Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Re: 350 Bradford Street - Why Not Clear the Air
"Has the BOS satisfied itself that there exist no conflict of interest for Selectmen Erik Yingling and Town
Planner Gloria McPherson relative to their contractual real estate relationship with Mr. Paul de Ruyter or any associated
trust or associated business?"
Has Mr. Paul de Ruyter been asked this question and by whom and
what was his answer?
11:17 pm edt
350 Bradford Street
Vincent Currier: Good work and Good Request
Glad to see you requesting e-mails and correspondence between
Gloria McPherson and builders and/promoters and financial partners of the old Michael Shay property. Some hidden connections
will be revealed.
Thanks for taking action.
10:36 pm edt
350 Bradford Street - Why Not Clear the Air
Has it been clearly ascertained that neither Mr. Paul de Ruyter nor any immediate relative or associated trust
or associated business have a financial interest in the proposed 350 Bradford Street development?
Has
this question been formally asked of Mr. Christopher Wise? Who are the principals of the
development
organization?
Has the BOS satisfied itself that there exist no conflict of interest for Selectmen Erik Yingling
and Town Planner Gloria McPherson relative to their contractual real estate relationship with Mr. Paul de Ruyter or any associated
trust or associated business?
Have these issues been brought forward to the Town Clerk, Town Counsel or Ethics Commission?
If not, why not?
10:33 pm edt
Re: Why Would We Want Dan Hoort as Our Town Manager?
Hoort's Past Involvement with Sharon Lynn, Jeff Jaran and Candace Nagle reveals how unqualified he is and why we would
absolutely not want this man as our town manager. If chosen, he will polarize this town and we will be caught in the past
instead of heading to a good and viable future.
8:24 pm edt
John Lundborn Convicted
According to the Cape Cod Times (via Twitter), former Truro police chief Lundborn has been convicted of drunk driving
and endangering a child.
Safe to say he won't be driving a school bus anytime soon.
This also raises
the question: who are we hiring as our public officals.
7:21 pm edt
Mr. David Panagore of Hartford, CT
Just looked him up. Boy oh boy are we in a tough place. This guy has always worked for good sized cities
with large staffs and ample resources. How will he do here? most of the places that he worked have more employees than
we have residents. Can he relate? Why is he even available? I was always told that if you never were fired
from a job, you never tried to do well. SO he must have been doing some real trying with all the terminations.
We have to pay more and get rid of the residency requirement. Living here won't make this guy any more knowledgeable
about town. He knows little or nothing now and why will having an 02657 zip make it different in a time frame that matters.
7:20 pm edt
Re: Why Would We Want Dan Hoort as Our Town Manager?
"What qualifications as town manager does Hoort possess?"
He knows the finances
of the town. He knows the town. He knows the employees. He knows the politicians. Those are great
qualifications, and areas in which the other guy is totally deficient. However, that does not mean that he would be
a good manager. There is much more to the job, and he may or may not be ok in enough of them to be able to do ok in
the job. This is not like running a state. The BOS and town meeting are still in charge and can make sure that
he is following their direction.
7:16 pm edt
Re: Why Would We Want Dan Hoort as Our Town Manager?
What qualifications as town manager does Hoort possess? Oh, right. He was the secret town manager when Sharon Lynn was
in power. He was the Mad Hatter at her Alice in Wonderfuland reign. and the madness of the past continues with this Mad Hatter,
leaving us in a fantasy turned nightmare.
12:00 pm edt
Re: Why Would We Want Dan Hoort as Our Town Manager?
It seems to me that there is no defense for Cheryl and Tom--they were on the search committee. they are no passive beings.
worse, Cheryl was the chair of the search committee. she is the one handling the meetings, setting dates, establishing the
vetting process and creating the lists of qualifications needed. And Dan Hoort rises to the top two? And we are supposed to
see this as a rational, fair, and professional committee? I am sickened by this and blame Cheryl and Tom for this disaster.
Can't they do anything right? How can they be so bad, so inadequate?
11:06 am edt
Re: Why Would We Want Dan Hoort as Our Town Manager?
"They cannot believe we are left with what we are left with for town manager."
Of
course, we are left with two people who are far less than we would hope for. The pool of 52 was filled with no real
qualified candidates. Ptown is in the S$#@ list. No decent experienced managers will apply. We pay too little.
We are too expensive to afford housing. We insist on residency. The BOS is filled with egoistical buffoons. The
political atmosphere is nasty. The problems are huge and growing. The only people who want to be our manager are those
that can't get a better job. We are at the bottom of the barrel and our town is a sad joke to competent managers.
11:04 am edt
Re: East End Playground/Basketball Court
"Testicle fortitude"?
Spare us, Roger Green.
12:33 am edt
Re: Why Would We Want Dan Hoort as Our Town Manager?
They cannot believe we are left with what we are left with for town manager. Whoever is saying that Hoort will not be
Town Manager must be kidding themselves.
Michelle J isn't looking too bad these days, is she? But nooooooo, let's
spent $50,000 and a nation-wide search to hire the boy next store. LOL.
12:30 am edt
Re: Why Would We Want Dan Hoort as Our Town Manager?
Can't we do anything right?
Can't we run just one search committee correctly? Is it really this difficult?
Obviously it is beyond this committee to select the right persons, if Dan Hoort is a finalist. What a mess! and it is so discouraging.
12:29 am edt
Monday, June 29, 2015
Re: Why Would We Want Dan Hoort as Our Town Manager?
Many voters and Residents are Shaking Their Heads
They cannot believe we are left with what we are left with
for town manager. Whoever is saying that Hoort will not be Town Manager must be kidding themselves. He is there, my friends,
as one of two. He is not only in a pool of 51 people, it is between him and one other person. Please, don't even go to the
shill. You don't know who is the real shill here. You have two and this just brings up all the past shenanigans, all the past
deceits, all the past threats. What an unprofessional search committee. this causes me to lose faith in this town when it
comes to trying to have a better and different future.
6:58 pm edt
Re: Why Would We Want Dan Hoort as Our Town Manager?
When You Are Chair--and Andrews Was chair--of the Hiring Committee
You are responsible for who is selected.
The end result rests in your lap. As Chair, you cannot blame others or anyone else but you.
This is the end of
the line for Andrews if Hoort goes into the front position. she will be blamed by me and by many others who are sickened by
this process and this choice.
Of all the people--this is what we are left with--Dan Hoort as a possible and actual
town manager. what a sick joke on the town.
6:54 pm edt
East End Playground/Basketball Court
Over the last few years I have been one of the many who have posted here but one of the few who have had the testicle
fortitude to add my name to all of my postings.
In the ones I did and read from others, many more seem to be geared
towards the negative side while very few were positive. And yes I have participated in both.
However, I would like
to be what I believe to be the first to come on here and compliment those (whoever they were or are), for such great work
on the east end basketball court. It has never looked as good as it does now and I have lived here for at least 45 years.
Job well done...
Roger Green
6:43 pm edt
Re: Why Would We Want Dan Hoort as Our Town Manager?
"and now this rather questionable individual is in line to be Provincetown's town manager?"
OMG, where did you come up with "in-line"? Thia is not the UK where they have royalty "in-line"
for the throne. He has been listed as a possible hire, not probable. He is NOT in line at all.
1:03 pm edt
Re: Town Cemetery & DPW
I do not know if the leadership has changed since this happened, but they at one time were too lazy to mow and trim
around the family plots that had granite curbs around them so they removed the curbs and dumped them at the sea wall near
the harbour hotel on the far east end. They ignored the growth at the Winslow Street Cemetery leading to the mess that
we have now and the need to hire someone to fix it. The DPW also did such a poor job on the playground on the east end of
Bradford they allowed weeds and scrub trees to grow un trimmed and the roots ruined the blacktop and the fencing causing us
the taxpayers to spend over 50,000 dollars to fix it. THis why I strongly oppose the pier being put back under the auspices
of the selectboard and DPW.
10:28 am edt
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Re: Town Cemetery & DPW
Many towns farm out landscaping to independent companies
And do better jobs than the towns dpw.
Take a drive
around the cemetery ,disrepair and disrespect
For the deceased.
9:54 pm edt
Re: Cheryl Andrews et Dan Hoort - WTF?
In defense of Cheryl Andrews and Tom Donegan, they cannot prevent anyone from applying for the Manager position. And
they were NOT the majority on the hiring committee. Does anyone remember Tony Brackett? He was and still is a member in good
standing with all of the previous administration and would love to see his old friend Hoort in this Manager job, as would
anyone associated with the failed regime. Contact the Selectmen and let them know your feelings, and stop threatening to recall
a Selectman who has always had the best interests of her town at heart. Hoort will not be the next town manager! Have faith,
but keep yelling! Most of Provincetown agrees on that part.
9:52 pm edt
Re: Cheryl Andrews et Dan Hoort - WTF?
"People in this town are upset, mad, disappointment and pissed off at Dan Hoort's name as a two person candidacy
and those responsible will pay a huge price if he is "chosen."
People are extremely upset and
view this choice as duplicitous and as lack of respect for the town."
Is you name sybel do
yoa have multiple personalities or are you just simlpy hoping? People? or you" I am not upset or mad.
that is so Scalia-like. A tantrum won't make it true. Since when did it become illegal or immoral to apply for
a job? If he is chooses move on just like all those scum bag court clerks in Alabama and Mississippi should. Grow
up. Stop with the hollow threats and silly posturing.
9:49 pm edt
Re: 350 Bradford Street
"Why do we have a town planner that only looks out for the developers (her landlord) interest and ignore the
overwhelming protest of the citizens of Provincetown who don't want this huge ugly luxury condo development?"
While I agree with you about the terrible prospect of that development I wonder why you don't think that maybe,
just, maybe, the law is being followed. We may not like the law, so lets change it, not blame the people we hire to
fol
9:47 pm edt
Why Would We Want Dan Hoort as Our town Manager?
It seems to me we already had Sharon Lynn and thus we had him as the vocal piece of her positions and threats. He did
her dirty work, as well as Jeff Jaran's dirty work. and now this rather questionable individual is in line to be Provincetown's
town manager?
This is pure insanity, pure madness.
And who is responsible for the insane decision?
9:45 pm edt
Re: Cheryl Andrews et Dan Hoort - WTF?
I Totally Agree with the Disappointment and Anger at Cheryl Andrews
I did not know she was the Chair of the
town Manager Committee but I am also disgusted with this choice of Hoort. With Hoort, we are opening the door and allowing
all the past sins and terrible town players to return on his coattails--including his partner who posted for years as Jack
Tracken and did harm to many in town.
This is a great suggestion. I would and will sign a recall petition
to recall andrews if ever this man is picked.
3:40 pm edt
Re: 350 Bradford Street
I just saw the developer Wise and Mcgregor and Gloria's new rendition of the proposed blight for the old Michael
Shays 350 Bradford St. development. The new one is even bigger! They took the old drawing that was 45' high and added a 10'
peaked roof on top so now it's 55' high!
Why do we have a town planner that only looks out for the developers (her landlord)
interest and ignore the overwhelming protest of the citizens of Provincetown who don't want this huge ugly luxury condo development?
1:46 pm edt
Re: Cheryl Andrews et Dan Hoort - WTF?
Sure, 52 people applied for the town manager position!!
1:43 pm edt
Portuguese Festival Parade
It was A wonderful Portuguese Festival Parade
It was filled with fun, and the celebration went on and on.
the Portuguese dancers are amazing and lovely and the bands just terrific.
Obrigado! Obrigado!
12:36 pm edt
Cheryl Andrews et Dan Hoort - WTF?
If Cheryl Andrews is the Chair of the town Manger Search committee and Tom Donnegan is a member
than I
blame both of them for allowing---or encouraging--the name of Dan Hoort as two of the candidates to be considered for town
manager. I consider this action deceitful in relation to their past words and suspicious. And if Dan Hoort becomes town manager,
then Cheryl Andrews can kiss her behind goodbye. that will be the end of her career as selectman. and if Dan Hoort is "chosen"
as the best candidate and becomes town manager, then there will be a recall against Cheryl Andrews for their major lapse of
general trust. If Dan Hoort becomes town manager, the campaign to remove Cherlyl Andrews will begin fast and furiously.
People in this town are upset, mad, disappointment and pissed off at Dan Hoort's name as a two person candidacy and
those responsible will pay a huge price if he is "chosen."
People are extremely upset and view this choice
as duplicitous and as lack of respect for the town.
12:35 pm edt
350 Bradford Street
I just saw the developer Wise and Mcgregor and Gloria's new rendition of the proposed blight for the old Michael
Shays 350 Bradford St. development. The new one is even bigger! They took the old drawing that was 45' high and added a 10'
peaked roof on top so now it's 55' high!
Why do we have a town planner that only looks out for the developers (her landlord)
interest and ignore the overwhelming protest of the citizens of Provincetown who don't want this huge ugly luxury condo development?
