Selectman Sapia seems to be insistent upon this consultant "friend" of his to be inserted into the library construction project. Why?
First, we have houses in Atkinson that are more complicated buildings than this library. Second, No consultant was discussed during the many meetings, to set this project up and create the warrant article for the bond. Third, and perhaps the most important, what will this guy's role be? How much will he cost? Why wasn't this issue brought before the public before the vote? Why isn't this position going out to bid? Wouldn't it be a conflict for selectman Sapia to push his "friend" which he has known " most all of his life" on the library trustees?
Further, the selectmen have no authority over the library! By law.
By law the selectmen have a few statutory responsibilities. There are also many people or entities in town over which they have no authority. For example, The selectmen have no authority over the Conflict of interest committee, The budget committee, The library, the town clerk, or the tax collector!
Our chairman of the board does not seem to understand that. Perhaps in his third year of office he will finally learn the limitations of his job.
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ATKINSON's Vietnam HONOR ROLL as VOTED and PASSED by 2005 Town Meeting and re-approved at Special Town Meeting Sept. 12
EDITORIAL-
A voice of compassion, an example of fairness and reasonable government.
One who believes in the strength and comfort you, your children and your family can draw from good government leadership.
A person who knows Atkinson is our home -- our most important possession that must be preserved and protected through fair taxes and sound community planning and where our children must be safe to grow to become a new generation of leaders.
One who knows that the citizens of Atkinson are all neighbors with her leadership to be dedicated and responsive to all.
One who believes that when those from Atkinson have served our nation and honors are deserved, those honors must be given.
In Valerie Tobin, we now have a leader we know we can entrust with these responsibilities because they are part of her character.
It is our honor to endorse Valerie for election to Atkinson’s Board of Selectmen.
Just a note for those who wish to count the deer.
In January 08 this blog had 16,000 hits and 1,500 unique visitors (for the month).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
EDITORIAL-
"I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense . . ." [TP, 1776]
We take no small measure of umbrage at such a hostile official act against this BLOG’s patron. Therefore, a timely Editorial comment is both appropriate and necessary.
Discussion of Atkinson’s financial direction, from any viewpoint, is fundamental and encouraged and we will always attempt to limit and correct errors.
However, Righteous indignation towards purported error of such inconsequential nature is not appropriate.
The ENTIRE car deal is problematic. If it was caused by poor judgement, improper exercise of authority, neglect or mistake or even specious reasoning, this will never trump the facts that the entire questionable transaction started and ended within a very small circle of confidants.
We find the entire circumstances surrounding the disposition of the police Cruiser highly irregular at the least and the "explanations" somewhat trifling and exhaustive of our intellect.
Mr. Consentino: It’s time to go. Being Chief of Atkinson’s Police Department is NOT a birthright. That is a fabled legend of yesteryear.
Historically in Atkinson, police chief appointments were made "under the hand of the selectmen" for terms of one year at a time, as was also the case in the beginning of Mr. Consentino’s assorted and discontinuous stream of appointments to this position.
Your only remaining credential established on a claim of indispensability has faded.
So time is neigh. Plan a graceful exit, Clean out your desk, Accept the gratitude and tearful sentiments from some. We plan no editorial recriminations. It is time. Thank you for your service, We wish you a long and happy retirement. Bon Voyage.
LETTER
"To All Atkinson Residents,
I am writing to ask for your help. A member of the Atkinson Police Department needs our help. I am here to ask for your help in Corporal John Lapham's fight for his life. As you are aware, John has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He has been once again hospitalized with an infection that is threatening his life. He is one of the bravest people that I have ever met. He has never asked of anything from the residents of the town. Now is our chance to step up and help both him and his family out. As everyone is aware John has been out of work for a few months. His family has been busy helping John to get better. He needs our help, and I am hoping that this town can step up to the plate and help. From the moment that I met John, I have admired him. He does alot, but never asks for anything in return. He has helped so many people in this town. I for one am one of those people. Please help him.
There is a fund set-up in his name at TDBanknorth in Plaistow. Any amount will help John, while he is out of work. It would be great if this town could help ease a burden off his wife.
