Weekend, but is it an update?

I have been in the mood to try and tap out some words of profound wisdom. The biggest impediment to doing that is probably obvious. the wisdom part.  

Of course trying to provide and profound insight to the matters we are facing is also a bit of a snag in the line of thought. 

In truth, what deeply serious problems are we dealing with as a town at the moment that would require such deeply serious thought?

Some certainly might argue the fate of the old school buildings. Our deep affection for our deep history seemingly impedes any practical solutions.  

Funny thing about history.  It does seem to get a bit twisted here and there.  

Before I go off on that rant, let's try to get back to the immediate future.

The near immediate future, two weeks from today in fact, may provide some serious insight. Sooner or later even TM is going to tire of the let's do it again, and by the way you need to pony up more money so we can do it again, mentality.

The biggest impediment to the housing proposal is really the parking issue.  Let's face it folks, a 62+ housing complex isn't going to impact the traffic flow there to any significant degree. The in and out is going to be spread over the entire day, rather than in peak periods, say like when the gym if it stayed was used, or classes held, or some of the other stuff for the alternate.

The real issue is parking.  While I think the immediate residents have some concern over parking, that is actually kind of an easy thing to take care of in truth.  Other communities have found a number of solutions to insure resident parking on side streets. The overflow to the proposed park parking lot is easy too. Ban overnight parking. Go in there a few times and tag every car, see it stop real quick.

The parking issue here I think is be driven by other needs.  Indeed the issue itself is being driven by other needs. But this is Fairhaven folks. We have a long history of making sure we take care of other needs.

We also have a long history of a bit of the "pendulum swing" reaction to a problem. Do I agree there should be set limitations relative to use and intensity? Absolutely.  Reading the latest proposal for such a thing however I am a bit perplexed how the latest proposal doesn't apply to presently existing facilities in town. Sure they have certain grandfathered protections. But ... well I am not going to deal with the buts, at least not all of them.

But I am sure we will get the explanation we need.

I imagine the TM could be extremely interesting this year. First, the new budget presentation format might result in some discussion, confusion and essentially resistance to, well being new. 

The most controversial article on the annual warrant, well from the pundit's view, is going to be the zoning change.  Note I said annual.  

Anywho, or is it anyway? 

I have been hearing a few chirps about the sewer rate increase and how that relates to the sewer articles. Not sure we will see any huge raging debate though. A couple or rants, maybe.

The Special Acts clean up language might have some questions. Not sure why you wouldn't do it at this point.  Might be one or two out there still looking for a kick at the can for another abolish the old and bring in the new BPW. 

Might be that is if any of the proponents of that failed fiasco want to get up and argue once again how that would be an improvement to what we have. Not very likely that will happen, but there might be.

Mercifully, this years STM warrant has only 12 Articles. Unfortunately, 3 of those articles concern the former school buildings. There is also a request for a PILOT on that warrant. Might have some issues there.

In case you are wondering, and I know a few of you are because you have asked me, there is no burning desire from this writer to become an audience speaker.

My prior role and involvement was dictated by my, well prior role and involvement. I have no compulsion to stand and be heard for the sake of standing and being heard.  We have a few too many willing to do that all on their own.

Now I won't say absolutely, positively it ain't going to happen, because who the hell knows what might happen that day. But if you want to make book, if you see me in line to speak, bet the odds it is to move the question rather than questioning. By the way, even for that, if you can get 1 for the over/under, take the under.

Forgive me for maligning the lyrics, but for this year I rather laugh with the sinners than cry like one of the saints.

Be safe.