed to.

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At a recent BOS Meeting, Selectman Spataro (the Selectman with the non-published phone number to avoid those pesky townspeople, usually unprepared, who has sat at a BOS Meetings text messaging, eating his supper, arrives late and told you this was the 'Big Leagues.') indicated that even though he was the Bored's [sic] representative to SRPEDD, he hadn't attended the meetings and it was necessary to appoint another representative. In other words, the very agency that he has criticized in the past, he couldn't be bothered to represent the Town's interests to attend meetings. And was it noticed that Selectwoman Duphily failed to step up to the plate and volunteer? Has she volunteered for any meetings or committees that are the responsibility of Selectpersons to fulfill? Groundskeeper is good, but how about the necessary responsibilities that come with the elected office that you sought?

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Wasn't it conspicuous enough that after living in Middleboro for many years, Mrs. Duphily was unfamiliar with the hazardous waste site that is Rockland Industries, a site that has been reported for 40 years?

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Mr. Cristello has accomplished a yeoman's job in his short tenure bringing Middleboro into the 20th Century, never mind the 21st, but this is government by Mickey Mouse or Homer Simpson and needs to improve to meet the challenges we confront. Mr. Cristello can only do so much.

Middleboro: Does Anyone Do Their Homework?

FOOTNOTE:

For Mansfield letters to the editor in the Sun Chronicle (scroll down)

MANSFIELD

HINGHAM

At the Middleboro Board of Selectmen's Meeting Tuesday, April 22, the 4 finalists for Middleboro Town Manager were announced among the 12 applicants.

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Comment has circulated in a discussion forum, nemasket regarding the finalists and previous comments link to what others are reporting: Middleboro: Impressive Choices!

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The relationship with the Town Manager is intimate and one assumes relatively long term.

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Those who followed the previous BOS fiasco and embarrassment, are more than familiar with the inability of the Middleboro BOS to function effectively.

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Little questioned was the current Town Manager from Mansfield whose actions created a judgement against Mansfield yet to be resolve and legal fees being negotiated.

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The failure of the Search Committee, chaired by Wayne Perkins, known for his failure to do his due diligence, overlooked the issues in Mansfield. That begs the questions of what else they overlooked.

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When the issue was raised in the discussion forum, the following is the response from the editor of the local weekly newspaper, the Middleboro Gazette (emphasis mine):

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WildRice
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:52 am
Quote:
Another candidate, John D'Agostino, Town Manager of Mansfield seems to be having problems with political enemies in that town. According to the Attleboro Sun Chronicle, he seems to be the impetus for a nasty recall election in progress there. No details were given, however.

At Rotary last night I talked to Bob Saquet, who is town moderator in Mansfield. He said the problem in Mansfield is with a couple local "characters" and not with the town manager, who has behaved very well under pressure and has been on the job for 10 years. From his resume and what I have heard about him from search committee members he is very impressive. Seems like everyone should at least look at the interviews before making a judgment. Yunits, on the other hand...I got him on the phone yesterday morning. He's the lead story in today's Gazette (still only 50 cents).

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Bob Saquet ..... said the problem in Mansfield is with a couple local "characters" and not with the town manager,

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WR, some of us have heard Mr. Saquet speak and fail to consider his words the last authority on ANY issue impacting Middleboro. Sometimes, when you allow personal relationships to color your professional judgement, you fail your task.

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There are some who might wonder how Mr. Saquet ever stopped talking long enough to hear any facts.

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It would seem from a journalistic standpoint, you have failed once again to do your homework.

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Have you reviewed the lawsuit and judgement? Why did you fail to comment in the Gazette article?

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Those couple of local "characters" were not adequate to compel a Recall, as can be said of Middleboro's Recall that you repeatedly condemned to support the Whizz Bang Team of Financial Geniuses currently whining about the need for an override because they can't balance their own checkbooks.

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D'Agostino caused a judgement against Mansfield.

