Question 1 Rebuttal by John Amport:
We certainly have a wide diversity of opinion as to the Town's optimum organizational structure.

The Republicans want to take "the business of the Town out of the political arena". If the business of running the Town is not political to whom does an aggrieved citizen plead their case? By their way of thinking, we should "de-politicize" the offices of the Town Clerk and Tax Collector. The Town "de-politicized" the Assessor's office a number of years ago. Has that established a "more efficient and cost saving" means of government?

The Democrats are spread across spectrum of alternatives short of having a Town Manager. The idea of cost offsets by hiring a Professional Engineer may seem appealing the realities are:

1. The wide range of disciplines required every year makes it more effective and efficient to hire the specific expertise needed (re: closing of the Sludge Lagoons).
2. Having a "Working Foreman" is not a guarantee of an efficient well managed operation.
3. Hiring a PE to manage Public Works is not a cost effective use of a professional's time (salary).

The right solution is more along the lines of what (dare I say it?) Mr. Sipples and I recommend.