News Roundup

Wareham school board votes no confidence in selectmen

The School Committee this week voted no confidence in the town’s Board of Selectmen after weeks of sniping over budgetary issues.

Milford eyes school grounds care for possible savings

The School Department is prepared to cut costs and manage next year's budget with level funding if need be, two school officials told the Finance Committee last night.

Letter: Avoid private funds for Needham public schools

A public school system must be kept completely public: paid for with tax money raised by its community and supplemented by other available public education funding sources like the state. Regardless of what other Massachusetts communities might do, Needham must avoid soliciting or accepting private donations meant to save — or even establish — specific positions, courses or facilities.

Selectmen propose using remaining override funds to pay for department requests

Board of Selectmen Chairman Sal Salvatore proposed using $51,750, the remainder in the Year 3 Municipal Override Restoration Fund, to provide a percentage of budget increase requests made by five departments at last week's meeting.

Column: Time to rethink the Wellesley Senior Center

There is no need to spend in excess of $6 million of taxpayers’ money to build a standalone senior center. Instead, revive the proposal to build a senior center at the Wellesley Community Center at no cost to the Town. Plans already exist for a spacious, convenient, welcoming facility at the WCC that will meet all needs for seniors’ programs.

Reporter’s notebook: March 9 Board of Selectmen meeting

During the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday, the board dealt with the following issues:

·      The board viewed a presentation on the state’s new Stretch Energy Code, which supporters said adopts new building standards that promote improved energy efficiency in new buildings. A warrant article to adopt the new code will come to a vote at Town Meeting in May. A public hearing on the Stretch Code will be held on March 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the selectmen’s meeting room at Town Hall.

·      Selectmen approved the hiring of two civilian parking meter collection positions on the recommendation of Police Chief Dan O’Leary.

·      The board met in executive session before the public portion of Tuesday’s meeting to get an update on collective bargaining negotiations from Labor Counsel Liz Valerio, Human Resources Director Sandra DeBow and Public Works Director Andrew Pappastergion.

·      Resident Albert A. Hyman’s applied to be named to the town’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee. 

·      Selectmen reviewed proposed fiscal 2011 budgets for the human resources/personnel benefits, recreation, town counsel, building and school departments.

·      Selectmen approved a $20,000 contract to design a photovoltaic array as part of the Putterham Library roof.

— John Hilliard

Crunching numbers: Department heads concerned about potential cuts

Although it is still early in the budgeting process, department heads in Abington agree their situations would not be good if voters approve a level 4—a worst-case-scenario operating budget—at Town Meeting.

Although Town Meeting has been scheduled for April 5, selectmen plan to ask voters to postpone voting on budgetary issues until May 10.

State to announce aid cuts

BOSTON -- City and town officials could get the bad news before the end of the week that local aid to schools and government services will be slashed by as much as 5 percent in next year's state budget.
Read more [Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise - Local News]

OPINION: CPA funds misused in Bridgewater

Just when you thought financial matters couldn’t get worse – or at least more complicated – in Bridgewater, we now learn that former Town Treasurer Douglas Dorr was tapping the Community Preservation Act fund to balance the fractured budget.

Abington committee wonders who will take care of playing fields

The Park and Recreation Committee has found itself in charge of a nonexistent department without any money or employees after a round of deep budget cuts last year. Now, the committee is looking for one or two people to maintain the town’s athletic playing fields.
Read more [Brockton Enterprise - News]

Abington committee wonders who will take care of playing fields

The Park and Recreation Committee has found itself in charge of a nonexistent department without any money or employees after a round of deep budget cuts last year. Now, the committee is looking for one or two people to maintain the town’s athletic playing fields.
Read more [Brockton Enterprise - Education]

Appeals court upholds chief’s suspension

A federal appeals court upheld a 15-day suspension of the Randolph fire chief who spoke about budget restraints at a press conference at the scene of a fatal fire in 2007. Town selectmen suspended Charles Foley Jr. after he made comments about understaffing and increased response times because of a reduced budget during a press briefing for a fire that ...
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Appeals court upholds chief’s suspension

A federal appeals court upheld a 15-day suspension of the Randolph fire chief who spoke about budget restraints at a press conference at the scene of a fatal fire in 2007. Town selectmen suspended Charles Foley Jr. after he made comments about understaffing and increased response times because of a reduced budget during a press briefing for a fire that ...



