Taxpayers are frustrated that we have arrived at a fiscal crisis

Now that we can no longer ignore the long term smoldering Marblehead financial situation, taxpayers are frustrated that we have arrived at a fiscal crisis. Maximizing transparency and good quality information that residents trust is always important - especially now.

Our town government can ensure open meeting laws are observed, which includes minutes of meetings that actually fully represent what transpired. They are also meant to be posted in a timely way. 

Modern times demand that we can do even better than minutes, so that busy working families, handicapped individuals, elders who are away for the winter and those who are civically engaged but have conflicting meetings, can all participate in our town democracy. This means making meetings available by video and/or audio and then posting the recording so they can be viewed as time permits. 

Articles 51 and 52 modernize observation of all boards and committees subject to the Open Meeting Law whether at the time of the meeting or afterwards. Please support these articles and let our Select Board and all of town government know that we expect them to make good information and accessibility a priority for all citizens going forward. This will go a long way towards increasing participation, building trust and helping us come together in a crisis, such as we confront now, when we need to make big decisions on our town finances, services and tax rate. 

Many thanks to the Marblehead Beacon for supporting transparency in our town government by exposing the significant existing conflict of interest on the Board and the ways that we could do better as we set out to recover our financial health.

Lynn Nadeau

Surf Street