To Talia: Glenn Marshall and the Abramoff Corruption Connection

Talia, you raised questions about casino gambling scandals and the sleaze surrounding Abramoff and the Mashpee Wampanoags.



The following articles posted below might be of interest to you.

Although it seems that Scott Ferson, mouthpiece for the international casino investors might have you believe this is a done deal, it appears Mr. Ferson's employers are loosing.

The lies surrounding the convicted rapist, Glenn Marshall have clearly been noticed, circulated and are being pursued.

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Sadly, periodic reports are made that rapist Marshall is actively involved in tribal affairs, or protecting the wealthy international casino investors and probably promises made to him.

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Hope he got those promises in writing, unlike Middleboro.

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He either doesn't have the sense to recognize his shame or he's too well-paid for his endeavors.

CCT: Tribe stays on fast track toward casino

CCT: Wampanoag Tribe meeting petition approved

Stolen Valor:
LINK
LINK

Town Residents PER TOWN EMPLOYEE

The following list has been circulated, posted, and widely misunderstood.

The list represents TOWN RESIDENTS PER TOWN EMPLOYEE.

This means Middleboro, with a 2006 Population estimated at 21,305, has 1,217 EMPLOYEES or 17.5 TOWN RESIDENTS PER EMPLOYEE.

THAT FIGURE INCLUDES CHILDREN.

We have little other than comparisons with other towns to indicate how poorly Middleboro is being managed.

In other places, those who would continue to excuse POOR MANAGEMENT sputter and spew about well, we have BETTER town services or we have a G&E, or they fabricate information.

The Annual Town Report indicates that the G&E has 52 employees. Do your own math. Not significant!

The DOR Report indicated that Middleboro HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH EMPLOYEES.

It was not for the DOR to tell you, the voter that there are places that can be cut.

Look around you.

Is this more MUSHROOM FARMING by a Board of Selectmen that prefers to keep you in the dark and fed a diet of manure?

Municipality 2006 Population Estimate Total Employees Population Per Municipal Employee

MIDDLEBOROUGH 21,305 1,217 17.5

ABINGTON 16,378 833 19.7

ACTON 20,586 1,041 19.8

BELMONT 23,308 1,426 16.3

BOURNE 19,224 981 19.6

BRIDGEWATER 25,695 401 64.1

BURLINGTON 24,895 807 30.8

CANTON 21,772 1,082 20.1

CARVER 11,578 361 32.1

DANVERS 25,833 851 30.4

DEDHAM 23,615 1,199 19.7

EASTON 23,031 783 29.4

GARDNER 20,805 867 24.0

HINGHAM 21,784 1,410 15.4

HUDSON 19,447 575 33.8

LUDLOW 21,951 891 24.6


MANSFIELD 23,096 793 29.1

MARBLEHEAD 20,231 1,121 18.0

MARSHFIELD 24,836 773 32.1

MELROSE 26,666 956 27.9

MILFORD 27,523 788 34.9

MILTON 25,902 625 41.4

NEEDHAM 28,368 888 31.9

NORTH ANDOVER 27,196 1,276 21.3

NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH 27,946 1,700 16.4

NORTON 19,242 588 32.7

PEMBROKE 18,739 484 38.7

READING 23,086 845 27.3

SANDWICH 20,508 1,246 16.5

SAUGUS 27,107 1,259 21.5

STONEHAM 21,471 803 26.7

STOUGHTON 26,901 1,291 20.8

WAKEFIELD 24,588 1,260 19.5

WALPOLE 23,165 630 36.8

WAREHAM 21,324 978 21.8

WINCHESTER 21,092 676 31.2

YARMOUTH 24,354 680 35.8

Additional Local Aid? Reduce Property Taxes?

With a stroke of the pen and sleight of hand, increased local aid went out the window!

Property tax relief?

Not this year!

Isn't this an election year? Hmmmmmmm......

Seeking to divert some state-held “rainy day” funding to local cities and towns, Massachusetts state representatives are putting up a bill that would transfer $450,000,000 into the state’s General Fund, which would then be disbursed to communities throughout the state. SpringfieldIntruder

Loscocco: Public must fight for needed state aid

By Paul J.P. Loscocco, Guest columnist
GHS
Wed Dec 26, 2007, 12:20 AM EST
Several weeks ago, with very little debate and even less public notice, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted a so-called "deficiency budget" which the governor promptly signed into law. With the stroke of a pen, nearly $450 million in new-found "surplus" funds was quietly spent during a single afternoon. Yet the message from Beacon Hill could not have been louder: there will be no additional local aid from the state this year to our struggling cities and towns.
In theory, a deficiency budget is supposed to use additional available funds to cover actual "deficiencies" in current spending during a fiscal year. In reality, despite the repeated "warnings" about a $1 billion budgetary shortfall, nearly $450 million in surplus funds was "found" and promptly spent on such critical new items as pay raises for elected constitutional officers, doubling the size of the Governor's Office in Washington, D.C., and (accounting for the bulk of the spending) the full funding of numerous union contracts.
Notwithstanding the staggering deficiencies in municipal budgets that all our local communities are experiencing, not one penny of the $450 million was spent that afternoon on additional municipal assistance. So much for all the talk on Beacon Hill about meaningful property tax relief. The Daily News Tribune

New Forum

The following was posted on the NEW FORUM.

To join the discussion or comment, click the link on the right of the screen.

Last year, when the Annual Town Report was being discussed, some may remember that the inclusion of sex offenders was made a big deal, and was ultimately included.

Little noticed, amidst the hysteria regarding the sex offenders, was the concern about enumerating the pay of certain town employees.

Of particular note during the discussions were police officers who work POLICE DETAILS.

Were those wages not itemized, their pay would appear unfairly distorted.

