The Select Board will meet jointly with the Finance Committee tonight to review the town's 2010 budget.
The joint meeting with the School Committee scheduled for May 12th has been postponed at their request. A new date has not been set.
On Friday, the House completed the budget in the General Court and we should have a pretty good idea of the state budget. Still has to go to the Senate and Governor. There are some issues unresolved. The Governor has said he will veto the sales tax hike.
The House budget restores some local aid (see page 16 of link), Dartmouth's share at this point is $416,585. That number is added ...
... to the $2,123,754 from the Ways and Means budget for a total of $2,5440,339. Last year's local aid was $3,575,764.
It also cut the Quinn bill money by half. The Quinn bill supplements the pay of police officers who get college degrees. Some towns have agreements to pay the difference if the state does not. Dartmouth is not among them. This is a big hit to those officers who had been getting the Quinn bill money. They may be losing 12-1/2% of their pay.
As a final note, the Commonwealth's website and that of the General Court, our legislature, are excellent and a wealth of information. Check them out.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Select Board meeting with Finance, School Committees
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99 comments:
I just love the way the schools never seem to be 'available' when it's time to talk in front of the public on tv.
Well anonymous, considering mr Mcdonald is recovering from cancer surgury a delay sounds more than reasonable so your comments about the schools to yourself
anon 2:09 - every school committee meeting is in front of the public and on TV. Come out of hiding and participate.
Sorry to hear about the cancer thing for Mr McDonald - here's hoping for a speedy, full recovery.
I am very sorry that Mr. McDonald had surgery. Hope is is back soon. But, the last time I checked, there were 5 members on the school com.
Does ALL business stop if 1 member is away? I realize that Mr. McDonald is the chair, but there is also a co-chair.
I think it is important that these dept. meet together and the public should be able to see them all interacting.
It appears that we have two school com. in town now anyway.
After listening to Lynnam's talk, we are not looking good right now. We need to tighten our belts, not spend!
Thank goodness we have people like Greg Lynam, Bill Trimble, and Joe Michaud who are not afraid to say we can't afford it. No apologies given; they outrightly refer to the facts and the reality of our financial situation when they are called on to consider this or that (the Youth Advocate) to be funded.
There's no beating around the bush or trying to soften the blow to make the reality more palatable to those who won't accept it.
Wouldn't we all like to change a lot of things that happen to us? It is what it is, deal with it.
I'm glad Michael Watson in no uncertain terms told the spectators at the Select Board meeting that he did not want to hear people who could not responsibly support funding the Youth Advocate's position called anti-children. You can be sure some will try and it will be like the override all over again.
I'm usually just an observer and a reader of this blog, but I have decided to toss my few cents into the conversation. I 100% agree if the Youth Advocate position isnt affordable then we should come up with another option. I dont want to use $$ from Stab funds, thats not the purpose of those funds. I too am not anti-child. Antoher option might be a specific override question just for the salary. I'm not sure it would pass but its worth a shot. Let the voters decide what they think is important. I dont agree with Mr Trimble when he said that every position should have its own revenue source. That seems a bit silly to do that with secretaries. Do I think some positions and departments should be self-reliant. Just a thought could the youth advocate become a part-time paid position for 2010 and see if we can do better in 2011. I'd rather keep it as part-time than pay unemployment & a pension.
Could some of the local businesses step up and pay the other half?
...just my thoughts...
I'd like to keep the position. there is a "need", but there are also many other "needs" too.
I thik what Mr. Trimble was saying is that every line item should be reviewed every year.
Mr. Watson began by trying to make Mr. Trimble look foolish for saying that but then realizes Bill is right so he has to change course and agree that every item should be looked at. The only one who looked foolish was Mr. Watson. For someone who ran his campaign on civility and "we can disagree without being disagreeable", Mr. Watson sure was being confrontational with Mr. Trimble. Mr. Trimble has a right to his opinion as does Mr. Watson but I saw no need for Mr. Watson to directly challenge another board member. The campaign is over folks. Now we'll see how many promises get broken.
Mr. Trimble was right when he said, this is not a one time expense. This position keeps coming back in question every year. It is $70,000 salary, plus insurance, benefits, vacations, etc., every year. How can we sustain this? Look at grants and other ways to keep this position. How do other towns fund their youth advocate? What towns have youth advocates anyway?
