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RETROSPECTIVES FROM THE ARCHIVES
FROM THE TERCENTENARY COMMITTEE BOOKLET, 1940 |
DEDICATION DAY - The marker for Maj. Micah Hamlin was dedicated on Aug. 10,
1939, but carries an incorrect date of death. He died at age 73 in 1814, according
I to hisgravestone.A replacementmarker has been recommendedby the Community j
Preservation Committee and is under consideration by the Barnstable Town
ACROSS TIME 6PLACE
wmmmmmBy Paul Gauwin |
pgauvin@barnstablepatriot.com
Use hose to cool
embers of recurring
fire-study flap
•>< » A sexPectecl, the long knives are out
ZA in opposition to the Fire District
X JhStudy Committee."
That was study committee member Mike
Ingham'sreaction to critics of the panel'sre-
port to thetowncouncilafew weeksago.Some
members of the Fire District Alliance blasted
the report last week at ameetinginthe COMM
fire station, a/k/athe Taj Mahal. Ingham,who
prepared figures for the study, wasn't there.
But he read about it in this newspaper and
wants to "set the record straight."
During the meeting, Hyannis Fire Commis-
sioner Paul Sullivan said the figures prepared
by Ingham and the study panel were mislead-
ing, erroneous and confusing - among other
things.
Ingham,who hasmanaged variouslarge and
small businesses and worked on benchmark
studiesfor a"major consultingfirm,"concedes
the difficulty of comparing the finances of
Barnstable's unique fire district setup with
that of other municipalities to sate what he
saysistaxpayer interest in "...the cost of hav-
ing five fire districts instead of one."
Ingham notes in defense of his and the
panel's work: "The final version of the finan-
cial report is heavy with caveats (warnings
and cautions). That is because summarizing
the five fire district operating costs and then
comparing them to other towns is fraught
with difficulties. "
But he blamesfire district accounting differ-
ences for this rather than his and the panel's
efforts: "Part of the problem is the arcane
(known only by a few) way in which the fire
districts present their financials. Part is that
each district utilizes a different reporting
format. Partly, it is difficult to find similar
town fire systems that can be benchmarked
against Barnstable's."
Which is, doubtless, why the town council,
also confused by the complexities of the issue,
did not accept the panel's report and voted
simply to receive it and charge members with
preparing a proposal for a professional com-
prehensiveanalysis,evidently attownexpense,
provided the council ultimately approves.
This latest fire district rumpus is deja vu.
The squabble erupts about as frequently as
locust swarms. More than one exasperated
committee has tried unsuccessfully to settle
the burning fire district question "once and
for all."
From this corner, that won't happen until
there is a grass roots movement for con-
solidation or a comprehensive study with
irrefutable evidence some say could cost as
much as $500,000 - but which Ingham dis-
putes. "There are a number of professional
firms whose business is preparing exactly
this type of benchmarking study. It could be
done relatively quickly, it would answer the
question 'are we paying too much for fire and
ambulance service compared to other, similar
tov ns' and it would cost a heck of a lot less
than $500,000."
Town Councilor Janice Barton, chair of the
study panel, was pressed into defending the
group's work at the Alliance meeting just
because she was there "as an observer" not
expecting a fusillade of criticism. Otherwise,
she says, she would have been prepared or at
least have "the report with me."
She corrects several misconceptions voiced
at the Alliance meeting. Shesaid she initiated
the callfor astudy panel,not the town admin-
istration as alleged by one Alliance member,
and that she did so after observing this "di-
visive issue" since 1978 as a reporter (for the
now-defunct Village Advertiser , operated by
now-prudential COMM prudential commit-
tee member Carlton Crocker), a concerned
citizen, an avid civic volunteer and finally as
a councilor.
She dismisses charges the panel withheld
data from fire officials by explaining that
figures were "incomplete" or "sensitive" and
needed to be reviewed before being placed in
the public record.
As chair, she said she is not predisposed to
any particular outcome of the study. Barton
says she's distressed at the divisiveness this
issue regenerates, and that her major goal,
as her campaign slogan trumpets, is "Work-
ing Together Works" - even in determining
comparative costs.
Hyannis Fire Commissioner, but not study
committee member,Dick Gallagher (inadver-
tently called Dan in this writer's newspaper
account of the Alliance meeting) said at the
meetinghewasdenied panel dataeven though
he is an elected official.
