Selectmen Explain Two Ballot Questions

To The Editor:

The April 9, 2013 Town Election Ballot includes two Ballot Questions which involve administrative changes to the Town Charter. By law, all changes to the Charter must come before the voters.

Residents have recently received a mailing about these proposed changes, and some have asked why these changes are being considered. State law requires the Town to distribute this mailing, but prevents the Town from fully explaining the reason for these charter changes. The Board of Selectmen and other town officials are not prohibited from explaining and advocating for (or against) these two questions in other formats, such as via letters to the editor.

The Board suggests a "Yes" vote on Questions 1 and 2, and here is why. These two changes will bring the Town Charter up to date.  Town Meeting and the State Legislature have already removed the position of Police Chief from Civil Service, and have also determined that the next Fire Chief will not be in Civil Service.  The questions on this spring's ballot will simply update the wording in our Charter. 

Should the voters reject one or both questions, then our Town Charter will not be consistent with our By-laws and the decisions of Town Meeting and the State Legislature.  A "no" vote on one or both questions will not change these positions back to Civil Service for the future.

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously at its April 1, 2013 meeting to submit this Letter to the Editor for publication. 

If you have questions, please contact the Selectmen's office at 508 647-6410. Thank you for your consideration.

Paul R. Joseph

Carol A. Gloff

Charles M. Hughes

Nicholas S. Mabardy

Joshua Ostroff