We have less than two weeks to go until Election Day, it appears the best argument in favor of building a new Greenfield Public Library is the current one.
Greenfield Mayor Bill Martin recently amended his executive order limiting public use of the current library building to include the downstairs public meeting room. The reason is the same as the one given for the original order —accessibility — but this time, library and city employees have also been ordered to stay out of that area because of potential safety concerns.
Of course, not everyone is buying that. Library opponents on social media have all but accused Martin of ginning up these accessibility problems just to strengthen the case for passing the library question on Nov. 5. There is no evidence to support that claim, but if that were reason, I’d say it’s a pretty effective strategy.
I think most people, even opponents of the ballot question, would agree that Greenfield needs a new library. I think most people have a problem with the size and opulence of the plan, as well as the price tag.
I’m not sure where these Monday morning quarterbacks were during the five-plus years this thing was in the planning stages, but that’s what sometimes happens when projects get to this point. People see a number like $21.5 million and suddenly everyone freaks out and begins presenting has solutions like putting it in the armory, or the John Zon Center — all while ignoring that the $9 million state grant to help construct the facility is dependent on the current plan, which calls for it to be built between the current library and the post office.
Speaking of the Zon Center, Martin’s new edict has only served to underscore the city’s lack of a plan for the proper use of that building. With the library meeting space unavailable, a number of groups will be looking to use Zon for public events, and there seems to be no easy or organized way to do that, and that’s something Martin, or more likely the next mayor, is going to have to deal with — as will the seniors who believe that building was constructed for their use, and no one else’s.
Those who have been criticizing the Greenfield City Council for focusing too much on the wrong issues should take a look at what’s happening on Beacon Hill these days.
Boston State Rep. Daniel Hunt has filed legislation that would make illegal the use of the word “bitch” in Massachusetts. A bitch is a term used to describe a female dog, but is more often used to “accost, annoy, degrade or demean the other person” as it is described in Hunt’s bill, which would criminalize the practice at a potential penalty of $200 in fines and six months in prison.
I don’t see Hunt’s bill going anywhere in the House, and even he doesn’t seem thrilled with it, taking to Twitter this week to make it clear that he filed the legislation at the urging of a constituent, in accordance with what Hunt says is a “long held tradition that gives every Massachusetts resident a voice inside the State House, and a chance to raise their personal interests in front of the Legislature.”
“While this specific instance may amuse some and alarm others, it remains an important process for self-representation,” Hunt added.
Some may disagree with that position, but it’s not something I’m going to waste time, bit, er, complaining about now.
One thing the Legislature can and should do something about is ending the practice of so-called “school lunch shaming.”
The failure of some parents to pay for their children’s school lunch accounts has forced some districts to take drastic measures, such as giving students different meals than those served to paying customers. It’s abhorrent policy which only serves to embarrass and traumatize students who may come from more limited means than their classmates.
Fortunately, there’s a way around this, assuming anyone in the Legislature cares to address the problem.
There is currently only one area of state law which allows cities and towns to deficit spend — the snow and ice removal budget. Towns spend what they need to in order to keep the roads clean, then backfill that money at the end of the year, usually either through free cash or a supplemental budget.
I wouldn’t think it would be that hard to pass a law allowing schools to do the same thing with their lunch accounts. This way everyone gets fed, and cafeteria workers and their charges are protected from a policy which never should have been put in place to begin with.
Chris Collins is a Greenfield native who has been covering local politics on various platforms for close to a quarter of a century. He can be reached at sourcechris.collins@gmail.com.