Saturday, July 19, 2008

Is this really a laughing matter?

At a recent town Planning Board meeting, the subject of this lawsuit against the town was brought up. Several members of the board including Margaret Sharra and Dean Beamon can be heard laughing as they discuss, what they believe are the merits of the case and can be heard calling the abutters dumb and foolish. When one of the board members brings up the fact, that the so-called law, Margaret Sharra quoted from at their reconsideration meeting, was in fact, not a law and that the abutters could prevail, Margaret Sharra says .. " well you all know what I meant." Mr. Beamon comments "that no matter what, it is a no win situation for the abutters; because if they lose they have to pay their attorney and if they win, they still lose because we will raise their taxes to pay for the suit"
Lots of laughter can be heard coming from the members of the board after this statement, I guess they think it's a funny thing for the people of this town to have to pay for what they do. Are you laughing? Are these the kind of people you want representing you on the board?

( a copy of the tape of this meeting was obtained through the Selectman's office and the above comments were taken directly from the tape )

6 comments:

Robin said...

Glad it amuses them that they aren't responsible for their own corruptness and stupidity. Seems to me like an ethics board needs to investigate the shenanigans in Winchester.

Anonymous said...

I see nothing has changed with this board. I too have had my run ins with these people. Several seem to think that they own this town and can do anything they want as long as it is good for them. I don't doubt for one minute that those were the ones laughing over the town being sued and our taxes once again being raised and squandered to defend the actions of a few who think they are above the law. I also see our selectman are just as inactive as ever and continue to allow this type of behavior. Why people in town continue to support and vote these types into office is beyond me. Hopefully come this March, many more will come to their senses and vote them out as we did Stetsor. Then we'll see who's laughing.

Anonymous said...

Maybe the laughter on the tapes wasn't like Ha! Ha! funny. Maybe it was anxiety laughter like a little boy's laughter on a roller coaster ride as he soils his pants with fright or the laughter of a person trying to relieve themselves from the fear of having been caught being dishonest. I understand some of the official minutes that were voted on and approved by the planning board were changed and then re-posted on the Town's website by Margaret Sharra. The changing of these official documents, knowing this decision is under appeal, is a very serious matter. If things were done the right way and the board had nothing to hide, then why, months after meeting minutes were accepted and posted as official records, change them? The plaintiffs have already acquired copies of tapes of meetings while Margaret Sharra was on vacation and before they could be erased. No one can dispute the facts on these tapes. With the playing of the tapes one can put themselves in these Planning Board meetings and hear the demeanor of the people speaking. Was this why Margaret Sharra, shortly after returning, made a motion and had a vote to erase the planning board tapes after 30 days, so that only her version of what was said remains on record? Is Margaret Sharra so dumb as to think she can pull this off? What do you think the judge will say when presented with all of these shenanigans?
So what do you think the laughter was all about? The little boy type, while soiling his pants or the laughter of someone who has been caught with her hands in the cookie jar? Should the town really be forced to foot the legal bills on this matter?

Anonymous said...

I'm glad they think that this is a laughing matter. We need to send these fools a message in March and see if they are laughing then. When are these meetings? I'd like to ask them some questions myself.

Anonymous said...

good ol boy club alive and well in winchester i think we can make a change vote vote vote get the word out they dont like thatklzcmu

Anonymous said...

I was told about this website when I was at the recycling center this week and I am so glad to see that there are some people who are concerned enough about the mismanagement of our town to try and do something about it. Several people have come to think that they know what's best for everyone and have been forcing their will on the town for years. It is so refreshing to see someone standing up to them for a change. I cast my vote with the people who have raised these issues, it is way past time to do something about this. If only more people would come forward and vote in March, we may be able to make a difference.