Groton charter change would empower voters
The status quo on both sides of the aisle tend to think you can’t make proper decisions for yourself. I disagree. It seems easier to control a small majority of RTM members than a voting majority of the town. Moreover, there are two unelected officials, the town manager and the superintendent of schools, who have enormous power over our municipality. This charter revision balances some of that power to the voters. That is what those voting “no” fear.
In reality, there is nothing to fear. The proposed changes have been used by many other communities for years.
The advantage of a council having four-year terms is that of continuity. The Board of Education has had this for many years. It takes two years to get up to speed and learn the process. Just when a councilor gets experience they’re up for re-election. Many towns use a Board of Finance to help with year-round fiscal controls and policies. They support their council members in understanding the financial impacts of their decisions. How can this be a bad thing?
The Board of Finance is not replacing the RTM, the budget referendum is. Some question why no minimum voter turnout or trigger. Our exhausting research and debate concluded that 1) even with the lowest turnout ever recorded, we would still get more involvement from a referendum than that of an RTM; 2) As for a trigger based on a percentage for a referendum, the thought was whatever the trigger was, that is what we would get each year. So the trigger is only as good as the body that sets it.
Some are putting out the cost of a referendum as a reason to reject the charter changes. That cost pales in comparison to what will be saved using this widely used method of budget adoption. Furthermore, the town clerk and registrars determine how each referendum is set up. Referendum costs could be a fraction of what some claim.
The first Groton RTM was supposed to be temporary. Years ago during the glory days of increasing revenues and a good economy, everyone got something and just wentalong with how it was. Times have changed. Today the RTM does not provide the proper scrutiny that our government requires. The RTM has become a rubber stamp of approval. With year after year of declining revenues, Groton needs a better way to manage its finances. A budget referendum will engage more people to get involved as it does in other communities.
This revision is sensible and prudent given the challenges we face. On its approval, we will continue with what we have but with more public input. Those who run the town will be more accountable to the voters. This revision is a good step in the right direction to a better Groton for all of Groton. I urge Groton residents to vote “yes” on Question 3 on Nov. 6.