Monday nights meeting saw an argument of sorts between selectmen Sapia and Sullivan. As usual selectman Sullivan was trying to get selectman Sapia to follow the rules, obey the law, while Sapia, in the true tradition of his mentor, wants to do what he wants irregardless of the law.
Get a clue, Jack, the board of Selectmen have no authority over the library construction project, your job was to float the bond, once that is done the money is under the hand of the library trustees. That is the law! It doesn't matter how many years of experience you feel you have in the construction business, or how many years experience you feel your family has, or how few years of experience in the construction business you feel selectman Sullivan has, he is right and you are wrong!
And on another note, why do we need to replace the Chrysler when we gained an extra cruiser already this year? Why do the selectmen NEVER VOTE to spend money from the donation account? According to the RSA and Warrant article that established the account, ONLY THE SELECTMEN can spend money from that account, but they can not spend money without a vote to do so.
This blog recognizes that doing the right thing is not your strong suit, but try it for once, and you would gain popularity instead of pissing people off.
Chief stated emphaticly, when pushed by Sullivan that there are only 10 vehicles, in the fleet. He was right, Sullivan underestimated chief's capacity to twist the truth, and deceive the public.
ReplyDeleteWe have sold the old wheelchair van, but have not yet received the new one, so for now we have 10!
When the new one gets here we will have 11! You need to be specific, Mr. Sullivan when dealing with someone as corrupt and slippery as chief.
With regard to selectman Sapia, you're missing the point on this one. This library project is $2.7 million, do you really think the BOS should not be involved, not ask questions? The law may seperate the responsibilities of the BOS and the library trustees, but I for one welcome the BOS to look after my taxpayer investment in this project. I believe the trustees are primarily focused on spending every dime of the $2.7 million, who's checking to ensure that they are making wise decisions regarding the building materials they are selecting. Look who is involved in the project, look who making the decisions and you decide if you're comfortable having $2.7 million of your tax money spent without the review or input from the BOS or for that matter Budget Committee.
ReplyDeleteThe townspeople were asked to finance a 1 story completely furnished library for $2.7m and in March they voted to do that. Are you really suggesting that the BOS and we as taxpayers have no right to question the process, all we need to do is write the check?
Something seems out of balance when this blog can stir up so much ire about a $40K vehicle purchase, yet when it comes to the largest and most expensive building project the town has undertaken, this blog wants the BOS to back off and let the library trustees run with it.
When something goes wrong with this project who will the taxpayers go to for answers and resolution? The library trustees, good luck to us.
No, asking questions, and being kept informed is perfectly alright. Inserting yourself into the proceedure, with unfunded consultants, and tryingto gain control, and ultimately veto power over the project is wrong.
ReplyDeleteRE: Checks & Balances 8:24
ReplyDeleteThe question I have is what kind of experience or qualifications does Jack have with regard to project management and construction of municipal type buildings to qualify him to ask the questions he does?
I can't imagine bidding on such a project and having to deal with the litany of politics in our town. Whoever the successful bidder is will need to have a full time liaison person ( and likely legal counsel) built into the cost of the project just so the people who actually do the work can get the building up without being interrupted left, right,and center.
When you hear names of construction firms like Bonnette Page & Stone (for example) being dropped as potential bidders, companies who's core business is building similar and larger municipal and governemt structures, I wonder how much extra time and money will be wasted on this project rather then simply let people with the proper training and experience do their jobs with as little interfereance as necessary?