Read more [Boston Globe - City / Region]

Hub school officials say budget gap nearly filled

Boston school officials said last night they have made considerable progress in closing a multimillion-dollar budget gap for next year, but they are keeping open the possibility of closing schools.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Hub school officials say budget gap nearly filled

Boston school officials said last night they have made considerable progress in closing a multimillion-dollar budget gap for next year, but they are keeping open the possibility of closing schools.



Read more [Boston Globe - City / Region]

High district costs lead school meeting agenda

For residents of Hamilton and Wenham, where Proposition 2 1/2 overrides are as much a sign of spring as the arrival of Baltimore orioles and yellow warblers, the findings of a committee charged with tracking spending by the regional school district has provided kindling for an already hot debate over education costs.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Library cuts will be deep

Town Manager Daniel J. Morgado's proposed cuts to the Shrewsbury Public Library budget next year would force the library to reduce operating hours and services.

School Committee passes $515,000 in budget cuts

School budget moves on to Finance Committee with virtually no public comment.

Holbrook tax bills to be sent out next week

Residents can expect to receive their property tax bills beginning next week. Town Administrator Michael Yunits told the board of selectmen on March 9 that the state Department of Revenue (DOR) is about to certify the municipality’s tax rate after receiving requested documents. The DOR held up certifying the tax rate on the grounds that the fiscal year 2009 audit was not completed and the sewer enterprise account had to be adjusted.

Official says proposed budget could close Bridgewater library

The Chairman of the Bridgewater Library Board of Trustees said the selectmen’s budget could trigger a “cascade effect” resulting in the closure of the facility.

Franklin schools predict $2M in increased costs

With growing special education requirements, contract negotiations and increased health insurance costs, School Business Administrator Miriam Goodman told the School Committee last night she expects the fiscal 2011 budget will increase by almost $2 million.

Budget Process Committee: Anticipated revenue for fiscal 2011

The Budget Process Committee (BPC) submitted the following article. The BPC was formed in December 2003 to develop a communication plan and make budget process information available to the public to foster a more open and accessible budget cycle. This is the fourth in a series of articles that will run during the coming weeks.

Budget Process Committee: Anticipated revenue for fiscal 2011

The Budget Process Committee (BPC) submitted the following article. The BPC was formed in December 2003 to develop a communication plan and make budget process information available to the public to foster a more open and accessible budget cycle. This is the fourth in a series of articles that will run during the coming weeks.

Georgetown woman, 27, pleads guilty in $500K embezzlement case

A Georgetown woman pled guilty last Thursday, March 4, in connection with the embezzlement of more than $518,000 in Malden Treasury property tax receipts while working as a Malden city employee , according to Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone.

Common Cause honors Salem, others, for municipal transparency

Common Cause Massachusetts released the findings of its annual survey of municipal web sites on Wednesday and will present its 2010 e-Government Award to 180 cities and towns on Tuesday, March 16, at 11 a.m. in hearing room A-1 at the State House.

Plymouth’s CPA debate

Plymouth voters adopted the Community Preservation Act in 2002, which implemented a 1.5 percent surcharge on property taxes. The CPA program requires that 10 percent of funds collected go toward open space purchases, another 10 percent go toward historic preservation and that 10 percent go toward affordable housing. The rest may be spent on any or all of the above.

Gov. Paterson seeks to stay in charge

Wednesday March 10, 2010 NEW YORK (AP) -- Gov. David Paterson was adamant about governing Monday, taking questions from the public at a town hall meeting and trying to make clear his authority to negotiate a state budget amid two scandals that threaten his job.
Read more [Berkshire Eagle - Top Headlines]

War, taxes, finance system rob our wealth

The March 1 Sentinel & Enterprise contains several articles associated by unfortunate omission: theft of the people's wealth.
Read more [Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise - Letters to Editor]

Creem: Legislature must honor commitment to special education

FY11 is going to be a difficult budget year — the state has not yet recovered from the fiscal economic crisis and as the budget process continues, painful cuts will need to occur. Despite our fiscal difficulties, our obligation to provide all of the commonwealth’s students with a quality education continues.

