Why Haven't Town Meeting Study Committee's Recommendations Been Implemented?

Dear Editor,

Anyone who has been following my unsuccessful attempts to initiate meaningful change to the Town Meeting process over the last 17 months, I thank you. This has been an adventure into the curious workings of a process that, I believe, desperately needs improved accountability, structure, and additional transparency.

Despite attempts to speak directly to the Board of Selectmen, The Town Meeting Study Committee, Letters to the Editor, addressing Town Meeting, and most recently the Town By-Law Committee, all my efforts have resulted in no documented structural change.

About a month ago a letter was published suggesting the By-Law Committee discuss some of my ideas for change and submit any of them they felt had merit to the ballot bypassing the Board of Selectmen who, to date, had seen no merit in any of the ideas worthy of formal discussion and a vote to change any policy or by-law. The Town Clerk graciously invited me to a Committee meeting. Much to my surprise, who should attend as a member but the Chair of the Board of Selectmen, and missing from attendance as committee members were another member of the BOS and the Town Manager.

The only legal entity in Town Government that is responsible for changes to the by-laws of the Town is dominated by the very positions who would be most impacted by the changes I am seeking. There seems to be some concern that a sitting member of the BOS may have a position on another elected Committee in the Town.

There doesn't seem to be any concern that this Committee already has sitting members. If this is an appointed Committee, how do you appoint yourself and why? I can almost understand why a member of the BOS would want to be a non-voting advisor, but a voting member?

I hope during candidate's night the moderator will discuss the Town Meeting Study Committees recommendations and why there has been no formal implementation and changes to the by-lays or published public policies of any of the ideas.

Sincerely,

Rule Loving

Townsend Road