Town Meeting meets Quorum, quick Results
By Shawn on Nov 3, 2009 in Dracut, Dracut Housing, Town Committees/Boards
The town meeting got off pretty much on time. The quorum was close, but we made it (I still would prefer a zero quorum).
The first couple articles quickly were deferred until June. One was about changing the “envelope” around the APR property Mrs Ogonowski lives within.. the other about the town taking over two sewer lift stations.
The Budget item passed easily. It was mostly a reorganizing of some items, and adjusting the revenue figures to meet the actuals we’ve seen so far. (and the GLTech finally got their cash.. lol). At times I wish we could just “call the question” rather than hear all the details, but then again I would complain if I didn’t hear them.
The contentious article turned out not to be Louisburg (which was basically moot, so it was voted on just to get it over with), but the raising of sewer tie-in fees.
Finance Chair Gary Marsella came out saying that homeowner’s sewer rates were “in peril” if this wasn’t passed.
Bill Morin then spoke in favor of the bill, saying that he had had the sewer commission before the “Government Rules and Regulations” committee to explain this to them. In my mind, I was thinking “is that their role? I thought their position was to review the legality of the wording of new bylaws .. not rule on a recommendation of the content.”
Then the fireworks started (other than the microphone feedback problems).
Selectman Jim O’Loughlin came forward speaking to the need. Nobody had come to the selectmen saying why they needed more money, only that “other towns had done it, so why don’t we.” Tewksbury and Chelmsford, he pointed out, were not an example of the direction he wanted Dracut to go in.
He challenged Marsella on using the “in peril” line as a scare tactic. He didn’t believe sewer fees would be raised while the town studied the issue for a few months first. Nobody showed that the sewer commission needed additional money, only that they had found a way to get more.. at the cost of new home buyers and new businesses.
The rest of the Board of Selectmen had agreed with O’Loughlin, except- of course, John Zimini.
Zimini came out and immediately started mocking O’Loughlin’s statements, and made a great old fashioned Democrat pledge to support the “homeowners” and people on “fixed incomes”.
In my mind, once again, I was thinking that he was supposed to be the selectmen in support of bringing new businesses to town. An additional $2500 per unit on larger businesses such as those on 113 could cost a new business another quarter to half million dollars. When comparing locations between towns like Dracut, Tewksbury , etc.. its nice to be on the low side of fees and taxes to be competitive.
The town meeting voted not to defer, but to vote on the article, and then quickly voted to pass it (I belive on the belief that it was saving their sewer fees from increasing). I think this was at a cost to the town of future businesses, but like Obama’s “jobs created or saved”.. that just can’t be measured.
Something may have gone on in the Selectmen’s meeting before the town meeting, I’m not sure (I was over at the Salvation Army meeting). But Zimini did not just come out to speak.. he came out angry again. It seems to be his common theme lately.
It almost feels like we’ve got two people running against each other for office here.. with Zimini building his support structure throughout the town committees, while O’Loughlin is using conservative values to build a support base among the general populace.
PS. Props to Selectman Bob Cox for taking his stand on the Louisburg Vote, and then leading the applause for the woman who lives at the building who spoke to the disgust she felt towards the people who spoke as if she lived in a tenement. She loves her home, and feels that the whole Louisburg argument come down against the seniors in town and the opponents should feel ashamed of themselves.
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Brian Flaherty | Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
I was thinking the same thing about Zimini/O’Loughlin. It seems now that every single issue, no matter what, will be 4-1.
Brian J Bond | Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
Shawn,
My take on Town Meeting was a little different than yours.
I agree Jimmy O’Loughlin came forward speaking to the need, but it was his need to bloviate. In the past the man could sell a rib eye steak to a vegetarian. Today I believe the general populace has had enough of his disrespect, bad behavior and propaganda.
I see last night’s vote as a sign of things to come and other members of the board need to distance themselves from him.
Brian J Bond
jim o'loughlin | Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
Such as when the voters distanced themselves from you?
Brian what you don’t seem to understand is that there are times that you must say what you feel is in the best interest of the community that elected you, even if it may not be the most popular thing to say to a particular group at a particular time. I am afraid that you spend so much time following others that your ability to lead is diminished.
A $2,500 increase in sewer connection fees to new business’ and home owners at a time like this is not a way to attract business, nor does it help to jump-start the building industry, putting to work carpenters, electricians, roofers, etc. Just because your friends supported the article should not make you support it Brian. You should think for yourself. How many trades people are not working? We should be doing all that we can to help to stimulate the economy and that is not done by raising fees and stagnating growth by adding costs.
