Understanding The Chain of Command
The Board of Selectmen have "the authority to enact rules and regulations
establishing town policies not otherwise governed by bylaw, the charter, or by
statute. The powers and duties of the Board of Selectmen include appointing the Town Administrator; Police Chief, Fire Chief and Town Accountant, as well as various boards, committees and commissions. The Board of Selectmen also issue certain licenses and permits such as alcohol, car dealerships, common victualler, and entertainment; enforce special sections of the town code; and regulate the public ways.
They have three year terms. This year there are twoselectmen up for re-election; Jeff Amberson and Bill Pantazis. Bill has been on the board nine years. Jeff 12 years. If you like the direction the town is headed; then vote as usual. If you want to see the town move into a different direction voting new selectman. That's where it all starts!
As I am learning more and more about local politics, I have come to realize how much is intertwined. Did you know that two selectmen are married to ZBA members? The selectmen appoint the ZBA. The more I learn, the more I ask questions. You should, too.
Vote on May 14. Join in the effort to return Northborough to its roots.
Rose
12:32 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The selectmen appoint the ZBA??? I went online to see if there were any openings. I also noticed there are two alternates. When will the selectmen be taking their husbands off the ZBA and appoint other interested parties? Per the town website one of them is up in 2012 ???? It is 2012 right?
In addition, I expected the selectmen to make other changes to the ZBA board before now. They were sent several letters of complaint. Why is there a hold up? I guess we do need to select new people into office so we can get some action.
Resident Of Northborough
10:36 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Most people I talk to are unaware of the this. I hope more people read this and think a lot before they vote on Monday.
Melinda Kement
7:44 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Did you ever check into how many people ran against these people for the ZBA positions? If no one else runs for the position, should a selectman not appoint a person to office because they are related to them? Come on!
Rather than looking at nepotism here, let's look at how many of you have chosen to run for town office or board position because you want to better your community, NOT because something happened in "your neck of the woods" and you're mad. When you run for political office you do it to better the community as a whole, not just your neighborhood or street.
Before you go to the voting booth, stop by the Town Hall and check to see how often EACH candidate for office has attended Town Meeting since moving to Northboro. That should tell you how "invested" they are in our town.
Carol C
10:27 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Hi Mrs. Kement : ) I appreciate your candor. I wrote this blog to get people talking & thinking. In response to your post: @ the time they were running perhaps there were no opponents. That is a shame & sad. There are two alternates on the ZBA @ this time - when will they get to serve? An ex-selectman was appointed as a member & not elected as an alternate -why? I am frustrated when new people come forward there is resistance. The alternates applied to be on the zba - to actually be on the zba. Others want to come forward but it's considered a full board. Yet, there is at least one member up in 2012? Residents wrote to the selectmen in February of other board concerns. The residents were told their concerns would be addressed. They haven’t been. Why? I am not sure I can revote the same members to the BOS if they can't stick by their word and do what's right.
Yes, my eyes were opened when this project was "in my neck of the woods" as anyone’s eyes would be. I continue to be involved in the planning as best as I can. This is not because it's in our backyard it's because we are unhappy on the look of the town. As a resident I'd like some say on that. In my case, I spent many hours & efforts & felt I was not heard. The ZBA could have made more conditions on the project & they choose not too; even when safety was the #1 concern. I'm not ok with that. There've been other cases the ZBA placed better conditions on or denied-why not this one? It is @ the worst intersection.
Carol C
3:50 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
To add; the ZBA don't "run" they are appointed. There are no opponents.