As currently written, the SOP codifies all the actions that resulted in Mayor Don Briggs being able to submit an application requesting half the cost of his home’s roof be replaced on the tax payer’s nickel even though his application ran counter to his justification.

The proposed SOP codified the flaws in the current process but it also included provisions that would prevent any local resident or news organization to examine submitted applications to see what the town was spending tax payer’s money on, or for the Town Council itself to examine the final list of applications.

Town Manager Cathy Willets said applications will be made public due to personal information, however, a review of all the packages submitted this year found not a single instance of personal information that would warrant withholding the application from public scrutiny.

The SOP also does not discriminate between funding work on private homes that clearly fall under what most would consider routine household maintenance, that benefits no one in the community other than the given homeowner, like repainting a front porch or replacing worn out siding, and work that would clearly benefit all in the community, such as upgrades to a home to return it to a historic look and feel.

Under the program, participants receive a 50% match for the cost of exterior facade improvements. This match is capped at $12,500.

Commissioner Bowman requested the SOP be tabled until she had time to study it and make some recommended improvements. "I just received this Saturday night, and given this will involve spending hard earned tax payers money, I want to dedicate some time to make sure whatever we do benefits everyone, not just a select few."

Mayoral Candidate and current Commissioner Tim O’Donnell pushed to have an immediate vote, but finding no support, agreed to revisit the SOP at a later meeting in order to allow the town staff to clarifying the state’s guidelines regarding funding allocation.