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Did the minutes for the last meeting which were approved without discussion or amendment include the now infamous, "I kill you!" quote?
The Proposition 2 and 1/2 Overrides were voted on by the Selectmen as their previous meeting. They are the only ones that can place an override on the ballot by voting to do so.
Once an override issue is on the ballot, it is ILLEGAL for a local official (read Selectman) to use public resources such as facilities (where the meeting was held) to promote or oppose the question.
The law was clearly broken last night at the Selectmen's meeting. Speaking favorably of the overrides last evening in the Selectmen's Room in the Town Hall was ILLEGAL! No one cares?
read pages 7 and 8 of the printed guide.
Editor: The guide specifically refers to conduct, not speech, but does note:
"Thus, while local officials can
take a position on an override or exclusion question and speak in favor of or in
opposition to it, they cannot spend public funds or use public resources, such as
personnel, supplies and facilities, to promote or oppose the question."
Are you saying re-iterating a previously stated position at a duly held Selectmen's meeting would be considered "spending" public resources?
i have a way too save the tax payers of williamstown,,let start with D.P.W.and CEMENTARY workers,,i see D.P.W. worker over in pownal at stewarts,and winchesters dont you think thats costing the town a lot of fuel,,i know there do a break,,but too go to pownal,vt. for a pack of cigarettes,(little blue truck)or riding around or sitting in a truck on a raining day,the cementary worker start at 730am to 4pm i see them down in the old part at taking a break till they go home,,,,,and what about these guy taking town trucks home,,to north adams,and cheshire that a lot of wear and tear and fuel
We are talking about the ballot or election which precedes Town meeting. Once it is on the ballot - vote is made to put it on the ballot, all these ethics rules kick in. A Selectmen cannot use Town Hall as a staging ground and bully pulpit to promote a yes or no vote on the ballot issue. The chair even promised to do this again next week!
iBerkshires: why not call the State offices and get their opinion?
1-617-727-8352 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1-617-727-8352      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Could be a good story!
1-617-727-2828.
Editor: Why didn't you call? OK, I did. Preliminary call to DOR, Division of Local Services says no violation - unless they're sending home fliers with kids. The Selectmen have the right to an opinion and to discuss whatever they want at their meetings. That's it so far.
Second call to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance also says no violation. The Selectmen can state their opinion at their own meetings; the public can also state their opinions at the Selectmen's during citizen comments. So equal access is allowed. If officials use resources such as computers and copiers, that's a no-no. But anyone can stand on town property with a sign for anything.
Thanks for making the calls. I called yesterday, but no answer. I had always believed one could not use Town property to promote one's beliefs. Unless there was some misunderstanding at the state level, I stand corrected.
Editor: You absolutely can use town property to state your beliefs - although government entities may impose certain restrictions. People hold protests and vigils all the time in public spaces like Field Park and Park Square.
Williamstown Charter Review Panel OKs Fix to Address 'Separation of Powers' Concern
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter.
The committee accepted language designed to meet concerns raised by the Planning Board about separation of powers under the charter.
The committee's original compliance language — Article 32 on the annual town meeting warrant — would have made the Select Board responsible for determining a remedy if any other town board or committee violated the charter.
The Planning Board objected to that notion, pointing out that it would give one elected body in town some authority over another.
On Wednesday, Charter Review Committee co-Chairs Andrew Hogeland and Jeffrey Johnson, both members of the Select Board, brought their colleagues amended language that, in essence, gives authority to enforce charter compliance by a board to its appointing authority.
For example, the Select Board would have authority to determine a remedy if, say, the Community Preservation Committee somehow violated the charter. And the voters, who elect the Planning Board, would have ultimate say if that body violates the charter.
In reality, the charter says very little about what town boards and committees — other than the Select Board — can or cannot do, and the powers of bodies like the Planning Board are regulated by state law.
The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter. click for more
Developer David Traggorth asked the trustees to make the contribution from its coffers to help unlock an additional $5.4 million in state funds for the planned 54-unit apartment building at the south end of the Cable Mills site.
click for more
The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, say the gift reflects their desire to not only support Williams but also President Maud S. Mandel's strategic vision and plan for the college.
click for more
Neighbors of a proposed subdivision off Summer Street last week asked the Planning Board to take a critical look at the project, which the residents say is out of scale to the neighborhood. click for more