1990-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Counsel, Victor Bass on the Belcher case and Douglas Report of the A. Randall on the Hendricks case, and will continue to Mashpee Arts Lottery Council do so. The Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Con- servation Commission, Board of Health and Building In- To the Honorable Selectmen spector continue to face the majority of litigation com- and the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: menced against the Town. I must emphasize to you that the fact of litigation should not in any way be viewed as The Mashpee Arts Lottery Council processed the indicative of poor performance. To the contrary, these following state grants during the 1990 calendar year: boards and officials are performing difficult tasks in a sometimes hostile environment and I admire their con- Name Amount tinued skills, knowledge and perseverance. Litigation is Diane Booth, Chamber Ensemble Performance 450.00 commenced by persons unhappy with decisions made.it Janice Murphy, Two Harps Concerts 100.00 is impossible to satisfy all people at all times and these Ann Tanneyhill, Gravestone Restoration 500.00 town officials perform necessary regulatory tasks which Coombs School Mural 1,426.00 sometime result in litigation. Performing Arts Student Series: I have enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with Coombs School 250.00 Executive Secretary Harrington and I know the Town has Mashpee Middle School 250.00 received extraordinary services in a very able manner. He State Grants $2,976.00 and his staff are a vital element to the continuing opera- tion of town government. The assistance and coopera- Mashpee Arts Council, Inc. tion given to me have been of immeasurable value and Oktoberfest $1,170.00 1 am deeply appreciative. Art Show 180.00 From the viewpoint of your counsel, the Town is truly $1,350.00 blessed with competent department heads dedicated to $1,350.00 the furtherance of the public good. There is no way Norwegian Concert: Mashpee Middle School 350.00 monetary compensation can produce the pride in perfor- mance and dedication repeatedly shown. I am very proud 1990 Arts Lottery Council a.nd honored to be able to represent this outsanding group Total Disbursements $4,676.00 of individuals and their loyal staffs. R.espectfully submitted, Joseph J. Reardon Mashpee Town Counsel Report of Town Counsel To Mr. Jeremy M. Carter, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Report of the The past calendar year has seen an increase in litiga- Leisure Services Department tion commenced against various Town boards. This is at- tributable to an increase in population and c'orresponding- ly greater exposure to liability, combined with a conti- To the Honorable Selectmen nuing recession resulting in a more aggressive approach and the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: by those persons dealing with the Town boards seeking to preserve and/or protect and/or maximize financial I hereby submit my report for the year ending return. December 31, 1990: The revaluation of town properties spawned the largest The Leisure Services Department was created by the number of Appellate Tax Board cases filed during the Annual Town Meeting in May of 1989, therefore, 1990 thirteen year period of my representation of the Town. This is reflective of the falling real estate market and is the first full year of operation for the Leisure Services recessionary conditions generally prevalent in the Department. The Leisure Services Department is a result community. of the consolidation of two former departments, the Parks and Recreation Department and the community The two most costly matters of litigating continued to School. The first year as the Leisure Services Department be the pending Land Court claim of the Belcher heirs has been a very interesting, successful and challenging seeking title to the Town forest parcel of 140+ acres and year. During the calendar year of 1990,the following pro- the Federal Court death claim of the Estate of Hendricks grams have been offered to the citizens of Mashpee: Oc- seeking substantial money damages. These cases are be- toberfest Participant, Halloween Parade, Haunted ing handled by Special Town Counsel appointed to repre- House, Adult co-ed Volleyball, Youth Basketball Gr. 1-4, sent the Town. My office has worked closely with Special Youth Basketball Gr. 5-8, Basketball Grand Finale Piz- 118