Assuming contrary officials and volunteers
with dissimilar perspectives are, at least, all
dedicated to the best fire service at the least
cost to taxpayers, a more amiable Alliance/
Study Panel dialogue isin the taxpayers' best
interests.
But that might be like asking the Shiites
and the Sunnis to make nice.
fit I *
- c-r*
com
By Michael Daley
columnist@barnstablepatriot.com
Let'
s start this month with a
review of some of this summer's
sleepers .
First of all, hello, is there a primary
race for governor or not? Actually,
there are three gentlemen running in
the Democratic primary for the top
spot on the November ballot. It sure
has been quiet since the
Democrats' big party last
June in Worcester. Keep
an eye open for governor
candidates. It seems that
just like our plovers, they
need to be granted a pro-
tected species status as
they are so hard to find.
The second sleeper actually has sent
most of us much deeper into slumber
than the first. Do you know how many
Democratic candidates are running
for lieutenant governor on the primary
ballot in September? I'll give you a
hint. The women outnumber the men
in this race. One candidate is actually
from here on Cape Cod. They are all
worth a look if you can find any infor-
mation on them.
Speaking of candidates from Cape
Cod, there is another from our peninsula
running statewide. This guyis mnning
as an independent and he is definitely
not a sleeper.He has already done a
good job of getting out there and mixing
it up with the Democratic candidates
for governor.He will help make the final
race in November much more interest-
ing. He is worth a look also.
During the last election season one
of our local state senators had to en-
dure a nasty contest brought on by a
lady doctor with an MBA, a lousy mes-
sage and very bad hair.I'm sorry, but I
just can't help myself. Just like prior to
the last election, no one has seen hide
nor hair of her since shortly after her
defeat in November of 2004. This year
there are two candidates competing
for the opportunity to represent the
GOP in the race against our senator.
That primary looks like a Davy versus
Goliath type of contest. The Davy in
this race is also no sleeper. However,
it will take much more than waving at
traffic to win this primary. Finally let's
hope that the Republican campaign
for senate is more respectable this
time around.
There is one sleepy race that is not
even on the ballot this
year.The race for that
office only happens once
every six years. That
race is race for the office
of sheriff. The position
of sheriff is one position
that our state leaders
should consider chang-
ing from elected to appointed. This
position requires organizational man-
agement knowledge and the special
technical skills required to manage a
detention center for criminals in our
modern society. Given the complexity
of the position we need the best house
of correction administrators that our
money can buy. Electing individuals to
management positions doesn't always
get us the best managers Unfortu-
nately for those of us on the Cape, our
county always seems ready to repeat -
edly prove that point.
Finally, there is one sleeping gi-
ant that woke up this summer.The
five fire districts in Barnstable have
resurrected their alliance. For several
years, this group of political leaders
has not been active. Recently the town
council used a committee of citizens to
perform a review of the districts. The
council's review committee has issued
a report and made recommendations.
A committee member who is also an
elected district leader has issued a mi-
nority report. The districts know that
the best defense is a good offense and
these district folks are pros at playing
political hardball. No matter where
you fall in on the districts debate, you
can expect this issue will not be sleep-
ing this summer.
Sleepers of this
summer's dog days
| By Sen.RobOLeary
Independent review of the Big
Dig failures is needed
The
past two weeks have been a trying time
for the people of the Commonwealth. The
breakdown of one of the largest construction
projects in our history has resulted in a crisis of
public confidence in the safety of our transportation
system. The tragic accident that occurred on July
10, 2006 could have, and should have been avoided.
The death of Melina Del Valle is inexcusable, and
all of those that are responsible must be held ac-
countable.
That is why I believe that we need an indepen-
dent, impartial review commission, removed from
the political sphere to, first , guarantee the integrity
and safety of the tunnels and second, to review the
failures of engineering, construction and oversight
that brought about this unfortunate and unaccept-
able tragedy.
On July 13, the Legislature and Governor recog-
nized the need for atimely and immediate response
to the failures of the Big Dig. Legislation waspassed
that gives the Governor the authority to initiate an
investigation into the tunnels and infrastructure of
Central Artery Project; additionally it transfers the
responsibility for determining when to re-open the
closed tunnels with defective ceilingpanelsfrom the
turnpikeauthoritytothe Romney administrationand
its transportation deputies. Finally,the Legislature
allocated $20 million to conduct a comprehensive
criticalinfrastructure safety audit of alltunnels part
of the metropolitan highway system.
