News Roundup

No bonuses this time for Tsongas staffers

BOSTON -- U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas said Thursday she would return $75,000 in unspent funds from her congressional office budget last year to taxpayers, a shift from a year ago when she used her leftover money to reward staff with year-end bonuses.
Read more [Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise - Local News]

Mass. faces another budget shortfall

State officials say Massachusetts is facing a new budget gap of up to $295 million this year that could mean another round of cuts before the fiscal year ends in June.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

East Bridgewater superintendent to present slimmed down budget

Superintendent Susan Cote will present a school budget next week that includes a 7 percent cut requested by the town administrator.
Read more [Brockton Enterprise - News]

Freetown-Lakeville school officials outline possible cuts

LAKEVILLE — There still aren't any firm numbers as officials await word on state local aid, but the school budget picture in Lakeville and Freetown has plenty of people worrying about worst-case scenarios.

Wheelchair sting puts city’s taxis to the test

Steven Howard rolled his battered wheelchair up Boylston Street to the line of cabs parked outside the Prudential Center.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

More cuts loom as state faces $295m in red ink

Massachusetts is potentially facing a new budget gap of up to $295 million this year, a grim forecast that state officials said could spell yet another round of painful cuts before the fiscal year ends in June.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

DeLeo: $200M local aid cut is likely

The high end of a local aid cut estimate legislative leaders released late last week will likely materialize in the final budget, House Speaker Robert DeLeo said Sunday.

H&R Block open house/free tax talk

The public is invited to an open house/tax talk on Saturday, March 20 at 11 a.m. at the Saugus H&R Block branch.

Holbrook Sound Off

This is in regard to the expected cut in local aid. I guess our finance committee, board of selectmen, and Town Meeting are going to have to do what was requested of them several years ago. They’re going to have to cut back. You listened to the music and now you’re going to have to pay the piper, so do what you have to do with no sacred cows. I have to live within my budget, and the town should, too.

Holbrook Sound Off

This is in regard to the expected cut in local aid. I guess our finance committee, board of selectmen, and Town Meeting are going to have to do what was requested of them several years ago. They’re going to have to cut back. You listened to the music and now you’re going to have to pay the piper, so do what you have to do with no sacred cows. I have to live within my budget, and the town should, too.

Inert grenade discovered in woods outside Mansfield school

Mansfield High School baseball team members made an explosive discovery Thursday afternoon when they stumbled upon an inert grenade while holding team tryouts at Jordan/Jackson Elementary School.

Milford selectmen candidates discuss finances

The two candidates in the selectmen's race squared off last night, talking about issues such as budget woes, municipal services and Fourth of July fireworks.

Letter to the editor: Key points need to be addressed for laptops

Buried in the midst of this year’s Wayland capital budget was $150,000 designated for a laptop initiative for the Wayland Public Schools. With this money, the School Department intended to purchase laptop computers and distribute them to all freshmen at Wayland High School. Fortunately, the Finance Committee rejected this expenditure – due to the lack of an implementation plan.

Survey finds "strong" support for casinos among Bay State residents

Slightly more than half of Massachusetts residents support House Speaker Robert DeLeo’s proposal to license two casinos in the state and allow for some slot machines at race tracks, according to a survey by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s Center for Policy Analysis.

Survey finds 'strong' support for casinos among Bay State residents

Slightly more than half of Massachusetts residents support House Speaker Robert DeLeo’s proposal to license two casinos in the state and allow for some slot machines at race tracks, according to a survey by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s Center for Policy Analysis.

Lupini: Brookline school budget ‘in the game’ with revenue projections

Superintendent William Lupini said the schools’ proposed budget for next year is “in the game” of projected state aid revenues for fiscal 2011.

Some Hingham property owners facing tax liens

In January, Hingham had 68 parcels with tax liens placed on them. While Montgomery said these represent less than one percent of the town’s total assessed parcels, the number is higher this year than in the past few years. In 2009 the town placed liens on 19 properties in contrast to 6 in 2006; 3 in 2007; and 12 in 2008. However, 6, 1, 2, and 6 of these respectively were subsequently paid or redeemed.