Maybe Mr Lee could go work for the town that Mr Gagne is working for. Perhaps they need and can afford a youth advocate. Then we can hire one for significantly less money and less hours.
We all saw Kevin Lee out there holding signs for Lara so we know where she is going on that one. Let the buildings,roads crumble and the police chase criminals in speeding cars on foot. We need to save this job. Children will be dying in the streets if we don't.
At least Watson cut the "you hate children" campaign off at the knees last night. Like he said, this is a prioritized budget issue and anyone using that argument should immediately lose any credibility.
This position is not about Kevin Lee. It is about whether Dartmouth can sustain a youth advocate. I think this started out as a part-time job and when we were fat and happy, it became full-time. Why not go to part-time. Provide groups to the schools.
This business about being on call 24/7 is ridiculous! If a teen is in crisis, they belong going/calling the crisis center or talking with parents if possible. I have talked with several people who don't have youth advocates in their towns. This is a 'nice to have' not a 'have to have'.
I came to this blog to see how last night's select board meeting would be portrayed on this blog. I see there is some exaggeration. Let me share some insight since I was in attendance. The meeting was overwhelmingly positive. Mr. Watson simply pointed out due process to Mr. Trimble-that each department should be asked for the same figures, and that the youth commission not be singled out for coming up with 4 years of revenue sources. Mr. Trimble decided to speak after everyone else had spoken in support of finding a way to keep the Youth commission funding. READ: YOUTH COMMISSION FUNDING. Let's leave Kevin out of it, since we are talking about the position, not the person. After laughing and smirking at Gail Shultz while she presented on behalf of the commission, Mr. Trimble tried to make an argument about having to come up with this salary every year. NOTE: every elected town position is year-to year. The youth advocate position has to go before the town for renewal every year- this is no different than any other elected position in the town of Dartmouth. Despite the defensive plea from two selectmen that they value the youth commission's work- the message they gave to the audience was that the purchase of two cop cars and new middle school lockers being a onetime spend, were more important to the town. And furthermore, that funding the youth advocate position could result in “the police having to walk to get around, and the buildings in town to crumble.” It was clear, that those who chose to read the impact statement provided to them prior to the meeting, chose to be informed. Mr. Michaud told Gail he really had no idea what other towns do, “do they have a youth advocate? Do they pay them? I really have no idea,” he said. Other towns do have youth advocates, and they do need and value them. And yes, they do pay them what they deserve for term of service and degree. The commission and supporters of the commission will get those facts for him. But will he read it? Probably not. Michaud and Trimble consistently try to "quantify" this work with some sort of magic number. Trouble is the work of youth advocates, teachers, guidance counselors and social workers can never be put into a neat little spreadsheet, just as kids cannot be expected to just find some other services. I think it was pretty clear to folks in attendance, that Michaud and Trimble do not in fact grasp the need for this work, the great impact it has on parents, teachers and the youth of this town. If they did, there would be a hell of a lot more respect for the youth commission chair, Kevin, and the people in the town who pay taxes and came to support the position last night. We know it's a tough economy, we work too! We see layoffs and line cuts, we see positions eliminated that cripple companies. We get it, no need to tell us how hard it is out there.
As for grant funding, it is a good idea. The reality for those that have never done grant writing-is it takes someone to do it, and it takes time. As it is the youth commission has just one salary on the table, no support staff, and ZIP ZERO budget. So, doesn’t it make sense to fund this position for the next year, and see what can be done in that year to find alternative funding? At the conclusion, the Youth Commission was given the task of figuring out how much a kid costs the town of Dartmouth. And that, my friends, says it all right there.
I believe that health insurance companies have to cover psychological issues which would include behavorial problems as well. Why aren't parents using this resource? If they cannot afford health insurance, there is Mass Health. The town should not be responsible for this service if it cannot afford it.
The reason Mr. Lee's position is being singled out is because the Finance Committee along with the Select Board did not prioritize the position as a 1 or 2. 1 and 2 priorities are those that are mandated or impossible to do away with. The youth advocate does not fall into these categories. Please tell me what other service you would eliminate to fund Mr. Lee's position?
I see the next nasty campaign has already begun. Now it will be Mr. Trimble who will be portrayed as mean spirited and unable to get along. You sir/madam have no shame.
