Letter In Support Of Subsitute Motion to Article 43 at Annual Town Meeting

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

SUBSITUTE MOTION TO ARTCLE #43 AT THE 2014 DEDHAM ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

Dear Editor:

I urge Town Meeting this upcoming Monday to vote for the substitute motion proposed by the Parks and Recreation Commission on Article 43 at the Annual Town Meeting for the following reasons.

Article 43, as proposed by the Board of Selectmen, would place all town facilities, except those under the jurisdiction of the School Committee and the Conservation Commission, under the direct control of the newly renamed Town Manager.  I and other concerned residents believe that by supporting the substitute motion, all of Dedham’s Park and Recreation facilities (Dolan Center, Ju Ju Mucciaccio Poll, and all fields) should be in the care, custody and control of the Parks and Recreation Commission, which is common sense and is mandated by state law under Chapter 45, Section 5 of the Massachusetts General Laws.

The Parks and Recreation Commissioners, its Director, Robert Stanley, and all the Parks and Recreation employees have done an excellent job over the years in maintaining the pool, Dolan Center and all the town’s fields.  I believe that placing the care, custody and control of all Parks and Recreation facilities under the direct control of the Town Manager, as proposed by the Board of Selectmen if the Original Motion for Article 43 is successfully voted at Town Meeting, will not be in the best interests of the town and for all of its citizens, young and old alike.  Our fields that our town’s children use for Dedham youth leagues (soccer, baseball, etc,) would deteriorate if placed under the direct control of the Town Manager as proposed by the Board of Selectmen.

I and other Dedham citizens believe that the Parks and Recreation Commission should continue to have care, custody and control of its facilities.  Therefore, I strongly urge Town Meeting to support the substitute motion on Article 43, when it comes up for discussion and for a vote.

Thank you!

Daniel F. Sullivan

98 Curve Street

District Six