Thank You
Also if anyone would like to send a card, please address it to:
John Lapham
c/o Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Ctr.
Inpatient mail
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Please show Corporal John Lapham, that this community can stand up and show our support to those in need. I for one, miss John and can not wait until he can get better and return to work. Please show him that we support him. "
8 comments:
Have you seen the budget for the architect? $295,000! We have already spent around $70,000 for the sketch that was shown for your vote to approve the library, The next phase-for the actual drawings and material selection (The committee has reviewed several libraries in the area- can't they decide what they want) is $169,075, then the bidding process, another $16,000,(I guess the committee can't figure this out) Construction administration, another $42,000. Hopefully the architect will not circumvent the knowledge of the subcontractor, 99% of the time, the subcontractor's recommendation should be followed, not that of the architect. They have no construction/field experience. This is the most blotted budget I have ever seen. You are right, we have more complicated homes in this town, than this library. And now Sapia wants to add another layer of "specialists and costs". Most construction plans cost less than $3,000. What a waste of money!
I'm gathering from last night's meeting, the money for Mr. Sapia's buddy is coming out of the Selectmen's budget. They have a line, I believe, for "Other Professional Services". I also believe they can do that. The title of the budget line indicates it's an open line to cover whoever they feel is necessary during a year, but didn't realize the expense would be necessary at the beginning of the year.
The Law-
“"Library trustees'' shall mean the governing board of a public library.
The library trustees shall have the ENTIRE custody and management of the public library and of ALL the property of the town relating thereto.
The library trustees of every public library in the state shall: Expend all moneys raised and appropriated by the town or city for library purposes and shall direct that such moneys be paid over by the town or city treasurer pursuant to a payment schedule as agreed to by the library trustees and the selectmen or city council. “
This “payment schedule as agreed” is NOT one of control but is to facilitate cash flow, and that also has been decided in law.
If the Selectmen wish to propose additional assistance to the “Trustees” they then should get on the agenda of the “Library Trustees” meeting and go before them to offer their ideas. I am sure the Trustees would appreciate their suggestions.
We elected the library trustees knowing that this project was coming up. We have seen no evidence of wrong doing on their part, so why would we now assume that the trustees, the architect, and the builder to be are all incompetent and we now need a F.O.J. (friend of Jack's) to come to the rescue to make certain that the pitifully inept, volunteers in Atkinson don't screw it up?
We have been building building in town for 264 years! What has changed that we now need someone to tell us how to do it? Or is it that the selectmen want some measure of control over the project?
Given what we have SEEN from two of our selectmen, who in their right mind would think that they could do a better job than the library trustees?
295,000 for an architect is ridiculous! Especially for a cheap commercial building. I have hired architects for huge commercial and residential buildings for cost ranging from 5-7% of the projects cost. All if not most had many details and engineering drawings that were part of the price. Not a simple strip mall type structure!
The money spent on people not knowing anything about construction has cost the taxpayer plenty so far. Am I correct in asuming that this architect is a resident? If so he is ripping us off period.
Prediction: You are about to witness a huge battle that will erupt between the Sapia/Childs faction and the Library.
With $2.7 Million in public funds on the table, these guys can't resist the opportunity to "help a few friends in need". Do you actually think these guys supported a new library because they like to read?
The Library is a well funded and well staffed organization who will not stand for it. Short term bets go on the Sapia/Childs faction who "run the town" but long term bets go on the library.
Litigation is soon headed to a theater near you. More taxpayer dollars will be headed out the door and town counsel will cash in.
Legally, if the selectmen wish to hire a consultant, they can. It would have been more proper for them to bring this up and have a warrant article at town meeting, but they are not ones to stand on ceremony. They can do it. However the library trustees do not have to listen or even talk with him, and the selectmen can not force them to. The consultant can have no more control or influence than the library trustees allow him. When they tell him to go, he is gone.
It would be appreciated it if you legal experts could provide a web address to the RSAs you refer to.
If not, it is difficult to confirm what you are saying.
I agree with the post requiring references since we have so many lawyers posting on the blog.
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