A further response to the City/Town discussion and to Don Beers
comment:
Edgewater drive is a good example of what can be done when people roll up
their sleeves and get involved. It's not related to our form of government.
I agree with the first line and disagree with the second. As a
TMM who was directly involved in the Edgewater pumping station effort
for nearly four years, I think I can fairly say that the effort to
move this project forward would not have happened as it did if we had
a city form of government. A few notes on the process as I think
demonstrate this point of view:
1. I first went to the selectmen about our concern about a
station in precinct 3 (several of us simply took our responsibility as
TMMs to mean that we should look into this matter for our
constituents). If we had not been TMMs, we might have only asked our
city council representative to do something, and not followed through
with the many steps we then took.
2. Because we brought this up at a selectmen's meeting, one of
the selectmen mentioned that there were residents in precinct 11 also
concerned about a station there. We talked to those residents, who had
already lived with this station for a few years, with no satisfaction
to their concerns. When we offered help in looking into the matter, we
had some credibility as elected TM representatives.
3. I contacted a number of TMMs from all over town to come to the
site for a meeting. A handful showed up, and were motivated by the
sight of this monstrosity to support taking action. I wouldn't have
been able to just get a few residents to join in - people took their
"jobs" as TMMs to mean this was part of their role. If we
did not have a large pool of TMMs to contact, we might not have easily
found supporters.
4. As TMMs, we were able to get support and attention from the
town departments in getting information from engineering, public
works, etc.
5. Standing Committees of Town Meeting, especially Public Works,
took an interest in pursuing the problem.
6. It was apparent that the only way to move this action forward
was to expand public knowledge of the situation! As TMMs, we had the
opportunity to say "pass" on the public works budget at the
annual TM, in order to speak on this issue, and make a
"professional" presentation (with the assistance of the
town's technology department - particularly because we were TMMs
participating in Town Meeting) about the Edgewater station to the full
town meeting (and the TV audience). (By the way, we were able to press
for some of the paving to be removed and shrubs planted at the station
in precinct 3, while we were at it.)
7. There were times when we met delay and resistance on resolving
the problem station. After three years of effort, we went back to the
option of additional public scrutiny, with a follow up presentation to
town meeting, especially with FIMBY's help including Edgewater with
their articles for the Town Meeting warrant. At most DPW meetings with
the residents on Edgewater, we had one or more selectmen, one or more
public works commissioners, one or more TMMs (and sometimes one was a
member of a Standing Committee as well), attending. So there was
always a varied presence and show of support.
8. Even after Town Meeting voted the money to replace the
station, there were time lags and design issues. The residents had
done tremendous research themselves, including getting plans and
photos from other towns who had put in efficient and better-looking
stations. Even then, saying that I was at these small meetings
representing Town Meeting, which had voted the money, I think made
some difference.
9. As a post script, I was unable to attend the most recent
midday meeting with the residents when they were presented with the
potentially "final" plans for the project. I was sorry that
this was the first time of many that I just couldn't leave work to
attend. But I understand that the residents issues are being cordially
addressed, and we expect by the fall the work should be done.
The point of this long-winded story (sorry!) is that there are a
couple aspects to being a town that came to play here:
- Most Town Meeting Members take their responsibilities seriously and there are many of them, creating a large pool of people to go to for help or to address the problems that need addressing.
- And town officials and staff do often respond to TMMs, as this large group of individuals have the bottom-line vote on budget and by-law issues.
Town government gives you many avenues of recourse when it seems
the little guy has no chance.
No form of government is perfect, but there are so many
opportunities for citizen participation in a town, and so many
opportunities for an individual to make a difference. I attended many
of the charter commission meetings where a city charter proposal was
assembled. I didn't hear anything that appeared to have value for the
structure of this community.
Just my opinion...
Norma
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Norma Shulman
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Norma Shulman
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