12:31 pm edt
Friday, June 26, 2015
Town Cemetery & DPW
Maybe we should be concerned with why the town has sub contracted to have the cemetery taken care off by outside group.
What is wrong with building and grounds and the rest of the DPW Department. The Catholic cemetery only has one man do the
mowing plus do everything at the church. Maybe some jobs need to be cut or less time drinking coffee and just riding around.
I think there should be GPS in town vecihles to track where they are at all time.
10:26 am edt
Re: Town Manager Candidate - Dan Hoort
If You're Wondering why Candyland is back in the news
it is because of Dan Hoort as a possible town manager.
He was critically involved in constant e-mails from town hall to Candace Naagle and Candace Nagle constantly to Sharon Lynn
and then to Jeff Jaran. You can read these e-mails and see Dan Hoort as part of this upsetting and problematic town group.
Dan Hoort brings them all back and brings back his subversive and threatening behavior that we surely do not seed once again
here as town manager. How he even made the cut is more than questionable and his possibility of being town manager is frightening.
Have we not learned anything from the Sharon Lynn and Jeff Jaran fiasco!
10:22 am edt
Yes, Yes, It is the Portuguese Festival'
And so much fun. What a great night at the bas relief. the food was wonderful and the music amazing. Dance on
and on. He was great and it was such a wonderful time. So amazing and so great. Yes, life is great, here in Provincetown.
12:41 am edt
Re: Town Manager Candidate - Dan Hoort
Here we go with the Candy Nagle
. Will the 4 people obsessed with her please give the rest of the town a break? It's really creepy, this belief that
Nagle was trying to take over the town and harm it's citizens...or whatever the fear is. Irrational and warped. Give it up
already.
12:38 am edt
Re: "The Time is Now - Tomorrow Has Arrived"
This is the most brilliant out-of-the-box thinking I have read in a very long time. On Facebook today, some bemoaned
the author's anonymity, but to me, the reason for that is obvious, and is embodied in the first sentence of the second paragraph:
"For too long the fight has been to maintain the status quo."
No doubt there are those who are threatened
by this author's 'blasphemous' post. They are the ones who fought tirelessly to keep the Lynn/Jaran/Knight leadership vacuum
intact. They are the ones who favor the appointment of Dan Hoort as the next Town Manager, for that would ensure a return
to the oxygen-deprived Provincetown in which they flourished and held power.
To the person who objected to another's
claim that Hoort "acted unlawfully," and who attacked that claim as "fiction played out in your feeble mind,"
I submit to you the following quote, from the May 5, 2014 decision of the Charter Enforcement Commission:
"Given
the scope and responsibilities of the Finance Director's position, and given the broad impact of financial issues on all actions
of the Town, the Charter Enforcement Commission finds that the responsibility of the Commission ... is clearly related to
the scope of the Finance Director's responsibility as a paid Town employee, and vice versa. ... Therefore, his ability to
serve as a member of the Charter Enforcement Commission would be severely compromised, and would be in violation of Sections
3-4-2, 3-4-3 and 3-4-6."
I'll point out that the Charter of the Town of Provincetown is embodied in STATE
LAW. Therefore, while Hoort had the right to *run* and be *elected* for a seat on that Commission, he knowingly and
willfully violated state law by *serving* on that Commission for seven months without first resigning his position as Finance
Director. In his bid to be elected, he wasted the taxpayers' money (in the form of legal fees), all because he "thought
it would be fun." Those are Hoort's words, not mine.
It would appear, then, that the only "feeble
minds" belong to those who lack the memory capacity to recall these events from a little over a year ago.
David
Panagore is the obvious choice for Town Manager. Should he decline the appointment, then that anonymous author should be appointed.
Under no circumstances would I have any confidence in Mr. Hoort, or in any Selectman who votes to appoint him. I'd rather
see a third selection process before we'd settle for a return to the toxic "status quo".
-- Dieter Groll
12:37 am edt
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Re: Town Manager Candidate - Dan Hoort
"Hoort was horrible. He was undermining and secretive and disturbing in his actions. this person is right.
He acted unlawfully and his constant e-mails to Nagle, Jaran and Lynn reveal his true character--and this not the qualities
we would ever want in a town manager."
What laws? and, who charged him? When was he indicted?
Was he convicted? Of Course, none of this happened. You don't agree with him on certain issues so you say that
he broke laws, but can't name the laws or give proof or cite arrest or any legal proceedings. Because it is fiction played
out in your feeble mind. Sending emails is not a crime. If emails have certain content they might be subject to
the law, but merely sending emails is not illegal no matter how much you may dislike the people sending them. SOrry.
9:35 am edt
Re: Town Manager Candidate - Dan Hoort
"However, his active collaboration with Candy"
To the person who questioned my
statement above, I carefully chose my wording. The word "collaboration", based on my reading of the e-mails, in
my humble opinion, do accurately portrays his role and actions.
However, let me set the record straight: I'm not
in FinCom. Your syllogisms, therefore, don't apply.
I have never exchanged even one word with him, but I did see
him make a public statement to the BOS, and read several of the "strategizing" e-mails with Candy.
My
one and only point is that, based on his past actions, selecting him as our next Town Manager should be carefully considered.
I must emphasize that my reservations about him pertain to his candidacy, and doesn't relate whatsoever to his Treasurer's
role, in which from what I've gathered, he has shown great aptitude.
8:39 am edt
Re: Town Manager Candidate - Dan Hoort
I think someone Meant collaboration with Nagle
Hoort was horrible. He was undermining and secretive and disturbing
in his actions. this person is right. He acted unlawfully and his constant e-mails to Nagle, Jaran and Lynn reveal his true
character--and this not the qualities we would ever want in a town manager.
12:41 am edt
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Re: Town Manager Candidate - Dan Hoort
"However, his active collaboration with Candy Nagle"
I'm rather sure that
you really didn't mean "collaboration' but more likely communication. Communicating with a citizen, whether you
like that citizen or not, is not a crime or reason for condemnation. Every person who lives in town deserves the same
courteous treatment from town officials. Your opinion of either person is irrelevant. If you can point to specific
wrongdoing please do so. Candy had a problem with the fincom. ergo you have a problem with Cany. Hoort has
ongoing disagreements with the fincom ergo you have a problem with Hoort. State the specifics of wrongdoing if you can.
8:59 pm edt
Re: Town Manager Candidates
The committee recommends two finalists for the position of Town Manager:
Mr. Daniel Hoort of Provincetown,
MA
Mr. David Panagore of Hartford, CT
Thank our lucky stars there's no female candidate. Oh yeah.
8:57 pm edt
Town Manager Candidate - Dan Hoort
I don't question Dan's skills as our Town Treasurer.
However, his active collaboration with Candy Nagle,
as revealed in the e-mails that were released, as well as his bypassing the Town Manager, in order to directly address the
BOS as staff, raises questions about those managerial abilities that go beyond the technical, and are so important in top
management, such as being prudent, thoughtful, etc.
7:55 pm edt
Re: Town Manager Candidates
Can the manager committee tell us from what states the candidates were from? Not ID info just what states.
Any managers from MAss?
7:52 pm edt
Town Manager Candidates
The Town Manager Screening Committee,
a sub-committee of the Provincetown Board of Selectmen, is pleased to announce today, June 22, 2015, their recommendation
to the Board of Selectmen. The committee recommends two finalists for the position of Town Manager:
Mr. Daniel Hoort of Provincetown,
MA
Mr. David Panagore of Hartford, CT
The outreach effort yielded
52 applications from 23 states. The Screening Committee, along with the Consultant, thoroughly discussed and vetted all of
the candidates who applied using the following process:
Nineteen candidates were interviewed
via Skype and background screenings were conducted by the Consultant;
Ten Candidates of those
nineteen candidates were discussed thoroughly by the Screening Committee with the Consultant on May 12, 2015 and all resumes
were made available for the Screening Committee to review and ask questions at that meeting;
The Screening Committee
invited six candidates to interview. One of the six declined the offer. The remaining five candidates were interviewed on
May 28, May 29 and June 22, 2015.
During the process the Screening Committee clearly
heard that the availability and cost of housing were significant detriments to attracting applicants.
The Screening Committee
consisted of Thomas Donegan and Cheryl Andrews from the Board of Selectmen and Lee Ash, Anthony Brackett and Stephen Katsurinis.
Joellen Cademartori Earl, Chief Executive Officer of GovHRusa served as consultant.
11:06 am edt
Short List
The only reasonable explanation is that anyone in their right mind withdrew from the process. We should change the charter
and go back to having a strong select board and a couple of administrative assistants. We would have to have had offered
a lot more money to get qualified candidates for TM. Whichever candidate they choose remember you only get what you
pay for so basically we are in for more of the same. Sad times.
10:59 am edt
Re: The Time is Now - Tomorrow Has Arrived
Great...we're now in the era of extreme storms, rising seas and greater storm surge, but let's over-develop the waterfront--REALLY
dumb.
Point two -- if the "outsider" candidate for TM is also the potential developer, he is buying his
position. Congrats, you are now like everywhere else (can we get rid of that moronic "like nowhere else" slogan
now)?
Point three -- more one-note (tourism), trickle down economics which will NOT trickle down NOR benefit the
majority of average working people.
A few more bright ideas like that, and this town will be buried for sure.
10:58 am edt
Re: Dan Hoort is a Disaster and a Sharon Lynn Wannabe
Why is it that anybody that disagrees with the Finance Committee is viciously attacked on this site? The attacks
are always very broad without anything specific. Pure vitriolic BS. Maybe Hoort is not the one we should hire
but how about specifics rather than innuendo and ad hominem attacks.
10:55 am edt
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Dan Hoort is a Disaster and a Sharon Lynn Wannabe
This is like selecting Sharon Lynn to return only this time she is a he. She was close to Dan Hoort and so was Jeff
Jaran and Candace Nagle and Kim Hurd. this would be a disaster for this town and being us back to where we were two
years ago.
He is not to be trusted and his attacks on key people here was secretive and undermining. He was too
often Sharon Lynn's mouth piece.
11:10 pm edt
The Time is Now - Tomorrow Has Arrived
With the completion of the sale of Cabral's Wharf to developer Charles LaGasse and Kim Cabral will come many
significant changes to the Provincetown harbor side. These potential changes could be the catalyst for the
much awaited and hoped for injection of resources and business development acumen, which breaks the present stasis
(borderline moribund) condition of the present business environment in this isolated hamlet, especially the waterfront.
For too long the fight has been to maintain the status quo. Established businesses obstructing new competition; real
estate owners squeezing "constrictor-like" the business renters; unwelcoming marina practices off putting to the
boating community, continued pretence of a failed fishing economy and the ever present lack of affordable rentals (summer
and year-round) along with the ever increasing condo scape.
Upon close inspection, one will realize that Provincetown's
economy has been in a zero-sum mode for some time. The money that changes hands does not flow to the furtherance of our general
economy. Too much of this largess flows outside of our community resulting in loss oppotunity for capital multiplication
and an excessive reliance on ever increasing real estate tax.
If we change the paradigm,
we have an opportunity to realize a level of metamorphosis for the good. Fortunately and simultaneous to this acquisition
we have appointed a new Police Chief and are currently in the process of selecting a new Town Manager.
Of the two candidates, the outsider Mr. David B Panagore, affords us
a new start, devoiced from the machinations of the last 5 years. Additionally, Mr. Panagore brings a wealth of experience
and demonstrated capacity in city development, which we greatly need.
For two years we have tread water, never
getting to the point of idea formulation or implementation. The presence of an Assistant Town Manager experienced in Town
Planning negates the need for redundancy in that position.
With the development of Cabral's Wharf, the development
of ancillary services can be envisioned, ie. servicing of large yachts, additional restaurants and entertainment venues,
expansion of the charter sports fishing fleet, on pier dwelling units, small boat construction, increased boat storage,
Coastal Studies summer camp, art courses on the pier (shades of Hawthorne and Miller), increased maintenance requirements,
encouragement (tax concession)for the expansion of other piers e.g. Old Reliable and Bubala's (they have chartered rights
to build out). What about building an elevated park above the Municipal Parking Lot (shades of New York), which would
provide new use without losing parking revenue.
These are only some of the various permutations to consider,
when combined with the efforts put forth by the new Affordable Market Rate Rental Housing Trust and proposals for working
with business owners to construct staff housing facilities, there is ample opportunity for ideas to flourish and be brought
to fruition.
Ultimately, it may be possible to develop year-round housing using funds derived from surplus
revenue.
All this requires new approaches to old problems and opportunities.
This is our moment, Carpe
Diem!
9:25 pm edt
Things to Come
6:25 pm edt
Town Manager Short List
We searched all over the country and somehow ended up where we started!