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How many more judgements can Middleboro afford? Some of the information included in the Executive Sessions the BOS refuses to release are applicable to previous legal fees and judgements. No wonder they refuse to release them for voters to see.

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What's happened to the 2 cases that are pending in Middleboro -- the former Town Accountant and the one against the Veteran's Agent? In both of those cases, you have taken a snarky editorial position to defend the Town even though evidence seems to indicate otherwise.

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Were D'Agostino applying for the position AFTER appeals and settlements were concluded, it might be an appropriate discussion. But now? Credentials and resumes don't count, when facts seem otherwise.

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Of Mr. Yunits' relationship with the Liberty Square Group, The Middleboro Gazette reports that the Chairman of Selectmen Adam Bond was unaware of the relationship.

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No wonder Middleboro was easy pickings for international investors who perceived the Town as uninformed hicks. No one seems willing to prove otherwise by doing their research.

Middleboro: Impressive Choices!

The Middleboro Town Manager Search Committee has released their FINAL choices and judging from early comments, one must wonder .......

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The Brockton Enterprise reports:

Former Brockton Mayor John T. Yunits Jr. is one of four finalists for town manager in Middleboro, a job advertised at $130,000 a year.

The three other finalists are James P. Purcell, Norton town manager; John O. D’Agostino, Mansfield town manager; and Charles J. Cristello, Hingham town administrator.

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Yunits is also a consultant for the Liberty Square Group, the firm that handles public relations for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and their bid to open a casino in Middleboro.

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Media Nation reports:

Oh, but not to worry, says search committee member Wayne Perkins, a former selectman and casino backer. Yunits may be taking money from a firm funded in part by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and the South African casino moguls who are behind all this, but his work with Liberty Square is "strictly" limited to lobbying for a power plant in Brockton.

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But despite Mr. Perkins' assurances, that does not appear to be quite so, as a review of the additional articles indicates. It seems, yet again, Mr. Perkins has not done his due diligence.

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Some may remember that Mr. Perkins was forced to resign as BOS Rep. to Plymouth County Commissioners because he had taken a job with the County. BOS

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Mr. Perkins said this of casinos in March 5, 2007:

Chairman Perkins noted that towns in Connecticut that have casinos don’t pay taxes. BOS

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We're still waiting, Mr. Perkins.

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Mr. Perkins' arms are still sore from patting himself on his back for single-handedly negotiating union contracts that awarded 36% pay raises that put Middleboro in its current position.

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One truly must question the logic of considering an applicant employed by casino investors. Where will his loyalties lie? Should we even trust the assurances? Will he present impartial information the BOS and townspeople require to garner additional funding for the Town?

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One of the other choices is Mansfield Town Manager, John D'Agostino.

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A quick google search, for those who weren't paying attention last fall, reveals the Sun Chronicle article,

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Boston Globe:

[the recall began]....after a US District Court jury awarded damages to two former Municipal Electric Department employees who alleged unfair treatment by D'Agostino. Those damages may eventually top $3 million.
The jury concluded that D'Agostino, who oversees the Electric Department, had indulged in retaliatory behavior against Director John Beliveau and Chief Financial Officer Kimberly Stoyle, after Stoyle filed a sexual harassment complaint against D'Agostino and Beliveau supported her action. The complaint, filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, never went forward.
D'Agostino fired Beliveau in 2004. Stoyle quit in 2005, claiming D'Agostino's retaliatory behavior drove her out.
Amoruso and McCarter were linked to the issue because both were selectmen at the time of the alleged retaliation and selectmen oversee D'Agostino.

The town recently settled with Beliveau for $1.6 million. The money was taken from the Electric Department's rainy day fund.
Meanwhile, a judge ruled last month that D'Agostino was personally responsible for about $1 million in damages and attorney's fees to Stoyle, and the town has appealed that ruling.

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Mansfield Politics

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Middleboro, it might seem, doesn't have enough law suits to satisfy some. Do we need more for your tax dollars? That's the information that's contained in those EXECUTIVE SESSIONS the BOS doesn't want you to see.