Newton retirement board heading on Vegas junket

Two members of Newton’s Retirement Board plan to spend about $5,000 of taxpayer money to attend a conference in Las Vegas this spring, a trip that is drawing sharp criticism from Mayor Setti Warren.

House cuts in local aid may hit 5%

House leaders prepared members in a closed session yesterday for a politically unpleasant effort to reduce state aid to cities and towns in the budget proposal expected to emerge in mid-April. House Democrats said the local aid cut in the House Ways and Means Committee budget could hit 5 percent.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

House cuts in local aid may hit 5%

House leaders prepared members in a closed session yesterday for a politically unpleasant effort to reduce state aid to cities and towns in the budget proposal expected to emerge in mid-April. House Democrats said the local aid cut in the House Ways and Means Committee budget could hit 5 percent.



Read more [Boston Globe - City / Region]

Court security hindered by budget cuts, bar says

The Boston Bar Association, in a report issued yesterday, is calling into question the security of the state’s courthouses because of budget cuts.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Court security hindered by budget cuts, bar says

The Boston Bar Association, in a report issued yesterday, is calling into question the security of the state’s courthouses because of budget cuts.



Read more [Boston Globe - City / Region]

Wareham superintendent fires back at selectman who criticized budget

WAREHAM — Selectman Brenda Eckstrom "made assumptions with the wrong numbers" when she criticized the school budget, Superintendent Barry Rabinovitch says.

Westport Town Meeting approves school funds

WESTPORT — After several weeks of uncertainty regarding the immediate financial future of the district, voters Monday night decisively passed an article authorizing the transfer of $141,103 in stabilization funds to plug a school budget deficit.

House prepares local aid cut

House leaders prepared members in a closed session Tuesday for a politically unpleasant effort to reduce state aid to cities and towns in the budget proposal expected to emerge in mid-April.

Letter: Stabilization Fund is a veil for overrides

To the editor:

We have recently learned that the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District (HWRSD) is contemplating putting a warrant into Hamilton and Wenham Town Meeting warrants requesting a “Stabilization Fund” be added as a line item in the HWRSD annual budget.

The school department does not need two maintenance accounts — they need to properly manage the existing maintenance account.

Letter: Stabilization Fund is a veil for overrides

To the editor:

We have recently learned that the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District (HWRSD) is contemplating putting a warrant into Hamilton and Wenham Town Meeting warrants requesting a “Stabilization Fund” be added as a line item in the HWRSD annual budget.

The school department does not need two maintenance accounts — they need to properly manage the existing maintenance account.

Massachusetts House prepares local aid cut

House leaders prepared members in a closed session Tuesday for a politically unpleasant effort to reduce state aid to cities and towns in the budget proposal expected to emerge in mid-April.The cut could hit 5 percent.

Massachusetts House prepares local aid cut

House leaders prepared members in a closed session Tuesday for a politically unpleasant effort to reduce state aid to cities and towns in the budget proposal expected to emerge in mid-April.The cut could hit 5 percent.

Massachusetts House prepares local aid cut

House leaders prepared members in a closed session Tuesday for a politically unpleasant effort to reduce state aid to cities and towns in the budget proposal expected to emerge in mid-April.The cut could hit 5 percent.

Mass. Senate approves Lawrence finance bill

The Massachusetts Senate approved a bill Tuesday allowing the city of Lawrence to float up to $35 million in municipal bonds to balance its budget after rejecting a GOP amendment to immediately place the city under a state-appointed finance control board.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Massachusetts Senate approves Lawrence finance bill

BOSTON (AP) and mdash; The Massachusetts Senate approved a bill today allowing the city of Lawrence to float up to $35 million in municipal bonds to balance its budget after rejecting a GOP amendment to immediately place the city under a state-appointed finance control board.
Read more [Eagle Tribune]

Miller: Suze Orman economics and the FY11 budget

Any column about the FY11 budget needs to begin with kudos to interim Superintendent Marini and his staff for bringing in a really well-put-together budget that minimizes many very painful cuts.

