Bad Actors in Billerica
Regarding the Board of Selectman meeting Dec 21, 2020
As of 2018, Civics education is required for all public school students in our Commonwealth. This is great news for our younger residents but is of little help to adults. For those wondering about the drama of Billerica politics lately, this might clear things up.
Billerica uses a Town Meeting style of government. Hundreds of residents meet twice a year to raise taxes, ban plastic bags, or install more sidewalks. The Selectboard is elected to serve as an Executive body — like a mayor in a city. Individual elected members have zero authority or power; they must act as a unit. There are numerous “Open Meeting” laws that ensure members are included during votes. The Town Charter is the legal document that governs every action and office in town. It’s like a constitution for Billerica. Politicians follow the processes outlined in the Town Charter to gain influence and power. Town elections are in April every year.
Elected officials need integrity and professionalism; these are necessary components for a functional government. During the last decade, bullying and renegade behaviors have become more commonplace in our politics. This is a culture encouraged by Selectman John Burrows, Selectman Dan Burns, Selectman Mike Rosa, and State Representative Lombardo. During the most recent Board of Selectman meeting, Burrows effusively praised the police before questioning their credibility. Note: most of his complaints were about formatting, not the content of the reports.
These public officials, and those they influence, ridicule their government as ineffective and often resort to publicity stunts. Their theatrics undermine the very institutions they claim to support. From personally investigating noise complaints, running an illegal sting operation, or threatening residents exercising first amendment rights, their behavior is dangerous and must stop. To function as a society, we must abide by the rules that we collectively set. I urge members of all communities to call out bad actors and hold each other to a higher standard.
