I recognize that the meeting was an informational one on a non-binding ballot question ;but, I was appalled at the lack of interest by our citizenry as manifested by the extremely poor turnout (about 30 people) !

Are we too lazy to attend? Too busy ? Don't care? Figure that being present won't make any difference? Feel confident that our elected officials are doing it right?

Edmund Burke once said "All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing". I'm not suggesting anything evil is going on but if we get too complacent, the "door" will start opening for those who may have evil intent.

First, how many taxpayers(citizens) asked about this merger ? Was this non-binding referendum able to get on the ballot just because certain councilmen ( and one duel roll player) wanted it. How can a sitting fire commissioner, sworn to uphold the Fire District Charter and By-Laws, move to abolish the Fire District. Seems as if the State Ethics Commission were to hear of this they might have a problem, and if they were contacted when said commissioner/councilman was elected, they probably didn't expect the person to do this. Maybe the person should have not voted or proposed anything to do with this. Just sayin'

To answer a couple of questions:

“ how many taxpayers(citizens) asked about this merger ?”

Each and every voter in the Town of East Greenwich will be asked about this merger when they vote on November 6. I am not aware of any opportunity in recent history (or ever) where the voters could vote on anything related to the Fire District in a general election. What a positive development for the voters and democracy in general…

“Was this non-binding referendum able to get on the ballot just because certain councilmen ( and one duel roll player) wanted it.” [sic]

As an elected representative of the taxpayers, I proposed this referendum. Four of the 5 town councilors approved placing the referendum on the ballot at a Town Council meeting last July. http://eastgreenwich.patch.com/articles/ballot-question-on-merging-fire-district-town-to-appear-on-nov-ballot

Jeffrey Cianciolo
Town Council

Carl, the question is did he tell the Ethics Commission that he was in favor of, or thinking of, elimimating the fire district ?

When the Ethics Commission was contacted, the issue was (as I understand it) as to whether there would be a conflict of interest in holding two separate positions. PERIOD. They said no problem.
I don't know, but I sincerely doubt that any questions were asked about any specific issues, but I would doubt it.
Incidentally, wasn't the original issue the procedure of voting for EGFD Commissioners?