Perhaps the most startling aspect of the high school override is the lack of a plan 'B'.
They tell us that there is a plan 'B' and that plan is to try to make the old half of the school work with the new half. But this is not a plan. It is a scare tactic.
We need to finish the high school, but there are a few things that need to be done - or at least started - before we approve an override.
1) Do an audit and a review of the project so we know what's been spent and where, and - as new building committee member Callahan stated - we know who is responsible for what. I've previously posted about this;
2) Make more changes to the building committee; the two new members have already noted that it is a dysfunctional group.
3) Put the project out to bid and get an honest estimate of what it will cost to complete it;
4) Hold a special town meeting to requisition the money needed;
5) Hire a reputable contractor to finish the job.
As I see it, this is Plan 'B', although it should've been plan 'A'.
Now there may be some hiccups in this idea. The other day I was told that we cannot simply dismiss a contractor without cause, but my understanding is that the contract has expired. TLT could pack up and walk away. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.
The other issue is that of a special town meeting. I know some folks don't like doing this, but this is a serious situation that demands serious action.
In fact, the town could have pursued this new process long ago. Instead, they have dragged their feet and wasted time on superficial changes to the old process. I first asked the selectmen to open the books on March 31. It's been 45 days and counting...
Unfortunately, we continue to hear that Plan 'B' is, more or less, accepting failure if the override fails. The leaders of our town are backing themselves into a corner by putting all of their eggs in one basket.
2 comments:
Brent,
What is your sense of what will happen on Tuesday? Do you think the voters will be brave enough to stand up to the political rhetoric of selectmen and the building committee and vote no on question one or will they duck their heads in the sand like ostriches?
I agree - we need an audit. We need to get rid of TLT. We need to remove Don Johnson as chair (have you heard him speak? Sorry, but I get more confused whenever he explains the Big Dig of Falmouth).
We need leadership and I hope you get elected next week to shake things up.
Leadership is giving the residents answers, not the same old rhetoric that a no vote will ruin property values in Falmouth. That will never happen because, regardless of a no vote, the project (in my humble opinion) will get finished either way.
I'm not against the project either - I just want people to be held accountable. Why should we reward people for doing a horrible job?
Jeff,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts; agreed on all points.
I'm hearing that a lot of folks are against the override, but it's hardly a scientific survey. One potential outcome is that it passes, but only because folks are holding their noses as they vote. Many have expressed their frustration to me, but then say, "but we have no choice."
We do have choices; I just hope the people understand that.
Regardless, I appreciate your support. Please, feel free to join me at the Quarterdeck after the polls close on Tuesday.
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