Thank you, Mr. Perkins!

Brockton Enterprise reported --

Middleboro official blasts state for Quinn bill mess
Towns must still fund benefit for police officers
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By Alice C. Elwell
ENTERPRISE CORRESPONDENT
Posted Apr 21, 2009 @ 03:00 AM
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MIDDLEBORO — Finance Committee Chairman Richard J. Pavadore greeted the House budget’s $1 million cut in state aid to Middleboro with one word, “Wow.”

Pavadore said reports the state isn’t going to fund the Quinn Bill provisions don’t sit well with him.

“If the state doesn’t fund it, why do we have to,” he said.But he says it’s not that simple, because Middleboro taxpayers are contractually obligated to the provisions.

Pavadore said last year nearly $300,000 was paid to 23 police officers as a career incentive under the Quinn Bill, with the state picking up 50 percent of the cost.

In addition 30 firefighters were paid $92,800.95 in educational incentives.

He said the Police Department budget is already down to the bare bones, and he doesn’t see where $300,000 can come out of that budget, because the town is under contract for minimum manning requirements through selectmen’s negotiations.

Pavadore said other departments will have to make up the difference, unless a one-time revenue can be found to make up for it.

He said taxpayers are funding the cost of the higher education and then paying the employee annually for having a degree. He said in many cases, degrees are not necessary for the position.

“I think we’re in good shape, based on what the town manager has forecast in state aid for 2010,” said Middleboro Assessor/Appraiser Barbara Erickson.

Town Manager Charles J. Cristello instructed a town-wide budget reduction of 31/2 percent to close a $1.3 million deficit. Cristello estimated the town would get $19,437,628 in state aid. The proposed House budget released on Friday is $19,678,743 in state aid for Middleboro.

Of that amount, the School Department will get the lion’s share, $17,290,908.
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Mr. Pavadore, always politically correct and professional, doesn't tell you that Wayne Perkins negotiated the contract that included the provision that provides that the Town will fully fund the Quinn Bill if the state doesn't.

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That was the contract that Mr. Perkins kept insisting was 3%, 3%, 3%, when in fact, I finally got him to acknowledge at Candidates' Night the he had negotiated

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36%, 3%, 3%

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Do you ever wonder what Mr. Perkins told you that is incorrect?

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Mr. Perkins also negotiated the contract that extended the Quinn Bill to the Fire Department. How many other towns do that? Find one and post it in the comments section, please.

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Mr. Perkins might have done so believing that it ensured his re-election.

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Judging from the election results, Mr. Perkins had to actively campaign for a nominal position of Town Moderator against a relatively unknown new comer and only won by a narrow margin.

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How'd that work out for you, Wayne? Are you still planning to run for Selectman next year?

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Putting the contracts in perspective, Wayne negotiated 36% pay raises along with a continuation of employees only contributing 10% of the health care premiums with a $5 co-pay.

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Find other municipalities that do so and post in the comment section.

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Collective bargaining contracts are public record if you care to do your own research.

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Prop. 2 1/2 allows basically for a 2 1/2% increase in revenue.

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How could Mr. Perkins justify this kind of legacy? Please say thank you next time you see him.

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You still think town government is unimportant?
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And BTW, we're still using one time revenues to balance the budget.
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That's like selling your furniture to buy food.

Cheap Seat Revisited After The Election

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Steven Spataro said:
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Take out the nomination papers. Run and see if you get elected.

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How'd that work out for you, Steve?

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There is no word if Mr. Spataro is available for the starring role in Cheap seats - the musical

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In the aftermath of the disrespectful comments by 3 members of the Board of Selectmen: Steven Spataro, Marsha Brunelle, Patrick Rogers, I hand-delivered a letter to the Board requesting that they publicly apologize for their offensive comments.

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(Incidentally, Mrs. "Gavel Queen" Brunelle is incorrect about what the law says about meeting minutes.)

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Instead of an apology, Mr. Spataro, at Candidates' Night launched into another attack, labelling those who raised issues and asked questions as "Rabid Followers," whatever that means.

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How'd that work out for you, Steve?

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Voters appreciate all of the work Mr. Spataro did to elect Steve McKinnon to the Board. Thanks Mr. Spataro for all the work you did helping to change the tone of the Town and the tone of the Board!

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In the aftermath of the close elections, voters have expressed unsolicited comments to me about the conduct of the remaining incumbent members of the Board of Selectmen, in particular, our very own Gavel Queen, Marsha Brunelle seen in the video commenting about being Sick and Tired of This Crap, and Patrick Rogers referring to people of a certain caliber.

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Note to Patrick Rogers: Those PEOPLE OF A CERTAIN CALIBER? Might you be referring to voters?

