Trash Contract done deal

The Tuesday evening the Board of Selectmen’s agenda has been amended to include, “Policy Discussion and Vote Regarding the Trash Collection & Fee”.    This is a sham and attempt to convince the Stoneham voters that everything is being above board at an open meeting.  The fact is that the decision has been made and three members of the board are bulling the Town Administrator and Director of Public works into awarding the contract to their choice.

In an email on Nov 13, provided to me by a third party, selectman Boussy wrote the TA, “Bob Grover was instructed to send Hiltz a letter by Nov 1 that their last day would be on December 31.”  Why have an agenda item to vote on a decision that has already been made?

Mr. Boussy went on to say, “Next Tuesday night I fully expect that the trash issue will be over and tied up with a nice neat bow”.   

What is most disturbing is the intimidation, bulling and threats implied in the e-mail.  Mr. Boussy wrote, “I am giving you fair warning that if anyone outside of Stoneham makes a single comment about trash policy in Stoneham that night then the trash will not be the only vote that we take that night.

This comment is very disturbing on many fronts.  First, the “outside of Stoneham” refers to Director Grover and is clearly meant to stifle his input in the area of his expertise.    Second, “the vote that we take” appears to indicate that discussions were had among the Selectmen in violation of the open meeting law, and an implied threat that they would be fired if they didn’t go along.

This type of bulling, intimidation and threats is unacceptable and cheapens our government, turns it into a government of special interests and not a government for the people of Stoneham.

The final question is why are these selectmen so focused on changing trash suppliers that they would resort to this?