Summation of the October 17th meeting of the Borough Council

Next meeting November 7th

The meeting began with the presentation of a 100th anniversary of the fire department book to each councilmember from the Fire Chief. I don't know how the publication is being financed I assume the fire department intends to sell enough copies to pay for publication.

Before the consent agenda was passed one of the "ad hoc hunting club" Committee Members on the council suggested that the minutes from the last meeting should include direct reference to a comment made by a member of the public stating that hunting kills on her property have gone from 20 to just 2 last year. [of course the councilmember saw no need to make sure that accurate context be preserved by including a reference to the fact that deer often move to safe areas surrounding heavily hunted areas --i.e. the problem is not solved just relocated]

Agenda ordinance and resolutions were introduced and passed without any substantive comment.

There was some comment regarding when paving would commence on bockhoven-- apparently it will be a week or two.

There was some comment regarding the progress of the "master plan" and it going to the public[?] . There was also discussion regarding writing consistent rules regarding signs and lighting-- with the emphasis on the abundance of banks and their marketing/display excesses

There was some discussion regarding araging for a parking study. Apparently, council members have met with some consultants.

It was reported that the Borough intends to hire another police officer to replace the still being paid but long absent from duty police chief. When the Chiefs retirement becomes official in January, the acting chief will be elevated to the real (not just acting) chief. Apparently there is no need to go through the convoluted process recently created to select a police chief because there are no other candidates that meet the eligibility requirements.

As usual there was some discussion regarding high-school formulas and de-regionalization. Apparently council members gleaned information from other out-of-town officials at some Republican cocktail party. Apparently they exchange stories regarding how much it cost other towns to escape regional contracts. Apparently no one is willing to really admit futility and the town will be hiring a special "school issues attorney" to advise them regarding options.

There was some brief talk about the property to be donated to the library-- apparently the lot is to be staked out so the potential EPA problems can be viewed.

There was some discussion of the hundredth anniversary celebration (of the Mendhams divorce) Reference was made to the 75th anniversary and revisiting some of the fun of that event-- mentioned were old-time races like a 3 legged race and egg toss etc. Also referenced was arranging for "beer for the day"

There was discussion by the council regarding some letter received from the water company citing some problem with water theft from fire hydrants... ultimately the council concluded that it's not their problem as they don't own the water company [anymore]

The mayor made reference to the problem of creating too much superfluous paper regarding communicating information between administrative staff and council members. The mayor suggested that all council members should be able to send information electronically. [this could be a big benefit to this website as administrative staff will no longer be able to use the excuse that they don't have documents I have requested in electronic form]

There were minor references to the fact that:

• Jockey hollow has not been applying for permits when making land-use changes
• In repairing a corner in the center of town a chevron was removed that enabled trucks and such to navigate the corner without doing damage.
• apparently the mayor received an out-dated list of call out numbers and requested that administrative staff provide an updated list

I've transcribed the substantive part of the public comment portion of the meeting. The text marked in red are my editorial editions, the rest is as it was.... really ugly.

permanent link: Summation of the Otober 17th meeting

Summation of the October 3ed meeting of the Borough Council

Next meeting October 17th

Just a few issues dominated council discussion. The most controversial was the council's adoption of a deer management policy that will close to the public some public park land from September through February.

from the administrators report

Item # 4 ­ Deer Management Ad Hoc Committee Report: On Tuesday, September 26th members of the Deer Management Ad Hoc Committee met with Councilmen Henry and Witczak. After reviewing last year's program, the committee agreed to make the following recommendations to the Borough Council: Culling of deer should take place between sunrise and sunset Monday through Saturday Culling activities on public land should be limited to the Cosma tract, the wooded area located behind the Pastime Field and India Brook Park. Deer Management signs will be posted in appropriate areas. Culling agents will set up safe target areas using bait and will dispatch deer from elevated stands. No culling agent will take a deer while located on the ground. No culling should take place during regular shotgun season. Culling agents will be provided with letters of identification from the Borough and a placard to place on the dashboards of their vehicles. Culling agents will check in with the Police Department upon arrival in the Borough, either by stopping in at headquarters or by contacting dispatch. All culling agents will be licensed hunters in the State of New Jersey and culling will be by bow and arrow. All culling agents will be volunteers and will coordinate the disposal of taken deer. Culling will take place until mid-February The committee is seeking support from the Council Monday to continue the program as outlined above. A number of committee members will be present Monday night to discuss the program in more detail.

