In light of the recently released 2005 audit revealing a $2.7 million deficit, the citizens of Poland were not served wisely by the Board of Selectmen. Even though selectmen knew there was a potentially serious problem with the audit – which should have been available at the annual town meeting, but wasn’t – they chose to hold the town meeting without the financial information crucial to the decision-making process.

Selectmen seem to forget that citizens have a right to make decisions based on sound financial advice, which was not forthcoming at that meeting. Now, the chairperson for the board seems to feel that we “just need to move on.” Isn’t anyone accountable for this huge error? Don’t we want to ensure it never happens again?

At the selectmen’s meetings, taxpayers are not being afforded an opportunity to speak and allowed to ask pertinent questions. When a citizen is allowed to speak, they can be cut off in mid-sentence.

What has happened to our rights as taxpaying citizens? Is the chairperson the only one with rights? Does she speak for the entire board?

Now having the financial information that we should have had at the April 29 town meeting, the Board of Selectmen should make immediate plans to recall decisions made at that town meeting in order to afford the taxpayers an opportunity to revisit the budget articles.

And, the chairperson should resign immediately for her failure to afford taxpayers their right to be heard.

Nancy Fraser, East Poland