BOS Achievements and Failures

I&M Question #2 for April 9th:

Name one achievement and one failure of the current Board of Selectmen. Is the board headed in the right direction?

One major BOS achievement was the land swap to move Myles Reis operations from Miacomet Pond to land near the airport. This enabled the Town to protect Miacomet pond from further pollution, and facilitated moving the bulk fuel tanks from the downtown onto the same property near the airport.

The present BOS has failed to prioritize the Town services and to determine which are essential. The Chairman of the BOS was recently quoted saying the services of Adult Community Day Care (ACDC) are not essential to the community. While they may not be essential to all community members, they are essential to an important segment. The BOS first cut ACDC from the budget, and then reinstated it for one year.

This year the BOS increased nineteen user fees, far more than any other year on record. Those approved or under consideration, include; residential parking fees, 14 liquor license fees, mooring waiting list fees, seasonal vacation rental tax, rental car fees, and beach parking fees. User fees should not be used to balance the Town budget. This hurts the residents.

We need an efficient budget process and real planning to grow our economy. We must encourage all aspects of our community to thrive. We have to take care of our business owners, Town employees, teachers, tradesmen, fishermen and year-round residents. Our people are our community.