BOS rule change discussion
Here is video of the BOS discussion from 8/9/2010 about proposed rule changes that many see as a serious curtailing of the public’s ability to speak. Public comments would need to be submitted on the Wednesday before the meeting.
.
In the video, resident Allin Frawley expresses his concern with the change and explains how it introduces a time lag that can exceed two weeks during the summer schedule.
.
What cracks me up in this meeting is the mass confusion from the BOS as they try to limit the speech of people they don’t like and allow it for others resulting in painful gyrations that finish up with Selectman Mimi Duphily withdrawing her wish to comment to avoid a “pissing match” with residents and Selectman Brunelle observing that they might have to clarify the rules a little more. I would suggest this addendum to the six pages of proposed rules: “Residents we don’t like can’t speak at all and all others can speak at will – so long as they’re not commenting in a way that disagrees with us”. I think that should pretty much cover it.
.
Do you feel represented yet? BTW – what is the proper term for a female BOS member: Selectman, Selectperson(seems awkward), Selectwoman? Maybe I’ll request to put the question to the BOS during public comment and we’ll have an answer in 2.7 weeks.
Hee hee hee. Requiring that public comments be submitted in writing prior to the selectman’s meeting…
That’s the same move the chairman of the Bridgewater Board of Selectmen tried to pull – shortly before the pubic decided it had had enough, and voted to change the town charter and transition to a Town Council form of government.
Food for thought, Middleboro.
@Gladys Kravitz
Indeed – let the pubic speak.
So how do we institute that kind of change in Middleboro? I am getting tired of voters who complain but don’t show up at the polls.
Well, for one thing, our Board was really just off the chain for years – shorter school days, endless overrides, town employees on the Board voting on raises in their own department, firehouse closings, police layoffs, pay-for school bus, over-building, inappropriate building, poor to none economic development, then the stuff with the no public comments or submitting public comments for prior review. There was a palpable hostility between the “town” and the “public” they served.
So when you really engage the public’s interest – through schools, through cuts in public service, THEN you tell the public to shut up – well that I think was the perfect storm.
Lots of people really got involved who hadn’t been before (like in Middleboro with the casino issue). The Internet, local citizens involvement groups, and school sports networking helped spread the word.
People often disagreed over the various over-rides, but the majority started agreeing that they wanted change in government. A committee was formed to study alternate town governments (the town had to vote on it at Town Meeting – article 43 at 11:00 at night – gak), and spent over a year developing recommendations. Then we got to vote on the several recommendations in a ballot vote.
This web site (warning it loads slowly) is a great source of information, including video, that may be helpful to understanding how to change your form of town government, as well as different forms of town government. http://www.bridgewatervoteyesonone.com/
Middleboro seems to have a somewhat different situation. It’s bigger land-wise, smaller population, more economic development, wiser land use, less issues with the schools and public safety.
So, the presence of morons on your Board of Selectman could really continue for years under those conditions, while still maintaining a minimum level of public confidence.
Now that was funny. I just wonder if Marsha has to submit her own comments to herself before speaking at the BOS meetings?