On a recent sunny Wednesday morning, the members of the Town Coffee Committee, charged with solving all the world’s problems, gathered at the town wharf. The meeting was called to order citing all members present (save one who absconded across the pond to the UK); a quorum was declared.
First order of business (again) was a discussion of the five-member Select Board matter which has been discussed ad nauseum before the Committee. It was announced that the matter whizzed though the State House and the Senate in record time. The Governor signed it into law on August 22, a mere three months since it was voted upon.
It seems that a cage fight is brewing. Not the one the current occupant of the Peoples’ House plans for the south lawn of the White House on the Fourth of July 2026 to celebrate the America’ 250th Anniversary. No, the one about the origin, process and possible result of this change.
Following the lead of famous Sergeant Joe Friday, the “just the facts” detective of the old TV show Dragnet, this intrepid reporter has decided to get the facts concerning this bruhaha. I promise, dear reader, to leave no stone unturned.
The issue began when a group of citizens concerned about the efficiency of the current three-person configuration filed a petition to place an article on the Town Meeting warrant urging the change to five members. They suggested that an increase would offer more qualified people the opportunity to run and serve. Notwithstanding the fact that historically past elections have had numerous uncontested races, including the last one where there were 10, was of no concern. Darn facts.
With the required 10 voter signatures acquired and certified by the Town Clerk, the question was moved to the Town Meeting floor where it was voted upon by voice vote and passed.
The Select Board in their wisdom first decided to table the urgent matter (typically a death knell for an issue), prompting some proponents to suggest that the “will of the people” was being ignored. The Board promptly sent the result onto the State House for approval, thus washing their hands of the issue.
In the meantime, a second petition circulated for a Special Town Meeting to rescind the first vote, leaving the Board at the current three members. That one collected 283 signatures, 83 more than required. Both petitions followed the law. A Special Town Meeting is now required at a cost to the town even though the issue is moot. The Special Town Meeting will be merely an opinion poll. That’s all. There you go. Those are the facts. Darn those facts.
Hackles are still being raised. One side has suggested that the first article was not voted on correctly. The other side proclaims the second petition was a “misuse of the process” and a “taxpayer-funded stunt.”
Whoa, wait a minute, a stunt? When did our little hamlet become the harbinger of the Washington-style circus? The Town Coffee Committee has a rule… no politics. No name calling allowed. Just the facts. The issue was tabled before coffee was spilled or breakfast sandwiches were thrown.
The agenda for the next Town Coffee Committee meeting has yet to be decided and that’s a fact.
Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and happily retired writer. His newspaper columns appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.
Thoughts on…
By Dick Morgado