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The Cape Cod Times offered the following: LINK

Soaring Energy Prices: Is Middleboro Immune?

The loss of value of the dollar caused by the federal deficit, flawed tax policy of VooDoo economics and a staggering trade deficit will continue to force oil/energy prices higher.

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The Sacramento Bee just posted the following with more to follow from other sources:

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Oil hits another record high as dollar drops to record low
Oil prices hit all-time highs above $115 a barrel Thursday with reports that oil and gasoline stocks in the United States were lower than expected and as the dollar hit record lows. Read More
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And what has Middleboro done to reduce municipal energy consumption?

Solar Town Hall? Not in Middleboro!

In case you missed Cape Cod Today commenting on the Yarmouth Town Hall and their photovoltaic array, check it out. Great photo!

Not so Middleboro! Is anyone talking about saving money or cutting energy costs? How come ALL other towns seem to be discussing reducing their energy costs, but not Middleboro?

Too busy pretending that the casino will bail them out of their poor decisions?

Cape Cod Today

Middleboro: Town Web Site

Long the butt of jokes, snarky remarks and ignored by an inept Board of Dinosaurs, other towns have worked to provide information to their residents in a sensible and well-organized format on their web sites. (MMA provides a list)

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Not so Middleboro, that seems to pride itself on denying the existence of civilization beyond its borders.

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Some might label it TRANSPARENCY that this BOS seems to resent.

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Middleboro's official site

A user-friendly alternative to the Middleboro Official and ludicrous web site has been offered!

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Take a look and see what you think about the rough draft:

nemasket

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Offer your comments about the new site:

New town web site demo

Does it make sense? Is it usable? Do you like the format?

Middleboro: Embarrassing Conduct by BOS

Is anyone watching the EMBARRASSING CONDUCT during the BOS Meetings?
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You can't ALL have Verizon and use that as an excuse.
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Thank you for all who made wise choices during the recent Town Election.
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This is the government YOU elected and just when some thought it couldn't get any worse, guess what? It did!

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Please watch so you know who you elected.

Deep Cuts .....but Middleboro?

This has been an interesting time with buckets of information about energy, but it's curious that when discussing municipal problems, the Globe points out 2 communities:

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Deep cuts loom across state
Expenses outpacing revenue and state aid
Fewer cities, towns seeking override votes
By Eric Moskowitz
Globe Staff / April 6, 2008

Brookline was able to avoid both cuts and overrides for years..... and saved money by making municipal buildings more energy-efficient...

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Swampscott....More layoffs are needed this year, in part because utility costs for the new high school are $1 million more than the old one, said David P. Whelan Jr., chairman of the School Committee. Globe

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If Middleboro isn't talking about reducing ENERGY CONSUMPTION, does that mean there's too much money in the budget?

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End to aid sought for Cape plant
BY RICK FOSTER / SUN CHRONICLE
If you think you're paying high electric bills, it might not be just because of rising fuel prices.

Up to 5 percent of bills paid by Southeastern Massachusetts ratepayers may be going to a backup electric generating plant for Cape Cod that critics say produces little electricity and provides no benefit to non-Cape power users.

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For some great information: WebLinks

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Link to Hull Wind's website

Press Release

from a recent BU energy symposium where Andrew Stern was a panelist.
Decreasing energy use, or finding a renewable source, can also help relieve this heavy burden on available utilities.

Andrew Stern, president of New England Wind Power, Inc., described how the town of Hull, Mass. increasingly relies on wind power for its electricity. A wind turbine, installed in 2001 at the town’s high school, provides enough energy for about 250 homes --three percent of Hull’s electricity needs. The $780,000 turbine paid for itself in five years through saved energy costs and government incentives. A second turbine, added in 2006, sits on a landfill, and wind now provides 11 percent of Hull’s electricity. Plans to install four more offshore wind turbines will make Hull entirely reliant on wind-generated electricity in the future. “It really does excite the community,” said Stern. “Today we have a 95 percent approval rate. With a project like this, it is really the community involvement that counts.”

