One set of Rules, One set of Voters, One King?

At the upcoming May 5 Annual Town Meeting, proponents and opponents of the ‘Assisted Living Facility/Garage issue’ have Articles 1 and 2 as ’Citizen Petitions’. The roots of ‘petition’ branch back to July 5, 1775, when our congress adopted the ‘Olive Branch Petition’; the rejection of which by King George led to the war and resultant founding of our nation. From then on, we no longer were ruled by one ‘lifelong monarchy’ King George, but one ‘elected two term president’ George Washington. Good Heavens, can you imagine if our Nation’s Capital was called ‘George D.C.’!  Anyway, Article 2 was delivered to Town Clerk on April 11, unanimously recommended by the Selectmen on April 14 and also by the Finance Committee (though two dissented) on April 17. That’s only six days!

However, Wakefield’s Article 1 seems to be traveling down a different path. Though it was  delivered to Town Clerk ten days prior to Article 2 (April 1), twenty four days later Town Counsel  wrote “it is clear that town meeting may not act on Article 1“. Why did Article 2 only need six days to get approved, yet Article 1 failed to get approved in time for Town Meeting?

I do not know why, but I am certain that there was ample time to comply with the Town’s Charter Law, and Massachusetts General Laws to do so! But curiously, just last Thursday on April 24, the Planning Board Agenda was updated by Town Hall. It added three agenda items, all for the same property. One for an ANR (Approval Not Required – very valuable for a developer!), the second a Preliminary Subdivision, the third for Article 1 in order to ‘Set the Public Hearing Date’ (some time in the future…). We understand this ‘pre-emptive strike’ on the citizen’s petition Article 1 may enable Town Hall to rush in the ANR and the subdivision, and lock in that benefit, prior to the people voting on Article 1. Well, I have heard from many angry voters who said ‘Why do I have to vote on this again?’, ‘Why was my April 1st vote disrespected?’.  Well, to quote Yogi Berra ‘it déjà vu all over again’. If you believe in one set of rules, and one set of voters, I recommend you attend the Planning Board meeting tomorrow night, unless of course, you prefer your nation’s capital to be called George D.C.!

Sincerely,

Robert Mitchell