Letter: Reform drug sentencing laws

To the editor:

As the Legislature starts work on the 2011 budget, taxpayers should know that the state could save millions and improve public safety at the same time by reforming our drug sentencing laws. Non-violent drug offenders can, and many do, serve longer sentences than violent criminals —often 10 and 15 years, even longer — even if they aren’t a danger to the public or need treatment instead of prison. These prisoners are also not allowed to participate in work release programs which would provide them with skills and a job that would allow them to pay taxes and provide for their families upon release.

It costs $47,000/year to keep each state prisoner incarcerated, which could pay a year’s salary for an entry level teacher in many communities. It costs about $35,000/year for each county prisoner, the same as a year’s salary for a youth services caseworker or a state police dispatcher.

In 2009, the Senate passed a sentencing reform bill that would allow drug offenders to apply for parole. This bill was supported by the Executive Office of Public Safety, the Department of Correction, the Parole Board and several county sheriffs. These people work closely with inmates and know it makes sense to give drug offenders who have proven to the parole board that they are capable for rehabilitation the chance to return to their communities to support their families. Allowing the Parole Board the ability to supervise these inmates upon release helps ends the revolving door of ex-offenders who go back to prison.

The House needs to pass a bill similar to the one passed by the Senate in November. Please tell your state representative that you want your tax dollars spent more wisely, and ask them to support this legislation.

Jessica Rung
Ives Street
Beverly

Weighing costs

At a time when many communities are struggling to keep teachers in classrooms and programs intact, voters in Natick are preparing to vote on requested tax increases for not one but two major projects — an $89 million high school, and a $10 million community and senior center.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

LETTER: If state grants casinos, Aquinnah should get one

If state grants casinos, Aquinnah should get one

Legislative leaders say local aid could be cut by $200 million

Budget debate looks at cutting local aid, which Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed maintaining at the same level as this year.

Letter: Wellesley library’s repair program a model for the state

I have sadly learned of the cut to the Preservation budget of Wellesley Free Library. As the former consultant who developed the repair program, I would like to express my concern for the cut and its impact on the condition of the circulating collections in Wellesley Free Library. Because I work as the conservator for the MIT Libraries, which is budgeting a 9 percent cut for FY11, I am well aware of the impact of the economy on library operations. However, the modest costs of the preservation program are more than offset by savings in the acquisitions and processing budgets when heavily used books are replaced.

Letter: Response to Wellesley selectmen’s guest commentary on land purchase

 Tthere are times when town officials make decisions, that regardless of how well meaning and well intentioned, should not only be questioned, but challenged.

I believe that the decision made by the Board of Selectmen to have executed a purchase and sale agreement for 494 Washington Street, is one of those. This transaction, if allowed to pass, will result in the transfer of private property to the public domain, at a price that is nearly 60 percent over the current assessed value of the property. This matter should rightfully come under the close scrutiny of all of the taxpayers in the community.

Newton Retirement Board upholds vote to send two to Vegas

Taxpayers will foot the bill for two members of Newton's Retirement Board to attend a conference in Las Vegas in May, despite a revote taken today at the request of Mayor Setti Warren.

Georgetown School Committee approves budget increase

At its March 11 meeting, the Georgetown School Committee approved the district’s budget for the 2011 school year. The $12,018,675 budget represents a 9.94 percent increase from the previous year, but there are still a number of cuts that had to be made, including the elimination of the family and consumer science program at the middle high school.

Raynham awaits budget’s ‘biggest wild card’

The town won’t get a good look at the state of its 2011 budget until the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District settles on its spending plan for the coming year.

Hingham selectmen recommend raising meals tax

The board voted to support the idea in principle, but it will hold another discussion and vote on the details at its meeting on Thursday, March 18. The Advisory Committee will discuss the meals tax tonight, March 17, and plans to hold its vote on March 22. A majority vote at the April 26 annual Town Meeting would be required for the tax to become law, with collections beginning on July 1.