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Editorial: Fewer power plants = higher rates
Way back in May 2005, the Massachusetts Electricity Facility Siting Board issued a finding that the 468-megawatt Cape Wind wind-farm project would save New England rate-payers “at least” $25 million a year. Now that oil prices are much, much higher, we wonder how much more it could save.
The board, in its finding, aimed to introduce much-needed competition into the severely constrained New England electric grid. ProvidenceJournal

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Wind, out of the Blue
The excitement on Cape Cod was palpable on the weekend leading up to the MMS hearings on the Cape Wind project, and not just at the thought of dueling minstrels at the microphone. To the unbounded joy of the wind farm opponents on stage, the Deus ex Machina of Blue H USA appeared from the wings with perfect timing to state that you can have wind power without seeing it. CapeCodToday

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The following, offered by the Enterprise, presents actions taken in Pembroke:

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Pembroke energy panel wants town to ‘go green’
The Energy Committee will propose a town meeting bylaw that sets higher standards for energy efficiency throughout town government.
By Sydney Schwartz
PEMBROKE —
Pembroke officials are hoping the town will “go green” this year.
The Pembroke Energy Committee will ask residents at town meeting to include energy conservation in the town bylaws — and set higher standards for energy efficiency in town government.
The group, which has been meeting since July, is also looking into saving the town money in buying gas, fuel and electricity, and into developing renewable energies, like wind power, chairman Nick Zechello said.
“It brings the awareness to town government that it starts at the local level,” Zechello said. “It starts with the town employees. It starts with the department heads, to conserve energy.”
If approved at the April 22 town meeting, the bylaw would require every department head and employee to work to reduce energy consumption.

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Each department would be required to have an energy audit that shows ways to save money by using “green” technologies and to implement the recommendations of the audit.

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Lighting in common areas would be reduced and thermostats set 2 degrees lower in the winter and 2 degrees higher in the summer.
Department heads would be encouraged to buy energy-efficient vehicles and drivers would be encouraged to use less fuel, if possible, according to the proposal.

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Where is Middleboro? And the barn of a Town Hall that houses 12 employees? What solutions have been considered?

Middleboro Selectmen's Agenda April 7, 2008

SELECTMEN’S AGENDA
Monday, April 7, 2008

Reorganization of the Board.
Vote to assign a member to sign payroll/warrants.

A. SELECTMEN’S MINUTES
March 31, 2008
B. HEARINGS, MEETINGS, & LICENSES
7:05 PM Veterans’ Agent re Memorial Day Events
7:15 PM D. Boucher re Earth Removal Permit(s) Discussion
7:30 PM Department Heads re ATM/STM Warrant Articles Discussion
C. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discuss Process of Hiring New Fire Chief.
2. Request from Antiques, Etc. to use T. Hall front lawn/parking area re antique show.
3. Request from Verizon - policy clarification re newspaper public hearing notice.
4. YMCA Request to run a Road Race and Triathlon.
5. Request from Ann Marie Wells for Appeal of 3-17-08 dog decision.
6. Request from Town Planner re Planning Conference, Casino Planning Workshops.
7. Discussion & Vote to release Executive Session minutes.
D. OLD BUSINESS
1. Chapter 61 – Gibbs property
2. Follow up re Kevin Murphy – Question re Outstanding fees
E. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
F. SELECTMEN’S BILLS
G. OTHER
H. CORRESPONDENCE
I. EXECUTIVE SESSION

MEETING WILL BE HELD AT TOWN HALL
10 NICKERSON AVENUE
MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS

Middleboro: 'dodo' bird benefits?

The Chairman of the Personnel Board, Kevin Cook submitted his letter of resignation to the Middleboro BOS. The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Marsha Brunelle failed to read Mr. Cook's letter to the public. Transparency, Mrs. Brunelle?