It has come to pass that
with all the efforts put forth to find candidates for Town Manager, we have settled on only one outsider:
Dan Hoort
David B Panagore
Which does not mean that he is not good. It's just ironic.
Gives one pause for thought.
Deja vu
1:49 pm edt
Sale of Cabral's Wharf
So if Cabral's Pier has indeed been sold wouldn't it be great if the town could not get too involved in whatever development
plans they have. The town has done so well with the VFW, the Old Library and the Old Community Center so far. Please BOS and
all of you really, really smart people on the fb blogs, stay out of it.
11:52 am edt
Re: Creating More Affordability in Your Community
Excellent piece:
"Creating More Affordability in Your Community" by Chris ScottHanson.
Thank you to the person who posted it, as well as this site's Moderator.
7:05 am edt
Monday, June 22, 2015
Re: Truro's Old Men
These Old Men Feel Privileged
Yet they are narrow-minded insular types who belief, tragically, that others
do listen to them. They pity them.
9:49 pm edt
Dear Business Owners:
If you want to post pictures of unruly clients or have your staff shame poor tipping customers on social media,
send them to my shop. So many people in this town seem almost schizophrenic in their behavior. Complaining about all the slow
months with no money, then complaining about paying customers behavior when it finally get's busy. Come spend your money at
my shop people anytime of the year and I will say thank you very much.
Signed,
A long time and
grateful resident of Provincetown with a thriving year-round business.
p.s. We love you tourists, don't let the
crazies in this town get to you
9:48 pm edt
Re: Truro's Old Men
Why the brutish posts about old men? Do you feel better doing it? being anonymous really makes for a "lord
of the Flies" attitude.
2:40 pm edt
Re: Creating More Affordability in Your Community
There are times that We Need Many words
but there are times when it is ridiculous for the words to spill
on. Affordable Housing gurus. State your Case. Make it simple. and then wait for a response.
To go on and on, is
foolish if not silly. Yikes, what the hell are you saying?
Sorry but it's madness.
8:56 am edt
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Community Business/Government Coop
I still do not understand what the BOS is doing with the old community center or the VFW. The community center would
be ideal as dormitory housing for summer employees. Maybe there is a way to form a community business/government coop to make
that happen.
8:56 pm edt
Posted by: Louise R. Silver - June 17
Creating More Affordability in Your Community
Chris ScottHanson
Urban Cohousing Associates, Inc.
Fifth Street Commons
Author of: The Cohousing Handbook - Building
a Place for Community
You’re probably tired of hearing about smaller units, standardization, simple unit plans,
modest finishes, all with the goal of achieving more affordability. Well it’s true, these all help, but there are other
affordability strategies that are based on interpersonal relationships, community, and trust, that can be just as effective,
if not more so.
The strategies outlined in the series to follow have been collected over the past 25 years of
doing cohousing projects across the US and Canada. Many of the strategies outlined below are what I call “internal banking.”
These internal banking relationships are magical when they happen, and it would seem they can only happen when there is a
strong sense of community, and trust.
Each of these has been used successfully in one project or another. The
vast majority of cohousing projects that have been built in North America have included a number of internal banking elements
which have allowed members with some resources to assist members with more limited resources to participate in the community.
There are two primary ways of purchasing your home in cohousing. In the simplest form, these are: 1) an all cash purchase,
or 2) a mortgage from a bank, usually requiring some down payment from the purchaser. The mortgage is called a “take
out loan” by the construction lender because it takes them out, paying off their loan to build the project.
Your
cohousing group can adopt some or all of the following strategies for achieving a measure of affordability within your project.
Some of these strategies work for some people. Others work for other people. Some of these strategies need to work together.
It all depends on needs, circumstances, pride, personal relationships, trust, liquidity, risk willingness, risk aversion,
and/or time sensitive financial needs.
Strategies, with details following:
1. Internal Down Payment
Assistance
2. Outside Down Payment Assistance
3. Second Mortgages
4. Co-purchase Options
5. First Time Buyers
6. The Reduced Monthly Condo Fee Subsidy.
7. Maintenance Reserve Reinvestment
8. Unit Price Buy Down
9. Design for Affordability - Capital Costs and Operating Costs
10. Shared
Units
11. Community Owned Rental Unit
12. Participating Nonresident Owners
13. Purchase
of One or More Units by an Outside Affordable Housing Entity
_____________________________________
1. Internal
Down Payment Assistance
Assisting with the necessary downpayment, required by the primary mortgage lender, is done in
a number of ways. A revolving Community Loan Fund can be established with funds from members of the group who have available
assets to invest within the community. This can make those assets available directly to other individual households within
the community, or to a cooperative fund. For this purpose it should be administered by a volunteer group within the community,
normally a finance committee, or an affordable housing sub-committee of the Finance Committee. Some groups arrange to have
a third party administer this fund.
2. Outside Down Payment Assistance
In addition to the internal banking there
are sometimes external down payment assistance programs available for specially qualified buyers. If you think you have members
who may qualify you may want to ask for more information about these programs and/or help with research the current possibilities.
As always, qualification will be based on making a commitment to being a part of the community.
3. Second Mortgages
In
addition to down payment assistance, sometimes it can make sense to get a Second Mortgage. The two primary ways this is done
are through;
a. Second Mortgage loans – direct, one member to another, above board, and visible to the primary
mortgage lender. Some banks can provide a second mortgage, often at a much higher interest rate than the first mortgage.
b.
Silent Second Mortgage loans – direct, one member to another, below the visibility of the primary mortgage lending bank.
This allows the borrower to appear to have a larger down payment, allowing them to borrow more from the bank than would otherwise
be able to offer. Since this is frowned on by the official bank lenders you may need to move this money to the buyer’s
savings account months in advanced to allow the money to “season” in that account.
4. Co-purchase Options
For
most cohousing groups, there are buyers who find that it is feasible and more affordable for them to co-purchase their new
home with another person or another household. Having common facilities and a strong sense of community is often what makes
this possible. Sometimes the other party is another homeowner within the community, and sometimes they are external friends
or family. And sometimes the co-purchasers will occupy the new home together - sometimes called “tenants in common.”
In either case, the ownership is shared, the proceeds of the sale of the home is also shared if and when it is resold.
5.
First Time Buyers
There are first time buyer mortgage programs that could help those who qualify by either reducing
the down payment requirements, or possibly even eliminating the requirement for a down payment. If you think you may qualify,
please ask for more information about these programs. Qualification will always be based on making a commitment to being a
part of the community.
6. The Reduced Monthly Condo Fee Subsidy.
Adopted by some cohousing communities, the idea
here is that banks will grant mortgages based on the following formula: your total housing costs = mortgage+ taxes+ insurance+
monthly condominium fees may not exceed x% of your gross annual income. If the condominium fees are removed or reduced, the
bank can give the home buyer a slightly higher mortgage. Over the years, the total mortgage costs will remain the same, but
because of inflation costs, the homeowner's income will usually rise, so that gradually, the homeowner can afford to pay the
condominium fees. The removal of $150 in condo fees will allow the buyer to qualify for something like $20-30K more mortgage,
often enough to allow a young family to buy that extra bedroom they need. If structured correctly, the cost to each of the
non-subsidized households is only a few dollars each month in the initial year and may be reduced to zero in 5 to 10 years.
Members
may apply for a temporary removal of the monthly Coho (or Condominium) fees in order to qualify for a higher mortgage. Starting
from the initial granting of the subsidy, the Coho fees will gradually rise, e.g.: a) in 5 annual steps of 1/5 of the regular
fees. After 5 years the member pays regular dues, or… b) in accordance with member's ability to pay, if member provides
the Dearborn Commons Coho Business Association with income documentation.
7. Maintenance Reserve Reinvestment
All
home owner’s associations need to establish a maintenance reserve fund to prepare for the cost of maintenance and repairs
in the future - roofs, hot water heaters, etc. Hopefully you won’t need that money for 10 or 15 years since you chose
to build a high quality, durable building. The reserve fund comes from an initial contribution by first buyers followed by
monthly additional contributions. This fund, which can run as much as several hundred thousand dollars, is normally invested
in bonds, or other safe interest bearing securities.
Some of this money (NOT ALL OF IT) can be re-invested in your own
community. By establishing a relatively large reserve fund up front you can make 1) internal subsidies (investments) are possible,
and 2) lower monthly contributions to the reserve fund, lowering home owners dues.
Some communities will invest a portion
of this fund in its own members, through a buy- down subsidy. Your community can buy a portion of a unit (or, buy down the
price of a unit) for a qualified member. Then, the member can repay this subsidy when his/her income allows, or when the unit
is sold.
Since the units will be resold at market price the value of the original subsidy/ investment rises with the
value of the property. When the investment is returned, the community can either re-use this money to subsidize other qualified
households, or simply repay the reserve fund. The finance committee will have to determine whether to co-own the subsidized
units, or simply subsidize them and the decision will need to be balanced with the prudence of tying up the resources from
the reserve fund, evaluating long term liquidity needs.
8. Unit Price Buy Down
Members may apply for a reduced
price on their unit, financed by a buy-down subsidy provided by the rest of the membership. The price reduction will be determined
by need according to certain criteria, including household size, and size of desired unit. At any time, a member can contribute
an amount equal to initial portion of market price subsidized and thus buy themselves out of the obligation to return the
subsidy upon sale of the unit. Otherwise, the member will return an amount equal to initial portion of market price subsidized
proportional to the present market value of unit upon sale of the unit.
9. Design for Affordability - Capital Costs
and Operating Costs
The project can be designed with affordability in mind. Simplicity and standardization are the goal
to reduce capital costs (initial construction costs). In addition, making smaller units available will make your project affordable
to more people - once they understand and believe in the value of the common house and how it can fit into and suppliment
their lifestyle. These smallest units might be located close to the common house to allow for convenient use of CH facilities
as a supplement to the small units.
Designing for affordability also means building a durable, low maintenance project.
Obviously, you want to reduce long-term operating costs. Of course this competes with keeping capital cost down and a balance
has to be achieved.
10. Shared Units
Other prospective members might be encouraged to consider sharing larger
units, such as two bedroom “bi-master” suites. This can be done either as tenants in common (see 4. above), or
as the owner-member renting to another resident-member. Obviously the households sharing a large unit will have to share a
private kitchen.
11. Community Owned Rental Unit
Some prospective members can't afford to purchase. You can greatly
expand economic diversity in your community by allowing for one or two rental units. Note that this can negatively effect
mortgage qualifications and insurance underwriting.
Some communities own a rental unit together as a community. This
has to go in the original budget, and must be accounted for in the original unit pricing. If you're building 25 units and
one is going to be a rental the price of the 24 units that are for sale must be slightly higher, approximately 4% higher.
As a community you will own that 25th unit, and you will have rental income from it.
In some groups a subset of the
membership, usually five or six households, come together, pooling their money to purchase a rental unit as a group. They
act much like a investment club, managing their assets and receiving rental income. This needs to be approved as a strategy
by the whole community since it can negatively effect mortgage qualifications and insurance underwriting for other owners.
12.
Participating Nonresident Owners
Some communities allow outside investors to purchase units as rentals. When doing this
we always hope that the purchasers can be participating nonresident owners who are engaged in the community but do not live
there. As a community you will want to set a limit on this. There is some debate as to what number of rentals is healthy in
a cohousing community. Four rental units in a 16 unit community seems to work fine. Again, this needs to be approved as a
strategy by the whole community since it can negatively effect mortgage qualifications and insurance underwriting for other
owners.
13. Purchase of One or More Units by an Outside Affordable Housing Entity
Some communities allow outside
affordable housing entities to purchase units as rentals. As good as this might sounds it can be challenging to implement
because agencies, church groups or affordable housing programs who are capable of buying one or more units will have certain
rules and “strings” attached. They will also have a decision making bureaucracy to be navigated, and they often
take way too long to engage and make the necessary commitments. This needs to be approved as a strategy by the whole community
since it can negatively effect mortgage qualifications and insurance underwriting for other owners.
3:04 pm edt
Re: Jaran Settlement and Bad Math
Hush money so Jaran won't continue with any more lawsuits.
Lets face it, it's an additional years salary
so he gets paid while he looks for his next job.
Nice
12:47 pm edt
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Truro's Old Men
Sad, aren't they??
These old men need a job. Retirement has been awful for them. But you are old and worse,
a bit senile. time to hang up your "shingle" and go to bed. Call in Agatha Christie. she can help with your nighttime
tea. Bon Soire!
11:01 pm edt
How Strange
They talk. they discuss. they feel as if they are the intelligentias. they are sick, old man who should be crocheting
or kitting. they are off-seeing and off-putting. they are tragic dementia men from another town who feel they hold court
here. sad to say; You are a figment of someone's imagination. You are but nothings.
