I have no doubt that necessity is the mother of invention.

This week’s column is perhaps proof that saying is absolutely true because I wasn’t going to write a column this week and yet here it is.

I wanted to enjoy watching the new Windham Town Council Tuesday evening and see how various members reacted to each other. I did not want to comment about the new council until they got down and dirty doing the work that they are supposed to do.

Do I want to see a unified council? The answer is of course I do. Do I think we should see seven heads nod in agreement on each and every item? The answer is no.

I struggled with several different titles that ranged from Behind closed doors to Seven phones for seven clones. Here’s the reason why.

Prior to the council meeting I sent an e-mail to this newspaper that predicted correctly from rumors around town who would be council chairperson and vice chairperson. I was mortified when the actual motions were made for those positions as it was truly evident that the decision had been made prior to the meeting of Tuesday evening.

That’s not a good thing for the citizens of Windham. The discussions and deliberations were so quick that I personally have no doubt this council needs to be watched for similar occurrences in the future.

Did they do anything wrong? I think not because they were not sworn in as councilors until the meeting so it’s a moot point to push beyond this column. However, now that they are sitting councilors, three or more in a meeting without prior notice can constitute a violation of the Windham Town Charter and the rules of the Windham Town Council. I know for a fact it has happened in the past and there were witnesses when it happened.

Now it’s time to move forward and forget about spilled milk. Council Chair William Tracy is solidly connected to the Windham Economic Development Committee and I feel it’s time that this group finally produce something substantial for the town.

Unless I was in the retail business, I would find more reasons not to locate it in Windham, which is sad to say. This town was once known as the gateway to the Lakes Region and now is a perfect poster child for how the malls of the 1980s used to look like. Traffic congestion is getting worse and worse as each year passes, so it’s time to do more than talk and studies, which have been nothing but a waste of time and money in the past.

I don’t know the perfect answer as I am definitely not a traffic expert although any citizen stuck in traffic in North Windham could certainly become one. If I were involved in manufacturing a product, I would want quick and easily accessible access to an interstate, or at least roads that move vehicles quickly and efficiently. I also believe the Tax Increment Financing Zone (TIF) in North Windham should be discussed by the new councilors as to whether or not it should stay, especially with the budget crunch that Windham now faces.

Time will tell as to how Windham weathers a new council. I wish them the best of luck. Our town needs it.

Lane Hiltunen is a resident of Windham.