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Please note Mrs. Brunelle's subsequent comment.

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Who negotiated the contracts? Weren't you on the BOS, Mrs. Brunelle?

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The following article appeared in the Brockton Enterprise:

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Exiting Middleboro town official blasts "dodo bird" benefits enjoyed by town workers
Personnel Board chairman Kevin Cook criticizes the town’s “ridiculous benefits.”

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After the meeting, selectmen Chairwoman, Marsha L. Brunelle, in reference to Cook’s comments said, “It’s his personal opinion.” She added that “a lot of the issues raised are collective bargaining issues.” Enterprise

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Whether we call it sick leave buy back or sick leave accumulation, isn't Mr. Cook correct? And what of a deceased employee receiving benefits? Does any private sector employer offer the benefit? The following represent blog entries regarding the issue:

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The following contract was negotiated by the Middleboro BOS (see its entirely on link):

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E. Dooney shall be eligible for sick leave pursuant to the following schedule: Upon completion of the probation period, sick leave shall accrue at a rate of one and one-half (1 1/2) days per month, for a maximum of eighteen (18) days per calendar year. Unused sick leave may be accrued from year to year up to a maximum of 225 days. No compensation will be provided for unused sick leave.

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ARTICLE 10. DEATH DURING TERM OF EMPLOYMENT If Dooney dies during the term of his employment, the Town shall pay to his estate, at such time as Town Meeting shall vote to appropriate, all the compensation which would otherwise be payable to him up to the date of death, including, but not limited to holidays, personal days, and unused vacation. Middleboro Town Accountant's Contract

Sick Leave Buy Backs & Comments

Asleep at the Empty-Prize?

$85,658.61

Sick Pay: Buy Back vs Accumulation

Where's the plan?

....the House of Cards constructed by the failure of voters to pay attention, ask questions, participate and attend Town Meeting threatens to collapse.
A review of the STM Warrant discloses additional sick leave buybacks, yet the figures have never been calculated or accrued, the time never recorded. The IT Director recently stated that the Town wouldn't have the capacity to track that information until 10/1/07.
The recently hired Town Accountant has a comparable provision in his contract. He can accumulate up to 275 days sick leave. A salaried employee whose contract only requires a 4 day work week gets SICK PAY?

Middleboro: Life is complicated enough ....

A wise man once said that if you were going to lie, you better have a good memory.

Since life is so complicated and few seem to have the appropriate memory, it seems to make sense -- even when trying to make a public relations case or sell what is going on in Middleboro.

Those who have misstated the facts and subsequently contradicted themselves clearly believe no one is paying attention. But others are beginning to watch BOS meetings and remember what has been said. And many are pointing that out to me.

At one point, a fire fighter spoke at the Middleboro BOS meeting and explained that AMR ambulances were being dispatched from Natick and that was delaying the emergency response.

Was it?

And those who have followed some of my posts are fully aware that I have listened to town residents, the ones who are paying the bills, complain about 4 vehicles responding to emergency calls.

On my way to the BOS meeting this evening, I noticed that 2 police cruisers and the Middleboro Fire Department Rescue vehicle had responded to a home on Wood St.

Proceeding down Wood St., the AMR ambulance, lights flashing, travelling at full speed raced to the scene.

Town residents have complained to me that the Middleboro Police cruisers and the Fire Department Rescue vehicle leave the Central Fire Station long before the AMR ambulance.

They have commented about being near the Central Fire Station or sitting at intersections and witnessing the town vehicles with AMR long delayed.

Lest you become convinced that their observations are questionable, allow me to share a personal tale.

Several weeks ago, after enduring the 'flu' that developed into respiratory problems, it became evident that I had to call an ambulance for transport to Morton Hospital with oxygen. When I placed the call, I explained that it wasn't a life-threatening emergency (surely, a disappointment to some), but was experiencing difficulty breathing.

Two police cruisers and the Fire Department Rescue truck arrived first.