OK since the attack Bill Trimble campaign has already begun by the blowhard anon 12:19 we might as well get down to the nastiness.
Lara Stone is a big fat liar. She campaigned with ads touting fiscal responsibility when she knew full well that she didn't give a hoot about maintaining our infrastructure or using only recurring revenue for operating expenses. This was deceitful and underhanded. Talking like a baby in a high pitched irritating voice does not make one likable or credible. It is clear that her intention is to spend our town into higher taxes even though between PAYT and overrides, the town has gotten an extra $4mil annually in the last two years.
Anon. 3:57, NO OVERRIDE FOR ANYTHING! This INCLUDES NO OVERRIDE for Mr. Lee's position.
Honestly, it just seems like people have become like little kids. "I want," so you MUST give to me.
If there is no money, THERE IS NO MONEY. Period. End of story.
We will be barraged from now until TM about keeping Mr. Lee in his position, even though it is in black-and-white that there is no more available money.
I will NEVER vote for an override for any position at this point. And I will NOT VOTE to take any money from the STAB Fund for this or any other position.
Once we capitulate and start taking money from the STAB or voting okay for overrides for salaries to retain positions, we begin sliding down the slippery slope of setting a disturbing precedent that encourages other individuals to ask for the same.
This is not the way responsible individuals should allow their finances to be run. After all, these ARE OUR finances, paid for from our taxes.
Sorry, 3:57, I did not mean to vent all this against you. I am just sick and tired with "override" STILL being considered, however marginally, as the means to obtain money that the Town doesn't have.
On another topic, it was rather startling to see and listen to the vehement attitude Mr. Watson took when he went off on Mr. Trimble. I think he needs to remember he is not talking to one of his students, not that I would expect that he addressed his students in that manner, either.
Anon. 12:19, please. Now you are taking the tack of how Joe and Bill "don't grasp the need" for the YA, and that they "would have more respect" for so many people you name in your post, if they did. Weak theory. Believe what you want, though.
If YOU "get" "how hard it is out there," you yourself would not be turning Joe and Bill's opinions and comments out of context, and YOU would accord them the respect you claim they owe Kevin (even though you state the issue is not the person, but rather the position), Ms. Shultz, and all.
I have an idea: take the year off and check out the grants available, find a grant writer, and then you all come back next year and tell us how YOU can fund the YA. Then, maybe, in the meantime the rest of us might find some way to fund the position after you pave the way.
Thanks 12:19.
I find it quite comical that we will have a Grants Department where you would expect to find - - YES! a grants writer!
Only in Dartmouth, though. Yes, we will have a Grants Department, minus a grants writer, however.
Ms. Doris Copley, GRANTS Department, let the SB and Town know in no uncertain terms a couple of SB meetings ago, that she DOES NOT, repeat, DOES NOT, write grants.
She is, instead, highly paid to ADMINISTER them only. As a post script, she even added that once upon a time in her grants administering position, she even had a service that would hunt down the grants for her, and someone else, repeat, SOMEONE ELSE, would write them up, only to have it fall upon her shoulders to administer them.
Several years ago, in 2005, I believe, her paralegal position was threatened for elimination because the then-town counsel was doing his own paralegalling and didn't need her services. It was probably at that time that she began advocating for her current granting position. That timeframe could easily be determined by the emails she sent to Boston attorney Joseph T. Bartulis, Jr. when she was finagling for her job-and-financial-protection-for-life- contract gaurantee, which, by the way, she, Gagne, Iacaponi, Reed, Paiva, Bergman, Hickox, and Melo got. (That's the infamous clause b that will no longer be included in any further contracts, along with the automatic contract renewal language.)
Too bad. IF we had had an ACTUAL GRANTS WRITER, the YA Commission might have been able to find funding for the position.
Maybe Ms. Copley could be convinced to write grants??
Anon. 12:19- uh oh! hmmm, sounds like someone on the selectboard is having a tantrum...
Why would you think it is someone on the Select Board? There are many people in town including myself who are angry about Ms. Copley's cushy position and how she obtained that position.
Sounds to me like Lara Stone's dirty political camp is hard at work trying to go after any Select Board member who doesn't agree with her spending philosophy.
Which will be "override!"
