To the editor:

I was pleased to see the Town Council make a long overdue decision to add a second public comment period at the beginning of its meetings going forward – and simultaneously amused that Council President Braxton Cloutier insisted that council members “listen, follow-up with residents and often respond with emails.”

I posed a simple question to him and the other three council members at the Sept. 14 council meeting: Why did you ignore the action of 1,700 voters at the Financial Town Referendum and enable the town manager to move money around to cover some cuts specifically intended by those voters?

I asked Mr. Cloutier that direct question and was met with extended silence, followed by Councilwoman Liana Cassar, who likewise would not answer. Another council member wouldn’t look me in the eye. This is engagement? After all, the Open Meetings Act does not prohibit them from answering questions during public comment, regardless of what their solicitor says. Who says so? The attorney general of Rhode Island.

At the Oct. 5 meeting, Councilman O’Neill was quoted by The Times as saying he does not want to sit “stone-faced” while residents share public comments or ask questions. That’s exactly what he did with me.

No one from the council has contacted me since my comments on Sept. 14. I’m a pretty easy guy to reach, but just in case you need help, my email is Jim@HummelReport.org. I encourage the four sitting members of the council to connect with me so I can clear my schedule to take a phone call and hear each of your explanations about the FTR and its aftermath. 

Jim Hummel 

Barrington