MOOREcol.02-12-05.EXTRA COLUMN. . . . . 30

Hed :

A sneak punch
That defies voters

By BOB MOORE

In the dark after hours. Thursday night the 4-1 Board of Selectmen and
Manager George King changed signals to protect their mutual interest.

Ok, you've read the self-serving press release from Chairman Chris
Ross that was printed on Frambors.

He gets an extension of his term to Dec. 31, 2007. And he gets to
keep the generous extras given him in August when he turned down a
one-year extension usually awarded him in a new contract.

In effect, they've locked him in for another year and a half, no
matter what a new board might vote. And he has to give the board 180
days notice of retirement instead of the 60 days required under his
August contract. Nothing like tying the hands of their successors.

In return, he got a generous pay increase and other perks, one of
which allowed him to keep his insurance for three years after leaving
office. He was free to consult with other communities. And when CFO
Virginia Cahill and other key people left suddenly, the talk that he
might be leaving grew.

This latest surprise is more than a matter of dollars and
cents. Voter support for a change in the 4-1 control was
widespread. And not happily received by the board. To deny voter
unrest - something had to be done now. It was. See below.

After hours Thursday King did notify the board that he was in final
stages of talks with another community. He didn't name the town nor
its offer that might be matched. What did they want him to do? He
said he'd rather stick with Framingham.

Katie Murphy and Charlie Sisitsky suggested that the board keep
King. It was the last time the 4-1 board would have to protect its
ties to King. Chairman Chris Ross and former Chair Esther Hopkins are
not running and two new members elected on April 5 are firm in their
desire to end the board's buddy-buddy policy now existing.

In the end Murphy and Sisitsky were joined by Ross and Hopkins,
although the latter felt that knowing the details of the offer to
King would make a counter-offer reasonable. The final stand of the
4-1 board was that King's contract be extended to Dec. 31, 2007.
Further, that he be allowed to keep the extras he'd been given six
months ago.

Those benefits included a generous salary increase to $121,000 - an
upgrading of expenses from $4,000 to $8,000 - use of his special cell
phone - free use of the town vehicle - plus the right to consult with
other communities on weekends and in spare time - having his
insurance and other goodies paid for . . .  . for three years after
leaving office.

However bad that may look to those not up on politics, it was a good
exchange for King. And the ruling faction. A win-win for
them. Something discouraging for those who would like to make their
votes mean something in the New Framingham.

______________________________________________________

You can reach Bob Moore at edmoore4@aol.com or at
1-508-620-1449. [Let him not be solo in protest.]