Feeling shut out of town government

Editor, Townsman:

I could not agree more with the Townsman's "Wanted: Candidates for town office" editorial last week. In fact, I was so fired up that I came this close to taking out papers. But I didn't. The reason I didn't is perhaps the saddest part of the story: I feel pretty certain that, even if I (or some other brave soul) were to be elected, the chances of actually being able to effectuate meaningful change are slim. Although there are many reasons I believe this to be true, two stand out in my mind.

First, if only one member of a five-member Board of Selectman is willing to hold the town manager accountable for his¬ job performance, then the vote of that lone member is not going to change anything. More specifically, the Townsman reported that¬ every selectman agrees that our current town manager needs to improve his performance in the area of negotiating contracts with the town's employees. We all know that these contracts serve as the basis for the vast majority of the town's budget. Yet, the board seems poised to appoint the town manager to another five-year term, perhaps unanimously. (I can't even begin to express my ire over the fact that the board¬ held "public" meetings to discuss this topic on the evening of Jan. 4 - the first day back at school and/or work for most people,¬ and on Jan. 16 - the Saturday of a three-day weekend).¬ I am probably not the only town resident who feels powerless to change this situation.

Second,¬ Andover's form of town government is archaic and, for many people (especially those with young children), almost impossible to participate in outside of election days. My husband and I cannot attend Town Meeting about 90 percent of the time (good luck getting a babysitter to stay until midnight two nights in a row on school nights).¬ As a result, I feel I have virtually no voice in my town government. More than once, I've been tempted to research how one might go about changing our form of government. But, again, it's hard to imagine the powers that be in Andover giving it much of a chance. They'd probably hold a public meeting on Memorial Day weekend or the evening of July 3, call the issue heard, and conclude that everyone in Andover is satsified with the current form of governement.

I wish I had the time in my life to run for office. I wish like-minded others would run too. But until that happens, I wish our current Board of Selectman would recognize that no opponents does not mean no opposition.¬ 

Tracey Spruce

23 Woodhaven Drive