If you review the 2005 Annual Town Report (these represent 2 year old figures), you will find among the listings, these gross pay amounts (on pages 300-301):

Police Officer 88,411.00
Police Lieutenant 130,071.51
Police Sergeant 103,546.60
Police Sergeant 120,098.32
Police Officer 89,467.05
Police Officer 107,869.07
Police Officer 74,574.20
Police Officer 61,605.90
Police Officer 102,030.80
Police Officer 81,573.49
Police Officer 90,274.18
Police Lieutenant 144,134.34
Police Officer 77,859.12
Police Officer 85,326.47
Police Officer 83,414.49
Police Sergeant 87,368.79
Detective/Sergeant 132,870.15
Police Sergeant 110,241.86
Detective 94,597.18
Police Officer 83,582.21
Detective 100,954.67
Police Sergeant 110,091.35
Police Officer 107,164.69
Police Officer 119,941.82


On Pages 302 - 303, you will find the following among the listings, again gross pay amounts:

Fire Chief 87,161.72
Fire Captain 117,961.58
Fire Captain 87,676.71
Fire Captain 93,394.63
Fire Captain 80,428.74
Fire Captain 103,428.30
Deputy Chief 71,744.84

I have reviewed my 2006 copy of the Annual Town Report and find no listing of wages.

Perhaps those pages were omitted from my copy.

You can find a copy of the Annual Town Report in the Middleboro Public Library or in the Town Manager's Office.

Check for yourself.


'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.' Margaret Mead

Important Middleboro Dates

Nomination Papers for Middleboro's Annual Town Election will be available JANUARY 2, 2008.

Nomination Papers must be returned to the Town Clerk by FEBRUARY 19, 2008.

Middleboro's Annual Town Election will be held SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008.

A list that includes expiration of terms may be found on the Town's Web Site.


The Presidential Primary will be held TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2008.

The voter registration deadline for the PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY is JANUARY 16, 2008.

Massachusetts Energy Legislation

CCT EXTRA reports the following regarding important energy legislation as it winds its way through the legislative process:


Sanctuary amendment dropped from energy bill
By David Kibbe
Ottaway News Service
Massachusetts Senate leaders have drafted an energy bill that drops a House amendment to open Buzzards Bay and other ocean sanctuaries to what critics say would be unlimited renewable energy development. Inquirer & Mirror

Another filing Friday to override Cape Cod Commission
A formality in the process to undo a commission misstep Patriot Ledger

Journalism and the Media

"You know well that government always kept a kind of standing army of newswriters who, without any regard to truth or to what should be like truth, invented and put into the papers whatever might serve the ministers. This suffices with the mass of the people who have no means of distinguishing the false from the true paragraphs of a newspaper." --Thomas Jefferson to G. K. van Hogendorp, Oct. 13, 1785. (*) ME 5:181, Papers 8:632

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"Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.": Jefferson, Thomas 3rd President of the United States (1801-1809)

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"The closed door and the sealed lips are prerequisites to tyranny.": Stanton, Frank

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Having followed the issues surrounding media consolidation, the partisanship at the FCC and the loss of independence of opinion in the media, it was curious that the recent FCC changes received little public attention or outcry.

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One of several things that set the US apart historically from other nations was its Free Press.

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The Brockton EmptyPrize has gotten nothing but worse and offers little of substance in the way of local coverage, mostly superficial, conspicuously lacking.

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Media Nation recently commented Cross-ownership and new media and below are additional comments from assorted sources.

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Will we live to regret the homogenization of our news outlets?

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Media ownership rule tossed out December 18, 2007 FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission in a party-line, 3-2 vote, agreed Tuesday to overturn a 32-year-old ban and allow broadcasters in the nation’s 20 largest media markets to also own a newspaper. SunTimes

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Divided FCC eases media ownership curbs Reuters


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Free Press

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FCC commissioner Michael Copps vs. "Big Media"FCC chairman Kevin Martin wants to relax rules on how many media outlets one company can own in one market. Democratic commissioner Copps wants to rally the public to stop media consolidation.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/12/03/media_consolidation/index.html?source=newsletter

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CJR:
Journal Register Company: The Herald News (Fall River) Taunton Daily Gazette Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. Gloucester Daily Times The Daily News of Newburyport The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover) The Salem News Andover Townsman Town Crossings (Andover)

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The Haverhill Gazette Media News Group: Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield) Devens Commerce Journal The Groton Landmark The Harvard Hillside Lowell Sun North Adams Transcript Pepperell Free Press Sentinel and Enterprise (Fitchburg)

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Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_ownership

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http://www.mediachannel.org/ownership/front.shtml#chart


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Media Is the Key to Democracy
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“Today’s Decision Would Make George Orwell Proud”


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StopBigMedia

Municipal Job Openings

In order to understand Middleboro's fiscal situation, it's helpful to monitor other municipalities, their structures, their pay scales.

The following are listed on the MMA site:

City Auditor, City of Gloucester

The city of Gloucester is seeking applications for the position of City Auditor. This position is appointed by and reports to the city council. The Auditor is responsible for keeping the accounts of the city, maintaining the required financial records and the control of fund expenditures. The Auditor is also responsible for the development of reports illustrating the city’s financial condition and oversight of the city's financial management system. The Auditor provides financial analysis as requested by the city council including cost benefit analysis for budget and contract proposals. The Auditor serves as: liaison with independent auditing firms conducting the annual audit; ex-officio member of the Gloucester contributory retirement system and a voting member of the Gloucester community development loan committee and the tax incentive finance committee. This position requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting and five to seven years of job-related experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. A master’s degree in accounting is preferred. Certification with the Massachusetts Municipal Auditor and Accounting Association is preferred. Prior municipal experience with supervisory responsibilities is preferred. Salary range: $58,353-$75,478, depending upon qualifications, excellent benefits are available. Please send resume and cover letter to City Clerk, City of Gloucester, 9 Dale Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930. Please place the word “Auditor” on the envelope. This solicitation will close on Jan. 31, 2008. (posted 12/19, exp. 1/31/08) MMA

Town Accountant
Town of Northborough

The town administrator’s office is currently accepting applications for the position of Town Accountant. Responsible for the oversight of the accounting office; development of reports illustrating the town’s financial condition; the maintenance of financial records; and the control of town fund expenditures. Position requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting and five to seven years of job-related experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree in accounting is preferred and certification with the Massachusetts Municipal Auditor and Accounting Association is highly desirable. Prior municipal experience and supervisory experience is desirable. Salary range: $60,761-$78,989, depending upon qualifications, plus excellent benefits. Please send resume and letter of interest to Town Administrator, 63 Main St., Northborough, MA 01532. Submission deadline: Dec. 21, 2007, or until filled. AA/EOE (posted 12/03, exp.1/03/08) MMA

