Swampscott Town Meeting

For those who overlooked it, Ryan Adams commented on Swampscott's purchase of a new fire truck and transparency of process (excerpt below):

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Town Meeting, Part Two

So, here's to the voters of Swampscott - who will this year be given the chance to vote for a new fire truck, to replace the 1988 gem, by increasing taxes for one year only to pay for it, instead of paying for it with interest over the next ten. After the truck is paid for, taxes go back to normal and things move on. People like to know where their money is going and, thankfully, at the local level there's the ultimate potential for this kind of transparency and small d democracy. Let's hope more and more towns start to do this, because it's exactly the kind of creative thinking that could avoid some overrides to begin with.

Middleboro Selectmen As Search Committee?

As a consequence of the three finalists presented for Town Manager to the Board of Selectmen, widespread criticism was expressed regarding the Search Committee's failures to do the basic internet search of information available.

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Were it not for the issues raised on pertinent blogs and within discussion forums, one wonders which candidate might have dazzled the Middleboro Board of Selectmen and secured the appointment.

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Post appointment, the following article appeared in the Sun Chronicle:

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After losing Middleboro post, Mansfield manager blasts foes

D'Agostino characterized the two men's decision to follow him to Middleboro as evidence that Clemmey, in particular, wants to do more than secure the town manager's removal. "He wants to destroy me. No exaggeration," D'Agostino said. "He would like nothing more than to destroy my career. "And, of course, he's going to deny it," D'Agostino continued. "But what else would motivate you to go down to Middleboro? And why would you do that? What would be the reason?"

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"This is how deep it runs here in Mansfield," he said. "It's not a good place to be. It's not a good place to live.

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"Referencing the continued focus on the events that led to the lawsuit, D'Agostino asked: "How would you like to be remembered for the one instance in which it didn't work out?" He added that he hopes citizens will judge his tenure by looking at the sum of his 10 years in Mansfield. SunChronicle

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There are other fiscal and management issues within Mansfield that were overlooked, as well.

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The intent isn't to renew a discussion of the Town Manager Candidates, but rather to question the decision at the most recent Selectmen's Meeting for the BOS to act as Search Committee for the new Fire Chief. Some might say the Board lacks the ability to accomplish its assigned tasks, much less tackle a field in which no single Selectman possesses any expertise.

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To the detriment of the Town of Middleboro, the BOS already acts as the Board of Health, Water Commissioners, Auditors and a number of other responsibilities at which they fail miserably.

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The Board has yet to enact the items included in the Department of Revenue Report, the last several Auditors' Reports, and future planning is not in their sights.

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Future planning? Wha's that? Just wait until there's a crisis to act!

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The job listings posted on the MMA (link to the right) site for the position are rather specific in their qualifications.

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It would seem, if wisdom prevails, that a Search Committee be appointed to do the legwork and solicit qualified candidates.

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Let's stop making appointments in this town based on favoritism, but rather based on qualifications.

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And let's have a separate committee to handle the selection who are better qualified.

Middleboro: Town Meeting May 13, 2008

In addition to the information program being broadcast by ComCast:
Middleboro: Understanding Town Meeting

the Secretary of the Commonwealth offers a guide to assist in undertanding how Town Meeting works:

Citizen's Guide to Town Meetings

An Important Message for all Massachusetts Town Residents

The purest form of democratic governing is practiced in a Town Meeting. In use for over 300 years and still today, it has proven to be a valuable means for many Massachusetts taxpayers to voice their opinions and directly effect change in their communities. Here in this ancient American assembly, you can make your voice heard as you and your neighbors decide the course of the government closest to you. This booklet outlines the forms and procedures used in Massachusetts Town Meetings. As the Commonwealth's information officer, I urge you to read it and make use of it as you engage in the debates and votes that give shape to your Town Government.

William Francis Galvin

Secretary of the Commonwealth

LINK

Michael Quish: New Blog

Although some of us have attempted to remain above the fray and ignore the constant attacks, name-calling and misstatements about us that have been posted in a public venue, patience wears thin.

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Those attacks originate from the singular focus of a few zealous casino supporters, primarily on an internet site maintained by a Raynham business owner.

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My intent is, and has always been to focus on those things that would make Middleboro a better place to live and where cost savings could be achieved.

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Information, education and transparency are sorely needed in Middleboro.

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While there are many who lament about the need for new revenue sources, they overlook or disregard information presented to them about potential cost savings. New Revenue Sources has become the buzz word for those intent on maintaining the status quo.

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As such, it is distracting from my interest and intent to continue to post those attacks within Middleboro Review and a separate forum has been linked. As time allows, historical posts will be added.

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Michael Quish

Energy, Alternatives and RMI

Amory Lovins, co-founder of Rocky Mountain Institute, long known for being ahead of his time in energy issues and solutions, has an email newsletter available and wide-ranging information on the site.

The recent collaboration with the City of Cambridge to achieve energy saving goals are impressive.

Links available below are worth consideration:

City of Cambridge Pushes Energy Efficiency to New Level
RMI Helps the “City of Squares” Cut Greenhouse-Gas Emissions and Use Less Energy

By Natalie Mims

As the “going green” trend grows, local, state, and big-city governments are joining the movement that smart developers and forward-thinking corporations have been leading. Regional and city climate-change initiatives are mounting, and efforts to cut energy use and greenhouse-gas emissions have become as varied and individualistic as the communities themselves. Recently, RMI worked with one Massachusetts city on its energy and greenhouse-gas reductions efforts. RMI

Winning the Oil Endgame, Round 2

In spring 2004, when RMI was writing Winning the Oil Endgame a peer reviewed roadmap for getting the United States completely off oil by the 2040s—the government forecast that oil in 2025 would cost $26 a barrel. By the time we published the study in September 2004, the actual price was nearly $40. Today, with prices pushing through $110, the solutions to America’s oil addiction are worth almost three times as much—conservatively assuming, as WTOE did, that oil’s hidden costs to security, climate, etc. are worth zero. RMI

Examine their site and consider subscribing to their email:
Rocky Mountain Institute

Some might ask: Where is Middleboro?

Middleboro: Understanding Town Meeting

ComCast will broadcast the program explaining how Town Meeting works:

Monday and Tuesday at 6:00 PM on Channel 95

Wednesday and Thursday at 7:00 PM on Channel 9

The programs will be broadcast this week and the following week.

Please watch and if you have any questions, please ask before ATM so accurate answers can be posted.

Middleboro: Town Meeting May 13, 2008

To the credit of many people, working together, Middleboro's budget and ATM Warrant are available for consideration on nemasket. (To reduce spam, you need to register.)

There are significant zoning and by-law changes that voters should examine and consider before their presentation at ATM.

DON'T FORGET TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

MAY 13, 2008

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A NUMBER OF EMAILS HAVE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS THAT CAN BE FOUND HERE ON NEMASKET.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDING THE WARRANT, BUDGET AND DISCUSSION MAY BE FOUND ON THE FORUM.