Anon 1:33 is absolutely correct but Lara Stone doesn't care. She campaigned on her ability to get grants as a source of revenue. The best she has done in that department so far has been to ask Doris if she thinks she could find the time to look for some grant opportunities. What a joke. Wake up Lara. Doris is a politically appointed hack that does as little as possible for a whole lot of money.
Ms. Copley seems to be doing her darndest to convince everyone how valuable she is to the Town. Yet she can't write grants? That's unbelievable. Is there anyone out there in the workforce who needs a job and who can write grants?
What a waste to not utilize someone who has the capacity to do what is needed of an employee in the Grants Department, write grants.
I would bet there would be a lot of people who could step into her position at less pay, even, and who would be happy to have a job and wouldn't be complaining, or for that matter, trying to backdoor good deals for themselves.
What about funding Mr. Lee's position from Ms. Copley's salary?
Then maybe we can get a real grants writer.
Then Ms. Stone should be able to wave her magic wand and find the appropriate grant for the YA and apply for it and maybe even write it up herself?
Or, surely, she knows someone who could do either or both, and assist the YA Commission in getting a funding grant for Mr. Lee's position.
Come to think of it, Ms. Stone did play the grants writing hand, subtly, but still noticeable, which is how she wanted it, when she was campaigning. Why doesn't she step in and help the YA?
Of course, if a grant is found to fund the YA position, it would probably be for one year, and then it would have to be reapplied for every year thereafter, and we would be back in the same position we are in today. We would still need to prove sustainability and be able to achieve it year after year, in order to keep the job.
That was the problem with the library director's job. It was funded in part through a yearly grant that the Board of Library Trustees could not assure FinCom that it would be able to sustain year after year, without the possibility of asking for an override again in 2009, and that specifically was mentioned in one FinCom meeting last year.
Look what happened, anyway. Ms. Medeiros no longer has her position as library director.
Mr. Lee's position is on the chopping block again this year because: we have some jobs that are required by law and his is not. He is not a licensed social work or licensed psycholoist. We have positions in town schools that do the same function and they are licensed.
It's NOT ALL ABOUT KEVIN LEE, it is about the position of the Youth Advocate.
There are certain people in town that want to make it about Kevin Lee. E-M-O-T-I-O-N
To anon 12:19,
Please tell me where these towns are that have youth advocates and what are their salaries?
I have asked many towns in So.Eastern Ma and have yet to find a Youth Advocate.
Very interesting information, I wish you would share with everyone.
Mr Trimble was correct. The fin. com. goes through each and every position in town and examines whether it will be funded.
The Youth Advocate job has been at risk before. It's too bad that Mr. Lynam didn't speak to how they came up with that when he was at the Select Board Mtg on Monday night.
It has nothing to do with whether you like Lee or not!
And it's the same people who made it all about Mr. Gagne and what a great guy he is, so how could those ignorant SB members do that to him.
Joe and Bill will be at the receiving end of some of these people's venom soon enough, just wait. Doesn't matter what Mr. Watson says. Some people just can't help themselves.
I smell the makings of another recall action (kidding, here.)
Would they be foolish enough to risk another fiasco like that? Credibility would be lost big time.
Couple things: there are over 32 towns in MA alone with Youth Advocate positions-as for E-M-O-T-I-O-N, it is expected for the kids, teachers, parents and other social service workers who benefit and interact with the youth advocate to feel upset over the potential loss of these services which you CANNOT get in the school alone. I would hope anyone is human enough to understand and appreciate that. Everyone in town has a voice and a right to advocate for the services that they deem valuable in this town. One person does not decide what our priority is, the community does.
Oh, and btw, the current youth advocate holds a Masters and is a certified pastoral counselor.
But then again, it's not about the person, right?
Peace
Yes, understandable, but we can't base how we deal with our financial situation on emotions. That has to be understood, harsh as it may be, just as you state you "hope anyone is human enough to understand and appreciate" the loss children and parents will feel over the youth advocate's position.
You forgot to mention how these 32 towns, which you neglected to list, fund the youth advocate positions. Also what are the salaries? Are they part time? Do they receive benefits? Does the town, school, private citizens/businessses pay for them?
No, it's not about the person. It's about the position and whether the town can support it or not. There are other resources available so please don't insult my intelligence with propaganda that Dartmouth children will fall by the wayside without a youth advocate.
Lara Stone has already started with the scare tactics implying if we buy police cruisers, we could lose a child. Sorry but this tactic couldn't have more of a negative effect on me.