Town Accountant

Town of Marshfield

The town of Marshfield (budget $79 million) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Town Accountant. The Town Accountant is a key member of the town’s financial team that also includes the town administrator and treasurer collector. Specific responsibilities include maintenance of accounting records in accordance with the UMAS system, GASB and DOR regulations; preparation of Schedule A, the tax recap sheet and other required reports; preparation and approval of payroll and vendor warrants and performance of other required duties of the Town Accountant. Duties include, but are not limited to, accounting for revenues and expenditures, financial analysis and reporting, and assistance with budget preparation. The applicant should have strong communication skills and be willing and able to work in a team environment. A thorough knowledge of UMAS, GASB and Massachusetts General Laws relating to municipal finance and experience with Excel and municipal accounting software ( i.e Softright) is essential. Requirements also include a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field plus a minimum of five years’ experience in Massachusetts municipal accounting. Maximum salary for qualified selected candidate is $80,000. Salary dependent upon qualifications. Applications are requested by Jan. 4, 2007. Please submit resume and cover letter to Town Accountant Search Committee, Town of Marshfield Board of Selectmen, 870 Moraine St., Marshfield, MA 02050. (posted 11/28, exp. 1/04/08) MMA

Fire Chief, Town of Bedford

The town of Bedford (population 13,102) seeks qualified candidates for the position of Fire Chief. The Fire Chief reports to the town manager and supervises 26 firefighters. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to; oversight of the fire department’s personnel, collective bargaining preparation with the town manager, maintenance of firefighting equipment and apparatus, establishment of training programs, maintenance of related records of departmental activity, on-scene command in serious/unusual emergency situations, formulation departmental policies, rules, regulations and procedures, preparation of departmental budget. Ten years of firefighting and command experience and an associate’s degree in fire science or administration or an equivalent combination of training and experience required. Desirable candidate will have a minimum of fifteen years of firefighting and command experience and a bachelor’s in administration or related field. Initial screening of candidates will be conducted in early March, 2008. Normal starting salary for FY08: $75,913-$92,044, depending on experience and education. The town of Bedford offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package. Application for employment may be downloaded at http://www.bedfordma.org . Please send resume, application, and letter of interest to Jessica Porter, Human Resources/Management Analyst, Town of Bedford, 10 Mudge Way Bedford, MA 01730 or fax to (781) 275-6310. Position will remain open until filled. The town of Bedford is an Affirmative Action / Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. (posted 12/20, exp. 1/20/08) MMA

Fire Chief

Town of Wrentham

The town of Wrentham is seeking an experienced individual to lead its full-service fire/emergency medical service department. The department’s uniformed staff includes the chief, deputy chief, four captains, 12 full-time firefighters, and 15 call firefighters, with an annual budget of $1.5 million. Wrentham is a high-growth community of 10,500 plus residents, located south of Boston, Mass. and north of Providence, Rhode Island. This position requires a bachelor’s degree in fire science, public or business administration or a related field. An EFO or CFO Certificate is desirable. A minimum of 10 years of fire/emergency medical services management experience with a wide-range of duties in fire/emergency services operations and management is required. A record of increasing responsibilities with strong professional, administrative leadership in a growing community is an important consideration. Past experiences must demonstrate a record of team building, dealing with growth planning, management, finance and human resources related to fire and emergency medical service. The applicant also must be familiar with state fire and building codes. Required licenses and certifications are as follows: Comm. of Mass. certified EMT-B (minimum) and a valid Comm. of Mass. Driver’s License within one year are required. Initial salary negotiable within existing range: $75,000-95,000, dependent upon qualifications and experience, supplemented by an excellent benefit package. The successful candidate would also be required to relocate to Wrentham or any contiguous town within one year of the appointment. Applicants shall submit a letter of application, detailed resume with salary history and work related references to: Mrs. Cindy Thompson, Wrentham Town Hall, 79 South St., Room 213, Wrentham, MA 02093, by Dec.31, 2007. (No e-mail or fax submissions will be accepted). The town of Wrentham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (posted 11/26, exp. 12/31) MMA

IT Network Administrator

Town of Winchester

The town of Winchester (population 20,000) is seeking an IT Network Administrator. Under the supervision of the information technologies director, the Network Administrator will have overall responsibility for the day to day operation of the town’s local area and wide area networks. The Network Administrator will be responsible for network security, maintaining software/user licenses and for providing software and hardware troubleshooting assistance to departments. Position is responsible for the implementation, integration and system administration of servers, printers, and personal computers into the town’s network. Responsibilities: analyze current LAN/WAN and introduce future applications to meet the needs of the town services and operations; and update the town’s Web site and maintain the overall infrastructure of the website. B.S. in computer systems or equivalent required with minimum of three years’ experience in network computing and distributed systems, particularly with Windows Server systems; knowledge of Microsoft Exchange 2003, Cisco hardware and operating systems; and knowledge of networking protocols with emphasis on TCP/IP, HTML and JAVA, JavaScript, and graphic user interfaces. Salary range: $46,000-$65,188 depending upon qualifications and experience. Send cover letter and resume by December 28, 2007, to Melvin Kleckner, Town Manager, 71 Mt. Vernon St., Winchester, MA 01890, MMA

Massachusetts Corporate Tax Loopholes

The Eisenthal Report has done an exemplary job of itemizing the potential corporate tax changes that bear watching.

Massachusetts Corporate Tax Loopholes Report Coming

Panel backs Patrick on corporate tax overhaul
Plan would tighten law, reduce rate Globe


MBPC does not yet have an analysis posted, but bears watching.

MMA has also not yet posted comment.

Additional Local Aid

The following was forwarded regarding a one-time increase in local aid.

Middleboro's potential aid amount is included in the legislation below:

December 11, 2007

Dear Municipal Official:

As your elected leaders on Beacon Hill, we fight hard to strengthen and protect communities whenever possible. In our opinion, the best choice we can make is to invest in our municipalities and the services they provide.

Much of our legislative agenda every year is focused on dedicating more resources to cities and towns and on cutting costs that burden local budgets. Recently, we took a giant step forward with these efforts by filing a bill to increase direct local aid this year.

Please allow us to tell you a bit more about this legislation.

