First, historically there has never been a stipend for this position.
Second, the current health officer has stated even if one is offered he would refuse it.
Third, why in this time of fiscal austerity is the Select Board considering what at best should be considered discretionary spending - spending that is not needed? You would think with all the fiscal issues the town is having they would be looking to save money not look for ways to spend it.
Fourth, where did this idea come from. No one demanded or requested it - it just came out of the blue?
Fifth, how has the town gotten by for 200 plus years without offering a stipend for this position?
I think there is more to this than meets the eye.
What do you think?
Update:
I just spoke with both Seth Webb, Town Manager and M.B. Neisner, current Town Health Officer. Seth is dismissing my thoughts as
conspiracy theory. He tried to say the Select Board just wanted to recognize
M.B.’s contribution. That seems inconsistent with the fact they tried to get rid of M.B. last year but couldn’t since
it is a three year term appointed by the state. And given that M.B. has been a
major pain in Seth’s butt, why would the board suddenly make a public
acknowledgement what a great job M.B. is doing when in fact they want him out of
there.
They want other people to volunteer for the position so they don’t have to
put M.B.’s name in for it because he’s the only one willing to do it at this
point.
The Health Officer term runs through June 30th. So M.B's appointment is currently up and this is why the consideration of a stipend to attract other potential candidates. It is interesting what was not stated at last night's meeting - the fact M.B.s term was up and the board needed to make a recommendation to the state to fill the position because right now the office is officially vacant.
Conspiracy, hmmmm?
What do you think?
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