Hamilton Voters Led Down the Garden Path

I have often wondered how projects get out of hand and why people tolerate it.

Well, I am now getting an education on just that phenomenon.

It seems that the BOS, CPC and Rec. Board, along with the town manager, have adopted various strategies that override, avoid, maneuver, and otherwise sidetrack legitimate concerns regarding the Pool Project. 

Here is how it works:

When queried about going ahead with a project voted down by Town vote in the fall, it seems that it is everybody else’s fault – this is avoidance #1. 

How about offers from legitimate professionals to review and present the voters with a more cost effective Project?  Answer: “ I’ll call you if I need you” – this is maneuver #2.  How about the old Washington two-step? “You must go to the other board before you can speak at the CPC “ – this is maneuver #3.   

Then there is:  “ If you set foot on the pool area I’ll have Chief Stevens arrest you” - A really citizen friendly maneuver #4. 

And the piece de resistance, the total avoidance and disregard of the planning board, the elected board charged with land use and review of parking, curb cuts, and site review - avoidance #5.   

OK, so I am the gnat fly, but that does not alter the facts—there are a growing number of citizens who are now being dismissed to avoid any divergence from the current snow job being perpetrated on the Town’s voters.

Am I upset? You bet. We constantly complain about our taxes.  The BOS does not seem to get it.  They pressure the School Committee to cut cut cut---but are backing a second attempt (circumventing the Town’s vote not to build) to spend now $2.3 million TAX dollars on an elaborate pool.  It is clear that our children’s education is of a lower priority that a recreational facility for a few.   What is even more upsetting is that they are using circuitous means to make this same overly expensive pool move ahead in spite of a majority of the Town’s people voicing doubts about its expense at this point in the Town’s current economic climate.

We do need to rebuild the current pool, but the Town voters do not want the over-the-top, overly expensive plan being pushed upon us once again.  A majority of voters want to replace the present pool, which has a capacity beta load of 75, not a beta load of 340 which is what is proposed.  We need to make it crystal clear to the Board of Selectmen that there is a spending limit on the Pool Project of $1.2M with no bonding.  Whatever funds not covered from contributions from the Hamilton CPC, and possibly the Wenham CPC(if any), must be raised through private contributions and fund raising events.