Don't ever underestimate the power of a wood turtle, although with all apologies to those who like wood turtles, I am not sure it was the wood turtle who made the difference. Last night at the special town meeting in Sturbridge, Article 48 was defeated by ten votes.
This was the article which was looking for clarification on whether or not athletic fields could be built on some land bought with community preservation funds to be used as open conversation space. I am not sure how much it's defeat had to do with the turtle as much as it had to do with the fact that town residents are tapped out already with their taxes and don't want them to go up, which, although as the proponents of the article like to say there was no money attached to the article, at some point money would be needed.
Article 52 on the other hand was soundly defeated. This article dealt with something called the Stretch code, which would have basically given the government control over what you can do to your property. Passing the article would have meant that any new construction or additions to existing construction would have to meet new environmental (green) standards, adding more costs to the construction. Again the proponents said there was no money attached to the article, but there would be when we had to hire/train someone to be the compliance officer.
So, what's the lesson we can learn from this? The lesson is we can make a difference. I don't know how many readers of this blog were at the meeting, nor do I know how many Sturbridge Tea Party members were there, but I do know that these are the things we need to be doing. This is where it all starts, stopping excessive spending and stopping bigger, more intrusive government. Instead of sitting on the sideline, people participated. One thing I learned about town meetings, the one with the most friends wins, therefore no matter what side you are on, it is important you participate, that is what it is all about.
Finally, for anyone reading this who is not part of the tea party movement, let me just say this. Don't go by what you read in the paper or hear on the news as to what we are about. For those of us in the local movement, this is what we are about, controlling spending, fiscal responsibility and less government, basically the same principles the country was founded on.
Hello Tea Partiers,
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, one vote can make a difference. That message came through loud and clear on the Saturday Town Meeting warrant and vote; it was defeated by a single vote.
I've been going to Town Meetings for about 20 years now. I wish more people were involved, paid attention to and controlled their tax dollars coming in and going out, and took advantage of their right to vote twice a year. Hope to see more people there next time.
I would like to end by saying three things, and I thank you, I'm Just Musing, for hosting and allowing me to have my say regarding Article 48:
1) thanks to all of you who came out to vote; 2) Selectmen stated at town meeting that no matter how the Article 48 vote went, they would all honor it;
3) One wood turtle record just means that someone found one and followed a process to report it to the Endangered Species Program at MassWildlife. Wood turtles don't live alone; they certainly don't make babies alone - if there's one, I guarantee there's more. :)
Carol. You're welcome.
ReplyDeleteI was there. It was long, drawn out and fascinating. And if you ever want to see democracy at work, that vote on the soccer fields was a prime example. It was worth the tedium.
ReplyDeleteWhy would we vote against recreation for our children particulalr when it really doesn't cost much since we already own the land. Children are more important than turtles. Have we taken leave of our senses.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that our children are more important than wood turtles, I don't think the article was defeated becasue of the turtle argument. Instead it more than likely was the fact that many of us in Sturbridge feel we have been Taxed Enough Already.
ReplyDeleteEven though there was no money attached to this article as continuously pointed out to the proponents of the article, there eventually would be. In this bad economy I know I am one who can't afford any increase in my taxes, even if, as we so often here, it will only be about $100 a year. Well that only $100 a year added to the last one and the one to come adds up, and when your income doesn't it becomes a problem.
Right now from all accounts Sturbridge is still in fairly good financial condition but it doesn't take much to put us in bad shape and then we'll need money for the usual suspects, teachers, firefighters and cops.
Like anything that has come before it will come again, the center school project as I recall took 3 votes to take action to begin preservation/restoration way before the current restoration project ever was approved. The Shepard parcel too came before the Town not once but twice - having been voted down for purchase on at least one occasion at town meeting sending what should have been a clear message that it was not worth the price -that apparently was not so clear as it came back with special agenda folks and was voted on at a later meeting. It was ultimately purchased for a price much higher than its true value as a mosquito infested flood zone.
ReplyDeleteSo the lesson - if at first you dont succeed try again is tried and true in Sturbridge. Perhaps if people had not pushed to renovate but relocate the elementary school we would have had fields and adequate parking at a school for a change but that is asking too much - lets just spend unnecessarily and not plan properly.
A last note- green/ stretch code? as I recall local government did not seem so concerned with being green in the renovation of the town hall -are those single pane windows? in todays energy efficient world? yes green is important in Town Hall
I agree, we do know it will come back again, and this is why we have to make sure the word gets out and we attend town meetings. When the special interest groups load the meetings they win, if those of us who are tired of paying high taxes load the meeting, we will get what we want.
ReplyDeleteI remember the Center School project well. When it was first proposed had it been done then it would have been half the price of what it cost us. I also agree about the school.
Excellent point on the Town Hall, I posted about that on this blog a while ago.