Middleboro Gas and Electric controversy
It looks to me like people are collecting the pitchforks and lighting the torches over the Middleboro G&E.
First came this story where GM Granahan refused to release the budget and his contract info – claiming it was proprietary information. Local blogger Rick McNair called several other town utilites about the policy and all of them basically said that it was public record. Meanwhile the unwashed rabble started making their opinions known in this editorial from Sunday’s Enterprise – which opined that the G&E was hiding something. The latest came in today’s Enterprise that found a bonus program at the G&E based on unused sick time – a program that seems to be unique at the G&E according to the article.
When something like this happens, the first instinct is to ask “what are they hiding?”. Here are some of the theories that are floating around town:
- Hackery – that there is some kind of local favortism going on with hiring
- That the G&E is spending lavishly on themselves while other departments in Middleboro are struggling
- That pay and benefits at the G&E are out of line with industry standards.
Any of these theories if true would adversely affect the rates being paid by the Middleboro.
What Granahan doesn’t realize is that he’s already lost this battle – it’s now just a matter how many wrinkles he’s going to have on his uniform. Refusing to release information for a town utility has a rotten stink. The natives have caught a whiff of the odor and now everybody wants to know where the smell is coming from.
It seems like it’s high time to look thoroughly at all aspects of the G&E – budget, employee compensation, hiring practices, etc. The whole thing.
Themocracy
It’s too bad that John didn’t listen to the vote a week ago. The folks spoke very, very loudly about their thoughts on opaque government and dictatorial rule.
Time for John to listen up. The torch and pitchfork gang is coming and you really don’t want to be behind the door they come knocking on!
Indeed.
There is a new dynamic in town – that bodes very well for all of us:
For the last few years, there has been this divide – pro-casino versus anti. Old guard versus new guard etc. Circumstances have changed and now people seem to be willing to join forces with former adversaries – as evidenced by the 77% of voters who voted for Frawley. The G&E is the first post-election issue that will see this new dynamic at work. Forcefully.
The Commission meets on Tuesday at 7:30 at the G & E building.
I did not like what I read in today’s Enterprise about the G&E employees selling back their sick days at the end of the year.
In private industry you can sometimes carry them over one year but after that you lose them.
Sick days are not an entitlement, per se.
I am not quite certain that I understand what Alice wrote about buying back in the next year.What am I missing in this understanding?
I have never met the manager of the G&E, but I can honestly, tell you, I don’t like his game with your money and my money.
The problem is, we are captured. We can’t even boycott this monoply.
An even bigger problem is, that only the commissioner’s of the G&E have the ability to fire the manager.And since they, have approved the unscrupulos things this man has done, it certainly doesn’t look like he will be fired.
Our rates will keep going up to pay 60 employees an ungodly amount of money along with municpal pensions of ungodly amounts based on the last three years of their highest salaries.
Also, for the record, in case you do not know it. There was at least one layoff this year at the G&E and it was probably the lowest paid worker there.
But, on a great note. I just sat up to watch the most interesting, caring, informative BOS meeting that I have ever watched in the last thirty years.
A very large “thank you” goes out to these five men, but most all, to each of you voters that gave us the opportunity for this new board.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is incredible the behavior of the public servant who makes $190,000 a year. If the towns people were smart they would call for a full audit of the Middleboro G & E. by an independent company. The fear of that happening would let other departments know that the pitchforks are held high and the torches are being lit.
Informative meeting last night and the heat was certainly on and I don’t mean the furnace at 32 Main Street. This entire operation needs to be pristine and that will only happen with a fiscal and procedural audit by someone well outside the system.
Their budget has to be examined. Procurement procedures examined. Take a long look at job descriptions, qualifications, salaries, benefits, pensions, employee evaluation procedures, management perks, commissioner perks, and just about anything else that needs public scrutiny. Then they need to do some serious comps to see if Middleboro is the municipal exception or the municipal standard for both rates and employment issues.
Where was the commission the last few years? Why did it take a newbie commissioner Mike Solimini to get this issue front and center?
Nice to see BOS members Allin Frawley and Steve McKinnon attending along with former BOS members Lincoln Andrews and Adam Bond.
We, the people, have the power to make change happen. Change all incumbents, bye Barney.