October 3, 2007
It would be comical if the situation were not so serious, hearing current and a former member of the Bridgewater Board of Selectmen discuss ways for the Town to improve by deregionalizing. Perhaps deregionalization would improve things, but the reasons given are nonsensical.
(1) B-R put us in this mess -- Let's back up and take a look at the numbers. B-R's finances received a split decision at May Town Meeting. With the failure of the June override, B-R had a smaller appropriation. B-R, as allowed by law, resubmitted and on July 30th had the budget approved. This meant that Bridgewater would pay about $1.5M more to the schools. The Selectmen spoke of devastation and the need for a $2.2M override; so why an extra $700k? The Town voted this request down. Now, as we move to Special Town Meeting, the Bridgewater Selectmen have creatively shown $1.1M available. So, in the end, the Town would have been only $400k short of the $1.495M additional B-R appropriation.
(2) Deregionalize to break the back of unions? Are some people who should know this stuff on a different planet? The Regional Agreement speaks to employees receiving same or greater pay upon any regional change; as does Mass General Laws. Perhaps our Selectmen would negotiate a better agreement with the unions in the future (should they have control of the contracts), but compare the concessions on B-R contracts - elimination of Master Medical; single-source provider; all at 85/15 for schools; contracts at 2.5% - vs. Town contracts!
(3) The Selectmen will negotiate to put the new High School facility to better use through some arrangement to save money. Huh? How long have the Selectmen been sitting on the old McElwain school? How long has the Academy Building been mostly empty? Someone mentioned perhaps moving Selectmen offices into the Academy Bldg, but I have yet to see any progress on that money-saving option. So, the community should believe the Selectmen have a better idea and record of success with buildings?
(4) The Town will deregionalize to have better access and control of money. We should talk about open processes. The B-R School Committee had a hearing, many public forums and informational nights on the budget. The School Committee allows the public to speak at EVERY meeting; to ask any questions. The B-R School Committee is completely open with the budget and its process. The Bridgewater Selectmen... just try and ask them a question at a meeting!
(5) Deregionalization will save money, or so some say. Right off the start, it would put $1.1M in regional transportation reimbursement at risk.
(6) Derergionalization will give Bridgewater back control. How is Bridgewater not in control? The School Committee resubmitted (as allowed) it budget. The Town voted on the budget. In reality, this is no different than if the Library made its position known and Town Meeting decided to fund it to a level different than what the Selectmen wanted.
If the Town is to truly find its way forward, and we want a discussion on the merits of a regional school committee, we should put all of town government before the public. Is our current system of five selectmen and a municipal administrator best; or should we move to a better form of town management?
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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