Several minutes later, AMR appeared, sirens blaring, travelling at full speed.

On the way to Morton with oxygen, I asked the EMT where AMR was being dispatched from these days. He assured me that AMR was being dispatched from the Central Fire Station.

Now I'm really confused and maybe the Selectmen can explain this issue to me.

If 4 Emergency Vehicles are being dispatched from the same location, why are others observing that AMR Ambulance arrives last? Why are others observing that AMR ambulance is leaving the Central Fire Station after the Middleboro Fire Rescue vehicle? Why do we need 4 vehicles responding to emergency situations? What happens to the Town's liability when a person requiring ALS doesn't receive it in a timely fashion because of whatever policy is or is not in place?

What happens when someone dies because of the policy that causes the delay in dispatching AMR ambulances? What happens if it's your loved one?

What is the policy that's in place? Maybe the BOS can explain what the policy is and why lives are being jeopardized on their watch. Is this what is causing the overtime in both departments?

The comments of others who have witnessed the same would be appreciated. Does this require an explanation from the BOS?

Middleboro Selectmen's Agenda March 31, 2008

SELECTMEN’S AGENDA
Monday, March 31, 2008

A. SELECTMEN’S MINUTES
March 3, 2008 and March 24, 2008

B. HEARINGS, MEETINGS & LICENSES
7:05 PM Health Officer Discussion re Massage Regulation issue and
Kevin Murphy’s Installer permit – owes municipal fees
7:15 PM Public Hearing Class II Auto Application
7:30 PM Executive Session

C. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve appointment of Bridgewater Permanent Police Officers as Special Police Officers.
2. Request Permission for Tag Fund Raising Dates.
3. Request from Sacred Heart Parish for One-day All Alcoholic Beverages Liquor license.
4. Request from Rocky Meadow Development Corp. for one-year extension for E.R. Permit.
5. Town Hall Rental Request – MA Highway Public Hrg. Re Rte 44 Intersection.
6. Discuss ATM/STM Warrant Articles.
7. Surplus Equipment for dump disposal.
D. OLD BUSINESS
E. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
F. SELECTMEN’S BILLS
G. OTHER
H. CORRESPONDENCE
I. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pending Litigation/Collective Bargaining

MEETING WILL BE HELD AT TOWN HALL
10 NICKERSON AVENUE
MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS

Town of Middleborough

Middleboro and Energy Savings: Are we even asking?

The following article was published in November 2007 reporting energy savings by the Taunton School System:

School district energy savings plan coming to fruition

By Gerry Tuoti, Staff Writer
GateHouse News Service
Posted Nov 07, 2007 @ 10:25 PM
TAUNTON —
The school district’s energy program is conserving electricity and saving considerable money, district Energy Manager Matthew Stellar told the School Committee Tuesday.“We hope to achieve a savings of 25 percent over the current year,” he said. “We’re currently on pace for that.”Over the past seven months, the district has realized a $570,000 savings for utilities, Stellar said. The district spent $2.7 million on utilities, but would have had to spend $3.2 million without the energy program. Taunton Gazette

MTC offers Community Energy Opportunities. Their 45 page pdf report includes:

K-12 Schools & College
Residence Halls
- Energy costs are second only
to salaries for many school
districts
- About 30% of energy used is
“waste” energy, from system
inefficiencies
- Low-cost measures can reduce
energy bills by 10% or more;
other investments can yield 25-
30% savings

Government Office Buildings &
Courthouses
-10% of a government agency’s
operating budget is spent on energy
(source: DOE)
- About 30% of energy used is “waste”
energy, from system inefficiencies

If Middleboro's town budget is ~ $ 60 Million, what could we save?

Town Manager Candidates: A Re-Visit

During the interview process for a new Town Manager, some of the comments from the candidates were impressive and deserve a review of the Selectmen's Meeting Minutes.

