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September 5, 2010

Swan should resign; road process must be fixed

The citizens of the town of Chelsea deserve a trusted open government from their elected officials. The town's road program is a mess and has been for years. Recent revelations in the Kennebec Journal report the town's current most blatant situation by bringing the problem out into the white-hot light of transparency. If ever there was a time for the town of Chelsea to get back on track it's now.

Selectman Chair Carole Swan and her contractor husband Marshall cannot both be involved in the town's road program. I believe Carole has shown personal financial gain from this unethical arrangement. She has lost the public trust and for the good of the town must step down from the board.

Immediately, selectman must do the following:

* Convene a special Town Meeting.

A full accounting of the Windsor Road Project must be presented to taxpayers and monies approved before Selectman take any action.

* Establish road committee.

Residents voted for the establishment of this committee over a year ago at Town Meeting. Carole Swan never carried out the town's directive given her. The committee should consist of 7 members: Town manager, one selectman, and 5 taxpayers representing various areas of town. Road contractors who gain financially would not serve.

* Bid process. Bids should achieve the best possible work at the lowest cost, minus a phony points system, engaging all contractors regardless of where they reside.

The town manager is the road commissioner, a system that has worked well in town for over 60 years. Only in recent years, with intrusion from Carole Swan has the road program gone haywire.

Chelsea deserves honest government. Selectman must work for the good of the entire town, not for their own self-interest and financial gain.

Susan Sargent

Chelsea

Editor's Note: The writer was Chelsea's town manager/deputy manager from 1974 to 1982.

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