32 towns! Name some of these towns!
Salaries! Give me the money!$$
Just because you say it, doesn't make it so.
And if we don't buy police cruisers, we could also lose a child and even an adult.
Instead of preaching, perhaps Lara could volunteer to use her networking skills and assist the Youth Commission in finding private or other funding that could keep Mr. Lee's job without relying on the taxpayers to provide the money. Perhaps she could really find that grant writer or do it herself. She seems to have many skills and must have built up a a base of individuals and non-profits that could help out the cause she is trying to make us feel guilty about and scare us out of our money for.
What a good time to put her money where her mouth is. What a heroine she could be in the eyes of our youth.
Then lets have the whole community decide and put it on the ballot. Rather than letting it go to town meeting, let the voters decide. Do the voters of Dartmouth wish to fund the youth advocate through the Stab fund? I'd say that would really be a true indication of what the community wants.
I should have added, and deservedly so, if she could save that job and save the town money. (That means no override, don't forget, and no money from our wallets, Lara.)
Let me say as a professional that Mr. Lee doesn't seem right for the job given some of his actions. This can't be funded now.
Lara Stone made lots of campaign promises but it has become a different matter for her to actually act on any of them. Whatever subject comes up, she claims to have a background in it. She has yet to offer to do anything except to be on the Smart Growth Committee but we all know the reason for that. More kids, more money for the schools. She was big on the grants thing but when it came down to it, she just suggested Copley should be doing more. How about it Lara? What are you going to do to fulfil your platform instead of shoving the work onto someone else?
Perhaps Lara could teach Doris how to write grants? Then having a "grants department" would make sense.
Sounds just like an excuse to provide "work" for Ms. Copley, much like changing her "job responsibilities" to keep her on the town's coffers. If one job ceases to exist, make up another one. Ms. Copley sure is giving that her all, kind of like setting the stage for her potential demise, just like she did back in 2005 with the Bartulis correspondence.
And it did work, then, too.
Seriously, though, Lara, would you be willing to teach Doris?
Help us, Lara, help, help us, Lara.
Anon. 6:49, Lara is no longer on the Lincoln Park Smart Growth Overlay District Committee. She resigned because of some sort of conflict with her neighbor's being on it, or something similar, although I didn't get exactly what.
Bill was appointed in her place, and I think that he will be the better and fairer choice by far.
What was the date this blog went to the crapper? Is this the best you people can do? Everyone of those select board members is doing this work FOR FREE for the benefit of the town. Stone and Watson got elected by the people so get over it and the childish name calling. Talk about a bunch of sore losers.
LS is starting to sound and act more like KHM, and it's just the beginning of her tenure on the Board.
To Anon 7:57. What's the matter? Don't like it when someone else uses your tactics?
Gee Anonymous 7:57. You forgot to mention Bill Trimble. Isn't he included as someone who works for free. How come you aren't rushing to his defense when he was attacked as well?
And I just bet you were on here sayng the same thing when people were attacking Diane Gilbert. Calling her names when she was volunteering her time for the town.
Perhaps I was not succinct as I could have been at the meeting last night. My argument is that every position in the town must to be sustainable from the ongoing revenues of the town. The proposed 2010 budget comes close to that. Every department has shared in the cuts in this budget. The Youth Commission was not singled out. Every department must be able to sustain it's budget year over year. If they cannot then changes must be made so that they can.
The budget is a zero sum game. What is spent in one place is not available for other things and increased spending on one budget means reduced budgets somewhere else.
This whole smirking and laughing at meeting comment is complete bullshit. I call it what it is, bullshit. You want to talk about rudeness. How about disrupting our meeting for five minutes while noisily leaving the room? That's rude and inconsiderate!, not only to the Select Board but to those other people who had business with the Board last night. I tried to explain the fiscal realities that face the town. My anonymous critic is completely clueless of the town's fiscal realities and engages in baseless ad hominem attacks. This nameless person is not even aware of who is elected and who is not. Pretty weak stuff as an argument
The numerical classification given to functions in the town was not based on how the Select Board and Finance Committee FELT about the service. It has a rational basis which I have written about. Level 1 are those things which the town is required to do by law. Level 2 are those things which are inherently governmental, policing, issuing permits, etc. Level 3 is comprised of those things which are needed for the functioning of government, assessing and collecting taxes, keeping records, etc., and everything else is discretionary spending or level 4.