10:59 pm edt
Jaran Settlement and Bad Math
OK wait a second. The check was written for $512,797, and the award was $362,000. That leaves 150,797. As I read this,
the $512,797 included Jaran's legal fees. So what's the 150,000 for? Or didn't it include Jaran's legal fees? Because if it
did, someone's math is wrong here on the breakdown of the settlement.
10:57 pm edt
Re: An Absence of Proper Procedure
Jee-zus, what a bunch of constant crybabies!! You are obviously NEVER happy with ANYONE in this town, so why the
hell don't you just leave?? Maybe they'll kiss your asses on Fire Island....
10:55 pm edt
Re: An Absence of Proper Procedure
"Does the charter spell out which one to use in hiring someone? Looks to me the selectmen used the first definition.
Looks to me they followed the charter. Until the charter spells out what a veteran is in specific, either definition can be
used. Till then, too bad."
How many angels can fit on the head of a pin.
10:53 pm edt
Friday, June 19, 2015
Re: An Absence of Proper Procedure
"Did the Chief of Police Appointing Board forget the Provincetown Charter?"
vet-er-an
[vet-er-uh n, ve-truh n]
noun
1. a person who has had long service or
experience in an occupation, office, or the like:
a veteran of the police force; a veteran of many sports competitions.
2. a person who has served in a military force, especially one who has fought in a war:
a Vietnam veteran.
Does the charter spell out which one to use in hiring someone? Looks to me the selectmen used the first definition.
Looks to me they followed the charter. Until the charter spells out what a veteran is in specific, either definition can be
used. Till then, too bad.
9:55 pm edt
Congratulations to Jim Golden
I am so glad that has been selected to be chief of police. I couldn't imagine a police officer any more different than
him and Jeff Jaran.
Goodbye militaristic policing. Hello community policing.
We can breath a sigh of
relief that we have a competent police officer as chief.
9:49 pm edt
Re: An Absence of Proper Procedure
"8-2-3 No appointment within the police department, whether temporary or permanent in character, shall be made
until a determination as to whether an applicant is a veteran, in which event such applicant shall be given preference. Maybe
they should of read it, Lol!"
Agreed that we should follow the Charter, or change it. This
preference stuff is a sure way to get less than the best. I am a vet but don't feel that I would make a good Chief.
The Clause should be removed , and I don't mind it being ignored if it would force us to get less than the best. Ability
to do the job in question is critical. We owe some of our vets a debt of gratitude, but the preference stuff is more
than we owe. All things being equal, let it be a tie breaker.
9:46 pm edt
Bryan Green
I am so Saddened by Bryan Green's Passing
this is sad and such a loss. I wish for peace but it comes
with such a loss.
10:49 am edt
Re: An Absence of Proper Procedure
Did the Chief of Police Appointing Board forget the Provincetown Charter?;
8-2-3 No appointment within the
police department, whether temporary or permanent in character, shall be made until a determination as to whether an applicant
is a veteran, in which event such applicant shall be given preference. Maybe they should of read it, Lol!
10:45 am edt
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Re: An Absence of Proper Procedure
Show me the law in regards to proper procedure. Show me where the law states municipalities must interview all sorts
of candidates before hiring? The new police chief was hired just like they did with the Yarmouth fire chief, appointed after
proving himself as the interim chief. No laws broken. Resumes don't mean squat if you don't understand the community you're
overseeing.
Again, show me the laws of proper procedure on hiring personell in town. What has been done in the
past is not law, it has been a practice the town has followed and often has proven to be a complete failure.
9:07 pm edt
An Absence of Proper Procedure
Long we wait for Town Manager. Resumes flow in, but then candidates get a good whiff of the nasty political scent in
the town and scurry away. In the meantime, hiring decisions are made without the proper procedures being followed (the Library
director and Police Chief)and I ask: is Provincetown really better off then it was three years ago? I have my doubts.
I also hope these hires are not binding, and when we do get a spanking new Town Manager, these and other positions can be
scrutinized under a professional and objective lens.
8:25 pm edt
K.C. Myers
kcmyers@capecodonline.com
Posted Jun. 17, 2015 at 2:00 AM PROVINCETOWN — Taxpayers will owe former Police
Chief Jeff Jaran $512,797, as the town has signed an agreement with him to stop any further appeals and lawsuits related to
his dismissal.
Town officials agreed to pay the former
chief, who was fired in December 2013, about $150,000 so he would give up any further options to sue the town, according to
Selectman Thomas Donegan. That amount is on top of about $362,000 that an arbitration panel previously ordered the town to
pay Jaran in lost benefits, salary with interest and legal fees. The agreement also means that the town cannot appeal the
arbitration panel’s decision.
Judgment was entered
Monday in Barnstable Superior Court to affirm the arbitration award and settlement, according to the court docket. The agreement
ends a long chapter of controversy in Provincetown.
Donegan called the $150,000 the “cease-fire” payment.
“In the end, it’s bittersweet,” Donegan said. “We’ve done the best for the town
because it would have cost us a lot more time and money than $150,000 to win an appeal.”
The selectmen found that Jaran’s contract provided enormous protections and benefits
for the chief, Donegan said.
The town will never
sign a contract like that again, he said.
Town counsel had in fact strongly advised former Town Manager Sharon Lynn not to agree to that contract when Jaran was
hired, according to emails between Lynn and Michele Randazzo of the law firm of Kopelman & Paige.
Randazzo advised Lynn in May 2008 not to include an arbitration clause in Jaran’s
initial three-year contract. Randazzo wrote that some sections of the contract addressing discipline would be “unworkable,
extremely costly to the town and potentially provide to the chief rights — and damages — that he would not otherwise
be entitled to under the law.”
Lynn gave him that
contract anyway and included the same language in his 2011 contract, which was extended to five years, even though town counsel
advised keeping to a three-year pact.
Since then, the selectmen
have made a policy change so that if town counsel and the town manager have a strong disagreement, town counsel is obligated
to tell the selectmen about it, Donegan said.
It was a difficult lesson to learn, Donegan said, “but I’m glad the town is getting itself together and is
on the right path.”
Jaran was fired for
interfering with a local selectman’s race after he urged his staff members to vote for Austin Knight, whom he described
as the pro-police candidate, in the May 2013 town election. He also instructed a lieutenant to get campaign signs from Knight's
garage so they could be distributed at the police station. An independent investigator and an arbitration panel found that
Jaran's campaigning violated local, state and federal laws.
When Jaran appealed the termination, however, arbitrators also found that his penalty should have been only a
one-year suspension without pay. The panel ordered the town to cover his legal fees and back pay.
Jaran, who has since moved to New Hampshire and is unemployed, called blaming
the contract and the former town manager — who resigned in 2013 to take a job in Delaware — a "poor
excuse." The town still has not found a replacement for Lynn.
"I have felt all along that this matter could have been resolved long ago and at a lot less expense to the
town," Jaran said via email. "Look where Provincetown stands today after they pushed out the former town manager.
The town leadership ... now can’t find a suitable replacement because in the end who would want to risk their career
in that toxic political climate?"
—
Follow K.C. Myers on Twitter: @kcmyerscct.
11:47 am edt
By Peter J. Brown - Banner Staff
Posted Jun. 15, 2015 at 7:49 PM
PROVINCETOWN — Town Planner Gloria McPherson and Selectmen Raphael Richter and Cheryl
Andrews disagree over the best way to address the proposed development of 24 condominium units at 350 Bradford St., the former
Michael Shay’s restaurant.
Richter and Andrews want the town to be prepared to claim safe harbor and fend off the
proposed state Chapter 40B permit, while McPherson is concerned this approach might backfire.
Chapter 40B authorizes a developer
to bypass local zoning regulations to obtain a single comprehensive permit from the state if the project includes construction
of a minimum of 25 percent subsidized low- and moderate-income (LMI) housing. Any municipality that reaches a threshold where
either 10 percent or more of its housing inventory is devoted to affordable housing, or 1.5 percent or more of its occupied,
habitable land includes affordable housing, can claim “safe harbor” from Chapter 40B. This gives the town the
right to either deny a comprehensive permit application or impose its local regulations on an approval, and the decision is
deemed consistent with local needs.
McPherson tried to convince selectmen at their meeting Monday that a defensive strategy
involving a claim of safe harbor might backfire not only in the short term with respect to what is unfolding at 350 Bradford,
but also in the long term with respect to the town’s ability to achieve its affordable housing goals.
She updated the selectmen on the details
of what the state is likely to do, while reminding them that while mass and scale might come into play, the density of the
project was not the issue from the state’s perspective. In fact, she went so far as to say that even more unit density
might be an attractive option — more than the planned 24 units — because it would open the door to more affordable
units than the six planned there now.
McPherson tried to convince the selectmen and others that
despite the likelihood that the town can rightfully assert it has reached the 1.5 percent safe harbor threshold, if the town
goes ahead and uses its safe harbor status to thwart the developer’s use of a 40B option in this case, investors down
the road might not want to engage in other projects of this type here for reasons of perceived risk and greater uncertainty
if they sense that an application might be denied outright by the town’s zoning board of appeals.
“It’s all a balancing
act,” said McPherson.
McPherson is further not in favor of the town claiming the 1.5 percent safe harbor on
this site if affordable housing is truly a town goal. She said the developer in this instance has a good fallback position.
The site has great development potential, she said, because the non-conforming status of the restaurant use is set to expire
in January 2016. This would allow the developer to develop the site without the usual affordability requirement under Section
4170 of the town’s zoning bylaws, she said. Because there is a septic system on site with 7,000 gallons, the developers
would not have to wait in the growth management queue, she said, which can keep a project of this size in a holding pattern
for years. In addition, if the town goes ahead with a safe harbor-based strategy, a revised project could proceed with no
affordable units whatsoever, she said, and with just 13 market-rate units instead of the current plan of six affordable units
and 18 market-rate condos on the site.
A site plan review by special permit from the planning
board would be required due to the fact that more than three units would be proposed. Still, the overall profitability achieved
by the developer could be considerably higher than what they reap from a 40B project.
Richter and Andrews listened intently
to McPherson’s statements. In the end, Richter requested that town staff go ahead and acquire the documentation that
would allow the town to claim the 1.5 percent safe harbor, “if we want to use it.” Acting Town Manager David Gardner
said the staff would do this.
“We want the option to execute safe harbor,” Richter said. He later asked
McPherson how long it would take for staff to assemble this documentation.
“A couple of months,”
she replied.
“We have to be ready for it,” Richter said.
“We have more ability to affect
the proposal if we claim safe harbor,” added Andrews.
11:43 am edt
Housing Shortage
A local business was featured in the Cape Cod Times because one of it's workers cannot find affordable housing. Here's
the thing, I own a business and continue to staff each summer, sometimes well, sometimes not so well. However, this business
on Commercial Street bought property in town that would allow for housing, they choose instead to rent it out weekly to tourists.
Stop your whinging people. If you want employees, they need to be paid accordingly. If you can add two new businesses and
buy a million dollar home in Provincetown then you can afford to house your employees. If you choose not to, then shut up.
9:13 am edt
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Re: New Police Chief
Yes, Yes, Yes
thank good ness the right decision for the right moment was made. Jim Golden is the best choice
for now. He has done a great job as Acting Chief--and this has not been easy. He has changed the climate of the department
and brought all of us together with him in one community, one police force, one goal. He can be praised for what he had done.
We do not need a newbie who we don't know and who could be another Jeff Jaran. We are all anxious about the new one. Jim Golden
has been good, solid, and who we need right now.
11:18 pm edt
Re: Provincetown Public Parking
'I am commenting on the shout out about the Parking Administrator. This job is not as easy as it looks.'
But it does not require being rude and nasty. This guy and the women in the office are just plain unpleasant
to deal with. From what I hear it is even worse if you are not a "resident".
11:17 pm edt
Re: Jim Golden
Good for Jim and good for the town.
With a vote of 4-1, who was the
in the punchbowl?
11:07 pm edt
Re: Jim Golden
Perfect choice for P'town
Heavy weight
Educated (HS diploma)
Longevity
Lives
in town (Truro adjacent)
Well liked by the business community (Chamber and PBG reports were lost in the mail)
And these are just a partial list of the qualities of the last acting police chief
Of course we
have overlooked the background record, which will soon surface.
Then it will play out: our vision hasnt changedonly
our motive.
11:04 pm edt
New Police Chief
I Am pleased to have Jim Golden as Chief of Police
He was the right choice. He has handled the transition
from Jeff Jaran's militaristic threatening attitude into a more peaceful and community-oriented approach. He has abandoned
the uniform, badge and gun for plain clothes and ordinary dress when addressing town meetings. He has done a wonderful job
and I am glad that he now has the position full time.
The tone is different, the police actions down played and
we don't have police stopping and following those they don't like as we did with Jeff Jaran.
Congratulations to
Chief James golden!
6:18 pm edt
Police Station
Please do not spend another dime of taxpayer dollars on design plans for a police station. The town has already spent
enough money on plans to build a new DPW facility. Stop the nonsense Tom Donegan and just resign now.