It is my firm belief that we must focus first upon
the structural integrityof the tunnels and the overall
safety of the people of the Commonwealth. However,
once the public's safety has been ensured, an inde-
pendent review is needed that will result in clear
oversight of the tunnels in the future and proper
accountability for the failures of the past.
Questions must be answered.
With over 200 sections of the 1-90 connector tun-
nel now determined to be faulty, we must know,
why was the construction of the 1-90 construction
tunnels so different from the nearby Ted Williams
tunnel?
" Were these decisions motivated by sound
engineeringor by a desire to save money and time?
What happenedtothe Commonwealth'schannelsot
oversight that these defects were never detected or
repaired? Are there other engineer errors in other
aspects of the Central Artery Project? When and
who initially knew about the faulty bolts and was
anything done to correct the mistakes? And finally,
what changes in state construction regulations and
processes are necessary to ensure that a disaster of
this magnitude never, ever happens again?
It is clear that these questions, and many more,
need to be answered by an independent investi-
gation, removed from the political jockeying and
posturing that has surrounded the majority of the
Big Dig project. The bill passed by the Legislature
authorizes the Governor to contract with an inde-
pendent inspection firm or consultant to conduct
animmediate and exhaustive safety and engineering
inspection.
Additionally, there have been a number of legis-
lative initiatives put forth that would create new
review processes. Somehave suggested the creation
of an independent commission modeled after the
Ward Commission that was created after the public
construction scandals in the late 1970s. The pro-
posed commission would have subpoena powers,
witnesses would be required to answer under oath
and it would be the singular investigative body on
the state level to examine the failings surrounding
the entire Central Artery project. Whether afurther
review commission is needed on top of the varied
number of assessments that are ongoing is yet to
be seen; nevertheless, I am committed to obtain-
ing a meaningful and vigorous evaluation of every
aspect to the project and processes that led us to
where we are today.
The commuters and citizens of the Commonwealth
have the right to hold public works projects to high
degree of scrutiny. They should never have to ques-
tion their safety as they commute to work or visit
our Commonwealth's capital. There is no excuse
for the failures that occurred on July 10, 2006 and
we deserve nothing less than answers and account-
ability from all of those involved.
FR#M THE
SENATE
Airport's a killer
Barnstable Municipal Airport
shouldbedenieditsnewterminal.
Serious health threats confront
the people.
Consider a couple of prob-
lems.
Two airport ponds have been
contaminated with manganese
and other poisons since before
and after WW II. Airport consul-
tants Horsely-Witten say water
will filter out the obscenities.
This paper agrees; its daily sis-
ter opines naught. Concerned
citizens arguethe futility ofbury-
ing spent nuclear rods: eons will
pass if ever the problem clears
up. Super cleaningismandatory.
Ditto the ponds.
It has been scientifically es-
tablished by the likes of God-
dard Space people jet contrails
dim sunlight reaching the earth
and block excess heat escape.
Municipal Airport plans to ac-
commodate more jet planes and
thereby increase itscontribution
to death via contrails. We can
cure this growing evil by ceas-
ing jet travel. Remember how
we stopped the frazzling of the
ozone layer?
Concerned citizens are not
Henny Pennies. They're pro-lif-
ers. The airport growth propo-
nents have opted for thanatos
through short-term cash and
1
class gains.
Horsely-Witten and a mostly
adoring press (save one) say we
humansmust take chances. "Just
do it!" demanded Barnstable's
Cape Commission delegate Roy-
den Richardson. Don't even go
there! The great General Ma-
cArthur,who sought to minimize
battlefield fatalities, wouldn't
touch these proposed odds with
alight-year-long pole (5.9 trillion
miles).
After we've cleared up health
issues, move BMA to Otis. Then
we will get our Town's mental
health back. Even the Patriot
agrees that airplane noise is the
worst.
Civic duty are the watch-
words.
Peter Doiron
Barnstable Village
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Patriot
has reported on the contamina-
tion of the airport ponds , but
has offere d no opinion on the
subject.
Beware bleached beach
stickers
Re: beach stickers. I have just
noticed that the plate name and
number has faded so much they
CONTINUED ON PAGI A:8
ZZZZLETTERS