Turning up the heat?

Well, when did fall sneak in? Seems like it did.  Weird summer so far.  

By the calendar it is winding down. Temperature wise, things have been cool, and seem to be heading toward the cooler fall temps. 

Just as things should be heating up a bit on the political front.

If nothing else, the state elections will provide some entertainment. The AG's office highlights what is in some ways a prime example of what's wrong with life.  The two "major" contenders both have lambasted the SCOTUS for the ruling on the Massachusetts law relative to protest zone around abortion clinics.

This is NOT a comment on abortion.  Let us keep that in mind.  So ...

When you fall for that diatribe over that decision, the other thing you have to keep in mind is SCOTUS issued a UNANIMOUS decision. The vote was indeed a 9-0. Liberals, Conservatives and the swing votes all agreed.  

When you get a 9 to zip vote out of SCOTUS these days, I think you should consider the fact that perhaps it wasn't SCOTUS that is applying the law incorrectly.

Enough on that.

Locally we will see things go from the back burner to the front cooker come Thursday next. 

A meeting to make decisions on the old school buildings. How we are going to sell them, what exactly are we going to sell and what restrictions are we going to sell the properties with? Well beyond the time to turn the burner on high for this one.

The biggest problem for an RFP with "heavy" restrictions, at least from my perspective, is the one condition that will be a necessity if you want to make sure the restrictions are met.  A performance bond or security deposit to ensure compliance in a timely manner.  

What is the point of imposing these suggested restrictions otherwise?

If you are going to rely on a promise to do things, even promises made with the complete intention to do something are often unfulfilled. Market conditions, lender requirements and/or financing can change or be withdrawn.  

I am being 100% truthful in saying I sincerely hope if you put out an RFP with all the restriction, and the suggested "added" land you will end up with a qualified bid.  I mean that.  At this point in time the primary objective should be to get these properties in the hands of some individual or entity other than the Town.

Those advocating an RFP with the suggested restrictions seem to strongly believe it can be done that way.  If dumping a "few" bucks more from the town's end is what it is going to take to move it along, fine by me at this point.  

If we don't get it moving, we are only going to be dumping more money into it anyway. We will continue to incur the intangible costs too.  Time and effort spent on dealing with the issue is mounting up.  It is distracting officials from dealing with other things.  

Personally I don't see the impetus to make the decision to do anything other than an RFP with some restrictions.  If it means putting one out that way, again fine.  If it succeeds wonderful. If it fails, well it fails. The failure should than be enough of an impetus to say enough. We now sell it as is, you get to by it and do what you want within the existing zoning.

That point needs to be clear.  We cannot afford to do incremental RFPs on these properties.  

One other point on this.  No neighborhood wants change that affects it. Some best understand however that neighborhoods unaffected do in fact pay attention occasionally.  If you don't understand the intent behind that, well you can pretty much bank on the fact you are going to continue to draw the wrong attention to the matter.

Moving on ...

Seems the word through the grapevine is we will soon see another pot or two tossed onto a front burner. No, not the weed type of pot.  Although that type will at least be simmering again, most likely in front of the planning board.  It would seem however based on prior representations before the selectboard, the primary debate issue over the last special permit may not even be an issue this time around.

So what is in the other pot?  Not at liberty at this point to let the secret ingredients out of the bag.  If you have been paying attention to things though, you should be able to figure it out.  

Suffice it to say that based upon some information I can verify, and some third hand information that seems to add up, we not only will need a bigger pot, but might need a bigger burner. Whether the temperature outside stays mild or plummets, it is about to heat up in the kitchen.

My guess is you will hear the official announcement for the placement of the cooking utensil on the burner no later than September 2, 2014. 

Anyway ... that one might be enough of a reason to stick around for a bit longer past Labor Day for a few more blogs.  We will see.

Keep the week or two before Christmas open though.  If you are a Town Meeting member.  

Anyway ...

I think that is enough for today.  

Be safe.