RULE LOVING LETTER: Town Meeting Dreaming
Dear Editor,
Saturday, Jan. 26, sunrise and the day began at a crisp, but sunny eight degrees. A dusting of snow accented the temperature. Arriving at the Performing Arts Center, I was surprised to see a full complement of shuttle buses dropping off the elderly with their walkers and wheelchairs. I could hardly believe how many braved the cold to have their voices heard at Town Meeting.
As I entered the lobby, a health worker was handing out masks for those battling the flu, but wanted their voices to ring out loud and clear. Another surprise in the lobby were all the Groton Youth Hockey jerseys present. One of the parents informed me that all scheduled games had been forfeited to allow the parents to attend Town Meeting. Even the basketball games scheduled for the Middle School were cancelled.
As I continued down the hall, parents were seeking out the free sitters in the cafeteria. Could any more accommodation have been offered to ensure that the maximum number of voters had access to Town Meeting?
As I entered the Center, I had never seen so many parents of newborns in the audience. Many years have passed since I was blessed with the opportunity to hold my children at Town Meeting.
I must have dozed off for a minute, the dream seemed so real. I awoke to the person who shouted out that anyone who wanted to vote could come to Town Meeting.
At the Selectmen's Meeting to determine the order of the four articles, the initial order presented was for the largest monetary amount first and in descending order. Following debate the order was changed to put the fire house third and the reason given was to ensure the smaller article would have a strong showing of voters, no matter that the one-year cost of the two smaller articles, combined, was less than the annual cost for 22 years of the fire station. The plan worked perfectly; 360 plus voters for the two smaller articles, then the migration out the door, and only 292 votes counted for the amendment and fewer for the main motion itself. 3.9 percent of registered voters cast a vote and only 2.7 percent actually voted for the main motion.
There was no emergency declared to have this vote at a Special Town Meeting. If there was a commitment to engage all voters and ensure the maximum number of voters casting a ballot and having their voices heard, this article could have been presented at Fall Town Meeting, with debt exclusion, and the article would have been on the November ballot ensuring maximum turnout. We will be either an inclusive, caring town which supports the diverse interests of the community through the ballot, or perceived to be a town controlled by special interest groups through Town Meeting.
Despite all the hard work and hours and hours of work to build a case for the new firehouse, it will never enjoy the mantle of ballot respectability, but simply be perceived as a monument to special interest power politics. Those committed to this project did not deserve this perception. The ends do not justify the means.
Nominations are being filed, candidate night is not far away, nor is the Lost Lake Sewer Project. A template has been built to exclude ballot participation. Build a budget that can absorb a few years of debt payments, place the article on the warrant to ensure the minimum number of voters and what will not be passed. I will be asking all candidates, that if elected, will they pledge to place all articles on the warrant in descending amount order and all articles requiring bonding will be presented for debt exclusion and sent to the ballot.
These will be the first criteria to earn my vote. If you think this is a reasonable request, send an email or letter to Selectmen and let your voice be heard. If you think the status quo works, let them hear your voice as well. We have arrived at a crossroad and the direction we travel will be up to those who speak up and vote their beliefs.
Sincerely,
Rule loving
Townsend Road
