The previous posting (below) touched on endings and beginnings, in Paris, for good or for bad. If you haven't read it, take time to - it is a good little thought-provoker.
Two items are listed as "unfinished": the budget process, and the 80-B Appeal.
Budget Process: There is always an opportunity, up until an actual vote is taken at the annual town meeting in June, to add, subtract, or discuss the budget - or any budget item - even if approved by the selectmen to date. Even on the date of the vote, up until that vote, an item can be discussed and an amendment created; and that amendment would also go to a vote.
So. Regarding the 2010-11 budget that was approved by the selectmen 4-12-10: on the agenda of the special selectmen's meeting to be held tomorrow 4-20-10, besides the executive session that was the reason for the meeting in the first place, there will be at least one additional item. There will be another look taken at the concern of Paris Highway Dept. re. their street sweeper [the machine that vacuums up all the winter's dirt and sand.]
The request to take another look at the item - a new street sweeper - did not come from the Highway Dept.; it came from a select board member who wanted to have a continued discussion on the item to explore matters more thoroughly. The 4-12-10, 2-2 vote resulted in no new sweeper.
This process of taking another look is in keeping with the bylaws of the board and the budget process. Voters having an interest about the need or cost for such an item - or not - (approximately $48,000, money out of the existing budget), are encouraged to attend Tuesday's meeting at the town office that begins at 5:30 PM. Be aware that any item for discussion would take place after the executive session.
The 80-B Appeal: The reason our selectboard will be meeting with town attorney Geoffrey Hole at this particular point and time will be, finally, once and for all, to consider an offer for an out of court settlement of an appeal on behalf of former Paris Town Manager Sharon Jackson - who was fired 2 days short of 10 months ago in a vengeful act that left the town stunned.
Hundreds of hours of citizen battles to recover lost ground, two recalled selectmen, an interim town manager of questionable competence, a full-time replacement town manager, 3 settlement offers (one not acknowledged, one turned down), and many, many black moments later; the time has come for this community to fish or cut bait.
This site has posted item after item, all the way back to July 2009, on the width and breadth of effect on the town of Paris from the events of June 22, 2009. The citizens and voters of this town have made their thoughts known time after time: from the 611 who published a letter in the papers July 9, to the energy generated in the efforts to push through the recall ordinance, and its final outcome in the February recall elections.
The task before the current selectboard is to weigh the facts, the figures, and the responsibilities. It is not enough just to bring this sorry episode in Paris' history to an end, however; the outcome of this negotiation [this will be the last chance] must allow all parties involved to live with the decisions they have made; to be able to move on to the next thing - not being afraid, hesitant, unable, or unwilling to look back.