When pushed for "more detail" it was revealed that

• No provision has been made to insure the town (taxpayers) against liability for "accidents".
• "proficiency" with a bow and arrow doesn't necessarily mean skilled in residential street hunting .
• That these lethal weapon toting "agents" will not be required to endure the criminal background check that all other publicly exposed NON-lethal weapon toting town volunteers must endure.
• The "ad hoc" committee that wrote these deer management rules is nothing but a town sanctioned hunters club.

In defending the policy the main sponsors Councilmen Henry and Witczak stated that the culling program has been a huge success and that the vast majority of residents support the continuation of the program. It was basically stated that sacrificing six months of public park use is necessary to accommodate the convenience of hunters/agents.

One quite brilliant member of the public did quite effectively (logically) challenge the council's acceptance of this policy. Although she was a supporter of using hunters to control deer population she quite eloquently pointed out that the policy the council has approved is flawed (unresolved liability, public inconvenience) because it is designed to provide for recreational hunting and is not exclusively focused on the objective of efficiently reducing the deer population/menace.

This issue is a cliche example of an issue shrouded in ignorance and false assumption. The simple truth is the policy is not effective, or even minimally efficient- but is in fact duplicitous public sanction of cruelty and the sadistic mentality of those who desire to perpetrate it. We don't allow farmers to apply unnecessarily cruel methods in dispatching their herd for slaughter... we don't even legally allow rats to be exterminated in an "entertainingly" slow and horrific manner... yet we can not afford to offer the same protections to the wildlife occupying our park land?? Endorsing this crude bow-and-arrow "culling policy" is in real practical effect no different than endorsing bullfighting, or 70's style baby "harp seal hunts" (animals were clubbed to death).... and I am thoroughly ashamed that a well educated, wealthy white community--driven by no desperate threats to their survival-- can embrace this barbarism without even a hiccup of pause to reflect on the obvious "humanitarian" duplicity and hypocrisy.

To be clear, I support the extermination of Deer to control over-population. Extermination is the only cost-effective and therefore practical solution... But best cost, and humanitarian, efficiency is not going to be achieved if providing recreation/Entertainment is allowed to be part of, or most of, the equation. Deer can in fact be easily trapped, and contained, for humane slaughter. We can in fact quite possibly, and practically, remove almost every deer in town if we simply don't allow a false will (sadistic motive) to get in the way.

Archived message board discussion from previous years on this issue.
The first 50 post
Through December 28, 2004

Another issue extensively discussed throughout the meeting was a proposed ordinance relative to the new development fees collected for affordable housing. Currently, the fee charged is 1% of the assessed value of the new construction. The proposed change would require a developer to create one unit of affordable housing (approximate value $160,000) for every eight units built. The discussion got quite convoluted regarding a developer's right to build the affordable units outside the development or whether the affordable units had to be integrated into the development. Obvious concern was expressed regarding building affordable units next door to multimillion-dollar homes.

In kind of related discussion the issue of how money raised by the fees is spent was (brought up in part by me). Apparently the council has decided to spend the $80,000, that needs to be allocated this year, on improvements and rental subsidies for residents of the already federally subsidized Mendham Area Senior Housing. The Mayor stated that there would be a means/need test regarding the subsidies, but did not provide details. Regarding the question of what research was done to determine if there are not other Borough residents (widows, orphans, students, victims of job exportation... etc.) who may have a greater need for the subsidy... the apparent answer is little or none. It seems clear that the Mayor's affiliation with MASH gaves MASH a fast and pretty exclusive track to all affordable housing money.

Issues related to the 100th anniversary celebration (of the separation of the Mendhams) came up throughout the meeting. The junior women's club has proposed replacing the 90 or so American flags throughout town with a special 100 anniversary flag. The implied intention is to provide notice of the hundredth anniversary, and to provide fund-raising for New American flags. Apparently the flags ( displaying a drawn image of the Phoenix House, with some sort of happy anniversary verse) will be sold to residents and businesses and embroidered with their name. The flags will then be displayed throughout town throughout most of next year and then returned to the purchaser as a keepsake/remembrance.

There was a comment by council members and the public that some percentage of flags displayed should remain American flags.

In a progress report regarding the to be published "coffee table" Mendham anniversary and history celebration book the council was apparently provided a written overview of what is to be included in the book-- to mitigate against something/someone getting overlooked. The book is to be mostly black-and-white pages with 10 to 12 color pages in the middle. It is to include a "walk through" history of the different neighborhoods and humorous antidote's. There was the invitation to the public to make a contribution regarding old photographs and stories.