When are you announcing that you are a candidate for selectman?
Dan | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Town Meeting – I disagree with the zero quorum…by why not just have a mayor and 5 person Town Council? Let them vote on the business of the town. The imput of the tax payers would then be at the ballot box rather than at town meeting….of which there was minimal imput from non-board members / elected officials anyway. Maybe when the Town Manager retires, we should have a change in town structure ready to go.
Why are the non-voter elected committees reporting opinions to the town meeting? Shouldn’t they report to the Selectmen to assist the Selectmen with their decision? It seems awkward to have groups appointed by the Selectmen to offer opinions going against the decisions of the Selectmen in that forum….especially if that group should not be involved in the decision. On a similar point, why wouldn’t the resident of 1476 be called out of order? Her comments had nothing to do with the article being voted on….The article was not to debate the condition of her building or the discussions our elected officials had over it; it was to reverse the previous vote of FinCom. Her discussion would have been better suited for a discussion under old business at the DHA or BOS meetings, wouldn’t it? I’m all for debate on the articles but her comments were way out of place.
On the Sewer issue, I found it interesting that O’Loughlin came out saying he would like the sewer department to present a case for the item in a future meeting and Zimini came out saying the sewer department was recently in attendance at a previous meeting of the selectmen and the questions should have been asked at that time.
If the sewer department did already go to a selectmen’s meeting, then I agree, the questions should have been asked and a decision made to either support or reject to the article at that time. So, did the sewer department attend a recent BOS meeting? I was hoping to read the minutes of the selectmen’s meetings but they aren’t on line! Any idea why when the other boards do post them?
Final point on this…and more of a reason to go to a mayor/council….the article was public information weeks before the Town Meeting. Why did the Selectmen not schedule the sewer folks to meet with them? If articles can’t be voted on, they should be rejected. They can always be re-submitted, can’t they? As a voter who attended, I don’t want to waste my time listening to the reading of things being tabled. Plus, if the council voted not to increase and my rates then went up, as a voter I simply “remember in November when I vote” as clearly happened in Lowell with a couple of their elected officials.
Shawn, as for your comment that “O’Loughlin is using conservative values to build a support base among the general populace,” I’d say he needs to appeal to the general populace first.
He sure looked foolish on the DATV debate which was my first exposure to the selectmen’s meetings. I don’t mind conservative values (especially when it comes to my tax dollars)but I would like professionalism too. The DATV exchange was brutal to watch and was my first exposure to him. As they say, first impressions are lasting ones and that was my first impression. Now I have him stating the sewer department needs to present information to him yet the sewer department attended a recent meeting? If that recent meeting was after the articles for town meeting was posted, then that would be impression #2 in the wrong direction. Without the agenda and minutes of the Selectmen on their webpage, it is too much effort to find out so as a voter, I’d have to make my decision based upon the exchange Monday night. Why aren’t these docs on the website for review by all?
Brian Flaherty | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Without commenting on everything else I do agree with you Dan on our poor web presence. We have very little documents on our town’s website and to get many info. from the schools, you need to literally file a FOIA! Minutes, agendas, etc should all be posted in a timely and consistent manner.
Brian J Bond | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Jim
Sorry for not responding sooner. As a former business owner I’m sure you understand. I spent last night paying bills and had oodles of paperwork. It never ends.
As I’ve stated in the past. In life you win some and you lose some. My placing 2nd in the past election does not bother me at all. I’ve learned a lot and it will only make me stronger. Those who know me will tell you I am very hard working and relentless in my business ventures and my public service. Right now I’m continuing my efforts on the Planning Board, Community Preservation Committee, seeing the Canney Farm Recreational Project completed and looking to the future projects as a team player for the needs of the community. More on that subject later.
As for your thought process that a $2500 increase in sewer fee will hinder future development I disagree. At the new fee of $7500 to tie in it’s still a great deal compared to the cost to install a septic system. Your basic septic system can cost between $10,000 and $15,000 and depending on soil conditions could cost upwards of $40,000 and $50,000. Your disregard to address and gain an understanding of this article in the weeks before Town Meeting is the starting place of your defeat.
Your last statement you ask when I’m going to announce that I’m a candidate for selectman? Well Jim I’ll let you know right after you announce that you’re a candidate for STATE REPRESENTATIVE.
Brian J Bond
Shawn | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Brian..
If sewage is available, I didn’t think that zoning allowed you to build a septic system anymore, isn’t that true?
jim o'loughlin | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Brian,
Glad to hear how busy you are. I myself am spending a few days up here in Maine, are you familiar with the area?