We recognize that when lottery aid was “capped” from 2003-2005, the state forced cities and towns to deplete their local stabilization funds by $450 million. At the time, the state justified this as a necessary step to help our state get through difficult financial times. But hindsight shows that withholding this much money was not necessary. At the same time that cities and towns were taking money out of their stabilization funds, the state Rainy Day Fund actually went up. In fact, it doubled in size.

Now, the state Rainy Day Fund is worth more than $2 billion. That’s more money than we reasonably could expect to need if tough times come again. We believe it’s time to give this money back to cities and towns.

A few weeks ago, our caucus filed a bill designated as House Docket 4651. The bill would distribute $450 million to cities and towns as a one-time local aid payment. The distribution of money to each community would be based on the lottery formula, and as with traditional lottery aid, all payments would be unrestricted in use on the local level.

Please take a moment to review the attached legislation and see what your community would stand to receive if the bill is passed.

Our state ended last year with a budget surplus of almost a half a billion dollars, and recently the Patrick administration increased revenue forecasts for this fiscal year by $400 million. This gives us an opportunity to stop ignoring the diversion of money from cities and towns over the past few years and to do something positive to address it. Local services and property taxpayers alike are counting on having House Docket 4651 passed into law.

Unfortunately, not all of our legislative colleagues agree. Right now, House Docket 4651 is in the Rules Committee, and unless pressure is brought to bear on leadership to release the bill to the full House for action, it most likely never will get the consideration it deserves.

If you support additional funding for local services, please help us get House Docket 4651 passed into law. The first step is to encourage House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and Angelo Scaccia, Chairman of the House Rules Committee, to refer the bill to an appropriate joint committee. Otherwise, the House and Senate will not even be able to debate the bill. We are working with our colleagues in that regard, but it would be helpful for them to hear from you directly. Should you wish to voice your support for House Docket 4651, you may contact Speaker DiMasi and Chairman Scaccia at the following addresses:

Salvatore DiMasi, Speaker of the House
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The State House, Room 356
Boston, MA 02133
Telephone: (617) 722-2500
Facsimile: (617) 722-2008
E-Mail: Rep.SalvatoreDiMasi@hou.state.ma.us


Angelo M. Scaccia, Chairman
House Committee on Rules
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The State House, Room 166
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: (617) 722-2692
Facsimile: (617) 722-2822
E-Mail: Rep.AngeloScaccia@hou.state.ma.us


We also encourage you to push for the bill’s passage through your other elected officials and your work with the Massachusetts Municipal Association and related advocacy groups.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.
Minority Leader

Mary S. Rogeness
Assistant Minority Leader

George N. Peterson, Jr.
Minority Whip

John A. Lepper
Assistant Minority Whip

Fred Jay Barrows

Viriato M. deMacedo

Lewis G. Evangelidis

Paul K. Frost

Susan W. Gifford

Robert S. Hargraves

Bradford Hill

Donald F. Humason, Jr.

Paul J.P. Loscocco

Jeffrey D. Perry

Elizabeth A. Poirier

Karyn E. Polito

Richard J. Ross

Todd M. Smola

Daniel K. Webster

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.
BILL FILING TEMPLATE
Be It Enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives, etc., as follows:

SECTION 1. This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the “Massachusetts
Municipal Finance Relief Act of 2007.”

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, within 30 days
of the effective date of this act, the comptroller shall transfer $450,000,000 from the
Commonwealth Stabilization Fund, established under section 2H of chapter 29 of the
General Laws, to the General Fund.

SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, within 30 days
of the effective date of this act and without further appropriation, the state treasurer shall
distribute a total of $450,000,000 to the cities and towns of the commonwealth as a onetime,
non-recurring supplemental local aid payment, in accordance with the following
schedule:--