6:16 pm edt
Police Chief Selection
Dear BOS Members,
This
weekend I had a chance to talk to many members of other boards as well as the general citizens concerning the leaked news
about a pending appointment of a new Chief of Police. My conversations were, universally, alarming with many people asking
me why I was so silent.
My reply
was that, as a simple member of the Finance Committee, it just isn't my job to make any recommendations on this hire at all,
and that I wasn't privy to any resumes or applicant qualifications.
Having said that, however, I am writing to you to express alarm at the complete disruption
of normal hiring practices. Unless the applicant pool was completely unqualified (I am told that's not the case), the top
candidates by qualification, whether inside or outside the department, should have been interviewed and the final selection
made. I'm surprised by this, because certain people are always stressing "following process". I am now left to wonder
if this means in all cases, or just ones where the BOS has decided that the selection of a course of action isn't a 'fait
accompli". I might also point out that in the private sector, an action of this type is grounds for a lawsuit from a
member of a protected class or veteran. I sincerely hope this doesn't pose yet another legal problem for the Town in this
case.
I'm
also a bit surprised from a purely political perspective. One of the worst open wounds in recent political events directly
came from a bad hire for this very same position, with a complete push of the reset button in town politics. Why any sitting
BOS member would leave such a large hole in their political and personal future by not following a process completely is a
mystery to me, especially given the risk. The Board is deliberately choosing not to follow a complete hiring procedure and
interview. Should this appointment turn out, at any time, to be a mistake, opening up oneself to this easily solvable omission
is just asking to be judged harshly.
This,
by the way, is no comment on any appointee or his/her qualifications. It's simply a case of following process; dotting the
"i's" and crossing the "t's" for both the sake of the appointee and the appointing authority. If I were
the prospective appointee, I'd have to defer until an entire process was run for my own sake, and to stop any speculation
on why I was given the position. This is bad, in my view, for everyone involved. We want someone to be successful, not start
such an important position with a handicap already in place.
Sincerely,
Mark
B. Hatch
30 B
Bangs St
Provincetown,
MA
6:14 pm edt
350 Bradford
http://truro.wickedlocal.com/article/20150615/NEWS/150618927I may not like the project but I understand Gloria's position. It's not one of advocacy but one of fact. Looks
like the developers are pushing the 40B which, yes, will allow for more money in their pockets but at the same time, allow
for more affordable housing. Looks like thy have a good option #2 also if the town call safe harbor.
I'd let Gloria
and the planning board handle this one. The selectmen's track record on most issues as of late sucks. It looks like the developer
has the town in a checkmate position.
4:48 pm edt
Jobs Not Jeb!
What a joke. Another bush with another bad policy for the nation. Stressing his first name so we won't really hear BUSH,BUSH,
BUSH. We suffered through two Buses--we as a nation cannot suffer another Bush!
4:46 pm edt
Jim Golden For Chief
There are two sides to Jim Golden and the nasty side of him is not something people want to see. He is vindictive, manipulate,
as has no respect for authority. He is not good for the Town and will only bring further problems down the line.
The Asst Town Manager is moving to fast and the other qualified candidates should have been interviewed.
I am
sure there are better candidates that Golden and it seems to me that the Asst Town Manager should use his discretionary powers
at this point by insisting that all candidates be interviewed.
The BOS will make a big mistake by agreeing to hiring
him.
4:41 pm edt
USPS Services
"...I have a pretty good idea who's doing this because they know what to take from the contents."
Normally I would say to escalate your concerns to our local post office, but after the rude unsympathetic response
that I received from our Post Master, I suggest you write to the Post Master General. Dont waste your time expressing
your dissatisfaction in Provincetown, because you will get no results. Just try to enter a complaint on your delivery
service and you will experience the most ignorant, unprofessional and sarcastic response imaginable. Not worth your
effort!
4:39 pm edt
To the Old Men of Truro
Get ye to a monastery! Better to spend your last years away and off in a cell than to babble away old thoughts
and ancient positions.
4:38 pm edt
Re: Provincetown Parking
I am commenting on the shout out about the Parking Administrator. This job is not as easy as it looks. He not only has
to answer to the selectmen, normally he would answer to the town manager but we know the mess the selectmen have made with
that appointmen, he also has fincom down his neck, wether or not they acknowledge their pressing him or not, and then are
the citizens of this fine town like you who just can't wait to be pejorative about anyone and everyone One should never
criticize unless you have a better idea or plan and you have done the job so you know what you are talking about. Have you
ever asked him what he does in the winter or have you ever spent a day at the MPL in July. Until you have do not show your
ignorance with such foolish comments and insensitive name calling. I always felt we the people of Provincetown were above
that.
4:32 pm edt
If You Guys in Truro Get Any Older
We'll be posting from some odd morgue. That's what's happening with you. Sad, so sad, but you are sooooo old, it's hard
for you to even whisper your weird sentiments.
Time to say goodbye!
4:30 pm edt
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Re: Oatsie's Page
The old men of Truro (who I am one) should hold no sway over Provincentown people. If you are worried about that, take
a step back and consider what's worth your time. Social blogs are a great tool to getting things to the masses, and at the
same time putting too much credibility in anonymous postings is at best a fools errand.
12:49 pm edt
A Year Rounder's Perspective
As a year-round resident, property owner and business owner it is unfortunate to still hear complaints from second home
owners about not being heard by the BOS. My business would not survive without these people. To continue to watch so many
people in this town take the money from these folks in the summer months, yet bash them as the root cause of all of our housing
problems is sad. Please BOS recognize that for the past 40 years Provincetown has been and continues to be a town whose property
is primarily owned by nonresidents. Give them a voice. We should put a stop to any more developments that are geared towards
growing a year-round population and focus more on properties that offer housing for workers in the summer months. If you can't
do this Cheryl Andrews, the only one on the BOS that makes sense, please resign.
12:34 pm edt
It is a beautiful Night Here
and I am so glad that Sharon Lynn is no longer town manager. I am so pleased that we are freed from her police chief
tactics. Yes, she never stopped being police chief and we had two police chiefs with her--Sharon Lynn and Jeff Jaran. and
I am pleased that both of them are gone from here. Both brought such damage to this town.
It is a beautiful night
in Provincetown and even more beautiful and peaceful without Sharon Lynn and Jeff Jaran.
12:29 pm edt
Add My Vote to Jim golden
I too agree that he should be Chief of Police. He has done a wonderful job as interim or acting chief. He brought
stability, order and a breath of fresh air after the former chief. the town has benefited from Golden's presence and I applaud
his work.
Cast my vote for Jim golden as the next Police chief.
12:26 pm edt
Re: Jim Golden For Chief
Just read the times.
That's awesome, good for you Jim!!
9:53 am edt
BOS Meeting
Here's the latest....
Meeting Agenda
The Provincetown Board of Selectmen will hold a public meeting
on Monday,
June 15, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. in the Judge Welsh Room, Town Hall, 260 Commercial
Street, Provincetown,
MA 02657.
1. Appointment of Jim Golden as Provincetown Police Chief. Votes may be taken.
2. Joint Meeting
with Provincetown Public Pier Corp. to approve the Agreement
for Provision of Harbormaster and Other Marine-Related Services;
and
Memorandum of Understanding- Regarding the Management, Operations and
Maintenance of MacMillan Pier. Votes may
be taken.
3. Joint meeting with Building Committee regarding New Police Station Design.
Votes may be taken.
4. Other Other matters that may legally come before the committee not known at
the time of posting. Votes
may be taken.
Posted: www.provincetown-ma.gov 6/11/15 1:40 pm dj
Board of Selectmen
9:52 am edt
Provincetown Parking
Never understood why the taxpayers foot the bill for a 12 month parking administrator, when parking rules are in place
only between April 1 to November 1. That's 7 out of the 12 months. And really, the parking rules should really
begin enforcement on May 1.
There's limited parking activity in town yet from April 1 to May 1, except the
business owners and contractors who are setting up shops, inns, etc. to get ready in time for the season.
We could save ourselves some $ in payroll snd benefits by putting the head of parking back to part time. Do we really
need 5 months, or 6 months, if we move parking enforcement to May 1, of parking administration personnel expenditures.
9:50 am edt
So When Will We Have a Town Manager?
How much more time does the committee need? You may like each other but it is not a social. time to make a decision
so those who should be making the decision, can decide. but they are so undecided, it is hard to know what the BOs will do.
Sad, isn't it?
9:48 am edt
Drugs in Provincetown
Terrible about the drugs and the related deaths, very sad. I hope this can be stopped.
9:46 am edt
Congratulations to Josephine Del Deo and Sal Del Deo
They have shown incredible commitment to Provincetown and they have consistently given of themselves and of their talent
to showcase Provincetown. One is the master of words; the other is master of oils and canvass.
We are fortunate
to have them as part of our wonderful community.
9:44 am edt
USPS Services
This is a shout out to the Guam USPS BRANCH, my sister sent us a package from Guam and received it except it was pilfered
upon and somebody helped themselves to the contents of it. Now What's the use of using USPS services and trusting the employees
who in turn going through your packages. We felt violated and whoever is in charge there in Guam should be aware of what's
going on in the work area.Those guys should be ashamed of their wrongdoings. You guys make enough money and don't have to
steal. Now, you're going to feed your family with stolen goods and be proud of it I'm sure.SHAME ON YOU PEOPLE. I have a pretty
good idea who's doing this because they know what to take from the contents.
I said my piece, hope to be heard.Manga
Kababayan, huwag naman sana kayong maging sakim!!!
9:42 am edt
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Re: Over This Wackiness
"We have positions on this town. We care. Let's move forward. this craziness should be left with the old men
of Truro. Let them undermine good people. Let them undermine good board members. Who cares? they are problematic old people
who should be on elderly services. They also need a few pills to help with daily life."
This is,
perhaps, the weirdest post in a long time. I suppose that somehow it makes sense to the poster, but.....
12:11 pm edt
Over This Wackiness
We have positions on this town. We care. Let's move forward. this craziness should be left with the old men of Truro.
Let them undermine good people. Let them undermine good board members. Who cares? they are problematic old people who should
be on elderly services. They also need a few pills to help with daily life.
12:13 am edt
Re: Jim Golden For Chief
I'd Be Pleased if it is Golden
If you want a vindictive, self absorbed chief-sounds familar - like
the one we just got rid of.
12:10 am edt
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Re: Jim Golden For Chief
I'd Be Pleased if it is Golden
I believe he has done a good job as an interim chief. the militaristic tone
and dress is diminished; the negative attitude towards the town is gone; and the entire police force is more in tune with
all of us. There is less following of residents, less threatening of board members and less antagonistic mode.
We need an interim police chief and golden has been good. I would be pleased to have him in this position full time.
5:28 pm edt
Kramer vs Hatch
I read that whole thread on Facebook and have seen the screenshots. Kramer and Hatch deserve each other.
A bully masquerading as a victim and a bully masquerading as a bully. I'll let you guess who is who.
Words
hurt. So does being crazy.
8:59 am edt
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Kramer and Hatch
I read that whole thread on Facebook and have seen the screenshots. Kramer and Hatch deserve each other.
A bully masquerading as a victim and a bully masquerading as a bully. I'll let you guess who is who.
Words
hurt. So does being crazy.
11:47 pm edt
Re: Oatsie's Page
To: Carolyn Kramer
Thank you for standing up to these bullies. It is time to implore the members of
the Beacon, Oatsies page, to abandon that piece of crap he calls a political blog. It remains nothing more than a playground
for people who undermine everything good about our town. Block him!! And Hatch!
11:41 pm edt
Re: Public Parking RFID system
"My previous comment about the Finance Committee and the parking department expenditure for over half a million
dollars for something with questioable value did not mean to imply that I believed the Finance Committee could itself stop
the senseless purchase of this system, but that I believe that both as a committee as a whole or as individuals someone should
have raised a red flag to the Selectmen about the questionable necessity of this purchase."
Please
read our charter. The Finance has no more authority over this matter than you or me. The current hassle is not
an article before town meeting. Therefore, the committee has nothing to do with it. I agree that the parking department
is run by an out of control control freak, however, it is up to the manager and BOS to do something.
4:00 pm edt
Re: Oatsie's Page
This is Carolyn Kramer:
I don't need to be anonymous in this post. Since last Saturday May 30th I have stood
by and kept my opinions to myself regarding the bullying and harassing comments as well as physical violence threats towards
me by Mr. Hatch on the Beacon facebook page which is controlled by Richard Oatsie Rogers. I am well aware that this post I
am writing now will be cut and pasted to the Beacon page and all the people that have been waiting for me to comment will
come out in droves either to continue to attack me or to support me in the way Mr Hatch chose to bully me on May 30th.
