34 South Main St., Attleboro, MA - (508) 222-7000
North Attleboro
Question on utility sparking NA spat
Top Headlines Electric Commission Chairman Thomas Corrigan appeared before selectmen Thursday to criticize board members for asking town counsel for an opinion about the municipal utility, without first coming to his board. Corrigan said he was disturbed the opinion contained information about how the town would go about selling the department - by holding two referendum votes on two different town election ballots. "When I see a memo like this, what am I supposed to think?" he said. Corrigan called for better communication between the boards. Selectman Michael Thompson, who requested the information from town counsel, said Corrigan misunderstood the board's intent. He said only one question was asked: Who is considered the owner of the utility? "There has never been any discussion about the sale of North Attleboro Electric," Thompson said. "The question asked was who owned the electric department because your bill says it's a consumer-owned utility. It's not - it's owned by the town of North Attleboro and its residents." Town Administrator Mark Fisher explained, "It was never a discussion about selling the electric department. Lawyers lots of times will put more things in there than were asked in the original question." Corrigan said Thompson lacked "the courage" to ask the question during a televised, public meeting. "Why do I need a meeting? I have the right to ask any damn question that I want," Thompson responded. Relations between the electric commission and the board of selectmen have been strained. with the boards disagreeing on several issues relating to the town's wiring inspector. After the verbal sparring ended, Corrigan and selectmen began discussing a dates for a joint meeting between the two boards. The electric commission and selectmen will get together, possibly as soon as Aug. 7, so the boards can update each other on their activities.
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