7:57, some of us would question the interpretation of "for the benefit of the town."
If you remember, we've heard that refrain or something similar (I seem to recall it went something like, "in the best interest of the Town") before, and look where it got us for many years. Backdoor contracts come to mind, for one thing. Suggestions that MG sue the town, for another. You get the picture?
Mike Watson has not tipped his hand on how he feels about funding the youth advocate. Like a true politician, he stated that he wanted to keep the position but did not support raiding the Stab fund. He also ran on fiscal responsibility. Will he join Bill and Joe or will he be a liar like Lara?
Profanity Bill? I would expect better from an elected official.
I'ld rather hear the truth with some profanity mixed in than listen to Lara'a lies in that high pitched irritating baby talk voice.
Yes , it looks like Watson is going to have to give up being all things to all people soon. It will be interesting to see what he does when it is time to vote on whether or not the SB supports the town meeting article regarding the Youth Advocate. He is definitely playing both sides of the fence right now.
Let's see - I have yet to read a post here that 'attacks' Mr Trimble. Instead someone questions his line of reasoning last night, hardly an attack rather an intelligent argument. The rest of the blog proceeds to call Mrs Stone all manor of names and insults,rants at Mr Watson for expressing his own opinions and daring to question Mr. Trimble and of course the by now expected rants aimed at Mr. Lee. Oh I almost forgot that the blog started off mouthing off about a postponed meeting because a key member of the school committee would be recuperating from cancer treatment and asked for a week's delay so he could be physically ready for the meeting. And Mr. Trimble is put out!
So we have determined that 32 towns have a Youth Advocate in our state. What kind of funding do these 32 towns provide? How many towns don't have a Youth Advocate? Would 90% be a good guess?
Bill - is Mrs Copley a 2, 3 or 4? Do we know yet what she does? Does she know?
Get used to it. We're not putting up with attacks against anyone who dares to be fiscally responsible without counter attacks. Don't complain because we are engaging in your own game. And yes, Lara is a LIER!!!! She had the audacity to claim she was fiscally responsible in her campaign ads. I intend to play hardball at any hint of ill intent towards officials who I favor. This is what the Boston transplants have brought to our town's politics. If you don't want shock and awe reprisals, then mind your manners and things will stay civil.
To anon 9:48 You are full of S#!). The attack against Trimble was clear and obvious. Typical of the spend, spend, spend crowd. Attack an official, then deny it happened and complain about the counter attacks. 9:48, you are a low life politico who probably wrote the initial attack.
Wow, someone besides me thinks Watson is a politician.
I've been saying that since he began campaigning. Glad I'm not the only one with that opinion.
Is that what is known as riding the fence?
9:18, is an elected official calling Bill an idiot better?
9:50, we know she doesn't write grants. She knows she doesn't write grants.
Who knows, though. That could change overnight. All it takes is a little creativity on her part.
Stay tuned, everyone.
The post says,"The joint meeting with the School Committee scheduled for May 12th has been postponed at their request. A new date has not been set." Characterizing that as an attack is more BS. Pitiful. The comment says "After laughing and smirking at Gail Shultz while she presented on behalf of the commission, Mr. Trimble tried to make an argument about having to come up with this salary every year." Don't see an argument there at all, much less an intelligent one.
You guys are so thin-skinned and selective readers to boot. The attacks began on the very first post on this thread and continued on to insult and name call multiple people. One post describes Mr Trimble's actions during Mrs Shultz's presentation and you go wild. I get callled a political hack for posting my views and am told I am full of shit. Stone is called a liar and she has yet to do one thing that would justify such a baseless accusation. She gets villified for the tone of her voice and the fact that she moved here, Watson gets called a politician as if that is some sort of criminal offense. If holding the office of selectman is being a politician well guess waht Mr Trimble and Michaud is a politician too. Like so many things on this particular blog, I find it very telling what gets posted and what Mr Trimble chooses to respond to or not respond to. As I said in a previous post the election is over time to get used to it.
Attacking Lara for talking like a 2 yr. old is no different than Ms. Gilbert being attacked for her mannerisms but you didn't have a problem with that did you?
