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Falmouth Local

July 27, 2010
21:51
Budget Workshop preparation
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: July 27th, 2010, 9:51pm EDT
What follows is an email sent to the selectmen on Sunday, July 25 @ 9:51pm: Shortly after my election as chair, Gary Anderson extended an offer to meet, asking that we build on the relationship between the selectmen and FinComm. As Pat was former chair, I asked that she attend in order to maintain the continuity of the relationship. He, Pat and I did so this past Tuesday, and we discussed a great many items. From that meeting, I developed this list (below) as a guide for our budget workshop...
July 25, 2010
11:58
Don't feed the trolls
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: July 25th, 2010, 11:58am EDT
I was on the Interent before most people knew that it existed. Back then, there was no www (World Wide Web), but there was email and Usenet. Usenet was a text-based bulletin board system where you could post thoughts and questions about just about any topic you can imagine...politics, computers, science, hobbies, etc. "Troll" is double entendre, a term intended to be interpreted in two ways. It came into use on Usenet to describe people who posted just to upset others. Troll never made it into...
July 15, 2010
23:20
What was he thinking?
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: July 15th, 2010, 11:20pm EDT
It was probably ten years ago when my wife and I and some friends were returning from a night out in Sandwich when we ended up behind an erratic driver on Route 130. We called 911 and were connected to Sandwich, Mashpee, Barnstable, and back to Mashpee as each police department asked us to follow the car if we could do so safely. "Safely" was the operative word here. It was nighttime, so we couldn't see if the driver was male or female, old or young. What we could see was that they were...
July 05, 2010
18:52
Agenda
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: July 5th, 2010, 6:52pm EDT
Conventional wisdom tells us that every politician has an agenda. Usually, it's a secret - if not nefarious - plan that, if revealed publicly, would result in the politician being run out of town at the end of a pitchfork. I've previously written about my own agenda, which is neither secret, nor nefarious. The charter is the town constitution. It outlines how our government is structured and provides a blueprint for how it should be run. Regarding the latter, there are a lot of things the...
July 04, 2010
8:07
Happy Birthday to the United States of America
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: July 4th, 2010, 8:07am EDT
It's worth noting that The Falmouth Fireworks Committee has managed to develop a nationally recognized fireworks show while using "no taxpayer money." This year, because of Falmouth's budget constraints, the Committee has been asked to help cover the cost of the police department's overtime budget - something the town usually handles. If you can, send a check (for any amount) to: Falmouth Fireworks Committee PO Box 500 Falmouth, MA 02540 I did.
July 01, 2010
20:31
A done deal?
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: July 1st, 2010, 8:31pm EDT
Some folks seem to think that the decision to put Mr. Morse on Monday's agenda was a railroad job, intended to just slide him in without a proper interview. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth, but I'll let you decide. What follows is an email - which speaks for itself - that I sent to the Board on Thursday, June 24 at 10:22pm. All, There have been a few questions about Monday's agenda; this email is intended to clarify those. Bob contacted me on Wednesday with a request that...
June 22, 2010
22:45
Special Selectmen's meeting, Thursday @ 5pm
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: June 22nd, 2010, 10:45pm EDT
Board of Selectmen Thursday, June 24, 2010 – 5:00 P.M. Selectmen's Meeting Room 1) To consider appointing an independent third party to investigate the events surrounding the boil water order. 2) To consider taking additional actions as needed, including - but not limited to - the distribution of water, in response to the boil water order.
22:38
BREAKING NEWS: Boil water order lifted
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: June 22nd, 2010, 10:38pm EDT
The Falmouth Water Department in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has lifted the Boil Water order for the entire Town of Falmouth. the most recent analytical data has indicated that the complete schedule of water samples was free of total coliform and E-Coli for two consecutive days as required. Having met this standard, the Massachusetts Department of environmental Protection has determined that the water is safe for consumption in the Falmouth...