MUNICIPALITY AMOUNT
ABINGTON $1,178,294
ACTON $823,577
ACUSHNET $896,691
ADAMS $1,192,287
AGAWAM $2,206,641
ALFORD $8,082
AMESBURY $1,165,267
AMHERST $4,724,355
ANDOVER $1,070,289
AQUINNAH $1,399
ARLINGTON $2,382,472
ASHBURNHAM $419,044
ASHBY $228,479
ASHFIELD $111,201
ASHLAND $669,666
ATHOL $1,367,752
MUNICIPALITY AMOUNT
ATTLEBORO $3,417,106
AUBURN $1,025,804
AVON $222,336
AYER $432,161
BARNSTABLE $1,259,917
BARRE $487,081
BECKET $50,266
BEDFORD $454,517
BELCHERTOWN $1,019,155
BELLINGHAM $1,016,363
BELMONT $954,204
BERKLEY $364,446
BERLIN $120,761
BERNARDSTON $169,886
BEVERLY $2,317,608
BILLERICA $2,357,240
BLACKSTONE $716,766
BLANDFORD $75,566
BOLTON $118,260
BOSTON $34,451,665
BOURNE $708,379
BOXBOROUGH $151,092
BOXFORD $273,653
BOYLSTON $205,169
BRAINTREE $1,801,787
BREWSTER $236,502
BRIDGEWATER $1,918,040
BRIMFIELD $233,530
BROCKTON $10,467,062
BROOKFIELD $295,743
BROOKLINE $2,119,507
BUCKLAND $165,715
BURLINGTON $901,398
CAMBRIDGE $4,226,137
CANTON $861,922
CARLISLE $124,309
CARVER $875,017
CHARLEMONT $104,701
CHARLTON $777,372
CHATHAM $90,145
CHELMSFORD $1,819,965
CHELSEA $3,284,582
CHESHIRE $337,110
CHESTER $107,838
CHESTERFIELD $82,698
CHICOPEE $6,321,979
CHILMARK $2,246
CLARKSBURG $211,585
CLINTON $1,325,540
COHASSET $228,228
MUNICIPALITY AMOUNT
COLRAIN $152,809
CONCORD $510,091
CONWAY $107,048
CUMMINGTON $49,968
DALTON $603,835
DANVERS $1,167,454
DARTMOUTH $1,509,932
DEDHAM $1,212,630
DEERFIELD $287,690
DENNIS $326,207
DIGHTON $416,306
DOUGLAS $437,115
DOVER $115,222
DRACUT $2,098,645
DUDLEY $924,562
DUNSTABLE $124,714
DUXBURY $530,938
EAST BRIDGEWATER $896,577
EAST BROOKFIELD $161,654
EAST LONGMEADOW $867,009
EASTHAM $89,238
EASTHAMPTON $1,631,199
EASTON $1,311,685
EDGARTOWN $26,180
EGREMONT $37,793
ERVING $33,930
ESSEX $130,371
EVERETT $2,172,454
FAIRHAVEN $1,162,298
FALL RIVER $13,171,348
FALMOUTH $830,410
FITCHBURG $5,008,229
FLORIDA $29,814
FOXBOROUGH $892,182
FRAMINGHAM $3,698,467
FRANKLIN $1,480,044
FREETOWN $568,769
GARDNER $2,480,083
GEORGETOWN $403,580
GILL $127,386
GLOUCESTER $1,466,740
GOSHEN $47,918
GOSNOLD $312
GRAFTON $936,545
GRANBY $528,871
GRANVILLE $96,033
GREAT BARRINGTON $454,576
GREENFIELD $1,901,636
GROTON $461,006
GROVELAND $381,399
MUNICIPALITY AMOUNT
HADLEY $205,268
HALIFAX $543,727
HAMILTON $364,502
HAMPDEN $375,214
HANCOCK $25,330
HANOVER $630,499
HANSON $701,870
HARDWICK $241,224
HARVARD $860,532
HARWICH $258,008
HATFIELD $186,896
HAVERHILL $4,682,278
HAWLEY $19,702
HEATH $46,940
HINGHAM $784,494
HINSDALE $126,873
HOLBROOK $881,505
HOLDEN $1,026,275
HOLLAND $120,897
HOLLISTON $729,144
HOLYOKE $5,791,283
HOPEDALE $390,579
HOPKINTON $412,638
HUBBARDSTON $240,155
HUDSON $1,194,424
HULL $601,122
HUNTINGTON $197,749
IPSWICH $588,302
KINGSTON $574,923
LAKEVILLE $490,095
LANCASTER $495,851
LANESBOROUGH $206,618
LAWRENCE $11,668,975
LEE $373,031
LEICESTER $1,040,006
LENOX $284,545
LEOMINSTER $3,422,473
LEVERETT $106,915
LEXINGTON $917,977
LEYDEN $48,863
LINCOLN $267,238
LITTLETON $346,401
LONGMEADOW $836,845
LOWELL $12,035,457
LUDLOW $1,829,801
LUNENBURG $633,417
LYNN $8,849,582
LYNNFIELD $448,595
MALDEN $4,826,064
MANCHESTER $133,205
MUNICIPALITY AMOUNT
MANSFIELD $987,141
MARBLEHEAD $663,120
MARION $135,153
MARLBOROUGH $1,947,549
MARSHFIELD $1,200,004
MASHPEE $220,375
MATTAPOISETT $242,766
MAYNARD $658,570
MEDFIELD $509,913
MEDFORD $4,001,202
MEDWAY $640,766
MELROSE $1,770,404
MENDON $244,778
MERRIMAC $436,138
METHUEN $3,178,290
MIDDLEBOROUGH $1,476,776
MIDDLEFIELD $31,843
MIDDLETON $266,820
MILFORD $1,829,521
MILLBURY $1,060,668
MILLIS $472,657
MILLVILLE $213,803
MILTON $1,325,372
MONROE $4,311
MONSON $781,895
MONTAGUE $757,269
MONTEREY $20,570
MONTGOMERY $49,147
MOUNT WASHINGTON $1,936
NAHANT $165,972
NANTUCKET $47,458
NATICK $1,347,638
NEEDHAM $946,502
NEW ASHFORD $8,647
NEW BEDFORD $13,434,215
NEW BRAINTREE $71,405
NEW MARLBOROUGH $35,079
NEW SALEM $61,424
NEWBURY $272,103
NEWBURYPORT $863,476
NEWTON $2,857,308
NORFOLK $574,414
NORTH ADAMS $2,567,937
NORTH ANDOVER $1,169,517
NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH $1,723,268
NORTH BROOKFIELD $477,284
NORTH READING $608,496
NORTHAMPTON $2,354,552
NORTHBOROUGH $638,721
NORTHBRIDGE $1,262,882
MUNICIPALITY AMOUNT
NORTHFIELD $189,611
NORTON $1,244,924
NORWELL $381,700
NORWOOD $1,503,106
OAK BLUFFS $43,562
OAKHAM $114,919
ORANGE $966,994
ORLEANS $102,888
OTIS $21,787
OXFORD $1,231,661
PALMER $1,201,247
PAXTON $279,858
PEABODY $2,812,460
PELHAM $95,345
PEMBROKE $1,006,878
PEPPERELL $765,974
PERU $66,701
PETERSHAM $68,669
PHILLIPSTON $104,663
PITTSFIELD $4,747,933
PLAINFIELD $30,050
PLAINVILLE $454,420
PLYMOUTH $2,347,065
PLYMPTON $142,103
PRINCETON $177,347
PROVINCETOWN $72,176
QUINCY $5,870,577
RANDOLPH $2,234,696
RAYNHAM $681,117
READING $1,203,143
REHOBOTH $562,184
REVERE $3,594,292
RICHMOND $64,803
ROCHESTER $254,401
ROCKLAND $1,393,681
ROCKPORT $262,098
ROWE $2,360
ROWLEY $268,494
ROYALSTON $96,443
RUSSELL $146,016
RUTLAND $490,236
SALEM $2,544,390
SALISBURY $378,466
SANDISFIELD $20,757
SANDWICH $632,575
SAUGUS $1,338,890
SAVOY $62,760
SCITUATE $783,841
SEEKONK $737,081
SHARON $808,417
MUNICIPALITY AMOUNT
SHEFFIELD $140,180
SHELBURNE $155,282
SHERBORN $119,662
SHIRLEY $696,571
SHREWSBURY $1,524,727
SHUTESBURY $101,577
SOMERSET $918,702
SOMERVILLE $6,690,362
SOUTH HADLEY $1,554,650
SOUTHAMPTON $381,664
SOUTHBOROUGH $261,984
SOUTHBRIDGE $2,107,263
SOUTHWICK $682,361
SPENCER $1,170,735
SPRINGFIELD $21,795,215
STERLING $411,990
STOCKBRIDGE $59,707
STONEHAM $1,249,657
STOUGHTON $1,868,479
STOW $248,799
STURBRIDGE $464,064
SUDBURY $529,713
SUNDERLAND $302,751
SUTTON $467,578
SWAMPSCOTT $605,763
SWANSEA $1,125,013
TAUNTON $5,037,965
TEMPLETON $725,682
TEWKSBURY $1,667,124
TISBURY $58,735
TOLLAND $5,355
TOPSFIELD $245,500
TOWNSEND $699,994
TRURO $18,020
TYNGSBOROUGH $578,865
TYRINGHAM $7,605
UPTON $293,346
UXBRIDGE $824,185
WAKEFIELD $1,325,811
WALES $141,479
WALPOLE $1,101,248
WALTHAM $3,124,782
WARE $1,026,775
WAREHAM $1,185,109
WARREN $470,550
WARWICK $54,202
WASHINGTON $39,956
WATERTOWN $1,694,721
WAYLAND $406,508
WEBSTER $1,453,220
MUNICIPALITY AMOUNT
WELLESLEY $729,343
WELLFLEET $35,011
WENDELL $87,942
WENHAM $189,295
WEST BOYLSTON $444,638
WEST BRIDGEWATER $368,971
WEST BROOKFIELD $284,457
WEST NEWBURY $168,511
WEST SPRINGFIELD $2,146,745
WEST STOCKBRIDGE $58,240
WEST TISBURY $21,696
WESTBOROUGH $624,305
WESTFIELD $3,770,787
WESTFORD $841,972
WESTHAMPTON $86,797
WESTMINSTER $386,044
WESTON $224,056
WESTPORT $728,740
WESTWOOD $419,542
WEYMOUTH $4,056,289
WHATELY $80,385
WHITMAN $1,254,207
WILBRAHAM $804,048
WILLIAMSBURG $181,345
WILLIAMSTOWN $571,880
WILMINGTON $885,708
WINCHENDON $995,498
WINCHESTER $720,496
WINDSOR $45,757
WINTHROP $1,424,242
WOBURN $1,859,702
WORCESTER $19,208,638
WORTHINGTON $75,239
WRENTHAM $558,449
YARMOUTH $756,271
TOTAL $450,000,000