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Mr. Peter Fohlin serves as Town Manager for Williamston. You may recall that Selectman Spataro publicly insulted the candidate in a bizarre display.

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The following are comments that were striking:

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Mr. Fohlin said there needs to be a common understanding of the word “deficit”.

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He said just because everyone asks for more than we can afford does not necessarily constitute a deficit, but rather a “disappointment”.

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He said the first thing to do is to determine what the actual deficit is. He created a spreadsheet to address this.

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After a couple years, he was able to perfectly forecast the deficit and noted a perpetual half million dollar deficit. This would require an override every year.

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The fundamental way to cure it is to “tighten our belts and reign in our budgets”. He said he believes in revenue driven budgets, not expense driven.

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He said there are 2 choices: more revenue or less spending. He said he didn’t know the long history of Middleboro.

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At the end of a day, a realist can project State aid.

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Once you do this, you balance your budget, figuring what you can and can’t live without. He said he didn’t believe in “saving our way to success”.

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You can’t turn to employees and not give raises because that “can’t buy the groceries”. He said intelligent choices need to be made in balancing expenditures and revenue. It is not complicated.
Town of Middleborough

Middleboro Selectmen's Agenda March 24, 2008

The following Agenda is posted in the Bank Building (copied long hand, not on the Town's Web Site):

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A. Selectmen's Minutes 3/17/08
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B. Hearing, meetings, licenses
7:05 Conservation Commission
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C. New Business
1. Approve and sign warrant for Annual Town Election
2. Vote to appoint a member of Board of Registrars
3. Request from Middleboro Youth Softball League for placement of sign on Town Hall lawn
4. Request for MYSL for Board to publicly announce date of league's 2008 Opening Day
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D. Old business
1. Public announcement re: Community Outreach Emergency Preparedness
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E. Town Manager's Report
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F. Selectmen's Bills
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G. Other
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H. Correspondence
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I. Executive Session
Pending litigation/Collective Bargaining

Selectmen's Agenda 3-24-08

A comment was made at Candidates' Night that the Middleboro BOS would be discussing Quarterly Tax Billing at their 3-24-08 Meeting.
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The Agenda isn't posted on the Town's Web Site, does anyone know what's on the Agenda?

Middleboro #1

During the past year, many of us have had an opportunity to meet residents of Middleboro and listen to their suggestions, ideas, complaints.
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One of the most striking impressions I gathered from listening to voters was the sense of disenfranchisement, that no one listened or responded to complaints. Problems brought to the attention of the Board of Selectmen are ignored. The unnecessary frustration level was evident.

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A complaint was presented to the BOS at Monday's meeting (3/17) that will be ignored.
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Residents and Town Employees of Middleboro offer an untapped resource.
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Because the single Monday Night Selectmen's Meetings are frequently filled with hearings and important business, the idea has been tossed around to offer a Saturday Morning work session intended to process the town's bills for payment, offer ideas and suggestions in a less formal environment, listen to voters, speak with department heads.

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The disconnect between the Board of Selectmen and department heads became embarrassingly conspicuous last year by the questions posed by the Selectmen that clearly indicated a lack of familiarity.

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The need to maintain a dialogue is obvious.

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It has been suggested that periodic reporting of the business of each department would allow voters to understand the changes in needs during the course of the year.

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Rather than publishing the departmental statistics in only the Annual Town Report presented to voters, wouldn't a monthly or quarterly comparison of the previous year's figures provide for a greater understanding?

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And few residents understand the responsibilities that fall within the jurisdiction of each department.

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Many of the issues revolve around the lack of transparency which remains unchanged.

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If townspeople are paying the bills, shouldn't they have the information? Shouldn't their complaints be heard?

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One of the major concerns is the necessity of a full-time, experienced Town Manager who is an active and involved participant of THE TEAM.

