Middleboro: Congratulations!

Congratulations and great thanks to everyone for the results of Saturday's Town Election!

Although some are disappointed for a number of reasons, a great deal has been accomplished.

The change that all of those who participated have begun is truly impressive

and will continue to grow based on the issues and facts.

Voter turnout and participation has significantly increased and more

are focused on information.

More voters are watching and attending the Selectmen's Meetings and asking questions.

More voters are offering suggestions and building a COMMUNITY.

Change takes time, but what a difference all of you have made!

Thank you for being involved!

Jessie

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

VOTE MIDDLEBORO

The following was posted in the nemasket discussion forum and you might want to offer comments and suggestions:

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For the last several years, a number of us have tossed around the idea of a need for a non-partisan group FOCUSED on EDUCATION AND INFORMATION.

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Several of us who made phone calls to remind voters discovered that the lack of publicity and the failure of the Town to announce the Town Elections at the High School as they now have the May 13th ATM, reduced voter turnout. And few voters are aware of the issues.

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We have many newcomers who are unfamiliar with Town Meeting and numerous other issues.

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Stuart Kirsch was collecting signatures for Tom O'Brien for Plymouth County Treasurer and one voter said, in effect, I don't know who he is. I just started to pay attention.' Shouldn't she have an opportunity to meet him at a non-partisan event, maybe the library meeting room? And the other candidates as well?

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Anyone who knows Mr. O'Brien is fully aware that he would be more than amenable to explain everything about county government and then some to an audience.

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And our state reps are up for re-election as well.

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Do we want to begin voter registration and voter 'invitation' next week -- or at least examining the voter turnout, voter list, and targeting neighborhoods with poor registration and poor turnout, a lot of new people.

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We've discussed in this forum and 'Educational/Informational' PAC.

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A lot of new people have come from other areas and are unfamiliar with town meeting.

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The Town Moderator spoke at Oak Point and explained how Town Meeting worked and what all those motions meant. Surely, he would consider explaining how things worked to others to expedite the process.

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Someone suggested that a PAC could raise money to pay for blank signs that say

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VOTE AT ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION

APRIL __________.

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They might be offered to candidates to distribute along with their campaign signs. This should be fun! We could track the success of our endeavor!

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Thoughts and comments?

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Anyone have suggestions to offer?_________________

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'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.' Margaret Mead

Verizon: WAY TO GO!!!!!

Dear Verizon:

You guys are sure impressive!

Each story and delay is new and creative!
That much innovation should not go unrewarded!
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You clearly have individuals on your staff who should work for the Enquire, you know 'Alien Gives Birth to Human.'

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NEVER EVER have your employees repeated the same fairy tale twice!

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Although you're more than 6 months late providing the local access stations you have been advertising and promoting during that period, you have finally come through!

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Thanks so much, Verizon guys!

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But you know that little thing about 'We can hear you now!'

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Could you provide some sound with that programming?

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Not many in town can lip read.

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And while you're at it, could you address some of the other complaints in Middleboro? Like those pre-wired subdivisions? We don't want to disrupt engineers' vacations or equipment and wire that was never ordered, or the extreme complexity of the task, but didn't you PROMISE?

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Are any of you related to our current Board of Selectmen? Just wondering!

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Sincerely,

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A Deaf Middleboro Resident Who Isn't Bothered by the Lack of Audio!

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nemasket

VERIZON

MIDDLEBORO TOWN ELECTION APRIL 5TH

MIDDLEBORO TOWN ELECTIONS

SATURDAY APRIL 5TH

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

POLLS ARE OPEN 8 AM UNTIL 8 PM

Middleboro: Central Fire Station Flaws

Does anyone remember the laundry list of Central Fire Station flaws that was raised immediately upon the former Fire Chief's retirement? Some believed it was a transparent attempt to discredit the former officeholder and grandstand.

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When a copy of the list was requested as a Public Document Request, the charges were excessive, the Middleboro BOS failed to include the list in its entirety in their records and the media failed to include the list.

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A number of the items were clearly trivial, like the burned out light fixture and the small amount of landscaping. Most of the items were clearly maintenance issues.

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What happened to the issue? Since this seemed of utmost importance a few months ago when it appeared that there was money available from the original building construction account, why has the urgency been abandoned?

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?