Lack of controversy may not be universal

A pleasant lack of controversy seems to have crept over the Winchester Board of Selectmen since its latest lineup was elected last month, but that doesn’t mean all will be quiet in Winsted in 2010.

To be sure, as selectmen have made efforts to cooperate on issues and with most votes being unanimous, one might dare say politicians here are getting along for a change. Combine that feeling with the holiday spirit (Happy Hanukkah and Christmas, folks!) and there is certainly a sense that past quibbles are behind us.

Meanwhile, new Interim Town Manager Wayne Dove has helped settle a conflict involving the town’s Public Works Department and Civil Service Commission, resulting in the dropping of a lawsuit. Former Public Works Director Pat Hague has come back as interim director while town leaders work to settle Winsted’s salt and sand issues for the winter season.

Mayor Candy Perez told us this week that members of the press seem to be looking for controversy in town but not finding any. The fact that the town is actually getting back to work may be great news, but the headline “Everything is back to normal� doesn’t sell newspapers.

Thankfully for reporters and editors, people close to the Board of Education have told us to anticipate big disagreements erupting, particularly when it comes to restructuring the town’s school system. Staff members of the school system are hearing that a fight may erupt between the town board and The Gilbert School about moving the eighth-grade class to the semi-private institution.

Perez acknowledged that she has heard rumblings about school board politics and reasoned that school funding represents two-thirds of the town’s annual budget and has been a perpetual source of conflict.

So, while we may be able to say Winsted’s Board of Selectmen has set the pace for a tamer and friendlier term than previous administrations, don’t be surprised to see headlines about policy battles on the school side. All signs are pointing to a 2010 filled with fireworks.

And if that sells more newspapers, so be it.

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