After briefer discussion, the council rejected a request from the library to install some signs providing directions to the library. It was the general opinion the there are already too many cluttering signs damaging town aesthetics.

There was some comment regarding the need for more parking in and about the center of town. An idea all seemed agreeable to pursuing is the possibility of purchasing some land contiguous to the pastime club to provide for expanded and more accessible parking.

In discussion regarding high-school deregionalization Councilperson/attorney Barbara Stanton again suggested that the town should invest in an attorney with related expertise to help provide an understanding of the options and help "inform the public". The mayor kind of rebuffed the idea, with the simple truth, that the town needs more viable options not better understanding of options. The mayor pointed out that a referendum to change the funding formula has no practical hope of surviving a Washington Township veto. He also pointed out that legislative action is likewise pretty hopeless. The council remained uncommitted to any action.

The mayor asked the administrator for an update regarding the call-out problem referenced at the last meeting. The administrator explained that the protocol had been updated and distributed. When challenged on the specific issue of the fire department non-emergency number accessing only a answering machine the administrator stated that he did not realize action was to be taken on that issue. It was suggested by the council member that refrigerator magnets be produced and provided to residents providing the appropriate dispatch number... The council seemed agreeable.

In answer to an inquiry I made of the mayor and council regarding the actual implications of the September 27th approved school board budget referendum. The Mayor stated that it is council policy not to comment on school board elections. This seems a very technical evasion that conveniently ignores the fact that a budget referendum is very different from a multi-candidate political contest. By denying me a simple answer to my simple question the mayor and council was basically saying that they have a greater right to know what "we the people" are (or have) voting for then we the people do.

A last item of business was council approval of a professional service agreement paying an ex-DEP employee $6,000 to help "facilitate" DEP applications related to the construction of a "library of the Mendhams" ...on property "donated" in exchange for DEP application processing, a free access road to development property, and "unit" compensation... at an expense of well over $1.5 million to Borough taxpayers.... Just so we can have a white-elephant monument to archaic technology and backwards regressive thinking.

permanent link: Summation of the Otober 3th meeting

Summation of the September 19th meeting of the Borough Council

Next meeting October 3ed

The first item discussed was a $30,000 cost overrun regarding a personal service contract having to do with work on the sewage plant upgrade. Council members seemed agreeable that the change in the contract was justified.

The next issue discussed was the de Neufvilles land donation for the merged library. A resolution establishing the legal contract that defines under what circumstances the actual transfer of the property will take place was passed by the council.

The issue came up repeatedly during the meeting. The mayor attempted to defend the premise that there's "nothing tied" to the land donation by explaining that the de Neufvilles are ONLY receiving a development density credit, a free access road, and free DEP application processing in exchange for the property "donation".... in the public comment portion of the meeting a member of the public interrogated the mayor on the subject. Some relevant facts made known:

• There is speculation regarding a plan to combine the Thomas estate with the Neufville Development property.
• Currently the Thomas property is zoned at 5 acres and the de Neufville property at lots of 3 acres.
• Current regulations regarding setbacks from protected areas (streams) have apparently significantly reduced the amount of land that actually can be developed.
• Apparently there are some problems regarding the 5 a. lot to be donated, as the planned footprint for the library violates the DEP setbacks.
• The town is investigating the possibility of hiring a "facilitator" to help with DEP negotiations/bureaucracy.
• The Mayor stated that the town has spent some $40,000 so far on related engineering costs (Paul Ferriero).
• The Mayor stated that if there is no library, there will be no land donation. (the contract appears to state that there are circumstances where the land donation would take place without a library ultimately being constructed.)

There was some discussion regarding a new sludge hauling contract. Concern was expressed regarding liability for illegal dumping. There was the general assurance the the town will not be exposed to any avoidable liability.

There was comment regarding the delay in road and sidewalk repairs. No one seemed able to precisely explain "why we're so late" in beginning this work. Although there was general agreement that the work should be able to be completed on a reasonable schedule using the current piecemeal budgeting process... there was discussion of perhaps moving to a budget process where the money for repairs is borrowed in the year previous to when the repairs are to be performed.

It was stated that the reassessment is moving along smoothly and that the physical inspections should be complete by the end of the month.