To the residents that have supported me - I want to thank you all for addressing Mr. Hatch's mysogynist slur . No
woman should be called such a vile word on a community page especially from a man who serves on one of the most important
committees in this town. The Finance Committee. The code of ethics that are written by the State of MA are very clear about
committee members representing Privincetowns citizens at ALL TIMES.
I am well aware that Mr Hatch has first
amendment rights. He can call me whatever he wants to call me but does that make it befitting of a government official. In
my opinion it does not. To address the person that wrote a comment today inferring that I wrote a previous comment -
you are incorrect. This is my one and only comment I will make regarding this matter.
To the person who
suggested I should have my 'face rearranged" - well once again - under our first amendment rights - you can say anything
you like. But I challenge anyone who has hid behind these viscous comments without signing thier names to contact me
personally and meet me in person so you can say what you have to say to my face. I am not afraid of Mr. Hatch or "Oatsie"
- on the contrary. I would enjoy meeting Mr. Hatch in person. For all the people that have this misconstrued notion that I
began the facebook argument - you could not be farther from the truth.!
If you choose to meet with me I will show
you pictures of the entire thread. I have moved on from this incident. If the residents or non residents of Provincetown
want to continue this debate of who said what - meet me and I will be happy to share the list of diatribes thrown at my face
for no other reason but pure sport. Oatsie lured me into that thread. His intention was nothing other than to cause a stir
- which it did. Why someone decided to pounce on me when I don't even know Mark or Oatsie- well that will probably never be
revealed.
To all the people that hide behind facebook and this page anonymously and attack my wife/ parter
Jo. Leave her out of it. This has nothing to do with her. You can attack me or call me names as much as you want - but leave
Jo out of it. I will repeat myself again - this is the one and only time I have resorted to responding to these comments
because i don't want the readers of this page to assume that any of these comments - good or bad- are mine. They are not.
My personal email address is
carolynkramer59@aol.com Feel free to come out of the shadows of anonymity and address me to my face. As for Mr Hatch - there's nothing
more than can be done from my end. The Provincetown Police Department has been alerted to his physical threat. The Board
of Selectmen have been made aware. The Town government has been made aware and most importantly Mary Jo Avellar has been made
aware of Mr Hatch's vile comments as well as Oatsies.
Mark - if you are reading this- and I hope you are-I
have moved on. I truly hope the next time you disagree with someone - and that may be me depending on the subject- I would
hope the discourse can stay civil instead of harassing someone you have never even met. Thank you again to all the people
that have supported me this week. I wish I could thank you personally. Feel free to send me an email so I can thank you personally.
3:57 pm edt
Re: Oatsie's Page
"Wow, Carolyn, you're such an angry person you just outed yourself in this "anonymous" post!"
Actually, she didn't. My name is not Carolyn. I'm just another woman in this town who's fed
up with the bad behavior. I'm not saying Carolyn was right to be foul-mouthed in any postings, but to respond to her
by calling her a filthy demeaning name and threatening her with bodily harm is JUST as unacceptable and unnecessary.
And to be honest, if a woman actually DID write that remark, then she's got a serious maturity problem.
3:21 pm edt
Re: Candace Nagle vs George Bryant
"Take your meds and calm down"
Ok Candy, got the message... no one messes
with you! Your MO is very obvious. Insult the poster and deflect from the point being made. The requirement
to have the last word is when the insults really fly. You win, now move on!
12:19 pm edt
Re: Public Parking RFID system
My previous comment about the Finance Committee and the parking department expenditure for over half a million dollars
for something with questioable value did not mean to imply that I believed the Finance Committee could itself stop the senseless
purchase of this system, but that I believe that both as a committee as a whole or as individuals someone should have raised
a red flag to the Selectmen about the questionable necessity of this purchase.
If anyone with any smarts had reviewed
this purchase (studied the performance specifications, and questioned the ROI figures) hopefully the town would have saved
a lot of money. However, because the parking department makes so much money for the town they operate without over sight.
12:17 pm edt
Re: BOS Meeting Tonight (Monday)
"On the agenda item for tonight's BOS meeting, I see they are going in executive session for a number of reasons.
One reason I haven't heard anything about and I'm totally befuddled WHY our selectmen are talking about this - 'to discuss
criminal charges and/or complaints'. What? Who? And why aren't the police involved? This is very disturbing. Does anyone know
what this is about? Could it be about the DPW worker?"
Wow!! Imagine, going into executive session
so gossip mongers won't jump to conclusions and look to form a lynch mob before the facts are even discussed.
12:14 pm edt
Police Announcement on Social Media
So the Provincetown Police Department is posting on social media that it needs information about heroine that is being
sold in town. What the hell, are you kidding me. For years anyone in town that paid attention can see that drug activity occurs
in the alley associated with the . Since the young man died a few days ago kids were talking
about that huge that
lives in town, apparently he sold the drugs. Now, I'm just a taxpayer helping to pay the salaries of these police detectives
in town: do your job police
and arrest this piece a and get the hell off
of fb.
12:13 pm edt
Re: Candace Nagle vs George Bryant
Sometimes people smitten with guilt have a compulsion to go to someone's funeral after the fact with previous deplorable
behavior! That could apply to any Hippocrates that went to George Bryant's funeral service who may have created havoc in George's
life by stealing or destroying his life's collection of artifacts! KARMA won't be good for them!
12:07 pm edt
Re: Candace Nagle vs George Bryant
Re: Funeral service attendance
Don't worry, the only reason I'd Show up at your funeral service is just to
make sure you're really dead!
12:06 pm edt
Re: Jim Golden For Chief
I am hoping that the Board of Selectmen really do some thorough research on their candidates before they decide to hire
a new Chief Of Police in Provincetown and learn from some of the mistakes that have been made in the past.
Jim Golden as Chief. That is hilarious. If Jim Golden were ever made chief there would be more litgious lawsuits against
the town and police dept than you could ever imagine. He turned a blind eye to the ones that exist now. He actually contributed
to them. There is no way the selectmen would ever vote him in as chief.IMHO
12:04 pm edt
Re: Oatsie's Page
"...does not make me an "idiot with a political agenda". It makes me a woman who has been around
long enough to be fed up with the disrespect, double standards and obvious contempt for women that pseudo-men like you, Mark
... Being treated like a third class citizen because I happen to have boobs and dare to stand up and speak my truth."
Wow, Carolyn, you're such an angry person you just outed yourself in this "anonymous" post! "Me"?
"I have boobs"? So here you are trying to defend your senseless, rude, and angry posting with what? Another angry
posting? Also you don't know who wrote the post you reference, do you? It could have been another female who's also sick of
your rants. You just assumed it was a male (in fact the only reason I'm going to post this is I know who wrote it because
we were talking about it and the person IS female!). I also saw what you wrote and instead of wasting your time posting to
Facebook or here, it's pretty apparent that you should instead spend your time investing in some anger management classes.
And the "rearrange the face" remark? The WOMAN who wrote that did so because she actually felt that way...that your
language and anger was enough to make even HER want to punch you to stop. When someone says that, what you should do is seriously
reflect on the effect you're having on !
others, not continue to lash out. Hope this post helps push you in the right
direction.
12:01 pm edt
Monday, June 8, 2015
BOS Meeting Tonight
On the agenda item for tonight's BOS meeting, I see they are going in executive session for a number of reasons. One
reason I haven't heard anything about and I'm totally befuddled WHY our selectmen are talking about this - 'to discuss criminal
charges and/or complaints'. What? Who? And why aren't the police involved? This is very disturbing. Does anyone know what
this is about? Could it be about the DPW worker?
1:54 pm edt
Re: Candace Nagle vs George Bryant
"Ask his family what they think. In your eyes, Candy can do no wrong."
Take your meds and calm down. Why ask his family what they think? t was George that you projected your feelings
to. Also, You have no idea what I think of Nagle. None, whatsoever. Projection is your coda.
9:47 am edt
Re: Provincetown Public Parking - New RFID Monitoring System
"Come on Finance Committee, just because the Board of Selectmen are busy trying to justify politicizing the
pier, you guys should recognize foolishness when you see it."
And do what? The Finance Committee
has no authority to do anything about it and I can't figure out why you think it does.
9:45 am edt
Re: Oatsie's Page
Re: C-word debate
Boobs or no boobs, I have 2 things to say about the face book argument.
Never
engage in a debate with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.
Never wrestle
with a pig. you'll both get covered In mud but the pig will enjoy it.
9:20 am edt
Re: Candace Nagle vs George Bryant
"Ok you don't like Nagle. keep it to yourself. Don't project it on George who can't dispute your
BS."
What makes you think George would "dispute my BS"? Ask his family what they
think. In your eyes, Candy can do no wrong. Let her show up at your memorial service, just keep her away from
mine. The b____ is not welcome.
9:16 am edt
Provincetown Public Parking - New RFI Monitoring System
PROVINCETOWN PARKING AUTHORITY
How dare you question the actions of a member of the parking department!
These arrogant town employees can do no wrong. They spend half a million dollars on a scanner system for the parking
lots that only slows down parking lot access and egress (wait until the 4th of July traffic tries to get out of the MPL).
There are still two to three persons hanging out in the entrance to the MPL and laughing at the frustration of people waiting
for the gate to go up. Town leadership has become a joke! Who wrote the ROI and performance specifications for this system?
Certainly not anyone with a brain. Then who okayed spending such a rediculious sum of money for something that has no
value add? Come on Finance Committee, just because the Board of Selectmen are busy trying to justify politicizing the pier,
you guys should recognize foolishness when you see it. Just because the parking department makes a lot of money does not mean
they should have carte-blanche to spend it.
9:09 am edt
Re: Oatsie's Page
"If that woman would have done that to any of you in person, she'd have had her face rearranged."
Oh, so it's okay to beat up a woman spouting unacceptable language too, huh? A REAL man takes the high road,
behaves with class, calls a cop, blocks her online, or walks away.
Also, the fact that I as a woman find it unacceptable
to see another woman treated with disrespect and filth, as well as threats of violence ("face rearranged", nice...)
does not make me an "idiot with a political agenda". It makes me a woman who has been around long enough to
be fed up with the disrespect, double standards and obvious contempt for women that pseudo-men like you, Mark and many others
display simply because we don't kiss your behinds and agree with every word you say, no matter how offensive.
Save the semantics with me -- everyone but the basest ignoramus knows what the typed word C**t means. It's still verbal
assault.
SHE has issues? So do we all, including you and your dear buddy Mark. My issue?
Being treated like a third class citizen because I happen to have boobs and dare to stand up and speak my truth.
9:05 am edt
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Re: Jim Golden For Chief
I am hoping that the Board of Selectmen really do some thorough research on their candidates before they decide to hire
a new Chief Of Police in Provincetown and learn from some of the mistakes that have been made in the past.
It appears
that Golden has thrown his name into the hat for the Police Chief job. OMG are you kidding me. I understand that the chain
of command got him the Acting Chief position but he should never had been hired to begin with. If he didn't kiss ass or squeal
on other employees he wouldn't have stayed on the department for as long as he has.
He worked briefly for other
departments in other towns and they were glad to get rid of him. I doubt there is anyone who remembers him in these towns
as they are probably retired by now as it was a long time ago, but you the selectmen should check anyway.
He was
famous for wording log entries how he interpreted them to be and not what the officer actually said. Mind you these were legal
documents. He also deleted log entries and I think it may have included a domestic he was involved in. He was warned several
times about deleting entries and about the log entries but after awhile he fell back into his same behavior. As long as no
one complained he got away with murder. He should have been fired back then.
He never came to work on time and
spent more time working overtime and details that he couldn't possibly perform his duties efficiently as he was dragging more
often then not. Check the town reports, you'll see how much money he made.
As he moved up the ladder and
became a patrolmen he did things as he pleased whenever he could. He rarely went on patrol and played on the computer most
of his shift. He had little interaction with the public. He hated doing foot patrol and hid more times then not.
As a patrolmen everything that was done was by what he wanted, whether it was a color of the cruiser or uniforms, decals
on police cruisers, hiring summer officers he had to be in control.
He made it his point to check on local citizens
about their personal business, what cars they owned, what homes they purchased. He loved digging into people's past and present.
If you pissed him off he was even worse. Talk about big brother watching over you. He's very good with a computer.
He wiggled his way into being president of the union and often represented his personal thoughts instead of the majority
of the union. He bucked heads with Bobby Anthony time and time again and even got the union to vote a no confidence vote to
have him removed as Chief and wrote a letter in the Banner or Advocate which you should all read. It wasn't even approved
by the union. He tried to undermine Bobby Anthony every step of the way.
He investigated Ted Meyers and when he
found Newspaper clips on him about some questionable behavior from his previous Police jobs he distributed these clippings
to some members of the department in hopes, (you guessed it) to get rid of him and have a vote of no confidence. He didn't
like Myers and tried every way to get rid of him.
Anyone that doesn't play by Golden's Rules he likes to get rid
of.
