Moorecol.11-19-04--16 HED : Has curiosity opened closed doors? By BOB MOORE They called a hearing this week for you to tell what changes you'd want in the town's Town Manager system, and about 30 persons trickled into Nevins Hall. Elect the manager? That question last year kicked off a flood of debate about town government. Reduce the number of selectmen to three and take from them the sole power to judge a town manager's action. A sort of a "hey let us in" cry from some who feel the voters are left out. Enact a law that lets voters call an election to remove a selectman who did not measure up? It was Government Study Committee of Town Meeting that wanted to examine what changes might be made in the 1996 law that provided for a government run by professionals. The meeting lasted more than two hours and will be repeated on Dec. 2, and the turnout raises some questions about how much residents think about how the town is run. And asking residents who get out to vote in minimal numbers raises some questions. Change? "You're asking me? I don't know." It's a broad question. And if you've never thought about it, where do you start? Too much power in the manager? Well, Manager George King who showed up told the committee that, under the law, the manager the power to appoint employees and selectmen have no way to block his moves. Only in the Chief Financial Officer, the police and fire chiefs do they have a say in this. King pointed out that, under the law, selectmen set a policy and he is left to run the government. What some members of the committee feel it works out this way: King sets the policy and the 4-1 board agrees. A contentious point but members like Doug Freeman of Precinct 11 say that election of a town manager would give voterss the feeling that they have a part in shaping the government. There are many other proposals, says Committee Chair Christine Long. But how to make a change to an elected manager is complicated. It involves finding a qualified local resident to run. There is no doubt, as TM member William LaBarge argued this week, this is not a theoretical move; it involves feeling about King. Not everyone is fond of King's pull-and-shove manner in bringing Framingham's longstanding indifference to a system and careful budgeting into line. Many people are hurt, some charge. Since King is the manager, stepping in to change the manager law has to deal with the present occupant. King's annual approval by a succession of selectmen's boards has wrapped his position in duct tape: A one-year extension of his original three-year contract finds him in office until FY 2007 which begins July 1,2006.. Is he free to, in effect, set the policy and act - with the approval of the pro-King 4-1 board - as the system now works? Politics - that dreaded word - has a role here. Electing new selectmen. A gradual process that often ties New England town government in knots. The wish to "change things" is a wish to do it "now." It is a gradual effort - weigh carefully if you want to re-elect selectmen up for re-election. It is no secret that some not satisfied with the present 4-1 board are looking for candidates to replace Chair Christopher Ross and Selectman Esther Hopkins in next April's election. An overturn then could conceivably change the balance. Selectman Ginger Esty, now the minority one, might a member of a new majority. So a simple move to examine the Town Manager Act for "flaws" could steam up the political picture. This hearing which continues on Dec. 2 may also find that the improvements made under King have been productive. We're not on a one-way street. Another hearing? More than the subject matter, it raises the question of who attends hearings? And who follows up. The number of improvements suggested over the years are well protected in dust covers in the Memorial Building. We like to "hear" but we don't like to act. I remember one hearing on horrendous traffic getting worse. Any significant changes? No, but it was fun while it lasted. A good evening vigorously spent. That's just one pep talk that made everyone feel good. Period. How much time do busy residents spend on broad questions like town manager government? Not much. Springing a hearing out of a clear blue sky needs more than a "notice." Plenty of talk - honest, if possible, in the media and in the streets - might make a difference. Voting takes on a meaning. EDUCATOR FOREVER - Sen. David Magnani was a man vitally interested in others as he was a man who made some changes in MetroWest. Three years in Sierre Leone with the Peace Corps was vital to David. He never forgot the need to help the helpless get on in this world. We can list the number of years and accomplishments he made in 20 years on the Hill. But I like to recall David's fondness for that rare educator in Brazil who felt the way to help was to make sure the uneducated become learners in ways that would help them feel encouraged to make their way in life. In a slightly different way there are many in Ashland, searching for a way to afford help for growing families. How? David organized a mutual assistance group. Mothers banded and made it possible for all to share care for their families. On his own, Magnani sought out a help-all combination of industry and homemakers solve their growing problems along 495. Slowly, t made MetroWest known statewide. _________________________________ You can reach Bob Moore at edmoore4@aol.com or at 1-508-620-1449. To unsubscribe, send email to majordomo@syslang.net with body unsubscribe frambors (the subject is ignored). 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