February 2011 RR

Page 1

The Rehoboth

Reporter

FEBRUARY 2011 VOLUME 23, NO. 2

FREE

Serving the Residents of Rehoboth, Seekonk and Surrounding Communities Since 1989

Concerned Citizens meet by Laura Calverley

by Laura Calverley Election Day is only two months away and several candidates have declared their intention to run. Selectmen Chairman Ken Foley is seeking re-election to the board of selectmen. Planning Board Chairman Michael Costello has taken out papers to run against him. Conservation Commission Chairman Scott Pennoyer and Dr. Joseph Tito have taken out papers for the one-year selectmen position, to fill out Kevin McBride’s term. McBride resigned from the board a few weeks ago citing “significant philosophical differences” with the other two selectmen.

Nearly 200 residents met at Goff Hall on January 22 to discuss recent events in town and their concerns about town government. The group was critical of actions taken by the Board of Selectmen, including their handling of a situation with the police chief and the delay in moving forward an initiative approved at town meeting to expand the board from three members to five. The group, calling themselves “Concerned Citizens of Rehoboth”, believe the town has become “dysfunctional” and organizers say they are looking for solutions. It was the second meeting that was held; the first was held a week earlier, but triple the number of people attended the second time and state and county officials – Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter, Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and state Senator James Timility – also attended on the 22nd. Resident Bonnie Kelly, who organized the meetings, read a petition that the group had put together and planned to send to the officials. The petition says that the Board of Selectmen “have ignored the votes made at town meeting, violated open meeting laws, taken control of all crucial appointed boards, have contracted with vendors that do not have the town’s best interests at heart and have contributed to the dysfunction of our Police Department.” The petition requests an investigation into the actions of the Board of Selectmen. “In summary, this Board of Selectmen is making self-serving decisions that jeopardize our financial status, our public safety, our civil rights and border on collusion.” The entire petition can be read on the group’s website: . Selectmen Chairmen Ken Foley said the group’s allegations are baseless and politically motivated. “There’s no truth to any of it. It’s all political rhetoric,” Foley said. “I challenge them to step forward with evidence about these allegations.”

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Former selectmen Kevin McBride speaks to the crowd at a Concerned Citizens meeting on Jan. 22 at Goff Hall. Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and Bristol County DA Sam Sutter are seated behind him.

Election Season Is Off To A Strong Start

New Year.

New You.

Your 2011 Health & Fitness Guide

page 68

Valentine's Day Feb 14th

Turn to page 59


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