June 16, 2010
22:56
Special Selectmen's meeting, Friday @ 5pm
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: June 16th, 2010, 10:56pm EDT
In response to citizen concerns, the Board will be holding a public meeting on Friday, June 18 at 5pm in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of Falmouth Town Hall. The object of this meeting is two-fold: 1) To inform the public of the events (i.e., a timeline) leading to the discovery of coliform and e coli in the Falmouth water system, and the subsequent DEP boil order, and 2) To outline the town's response to the situation, including efforts to notify the public, and address any deficiencies...
June 15, 2010
23:20
BREAKING NEWS: Boil water order issued for Falmouth
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: June 15th, 2010, 11:20pm EDT
Falmouth residents ordered to boil water From the MA DEP: "We just declared a boil order for the Town of Falmouth. We were notified yesterday that there were Total Coliform and E Coli positive samples at 5 locations collected on June 7th. Repeats have been clean (no coliform) with the exception of two locations since June 9th. The two locations North Falmouth and Woods Hole, have been positive for total coliform but negative for E. Coli. We have asked Falmouth to increase chlorination and...
23:11
Day 1
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: June 15th, 2010, 11:11pm EDT
I spoke with five constituents and one of the other selectmen today - all before 7pm. This was not an unusual day, but it's instructive. Some folks raised concerns about me being chairman. The stated reasons were becuase of my day job; that because I commute 1-1/2 hours off-Cape, I would not have the time to take on the additional responsiblity. However, modern electronics keep me in touch. Indeed, all those phone calls were done while I was commuting home. No, I don't text. Yes, I use a...
June 10, 2010
20:35
Priorities
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: June 10th, 2010, 8:35pm EDT
I must admit to some disappointment with Falmouth's budget priorities - or lack thereof. On Monday evening, the Board received a rather sobering report about staffing at the police department. Shortly thereafter, the Recreation Committee provided a glowing report of the Recreation Department's activities over the past year. The difference between "soberting" and "glowing" is all about priorities. On the one hand, the Rec Department appears to have an adequate amount of funding to complete...
May 25, 2010
20:28
Trash talk
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: May 25th, 2010, 8:28pm EDT
Problem: Trash haulers licensed to do business in Falmouth are taking their garbage directly to Bourne or SEMASS. Why? Those venues charge $45/ton, whereas the Upper Cape Regional Transfer Station (UCRTS) charges $89/ton. The result? Falmouth has had to pay more than $50,000 because we're not delivering enough trash to the UCRTS meet our contractual obligation. The solution? Use a stick: Fine the haulers, forcing them to bring their trash to the UCRTS. A better solution? Use a carrot: Have...
0:03
No easy answers
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: May 25th, 2010, 12:03am EDT
There are those Monday's - and this was one - when I walk away from the meeting thinking that there are no easy answers. On the one hand, one never wants to be a stick-in-the-mud by saying "no". On the other hand, trying to please everyone by saying "yes" all the time is no better. Consistency is another thing. It would be really easy to say "yes" here, and "no" there, so that people think you are being fair, but firm. I've seen that sort of willy-nilly voting. Eventually, people figure out...
May 18, 2010
22:09
BREAKING NEWS...Election results
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: May 18th, 2010, 10:09pm EDT
These are preliminary results (final results are certified in a few days to a week), and I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, but... Selectmen's race: Mary Pat Flynn ~3100 David Braga ~2700 Carey Murphy ~2500 David Moriarity ~2100 Ballot questions: Question 1 - Capital projects - No Question 2 - School roofs - Yes Question 3 - Harbor bulkheads - No Question 4 - Term limits for the Zoning Board of Appeals - Yes
May 16, 2010
22:24
Thoughts on Tuesday's election
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: May 16th, 2010, 10:24pm EDT
You've by now noticed that I did not endorse anyone for selectman this year. In the corporate world where I work, it is not uncommon to recommend a potential hire to your boss. In other political arenas, endorsing candidates is also quite common. However, here in the world of Falmouth politics, such a move seems to be - like putting one's signs out before the spring town meeting - taboo. Taboos are typically hard to break, and as both friends and my mother (God rest her soul) have said to me,...
