<http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/local_regional/fram_king07222003 .htm> http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/local_regional/fram_king07222003. htm
King set to pick four: Questions raised about delays and role of town manager By D. Craig MacCormack / News Staff Writer Tuesday, July 22, 2003 FRAMINGHAM -- Town Manager George King said yesterday he will make four appointments to the Conservation Commission at Thursday night's selectmen meeting, ending a week of online criticism for delaying the picks. King has twice delayed making his picks, with the latest coming after Conservation Administrator Cindy Dionne said earlier this month she will leave the post in August to move to Maine with her husband. Some users of a privately run e-mail exchange said the second delay merited another look at the appointed town manager form of government, with either an election for that job or a move to make Framingham a city a better solution. "If people believe the city form of government may work, they can throw that back out there," said King. "It's an interesting discussion, but I don't think it's being seriously considered by anybody. "It's always good to look at these kinds of things, if enough people think it's worth it. It might be a good way to give those of us in the present form a chance to show it's working pretty well," he said. Chief among those pushing for an elected town manager or change to another form of government is Precinct 11 Town Meeting member Doug Freeman, who led the campaign a few years ago to make Framingham a city. "It's something I've been thinking about for a while," Freeman said of a push to having the town manager elected. "Maybe now that there's a new Government Study Committee in place, it's something they can look into. "I wasn't surprised at some of the negative criticism but there seemed to be quite a few people who were upset by the control exercised by the town manager in this matter. Maybe it's something that can be done, maybe not." Freeman sees his critics as trying to spread "fear, uncertainty and doubt" about changing the way the town is run. "I recognize people have a strong sentimental attachment to the town form of government, but why not have the best of both worlds?" said Freeman. "The town manager is appointed, but he has as much authority as any mayor." Other critics of the delay in appointments said King is holding up his appointments so the panel can't file an article with regard to Morency Woods, a proposed two-town land deal with Natick, for the fall Town Meeting. King said the seven-member commission's operation is what is most important. He plans to talk about his view of the appointment process at Thursday night's session. At the July 10 selectmen meeting, Vice Chairwoman Ginger Esty pushed King to make his appointments quickly, saying the commission needs experienced people, especially in light of Dionne's impending departure. Dionne will be the second conservation administrator to leave in about 18 months, following Sarah MacLennan out the door. MacLennan is one of eight residents vying for appointment to the Conservation Commission. MacLennan grudgingly resigned after two years on the job when Conservation Commission leadership publicly criticized her job performance. She left for a similar job in Cambridge, and she has since left from public life. MacLennan is in a group of Conservation Commission applicants that includes incumbents William Merriam and Andrew Toorock, and newcomers Nicola Cataldo, Jan Gill, Steve Orr, Jeffrey Roy and Vickie Staples. (Craig MacCormack can be reached at 508-626-4429 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]) <http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/local_regional/fram_king07222003 .htm> http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/local_regional/fram_king07222003. htm To unsubscribe, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body "unsubscribe frambors" (the subject is ignored).