He has the type of personality of a power and control freak. It has to be his way or no way. He is not a team
player at all and I honestly can't see how he could inspire his employees when he was a goof off. If you want a professional
appearance amongst your employees you need to set an example. He wears the same crinkled unkempt uniform day after day. He
looks sloppy and he sure is not physically fit.
His communication skills lack totally if he doesn't have a computer
or Ipad in front of him. He couldn't speak from the heart if his life depended on it.
Coercive, fear-generating
leadership is not leadership-it is bullying. Yes Golden seems to be a big bully in my book.
He is arrogant, and
I honestly don't see him as a trustworthy individual.
If you think Jaran was bad think twice. He's cunning and
charming when he wants but he has a very vindictive side to him.
Hopefully when the selectmen make their choice
for the Police Chief job they don't jump into things. They really need to think what is best for the community. Bobby Anthony
probably will have to excuse himself if a vote is taken to hire Golden but that's too bad because he could tell you some horror
stories I'm sure.
11:03 pm edt
Re: Let Them All Reside in Rehobeth Beach
" And what is she doing? Building a new town hall and police department. But of course."
I'm convinced that Sharon was not capable of being our manager, but this is pure stupidity, even beyond her.
She is not and never has been a dictator. She can only do what the town allows. Give it up. She is gone
, why do you care?
10:59 pm edt
To: Oatsie & Hatch
An open message to Oatsie and Mark Hatch, admins of the Provincetown/Wellfleet/Truro Beacon....
"you
can't keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbors".
10:58 pm edt
Where is it?
I don't see my posting so I guess is not worthy of this website
10:55 pm edt
Re: Oatsie's Page
"Calling a woman a C**t is not covered by "free speech". It can, in a court of law, be the basis
for defamation AND verbal assault charges. If someone called you a f****t..."
Did you read the
thread? Were you there as it happened? I was. First, that words was never typed. It was typed as you typed f*****t above.
Second, it was only after many, many scathing f-bomb and other assorted posts, name-calling, and referring to the size of
genitalia. Not only that, it was AFTER she sent him several private messages that I've seen as well. If that woman would have
done that to any of you in person, she'd have had her face rearranged. It was inexcusable, awful, and no one should have had
to put up with that abuse. If you have any questions about it, I would say contact Mark and he'll be happy to send you the
ENTIRE thread and the messages he got. It's, literally, eye-watering. That woman has issues. Also, other people have blocked
her for the exact same reasons. She needs help, not idiots with a political agenda covering up for her.
10:53 pm edt
Re: Oatsie's Page
"And, it's time for you to get a life and stop worrying about others expressing their constitutional rights.
Get over it. You don't like what some post, don't read it. Some don't like what you post, but we'll survive while
we giggle at your BS"
Calling a woman a C**t is not covered by "free speech". It can, in a
court of law, be the basis for defamation AND verbal assault charges. If someone called you a f****t, you'd run screaming
to file charges against the person who said that in public. The same applies to women who have to hear that filthy,
demeaning and hostile word. Beyond that, it is a morally reprehensible word, and decent people with better morals have
a right to call it what it is -- UNACCEPTABLE.
1:41 pm edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
Is this to be considered an apology forced down Hatches throat??
Mark Hatch
23 hrs
I was
thinking about a discussion thread that happened here, and Id like to say that I allowed my emotion to react to the situation
instead of my brain, and that was wrong of me. It also serves as a lesson for what the distance communication of Facebook
does, and how difficult it makes discussions when you cant see who youre talking to. As much as I enjoy digging at people
to get them to say what they think without being politically correct or mealy-mouthed (and indulge in shameless gossip), there
comes a point in time where saying nothing becomes the best option given the situation. I allowed the taunting and PMs I received
to rule my typing instead of thinking about it. Its a shame that some people in the town view everything as personal, especially
when it comes to politics, rather than just points of view. Especially when it involves people they dont know or have never
even met. Having said that, I staunchly will defend anyones right to say anything on Social Media or on!
-line in general.
A person does not lose their right to be a person because they volunteer for a Town Board or hold an office. In fact, no one
at the Town level should ever be talking about what someone says as a private person, and no one should be pressuring anyone
in the Town to take action on someone because of what they said as a private person. We can all disagree politically with
high vigor, and many of us do. But personal attacks because of the issues should be something we all avoid. That includes
me as well. Thanks.
1:39 pm edt
Great to Have so Many Restaurants Open
June is just a great month and it is wonderful to have so many great choices for dining. We do have so many fine
restaurants and bravo to the town for supporting these restaurants. They add so much to Provincetown and are part of its exciting
pulse.
1:35 pm edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
"Does the town have a policy regarding interaction between employees/committee members and the general public?"
If you volunteered some time to be on a town board, you'd know the answer to this question.
1:27 pm edt
Let Them All Reside in Rehobeth Beach
It is the refuge. Sharon left just in time. she was truly a disaster here but there she is at Rehobeth Beach. And what
is she doing? Building a new town hall and police department. But of course.
So now Jeff Jaran can be hired to
led that little city and then Candace Nagle can empower herself to be the center of attention. She can e-mail Sharon and then
Jaran on the continuous link of unreality.
Have had it kids! Destroy that resort place as you helped hurt us.
1:25 pm edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
Re: "Carolyn Kramer is NO ONE'S Girl!! She is smart, a marketing genius, made the Gallery she ran with her
partner, the artist Jo Hay, a West End Happenning last summer (2014)"
Really? On what planet was
that gallery a "happening?" I guess it's all a matter of opinion, isn't it?
1:21 pm edt
Friday, June 5, 2015
Re: Oatsie's Page
"A Selectman, 3 members of FinCom, 2 members of the School Cte, 2 members of Charter Enforcement, 2 members
of the building cte and at least 2 staff members are part of that page. It's time for each of them to take a stand and
get off that page."
And, it's time for you to get a life and stop worrying about others expressing
their constitutional rights. Get over it. You don't like what some post, don't read it. Some don't like
what you post, but we'll survive while we giggle at your BS
1:19 pm edt
Re: Candace Nagle vs George Bryant
"The service was for people who cared about George, not this individual that made his life miserable.
George would not want her there and when he was alive, did not want to be in the same room as her. Ms. Nagle is oblivious
to the negative impact that she has on people and does not even have the good sense to stay home at such a solemn occasion
that she is not welcome at. The family should have escorted this crasher to the door."
George
was a very intelligent open-minded understanding individual. You have no idea what he thought and you have no idea what
relationship he had with others. Stop with the projecting. Ok you don't like Nagle. keep it to yourself.
Don't project it on George who can't dispute your BS.
1:15 pm edt
Re: Oatsie's Page
A Selectman, 3 members of FinCom, 2 members of the School Cte, 2 members of Charter Enforcement, 2 members of the building
cte and at least 2 staff members are part of that page. It's time for each of them to take a stand and get off that
page.
11:42 am edt
An Observation
By now we should know how the town runs, like to like and no equitable decisions, but what benefits a certain group.
11:11 am edt
Re: Candace Nagle vs George Bryant
"... her attendance at Mr. Bryant's memorial was vulgar."
The service was for people
who cared about George, not this individual that made his life miserable. George would not want her there and when he
was alive, did not want to be in the same room as her. Ms. Nagle is oblivious to the negative impact that she has on
people and does not even have the good sense to stay home at such a solemn occasion that she is not welcome at. The
family should have escorted this crasher to the door.
11:10 am edt
Provincetown Parking Officer
Parking Officer taking advantage of parking, this parking officer has been parking her car in the Fire Station lot since
April with no sticker on her car I never see her go to the pay station to pay, I am wondering if she has special permission
to park her car there, and I would like to know who gave it to her, since most of us pay for our sticker to park in the lots,
and if this is the case I would like a refund on my sticker, She works for the town and she gives out tickets so why has she
not gotten a ticket to for parking in that lot, special people, how can she ticket some one for a parking voliation, while
she is in the wrong herself, I think this person she be fired for doing this, this is not right. She parks her car at the
end of the lot. To me she is hidding her car.
11:09 am edt
Re: Police Chief Search
Does anyone know the chosen candidates for the police chief's position yet? Were the Selectmen not going to announce
who the candidates were yesterday.
11:06 am edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
"Does the town have a policy regarding interaction between employees/committee members and the general
public?"
It is exactly the point and you supported it. If he town has a policy or bylaw that gives
direction to interaction between a board member and the public and that member has violated it, he should be reprimanded or
removed as a result of breaking the rule. If the town doesn't have a policy in place and are just relying on the maturity
of the board member, then forget the incident even happened. It's not unlawful to call someone names. Classless but not unlawful.
11:05 am edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
I have to say, Carolyn Kramer is NO ONE'S Girl!! She is smart, a marketing genius, made the Gallery she ran with her
partner, the artist Jo Hay, a West End Happenning last summer (2014). And if anyone is any more stronger than Carolyn on the
civil rights and political scene, they haven't been born. Accolades to Carolyn for the way she handled herself with the Fincom
member and admin. of the Provincetown/Truro/Wellfleet Beacon. Oatsie took that post down quicker than a heartbeat after she
made them both look like silly boys, trying to impress her. Go Carolyn! a couple of immature goats on the Beacon get taken
down by their victim, there really is justice.
11:01 am edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
"Not the point here."
Wait, what is the point? And we wonder why we can't
find committee members and a town manager? We have people who come on here and scream that town employees have the right to
free speech (and the right to hide behind fake names or post anonymously)...until, of course, it's someone we politically
disagree with or don't like, then they're being rude and should be admonished. You're a joke. Did you read that thread? I
did. It was shockingly over the top and that wasn't caused by any member of a town committee, it was the direct posts of the
woman in question. I've never seen such a display of outright contempt, so many f-bombs and rude language, and general insanity
displayed by someone in all my life. No one deserves to be talked to the way she talked to him. No one. Especially in THIS
town, where we have a reputation for being tolerant and respectful of others, even Republicans ;) If you haven't seen the
thread, then you shouldn't comment. More posts on nothing but rumor and!
what someone else said. Absolutely shameful.
10:59 am edt
Re: Dune on Race Point Road
Please call the town ASAP..... Conservation will claim they never
Knew a dune was being destroyed...
10:56 am edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
RE: "and, indirectly, the town. Can you imagine if the national media got hold of this?"
National media??? Are you for real? Delusions of grandeur much? With everything going on in the
world you actually think any national news organization is monitoring facebook just in case a small town board member called
someone a see you next tuesday? You really need to take a deep breath and get over the bridge every now and then.
10:54 am edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog - Beacon
RE: "I've heard that word, bitch, idiot, uneducated, told I never know what I'm talking about..."
Exactly. The ridicule of women, particularly mature women in town sprouts up like mold on Oastie's page. Count among
them individual's who are informed and dare express a thought: Catherine Russo, Anne McGuire, Michele, Marcene M, Mary Jo,
Candace Nagel to name a few.
Ageism and sexism are in play on the Beacon page, with about 5 blowhards commenting,
congratulating each other, posting vulgar pics of women to basically: shut them up through humiliation. We're talking business
owners, board members, entitled 2nd homeowners...yep. Thanks guys.
10:51 am edt
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Re: Police Chief Search
"I heard that Goldie, Lopie and Dopie put in for the Chief's job........I mean Golden, Lopes and Tom (are you
kidding me) Steele!!! That's right......Tom Steele!!!! What a show this process is going to
be. Thats the best Ptown can do???"
What is wrong with ANYONE applying for a position. It
is not "Ptown can do" rather than individuals. Would you like to violate people's civil rights because you
don't like them?
Why do we have so many unAmerican voices here? Why do so many posters want to insult
and denigrate? Why do posters want to deny certain rights to others? Why can't these folks just disagree without
being so disagreeable?
11:03 am edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
"Does the town have a policy regarding interaction between employees/committee members and the general public?"
Not the point here. The point is a person who is known as a public figure shows crude disrespect to another
person in public. They may have the legal right to do so, but it is morally reprehensible. It is conduct harmful
to the town and the voters have no direct recourse. MJA should admonish this person and remind all members that they
should always show maturity and respect if they want to be known as public servants.
11:01 am edt
Dune on Race Point Road
Why is the dune on Race point road being destroyed? It is just to the right as you enter the roadway from route 6. When
is this madness going to be stopped. It seems we need a stronger conservation committee. There is another one in the West
end also being torn up. PLEASE STOP THIS!!!
10:34 am edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
A FinCom member using the C word to attack a woman on a public forum on Facebook? Are you serious? This town representative
should be censured by the FinCom Committee for that. He sullies the image of that board, one of the town's most prominent
boards . . . . and, indirectly, the town. Can you imagine if the national media got hold of this?
