Because the Middleboro BOS were unable to successfully manage the Town Landfill, it was essentially given away in an effort to balance the budget for 1 year using the FAM Account monies - a matter the Finance Committee protested and the DOR (Department of Revenue) criticized.
And then the landfill disaster began.
That Selectman Rogers recently labelled the landfill an 'unmitigated disaster' at least speaks to his honesty of being the lone Selectman to call it for what it is.
The 'Disaster' is costing Middleboro buckets of money the town can ill afford with no end in sight.
Were that not adequate to label the ineptitude of the Board, the Nov. 5th STM was asked to transfer $200,000 for sludge disposal because the Town-operated landfill historically wasn't charging competitive rates.
In simple terms, ALL taxpayers were subsidizing Wastewater customers because the Enterprise account failed to be properly monitored.
Was that part of the reason the landfill was so costly?
A review of the Town Charter, coincidentally not posted on the Town's Web Site, reveals that the Selectmen are charged as Water Commissioners.
The Water Works Rate Hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 was only forced on the BOS because the Town Treasurer alerted them that the rates were at the break even point.
The retired Town Manager informed the BOS earlier in the year that FEES hadn't been increased in almost 20 years. Selectman Rogers has made the point that fees should include development charges to a Board with glazed eyes.
By defining the managerial competence in those limited areas, are voters willing to accept that this TEAM is capable of managing a Town Ambulance Service?
Those of us who have listened to the limited rhetoric offered prior to the Town Meeting from Hell, will recall Mr. Bond's misleading PowerPoint presentation with suggestions that AMR, the private company providing service to the Town was making bundles of money. That he presented the figures incorrectly was overlooked in his fuzzy math, but there have been others who were dazzled by the possibilities of the creation of another fiefdom in town government.
Proclamations of vast sums charged for transport were impressive. Pots of cash at the end of the rainbow!
Reality be damned!
Townspeople have shared their experiences and complaints and misgivings with me, so allow me to share.
In August, I had occasion to call for an ambulance. The charge was just recently paid - almost 4 months later.
The ambulance that responded was ALS - Advanced Life Support with a paramedic.
The amount charged was $867.00.
The amount paid was $405.74.
It should be noted that 4 vehicles responded. Since others have commented/complained about this practice and it appears to be 'routine,' that should be calculated into the cost.
Does $405 adequately compensate for 4 vehicles and medically trained personnel?
In this particular case, there was insurance coverage.
What happens when there is no insurance?
As taxpayers, should we do a little more research before accepting questionable math?
1 comment:
Our family needed to call the ambulance several times over the years for a chronically ill child. His medical needs were registered so that the dispatcher was aware of his needs. Everytime we called a full complement of cruisers and a fire truck arrived. This was totally unnecessary because only the EMTs and transport to the hospital was needed. The system needs to be revamped.
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