As the population of North Attleborough has grown, its community governance has evolved. As Washington grapples with Efficiency, Waste and Downsizing, North Attleborough too needs to address taxpayer concerns. Taxes have increased and will continue to increase in the coming years. There are major projects coming. The taxpayers have concerns. How how effectively are our hard-earned tax dollars being spent? Right now, there is virtually no Transparency or Accountability to North’s taxpayers.
The Town Council form of governance over site and executive authority to sustain growth usually planned to advance the town. The political history of North Attleborough is rich with these traditions. The current set of elected councilors should be acknowledged for their volunteerism with sincere gratitude. However, our current Council sees before it an administrative form of governance that appears to agree with non-elected Administrators without question, with too many examples of virtually Zero Accountability/Transparency.
Expenditures that have left gaps in necessary spending over those which give raises in salaries, security of pensions, latest technologies, healthcare, vacation times, and affordability of second incomes with Social Security benefits. Salaries of Taxpayers are not increasing, but the taxes are.
Kudos Council member Mark Gould Jr., the 1 attorney on the council for at least making motions to address expenditures on behalf of taxpayer. He received backlash for questioning spending $30,000 on new desks for the 9 Town Council Members. However, he remains committed to scrutinizing spending of hard-earned taxpayer dollars.
The town is approving expansion faster with a robust spending model and without the long-needed improvements to buildings and infrastructure needed to sustain current levels. Bathrooms and locker room showers in schools have been non-functioning for years and has now ballooned to a $300 million-dollar High School project. Were applications made for improvements and ADA compliance modifications before now? Rt.1 is unsafe for foot traffic to cross, but town growth is pushing for people to walk across 4 lanes of 40 mph traffic with low visibility in areas.
Our slate of new candidates each have some unique talents. They bring to the table a diversity experiences for the governance of our great town of North Attleboro, its future, and perspective that THE TAXPAYER is in charge not nu-elected individuals.
Walking around town, through various neighborhoods, you don’t see wealth on every corner. The disposable wealth we once had is long gone. As a community, we can not continue to let unaccountable spending over real town concerns.
Signed Cara Ann Caranci
Candidate for North Attleborough Town Council
#3 on the Ballot