Courage, Heroism, Arrogance, Cowardice and Truth

As the year draws to a close and our historical custom of reflection surrounds us, the most striking presence has been COURAGE and HEROISM.

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Ordinary, anonymous citizens came together to oppose something they knew was just plain wrong. They sacrificed their anonymity and endured venomous attacks, criticisms, catcalls.

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More than a thousand signed recall petitions to replace a tyrannical board.

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One truly heroic Middleboro Mom stood before a crowd of orange-t-shirted, out-of-town goons and was booed for her public tears.

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One cowardly Middleboro elected official gavelled truth and opposition to silence while allowing cheers, disruptions, signs, supportive out-of-towners like Bob Saquet to ramble endlessly and the ever-present photographer climbing over furniture.

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Five arrogant elected officials decided they knew best the future path of Middleboro and followed like mindless Bobble Heads a scheme that appears hatched by the former Town Manager and Wayne Perkins to avert the fiscal train wreck they created.

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One frail tribal elder heroically questioned tribal finances, a question the state and feds noticed. She was shunned, isolated and expelled for her heroism.

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Amelia Bingham's courage should stand as a lesson to us all about our personal values about 'doing what is right.'

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Ordinary anonymous citizens have crossed Middleboro's borders to offer support, speak out in protest and join the fight to circulate the facts of this flawed endeavor.

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The Regional Task Force has courageously shunned Middleboro's participation.

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Rep. Tom Calter courageously spoke to the facts of a casino presence on surrounding communities and the flawed Middleboro Agreement.

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Middleboro's other reps and state senator instead chose the cowardly path of campaign support.

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An arrogant Middleboro official foolishly challenged Middleboro's Reps. to pledge support, even as his career and image are imploding. (Some may remember that he defended a convicted rapist by saying 'everyone has skeletons in their closet' and criticized the League of Women Voters for their impartial analysis of casino gambling.)

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Middleboro Superintendent and School Committee lacked the courage to gather the facts and make an informed decision, as did the Police Union and others. The Casino Study Committee defined itself, as did its chairman.

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Ordinary anonymous citizens around the state are speaking out, participating and recognizing flawed public policy.

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Organizations have stepped forward to analyze and publicize the flawed figures.

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The greatest cowardice were those too intellectually lazy to examine the facts, review the flaws in the Agreement, reflect on the future or step away from the cheering crowd.

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The greatest heroism arose from those willing to speak Truth to Power and endure the daggers of criticisms because they're winning.

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Let's make the New Year filled with COURAGE AND HEROISM of those willing to speak against well-funded international investors and campaign contributors. Let's fill the year with TRUTH.

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Best wishes for an enlightening holiday season.

Soaring Health Care Costs & Middleboro

The impact of escalating health care costs on Education Reform were partially addressed in the Boston Herald article (below), but Middleboro voters should be aware that the town currently pays 90% of employees' health care premiums and provides a $5 co-pay and prescription drug coverage.

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Others municipalities have placed their retirees on Medicare.

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No other municipality provides 90% payment of premiums.

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If you find one of 351 cities and towns, please forward the information.

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If you find a private employer that provides those benefits, please forward the information.

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If you believe that Middleboro can't successfully live within its revenues, how much could the town save by amending ONLY health care ?
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If YOU don't approve contracts at Town Meeting, it's back to the drawing board.
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Soaring health costs sicken school reform
By Edward Moscovitch Friday, December 21, 2007
Runaway inflation in health-care costs poses a severe threat to school reform in Massachusetts.
Yes, you read that right.
A recent analysis by the Department of Education (DoE) shows that spending on health care for school employees rose a stunning 12.3 percent per year from 2002 through 2006. At that rate, spending on health insurance doubles every six years. It thus outstrips the increase in other costs (3.4 percent per year over the same period) and the national price index used to adjust the state’s foundation education budget (2.9 percent).
It should come as no surprise then that a preliminary DoE study of actual school spending shows spending on health care alone exceeds the foundation budget health insurance allotment (on which current aid payments are based) by something like $850 million statewide.

