Who oversees the Boards and Commissions?

     Accountability has two sides.  One is being accountable for doing one's job and being responsible for the results.  The other is being held accountable for not doing what is not one's responsibility.  It is this latter that is most troubling when viewing the actions of some of our town's Boards and Commissions. 
     When a Board or Commission is called upon to review and act upon a matter brought before them by a citizen, it is expected that they will deliberate within approved guidelines, regulations and laws within the authority of their respective body.  When they venture outside these boundaries and inject their subjective views and opinions they are violating their mandate.  The trouble is, no one seems to be in a hierarchical position to correct their behavior.  Since there is a Selectman assigned to each Board and Commission, one would think that maybe that is his or her job, but that is not clear.  Thus, it seems to be left up to the person seeking the Board or Commission's action to challenge them when they drift onto a tangent.  Unfortunately this individual is in an awkward position to do this since it could negatively impact receiving a sought after approval.
     Fortunately, there are legal remedies available to the citizen.  In the case of a Planning Board issue, the matter can be taken to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.  Or, if the matter is serious enough, to Superior Court.  Again, the negativity of taking either action could "poison the well" for future dealings.
     The Exeter New-Letter printed a well stated editorial in Tuesday's paper bringing to its readers the plight of Al Lampert trying to gain approval to begin development of proposed projects on his properties on Franklin Street.  The newspaper ended by stating that it is hoped that Al's return to the Historic District Commission on April 17th will result in a long overdue approval that he seeks to allow demolition to begin.  While he could certainly proceed as in the previous paragraph, all would be better served if the Commission issued the approval that is due him.