Letter to the editor: A wake-up call for Mattapoisett

To the editor:

On Saturday, Oct. 4, I attended a Special Town Meeting to address a significant change in our local government, the decision to expand our Select Board from three seats to five. Nearly 500 residents attended a debate to discuss whether this would strengthen or divide our community.

While I commend those who spearheaded the effort, they were familiar with the laws, the process, and had the necessary political connections to move it forward quickly. I can’t help but wonder what might have happened if more of us had been paying attention sooner. Had we engaged earlier, we could have discussed and voted on this at our regular May Town Meeting, giving the community’s voice a fairer chance to be heard.

Instead, many who took time out of their Saturday afternoon were denied that opportunity. Is that democracy, or even in the spirit of community participation we pride ourselves on?

For years, our town has been a model of stability, boasting a AAA bond rating, minimal tax increases, a single override in ten years, and consistently clean audits. But comfort has led to complacency. While we focused on our own lives, others organized, filled seats, and advanced their agenda.

No matter your political affiliation, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent — I urge you to get involved. Attend meetings. Vote in local elections. Ask questions.

Our community thrives when all voices are heard. Let’s make sure we don’t stay silent while the future of our town is being rewritten.

Kimberly Thomas

Mattapoisett resident