To the editor:

There’s an old saying in our state that Rhode Islanders get the government they deserve. The same could be said for the Town of Portsmouth. 

The Town of Portsmouth’s handling of the East Main Road rotary project is another example of the lack of transparency and accountability our local government has with respect to the people they take an oath to represent and serve. 

There have been three events in most recent memory that demonstrate the town administration’s complete disregard to conducting the people’s business in a transparent and public manner, as well as their view of state and local law. 

The most recent example is the town transfer station issue. The play the public was privy to was a desire by the town to shift to curbside pickup and end regular trash disposal. These discussions included every assurance that there was no intent to permanently close the facility. The real intent of the initiative, however, was later revealed as an effort to close the transfer station for good to get more curbside pickup households and obtain better bids from sanitation vendors. While seemingly a noble effort to try and better spend taxpayer dollars, it’s an example of using deception to advance an agenda that is incongruous with much of the public’s desires. 

We also know that the town is currently not up to date in making its required reports to the state’s Department of Municipal Finance on the status of the pension plan. In fact, we are significantly behind. The director of that department confirmed about six months ago that the town has not submitted anything in at least two-plus years. If our administration cannot and will not abide by state law, how can we trust that compliance is a priority to them as they carry out the people’s business? 

The town’s pension plan is a sensitive subject in and of itself. As many citizens may recall, the town was found in violation of the Open Meetings Act on the subject about one year ago with respect to pensions. The Town Council discussed the pension plan while in closed executive session; under a completely different and non-applicable section of Rhode Island General Law. When the public managed to figure this out and questioned the council about it, they withheld the full scope of the additions to the pension plan. The true scope was only exposed in an OMA violation investigation. What’s worse? The town administrator and solicitor kept news of this violation from the Town Council. Many members of the Town Council found out about the confirmed violation from a letter to the editor. 

Larry Fitzmorris

50 Kristen Court

Portsmouth