School budget, naming article on March 11 selectmen's meeting agenda--REVISED

The revised school budget and proposed naming article are on the March 11 selectmen’s agenda.

Taxes trouble Celtics sign site

A Boston Celtics banner hanging on a vacant building across from TD Garden is in violation of city rules but the...
Read more [Boston Herald - Regional News & Opinion]

Southeastern regional staff faces furloughs, layoffs

Superintendent Luis G. Lopes will present a preliminary budget to the Southeastern Regional Technical Vocational School Committee tonight that proposes unpaid furloughs for administrators, cuts nine teaching positions and reduces bus transportation.

Trail of unpaid bills could cloud Mihos’s image as fiscal watchdog

In his second campaign for governor, businessman Christy Mihos characterizes himself as a watchdog of taxpayers’ money. Yet the multimillionaire Republican is struggling with financial troubles: A bank rejected his company’s request for a line of credit, and he’s bounced multiple checks and repeatedly failed to pay business suppliers and political staffers.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Southeastern regional staff faces furloughs, layoffs

Superintendent Luis G. Lopes will present a preliminary budget to the Southeastern Regional Technical Vocational School Committee tonight that proposes unpaid furloughs for administrators, cuts nine teaching positions and reduces bus transportation.

Company’s purchase of N.H. college could earn it $1 billion

ITT Educational Services Inc. paid $20.8 million for debt-ridden Daniel Webster College in June. In return, the company obtained an academic credential that may generate a taxpayer-funded bonanza worth as much as $1 billion.



Read more [Boston Globe - City / Region]

GOP seeks control board for Lawrence

BOSTON The four Republicans in the Senate are pushing to require the state to immediately appoint a control board to take over Lawrence’s finances. Republicans said they will file an amendment today when the Senate is scheduled to debate a bill that would allow Lawrence to seek an additional $35 million in bonds to balance its budget. The bill approved ...
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

GOP seeks control board for Lawrence

BOSTON The four Republicans in the Senate are pushing to require the state to immediately appoint a control board to take over Lawrence’s finances. Republicans said they will file an amendment today when the Senate is scheduled to debate a bill that would allow Lawrence to seek an additional $35 million in bonds to balance its budget. The bill approved ...



Read more [Boston Globe - City / Region]

Company’s purchase of N.H. college could earn it $1 billion

ITT Educational Services Inc. paid $20.8 million for debt-ridden Daniel Webster College in June. In return, the company obtained an academic credential that may generate a taxpayer-funded bonanza worth as much as $1 billion.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Mayors aim for ballot with health cost relief plan

Over 20 mayors and municipal officials from across the state are plotting an end-run around Beacon Hill, taking to voters a bid to relieve local budgets by wresting control of employee health plans from labor unions.

Massachusetts gaming bill calls for 2 casinos and racetrack slots in Raynham

A House bill that would expand gaming in the state, calls for two resort casinos and a limited number of slots at the state’s four racetracks, including Raynham Park.

Not much left to cut in Bridgewater senior center budget

Bridgewater Director of Elder Affairs Lorraine Carrozza said her budget would have to more than double after years of steep cuts for her department to once again function properly as “a home away from home” for Bridgewater’s 4,100 seniors.

LETTER: Poorest citizens’ dental benefits targeted by state

When Governor Patrick announced his budget recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year, I knew that it would contain significant cuts to important state-funded programs. It was just a matter of finding out who would suffer the most.

Needham Schools receive budget presentation award

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada is pleased to announce that Needham Public Schools has received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget.

Nauset budget finalized

Nauset Regional School Committee last week approved a $17.6 million budget for next year that is rife with cuts at both the middle and high schools, while still holding out hope that the teachers union would agree to concessions.

