Highlights from the September Council Meeting
Monday nights Council meeting was very productive and I will be more specific in another entry later this week. I wish to hit the high spots and make reference to a few of my comments on yesterday's blog.
First, let me state that I am not a reporter by profession, and that these accounts of the meetings that I report on are through my eyes. The comments are my opinion and mine alone. I try to accurately report this information, but do not guarantee such.
Council approved my request for a " work session " to address the Town's finances. Mayor Coleburn had an agenda item requesting a work session for November. It was suggested that a November work session concerning finances would be more productive because more data would be available concerning the Town's revenue streams than wouldn't be available in October. I asked Mayor Coleburn would it be possible to have his program and my proposed program at the same work session. Mayor Coleburn agreed, and Council approved my motion. The meeting is set for Wednesday November 12, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council's chambers. Of course, the public is welcome!
There were several questions and concerns that I had intended to address during last nights meeting that were posted on my previous blog that I didn't bring up because this work session was scheduled, and that would be the appropriate time to discuss them.
Council also approved my request to form a group to pursue recycling in Blackstone. A steering committee was formed to select a board and define the role of the group. Members of the committee are: Council members Tucker, Wynn, Green, Mr. Richard Eaton and Mr. Bryan Wright. Manager Palmore offered Assistant Town Manager Dunn to work with the committee. The initial meeting will be in the next few weeks, and I will post that time and place on the web-site. If you are interested in volunteering, please let me know.
I also asked that the issue of a Custodian or re-bidding the cleaning contract for the Town be on the agenda. After Manager Palmore answered publicly a letter from the Friends of the Library, I understood that Mr. Palmore's intentions are to address this issue in six months. A motion to table this issue for six months was passed.
I was premature with some of my comments about the executive session held last month. I was wrong about Council members being " personnel ". Legally, members of Council are eligible to be discussed in closed session, but I don't agree. At any rate I will not argue the point. Just as I stated that I am not a reporter, neither am I an Attorney.
I sincerely apologize for this error, and I should have my facts straight before I make such statements. I will try to learn from this mistake and not let it happen again.
I talked to two attorneys and an advocate group representative today about the Freedom of Information Act and the regulations concerning closed sessions. I learned that I am personnel. I learned that the agenda must state the particular statue cited, and a general description of the reason for a closed session. Blanket reasons such as Legitation are not acceptable. A description must be given. If the session calls for personnel, and there is more than one issue, then they must be listed seperately and announced in open session.
The fact of matter is that my constituents were not injured by the personnel matter previously mentioned, and I intend to drop the matter here and now so far as changing my vote or the record. But, the matter of the Town Manager attempting to call me down in front of Council is extremely in-appropriate and very disappointing. I intend to write the Town Manager a letter and encourage him to visit my office or call me when he has a concern or problem with my actions. I do not recognize his authority to correct me and I answer to the voters, not Town staff.
I intend to go through the rest of the meeting very shortly and provide an update on the recycling steering committee. A meeting is being organized for the first of next week.
I will do my best to post the minutes, my comments and other information by the end of the week. If you have any questions or comments, give me a call or drop me an e-mail!
First, let me state that I am not a reporter by profession, and that these accounts of the meetings that I report on are through my eyes. The comments are my opinion and mine alone. I try to accurately report this information, but do not guarantee such.
Council approved my request for a " work session " to address the Town's finances. Mayor Coleburn had an agenda item requesting a work session for November. It was suggested that a November work session concerning finances would be more productive because more data would be available concerning the Town's revenue streams than wouldn't be available in October. I asked Mayor Coleburn would it be possible to have his program and my proposed program at the same work session. Mayor Coleburn agreed, and Council approved my motion. The meeting is set for Wednesday November 12, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council's chambers. Of course, the public is welcome!
There were several questions and concerns that I had intended to address during last nights meeting that were posted on my previous blog that I didn't bring up because this work session was scheduled, and that would be the appropriate time to discuss them.
Council also approved my request to form a group to pursue recycling in Blackstone. A steering committee was formed to select a board and define the role of the group. Members of the committee are: Council members Tucker, Wynn, Green, Mr. Richard Eaton and Mr. Bryan Wright. Manager Palmore offered Assistant Town Manager Dunn to work with the committee. The initial meeting will be in the next few weeks, and I will post that time and place on the web-site. If you are interested in volunteering, please let me know.
I also asked that the issue of a Custodian or re-bidding the cleaning contract for the Town be on the agenda. After Manager Palmore answered publicly a letter from the Friends of the Library, I understood that Mr. Palmore's intentions are to address this issue in six months. A motion to table this issue for six months was passed.
I was premature with some of my comments about the executive session held last month. I was wrong about Council members being " personnel ". Legally, members of Council are eligible to be discussed in closed session, but I don't agree. At any rate I will not argue the point. Just as I stated that I am not a reporter, neither am I an Attorney.
I sincerely apologize for this error, and I should have my facts straight before I make such statements. I will try to learn from this mistake and not let it happen again.
I talked to two attorneys and an advocate group representative today about the Freedom of Information Act and the regulations concerning closed sessions. I learned that I am personnel. I learned that the agenda must state the particular statue cited, and a general description of the reason for a closed session. Blanket reasons such as Legitation are not acceptable. A description must be given. If the session calls for personnel, and there is more than one issue, then they must be listed seperately and announced in open session.
The fact of matter is that my constituents were not injured by the personnel matter previously mentioned, and I intend to drop the matter here and now so far as changing my vote or the record. But, the matter of the Town Manager attempting to call me down in front of Council is extremely in-appropriate and very disappointing. I intend to write the Town Manager a letter and encourage him to visit my office or call me when he has a concern or problem with my actions. I do not recognize his authority to correct me and I answer to the voters, not Town staff.
I intend to go through the rest of the meeting very shortly and provide an update on the recycling steering committee. A meeting is being organized for the first of next week.
I will do my best to post the minutes, my comments and other information by the end of the week. If you have any questions or comments, give me a call or drop me an e-mail!
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