BostonHerald

Public Records Disclosure and FOIA

The information requested from the Middleboro Board of Selectmen was requested under public disclosure laws of the Commonwealth, but increasing government secrecy is of concern at all levels.

As a result of effort at the federal level, Congress passed amendments to FOIA.

Perhaps Middleboro Selectmen should take note.

Congress eases access to gov't records

WASHINGTON - Congress on Tuesday struck back at the Bush administration's trend toward secrecy since the 2001 terrorist attacks, passing legislation to toughen the Freedom of Information Act and increasing penalties on agencies that don't comply.

"After years of growing government secrecy, today's vote reaffirms the public's fundamental right to know," said Rick Blum of the Sunshine in Government Initiative, which represents 10 media organizations. "This bill makes commonsense changes to help the public know what government is up to."

Streaming Video of Selectmen's Meetings?

Suggestions and options concerning the Middleboro Town Web Site have been offered, including streaminig video.

For any who might have missed the streaming video of the Chatham's Selectmen's Meeting, CapeCodToday offers a sample:

The Seven Minute Selectman on YouTube.
Chatham's Town Government Channel 18 broadcasts many meetings, both on cable and live streaming. There still seems to be issues for some surrounding downloading archived files, however.

12/17/07 Selectmen's Meeting: Speculation and Incompetence

During the correspondence portion of the December 17th, 2007, Selectmen's Meeting, Selectman Patrick Rogers, who is now approving 'warrants' (the town's bills) after Selectman Bond's abrupt refusal to continue to do so, discussed that there was a charge on Town Counsel, Dan Murray's bill for:
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J. Powell
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among other things.
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Selectman Wayne Perkins protested that a PRIVATE CITIZEN would access Town Counsel without Mr. Perkins' gathering the facts and indicated that he was 'making a point.'

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Mr. Perkins: Why don't you gather the facts? You don't know what you think you know.

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Selectman Bond speculated that the charge might have to do with a conversation regarding DISCLOSURE OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS because Dan Murray had this great radar.

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Chairwoman Marsha Brunelle stated that PRIVATE CITIZENS don't have access to Town Counsel.
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Mrs. Brunelle: You managed to call me to clarify misinformation regarding the Town Accountant's contract. Surely you could call to clarify this issue before you speculate.

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WRONG !!! WRONG !!! WRONG !!!
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If bills are being paid by the Selectmen with such little detail that only speculation or guesswork is acceptable, could this be where part of the Town's problem lies?

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To the Voters: These are your hard-earned tax dollars this Board is spending and they truly don't know what it's for. Isn't it time you paid attention? Isn't it time for a CHANGE?

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To the BOS:

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That you would bandy about my name regarding an issue about which you have NO FACTS defines your incompetence. Next time, do your research before you speculate. You are charged as 'Auditors' in the Town Charter and have failed miserably.

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If you want to know what was discussed, call me at: 508 946-9761.

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Only the facts prevent ignorance and speculation.

Middleboro Town Web Site

Middleboro's Town Web Site, long the butt of jokes because of its pathetic state, seems to stand as a statement of the Town.

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The library has posted their links. As has the School Dept.

Absent a calendar that the IT Director indicated would be added to the site, the Town Planner posts AGENDAS.

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Lack of regularly scheduled agendas seems to indicate the Selectmen don't meet.

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Job openings: Wastewater Division and Conservation, but did you see the postings for Town Manager, Town Accountant, or Selectmen's Secretary? Or the land auctions?

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Has anyone noticed that Middleboro seems to have no Finance Committee? If you find it listed, could you please let me know?

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Do you think if the town had a computer savvy BOS this might change? What could voters do to change this? What has to be done to provide information to townspeople?

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Check out other towns: MMA

Bond ratings and prudent financial management

It might seem that the bond markets reflect directly on the management of municipalities.

Hingham earns AAA bond ratings
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
For the second time, Hingham has achieved the rare distinction of receiving the highest possible bond ratings from three Wall Street ratings agencies: Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings.Ted Alexiades, Hingham’s finance director, said there are other Massachusetts cities and towns that would be in good position to receive across-the-board AAA ratings if they applied to all three ratings firms. But many communities limit their participation to Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s, the two better-known agencies.While applying to all three takes time, “We think our bonds sell better, because people see all three ratings,” Alexiades said.The AAA ratings, Alexiades said, not only help reduce the amount of interest the town pays on its debt, but also demonstrate to citizens that their tax dollars are being used responsibly.Hingham ranks in the top 10 percent of the state’s cities and towns in per-capita income, but Alexiades noted that high bond ratings also reflect prudent financial and managerial practices. The town has received certificates of excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for 10 straight years.Low staff turnover, particularly among department heads, also has helped to strengthen Hingham’s financial standing, Alexiades said.
By MMA Associate Editor Mitch Evich

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September 11, 2007, Moody's Investors Service Press Release: Moody's Investors Service has assigned A2 ratings to the Town of Middleborough's $7.95 million General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2007 Bonds and to the town's $3.49 million General Obligation Landfill Bonds (Subject to Federal and Massachusetts Income Taxation). Concurrently, Moody's has affirmed the town's long-term A2 rating and assigned a negative outlook affecting $34.7 million in outstanding long-term debt. The Series A bonds are issued to permanently finance various town capital projects, including the final tranche of bonds issued to finance the town's share of its junior high school renovation. The Series B bonds are issued to permanently finance remediation of a failed landfill. Both series of bonds are secured by the town's general obligation limited tax pledge as debt service has not been excluded from Proposition 2 ½. Affirmation of the A2 long-term rating incorporates Middleborough's moderately-sized and growing tax base with average wealth and income levels, an affordable debt burden, and a tax base experiencing moderate expansion. Assignment of the negative outlook reflects a significantly narrowed financial position with slim reserve levels which are unlikely to be replenished in the short term. JoryPepper

Bells and Whistles, Buzz Words and Fire Trucks

All of us have listened to the BUZZ WORDS of funding --

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FOR THE CHILDREN

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FOR THE SENIORS

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PUBLIC SAFETY

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There is NOT ONE SINGLE MIDDLEBORO RESIDENT who wouldn't support:

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3 fully staffed Fire Stations, with spares and extra firefighters twiddling their thumbs waiting for your call, filled with BRAND NEW EQUIPMENT

10 additonal police officers to respond to each call

6 10 hours days at the Library

a COA with an expanded facility begging for additional participants

a Park Department that expanded and offered free programs to ALL children

a School Department that offered 15 students per class, superlative schools, high school labs to envy

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And much else.