Developer visits Beacon Hill to push for casinos

The developer proposing to build a resort casino in Milford said Tuesday he's been trying to drum up support among lawmakers for his project and for expanded gambling statewide.

Developer pushes for casinos on Beacon Hill

The developer proposing to build a resort casino in Milford yesterday said he's been trying to drum up support among lawmakers for both his project and expanded gambling statewide.

Developer pushes for casinos on Beacon Hill

The developer proposing to build a resort casino in Milford yesterday said he's been trying to drum up support among lawmakers for both his project and expanded gambling statewide.

Woodward: Changes in the FinCom section of town warrant

There are some noticeable changes to the Finance Committee section of the town warrant (the "FC" pages) this year.  The objective is to provide taxpayers with the same historical trend information regarding operating expenses and metrics that the FinCom uses to evaluate the budget proposals and to provide more detail on the most significant budget data.

Bridgewater selectman candidate was two years tardy on East Bridgewater taxes

Bridgewater selectman candidate Milton E. “Bud” Morris appeared on a list of delinquent property taxpayers recently released by the East Bridgewater treasurer-collector’s office.Morris has since paid the $5,714.93 bill on Feb. 22, but the bill was two years past due at the time he paid it, according to the East Bridgewater treasurer-collector’s office.

Westport ballot includes Proposition 2½ override question

WESTPORT — A stabilization fund transfer approved at a special Town Meeting last week will take care of the Westport School District's financial woes for the remainder of the school year.

Morris was two years tardy on East Bridgewater taxes

Bridgewater selectman candidate Milton E. “Bud” Morris appeared on a list of delinquent property taxpayers recently released by the East Bridgewater treasurer-collector’s office.Morris has since paid the $5,714.93 bill on Feb. 22, but the bill was two years past due at the time he paid it, according to the East Bridgewater treasurer-collector’s office.

Narrow vote moves fund proposal to Town Meetings

The most contested business item of last week’s School Committee meeting was the discussion surrounding the committee’s suggestion to establish a stabilization fund. The committee first discussed this idea last year but took no action on it during last spring’s Town Meetings to prevent distraction from the budget discussions. A few committee members were still hesitant about the suggestion, and the move passed by a 4-3 vote.

Narrow vote moves fund proposal to Town Meetings

The most contested business item of last week’s School Committee meeting was the discussion surrounding the committee’s suggestion to establish a stabilization fund. The committee first discussed this idea last year but took no action on it during last spring’s Town Meetings to prevent distraction from the budget discussions. A few committee members were still hesitant about the suggestion, and the move passed by a 4-3 vote.

Calif. lawmakers to receive JFK Courage award

Four California lawmakers who led a bipartisan effort to solve the state's budget crisis have been named to receive the annual John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Legislative leaders say local aid could be cut by $200 million

Budget debate looks at cutting local aid, which Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed maintaining at the same level as this year.

Leary: Give plastic bags the sack

Ireland taxed them in 2002. San Francisco banned them in 2007. And China outlawed their free distribution in 2008. We’re talking about conventional plastic shopping bags.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF: Senate President Therese Murray outlines pro-business tax incentives

Developer scales back residential tower plan in South Boston; Milton Hospital opens a new sleep center; State officials seek to extend moratorium on utility shut-offs.
Read more [Raynham Call - News]

Creem: Legislature needs to honor commitment to special education

State legislators are now busy preparing our budget priority lists for upcoming debate on the FY11 budget. As a member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, I recently met with the chair to emphasize my communities’ top priority, state aid for education through the Special Education ‘circuit breaker’ and Local Aid items.

Schools, budget debated in Sudbury

Structural deficit, quality of education, budget deficit and adopting the state's group insurance program were some of the subjects debated at last night's Candidates Night, sponsored by League of Women Voters of Sudbury.

Lowe Cape school budgets being squeezed

Brewster Selectman Ed Lewis attended the Nauset Regional School Committee meeting last week and reported back to the board.

OPINION: Forever green is not good enough

Rules are rules, and if Brockton car wash owner Ronen Drory has to tear up his property and make it look ugly, then so be it. That, at least, seems to be the attitude of a state Land Court judge, City Councilor Thomas Brophy and other city officials who have wasted taxpayer money trying to keep a good business down.

