To the Editor:
As I write, the citizens of the town of Alford are voting for members of the newly-formed MLP. What is an MLP, you ask? A Municipal Lighting Plant, an entity envisioned by the General Laws of Massachusetts. Why does Alford need a “lighting plant”? I’ve been living here for nearly 25 years and our lights seem to work fine except for the occasional power outage. But this lighting plant has nothing to do with light; it will be the governing body for our planned fiber-optic broadband system.
Those of you who read The Edge will remember that about a month ago, Alfordians met in a Special Town Meeting to consider whether to approve the spending of $1.6 million to build a broadband system for the town. The motion, despite certain frailties regarding proper form, passed overwhelmingly. (Those opposed are affectionately known as the “Alford 8″…shades of 1968 Chicago. And I say “affectionately” with a considerable amount of tongue in cheek. I was one of the 8, as was our bravest Selectman and I’ve noticed a distinct frostiness in the air when I’m around.)
In one of the least transparent processes I’ve seen in the many years that I have been in municipal government, the voters, as one of our wisest town officials said, drank the Kool-Aid. What will happen when there is a cost overrun, as there will inevitably be? Alfordians will be brought back to the firehouse to approve more spending…and to stop first at the Kool-Aid jugs at the entrance.
Back to this MLP; the members of this group…the outcome of the election will be known within hours…will be the town officials who see the project through its various phases. Everyone running for these positions was formerly a member of the ad hoc Alford Broadband Committee, the dispensers of the aforementioned Kool-Aid. Will there possibly be anything good coming of this? There may be; the ad hoc Committee was not subject to any of the rules regarding municipal governing bodies and thus they were immune from the Open Meeting Law; the Public Records Act; and conflict of interest rules. Now they will have to abide by these and that could mean a change in refreshments for the next meeting.
Carl I. Stewart
Alford
The writer is a member of the Alford Town Finance Committee.
