To the editor:
It is now less than two weeks between now and Rockport's Fall Town Meeting, and requisite public notification calls for the warrant to be available 10 days before the meeting.
This is an old, traveled road.
The Times of Aug. 7, tells us our selectboard closed the warrant with 13 items, and the story addresses the articles in general. Yet the Times of Aug. 22 tells us that the Selectboard is still struggling with how the article relevant to the purchase of an available bank building is still evolving.
Now, let me inquire as to the legality of this whole meeting process.
Chapter 2, section 2., subsection b., is clear relative to which of the two prescribed Town Meetings should deal with fiscal matters — and it isn't the Fall meeting, "which will be primarily concerned with non fiscal matters."
The Times article specifies several CPA articles worth $531,002 for dispersal for "four projects around town." I don't even want to get into the prospect of whether or not these articles have been vetted by the Finance Committee — which still stands on the Town Web site at six full members — a fact not countenanced by the bylaws.
The article dealing with purchase of the bank building is a different horse, and, if I read the bylaws correctly, the Finance Committee "shall prepare for Town Meeting committee recommendations pertaining to all warrant articles which involve the expenditure of town funds."
To this point, word one hasn't been mentioned about a committee recommendation on this subject. Selectmen mumble about funds from the sale of Carnegie Library, the Avenue properties ad nauseam. When last heard from, the Finance Committee — in the person of the departed Mr. Jacques — made sound judgments for utilizing these funds in reserve. So, why are we discussing this in the fall, before Spring Town Meeting and a complete budget review?
Is it a rush to judgment? I know, times change — and the town administrator will negotiate the potential, or is it, virtual, sale of the bank building. Neither of his resumes that I have seen discuss experience with property purchase, nor does the job description I have, either. But, I guess times change.
Should the moderator appoint members to the Finance Committee? Again, please read your bylaws. The current meaning is clear; a bylaw change would be required, and don't be put off by the phrase, "the charter," because our "charter" is merely statutory in gender. Under the current plan, since by job description, the administrator vets all appointments, wouldn't this include the judgments of the moderator? There is a case in point, presently, about the dismissal of a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Water.
Also, we are to review the bylaws, implicit to a description of the duties of the town administrator. Cut me a break; on a September Monday evening, this town is going to turn out for this stuff? Or, are our mentors really counting on one specific thing; draw a small turnout and pack the house? At least the Patriots aren't on that night.
It seems to me, that funding for a senior center is out of place in this venue. The by-laws forbid carrying articles forward, or "tabling" them. So, how do we negotiate a sale in the fall, utilizing funds that might otherwise be utilized in the budget process come Spring? It doesn't work for me.
A cardinal rule in small town politics is never upset your seniors, or your parents of school age children. I am a senior; we are taxpayers, and we believe in investing in schools as well. We also believe in a level playing field for all players. I agree, the Commission on Aging is a Town Department, and requires first-class attention, but at what cost to other agencies?
With a lame duck selectman, and lack of solomonic wisdom on the selectboard, Rockport is in a helluva lot to trouble.
H.H. Wescott
Rockport