Councilman Haverkost made mention of a problem regarding the town's call out procedure. Apparently there was some problem regarding an overflowed bathroom at the Phoenix House and there was some problem reaching town personnel capable of addressing the problem. The Councilman also reference the fact that the fire department non-emergency number inadequately only provides a answering machine. The mayor minimized the problem provoking Councilman Haverkost to state that he is "not being absurd". After some contentious argument there was concession that non emergency calls to the fire department should go through the non-emergency police dispatch.

It was suggested that a resolution should be drawn up complimenting the Garden Club for its beautiful maintenance of the town gardens. It was also suggested that a resolution recognizing and complimenting the people responsible for the successful Labor Day parade be also drawn up.

It was announced that the Mendham Messenger will likely no longer be published after the first of the year. In spite of being provided a ~$7,000 subsidy by the town the publisher claims that publication is no longer economically viable. There was discussion regarding the possibility of having the high-school provide assistance in publishing a town newsletter.

There was reference to the fact that there's some information being compiled for the master plan that may be of secondary use. It was suggested the public might like to know things like -- the median age of a Borough resident is 41.7 years.

Regarding the master plan there was some discussion regarding the problem created by reducing the scale of a traffic study to exclude a parking study. It was stated that the commercial viability of many businesses is dependent on the available parking. There was some discussion regarding the traffic problems created at hilltop school around the 3:00 p.m. hr. because of inadequate parking.

It was reported that there is to be discussion with the director of Mendham Area Senior Housing regarding spending the $87,000 intended to provide for affordable housing.

Councilperson Barbara Stanton reference a public safety problem of inadequate bathroom facilities at the Borough Park. She stated that kids are urinating on the grass and suggested the installation of a Porta-Potti. Also relevant to the park there was again reference that a better lighting control system needs to be installed at the basketball courts... also mentioned were the rusty light poles at the tennis courts.

There were a couple of minor references to some plan to lease, rather than purchase, firetrucks.

permanent link: Summation of the September 19th meeting

Summation of the September 6th meeting of the Borough Council

Next meeting September 20th

The meeting began with what the mayor described as a "pleasurable event" the swearing-in of a new police officer. I don't know whether this officer will actually be the high school cop-- but he certainly was hired to provide the staff increase necessary to accommodate having a full-time police presence at the high-school. If he is the high-school cop, patrolman Joseph F. Farry probably won't be needing a nickname.

After the oath of office there was the traditional grand applause and the "happy to have you" and "enjoy yourself" well wishing.... as far as I know there was no cake and ice cream.

There was brief discussion regarding some consent agenda item that had something to do with the Red Cross, training, and a blood drive... The consent agenda had a few items in it that I couldn't make much sense of.... even some junk about money to or from some out of town Garden Club ...

There was a resolution passed authorizing the expenditure of some $90,000 for generators for the police station and fire department. A council member raised the issue of receiving grant money to offset the expense as one of the locations is designated a emergency shelter. The Borough administrator responded that homelands security grant money was applied for but not received. The mayor some sort of comment referencing the problem of Democrats being in control of the funds.

In my opinion, $45,000 seems like a lot of money for a generator-- for $90,000 I think we could build a little hydroelectric plant at the mud hole and have a source of backup power that actually pays for itself.

There was a brief discussion regarding the business associations request to put reeves around the center of town during the Christmas season... also mentioned was the fact that the American flags appear to have run their life... the mayor suggested that some new ones should be bought from China.

The administrator brought up some "health insurance" issue... apparently the town is looking for a health insurance provider... and apparently the procedure is to hire some marketing firm to solicit proposals from providers.... apparently it is also preferable that the town expend some $1,500 to secure some sort of actuarial data from the state. I think it's pretty "apparent" that no government official can draw a straight line.

There was some discussion regarding the "fuel crisis" and the need to account for the extra expense in next year's budget... fuel use analysis would indicate that the town is already $4,500 over budget on expenditures for diesel and gas... the mayor made the light-hearted suggestion that the police department convert to highbred vehicles-- other councilmembers suggested scooters and horses. ha ha..

It was stated that construction work on sidewalks has not yet begun

It was briefly mentioned that the Little League has some $40,000 on hand and there is a need to coordinate improvements to the ball fields.

It was stated that there is a lot of enthusiasm regarding the 100th anniversary celebration (of the divorce that separated the Mendhams) apparently the council member in charge of the committee has received a lot of "big ideas"... like a Bigger fireworks display. On the financing front work is being done on a logo for promotional T-shirts.