Expect more if you don't mind your manners. Lara is a lier because she wrote that she is fiscally responsible in her campaign ads. She proves that to be a LIE because she supports using one time revenue for operating expenses. Lara got called a LIER because she IS one. By the way, so is Nat Dias. Would you like me to explain why?
Perhaps it would be better to LISTEN to select board meetings on the radio, so people don't get so sensitive over body language and read into every movement! You people are crazy! I listened to many people attack Ms. Gilbert because they didn't like her body style and now I hear attacks on Ms. Stone. Just listen and comment on the content not body language! If you don't agree, just state why you don't. You don't have to attack people for their voice or smile or head jerks, etc.
Grow up!
hey 7:27 anonymous lier. Where has Stone advocated spending 1 time revenue for re-curring expenses. Don't tell me about police cars. Car to know how often we buy police cars around here?
Stone supports using the Stab fund for the Youth Advocate. She is a LIER!
Some of us may have a difficult time believing she doesn't come to the table with an agenda. We know her stance on overrides (MAYBE not now, but surely later) and we certainly know all about her $8.5 million take-from-our-pockets spending initiative.
Don't be surprised if we are hesitant to embrace her "fresh new ideas," "soft side," and "civility." Sheep's clothing and all that.
I am trying hard not to think she is in greater harmony with those who do not have the concern with spending than most of us do.
So what if all eyes are on her? That's where they should be. For that matter, ALL our officials bear watching so we don't have a repeat the history of the good ol' days (boys.)
5:19, you forgot to mention Dias and Stone. By your inclusive definition, they are politicians, too.
Just a point of information. I requested a delay in the meeting between the two boards as the original meeting date of May 12th coincides with a radiation treatment as a follow up to thyroid cancer and subsequent removal. The new date has been "penciled" in for May 26th. I appreciate the SC and SB's patience on this and doubly appreciate the well wishes of those who have contacted me through this period.
anon May 5, 2009 9:50 PM - I can't find a line item for "paralegal", but the "Grant Dept" is listed as a priority 3 for FY10.
Ms. Copley sure does have her hands in a lot of pies.
Shouldn't a grants administrator also be able to write grants? I would think that would kind of go hand-in-hand, or at least be a big plus, considering the salary she receives. Do we have a one-woman "grant department" here?
How much money does the town actually pay Ms. Copley? She seems to have her salary divided among many pie slices that all pay her independently for her services.
Ms. Copley mentioned that part of her salary comes from the grant itself, and that she can ask for whatever percentage she feels is necessary for administrative costs, although the grantor may not give her that amount in its entirety.
Am I incorrect in thinking that it is hard to determine her benefits upon her retirement or leaving the town employ?
Everytime I listen to Ms. Copley, she seems to be justifying her job in grandious terms of responsibility and I am left with wondering just how it all ties in. I am probably missing something here, or maybe I just get bogged down in listening to the details involved in all her "responsibilities" and all her "accomplishments."
What about hiring an outside grants writer or "grant department" that could both write and administer the grants? Maybe we could save the money it costs in benefits, etc., to Ms. Copley that way.
What was the town's plan back in 2005 when her job as paralegal went by the wayside, that is, before she finagled her new job and financial protection guaranteed contract?
If her position then was slated for elimination because the town counsel at that time was doing his own paralegal work, would she then have been let go?
Isn't Ms. Copley of retirement age, I remember when Miller was plugging for her to get a handsome raise about 5 years ago. Ms. Copley doesn't seem right for the job, if not a writer and Mr. Lee doesn't seem right for the job and too expensive as a pastoral counselor. I would rather see another counselor in the Middle School since they are short. Also, high risk kids usually have psychiatrists or psychologists caring for them, and they can help 24/7. Why have redundancy. I agree no stabilization money for Youth Advocate and hire someone who fits grant writer position. If Town Meeting tries to keep youth advocate from stab fund money it breaks the rule over use of stab funds and reserves.
No business would keep a person on if that person could not do the job. If we need someone to write grants, why don't we have one? Is administering grants and writing them two different paying jobs?
It sounds to me that the town could have used the services of a grant writer twice in just the past few weeks.
It was mentioned at a FinCom meeting that Ms. Copley might be able to write a grant for the wind turbine project. And it seems Mr. Lee might be able to use the resources of a grant writer, if we had one.
Unfortunately, we don't and Ms. Copley can't step into that position.
