140 citizens from all over town - not a NIMBY neighborhood - signed a citizen's petition designed to place control of all spending by the Water Commissioners under the BoS. The BoS voted to recommend indefinite postponement of the article. My vote was based on procedure, practicality and the fact that I am confident recommendations coming out of the audit of the enterprise funds will propose significant changes in the way business is done not only at the Water & Sewer Commissions but in Town Hall.
I don't expect you to have that same confidence. Why should you after last year's events? I understand you're angry and distrustful. So am I.
In my opinion this citizen's petition very appropriately serves to remind Town Hall that we're on probation and we're not out of hot water yet. I'm not sure that's the message Town Hall is getting but I am sure it's the message being sent. I get it.
Please attend Town Meeting, Monday, November 15. Your vote does make a difference.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
DEMOCRACY ISN'T A SPECTATOR SPORT
VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - STATE ELECTIONS
This November is a watershed election and yet our Town Clerk predicts a low turnout. So many men and women have fought and died to protect our right to vote. Why do so many of us take it for granted? Have we grown so complacent we no longer care? Voting gives you an voice. It's an awesome thing. Please vote this Tuesday. If you don't Cohasset's collective voice is muted.
VOTE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15 - TOWN MEETING
On the local level active participation in town government is a privilege not without burden: you must give up one Saturday and one Monday night each year to vote at Town Meeting. That Monday night is November 15. Please plan to have one member of your household attend. If you don't then you abdicate the responsibility for important financial and policy decisions to others - and you give up the right to complain about their decisions!
This November is a watershed election and yet our Town Clerk predicts a low turnout. So many men and women have fought and died to protect our right to vote. Why do so many of us take it for granted? Have we grown so complacent we no longer care? Voting gives you an voice. It's an awesome thing. Please vote this Tuesday. If you don't Cohasset's collective voice is muted.
VOTE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15 - TOWN MEETING
On the local level active participation in town government is a privilege not without burden: you must give up one Saturday and one Monday night each year to vote at Town Meeting. That Monday night is November 15. Please plan to have one member of your household attend. If you don't then you abdicate the responsibility for important financial and policy decisions to others - and you give up the right to complain about their decisions!
TO NOI OR NOT TO NOI Cat Dam Revisited
The Cat Dam NOI* is in a legal permitting process with the Conservation Committee. One group of abutters has retained an attorney who has filed a brief that is under review by Town Counsel. At last Monday night's BoS meeting a majority of the selectmen voted to pull the NOI at the request of these abutters.
In my opinion, the majority intervened in a legal permitting process - before Town Counsel issued an opinion - and subverted the authority of another governing body. To me, this sets bad precedent.
The majority's justification is that these abutters have requested the BoS review the NOI submitted some months ago. It seems the majority never read the NOI. Why not? I did - as well as all the backup data and reports.
The majority want to give the public an opportunity to provide comment and input. Wasn't this talked about for years before the BoS and now during ConCom's permitting process? No one's voice has been silenced.
The majority want to discuss the NOI to determine if it could be 'made better'. On what basis will they do that? None of us is qualified to judge environmental engineering. ConCom is.
The majority propose to accept a plan prepared by an engineer hired by abutters who do not agree with the conclusions of the existing NOI. Does anyone really think the conclusions in this NOI will differ from those of the abutters ?
There is another group of abutters who urged the BoS to allow the process to proceed. Once the BoS has reviewed and possibly submitted the other group's NOI will this group then urge the BoS to pull this NOI? Round and round we'll go.
ConCom is the only town entity having regulatory jurisdiction in this matter. I trust the process and have respect for and confidence in ConCom. In my opinion the BoS should have allowed the permitting process to proceed to conclusion at which point the aggrieved abutters could appeal the decision to DEP and/or the courts.
The majority's action has taken this issue out of the realm of science and law and put it back in the political arena.
*Notice of Intent
In my opinion, the majority intervened in a legal permitting process - before Town Counsel issued an opinion - and subverted the authority of another governing body. To me, this sets bad precedent.
The majority's justification is that these abutters have requested the BoS review the NOI submitted some months ago. It seems the majority never read the NOI. Why not? I did - as well as all the backup data and reports.
The majority want to give the public an opportunity to provide comment and input. Wasn't this talked about for years before the BoS and now during ConCom's permitting process? No one's voice has been silenced.
The majority want to discuss the NOI to determine if it could be 'made better'. On what basis will they do that? None of us is qualified to judge environmental engineering. ConCom is.
The majority propose to accept a plan prepared by an engineer hired by abutters who do not agree with the conclusions of the existing NOI. Does anyone really think the conclusions in this NOI will differ from those of the abutters ?
There is another group of abutters who urged the BoS to allow the process to proceed. Once the BoS has reviewed and possibly submitted the other group's NOI will this group then urge the BoS to pull this NOI? Round and round we'll go.
ConCom is the only town entity having regulatory jurisdiction in this matter. I trust the process and have respect for and confidence in ConCom. In my opinion the BoS should have allowed the permitting process to proceed to conclusion at which point the aggrieved abutters could appeal the decision to DEP and/or the courts.
The majority's action has taken this issue out of the realm of science and law and put it back in the political arena.
*Notice of Intent
BoS AGNDA - Monday, November 8
OPEN MEETING LAW SEMINAR - Recent revisions to the OML will be reviewed by Town Counsel; town boards, committees, commissions are encouraged to attend; the public is invited
POLE HEARING - 19 Atlantic Avenue
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLE REVIEW - Zoning Bylaw revision
POLE HEARING - 19 Atlantic Avenue
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLE REVIEW - Zoning Bylaw revision
BoS AGENDA - Monday, November 1
Introduction of Interim Town Manager, STEVE LOMBARD
CHIEF ROBERT SILVIA - Proposed Plymouth County Mutual Aid Agreement for jJoint fire, rescue and/or ambulance service & acceptance of General laws, Chapter 48, Section 59A
AVA CUCINA - Pledge of Liquor License
2011 BoS LICENSE FEES - Discussion of increasing certain license fees to bring them into line with area towns; fees have not been increased since 1995
2011 FACILITY STICKER FEES - Discussion of increasing both regular and senior citizen facility sticker fees by $10 each
CHIEF ROBERT SILVIA - Proposed Plymouth County Mutual Aid Agreement for jJoint fire, rescue and/or ambulance service & acceptance of General laws, Chapter 48, Section 59A
AVA CUCINA - Pledge of Liquor License
2011 BoS LICENSE FEES - Discussion of increasing certain license fees to bring them into line with area towns; fees have not been increased since 1995
2011 FACILITY STICKER FEES - Discussion of increasing both regular and senior citizen facility sticker fees by $10 each
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)