Changing Stoneham government, Examining the options
Published on November 1st, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - Citizens agree that Stoneham government is broke, but how to fix it — that's the talk of the town.
What changes?
Some want to keep the open town meeting format.
"It's the purest form of democracy." This statement has been repeated at several meetings by, among others, former Selectmen Jim Juliano and Tony Kennedy, Bike Path Chairman Cameron Bain, Town Clerk John Hanright and political watchdog John DeGeorge.
Even Selectmen Chairman Pat Jordan, who has publicly touted the merits of a mayoral system, acknowledged that "everybody has one vote; isn't that how democracy is supposed to work?"
But, at an Oct. 16 meeting which he organized, Jordan said he fears that low turnout at Town Meetings has been making a mockery of democracy and the people of Stoneham.
There are 15,000 registered voters in Stoneham; 157 went to the Oct. 23 Special Town Meeting. Another debate emerges from these numbers.
DeGeorge and Jordan, the leaders of two opposing camps, agree that the voters are apathetic but differ on strategies for awakening the electorate.
But Bain thinks that a de facto representative town meeting is working well. He spoke last Wednesday at a meeting of citizens organized by DeGeorge.
"I think the people at home have a trust that the people who go to the meetings will do the right thing," Bain said. If anyone doesn't like what's going on, he can come on down because the Town Meeting is open to all.
Bain's assertion is supported by a figure Finance Board Chairman Rich Gregorio brought out at DeGeorge's meeting: 3,573 Stoneham citizens out of approximately 4,000 polled in 1998 wanted to improve but keep the open town meeting format.
But still others like Brenda Boyle of the Finance Board worry that a couple hundred people are spending $40 million (the 2000 Annual Town Meeting approved $42 million).
"Many people have no idea about the money passing through here," Boyle said at the Oct. 24 Selectmen's meeting.
Hanright agrees that many folks don't know about Town Meeting.
"People always call me up asking for directions to 'City Hall,'" Hanright told Selectmen. "...they don't know what Town Meeting is."
But Hanright pleaded with Town officials to make a better effort to educate the people.
Jordan argued that time and the pace of modern life, not lack of education, keep people home on a weeknight.
"There's the second car, and the parents often both work," Jordan said.
Bain echoed this sentiment at DeGeorge's meeting: "Not just Town Meeting but social clubs have declined in attendance with more afterschool activities for kids... all the television channels."
At the Oct. 24 Selectmen's meeting, Selectman Al Conti said technology could provide the answer to the town government question.
Conti suggested the Town look into the use of computer and Internet technology to broaden the appeal and improve the function of Town Meeting.
DeGeorge told his group that a computer projected to the entire Town Meeting floor with amendments made on the screen would reduce confusion. But this would be a baby step toward what DeGeorge has set as his goal — a comprehensive revamping of Town Meeting and the Town Code.
However, DeGeorge has already begun his journey toward a better Stoneham government. He sponsored an article — the only citizen petition on the Oct. 23 Special Town Meeting warrant — making it easier for citizens to place articles on the warrant.
"Unless we actively participate in the process and make whatever changes that may be necessary to maintain and control and improve our existing system, it will become more and more ineffective," DeGeorge said at Town Meeting.
DeGeorge is trying to solidify a cadre to help with his quest to fix Stoneham.
Selectman Bob Sweeney, who attended both the Jordan and DeGeorge sessions, said he wanted to hear from all sides.
Sweeney convinced the Selectmen to set a public hearing for Nov. 28 to listen to anybody with anything to say about town government.
How to make a change?
A charter petition is on the streets. If the proponents of the commission get 2,250 certified signatures, the question (yes or no to elect a charter commission to change town government) goes on the ballot along with the names of people who want to be on the commission. A commission can act in 10 to 18 months to get a new government format on the town ballot as another yes we want it, no we don't question.
While this is going on DeGeorge is researching bylaw changes that he plans to bring before the Annual Town Meeting in May as citizen petition articles. Some of the specific ideas that he and his group, tentatively named Citizens for Effective Government, are kicking around are changes in time allotted to speakers and secret ballot voting.
A third monkey in this barrel may be a committee named by Selectmen after the Nov. 28 hearing. Such a committee could develop a plan for changing town government and submit it to the State House for ratification.
Sometimes passing a bill is quick and easy; consider the draft legislation for the MDC rink proposal.
The Nutting component
Not all but a lot of the hubbub over changing Stoneham government revolves around a guy from out of town — Town Administrator Jeff Nutting.
Folks, many of them in various town unions, have been upset with Nutting's personnel decisions over the years. And Nutting's contract comes up in June.
Some folks appreciate Nutting's head for numbers. Others want his head. Selectman Darin Leahy made but withdrew a motion of no confidence in Nutting several months ago.
What if any action taken against Nutting in June could affect how people feel about town government as a whole.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!