LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Why a 5-Member Board of Selectmen Works
Sudbury resident Dan De Pompei points to facts about how an increase makes for better town governance.
I currently own property in two Massachusetts communities. Both communities have a Board of Selectmen-Town Manager form of governance. One community has three unpaid selectmen (the 3 Town) and the other has five unpaid selectmen (the 5 Town).
The 3 Town has been struggling for several years to understand, fund and justify a waste water system. The 5 Town had a shovel ready program and received federal stimulus funds two years ago to finance its’ new waste water system.
The 3 Town has been struggling for decades to understand what type of bicycle trail would be best for the Town. The 5 Town has miles of bicycle trails for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
The 3 Town limits citizen participation at Board of Selectmen (BOS) meetings to agenda items that have been submitted and approved by the BOS prior to the meeting. The 5 Town works to an agenda but welcomes citizen participation at BOS meetings and specifically schedules time for citizens’ comments.
The 3 Town has a BOS majority of high tenure members who do not need to discuss or debate many topics because they have discussed and debated most topics before. The 5 Town has more frequent turnover within the BOS and is frequently challenged with new ideas from new members; all topics before the board are debated to the benefit of the new members and the benefit of new citizens.
The 3 Town has high assessed property values. The 5 Town has higher assessed property values and the 5 Town has a higher rate of appreciation in housing values.
The 3 Town has one of the highest property tax burdens in the state. The 5 Town has one of the lowest property tax burdens in the state.
The 3 Town has a AAA bond rating. The 5 Town also has a AAA bond rating.
I could continue but the arithmetic of this letter should be pretty straight forward; an increase in Selectmen from 3 to 5 offers any community the opportunity for more experience, more creativity, more involvement and better representation in town government.
Attend Town Meeting Sept. 24, 2012. Vote yes on Warrant Article 4 to increase the Selectmen membership to 5. Enable Sudbury to do better.
Dan DePompei
Haynes Road
Edward Stark
9:34 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Wow this letter really hits home. Thank you for writing Mr DePompei. I wish I had the sense to vote for you in the last election. Unfortunately I had received Lisa Gutch's e-mail the night before the election and being a parent of two elementary school children I was scared off. Let's just say I have learned a valuable lesson: believe half of what you see and nothing of what you hear. I hope you consider running again if we expand from 3 to 5 Selectman.
Wendy Kaiser
12:13 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Excellent article Dan! Thank you!
JJoseph
1:16 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Thanks Dan,
I hope you run again. Sudbury could use your talents and contributions. Keep up the good work.
Michael Troiano
1:37 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Well said, Dan. Thanks.
Kirsten Vandijk
2:41 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I'm curious, Dan. What other town in Massachusetts is lucky enough to have you?
Alison
7:10 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Kirsten makes a good point. It would be good to know the name of this town so as informed citizens we can get a feel for how the full time residents think the town is run and whether or not this is a town we want to emulate. ......From what I hear from friends in Wayland, Sudbury is a much better run town with its 3 selectmen than their 5.......And, thank you, Dan, for your plug for the Bruce Freeman Trail.
pmotw
4:16 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Great letter Mr. DePompei. If you run agian you have our votes.
Scott Nassa
4:33 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Great letter Dan! As a friend I hope you run again! This is your best letter yet.
SueChap
11:09 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
great letter, Mr. DePompei. thank you for fighting the GOOD fight.
The 5 town knows it is lucky to have you as a resident...
the 3 town does its best to run empty nesters like you out of town.
Support 3 to 5 Selectmen on September 24!