Sunday, October 21, 2012

What is leadership?


Leadership.

Leadership  - an interesting word that can mean different things to different people. I have been elected to a position of leadership as a member of the Board of Selectmen. It is a position I take seriously. I devote a lot of time to researching issues and reading up on municipal practices. I put in the time so I can make informed decisions to improve the town. I know you can’t make a good decision with bad information, so I check things out. Trust, but verify.


I spend a significant amount of time writing blogs to try to get the facts out to people so they can read and think about town issues. I value the comments and suggestions made by people who take time out of their busy lives to attend BOS meetings.

I was collecting signatures for the citizen’s petition today at the Baldwinville Post Office. I was on the sidewalk with Bev, Sedona (Bev’s dog) Ashley and Kevin Bird. It was an interesting and productive day.

Toward the end of our day (we left around 12:30), we had an encounter with Sean Hamilton, former manager of TMLWP. He parked across the street and came over and asked what we were gathering signatures for. I explained the citizen petition to Sean. He didn’t seem to have a problem with the petition until this section:

An investigation into the activities and actions of the Templeton Board of Selectmen and the Templeton Municipal Light Department to enact Chapter 93 Acts of 2000.





After reading this section he stated there had already been an investigation on this issue. Really? I asked him where the written report could be located. His response – people elected you to lead! You need facts! Then he left.

OK, I get that you need facts, so where is this written report on the light department taking control of the water department? I’ve been able to uncover quite a few documents, but no investigations regarding the merger of light and water. When did this investigation take place and who did the investigation? I think the people of Templeton deserve this information…as well as the BOS.  Mr. Hamilton, where is it?

On the Citizens4Templeton website, there is a page entitled “Important Documents”. This webpage has links to documents that have been referred to in prior blogs. I’m still working on this page. My next update to this page will be information i.e.: primary source documents, in the form of meeting minutes and invoices surrounding the enactment of Chapter 93 Acts of 2000 wherein the Light department took over operations of the water department:
The books of accounts of the light plant and water plant shall be kept separate and the water plant shall operate as an enterprise fund until changed by law.

My opinions…supported by FACTS ! !

Julie Farrell

10 comments:

  1. We are very lucky to have people who rely on facts, to give us, the tax payer, the information we need to make good decisions. There are a number of people in this community, who would rather keep us in the dark. I am sad to say, this worked for a long time. GS had alot of people convinced that the people at Templeton Municipal light and water, did not have to answer to us the share holders of Templeton! Well the facts do not say that! Mr. Hamilton and company, are not going to be happy when the facts do come out! This town is in alot of trouble, these facts will come to light. I am afraid things will get worse, before they get better. The thing to remember is they will get better. We have to stay the course, and fight for a better day. WE HAVE A WONDERFULL, TOWN. This is worth fighting for, Bev.

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  2. Is it a coincidence that Sean Hamilton would be in Baldwinville on a Saturday when he lives across town in East Templeton, and stops at the Baldwinvile Post Office to ask Julie about the petiion. It is more likely that Sean still takes orders from Gerry S. Too bad Sean can't have a mind of his own, but I suppose that comes from working at the Light Co.Sean is a nice guy but no backbone. If the investigation goes through Sean will probably be seen in a bad light. TOO BAD.

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  3. Of course he still has his head up gerry's ass, Gerry GAVE him the job so he has to play kiss ass for life. He should be worried as there is a lot of dirty laundry to wring out in that household.

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    1. I have always liked Sean as a person. He left town because of the pressure he was under. I think that when people get too involved with the GS crew, they get caught in the web. It is a little like the mafia. When people finally find out what has been going on, under their noses, some of the ones who are close, will be surprised. GS is smart like a fox, he has other people do his dirty work. Who will the AG look at? Hopefully, he has screwed up enough, so that a trail has been left. Time will tell, it will come out in the wash. Bev.

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  4. Wow!
    seriously! really doubt sean voted for farrell. Hey Sean - take me to your leader

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  5. Sean Hamilton?...Sean Hamilton!

    Not the same Sean Hamilton forever immortalized making hand puppet gestures at a BOS meeting in this youtube video starting around minute 31:

    http://youtu.be/428ois3_BWs

    So truth fairy who is Sean's leader?

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  6. Let's try to focus on gathering enough signatures to have the citizens petition placed on the November STM warrant!

    Sean Hamilton isn't going to sign it.

    You would think those with a vested interest in this citizen petition would welcome an investigation with open arms. An investigation by the Attorney General's office will surely prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is nothing wrong here in Templeton. The investigation will put all of the allegations to rest and the town can move forward.



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    1. You would think they would be thrilled, like I can see Russia frum my house!!HA, HA! Bev.

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  7. Driscoll came from Littleton Light and Water dept...Hamilton came from Littleton Light and Water dept.... Skelton came from Littleton Light and Water dept. Can you spell NEPOTISM?
    And Littleton is the ONLY other town in Mass with a Light AND water dept together. "things that make you go Hmmmmm! "

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    1. That should be CRONYISM
      Just Sayin'

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