To the Editor: 

As a lifelong resident of Dartmouth, and one who spent more than 3 decades in several elected offices, I believe that I have the background and knowledge about that which I am writing.

After authorizing a $3.6 million borrowing for needed upgrades to The Living Memorial Stadium, and, having previously spent approximately $1.5 million for a much needed new field and upgraded lighting we let the potential $500,000 annual new revenue stream slip away due to poor execution and lack of coordination of effort.

Zoning Articles by their nature are complex legal documents that require the ability to withstand court challenges. I know this because in 1980 Dartmouth enacted the very first Aquifer Protection Zoning By-Law in the Commonwealth. 

It received near unanimous approval at Town Meeting and was overwhelming approved by the voters at large in a referendum vote and was approved by The Attorney General of The Commonwealth. It was the result of a comprehensive effort by the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, the Finance Committee and the Executive Secretary of the Board of Selectmen.

In viewing the October Town Meeting I found that comprehensive effort lacking. The Town Administrator, Planning Director, and Select Board Chair failed miserably in presenting and fully explaining the benefits of the Zoning Amendment as did submitting an amendment to the motion from the floor.

It took nearly 2 full months for the Planning Board and Select Board to conduct a joint meeting to attempt to determine what went wrong. Has the Town Administrator, Planning Director or the Select Board Chair contacted Casco Botanical to let them know Dartmouth may still be interested?

William C. Mosher