What a shame. Here are two opportunities lost to help the town that she may have assisted in.
It has just occurred to me: if Ms. Copley does not write grants for the town, WHO DOES, considering we must have had grants awarded us. And, WHO PAYS for this grant writer?
Or do these grants just come to us, unbidden, and Ms. Copley administers them?
She did say that a grants writer would need information with which to apply for a grant, so that someone would have to supply that person with the information, leading, then, to the assumption, that there is someone she is in contact with when this needs doing??
So, in essence, we must have a grants writer that we are paying for. Is that person paid as needed, on retainer, what??
Where is this grant writer, then?
For clarity purposes here-- Calling Stone a lier should be LIAR!!!
Maybe spelling should get cut from our budgets.
Back to an earlier point. I'm not comfortable using one-time revenue (like Stabilization Fund money) to pay ongoing, annual expenses such as salaries. It's a terribly bad practice that I thought the Finance Committee, Select Board, and Town Meeting had wisely stopped two or three years ago. Let's not move backwards to save one job, even a noble sounding job like youth advocate.
Bill Trimble is anything but a politician. He is not there to add to his political resume (Joe Michaud). He is not there to hire and take care of friends and family (Nat Dias). He is not there to funnel more money into his own special interest (Lara Stone). He says exactly what he means, publicly states his opinions, does his research and he is not afraid to take a stand when he believes he is doing what is best for the town. The problem I believe with Mike Watson is he sounds too much like a politician. He talks in circles so in the end, he is agreeing with everyone. We have yet to see how he will vote on various issues. Time will tell.
Exactly. He sounds like a politician. In today's world, that is far from being a compliment!!
Bill is the most straight-shooting, upfront person on the Board. What you see and hear is what you get, and you can be sure he has done his homework thoroughly.
Maybe we should have an election and replace those whom we don't like.
Oh wait we just did that.
Why did Lara lie about being fiscally responsible? I believed her and now I feel like I was used. I wish I could take my vote back.
I love the comments about Watson. This guy comes from nowhere to voice opinions about the direction of this town. On this blog, he will be crucified for daring to challenge the Trimble, Michaud group. I am sure he will stand up to Dias/Stone at points in the next year as well. Sounds like the real politicians are on this blog-people married to a political ideology. I bet I could accurately predict your voting style in future elections.
I don't see Watson getting crucified, just receiveing a little scrutiny. You can't have things both ways. Monday night he told both sides of an important issue things that they want to hear but avoided taking a stand with either side of the issue. Notice that I said issue not people.
Precisely. We could all have said the same things he said Monday night. His points were well taken, but he did not commit to taking a stand. He sounds good, but when you analyze his comments, you realize he said nothing to reflect how he feels one way or the other - - taking a stand. How does that let us know how he will take care of us as an entire town? How does that let us know that he is thinking of all the residents? We have no clue. Did we vote him into office because he "sounded good"?
Little substance when the chips are down and he needs to make a decision. Riding the fence. Smooth talking. Politician.
Our two new members have a lot of catching up to do if they are effectively going to represent the residents of Dartmouth.
I think they underestimated both the magnitude of the issues and the depth of residents' concern and scrutiny.
Time to put the politicing aside and stand up for the people. I have my doubts.
It's not looking good for Stone and Watson is iffy.
I know people will say, give them time. Time is what we don't have. In the meantime, what decisions will be made that do more harm than good?
What did you people expect with newly elected selectmen. Even the exhalted Bill Trimble hit the ground stumbling when he started but after a entire year he's not too bad. I even agree with him on some things. Give these people time to learn the job then pile on. You all sound like sore losers from the election.
Stone is a big fat liar and we know what to expect from her. Watson is the one who won't take a stand until he has to raise his hand for an actual vote.
Bill far from "hit the ground stumbling" when he first got on board.
He did his homework before he got elected and is still doing it.
It's not a case of "sore losers." It's a perception and an opinion of that perception.
To Anonymous 8:34- who did you vote for? I probably don't need to ask judging by your comments. That's right 10:43, sore losers.
"Stone is a big fat liar." "Stone is a big fat liar." Nyeh, Nyeh, Nyeh, Nyeh, Nyeh, Nyeh.
Lighten up Francis!!
9:23, you may be surprised who I voted for.
Can the insults please stop? The election is over.
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