Selectmen get it right

Hillsborough selectmen got it right this week when they accepted a compromise tax proposal that allowed a delinquent taxpayer to remain in the family business while paying back taxes. The compromise resulted in parking space for town employees next to the Town-owned Gables Building on Church Street in return for letting Herb Spiller retain the next door property they have owned since the 1950s.
Spiller had worked hard to raise tax monies he did not know he owed until 2007. The willingness of Town Father to show compassion for a family which had encountered tragedy and accept a plan which worked for both parties is worthy of strong commendation. Government exists for the benefit of citizenry. In this case, a government decision benefitted the public as a whole as well as one well-intentioned individual.
Selectmen should also be applauded for a wise course of action in choosing a new fire chief. With only two fulltime positions in the fire department, it made sense to name a chief from those ranks. Kenny Stafford is a fulltimer, and his temporary selection avoids the possibility of adding a third fulltimer to replace a parttime chief position.