I think you are a bit confused about the sewer issue. You seem to think that people have a choice between a septic system or paying the $7,500 tie in fee. How do you call it a “great deal” when an increase of $2,500 is put to the new home-owner or a new business owner. Keep in mind that the $7,500 fee is for each unit in a commercial building. If you were to move your business from Lowell to Dracut and you wanted to construct a 5 unit commercial building you would have an added expense of $37,500 just for the permit fee. As a member of the economic development committee I find it hard to believe that you would be so cavalier in your attitude towards increased pressures on new business. It is only when we expand the tax base that we are able to decrease the burden on the home-owner.
Why are you trying to recruit people to run against Colleen Garry? I thought she was a close personal friend of yours.
Sincerely,
Your Selectman,
Jim O’Loughlin
PJ Mercier | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
Shawn, to answer your question I don’t believe zoning dictates whether a sewer must be public or private. It is my understanding that if your designed system meets all the requirements i.e. land, soils, setbacks, etc. you can install a septic system and not tie into the public sewer. It is also my understanding, that when a new public service does come along, you only have a certain amount of time to tie in or your fee does go up. I am not 100% on this but I would sure hope that this is the case. I would like to think the town is not in the business too strong arm home owners and businesses to tie into a public service especially when the current septic system or a new septic system is/or are working just fine.
On the issue being disgusted, I would have to agree with Mr. O’Loughlin’s statement that any fee increase is not a good thing to help jump start new development. I do feel however that a user’s fee for businesses that might exceed normal usage is a good idea.
We as taxpayers already carry the burden, but to keep our families or to grow a business in the town should be encouraged not discouraged.
PJ Mercier
Jeanne Balkas | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
Dan states:
“Town Meeting – I disagree with the zero quorum…by why not just have a mayor and 5 person Town Council? Let them vote on the business of the town. The imput of the tax payers would then be at the ballot box rather than at town meeting….of which there was minimal imput from non-board members / elected officials anyway. Maybe when the Town Manager retires, we should have a change in town structure ready to go.”
In July of 2005, the Dracut Board of Selectmen appointed a Charter Review Committee. I was the chairman, and Dr. Michael McNamara was the vice-chairman. Other members of the committee were Richard Martin, Joseph Tully, Charles Braley, Robert Decelle, and Michael Blatus. Our responsibility and mission was to examine and review our governmental structure, which is the Town of Dracut’s Charter, and determine and identify possible areas for change, modification, or amendment we may have deemed necessary in order to respond to the changing needs of the community.
The Dracut Charter Review Committee reviewed every aspect of the charter section-by-section. We also considered outside perspectives and not just our own in making our recommendations. We took an integrated approach because we wanted to design a cohesive and progressive governmental structure that would efficiently best suit the needs of our growing community. Therefore, we held informational meetings with the original Charter Commission, the Fire Chief, the Superintendent of Schools, School Committee, Planning Board, Permanent Building Committee, the Assistant Town Manager/Planner, the Finance Committee, the Police Chief, the Town Moderator, the Selectmen, as well as the citizens of our community. The Charter Review Committee felt that the aforementioned were the ones mostly impacted by the job functions, responsibilities, and procedures that the Town Charter details and addresses.
The Dracut Charter Review Committee also held a televised public informational forum on forms of local governmental structures as defined by Massachusetts Law, with speakers associated with the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
In July of 2006, the Dracut Charter Review Committee presented its final report on the review of our Town Charter with recommendations and prepared draft amendments to be reviewed by the Selectmen.
I also suggested at that time, an appointed government study committee approach be used to research various forms of governmental structures to insure that ours does in fact best suit the needs of our growing community.
Dan | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
and nothing has happened since??? yet another item dragging on and on lol….thanks for the historical info….too bad this stuff can’t be found on the town website
Jeanne Balkas | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
Minutes were taken at all of our public meetings. I am sure if you called Town Hall they would provide them for you.
Dan | Nov 11, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Jeanne, not questioning the efforts your group went thru just frustrated that so much of Dracut politics is not readily available on-line or isn’t documented at all in minutes (like the Veteran’s Park lighting issue).
I should be able to do the research on this stuff from the comfort of my home to become a more informed voter.
Generally, when town hall is open, I’m working in Boston so getting to Dracut for that is too tough.
Thanks for your information though….
Jeanne Balkas | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Dan states:
“I should be able to do the research on this stuff from the comfort of my home to become a more informed voter.”
I totally agree with you Dan.
Shawn | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
I don’t think I can agree on this.
To be involved, you need to do a little work, not just have it handed to you.