Abington fire chief predicts lessened public safety with budget cuts

Fire Chief Arthur H. Pelland said that under the staff cuts proposed in a “worst-case” scenario town budget, only two firefighters would respond to a building fire under some circumstances, making it too dangerous for them to attack a fire from within.
Read more [Brockton Enterprise - News]

Northampton gives tax break to Coca Cola

Northampton has offered Coca-Cola Co. a nearly $35,000 tax break to coax the soft drink giant to expand a plant adding 40 jobs and a new product.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Meals tax brings in more revenue than expected

Communities that have taken the authority offered by the Massachusetts Legislature to impose a meals tax have generally found they are bringing in more revenue than expected.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Businesses, neighbors of Raynham Park hope slot machines bring jackpot

Many business owners and residents of Raynham and neighboring communities took notice when House Speaker Robert DeLeo announced last week that he is going to sponsor a bill that allows slot machines at all four Massachusetts race tracks, in addition to two resort casinos.

Budget picture worries Abington residents

Interim Library Director Deborah Grimmett said library users will be among the biggest casualties of a fiscal 2011 town budget scenario in which the library loses its state certification and essential services.
Read more [Brockton Enterprise - News]

COMMENTARY: Legislation can jump-start gambling

Sen. Marc Pacheco: I believe that a combination of slots at the tracks and full-fledged resort casinos is the best scenario for the commonwealth.

Schools may seek override to avoid cuts

Residents in Groton and Dunstable will likely face a Proposition 2 1/2 override vote this spring to avoid deep budget reductions in the schools that officials say would increase class sizes, cut elective programs, and scale back support services.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

LETTERS: Were tax dollars spent wisely on Christy Lane?

Were tax dollars spent wisely on Christy Lane?

Commercial property skews the figures

After looking at the various ways of analyzing the data, Finance Director Gerry Missal said that around Massachusetts, towns that have solid commercial tax bases are pulling away from other towns in terms of per pupil funding.

Analysis: Officials using selective per pupil funding data

During each budget cycle for the last decade or so, charts comparing Belmont’s public school per pupil funding with a number of hand-selected towns have been included in the school department’s budget packet.

Schools' request for another $150,000 goes to voters

WESTPORT — A special Town Meeting will be held at Westport High School on Tuesday to determine the town's course of action on a single heated issue: the immediate budgetary future of the Westport School District.

Senate Republicans advocate control board for Lawrence

LAWRENCE and mdash; State Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei said the city of Lawrence shouldn't be allowed to borrow any money to balance its budget without a state takeover of its finances. The Wakefield Republican said the Massachusetts Senate Republican Caucus will file an amendment to the Lawrence financial assistance bill to require "the immediate appointment of a finance control board to manage the city's finances."
Read more [Eagle Tribune]

Latino livery taxis battle cabbies in central Mass.

A turf war between licensed taxis and livery drivers has taken on ethnic overtones in central Massachusetts. Two...
Read more [Boston Herald - Regional News & Opinion]

Latino livery taxis battle cabbies in central Mass

A turf war between licensed taxis and livery drivers has taken on ethnic overtones in central Massachusetts, as two Latino-owned companies popular in immigrant neighborhoods in Worcester face the threat of shutdown if they don't pay thousands in fines.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Speaker DeLeo visits Cape, talks casinos

Just a day after Speaker of the House, Robert DeLeo announced his support for a two-casino plan for the state, he made a visit to Hyannis.

Sitting in: Smile for the cameras...pay up

Several days after my Sitting In column about the ongoing chipping away of Americans’ freedoms ran, I read about the plans to install surveillance cameras on Inn and State streets, and along the waterfront.

 On some level, I wasn’t surprised.

 We are rapidly moving toward a surveillance society in which the government and law enforcement will be peering ever deeper into our lives, whether the ways in which they do so meet constitutional muster or not.

 What did surprise me was how little questioning there has been by Newburyporters regarding the need for this in the Clipper City, and whether or not there is any empirical data proving there is a genuine benefit to be gained by ordinary citizens, in exchange for them agreeing to allow their every downtown movement to be under the watchful eye of “Big Brother.”

 I mean, think about it.

