Two weeks to go. Two weeks, fours hours and 47 minutes from the start of the writing this blog until the polls open to be exact.
The Board of Health special election will be held. It will be concluded. Its results will set the tone for at least for the seven months or so to follow it.
A bunch of people have a whole lot invested in the outcome. Literally near 16,000 people have a whole lot invested in the outcome, politically though the figure is much smaller than that.
It is extremely interesting from a handicapper's perspective how the battle for this seat, indeed a seat on the board has played out in the past two general elections, and is playing out now. People on both sides of the aisle seem to have focused on results in all the races as an indicator of sentiment on the turbine issue.
As far as the B of H race, they are probably right. Laments about the influence on outcomes in the battle for the selectmen races I think are a tad exaggerated though. Lots more to the results in those races than just the turbines.
Anyway ... this is the next big showdown in a matter that has seen a number of big showdowns to date. Only two weeks to go on this one. What seems to have taken forever to get here is just around the corner. Thankfully.
Tonight the selectmen get back to their Monday night meetings. The agenda is a lengthy one. I thought there was suppose to be a joint meeting with the Board of Health tonight, but hey I could have messed up the date. I probably did.
Lots of stuff that seems routine on the agenda. A few items that are not.
Anyway, it is a bit hard to get a motivated today. Rather than ramble on and on, I will just end it.
Open line format again.
Be safe.
I heard the meeting is not going to be 'joint' because one of the BOH members is on vacation. Unless she is out of town, then you'd think she would have attended. Maybe it's best that what was going to be discussed by the boards in a joint meeting is put off until after the election.
ReplyDeleteWe would have seen the true colors of both boards' members.
There's an interesting article in the paper today concerning the school department purchasing power from the solar company.
ReplyDeleteThe article states, "Town Meeting voted three years ago that the building (assigned to 'receive' the electricity) should be Hastings Middle School...." And, "Town officials are dumbfounded by the School Committee's reluctance to accept electricity produced by the town's new solar farm." But what's worth noting is the reason the committee chairperson gives- "We are trying to save the town money and look at the big picture financially." I was glad to read Mr. Haworth and Mr. Osuch agreed that her answer didn't make logical sense.
To be honest, I don't know what Town Meeting voted on pertaining the solar generated electricity. And if the school department doesn't want it for whatever reason and another building can be named, then so be it. But maybe it 'is' best for the town to keep HMS as the assigned building.
If the school committee was actually concerned with what's financially beneficial and "look at the big picture," then you'd think they would make sure every minute of the school day was used to educate our students.
I've gone head-to-head with administrators and the school committee about several issues over the past few years. Some of the things that occurred during the school day were for the purpose of 'education' only as much as the administrators believed it was.
If the school department can purchase less expensive electricity, fine. But I believe part of the 'real' reason behind their argument lies in someone telling them what to do with their money.
This was voted by town meeting 3 years ago, and no one from the school dept. had opposition to it until now? What's the Superintendent think? He must have known about it back then.
DeleteJust a question or two here: Has anyone bothered to look up and read the actual article passed by town meeting? Does anyone remember what had been proposed and what has transpired, and know the differences?
DeleteThe article was to my knowledge related to the lease of land at the landfill. The terms of the actual contract were not voted on. Could be my memory is a bit out of whack on this one, however if someone has a memory other than the lease of land vote, Art. 17, November 23, 2009 S.T.M. let me know.
Solar and wind is the most expensive electricity. They dont want to pay more for the same power. Why should they?
DeleteI have a question about elected officials in Fairhaven and if they qualify for retirement benefits after ten years of being elected to public office.
ReplyDeleteThis question never seems to get answered.Literally near 16,000 people have a whole lot invested in the outcome of the Board of Health election. If the incumbent wins and gets to the ten year mark as a public official what could this cost if any to the taxpayers ?
There is going to be a public debate on August 28th .I'm sure this is one question that needs to be resolved before the election.
Amazing how questions like this seem to pop up. Your comment is actually the third time today I have heard/read this question in about a two and 1/2 hour span. This indicates to me someone out there seems to think they have a rabbit to magically pull out of a hat.
ReplyDeleteIf I understand the pension reform act of 2009 correctly, based upon some quick research today, the answer, at least as far as it applies to the Board of Health race, is no.
An elected official who has earnings in that position of less than $5,000 per year can no longer count it as creditable service. You need 10 years of creditable service. so unless someone prior to July 1, 2012 (the latest effective date for anyone to rely on the prior law) had 10 years all ready in, the minimum earnings threshold cannot be met by this position.
May be someone out there is more attuned to the current pension laws so maybe then can chime in.
Based on what I know however, based on the salary for a Board of Health member, as to the specific race at hand and the one candidate I assume you are essentially referring to, the answer is no.
The pension reform act of 2009 is just that an act that took place in 2009.
ReplyDeleteIf someone was elected into office prior to 2009 they should be grandfathered into the system.
Elected officials elected after the 2009 reform act would fall under the new rules.
The Fairhaven Town Clerk would have the answer to this question. If the Fairhaven Town Clerk was elected more than ten years ago the reform act of 2009 would take away the vesting process ? I don't think so ???
Did you choose to ignore the statement about earning less than $5,000 or are you just unable to understand? Whether you feel they should be grandfathered or not is irrelevant. The town clerk makes a tad more than $5,000 per year. Nothing was said about taking away from anyone with more than ten years. The act seemed pretty clear to me. You have actually read it, right? Or are you just responding and are a tad upset that the information throws a monkey wrench into you plans?
ReplyDeleteInteresting Selectmen's meeting tonight. Apparently the Selectmen can't dictate the hours of operation of the shipyard. That takes the pressure off them if there is a joint meeting in the future. An observation about assigning the solar energy recipient- looked like a game of hot potatoes. For crying out loud, we scream for green energy and them when we have it, no one wants it. What a town.
ReplyDelete