|
Well, well, well. Three members of the Hopkinton Town Council were hit with an open meetings violation for discussions related to the school bond.
Of course, the bond wasn’t on the agenda of the Nov. 5 meeting. Of course, this open meetings violation is meaningless. It’s a slap on the wrist and some ado about nothing.
As we have written before in regard to Charlestown, what is the point of open meeting violations if there are no consequences? In this case the Attorney General’s Office ruled the councilors didn’t willfully or knowingly commit violations.
It’s really splitting hairs.
The only good that may come from this, we suppose, is that councilors will be more careful about what they discuss in public, especially if it is not on their agenda.
What else. In Hopkinton, according to information released by the town at a financial workshop, officials projected the tax rate would increase 1.5%. Last year the tax rate also increased less than 2%. Way to go Hopkinton. We would love to see area towns follow suit.
Still, as the town cautioned, lean budgets may have consequences such as overlooking needed repairs. And as the state property tax cap decreases overtime, it will be more and more difficult for towns to meet obligations.
Residents and town officials should be praising finance director James Lathrop for his suggestions for the future. He said the town should consider upping employee contributions for medical insurance costs and coming up with another retirement plan, like a 401K plan.
Planning for the future. We like it. And though financially, things might look a little grim, we all know that future state aid is doubtful at best. With that, it’s best to plan for the future and reduce town contributions to retirement and health insurance. Way to go Jim. |
