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April 24, 2009 Dear Members: Easton Board of Selectman, Easton Finance Committee, Easton Board
of Health and Easton Town Administrator Mr. Colton: We are writing in regards to the proposed elimination of the Board of Health
Director Wade Saucier.To eliminate the director and only have inspectors would
greatly diminish the safety of the citizens of Easton. We have been directly
involved with having our business licensed via the board of health for over 35
years. First starting when we had the farm with the Animal and Milk Inspector
John Melin and then with Andrews Bakery. When Andrews Farm Bakery was started,
the Board of Health members themselves would make the inspections. The Board of Health of Easton has been one of the greatest assets to Easton's
public safety. With the addition of Wade Saucier, the town has an employee who
is as important in securing Easton's public safety as a pre first responder in
helping prevent the need for a response as well as a first responder dealing
with health issues. Both the Fire and Police Chiefs and their departments are
important in securing Easton's public safety, but the Board of Health Director
ranks right with them. The Board of Health requires more than having someone
to make health inspections to meet all the health and safety concerns in the
Town of Easton. We have sought out advise on preventive issues we wished to implement with Board
of Health Director Wade Saucier. It has been a real plus that we have felt the
freedom to ask a question with his willingness to share his vast knowledge. He
would do this in a manner he was acting as a partner, offering various ways to
achieve the best results, thus improving both our business and safety of all
of Easton. We, as an independent "mom & pop" food
establishment rely more on the Board of Health Director service than
a chain or franchise.
It has
been extremely hard trying to compete serving our customer base, many
who are on
a fixed incomes, with the added franchises and chains. We do not have
the buying power of a franchise or chain. There are only so many of
any one
widget that
can be sold in town. We have tried to provide quality products that
could be afforded by vast majority of Easton residences for over 35
years.
Many of you
and others who are involved in town government have been valued customers.
We
always tried to be an asset to the Town of Easton and give back the
best we could to the community. It was our understanding several years ago the fees for licenses required through
the Board of Health were increased significantly to insure that their would be
a separate department with a director. This was made when the health department
was to have drastic cuts. With a mutual agreement with the then Board of Selectmen
and the Board of Health, the fees would be increased to fund the department.
This instilled a conflict during at that time with the Board of Health and the
Board of Selectman. We do not want this take a life of its own and hope a mutual
compromise can be found. We do realize Town Administrator Mr. Colton has a very
difficult if not impossible job of presenting a solution that makes cuts to make
up for loss revenue. We do not fault Administrator Colton for seeing through
his eyes this would be the way to cut an expenditure with less of an impact.
We just do not agree as to the value being assessed for the Board of Health Director
and want our perspective placed on the table. A major concern with this move could eventually eliminate the Board of Health
or lessen its role. Our form of town government is not perfect but does supply
some checks and balances. The Board of Health has been more stable and not getting
caught up with the politics of Easton. Having the Board of Selectmen, a Town
Administrator, the Finance Committee along with the Board of Health give the
town checks and balances our town government needs. Change in any community is
needed to keep it alive and vibrant, but it needs to be a community where residences
feel there input has a say in the changes and the chances are not decided beforehand.
We applaud both the Board of Selectman and the Town Administrator in making more
information available on the town's web site to make the town government more
transparent. This can lead to a better understanding and added knowledge to reach
agreements for needed changes. The losing of the
Board of Health Director would be another hit we are expected to take
in these times on top of all the increased
fixed
costs,
and the possibility
of additional loss of business if the regressive meals and/or
sales tax increase becomes law. It makes it even harder for us to survive.
We hope
you view
this letter as a sincere attempt for us to try to articulate
through
our eyes the
devastating affect the proposed changes would have on our small
independent "mom
and pop" business. Thus, you will at least take our concerns
into account in making your decision on the Director of the Board
of Health. We hope Easton will keep the checks and balances that instill debate to help reach decisions that are so important to our community. It is very unfortunate that we have had make these choices due to horrible national decisions that were made on known false information provided by our national public servants that lead us to the financial crisis we now face. A more progressive tax solution should be found than relying on adding regressive sales or meals taxes on those who can least afford it. We hope with the karma of President Obama, he will be able to rally us and join us in finding common ground to get us through these trouble waters to emerge a stronger community, state and nation along with having a positive influence throughout the world. Governor Patrick also seems to be trying to bridge those differences within the politics of Massachusetts to find solutions. We write this to express our differences but also with the spirit of working together to find common ground. The Board of Health Director plays a key role in Easton's public safety that should not be eliminated. We all want Easton to be a better place for all residents to live out their dreams and aspirations with respect and understanding for our limitations and differences.
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