 Virtually every restaurant in Newburyport is chock full of video and surveillance cameras watching employees and customers alike. But that doesn’t stop some employees from over-serving customers or not checking the IDs of people they should. Nor does it stop some customers from over-indulging or meeting their extra-marital paramours in public restaurants and bars, even though, on some level, they have to be aware that everything they are doing is being recorded for posterity, not to mention for a possible subpoena in a nasty divorce or alienation of affection case.

 Given that reality, does anyone really think the presence of video cameras is going to stop some 40-something, bourgeois bohemian’s (Bobo’s) precious, can-do-no-wrong, 15-year-old, “Bobo Prince Trevor,” who’s smoked a little ganja, from expressing his love for his equally precious and equally infallible “Bobo Princess Olivia” on the rocks by the Inn Street fountain, or on the boardwalk along the waterfront with a can of spray paint?

 If anyone does, well, the great showman P.T. Barnum had a name for you people who, he believed, were born every minute.

 Here in Costa Rica, the capital city of San Jose ‑ especially at its downtown center ‑ is under near blanket-camera surveillance, but the streets of San Jose remain extremely dangerous, even in the middle of the day.

 There is absolutely no evidence to suggest the presence of the cameras has done anything to prevent crime, nor is there much evidence to suggest the presence of the cameras has done much to solve crimes either.

 But the people of San Jose are under the constant surveillance of their government and law enforcement officials.

 I can only speak for myself, but I find that more than unsettling; I find it creepy.

 Is that what Newburyporters really want for the Clipper City, especially when ‑ no offense meant, folks ‑ serious crime worries in Newburyport are, how shall I put this, rare to non-existent?

 My final question is; “Is this really about fighting crime, or are the cameras simply a new venue through which the city hopes to raise revenue?”

 Think about it. A resident or tourist misses a trash barrel and lets his napkin and hot dog folder from Shirley’s fall to the ground and, back at “Command Central,” the monitor of the “Big Brother” screens immediately dispatches a bicycle cop to confront this criminal, write out a ticket and, BINGO, the city takes in 25 or 50 bucks on a littering citation.

 Here’s another scenario. Before I left to come back to Costa Rica last July, I very often, and very early, went to P.I. Coffee Roasters in Hilton’s yard, got a cup of java, and walked the early morning waterfront.

 I met some wonderful people, dog lovers like me, who were also enjoying a good cup of “Joe,” who gathered each morning at 6 or 6:30 to enjoy the serenity of the waterfront with their fellow residents and their dogs.

 Conscientious dog owners, they were fully equipped with poop bags. But, at shortly after the crack of dawn, they would allow their dogs to romp together freely while they kibitzed about local politics, tax rates and all the sundry other issues that get genuine New Englanders’ knickers in a knot.

 Once those cameras go in, I suspect all that early-morning canine and human camaraderie will come to a grinding halt. I also suspect there’s some bean counter at City Hall already spending the money all those new citations will bring in, thanks to the not-so-benevolent presence of the Clipper City’s version of “Big Brother.”

 How sad it all is, and how hypocritical it is for Newburyport’s overwhelmingly liberal political class to pretend it’s about fighting crime when, in reality, it’s about raising revenue.

 So in the pursuit of money, another layer of our cherished American freedoms, things we once may have taken for granted, is being stripped away.

 It all makes me think Ben Franklin was right when he said, and I’m paraphrasing, that a people willing to surrender their liberty in pursuit of security deserves neither.

I never would have imagined “Big Brother” could gain such a foothold so easily, in Newburyport, of all places!

 Michael Cook lives in Puerto Viejo de Limon, Costa Rica, and Newburyport.

House Speaker DeLeo’s gaming expansion plans gives slots to Raynham Park

Legislation would provide for slots at tracks, including Raynham Park, and two casinos.

SouthCoast legislators weigh in on DeLeo's casino proposal

The Standard-Times contacted 10 local legislators seeking their comments on House Speaker Robert DeLeo's announcement that he intended to seek no more than two casinos in the state. Here is what they had to say.

Area legislators won't bet on DeLeo's casino plan

Few area lawmakers are embracing House Speaker Robert DeLeo's latest gambling proposal, which calls for two resort casinos as well as slot machines at the state's four race tracks.