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The arrogance of the 3 Selectmen in the Cheap Seats video defines how the few have run the Town and treated voters they were elected to represent. Apparently, they decided that they only represented those with whom they agreed.

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Voters seem to have decided that it's not the way it works.

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On a separate related note, it needs to be noted that Wayne Perkins, historically assured of re-election based on generous contracts he negotiated that put the Town in this hole (36% pay raises, anyone? A secretary making $86K a year?*), was elected as Town Moderator by a narrow margin, in spite of vigorous campaigning, against a relative newcomer. Mr. Perkins, unaccustomed to campaigning for re-election, was planning to run for Board of Selectmen next year. Think again, Wayne!

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Can anyone even imagine such a close contest for Town Moderator?

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It needs to be reiterated that Wayne Perkins, as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen thought nothing of ignoring those who stood at the microphone wanting to address the BOS.

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Wayne, we hope you will conduct yourself in a different fashion as Town Moderator. It is a position that can be subject to Recall. You wouldn't want that now, would you, Wayne?

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*Newcomer to the BOS, Mr. Rullo noted during his first BOS Meeting that the Fire Department has "Quinn Bill" benefits. That is, the state program that is partially reimbursed by the state for educational incentives for the Police Department ONLY that is known as the Quinn Bill, was negotiated by Wayne Perkins and extended to the Fire Department. Not to worry! It only costs you, the taxpayer $100K plus per year. Want to know why fire stations are closed?

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Kudos to Mr. Rullo for publicly asking the right questions! Please keep it up and explain to the viewing public what these little goodies mean and what they cost. That's how we got in this mess!

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Annual Town Reports are available in the Town Clerk's Office. They're worth owning and saving to review. They're worth reading and provide some interesting information if you take the time and want to know where your tax dollars go.

Stupid Comments I Have Known

From the Brockton Enterprise --

“Good faith has been breached,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Adam M. Bond.

Ya think? By the Board of Selectmen with townspeople or the Tribe?

“We need expert legal assistance to get through this,” said Selectman Marsha L. Brunelle.

Classic, out of touch, Marsha comment! Does anyone remember Marsha wanting some 'local' attorney to handle the negotiation? Does anyone remember Marsha REFUSING to allow Amelia Bingham to comment at a public meeting? Maybe if you had listened, Marsha, you would have heard ALL of the evidence contained in the indictment because Amelia had it. Does anyone remember Marsha gravelling voters to silence when they attempted to raise questions? Does anyone remember Marsha's refusal to allow voters, the townspeople who elected her, to discuss the auction of the casino property? Something to hide Marsha?

“The town entered an agreement with the tribe and not the man,” said former selectman Wayne C. Perkins. “I think we still have an agreement.”

Just keep repeating Scotty's Mantra, Wayne "It's Inevitable! It's Inevitable!" after all, you were the one negotiating with Glenn Marshall before anyone knew and you admitted such in a public meeting.

The rest of the Board claimed ignorance (during the 9/15 meeting) because the indictment was newsworthy in the afternoon and the other members at the 7 PM meeting had not received or digested the news.

From Cape Cod Times

Tribal council spokeswoman Gayle Andrews said in a statement that the tribe is deeply saddened. "For the past year-and-a-half, the tribal leadership has worked successfully to get the government up and running and will continue to work on behalf of its 1,600 members."

This is the same Gayle Andrews Peter Kenney wrote about who seems to have difficulty with her heritage and ethnic identity unless $$$$ is involved --

Gayle Andrews: Mashpee or Aquinnah?
While Andrews lived and worked in Florida she identified herself as black -- African American -- and she traded on that racial identity exclusively even though she was also a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe. At one point -- before the Mashpee had gained federal recognition -- Andrews and her mother applied for membership in the Aquinnah (Gay Head) Wampanoag tribe and were accepted. (See 12/04/07 WampaGate link at the bottom) Andrews surrendered her Mashpee membership. Suspicions arose within the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe over the Andrews' historical material and genealogy submitted in support of their application. A year-long investigation resulted in their expulsion from the tribe.

And from Shawn Hendricks suspicious silence ---
Current tribal council Chairman Shawn Hendricks, who served as vice chairman under Marshall his entire seven-year term, ignored a request for comment yesterday outside Barnstable Town Hall.

Cat got your tongue, Shawn? Scott Fearsome not available to present the script? Or are you next? after all, you did participate.

Friend and fellow blogger, at Carl's Casino Quotes pointed out --
This was shady from the beginning and we knew it. Land deals, rammed through agreements, closed door meetings, vilifying any and all opponents, etc.

When you can't discuss the facts and statistics in a respectful manner in a public forum to arrive at a well informed decision and are forced the resort to name-calling, slanderous comments and accusations of racism to defend your position, you know you're wrong.

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