Summer Meeting: July 2009 Archives
Note from the MCA: Following is a link to the press release by the Town of
Firstly, this wasn't a decision to hold a summer informational session on a different day. No, it was the outcome of a discussion a few months back at a selectmen work shop (March 26 2009) to do away with the summer informational session altogether per Joel Mudgett from the minutes of that workshop: "given our website, newsletter and many other public relations efforts, if the summer meeting is really needed." A suggestion was made at that meeting to perhaps leave some time at the beginning of the July work session open for public questions and input. Remember, the work sessions do not normally allow for public comment (at least for some members of the public). Secondly, Mr. Borrin moderated the summer meeting last year at the speed of light and frankly, we do not see the need or value to have him “moderate" an informal Q&A at a selectmen meeting. We certainly don't need another session of Borrin's rules of order and seeing citizens getting the bums rush and being cut off when he doesn't like the questions or questioner.
Thirdly, as Chair Karel Crawford said in the press release “While our year round residents can attend meetings on a regular basis and come into Town Hall at any time, this time has been designed especially for our seasonal residents." Really? The why reduce the summer meetings to every 2 weeks and continue to limit public input at the regular selectmen meetings. And while we are at it, what accommodations are made so that these very same seasonal residents can vote during town meeting and have a say in how their considerable tax dollars are spent?
