Those who have printed the 2013 Town Meeting booklet at home, or picked up a copy at Town Hall or the library, will be surprised to learn that the wording of several of its articles differs substantially from what’s likely to be proposed at Town Meeting on Saturday. That’s because some boards were still working out the language they would propose, even as this edition of the paper was going to press. In fact, the Selectmen and the Planning Board will be meeting at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning to see if they can agree on amended versions of Articles 10 (Town Planner) and 42 (Zoning Bylaw Amendment), and the exact language for new beach and liquor bylaws has yet to be released.
What’s wrong with this picture? Selectwoman Marie Sobalvarro put her finger on one aspect of the problem Tuesday night in noting that her board has “fallen into the habit of making last minute deals,” in other words, switching plans, rewording articles, negotiating inclusions and restrictions just in the nick of time.
But more importantly, it’s a process that’s not transparent. The boards may be talking to each other (a good thing), but can the public say it is part of that discussion? Not when the first it learns of a change in plans is on the floor of Town Meeting, when some newly revised article is moved and seconded for the first time, with no warning, no handout, and no prior public discussion.
