34 South Main St., Attleboro, MA - (508) 222-7000
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Vote sought on NA charter
Top Headlines Selectman wants document drafted for debate
NORTH ATTLEBORO - A charter laying out a switch to a mayoral form of government should be drafted and brought before voters, Selectman Michael Thompson says.Thompson said he would like to see selectmen form an independent committee made up of people with no prior connections to town government or reform efforts. The committee would be charged with drafting a charter to switch to a mayoral form of government, which could then be put before the town's voters, once and for all. "I'm prepared to put a committee together to make some recommendations on a mayor-town council form of government," Thompson said during Thursday's selectmen's meeting. "Then we should give the people the opportunity they never had - the opportunity to vote on that form of government." During the election season, Thompson never specifically called for a change in the town's form of government, but suggested he would be open to reforms. At that time, he suggested the fastest way to change government would be to change the people in it and said many of the town's issues were "personality issues, rather than government issues." Thompson said he has become frustrated since joining the board. "I still believe in my heart that the more people who are involved in government, the better, and the more people will understand the issues," he said. "But let's face it - it's just not happening." Thompson's comments came on the eve of selectmen's government reform meeting, which will be held at 6 p.m. Monday. in the selectmen's conference room. Some members of the board expressed frustration because selectmen held a similar forum last October, but no reform proposals resulted. "I want to make sure this isn't just going to be another meeting," Selectman Paul Belham said. "We should go right to the facts and start working from there." Selectmen Chairman John Rhyno said the board has changed its membership and promised action this time. Rhyno, once a staunch opponent of switching to a mayoral form of government, has also called for consideration of the idea. He is publishing advertisements in the local newspaper asking residents whether they favor switching to a mayor, changing to a town manager or leaving everything the same. Thompson pointed out that the town has considered changing to a town manager three times, and voters have rejected the idea soundly. "The town doesn't want it," he said. "Three strikes and we're out."
Post Your Comments realist wrote on Sep 5, 2008 4:38 PM: " to natownie -- yes I do volunteer in the community. I have served on both town and non profit service boards. I regularly assist in various community activities. I have not run for RTM because I would consider it a conflict although the law does not. North Attleborough is smaller than Plymouth and Framingham. Both have the town form of government. In a quest for efficiency it's easy to trample people's rights. " natownie wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:17 PM: " I always see the same people posting the same comments - do any of you volunteer or work in town government? I suggest you see it from the other side before you continue...NA has become a bedroom community. No one cares anymore and those that claim they do just shoot their mouth off with out actually doing anything! All those in office I respect, no matter what their views because at least they care to give their time! btw NA is becoming too big to be run by a BOS, it is time for a mayoral form of government...we let all the developers in, now we have to pay the consequences.... " attman63 wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:05 PM: " I know NA has lots of problems- you know who is to blame? RTM members 12 to 24, 53, and 87 through 94! Someone should hold them accountable! You see with such diluted responsibility comes diluted accountability. The beast has too many heads... " realist wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:35 PM: " to jdr - actually the voters turned down the last charter proposal. Among the objections were changes made in the Charter regarding the BofS oversight of the Electric Commission. These changes were inserted AFTER public hearing were held on what was to be the final document. After the changes were made some members of the Charter Commission publicly opposed the document. " skeptic wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:30 PM: " to jdr - don't forget that you could also wind up in a criminal trial as thanks for your efforts in serving the town. By the way, has the Bristol County DA dropped the charges against the former electric commissioners? " jdr wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:12 PM: " The insanity in North Attleboro continues. As realist notes, 2 commissions have been formed in NA in thelast 15 years. A few years ago, the commission consisted of a number of volunteers (more on that later). They did a great deal of research and investigation and returned a recommendation to turn to a mayor/council. Because the results of the commission were not in line with the current selectmen's thinking, the commission's report got shelved. That Mr Thompson is calling for another commission says one of two things: (1) he is ignorant of the previous commissions' work, meaning he did little homework before speaking publically and looking silly, or (2) he is looking to get a commission together in hopes it comes up with an answer more favorable to the present office holders. Either way, the WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. Now for the previous item: how does the town expect to get intelligent, caring volunteers to serve on commissions, committees, and the RTM, if their efforts are continually disregarded? If you criticise volunteers or don't applaud their efforts, they quit. More of the same in ol' NA. " DANDYDON wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:30 AM: " While i comend Selectman Thompson for his remaks in regard to a change in north's government, the people who know anything about how the government really works in North Attleboro knows what is going to happen. The same old names and faces will be on the committee to make the changes, hence another waste of time and the main reason nobody outside the inside government will be interested. A point of interest would be first to change to and open town meeting and in doing so clean up and do away with the more than 66% of the present town meeting who are connected to the government and control everything that happens.Then and only then will any changes be made in the North Attleboro government. " realist wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:08 AM: " I would like Mr. Rhyno to show everyone the number of returns he gets on his advertisments on issues. I hate to be negative but an ad in the Free Press does not reach everyone. (Nor does an amatuerish web site like the RTMCC is using) To start putting a committee together to consider changing the town to a city is doomed. You need to consider all options. There have been two charter commissions in the past 15 years. Both did good work but there were some problems that concerned the voters. Many of the towns perceived problems could be handled by a computerized call tracking system. A central office in town hall could handle all incoming non-emergency requests. Each gets a number and the problem is assigned to the appropriate department. Each department in turn assigns the problem to an appropriate group or person. Then the supervisor receives progress reports on completed work and outstanding problems. The caller can track the progress via a web site or phone call. If the person who made the call asks, they can get a call back to make sure the issue is resolved. Far-fetched? No - every service organization in America does it. Companies from IBM to your local oil delivery service uses this method to track and solve problems. People will be happy because they will know who is handling their issue. Pay raises could be based on citizen satisfaction. That will scare the unions. " or
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