Inappropriate dealings in Winchester
Winchester’s Planning Board seems to be willfully ignorant about the role of alternates on its board.
In direct opposition to the
state law and the board’s own rules of procedure, an alternate (me) was
initially blocked from participating in the deliberative session
concerning the proposed Dunkin’ Donuts by the land use assistant, who
was no longer a member of the planning board.
When I brought this procedural misstep to the
attention of the selectmen, I was told, in essence, that I had nothing
to complain about because I was ultimately allowed to speak that night.
Instead, the select board argued with me about my contention that Winchester should not be expected to pay for half of the Dunkin’ Donuts perimeter sidewalk when the town doesn’t have enough money for its own sidewalk project.
This deal was suggested by the land use assistant to the select board before the planning board could deliberate on the application. I was told by the select board that I was wrong in my assessment that taxpayer money was being used so a multimillion dollar company wouldn’t have to pay for its own sidewalk, because it would be part of the matching funds in the grant for the town’s sidewalk project.
I don’t think the town understands that grant money is taxpayer money.
Moreover, it is money with very clear rules about the application, deadlines to be met, how matching funds are procured, and how discrepancies between the projected cost and the actual costs are handled.
The management of the sidewalk project grant should be investigated.
Winchester cannot afford to have future state or federal money withheld because of prior mismanagement — and we definitely cannot afford to “sweeten” deals with multimillion dollar companies to bring them into town.
JENNIFER MARIE BELLAN
P.O. Box 3
Ashuelot
Instead, the select board argued with me about my contention that Winchester should not be expected to pay for half of the Dunkin’ Donuts perimeter sidewalk when the town doesn’t have enough money for its own sidewalk project.
This deal was suggested by the land use assistant to the select board before the planning board could deliberate on the application. I was told by the select board that I was wrong in my assessment that taxpayer money was being used so a multimillion dollar company wouldn’t have to pay for its own sidewalk, because it would be part of the matching funds in the grant for the town’s sidewalk project.
I don’t think the town understands that grant money is taxpayer money.
Moreover, it is money with very clear rules about the application, deadlines to be met, how matching funds are procured, and how discrepancies between the projected cost and the actual costs are handled.
The management of the sidewalk project grant should be investigated.
Winchester cannot afford to have future state or federal money withheld because of prior mismanagement — and we definitely cannot afford to “sweeten” deals with multimillion dollar companies to bring them into town.
JENNIFER MARIE BELLAN
P.O. Box 3
Ashuelot
13 comments:
What part of conflict of interest or insider trading don't you people understand. Maggie is no better than Martha Stewart who did jail time for her actions. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have the whole bunch share a cell? Oh-but wait Bart Mayor cana bail them out of jail with the town's money.
Keep telling the truth Jennifer. There are some of us that get it.
I don't know about the rest of you, but shame on you all if you don't think this preferential treatment by the board towards Margaret Sharra and others in their clique and how they treat those they consider outsiders; mainly the rest of us goes on day after day. It's appalling that we have a select board that covers up the actions of a few bad apples and emboldens them to continue doing these acts and thinks they are above the law and then dare you to take them to court. Why should they care, they get elected every year and use our tax dollars and a dubious lawyer to defend their actions over and over again. Name one other town besides Marlboro where these shenanigans are allowed to go on with no consequence, no wonder Stetser had it made here as do the rest.
Ya look who they put on the zoning board mr john pasqirrelli of all people. how many times have we read about his escapades out at his store and how many times has he been in trouble with the police? a fine pick to represent the town members of the board of select jerks. really well done.
Why does anyone in this town think there will be different results... Town folks seem to think each time this happens, oh, next time will be different... yet it never is... all it does is cost us town folks more legal fees...
and Mr Anon... To me and many people, John's issues are the towns board and police on a personal vendetta against him, for him calling out their illegal actions...
RE: Anonymous said...
Ya look who they put on the zoning board mr john pasqirrelli of all people. how many times have we read about his escapades out at his store and how many times has he been in trouble with the police? a fine pick to represent the town members of the board of select jerks. really well done.
We need more people like Mr pasqirrelli on the board and in the town not afraid to call these crooked people & dealings out and not be afraid of the illegal crap those people will bring down on them to try to make them be quiet and disappear.
Look how the selectmen wasted the downtown community development funds. Meant for improvements of downtown...When no one would except low interest loans for improvement, the selectmen gave the money away with no requirements to pay it back. When there was some left over The Shermanator and crew put Gary Beaman water and sewage down Snow Road for him. Fools and free money soon part!
If there was no "back room deal" made between the developer and Margaret Sharra, then they would not have a problem with that being said. The fact that they are doing their utmost to cover it up speaks volumes!
Shame on all of you!
dear Anonymous, The sad thing is, it's the towns folks & taxpayers money in the long run... We are the fool...
"The Shermanator and crew put Gary Beaman water and sewage down Snow Road for him. Fools and free money soon part!"
To cover her butt they have now made her the town's Code Enforcement Officer and demoted Leroy to just building inspector. What a freaking joke, they have put the fox in charge of the hen house, unqualified, uncertified and a liar to boot. Winchester is now the laughing stock of the whole state. All that money wasted sending Leroy to certification classes all for naught. Guess Sharra has a ton of crap on all of them for them to keep protecting her. Doesn't this resemble the Stetser mess? can we say more lawsuits and wasting of taxpayer dollars not to mention giving her an open hand for more of her backroom dealings. People better wise the hell up real soon or start looking for buyers to their homes before the next noisy race track or smelly business moves in next door.
Jennifer -
I was told that you were blocked again by the Chairman. What's the scoop on that?
If Jennifer was blocked by the chairman, Mr. Beaman, it means that he can't deal with smart women. After all he gets his orders from Maggie. We all complain about ner now it is time to get rid of the board so that we can have a decent life.
Check the sentinel today 8/15. It seems as though the BOS wants to limit public comments. They suggest that people need time to respond to negatvie personal comments. I am thinking that it is about time for all of them to be recalled. Who is protecting the citizens constitutional rights? Freedom of Speech! Obviously some of us have hit a nerve with this group. We need to keep digging under the rocks as it looks as though they are hiding something. The town employees would not have anything to worry about if they did their jobs. As far as people complaining, disagreements happen and problems need to be solved in an adult manner.
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