Westminster Fire Department told to cut budget by 2 percent

WESTMINSTER -- The Advisory Board and the Board of Selectmen have agreed an additional $16,880 must be cut from the Fire Department's budget, according to Ken Burstall, chairman of the Advisory Board.
Read more [Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise - Local News]

Border security ex-official’s trial starts

A former top official for the US Department of Homeland Security in Boston violated a law she had taken an oath to uphold by encouraging a Brazilian housekeeper who was an illegal immigrant to stay in the country, a federal prosecutor told a jury yesterday.



Read more [Boston Globe - City / Region]

Courts consolidation could save state up to $10m in budget

Gloucester District Court may be consolidated with Salem District Court in a cost-saving move, as state officials search for ways to address as much as $10 million in court-related budget cuts next year.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Courts consolidation could save state up to $10m in budget

Gloucester District Court may be consolidated with Salem District Court in a cost-saving move, as state officials search for ways to address as much as $10 million in court-related budget cuts next year.



Read more [Boston Globe - City / Region]

State reps.: Film tax credits create jobs and stoke economy

As we begin the fiscal 2011 budget debate, it is imperative that we identify our successful and growing economic engines that create and provide jobs in the commonwealth during the worst economic recession since the Great Depression.

Legislative leaders say local aid could be cut by $200 million

Budget debate looks at cutting local aid, which Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed maintaining at the same level as this year.

States go all in, expand gaming to plug the budget

Faced with a drop in gambling revenue, states are adding games, considering new casinos and increasing lottery options -- anything to keep their cut of the profits rolling in.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Beacon Hill Roll Call: Senate votes to allow city of Lawrence to borrown $35 million

Senate 31-4, approved a bill allowing the city of Lawrence to borrow up to $35 million to help balance its budget and solve its fiscal crisis.

Bridgewater looks to quarterly tax bills to solve borrowing needs

Pressure to make change grows with inabililty to borrow from Community Preservation

Koczera to discuss bill for aid to towns surrounding casino

ACUSHNET — If the dice are tossed on casinos in Massachusetts, the town doesn't want to come up with snake eyes.

School Committee faces budget dilemma

The School Committee will hold a public meeting tomorrow at 7 p.m. to hear residents' comments on next year's school budget.
Read more [Eagle Tribune]

Mixed results seen in jobs-creation program

Hundreds of companies that have received tax breaks under a Massachusetts job-creation incentive program created far fewer spots than promised and some even cut positions, according to a review of state records.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Ashland school board eliminates some cut options

The School Committee Thursday night began whittling down possible cuts to bridge the district's $273,000 budget gap, taking the elimination of the middle school world language program off the table.

Cut your grocery budget

Personal chef Karen Eddy says amateur cooks can save major bucks by boning up on basic skills. Her Boston Center...
Read more [Boston Herald - Regional News & Opinion]

Tax liens on the rise in cities

Tax liens in Fitchburg and Leominster rose in fiscal year 2009, and have fluctuated during the past several years, a sign of tough times for homeowners and developers, city officials said this week.
Read more [Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise - Local News]

Meals tax is food for thought

BOSTON -- To tax or not to tax. Communities early to adopt a local increase in the meals tax have found the revenue stream to be far more lucrative than expected since the option first became law last August.
Read more [Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise - Local News]

East Bridgewater farm struggles to pay back taxes

Beaver Brook Farms, which in recent years has offered pick-your-own pumpkins in October, is listed as owing slightly more than $42,000 to the town.

Voters to consider 3 debt proposals

Abington voters will consider three debt exclusions at the April 24 town election that would raise their taxes by $1.57 million and free up a bit of cash in next year’s budget. The debt exclusions would cover yearly loan payments that are now being made with available funds.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Library allies aim to shelve mass closings

Booklovers rallied to the cause of the Hub's inner-city libraries yesterday as a $3.6 million budget gap threatened...
Read more [Boston Herald - Regional News & Opinion]

Supporters not ready to close book on libraries

The Friends of the Boston Public Library staged a read-in yesterday at a branch in Roxbury and announced a plan to try to avert library closings by asking voters next year to approve a tax increase to fund the city’s libraries.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Town commended for using Web to aid transparency

A state watchdog agency recently recognized the town of Marblehead for using the Web to foster government transparency .

