204 million later... Town Meeting is done
In the last night of budget approval, only 103 members showed up to approve police, fire, Public works, etc and by 9:30, there were only 89 members left. Call me a whiner, but if anyone would like to defend such poor participation at TM, here's the place.
The only excitement came when one TMM proposed a resolution to have the selectman ask business owners coming to Town, if they were employing legal residents. And as we were voting on this resolution, the Senate was passing a immigration reform package that has shocked some in our State. Clearly, illegal immigration is a hot button issue, that in an election year, will be causing some trouble for the incumbents.
I am stunned over the things I saw and heard from TM. There's probably 100 or so people who have the intellect and drive to follow what goes on. A large percentage will rubber stamp anything put before them because they benefit financially in some way. Others are busy doing other things and couldn't possibly be paying attention enough to make a thorough decision, while others (like myself) try to understand the complex history of votes taken on issues years ago and the dizzying array of amendments. Made even more frustrating over those who take valuable air from the room by just speaking nonsense.
I've learned a lot and am even more convinced that this Town Meeting form of governing is making a good case for a city form of government. I look forward to fall TM.
posted by Jim Pillsbury @ 8:06 AM
7 Comments
7 Comments:
Thanks for doing this Pillsbury, and for letting us in on the behavior of some of the current TM members.
THank you for your service Mr. Town Meeting member. I must admit I never thought I would see you doing this. Glad I was wrong about that. And impressed by the fact you did not grandstand for your own agenda here, but listed and learned, as new members should. Hope you stick around long enough to become one of those who understands and makes things happen.
As an official voice of the people now, what is your take on the budget for fiscal 2011? Is it reasonable and can we actually expect to cover it? Or are we going to run at a deficit because taxes are down? Did TM vote for a 2.5% increase in the property tax or not?
204 Million? How many residents are there in Framingham? At 60,00people that would be $3,400 for each person, including babies, elderly, and everyone in between. Is that what other communities pay? Or is the fact we have so many illegals not paying their share what makes it so expensive for us?
Hope you stick around to be part of the decisions on the next round of union contracts with there health care benefits. This stuff is going to bankrupt this town if someone does not stand up to these unions.
Jim can you do anything so that TM members are required to show up, and required to stay awake and pay attention? Is that what that Rules Committee does?
I know you are frustrated, but I am not sure I am ready for city government yet. At least with town govenment, we have the opportunity to have a voice. I think we need to make towm meeting work instead of giving up on the process. THere has to be a way to make that happen. You need to appeal to more people in town to get involved, and this economy probably has more people paying attention than in the past, so the perfect opportunity to recruit new TM members. Could be a good cause for you to take on Jim.
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