Board Of Selectmen In Power Grab
The 1st Selectman of Marlborough, Bill Black last night (10/6/09) proposed the formation of a committee to propose changes in the Charter of Marlborough, suggested as a topic to be reviewed would be the elimination of the Board of Finance or eliminating the ability of the BOF to delete line items from the budget.
With elimination of the BOF the sole power to present budgets to the town would reside with the Board of Selectmen, a body of 3 people.
One has to wonder what other “improvements” to the Charter could be suggested?
Immediately volunteering to be on the committee were Pasquale Amodeo and David Durel. Bill Black immediately rejected Amodeo’s request, noting Pasquale was already on the Board of Finance and could not serve on two boards. No word if Selectman Black will accept Durel’s offer.
If you remember back to the last budget cycle, the BOS refused to make cuts and if the budget passed as submitted by the BOS, we would have had a tax increase of somewhere in the range of 10%. 10% tax increase in a recession.
That budget was defeated by the town. After that budget defeat the BOF went to work, without guidance from the BOS and crafted a budget that eventually passed.
The BOF during the last budget cycle was the only Board willing to do the hard work of crafting a budget that would pass.
With regards to the Hodge disabled veteran issue, the ordinance as crafted would deny Mrs Hodge the exemption if Mr Hodge passes first, and would allow the exemption to be reviewed on a yearly basis by the BOS.
I am wondering why the topic of Charter revision is coming up now? Why did Bill refrain from addressing it during his previous 3+ years as First Selectman or prevoiusly as a Selectman when he was elected in 2003? The Charter Revision process takes about 18 months to complete, which means that any proposed changes would likely not be voted upon until November 2011, when the next elections for the Board of Seelctmen would be taking place.
I’m sure Bill is well aware of the timing. If he can help create another divisive budget cycle this year and set up a confrontation with the BOF, by not suggesting budget cuts and letting the BOF do the heavy work again and be the “bad” guys. He might be able to ride the coat tails of a charter revision back into office for another 4 years.
Of course he is blind to the fact that the majority of Marlborough residents voted the budget down twice. Never heard of before.
The Democrats on the BOS and BOE and BOF had a clear strategy last budget cycle, suggest NO cuts and label all suggestions as arbitrary and dangerous.
Clearly they were gathering political issues and points rather than doing the people’s work even in the light of overwhelming public opinion as expressed by 2 failed budget votes.
The democrat leadership group in this town needs to stop talking amongst themselves and start listening to the people.
This budget cycle is going to even worst when it comes to pressure to raise taxes, without any spending increases at all the budget will have to increase 6 to 8% just to service the increased debt load for money already spent. To get the tax increase down to 2 or 3% will required budgets cuts from this year’s levels of 3 to 6%.
The posturing needs to stop and the work needs to start.
For the record, I have never received a response from Bill Black, Riva Clark, or RTC Chair, Ken Hjulstrom. I sent an email to all three officially volunteering for the charter revision committee.
I checked my email history and did not find an email from Mr Durel nor do I recall receiving one requesting consideration for appointment to the Charter Commission. I am sorry if i missed it, but do not see one as being received. I wish Mr. Durel had called me before posting something insinuating that I am ignoring him, which I am not.
At this point, as Republican Town Committee Chairman, I have not received anything formal from the BOS requesting nominees for appointment to the Charter Commission nor have I or the Town Committee made any recommendations for appointments. Frankly, we have been pretty busy with the elections and that is where our focus is right now.
Personally, I do not understand whay the issue of Charter revision is such a hot topic right now. Bill Black let it sit on the back burner for his last three years in office as First Selectman and for his previous time as Selectman, but now he brings it to the forefront.
As it is, any proposed changes would not be brought to the public until shortly before the 2011 elections, which would include the election of a new Board of Selectmen. Could it be that Mr. Black is simply starting this now so that it would become a topic for the next elections?
In any event, I would ask anyone who is interested in participating in the Charter Commission to write to their respective Town Committee Chairs to express their interest. In the end however, it will be the Board of Selectmen who will make the final decision as to who is appointed to the commission. And since Bill Black and Joe LaBella hold the majority on the Board, they will have the power to select the appointees.
Okay Ken. I’ve resent my request now. As you just replied to another email, I assume you got this one without issue. My apologies if you never received my initial email.
David,
I searched back in my emails and did locate your email regarding being recommended for the Charter Commisison. I apologize for missing it but since we are in the midst of the campaign we have been very busy with those activities.
I would encourage anyone who is interested in seeking endorsement for appointment to any office or position from the Marlborough Republican Town Committee to attend a meeting of the RTC to introduce yourself. Our meeting take place the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30PM in the school library.
I value every person’s energy and enthusiasm, but I do not take it upon myself as the RTC Chairman to make recommendations on behalf of the Party. I want all of the Town Committee members to have the opportunity to meet prospective nominees and to decide as a group about making any recommendations.
Riva Clark has replied with:
No problem, Ken. However, you wouldn’t know that I was interested unless I informed you — hence my email. Thanks.
By the way, this is nothing when compared to what will happen if Lauren Cragg is elevated to a full position on the BOF and the Board of Finance becomes a rubber stamp for Bill Black and the DTC. We need to keep the BOF in a “check and balance” position.