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May 23, 2007

Court battle over Charlestown ballots seems over

CHARLESTOWN -- The battle over the budget ballot here appears to be over -- at least for now.

According to a court stipulation stamped this afternoon, pending court action over what goes on the ballot is being dismissed.

Carolyn Mannis, lawyer for the Charlestown Citizens Alliance -- which pushed for four citizens proposals to be put on the referendum ballot -- and Town Solicitor Robert E. Craven, who appealed to the state Supreme Court to overturn a Superior Court decision allowing those questions on the ballot, both signed the stipulation.

The reason for the move was not immediately clear.

But it means the state Supreme Court appeal, which was scheduled to be heard Tuesday, is over. And it annuls the ruling by Superior Court Judge Allen P. Rubine last week that the petitions had to be allowed on the ballot in accordance with Town Charter. Rubine did not address concerns about the petitions' legality.

This means the four petitions will not appear on the ballot.

Yesterday, Supreme Court Associate Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg set the appeal hearing date for Tuesday and this Friday morning for the filing of briefs.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Maria Armental

The town contested the legality of the proposed warrant items, which would:

-- Cut the salary of Town Administrator Edward M. Barrett to a maximum of $300 per month with no benefits. Barrett currently earns a $76,000 annual salary with $400 a month for transportation costs. His salary is proposed to increase to $79,040 under the proposed fiscal 2008 budget, while his vehicle stipend would be reduced to $300 a month.

-- Create a position of assistant town administrator paying $80,000 a year, without benefits.

-- Set aside up to $20,000 to hold a special election by Sept. 30 to remove Councilman James M. Mageau from office and elect a replacement.

-- Issue as much as $500,000 in bonds for the design and development of public recreational facilities at Blue Shutters Beach, with the town's contribution being offset by any other funds raised.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:59 PM | Permalink

May 23, 2007

Court battle over Charlestown ballots seems over

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