Last August (2017), it was looking like we were working together and actually going to achieve a mutually satisfying result. The NRC appeared to hear us and was willing to give us a chance. It seemed to be doing what most sensible town bodies do, listening to and working with it’s constituents.
Instead, we now have rangers and new signs in the woods telling us all what to do. Or more likely, what not to do. And threats of fines. And gates. And poison. And hundreds of disenfranchised voters/dog owners.
How did this happen? Why did the NRC change course? Why was there this big rush to implement these restrictions? We even had a Town Meeting vote on the matter, with the vast majority voting in favor of a two year moratorium. So why did the NRC continue plodding along and push these clearly unwelcome regulations down our throats? And with absolutely no clear evidence to support their case?
Unfortunately, this question was never brought up by the Select Board when meeting the NRC Chair and Director last month. I can not help but wonder how this could go without notice. What was the harm in waiting another two years to give the residents a chance to prove themselves? The amount of time, energy and effort myself and many others have invested in this cause, surely deserves more. This town deserves more. Democracy, it’s birthplace, and it’s people deserve more.