Open
Meeting Law Complaints…shedding some Light
Just
when you think it can’t get any stranger…It does. Back on March 14, 2013 Hanne
Rush from the Division of Open Government rendered an 8-page
decision that the TMLWP Commissioners violated the Open Meeting Law.
I
was unable to attend the TMLWP meeting on November 12th due to a
conflict with a BOS meeting. Mr. David Smart attended the TMLWP meeting. Mr.
Smart received this
document from the TMLWP general manager, John Driscoll on November 18,
2013. It is customary for the chairman of any public body to inquire if anyone attending
the meeting is recording the meeting. Apparently that didn’t happen at the
TMLWP meeting. Let’s hope no ratepayer money was used for legal advice in
drafting this letter.
In
an interesting turn of events, I have filed another Open Meeting Law complaint
against the TMLWP Chairman and the General Manager, John Driscoll. In my
complaint, I wondered when the vote by the Commissioners took place to
increase our water rates 23%. The letter from the General Manager was dated
November 5th. The vote by the Commissioners did not take place at
the October 8th meeting. The water rate study was discussed but not
voted upon.
When
was the rate hearing held to increase our water rates 23%...this year. Hold on folks! Over a 5-year
period your water rates will increase over 40%. But wait, there’s more. The
capital improvement plan for the water department is unavailable online. The
file is too large. So how the heck are people supposed to know what rate
increases will improve? Are they handing out raises? Is it the cost of 40-year
loans? Are they going to do a major water main replacement program? Buy a
truck? Fix a water tower? What? Have the TMWP Commissioners looked at ways to
cut costs before this drastic increase was voted?
If
you feel the urge to file your own Open Meeting Law complaint, HERE
is the link.
My
opinions…supported by FACTS ! ! !
Julie
Farrell
Vote Mitchell for Selectman!
ReplyDeleteRemember the past to ensure a better future.
The nuclear option should never be used.
Well the good old boys had better start following the law, or their legal fees will keep going up, and up. You would think after being a Light/Water Commissioner for such a long time, Dana would know the rules by now !! What about Mr. Driscoll ? Surely he knows better than raise the rates without a public hearing. If the Light and Water Commissioners have not learned by now, then there is something very wrong. Don't kid your self, there is something very wrong, and there has been for the past ten years. This is not your dad's, or grandfather's Light and Water Company. That business existed for one purpose only, to provide good service to it's shareholders at a good price. Some how that "thing called greed" got in the way of doing business for the benefit of the people in this town. Stay tuned to learn about the business we once had some say in running. This is not a joke, and it is important for every taxpayer in the Town of Templeton to be informed, so you can make good decisions when the time comes. Bev.
DeleteThe plan is to raise as much money as they can as quickly as they can to spend as much as they can as quick as they can.
ReplyDeleteThat goes for both the light and water both!