$1.9M Article at Fall Town Meeting
October 10, 2006
The second item on last night's Board of Selectmen Agenda was to discuss the $1.9M request for funds to augment the new Regional High School project. Mark Oliari motioned that an Article be placed on the November Fall Town Meeting (November 13th, 7:30 pm) to authorize the $1.9M proposal; that the funds would come from general operating funds and not an over-ride. Marybeth Lawton promptly seconded the motion.
Selectmen Oliari continued that he was perplexed by the community arguing so strongly to support education, while the special tax check-off for education has only resulted in $841.47 in funds. Mr. Oliari then made public a donation of $841 to match the funds received so far; stating that "this money is for the District, and not just the Town." (Selectman Kravitz also made a contribution of $841 to the District.)
Selectwoman Lawton then spoke of a "need to hold the line on new taxes." That she has concerns about the project, and is going forward based on assurances by the Superintendent that no further funds will be needed. Ultimately, a vote was called, and the Selectmen voted 5-0 to put the Article on the Fall Town Meeting Warrant.
I believe it is important to understand Marybeth's concern, and the fact that an assurance from a hired employee of the B-R District really does not carry any significance. This would be the same as a statement from Bridgewater Municipal Administrator Paul Sullivan that the Town will or will not look to future over-rides. For some reason, the Selectmen feel the need to come to agreement with an employee of another entity. Put another way, should the Bridgewater-Raynham School Committee begin inviting the Bridgewater Municipal Administrator to B-R Meetings to get assurances on various matters?
The Municipal Administrator and School Superintendent are both important and vital positions. However, they are both hired positions and thus impotent in their abilities to make these assurances. Neither has the authority to bind these types of issues. In Bridgewater, decisions are made by five elected representatives, and for B-R Schools by eight elected representatives.
So, the Selectmen voted to place the Article on the Warrant. And, at least one Member of that Board received assurances that I contend do not matter.
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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