There was mention of some zoning change regarding the deNeufville development property... apparently some people were to show up at the meeting to oppose the zoning change but no one arrived during the 40 minute meeting.

There was some talk regarding the special election regarding the regional school budget. council members referenced newspaper articles and their quotes without providing any comprehensible explanation of the issues involved.... apparently it has something to do with how towns are notified regarding a school board's intent to have a special election... there was talk about how valuable it is that the town has "daily hand carries" [?]

There was brief mention of master plan progress. apparently the town will choose between two companies regarding provision of a new traffic study... also referenced was the intention to do an evaluation of building use and conditions.

The mayor made vague reference to some Holly Manner plan to create a section for intensive nursing that would involve a higher density of patients... the brief explanation referenced the problem of early discharge from hospitals and the need for more comprehensive recovery care.

The mayor referenced some complaints regarding a private residence on holsted road that is running- effectively -a landscaper nursery business from the residence.... apparently it will be looked into.

It was reported that the Labor Day parade "worked very well" and that booted council member Dolan was cheered by the cheers received...

There was also mention of the fact that Township officials did not participate in the parade-- apparently in response to issues related to the regional school situation.

Councilman Haverkost referenced the the fact that he is retiring from the council at the end of this term and expressed what he consider to be the number-one priority for the council going forward. He stated that affordable housing (not necessarily subsidized housing) needs to be provided to allow people who work here to live in the town... He suggested cluster housing or apartments.

The mayor posed the question to the council "is there anything else we can do" regarding the hurricane crisis. There was talk of faith based initiatives and the Red Cross but little else.

permanent link: Summation of the September 6th meeting

Summation of the August 15th meeting of the Borough Council

Next meeting September 5th

The meeting began with a presentation by the Whippany River Watershed Action Committee. The purpose of the presentation was apparently only intended to inform the council that the "action committee" is willing to "partner" in efforts to protect the watershed environment and comply with state and federal environmental regulation. The presentation focused on the primary problem of storm water runoff and management of a environmentally sound "storm sewer" system. Reading between the lines I think the action committee would like the town to employ it to do some consulting work. As I understand circumstances the town pays member dues to be part of the association.

The next issue discussed was a re-resolution regarding fees charged for "extra duty" police service. I believe it was Councilman Stanley Witczak who introduced discussion on this issue by explaining that the town needs some new revenue streams to compensate for anticipated steep increases in pension and health-care costs. The discussion focused on the fee charged to "rent" a police car with your extra duty cop. It was in the end agreed that if a police vehicle is required as part of a police service rental that the charge will be $10 an hour for the vehicle with a $35 minimum charge. It was stated that by police contract officers are to receive $65 an hour to provide "extra duty" service. (apparently in some other towns the officer only receives a portion of the fee based on qualification) The town adds a $5 an hour administrative fee. As ultimately these costs will be passed down to the public as a tax for doing business so to speak it seems another excessive patronizing indulgence to the overpaid million dollar police department.

Another resolution approved but not discussed was a $2 million bond resolution. I think this represents a consolidation of the towns debt into a single bond offering. I don't know what interest or yield the town will have to pay to finance this borrowing

There were a couple of curious resolutions approved (again without discussion) regarding the pending retirement of the already "not working" Police Chief Patricia Cameron, the resolution states:

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Borough Council of the Borough of Mendham, in the County of Morris, and State of New Jersey, that the Mayor and Borough Clerk are hereby authorized and directed to execute the Separation Agreement and General Release between the Borough of Mendham and Patricia Cameron that was executed by Patricia Cameron on August 1, 2005.

Although I will no doubt have to pay for a copy of this Separation Agreement this document might really be worth a few dollars.

The other resolution establishes the 2005 salary for a police chief at $94,394.00

A curious note: Councilman Stanley Witczak voted NO on both these resolutions without providing any explanation... this has every appearance of a cheap politically calculated maneuver that really does insult the political process and "we the people".

Next was discussion regarding another police issue-- the agreement between the town and the school board to install a police officer at the high-school. Apparently this highly paid, gun-toting officer will have the highly challenging duties of winking at all the cute little girls and directing traffic for two hours a day. Apparently the town and the school board are having a little trouble negotiating the agreement regarding who pays for the officer (it doesn't really matter as both budgets are financed by property taxes) The in-principle agreement is that the school board and town will split the cost of the officer-- apparently the problem is the school board "for budgetary reasons" won't commit to an agreement that covers the out years, and the town could be obligated to pay the full salary of the permanently employed "school resource officer". The council's brilliant solution was to make the counter proposal that the school board commit to a exclusive contract with the Borough regarding all contracting for extra duty police service (at a fee of $70 an hour-- excluding a police vehicle) In my opinion, this stupid money shell game is only intended to keep the real cost of this over qualified traffic manager shielded from public scrutiny. Puting a gun-toting cop in the high-school just creates a more "prison like" psychological environment and will likely just cause deeper antisocial fractures within the student population.

