Hour of decision in Hermon

The Hermon Town Council made a tough decision when it voted to allow a second referendum on the proposed new high school. It was being asked to decide which truly represented the voice of the people — the first referendum, in which voters defeated the new high school, or the petition signed by 1,100 voters asking for a second referendum. Whether they voted for or again, I respect the reasons each of the council members gave for voting as they did.

I heard many people blamed that night for why the council was being put in that uncomfortable position — the petitioners, the unknown authors of the “Vote No” letter sent out before the first referendum, the School Committee, and the Town Council itself.

I believe we all share in the blame, because we didn’t fulfill the obligation we had to inform the voters of Hermon of all the facts of the issue, pro and con, in open public forum before the first referendum. That obligation must be fulfilled now.

I hope this experience is not forgotten in future matters of importance to the people of Hermon. Bob Capetta Hermon