Bigs vow to adjust rents for park homes

State officials are moving to downsize a program that allows employees to get cheap, taxpayer-subsidized rent in...
Read more [Boston Herald - Regional News & Opinion]

Grim news from the top

Saturday March 13, 2010 BOSTON (AP) - Legislative budget leaders gave Massachusetts cities and towns grim news Friday, telling them to brace for a local aid cut of up to 4 percent in the coming budget year.
Read more [Berkshire Eagle - Top Headlines]

Lawmakers announce more local aid cuts

Legislative budget leaders gave Massachusetts cities and towns grim news Friday, telling them to brace for a local aid cut of up to 4 percent in the coming budget year.
Read more [Brockton Enterprise - News]

Mass. leaders warn of local aid cut up to 4 percent

BOSTON — Legislative budget leaders gave Massachusetts cities and towns grim news Friday, telling them to brace for a local aid cut of up to 4 percent in the coming budget year.

Latest school budget scenario

Town Meeting voters have the final say when the overall town budget, including the school budget, is presented on April 26.

State aid announcement still leaves Brookline officials with questions

Brookline officials say they still don’t know how today’s announced cut in state aid will affect the town budget.

Lawmakers announce local aid cut of "no more than" four percent

Cities and towns can expect a reduction in local aid of "no more than" 4 percent, House and Senate budget writers announced Friday afternoon.

Lawmakers announce local aid cut of "no more than" four percent

Cities and towns can expect a reduction in local aid of "no more than" 4 percent, House and Senate budget writers announced Friday afternoon.

Mass. leaders say local aid cut up to 4 percent

Legislative budget leaders gave Massachusetts cities and towns grim news Friday, telling them to brace for a local aid cut of up to 4 percent in the coming budget year.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Lawmakers announce local aid cut of "no more than" four percent

Cities and towns can expect a reduction in local aid of "no more than" 4 percent, House and Senate budget writers announced Friday afternoon.

Friday afternoon local aid cut announcement?

Legislative leaders, who are contemplating plans to cut local aid as part of budget-balancing efforts, indicated Thursday that they planned to make a fiscal 2011 local aid announcement, in lieu of the traditional resolution that is presented to House and Senate members.

No change this year in Miss. housing tax break law

A tax credit opposed by Mississippi's county officials because they say it gives certain housing developers too big of a break will remain on the books for at least another year.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Local aid a moving target

Hingham town departments were asked to present 5 percent budget reduction scenarios for the upcoming fiscal year.

Bill to cut Mass. film tax credits fails in committee

Legislation scaling back the state’s tax sweeteners for the film industry received a thumbs-down Thursday from the Legislature’s revenue committee. The committee voted unanimously, although Senate chairman Benjamin Downing voted to hold the bill for further consideration.

Warren asks Retirement Board to reconsider $5K Vegas vote

Mayor Setti Warren has asked Retirement Board Chairman Nunzio Piselli to reconsider its vote to send two board members a conference in Las Vegas in May. Piselli and City Comptroller David Wilkinson voted against the trip – which will cost taxpayers $5,000 -- at the board’s Feb. 24 meeting. Members Fran Capello and Paul Bianchi, who will be attending the annual conference, voted in favor of the trip, as did member Kimberly Fletcher.

Letter: Pushing the envelope at expense of other Wellesley residents

Many debt exclusions have been passed in the last 50 years, and each of those when the length of their term expired should have caused our taxes to be reduced. Yet I cannot recall those events ever being published or the residents informed of such. Last year, the Townsman published a list of heads of various town departments who were authorized to use a town-owned vehicle to drive and take home; however, they failed to list all the other town vehicles which are driven home by other employees and are said to be used for emergency on-call; and all those town-owned vehicles use the gas pumps at the DPW to fill their gas tanks.