22:06
Brent's Town Meeting votes - Monday, April 5
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: May 16th, 2010, 10:06pm EDT
My apologies...I am a little tardy with this post. One of the reasons why this wasn't done sooner is because there is so much to cover. With that in mind, I'm going to break it down into bite-sized pieces. As in the past, we'll cover only those articles which involved any discussion. Those articles which passed on a voice vote - in this case, 3-7, 19, 20, 22 and 24 - won't be discussed. I voted "aye" for these; all passed. ARTICLE 1 was to elect Town Officers, i.e., members of the Finance...
12:45
Spring Kudos
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: May 16th, 2010, 12:45pm EDT
Far too much time has passed since I last mentioned those in town who are, in my humble opinion, worthy of recognition for the actions they have taken. Kudos to... Falmouth's police and fire departments. These are jobs which, by their very nature, put one's life in harm's way to protect others. My father is a retired firefighter, and he has seen some pretty gruesome things. At the Police Week memorial on Friday, May 14, FCTV producer Kevin Lynch asked me for a few comments, so I told him that...
April 21, 2010
21:27
About the "Group formed to oppose Falmouth noise bylaw"
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: April 21st, 2010, 9:27pm EDT
A constituent emailed me with a question about this meeting. What follows is my reply, based on my observations of the meeting... This is my second attempt at a reply, my first having been eaten by the ether when my email session decided to timeout without warning, dooming 30 minutes of writing to oblivion. Frustrated, I've now spent even longer trying to remember what I wrote. As to your question, "As a friend, Falmouth taxpayer, QRA member and Selectman - in that order - is it appropriate...
April 20, 2010
22:13
Family Astronomy Night
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: April 20th, 2010, 10:13pm EDT
As one of its 25th anniversary events, The 300 Committee Land Trust is teaming up with the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers to hold an astronomy night for families, Friday, April 23 from 7 to 10 PM at Peterson Farm. The Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers are an informal group of amateur astronomers dedicated to sharing the night sky with the public. The 300 Committee Land Trust is celebrating 25 years of preserving and protecting open space for conservation, recreation and water protection in...
April 14, 2010
18:22
An unpublished letter
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: April 14th, 2010, 6:22pm EDT
I submitted the following to the Cape Cod Times a few weeks back, in response to two editorials they published. At this point, I don't think they'll publish it, so I'm publishing it here... Recent dueling editorials present the same old arguments about the benefits and drawbacks of nuclear power. Uranium-based nuclear power is a relic of the Cold War, used because the plutonium by-product can be used for weapons. A better option is thorium. Safe enough to hold in your hands, it requires no...
March 29, 2010
18:35
Red tape
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: March 29th, 2010, 6:35pm EDT
No matter how clear I think something is, there are time when things require a little more explanation. For example, my recent letter to Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray, in which I wrote, "For example, here in the town of Falmouth, businesses which apply for a sign must appear before a committee in order to get a permit. Defenders of this practice note that the committee has helped businesses navigate the town's regulations...However, it would be better to simplify those...
March 23, 2010
20:37
License enforcement policy
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 8:37pm EDT
Madam Chair, and members of the Board; On Monday evening, Mr. Murphy suggested a policy with teeth to deal with the recent (and sometimes repeated) late payments by license holders; I present the following draft for consideration. Purpose: To address late payments and renewals by license holders. Process: 1) a) All license holders wishing to renew their licenses shall submit their applications no later than 60 days before the expiration of said licenses; b) Failure to submit applications...