During committee reports Councilman Lawrence Haverkost informed the council that 11 bands have been secured for the Labor Day parade. (not mentioned was the fact that the taxpayers will be paying a $1000 each to these bands.) The council was also advised that there has apparently been resolution regarding the vital issue of what egomaniacs get to lead the parade. There was comment that someone should video the parade so it can be included as part of the "100 anniversary of the separation of the Mendhams celebration and historical fun book" The mayor pointed out that it might be more practical for someone to just take some digital photographs and suggested that members of the public who can provide some photographs should contact John.

In a brief committee report, notice was given that bids regarding the Master Plan traffic study have been received and are being evaluated. (I guess when you're going to preposterously waste money you want to flush it down the proper toilet)

There was some discussion regarding the baseball fields being used during the extremely dry conditions... of course they also should not be used when wet... (the idea of a public pool replacing a ball field or two might not be such a bad idea)

There was very brief mention of some concerns raised regarding the intention of the Schiff Natural Land Trust to use open space grant money to purchase a very small but expensive property. There was the suggestion that open space money should not be used to create another parking lot.

There was more discussion regarding the town's obligation to spend some $80,000 in affordable housing money. Although the mayor mentioned that he had a conflict of interest as a member of the MASH (senior housing) board he was not inhibited from making the suggestion that the council use the $80,000 to subsidize the living expenses of mash residents that do not currently qualify for federal subsidy. The mayor didn't indicate that there should be any means/need test so I guess this would qualify as ACTUAL overt "welfare for the rich" rather than the usual obscure tax perks and such. (in spite of my self-interest I think I will suggest the town use the money to help out some people living in housing a re-evaluation inspector has described as "dilapidated") An added bit of information revealed was that the town doesn't really need to spend all the money this year but does need to have a plan to spend the money in place by the end of the year.

There was some discussion regarding the problem of water inflow into the sewage system. Apparently, the town has received the legal opinion that current decisions of the Supreme Court and such will support the town's right to inspect properties for illegal connections of sump-pumps and such.

There was a brief discussion regarding poor visibility and obstruction caused by protruding or low tree limbs. There is general uncertainly regarding whether maintenance of trees surrounding roads and sidewalks is a property owner's responsibility or the town's responsibility.

During the public comment portion of the meeting a couple of Dean road residents expressed some criticisms. The first person expressed concern regarding the yellow line striping of the road in front of Mt. View School. The homeowner was of the opinion that the striping diminishes his property value and asked to know why the road was striped. Council members explained there was a decision made some time ago in consultation with the school superintendent and the police chief. The council conveyed the opinion that the double line striping is appropriate as a safety issue.

The other person complained about expensive vapor lights at the school being routinely left on during weekends. The mayor advised the resident that he should take his complaint to a School Board Meeting as the council has no controlling authority.

The resident also inquired if the effort to di-regionalize the school district was dead? The mayor (kind of honestly for a change) explained that changing the funding formula would be very difficult as it would require consensus. The mayor didn't explain what "living" option remains but did state that the effort is not dead.

In a final criticism the resident expressed disappointment that the council was not obedient to the will of the voters regarding the school budgets that were voted down. Council members added some new twists to the same old lame excuses they made back in the spring when they voted to ignore the voters. Barbara Stanton explained that this is the first criticism she has heard of the council's decision to support just token cuts to the budgets (obviously she doesn't read this website). Other council members explained that there was nothing left to cut but toilet paper and light bulbs (Of course they didn't bring up the context of a 12% salary increase for thoroughly antique and archaic teachers or $500,000 tennis courts) The mayor provided his routine cop-out that it's all the fault of unfunded state regulations using the example that the League of Municipalities is going to "recommend" that the town purchase new $13,000 breathalyzers. (I don't think a League recommendation is same thing as a unfunded state mandate...but...) In the Mayor's exact words "we are hamstrung" (I think they are "integritydeficient" and just don't want to admit that they think public servants should, in practical fact, be public emperors' )

permanent link: Summation of the August 15 meeting