“Town Web site gets an extreme makeover”

addressing the inadequacy of the Town Web site being replaced. While cyber explorers of Brookline may be able to better navigate the system to obtain more information about our Town, the actual navigation, sailing, on our Muddy River Representative Town Meeting (RTM) form of governance may not be improved. In fact, the new Web site may expose how antinquated and inefficient RTM misserves Brookline residents. This makeover may be merely putting lipstick on a pig.

Perhaps a future edition of the TAB will headline:

“RTM gets an extreme makeover”

describing Brookline’s belated entrance into the 21st century with a mayor/council form of governance.

I doubt that Rich Kelliher keeps time sheets on how he spends his time in his service as Brookline’s Town Administrator (including that of his staff). Of course he has the same 24/7 limitations all of us have, subject to sleeping, eating, etc. So I wonder how we can quantify his “huge work” in helping the panel, assuming Rich is indeed helping ALL members of the panel equally. What with the financial problems facing Brookline, one can wonder about Rich’s priorities if only we can qualtify his “huge work” for the panel. Conquest’s appeal to MCAD is being handled by outhouse counsel. The panel’s task differs from that of the MCAD, although some of the same facts, events, etc, may be involved. I would imagine that an efficient Town Administrator would prioritize his time to make sure it is spent efficiently and wisely with cost/benefit application, especially with the Town’s dire financial straits.. (Aside: Perhaps the Town’s Efficiency Committee can include in its efforts just how Rich and his staff spend their time, including with respect to Conquest’s MCAD appeal and the work of the independent panel.)

I wonder if Marty’s contacts with attorney Moschos have been ex parte of the panel. If so, should there be concern on the part of other panel members? Perhaps there are other panel members likewise making ex parte of the panel contacts with Moschos or others. There may be a minority contingent serving on the panel who may not have Conquest’s interests at heart. Perhaps in due course a public records request will be revealing, including to quantify Rich’s “huge work” and whether he is indeed helping all panel members equally.

“The selectmen have essentially taken the summer off; and Brookline town meeting won’t meet again until November.”

These are the perils of RTM with Brookline’s Executive (Board of Selectmen) and Legislative (Town Meeting) branches laid back as if this Town is a western MA agricultural hick-town with only a small populations and the small budget. Town Administraor’s authority is limited and since he is appointed by the Selectmen and not elected his accountability can be measured only by the manner in which the Selectmen hold him accountable. And how can we trust the judgment of five Selectmen wih their staggered terms in limbo perhaps until the Fall, especially since they are relying upon the Efficiency Committee to check the Town’s financial viability. One would think that the Selectmen and TMMs would be spending more time at their elected jobs with the financial pickle Brookline is in.