Minutes from an ad-hoc committee from 3 or 4 years ago? Minutes from meetings 15 years ago?
I want them available, but don’t see the need to pay for a system to put everything forever online. No town has the money for that.
That’s why we have a library.
Key documents and records (or copies thereof) should be placed there for public access. That’s one of the reasons a library exists.
I would like to see the town consider having all the old records and minutes scanned for storage and access.. I just have no idea of the cost. (I know that some organizations, like Ancestry.com, will come in and scan entire sets of records for the cost of a copy for themselves. I’m not sure if there is an additional fee.)
Similar records retention should occur in other town departments and organizations. Maybe it does, and we just don’t know it.
Dan | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Shawn, more to my point….current minutes for all board meetings should be on line going forward. Creating a pdf and uploading it takes very little time.
I would have no problem researching old history stuff if I needed to but going forward, meeting agendas and minutes should be on-line for all to see.
My involvement limited to watching the meetings on TV in the evening….TiVo is a wonderful thing. I wish I had the time to attend more meetings and become involved as I do enjoy Dracut and would love to contribute at some point but time isn’t available at this point to do that.
Shawn | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
I wouldn’t mind seeing that myself.
The agenda really isn’t that useful, as most of the important stuff in the meetings happens during the “new business” sections.
Tivo has changed TV for me. I watch what I want, when I want… its changed the whole concept.
Chris | Nov 16, 2009 | Reply
An opinion:
Sadly, I missed the opportunity to attend the Town Meeting. It would have been my first in Dracut. I fell asleep on my couch waiting for 7:00. Waking at 10:30pm when my wife came home from class was quite an annoying experience.
From what I have read in the papers, in the editorials, in the blogs, and the comments and sound-off’s, I have managed to come up with the following theory…
The Town of Dracut is experiencing chaotic governance.
Committee’s and Board’s only speak to each other through the newspapers and blogs, and not to each other directly. While I would love to be proven wrong, I haven’t yet sat in Bobola’s on Saturday Morning to find appointed or elected officials debating their points.
I grew up in North Andover. I am well known in North Andover for only my presence in the Town. I remember walking into Val’s Restaurant on many occasions to see different governing boards meeting with each other and the residents to discuss the matters of the season, the month, the week, and the day. It was a refreshing peek into local politics and how things got done. This all started when I was a camera man for NATV (N.Andover Television, then owned by Comcast).
Later, I worked for Comcast running the Townsend Access Channels (Ch. 8 and 10). I found the same to be true… Local government meeting with the residents and listening, debating, and taking note on what was being said, being voted on, and being watched. I even came under fire for missing a board meeting… by the residents, not the board members or the cable committee.
I digress…
Dracut Governance begins with the people. I am willing to bet my 2009 tax bill that a majority of people (including myself) do not know WHO is on the Planning Board, the Housing Authority Board, etcetera, let alone what is being discussed/voted on. While the same holds true for most surrounding communities, the residents at least knew who was on the different boards.
Let’s start small and work our way up the chain…
1) Find a volunteer (raises hand) that would be willing to post and organize the minutes of all meetings in an easy to use online database henceforth. This database would be built for the town and handed over to the town’s IT Department upon completion and production at $0 cost. Maintenance would equal 1/25th of an IT staff member’s salary.
2) Request/Invite our elected and appointed officials meet with the residents more often in more public arenas. “…not all business takes place in the board room. You would be amazed at the amount of work done on the ‘Back 9′.”
3) FURTHER promote DATV’s coverage of board and committee meetings by producing a montage of “The best and the worst of Dracut Politics” for entertainment purposes. I personally know about a lot of British bills before the Parliament just because I am fascinated with BBC’s coverage of Q&A with the Prime Minister.
4) Encourage a LIVE local trivia show to be produced by a DATV volunteer. (Example: The award winning “Sports n’ Things” out of North Andover Television). I can explain the show more if I’m asked.
Look, I know I speak a lot of North Andover, and quite frankly, I don’t want to see our town turn into North Andover. We’re a town of working people, not high ranking private sector executives who think their (expletive) don’t stink. But I would like to see more of my town officials around town and more appointed officials attending all of the elected officials meetings (and visa-versa).
Maybe I’m stretching… My opinions here stray way off the path of the Town Meeting. But my point still remains. As a new resident, I’m shocked at (what appears to me) the complete disorganization of our town government and their officials. Appointed or Elected.
But it all starts with the RESIDENTS acquiring the knowledge of their town government. And that starts with an updated, up to date, and easily navigated municipal website.