Easton Selectmen Take No Action to Disolve Bristol County

The Easton selectmen discussed the town of Dartmouth’s request to disband Bristol County at Monday's meeting.

Dartmouth does not believe the towns in the county benefit from its governing. According to Corona, the county assesses Easton at approximately $270,000. She said the county runs on a budget of approximately $19 million. 

There are three county commissioners and each are paid more than $35,000 a year, said Corona. She added that it is more than she believes they need to be paid.

Selectmen Daniel Murphy said he doesn’t have enough information to make a discussion.

“Why are they for it?” he asked. 

 Barlow was curious as to how they could abolish the county government.  Corona said it would take a request to create legislation to do so. 

Barlow also asked, “Could we advocate for reducing the salaries of the commissioners?” Corona said that is something they could look into. Barlow was also curious about what would happen to Bristol County Agricultural High School.

Colton said when a county is dissolved the state steps in.  “They’ve done it in the past,” he said.

Corona requested a copy of the county budget be given to the selectmen before the next meeting.  She re-iterated that the commissioners get paid too much, “for a board that doesn’t meet that often.”

The selectmen tabled the discussion for their next meeting.