Marc Abear: Meredith Selectboard meeting offers little confidence

To The Daily Sun, 

Disappointment comes in many sizes and shapes. The Meredith Selectboard has lost its way. Its meeting Feb. 9, was about budget and warrant articles in preparation for town meeting.

I say the board has lost its way because total municipal taxes are going up about 20% year over year if all warrant items are approved. That announcement brought comments about decision-making in Concord ... Really?

The selectboard knew that one of the town’s two state representatives had resigned and they declined to hold a special election. The stated reason was neither political party had approached the board with a request to do so.

Here’s the thing: Why is it in the town’s best interest to refuse to even have representation in the legislative process? Meredith probably saved money by not holding a special election. It definitely lost half our voice in the legislature.

The problem with this is: When the board made the decision for the town it removed readers' right to representation in the State Legislature. It’s a failure of civics. The board did not care when the rep quit or moved away. It was just one more thing to deal with, but it is important to readers and their tax bill.

Why do I bother to make the case? A Meredith state rep., several sessions ago, got a bill killed in committee that would have shifted a million dollars per year onto the Meredith property taxpayers. The effort took a coordinated effort with the town manager to appear in committee and speak to why the bill was unfair. The measure was voted inexpedient to legislate.

One legislator, effectively placed, communicating clearly and coordinating efforts on a measure can change decision-making in Concord ... but we must have representation in place.

Marc Abear

Meredith