10:32 am edt
Police Chief Search
I heard that Goldie, Lopie and Dopie put in for the Chief's job........I mean Golden, Lopes and Tom (are you kidding
me) Steele!!! That's right......Tom Steele!!!! What a show
this process is going to be. Thats the best Ptown can do???
9:57 am edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
Fincom member...
The Fincom member who called a resident the "C" word in a public forum wasn't
doing anything out of his usual character, if you've been paying attention. The person that appears at public meetings and
schmoozes is not the person who speaks his mind online. That's not uncommon. There should be no surprise, or raised
eyebrows. He's acting the way he always has. Senior members of the BOS and the Town Moderator who appointed him have given
tacit approval to his online rhetoric all along.
9:43 am edt
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
...That all depends. Does the town have a policy regarding interaction between employees/committee members and
the general public? If he was representing himself as a member of a board as part of the discussion, then yes, maybe there
will be a discussion of his actions.
9:56 pm edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
I'm not at all surprised to hear that someone called another woman the "C" word in this town. I've heard
that word, bitch, idiot, uneducated, told I never know what I'm talking about, and gotten filthy, nasty looks from men when
I've dared to stand up and give my opinions in a public forum. The hate is palpable from far too many in this town.
9:54 pm edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
"Read the latest Supreme Court decision: it's not a violation of anything."
It may
not violate a law, however, the supreme court has nothing to do with acting like a decent mature adult. The post certainly
would convince me that the poster violated the civil norm of courtesy and respect. Pretty bad as far as I can tell.
Says more about the poster than the victim.
9:52 pm edt
Candace Nagle vs George Bryant
"I couldn't believe that that Candace Nagle had the bad
form to show up at George Bryant's memorial service last Saturday, after all she and former Town Manager Sharon Lynn did to
pillory George and make his life miserable. She was not welcome there, and her attendance at Mr. Bryant's memorial was vulgar."
Did she pillory him or simply try to get him to clean up a bit. Either way why is it any of your business
to suggest that anyone should feel emotions as you dictate. Not everyone in town is as narrow minded and gossipy and
silly as you.
9:49 pm edt
Re: FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
"A member of the Finance Committee, on a Facebook blog..."
Read the latest Supreme
Court decision: it's not a violation of anything. Sorry to disappoint, but people can have private lives and say what they
want. Maybe you should go get a life instead of worrying what people say on not very well read Facebook pages.
12:34 pm edt
Candace Nagle vs George Bryant
I couldn't believe that that
Candace Nagle had the bad form to show up at George Bryant's memorial service last Saturday, after all she and
former Town Manager Sharon Lynn did to pillory George and make his life miserable. She was not welcome there, and her attendance
at Mr. Bryant's memorial was vulgar.
11:32 am edt
FinCom Member on Facebook Blog
A member of the Finance Committee, on a Facebook blog, called a female resident of our community a C#*T in a dispute
they were having. Any board member of any committee represents the Town of Provincetown in an official capacity, and such
hateful, blatantly sexist vulgarity cannot be allowed to pass muster. Should anyone doubt this, the female individual has
a screen shot of the exchange, and has reported it to the police, Facebook, the selectmen, and others.
11:30 am edt
Jaran Settlement
Has there been any official statement about a settlement, other than word on the street?
11:27 am edt
Re: Town Manager Search & Jeff Jaran Settlement
The only one I see laughing is Jaran -- all the way to his bank. Puh-lease, I heard he's getting a Mercedes convertible
and the plate says "TXPT". The nerve! We were assured by TDonegan and EYingling (to me personally) they had
a solid case EVEN knowing ALL about Jaran's contract!! Hell - we all read it. It was all over social media, yet our elected
officials told us we should NOT settle. Now look where we are. We can't even hire a town manager -- they run for the hills
because of all the damage town politics has caused in this town. Terrible. It's all terrible.
11:24 am edt
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
OK It's Time For the ABCs
All at attention. Ready. Set. Go. You are in charge. You are the BOS. Look at resumes(you know what they are, right?)
then you get the five best, and then YOU interview them. You are working to get the person who is in charge and who will be
your major actor.
Remember. You are in charge. What? You don't know what to do? OK. Look in the mirror. You are
in charge. You have the authority. Now---make a decision.
11:35 pm edt
Re: Town Manager Search & Jeff Jaran Settlement
Tom Donegan was NOT on the BOS when the contract was signed with Jaran, right??
Right. And when he was elected
to the BOS he made it his duty to dig in his heels about early arbitration, based on being told that the town had an airtight
case against Jaran. We see how well that worked out.
In terms of the ever-knowing Oatsie...I used to think his
heart was in the right place. Until this past weekend when he and Hatch bated the hell out of a local woman. Ignoring the
good girl rule to shut up and take it, the woman fought back. Of course debating two entitled windbag gets you nowhere.
Too bad ye went rotten on us Oastie. Hatch...ugh.
7:36 pm edt
Truro et Provincetown
Maybe the Town Manager of Truro would Want a dual authority
If Truro could hire a town manager in a reasonable
amount of time, why couldn't we? so maybe we should think of reorganization and have a dual town manager. Otherwise,
it will 2017 before we hire one.
4:31 pm edt
Re: Town Manager Search & Jeff Jaran Settlement
"OMG - to say that the town HAD to settle with Jaran AND pay him over half a million dollars is all because
of his contract is one of the stupidest, funniest statements I've read on this blog. LMAO."
I hope
you will be laughing when you find out the statement is true, watch
3:34 pm edt
From: Cheryl Andrews Statement to BOS Re Town Manager Screening
At our meetings on Thursday May 28 and Friday May 29, 2015 the Town Manager Screening Committee, a sub-committee
of the Provincetown Board of Selectmen began interviewing candidates in executive session for the position of Town Manager. We had previously set an ambitious timeline for our work which
included a goal of announcing the finalists today, June 2, 2015.
We are unable to meet
our original goal and will not be announcing Finalists today.
The committee will meet again this Thursday,
June 4, to continue our deliberations.
Interviews planned with the BofS for June
9 & 10 will be rescheduled.
The committee members are Cheryl Andrews and Thomas Donegan, selectmen; Anthony
Brackett, Chairman of the Provincetown School Committee; Stephen Katsurinis, member of the Board of Health and Charter Enforcement
Committee and Lee Ash, former Chairman of the Provincetown Public Pier Corp. The committee is assisted by GovHR USA CEO Joellen
C. Earl.
3:26 pm edt
Re: Town Manager Search & Jeff Jaran Settlement
OMG - to say that the town HAD to settle with Jaran AND pay him over half a million dollars is all because of
his contract is one of the stupidest, funniest statements I've read on this blog. LMAO.
2:48 pm edt
Re: Town Manager Search & Jeff Jaran Settlement
"Read the conclusion of the arbitrators report and they squarely put the blame on Tom Donegan (and Erik Yingling)."
Maybe you can tell us where? What page and paragraph?
Also, to the person who accused the
Friends of the Library of being convicted of illegal activity. We are still waiting for your response.
It seems that too many posters think that they can post whatever they want without ever being asked for verification.
Too much hollow BS.
2:45 pm edt
Re: Town Manager Search & Jeff Jaran Settlement
"The author has no balls, and doesn't sign their name."
Hypocracy, anyone?
To say the above in an unsigned posting here is rather ballsy.
1:40 pm edt
Re: Town Manager Search & Jeff Jaran Settlement
We do understand that Tom Donegan was NOT on the BOS when the contract was signed with Jaran, right??!!
Tom
Donegan works hard for this town, as does Erik Yingling and each member of this current BOS. The hours are long, the pay is
nonexistant, and the rewards are few and far between. It is a labor of love. Unlike the Federal government where one can get
rich, serving as a Selectman in Provincetown is a real challenge.
Easy for the "peanut gallery" to critique.
And anyone who can defend Oatsie Rogers and his disgusting ways and cruel comments does not belong on an opinion page. The
author has no balls, and doesn't sign their name. Mr. Donegan and Mr. Yingling at least have the courtesy of signing their
opinions.
Maybe next time the cowardly author of the Donegan rant will run for public office instead of critizing
every move our BOS makes without knowledge of what is happening.
12:15 pm edt
Re: Town Manager Search & Jeff Jaran Settlement
The Town has no choice BUT to sign a check over to Jaran. The contract that the Town Counsel and Town Manager signed
with the former Chief left no other choice!!
Now the Town can sue the Town Counsel for approving a very bad and
illegal contract!
12:06 pm edt
Re: Oatsie Rogers
Richard A. "Oatsie" Rogers
446 M St NW
M St NW
Washington‎ DC and Truro
rrwashingtondc@verizon.net Send him a letter or an email. He's lonely and angry and enjoys trash talking.
11:49 am edt
Re: Oatsie Rogers
Whoever is Oatsie Rogers, he knows ALOT. He's the one reporting that 3 out of the 4 town manager finalists have withdrawn!
No one with half a brain would work for our BOS. What a shitshow. This Oatsie person also reporting that paperwork filed
by the town in the Jaran case seeking approval to award Jaran half a million bucks of our tax dollars. What happen to an appeal?
Why are we paying for this? Town govt here can't suck enough. But good question, WHO IS Oatsie?
11:28 am edt
Re: Town Manager Search & Jeff Jaran Settlement
The buzz on the street should make us all very angry. BOS Chair tom Donegan seriously must go!!! Once again he
is at the helm of yet another Town Manager Search DISASTER! Is it true that three of the four finalists have withdrawn?!
How much more damage can Donegan cost this town before we demand he step down? Just look at what the Jaran termination cost
US TAXPAYERS. Read the conclusion of the arbitrators report and they squarely put the blame on Tom Donegan (and Erik
Yingling). And now Ive heard that the BOS has signed off on writing a check to Jaran for half a million dollars! Yes
people, its true! Barnstable Superior Court is hearing a judgement filed by the town to settle with Jaran so he can't
come back and sue the town and its officials who messed up the entire process! No balls for an appeal because town govt here
sucks! Who would ever want to come to this town and work for this BOS? It's scaring good candidates away, and yet we
do nothing.
11:25 am edt
350 Bradford Street
Cydney Berry:
An update from Michelle Jarusiewicz regarding the MassHousing call and the miscommunication
regarding last week's BoS meeting.
Please note that this is NOT the full story and people should look to additional
information from next week's BoS meeting agenda and packet. We will post it here as soon as we get it.
From Michelle:
"Please know that the Town Planner did not have any documentation for the Selectmen's [BOS] meeting on May 26th. This
was a telephone conference call with MassHousing, the County, and the developer. She is preparing a report, which is not complete
as yet, for the June 8th BOS meeting. Those documents are typically part of the posted agenda packet once complete. What was
distributed to the Town Manager and the BOS was an email from me as a participant in that conversation which I have excerpted
below and it reflects my interpretation of that conversation."
"Town Planner Gloria McPherson & I
participated in a conference call with Greg Watson and Michael Busby of MassHousing, Jeff R & John from CCC, and Chris
Wise to discuss the 350 Bradford Street Site eligibility letter. The call lasted about hour and a half and was productive
I think. Gloria did an excellent job in discussing the various points primarily focused on design standards and massing. Both
MassHousing & CCC agreed that the proposal does not meet the state's and the county's design guidelines and that the design
needs significant re-working to respond to the community character issues such as roof lines, building materials , placement
on site, perhaps with more than 1 structure. The discussion also touched on sewer connection [and capacity issues] vs. septic
as that impacts the design; excavation, dune vegetation, drainage. There was discussion about the possibility of Chris Wise
submitting a new conceptual design that reflected the discussion that would demonstrate !
that the proposal was on the
right path prior to the state issuing a Project Eligibility Letter. While there was understanding that the conceptual design
would still evolve and change as it moved forward, there was agreement that re-design involves time and money and concern
that a conceptual drawing would take on a life of its own.
When the subject of the 1.5% safe harbor came up and
I stated that it was the Town's intent to submit for that safe harbor as indicated in the BOS letter, it seemed to surprise
people. The conversation ended shortly thereafter with Chris continuing to think about his options; noting that a lot of time
and effort and money would be part of the 40B process and a potential 1.5% safe harbor was a risk for him and potential funding
sources. I did point out that the Town was not against a 40B proposal going on that site but wanted one that fit the character
and needs of the community.
I know that Gloria is concerned [please correct me if I am wrong] that (1) we still
have to re-fine the math to make sure that we are at 1.5% and who is going to do all that and (2) that the project will be
withdrawn and we will get only luxury units and no affordable housing on the site.
I expect that Gloria will be
speaking with Chris directly as he considers his options. I also believe he will be coming up with a plan of deliverables
to circulate amongst all parties."
8:37 am edt
Oatsie Rogers
I think it's time for someone to post the identity of Oatsie Rogers. What was once cute comments about the community
and it's members have now become hostile attacks that he and a member of FINCOM perpetuate. At least Mark Hatch is willing
to use his name in posts so that we can hate him to his face.
8:29 am edt