Capital projects picked for funding

In these lean times, the Capital Outlay Committee is proposing an overall $1.2 million capital budget, far lower than the $3.27 million requested by town departments and the school department, combined, for Fiscal 2011, which begins July 1, 2010.

School budget, naming article on March 11 selectmen’s agenda

The selectmen continue to meet Thursday evenings instead of their usual Tuesday night sessions.

Taunton elementary school may be closed to cut budget deficit

Many in the Maxham Elementary School community are shocked and saddened by news that the 56-year-old school could potentially be closed to help the cash-strapped Taunton school district make up a large budget deficit.

Granlund cartoon: Taxpayers' Oscar

Dave Granlund cartoon on taxpayers with the best supporting role Oscar.

Granlund cartoon: Taxpayers' Oscar

Dave Granlund cartoon on taxpayers with the best supporting role Oscar.

Granlund cartoon: Taxpayers' Oscar

Dave Granlund cartoon on taxpayers with the best supporting role Oscar.

Granlund cartoon: Taxpayers' Oscar

Dave Granlund cartoon on taxpayers with the best supporting role Oscar.

Speaker would limit casinos

House Speaker Robert DeLeo says more than two casinos in Massachusetts would dilute the product, a restriction that many in SouthCoast fear would close the curtain on one in this area.

DeLeo pushes slots, casinos

Friday March 5, 2010 BOSTON -- House Speaker Robert DeLeo reignited the debate over expanded gambling in Massachusetts on Thursday, proposing to build two casinos and add slot machines at the state's four race tracks to generate badly needed revenue and create jobs for blue-collar workers.
Read more [Berkshire Eagle - Top Headlines]

Bridgewater Town Clerk says he can’t afford elections under selectman’s budget

The town clerk says if his department doesn’t get an additional $21,000 above the selectmen’s suggested budget, he would not be able to afford any elections or town meetings.

Budget to include high health care costs

TOWNSEND -- Town Administrator Gregory W. Barnes told the Finance Committee Thursday there will be a couple of so-called accelerators in town budget for fiscal year 2011, including rising health care costs and salary issues.
Read more [Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise - Local News]

Legislators have slots to consider

BOSTON -- Local lawmakers began to craft careful positions on casinos and slot machines Thursday after House Speaker Robert DeLeo doubled down on gambling as a way to generate revenue for the cash-strapped state and create new jobs for "blue-collar"
Read more [Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise - Local News]

Springfield company agrees to stay in city

A manufacturer of stainless steel hose has agreed to stay in Springfield in exchange for a special tax incentive authorized by the city.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

House Speaker DeLeo’s gaming expansion plans gives slots to Raynham Park

Legislation would provide for slots at tracks, including Raynham Park, and two casinos.

House Speaker DeLeo’s gaming expansion plans gives slots to Raynham Park

Legislation would provide for slots at tracks, including Raynham Park, and two casinos.

OUR VIEW: Don't bet against us

If Massachusetts decides to license casinos — a move still fraught with pitfalls — one of them belongs in the southeastern part of the state.

'There’s a lot of pain' in Newton’s $168M school budget

Next year’s proposed school budget of $168.2 million won’t cut teachers and will keep class sizes and curriculum stable. But that’s based on razor-thin margins and dependent on no cost-of-living increases, cutting lunch service and getting $1.8 million in state aid.

COMMENTARY: School budget double standard

As we approach the Selectmen’s March 4, meeting to discuss and finalize their proposed FY 2011 town budget, it is becoming obvious to many that the school department will likely succeed in not taking the instructed 5.2 percent reduction...

HINGHAM EDITORIAL: Tax law came from the people

It’s hard to believe that more than a generation of Massachusetts residents have been born since Proposition 2-1/2 became law some 30 years ago.

School uniforms to be on agenda

FAIRHAVEN — Hastings Middle School uniforms will be on the agenda for the School Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 10, Superintendent Robert Baldwin said last week. Also on the agenda will be the first presentation of the school budget for the...

Bridgewater Town Clerk says he can’t afford elections under selectman’s budget

The town clerk says if his department doesn’t get an additional $21,000 above the selectmen’s suggested budget, he would not be able to afford any elections or town meetings.