March 20, 2010
15:44
Facebook
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: March 20th, 2010, 3:44pm EDT
I have a Facebook page. When our eldest children insisted on getting their Facebook pages, my wife and I made a deal - they would be our friends. This way we could keep an eye on their online activity. It provded to be a good deal. From time to time they've had to remove things. Usually it was a picture or post from one of their friends - something which fell into our "inappropriate" category. That is one problem with Facebook; anyone of your "friends" can post anything and anyone of your...
March 16, 2010
22:58
Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers gather
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: March 16th, 2010, 10:58pm EDT
Celebrate spring with the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers, as they gather again in front of the Falmouth Public library (near the Katherine Lee Bates statue) to share the night sky with the public. The FSA will meet Friday, March 19 and/or Saturday, March 20 from dusk (about 7pm) until 9:30pm or so. Everyone is welcome to join us and view the Moon, Saturn and Mars through our telescopes, and to bring their own equipment for help and instruction. For further information, contact Brent Putnam at...
22:07
Precinct Meetings
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: March 16th, 2010, 10:07pm EDT
It's time for precinct meetings! If you're not a town meeting representative, you can still attend your precinct meeting (or any precinct meeting, if you can't make yours). It gives you an opportunity to meet and influence those people who represent you in town government. It's Democracy at its best! Precincts 1 & 2: Thursday, April 1st, 7:00pm at the Morse Pond School Cafeteria Precinct 3: Thursday, March 25th, 7:00 PM at the Great Harbors Clubhouse Precincts 4 & 7: Thursday, March 25th,...
March 11, 2010
19:34
A letter to the President (of the Massachusetts Senate)
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: March 11th, 2010, 7:34pm EST
97 John Parker Road East Falmouth, MA 02536 February 28, 2010 The Honorable Therese Murray Office of the President Massachusetts Senate State House Boston, MA 02133-1007 Dear President Murray; A belated thank you for your letter dated January 21, 2010 inviting me, as a member of the Falmouth Board of Selectmen, to attend the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Forum in Hyannis. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the February 12 meeting. According to the invitation, the goals were to...
March 07, 2010
13:32
Proposed policies for the execution of our agendas
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: March 7th, 2010, 1:32pm EST
Madam Chair, and members of the Board; I propose the following, interrelated policies related to the execution of our agendas. Purpose: To make better use of the Board's time during our weekly meetings, and to ensure that all of the Board's business is finished. Process: 1) The Board of Selectmen, and every town board, committee and commission which falls under the jurisdiction of the Board's policy making authority, shall utilize Robert's Rules of Order as the final governing authority...
March 06, 2010
11:38
Committee reports
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: March 6th, 2010, 11:38am EST
Madam Chair, members of the Board; Please note the email attached below. Every year, the Board has required from its appointed committees an oral report. However, according to this email, "This year you will only need to submit a written report of your committee’s activities and attendance..." The Board has never had any discussion or any vote to change this practice. Moreover, because these committees are appointees of the Board, no town employee has the authority to change this...
March 05, 2010
23:30
CWM-PRC Applicants - Round II
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: March 5th, 2010, 11:30pm EST
On Monday (March 8), the Board will be conducting the second round of interviews for the Comprehensive Wastewater Management - Plan Review Committee. Here are the individuals on this week's agenda: Barry B. Balan Douglas C. Brown John B. Waterbury Eric T. Turkington Kenneth H. Foreman Patricia Favulli Marc Finneran Once again...Do you think any or all of these individuals will serve the taxpayers well?
February 28, 2010
18:02
CWM-PRC Applicants...What do you think?
» ‎ Falmouth Local

Posted: February 28th, 2010, 6:02pm EST
Tomorrow (March 1), the Board will be conducting the first round of interviews for the Comprehensive Wastewater Management - Plan Review Committee. Here are the individuals on the agenda: Peter Boyer Virginia Valiela Matt Patrick Priscilla Moor George Heufelder Stephen Rafferty Current estimates are that this project - resolving the nitrogen problem - could cost as much as (if not more than) half a billion dollars. Even at the low end of the estimates, it could total more than twice the cost...

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Falmouth Local

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