With the Granite Savings Bank returning to Town Meeting, as well as Election Day coming up, does anyone have any ideas or comments about the bank or the election?

Ive heard the arguments from people I respect in town, but am personally tired of voting on the bank issue and wonder if anyone is running for the empty BOS seat.

I also wonder if anyone is still involved in this website.
Eileen

Eileen, I don't live in Rockport, so I won't respond to that issue. However, I do check this website fairly often to see if there are any new posts. I often see that others are on as well, though not posting. I think I will post under the state thread regarding November elections.

Thanks, Lisa,
Unfortunately, I just learned that Town Meeting is on Easter Saturday so I won't be able to make it.
I'm sure I'm not the only one with plans for that weekend and have written to the Board of Selectmen asking them to at least consider an occasional change of Town Meeting date if it falls on Easter weekend. I'm sure it would result in a larger turnout for the meeting.
I enjoy participating in Town Meeting and rarely missed any meetings in the 24 years I've lived in Rockport, but this is the second time I've missed one because of Easter plans.
I also missed last year because of a ski accident and was really looking forward to this meeting.
If anyone feels the same, I hope you'll also contact the BOS.
Thanks,
Eileen

It's sort of strange, replying to myself, but I want to add two comments:
#1 - After talking with friends and several people in Town Government, I realize how difficult it would be to change the date for Town Meeting. It's connected with the date for town elections and although it's been changed before (from March to April) changing the By-Law again because of Easter (which doesn't happen that often) isn't worth it, especially since it seems there aren't many residents inconvenienced by the present system.
#2 - I'm pleased that George Robertson is interested in running for Selectman. I think he'll bring not only his experience as a town employee, but just as important, an ability to work with others and common sense.
Eileen

I'm beginning to feel more like a blogger than a participant in a website I had hoped would be filled with good discussions.
I don't blame George Robertson for not turning in his papers for Selectman. It's a thankless job, but I'm wondering if any Rockport resident is interested in running as a write-in candidate.
I don't want to write in someone who doesn't want the job, but if someone is interested, please say so - it should be an easy victory.
Eileen

Hello, Eileen -

Don't want you to feel alone out there in cyberspace!

Regarding the Granite Savings Bank - Like many, I am tired of beating dead horses. Someone mentioned in the newspaper that this recurring vote smacks of the sale of the Haven Street lots...where "we" just keep asking the question until "we" finally get the answer we want! haha

And the no-interest shown in the election for the soon-to-be available Selectman's spot should probably be no surprise. Clearly it is a difficult job, with the only real reward being a private one, based on the assumption that one has stepped up and tried to help and serve this great little town. But this year, I think one has to look at the make up of the current Board...some have used the word "dysfunctional." Tough enough to serve and face the "sticks and stones" from the general public...but to have to put up with that sort of thing from "inside your own house" would be rough.

The election will be most interesting....without naming names...some very scary prospects could end up on the throne! haha

Hi, Leslie,
I recently sent comments about the Granite Savings Bank Purchase to the GDTimes, agreeing with a few residents against the purchase.
Since then, I've received e-mails from other residents, offering reasons for the purchase.
There are good people and good arguments on both sides and it should be an interesting Town Meeting. I'm sorry I won't be there.
I will be here for the election and hope the best write-in candidate will win.
Eileen

Town Hall is clearly overcrowded. Slum conditions. No privacy. Especially no private meeting space. If you've ever worked in an office as crowded as that, you know what a toll takes on you. Something must be done.

The bank building is close by, convenient for citizens to visit, has parking, wouldn't take much remodeling to make it usable, could be bought at a good price--who else wants it? It even has a vault, which the town could use for archives.

The only plausible alternative I've heard about is to build a new building up by the DPW garage and move the DPW people up there. Would that solve the problem? Would it cost more or less than buying the bank building? I don't know. I will listen to the Building Study Committee people and others and make up my mind.

What I'm afraid of is that the seniors who wanted the whole bank building for themselves will combine with those who want to keep their taxes down no matter what to defeat any solution to the town hall problem.

Hi, Josh,
I was out of town on Saturday but watched part of Town Meeting last night on CATV and agree with your comment that moving warrant articles out of the lottery is not generally a good idea.
I was against buying the Bank for a senior center and also thought that Mel George and Fred Grover had good letters in the Times about other ways to help Town Hall employees, including moving DPW staff up the hill to a pre-fab building, which didn't sound as expensive as buying the bank.
Since you were at the meeting, did anyone make that argument? And what did you think about the way things worked out? Should it have gone to the ballot next month, along with the school override?
Now that it's a "done deal," I hope it works out well for the town and the employees who work in town hall, but after reading all the accounts in the paper, it certainly sounded like it should have gone to the ballot along with the school override.

The people who had studied all the alternatives said that the bank building was the cheapest as well as, because of its location, the best.


IMHO, no. Referendums are a really bad way to make decisions. Look at what California has done to itself with them. If I could, I would repeal Prop 2 1/2.