On Brookline

This is too good to leave just in the comments [see the post below]. Patricia Connors, a member of the Coolidge Corner District Planning Council (and of Brookline Town Meeting) reports from last night’s public hearing:

“Selectman Allen’s latest display of disrespect for the public and a town council occurred last evening at the public hearing of the Coolidge Corner District Planning Council’s presentation of its draft report regarding Coolidge Corner. At the close of the spirited public hearing, the Council began to convene its general meeting to discuss the public’s feedback.

Suddenly, Selectman Allen, who is the co-chair of the District Planning Council, stood up, announced to the audience, “I’m outta here” and promptly left the room. Right on cue, Allen’s “followers” on the Council followed him out the door, thereby preventing a quorum of the Council. Selectman Allen’s actions derailed the Council’s ability to vote on any issues concerning the public’s input and to make further progress with its report.

To the public and other Council members, as a member of the Council, I apologize for Selectman Allen’s rude behavior and his disregard for the public process.”

Isn’t it time we demanded more from the Brookline Selectmen than the juvenile antics of Chairman Allen? Is there a way to do a recall election in Brookline? Not long ago, Stoughton (remember that town) voters booted two selectmen from the Board.

You have to wonder how long people in town government (especially the so-called professional managers) want to be associated with Brookline as defined by Allen. Alas for them, it’s probably too late.

Update: So what vote was missed due to a lack of quorom? Well, Connors was pushing a motion to add language to the Council’s report that says:

“During its proceedings, questions arose as to the applicability of the state Conflict of Interest Law and the interpretation of the Open Meeting Law concerning the approval of minutes. The DPC (Council) acquired written legal opinions from both the State Ethics Commission and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office regarding these issues which are attached as Appendices 1 and 2. DPC members learned that to comply with state law requirements, they need to file disclosures of any potential conflicts of interest with the Board of Selectmen.”

Noted without comment.