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The following job listing appeared on the MMA site and hopefully represents sincere efforts by the BOS to fill the position in a timely fashion:

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Town Manager

Town of Middleborough

Middleborough, Mass. (population 21,100), is seeking a Town Manager. Salary up to $130,000. Town is 40 miles south of Boston near Route 495/24 interchange. Town Manager reports to five-member board of selectmen, elected for three-year terms. Town has a $60 million budget; 125 full-time employees. Town Manager should have strong communication skills, ability to work with citizens and department heads, strong financial management skills, and negotiation skills. B. A. required; M. A. desirable; 10 years of municipal management experience, or equivalent, required. Resume and cover letter by mail to MMA Consulting Group, Inc., 41 West St., Boston MA 02111, by March 31, 2008. EOE/AA. (exp. 3/31) MMA

Money is Money, Revenue is Revenue

Most voters have listened to the Middleboro Board of Selectmen create an effective argument about the need for NEW REVENUE, NEW BUSINESS, NEW COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

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And of course, the Selectmen fail to disclose the development they've chased away.

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Some, perhaps many, accept the soundbyte because it seems to make sense.

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In very simple terms, I have argued that whether Middleboro attracts a new business that pays real estate and excise taxes or that Middleboro saves money or generates interest income, it's a dollar. It's money in the coffers regardless of the source.

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Middleboro has been truly blessed with a municipal gas and electric company that allows the Town to avoid borrowing because of the cash flow created. It's FREE MONEY to Middleboro that could and should generate INTEREST INCOME.

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In the Department of Revenue Report made available to the Middleboro Board of Selectmen in May 2007, the DOR recommended Quarterly Tax Billing, combined with Bi-Monthly Payroll.

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The IT Director, the Assessor and Town Treasurer have conspicuously opposed those efforts. And the Middleboro Board of Selectmen, after almost a year, appear unwilling to do their own research or make those complicated math calculations and do the right thing for taxpayers.

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When I posed the question to Mr. Shea, a candidate for Assessor in the April Town Election, the following is his response LINK:

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Quarterly tax billing would allow Middleborough to bill approximately 25 % (plus 2 ½%) of the prior year’s levy on July 1, due August 1, and another 25% (plus 2 ½%) on October 1, 2008.

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On July 1, 2008 the Collector can send out bills totaling about 6.9 million dollars. We would have most of that in the town’s coffers on or around August 1, 2008.

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The Collector would again, on October 1, 2008, send out bills for about 6.9 million dollars, due November 1, 2008.

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For sake of discussion, to make a point, let's say: The Collector can charge 14% interest per annum on delinquent taxes. We all know this.

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Could it not be argued that Middleborough is losing this 14% (call it an opportunity cost) for the amount of time it does not have those tax dollars in a Town account? If so,

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Amount of tax times 14% divided by 12 months, times 5 months (August thru December)

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$6,900,000 x .14 / 12 x 5 = $402,500 Amount of tax times 14% divided by 12 months, times 2 months (November and December) $6,900,000 x .14 / 12 x 2 = $161,000

Total interest lost = $563,500 (opportunity cost lost)

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This appears to be an absurd amount, but the mathematical logic is there. I used 14%. Try it with 7% ($281,750) or 3.5% ($140,875) or 4% ($161,000). Jessie Powell is not so wrong, is she?

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The Assessing Department merely has to provide a data dump including all new owner’s names and addresses subsequent to January 1, 2007, and an approximate assessment of any new real estate parcels “created” since January 1, 2007 (lots or condos). Any “new” accounts should already be in the assessor’s system by June 1, 2008 anyway.

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If elected, I will try my best to persuade my fellow officials to “Go Quarterly”.

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Just remember: The Assessing Department,…The buck starts here.

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Chuck Shea

Has anyone noticed .....?

To add to the laundry list of OLD BUSINESS that the Middleboro Selectmen successfully ignore, has anyone noticed the TRASH FEES?

Weren't there promises to re-visit the issue, address the costs?

It has been discussed that it should become an Enterprise account.

Maybe the Middleboro Selectmen could employ those ghostly haunts to get their business accomplished.