At the Selectmen's Meeting of November 26, much transpired that apparently was overlooked, that the press neglected or perhaps it required too much effort to explain to you, the voter.
This is significant stuff.
The headlines should have read
'BOS By Pass FinComm in violation of Town Charter'
And it requires an effort to explain some hidden history.
A number of years ago, when this current BOS ascended the throne, the Finance Committee was conducting their meetings on Wednesday evenings.
The former Town Manager would attend the FinComm meetings, monopolize the agenda, and disrupt the meetings and nothing was accomplished.
And the BOS in their arrogance were dissatisfied with the recommendations of the FinComm.
That began the relationship that the BOS consider hostile -- the Finance Committee trying to do its job, fulfill their responsibility, and refusing to yield to Mr. Perkins' fiscal irresponsibility.
Those contract recommendations were well-considered and fiscally responsible, but opposed the BOS mismanagement philosophy.
You might recall that the FinComm recommended against the union contracts that Selectman Wayne Perkins single-handedly negotiated that provided 36% pay raises to certain unions and many other goodies that don't want you to know about.
And this is part of how Middleboro got to where it is.
Bravo, Mr. Perkins!
(It might be worth consideration for voters to review the last names of town employees.)
To comprehend the arrogance of this BOS, it is worthwhile to comprehend the functions and responsibilities of the FinCom that are posted separately and the Middleboro Town Charter posted below, as well as consider the reasonableness of balancing the power and checks and balances.
Those few of you who bothered to attend the Nov. 5th STM (Special Town Meeting) may recall that when the Finance Committee was asked about their recommendations, they indicated that they had ONLY RECEIVED some of the information THAT DAY.
Those who attended the Nov. 5th STM were made aware that the hastily constructed 'Warrant' of Articles was advertised missing one Article, were illegally worded and the day was spent working out legally acceptable language.
Those who attended were aware that the paper Warrant that was distributed differed vastly from what was read or voted on by those in attendance.
If you don't like the way the town is run, maybe you need to attend Town Meetings to watch this conduct.
If you wonder why your taxes are so high and services are being cut, don't you think this is important?
Of the FINANCE COMMITTEE this is part of the Town Charter:
SECTION FIVE: The committee shall consider and advise as to all matters relating to proposed appropriation and the matter of raising the amounts appropriated, and shall report in writing at each town meeting on all articles in the warrant relating to the appropriations or borrowing of money or the indebtedness of the town, with the exception of its action on the annual budget.
The committee may make recommendations in writing at any time to the town, or to the Board of Selectmen, relating to the financial affairs of the town. It shall submit to the town at the Annual Town Meeting a report showing appropriations recommended for each fund or department, the estimated income from all sources, exclusive of taxes on property and poll taxes, the amount required to meet charges for interest and maturing indebtedness, and the estimated amount to be levied and raised by taxation to meet all expenses and liabilities of the town. Said report shall be filed with the Town Clerk on or before fifteen days prior to the fourth Monday of April, however, if not timely filed there will be no adverse affect to any action taken at town meeting.
For the purpose of enabling the committee to perform its duties all Boards, Committees and Officers of town shall, on or before the twentieth day of January of each year, submit to the committee in writing, a detailed estimate of the appropriations required for the efficient and proper conduct of the departments under their charge during the ensuing fiscal year, and of all items of income to be received by such departments during said year and shall at any time, furnish any other information relative thereto in their possession which may be requested in writing by the committee.
MORE TO COME IN THE NEXT POST
1 comment:
Our selectmen must not have enough to do. The also want to do the job the VOTERS of Middleboro ELECTED the FINANCE COMMITTEE to do. Many people feel that the Board of selectmen don’t listen to them. It could be the they do things like this. If the selectmen have so much time on there hands maybe the could help out the Information Technology department and fix the towns website that is filled with inaccurate information.
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