Regarding residents’ attendance at in person Select Board meetings-
your statement is inaccurate.
The Westwood Select Board should finish what has been started and let the judge ejudicate the law. What would be the harm in settleing the disagreement on the rights of the Town?
Very well said!
There is one thing I agree with in your post:
1. I suggest you see the actual CR (Sec IV B) rather than referencing someone's opinion. Lynne Viti also spells it out in plain English in a recent post if that would be helpful
Kevin – I appreciate your consideration and reasonable tone. I think that Ms. Sibley’s petition success largely flowed from people that were upset with Select Board’s handling of the FS-1 situation and the perceived lack of transparency. The in-person meetings of the Select Board are a positive result.
Dear readers, I have deleted two replies to this post, which appeared to have a primary intent to promote a particular candidate.
I wholeheartedly agree that our next Select Board member must show respect for all viewpoints and a genuine willingness to work collaboratively to reach the best solutions for our town.
I agree; compromise is a lost skill of late. Polarized in our opinions about what is correct or righteous, we unwittingly stop hearing (and caring about) the “other”. We become negative versions of ourselves. Angry, pointing blame outward for all the world’s ills.
The Rhode Island case referred to in the above March 26 opinion piece —Jesse Metcalf et al. v.
There's no need to be dismissive. Many of us appreciate Andy's thoughtful, informative, and reasoned articles. He obviously felt the pressure campaign and/or misinformation needed to be addressed.
This is not a total repeat of what was in previous posts and I appreciate the thoroughness of Andy Moore's post.
So, what is the purpose of this post? The Town of Westwood filed court action was to protect the rights of the Town that the Town felt were being violated by the Land Trust.
Dear readers, I've deleted one comment for containing 2 sentences at the very end which appear to go against Community Guidelines regarding personal attacks.
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Yes, Ms. Viti, you are emphasizing one of Mr. Moore's articulated points. As many may not be aware, often the plaintiff is forced to make the complaint in order to defend their property rights. A quick search on the nuances of plaintiff vs.
Seems to me that in reading the Complaint, Answer and Counterclaim in this matter, Town of Westwood v. the Westwood Land Trust, Norfolk Superior Court No.
Here is how you can contact our state reps.
Andy, thank you for this article. It is informative and helpful in understanding the situation with the law suit regarding Bean Farm and the Westwood Land Trust.
I thought we just had a special election, which cost money, to stop the town from spending anymore money on this lawsuit. What happened to that? Is the town going to court without an attorney?
I don’t think an update on the status of the lawsuit has been given, but presumably it’s proceeding and more legal fees will be spent on it.
Thank you!
Beautifully said - thank you so much!
For many years I worked for the U.S. Coast Guard. A core value there, as well as at many other U.S. military branches, was respect. I think respect is missing here.
The McFarlands have donated large parcels of land to Westwood to maintain open space. This was their intent with the land in question.
I agree wholeheartedly!
Spot on Mr. Murray. To say the least. By persuing the law suit the Select Board has opened Pandora's box when it comes to overriding the wishes and the intent, of donations made to the town. Not to mention the resignation a respected Board member and the division it has created in the town.
66° and Sunny
Replies
I think this is unnecessary when it comes to the Select Board. My kids go to Westwood public schools and will graduate from them. I would probably prefer someone who shared that experience to be on the School Committee but don't see that as a requirement.
I think asking about whether a candidate chose to use the Town’s public school system is a fair question. It’s an issue of transparency.