Town of Braintree

Why are we going forward with a plan to establish a Town Manager position when we don?’t even know if this is what our community wants?

In my opinion it is because those who hold power in our present government want to maintain their power bases. Case in point is Mr. Bill Grove of the Government Study Committee and Planning Board. Bill is the primary force behind the proposal being formulated by his committee to be presented at Town Meeting in May. Bill knows that moving forward with this proposal will derail any attempt to establish a mayor / council form of government.

When were the voters of Braintree polled as to what they prefer? More than just the insiders at Town Meeting should have a voice in this change. I call on the board of Selectmen to put a question on the April ballot as to which government the people want; a Mayor / Council accountable form as our neighbors Quincy and Weymouth or the present form in which boards like the Mr. Grove?’s planning board exceed their authority and subject our community to substantial legal liability with their unaccountable, ill-informed, obstructionist actions that exceed their authority.

Folks, we are going to take a big hit when the legal battle commences over the accident at the shipyard. Their own paid planner told them they had no authority to require a permit for the demolition but, they went ahead and voted affirmatively. Why was that structure still standing on that day? Because our Planning Board got in the way. Don't blame Galewski, he condemned it and that's his job.

Let?’s ask the people what they want before we change the title of a powerless clerk in a structure that doesn?’t work.

Non Binding Referendum Q

I would agree that a non binding referendum question on the April ballot would be good for the community.

Let us not forget that the Charter Commission last year turned down the opportunity to conduct their own questionaire / poll where they would have mailed out a questionaire to each registered voter. But that commission killed that. Who knows, maybe their results might have different.

But do not be too hasty to single out Bill Grove as an insider and the Government Study Committee. Last year's October Town Meeting had a vote put to them, sponsored by Tim Egan to approve a Town Manager form of government but was killed with a count of hands vote. But it did create some useful lively discussion for quite a while. And you were there so you witnessed a resolve whereby the Government Study Committee was tasked with the responsibility to come up with a well thought out plan for Town Meeting to vote on this May. Don't single out Mr Grove, he is just the chairman who is only doing what Town Meeting tasked him to do.

But do attend a government study committee meeting and speak up to push for a non-binding referendum question. I think it would be useful to know what the community thinks.

There is one thing we do know and that is the community did NOT want what was put to them last year. So that is a good starting point.



By One who was there

Why don't you get it on?

If you really feel this way frank, why don't you get it on the ballot for April. We should find out once and for all what form of government the people want.

By townie

I have asked...

I sent a letter to the Selectmen asking them to do just that. If they choose not to it would require the signatures of 10% of the registered voters. Thus far they have ignored me. I don't think I'm the one to lead a successful signature drive.