Lewis: Facing another tough budget year

The global recession continues to deal a body blow to many Massachusetts families and businesses. Although the Massachusetts economy added jobs in January for the first time in 18 months, the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at 9.5 percent, just slightly below the national unemployment rate.

FinCom meeting rescheduled

TOWNSEND -- The Finance Committee is beginning its review of departmental budget requests for the next fiscal year but failed to reach a quorum of members Thursday and rescheduled its meeting to next Thursday.
Read more [Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise - Local News]

Mass. panel rejects effort to trim film tax break

A key legislative committee has unanimously rejected a bill that would have drastically cut the state's tax credit for the film industry.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

As costs soar, Mass. foresees change in health insurance rules

State regulators said yesterday that they will probably change the complex formula they use to determine how many Massachusetts residents face a tax penalty for not having health insurance, because spiraling costs are making coverage unaffordable for too many people.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

As costs soar, Mass. foresees change in health insurance rules

State regulators said yesterday that they will probably change the complex formula they use to determine how many Massachusetts residents face a tax penalty for not having health insurance, because spiraling costs are making coverage unaffordable for too many people.



Read more [Boston Globe - City / Region]

Bid to ax tax break for films rejected

A legislative committee yesterday rejected a bill that would have sharply curtailed the state’s tax credit for the film industry, saying the legislation would hurt a thriving industry that is one of the few bright spots in a dour Massachusetts economy.
Read more [Boston.com - Massachusetts News]

Bid to ax tax break for films rejected

A legislative committee yesterday rejected a bill that would have sharply curtailed the state’s tax credit for the film industry, saying the legislation would hurt a thriving industry that is one of the few bright spots in a dour Massachusetts economy.



Read more [Boston Globe - City / Region]

East Bridgewater schools looking at fee increases

School Superintendent Susan Cote outlined some fee increases Thursday to offset some of the budget cuts she is proposing to meet a 7 percent reduction in the school budget requested by the town.
Read more [Brockton Enterprise - News]

East Bridgewater schools looking at fee increases

School Superintendent Susan Cote outlined some fee increases Thursday to offset some of the budget cuts she is proposing to meet a 7 percent reduction in the school budget requested by the town.
Read more [Brockton Enterprise - Education]

Watchdog group honors Brockton area communities for municipal Web sites

About a dozen local cities and towns have been credited for the transparency of their Web sites by Common Cause.
Read more [Brockton Enterprise - News]

Ex-aide admits stealing lawmaker’s funds

The onetime campaign manager for former US Representative Chris Shays pleaded guilty yesterday to tax evasion and to taking more than $250,000 in campaign money to pay for car repairs, limousine rides, baseball tickets, furniture, and other personal expenses.



Read more [Boston Globe - City / Region]

Marini: Newton schools must work on fiscal 2012 budget 'now'

As school and city officials continue work on a $168.2 million proposed education budget for next year, Superintendent James Marini said the district must work on the 2012 budget now.

"Once we get to a (fiscal 2011) budget, I believe to my core that Newton will not have enough money next year" for fiscal 2012, said Marini, during a School Committee meeting on Thursday night.

House, Senate say to expect local aid cuts; SouthCoast expected, planned for them

Beacon Hill leaders are warning cities and towns to gird for possible cuts in local aid, but budget planners in several SouthCoast communities say they are already prepared.

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.

MacEntee: Town Meeting should lower CPA surcharge

Please attend Town Meeting and vote "YES" to lower the CPA surcharge on your tax bills.

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.

Budget woes will decide Horace Mann's fate

Selling the Horace Mann Lab School is just one option for managing the school budget, the mayor said this week.

Selectmen candidates discuss ways to fix budget problems

In the selectmen’s race for the one three-year seat, Bob Haarde takes on the board’s chairman, Bill Keller.

Fuhrman: What’s wrong with our School Committees?

With all the talk yet again about the need for a tax override, why are our School Committees and town leaders ignoring a cool $1 million opportunity? They are poisoned by a lack of leadership, pragmatism, and willingness to change.