A Comment from "Concerned Citizen" on Returning to a 5-Member Select Board

We are posting this comment because it raises an important issue, and it speaks to a recent comment to a post on Department Reports at Select Board Meetings. We had requested that the Electric Department and Water and Sewer present reports at Select Board Meetings. The comment pointed at the current Selectmen had not been attending Electric Department or Water and Sewer Meetings regularly.

"It's time to return to the 5-member board. This board is ineffectual and does not represent the best interests of the town. This "dog poop" meeting is a prime example. Perhaps if there had been others, someone might have suggested that the conversation was a waste of time.

With the previous 5-member board, there was representation at the various town meetings, e.g., water & sewer, electric, budget, planning. This does not happen now. How can the board be effective if they do not stay on top of the issues. Being there, observing what goes on, asking questions and participating in the conversations are the only way to do so. Department reports are at best superficial.

At the last Board meeting, Dan Golden strenuously objected to Janette Stewart who seemed to be excluding him in her discussion with Glen Dion. Again, this would not likely be as much of a problem if there were others engaged in the conversation.

When Dennis Potter resigned recently, we were left with only two board members. The concept of "majority rules" was a joke. The position remained vacant for far too long. Given that the third member was then appointed by the two remaining, it would be difficult if not impossible to ensure that the town's wishes regarding an appropriate candidate could be determined. This also left open the possibility that a third member could be selected based only on his/her agreement with the current members. Again, this is not representative government.

If this town is to move forward and tackle the many problems that we face, we need to ensure that the Board of Selectmen truly represents the best interests of the town. And I for one, would feel better about that possibility if we had more voices at these meetings."