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We attended the Reading Select Board meeting on Tuesday (May 27). What we witnessed has left us sad and disappointed. One of the items on the agenda was “Discuss RCTV Contract Renewal”. What followed quickly devolved into a series of personal attacks and character assassinations. No discussion of the contract took place. At no time did the Select Board examine whether RCTV had met the responsibilities of its contract. And certainly did not enumerate on how RCTV has gone over and above the contract requirements. But the Chair instead personally attacked one person. The Board of Directors of RCTV is responsible for the selection of its personnel – not the Select Board. If there are recommendations that Select Board wants to make, relative to the language of future contracts, then those discussions would be appropriate.
But to choose to make a statement that regardless of whether the terms of the contract are being fulfilled and regardless of any effort to discuss it further, the Chair will not support renewal, begs the question as to what the real motive behind that statement is.
RCTV provides a service that Reading needs. The Select Board needs to consider what the alternatives are. Are they proposing that Community Television no longer exists to serve Reading residents? Maybe they are unaware of how many people depend on its programming. Not everyone is able to access Board, Commission and Committee meetings in person.
We would like to remind the Board that they are supposed to be adhering to their stated “Ethics and Protocols” as listed on their page on the Town website as follows:
“ 2. The Select Board will lead by example at all times to build trust. We agree to avoid words and actions that create a negative impression of an individual, the Select Board, or the Town. While we encourage debate and differing points of view, we will speak with care and respect.
5. During meetings, the Select Board will speak to items on the agenda and refrain from engaging in inappropriate debate.”
If members of the Select Board are not prepared to discuss an agenda item, it should be immediately tabled to a future meeting. Personal attacks have no place at a Select Board meeting. All members of the Board, including the Chair, should reconsider their ability to adhere to the Select Board’s policies and if they cannot, then they should reconsider their commitment to be on the Select Board. Reading is better than this.
We believe that the Town of Reading needs RCTV. We strongly support honest and thoughtful negotiations for the renewal of this contract.
Virginia and Everett Blodgett