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But the Cadillac taste and the Ford pocketbook collide.

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Middleboro simply cannot afford ALL that we want without making choices.

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The Town appears at its bonding limit.

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Yeah, we can continue to borrow, just as the sub-prime market has proven, but it has its hidden costs.

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Those hidden costs are increased interest rates because Middleboro continues to overextend itself, the Board of Selectmen REFUSE to take unpopular stands and refuse to fund its rainy day SAVINGS ACCOUNT - the Stabilization Fund. (DOR recommends 4-6% in the Stabilization Fund. For Middleboro, that should be ~ $2.56 MILLION -- $3.84 MILLION.)

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Now, consider the LADDER TRUCK.

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Try a google search for USED FIRE TRUCKS

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Check out :

FENTON

FireTec

FireLine

VFD-Fire

Rosenbauer

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Outstanding aerials
Aerials represent a significant investment, and used ones pose a significant potential for liability. Departments looking for a used aerial should be prepared to conduct a detailed investigation before they buy.
The most important concern about used aerials is the strength of the aerial device itself. This is a matter of safety and shouldn't be dismissed with a verbal reassurance from the seller. All used aerials should be examined by an independent, third-party testing service and be certified according to the latest edition of NFPA 1911, Inspection, Maintenance, Testing, and Retirement of In-Service Automotive Fire Apparatus. Buyers should insist on these tests at the time of sale, even if the aerials were certified within the last year. Buyers also should understand that some aerials built before 1991 may not be designed to support the current minimum tip load at full horizontal extension and may not be suitable for some applications. continued

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Townspeople were told by the interim Fire Chief/Police Chief that the life expectancy of a ladder truck was 20 years, along with much additional misinformation about the problems with the ladder trucks and the 4 year old fire station.

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Of the three estimates requested, two appear to have come from companies that build and sell new trucks. Do your own google search for all the companies that REPAIR fire trucks.

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Trucks are NOT CARS.

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The town in which I grew up still has the ladder truck for which the volunteer fire department worked to raise funds --- house to house by donations. It's + 30 years old. Still works. Still does its job of transporting Santa on Christmas Eve and the Easter Bunny on Easter Eve. And it does the nitty-gritty house fires.

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There's a waiting list to get on that volunteer fire department. And those guys are AWESOME! They've won all sorts of competitions and they're truly INVESTED in the community. They deliver Christmas presents on Christmas Eve in Santa suits, and much else that contributes to a small community feel that Middleboro has long since lost.

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Sitting in front of a computer, the world of information in front of us, will we google search to educate ourselves or continue to accept emotionally charged arguments, with little basis in fact ?

Wind Turbine

It appears that the skyline on CERTAIN coastal properties will be dotted with wind turbines that benefit the select few, while the wealthy few continue to fight Cape Wind.

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One must wonder when the Kennedys and Christy Mihos will drop the pretense of their opposition to Cape Wind and support widespread development to benefit consumers.

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And, on a local level, isn't it time for Middleboro Selectmen and the Middleboro G&E to start talking about ENERGY ?

Wind power at Massachusetts Military Reservation
By Jim Liedell
A big step to save taxpayer money and reduce harmful air emissions. The Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE) recently announced that a new large (389 feet high to highest blade tip, 1,500-kilowatt capacity) wind turbine will be up and operating within two years, at the southwest corner of the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR).

Health care costs

FactFinder sometimes makes valid points that are lost in lack of facts or details, as has been noted elsewhere.

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FF had a valid point about Town Hall being open ONLY 4 days a week. A good starting place!

Unions were asked to make concessions in the middle of contracts that Selectman Wayne Perkins had single-handedly negotiated. (Weren't those the contracts that provided 36%, 4%, 4% pay raises to SOME town employees?)

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That's not the way it's done!

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Middleboro currently pays 90% of HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS for Town employees.

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Mansfield pays 60% of the cheapest plan.

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Dighton pays 60%.

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Make a call to comparable towns and see what they offer. Does ANYONE in the entire state offer 90% payment? (There is no DOR Report available because they were asked.)

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Middleboro currently offers a $5 CO-PAY and take a look at the PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE.

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The health care committee that was recently resurrected is composed of ONLY UNION TOWN EMPLOYEES. Does that serve Middleboro taxpayers?

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Several years ago, Middleboro adopted legislation that provides for lifetime health care coverage for dependents should a town employee die. Doesn't sound significant?

Let's say a 30 year old town employee dies. Middleboro will pay for health care for that employee's dependents.

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That means that the Town of Middleboro could pay for the next 35 years (or more) for the town employee's widow.

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At today's costs, that means ~ $15,000 PER YEAR for someone who never worked for the Town.

Some towns have moved their retirees to Medicare.


Health care is indeed a budget buster that Middleboro refuses to address appropriately. MMA

And wait until you see what's included in the contracts that the interim Town Manager has negotiated.

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Does anyone believe that a Prop. 2 1/2 OVERRIDE is acceptable to voters until issues such as health care are addressed?

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Cambridge links wages to health insurance costs MMA

FactFinderRegistered: 11/21/07Posts: 330
Two years ago the unions were asked to pay a bigger portion of the health insurance premium to save the town about $1,000,000 per year. In perpetuity and the rank and file said no. "Why should we. We don't have to. It's not in our contract." When I heard those comments that could have saved the town real money. I throw up my hands and say 0% 0% 0%.

Let's stop perpetuating ignorance and misinformation #1

The following was posted, apparently by several people who don't seem to want to waste their time understanding issues or researching the facts (emphasis mine):


YesRegistered: 10/13/07Posts: 310
Today at 12:50 PM

The town is not voting to accept a retroactive pay raise.
If a pay raise has been voted on by the BOS or School Committee it is binding. WRONG!!!
The town has to pay for it.

WRONG!!

The Town my [sic] choose not to fund it, in which case there would be the layoffs.



Town Meeting voters approve CONTRACTS.

Town Meeting voters approve UNION CONTRACTS.

At the combined Spring Special Town Meeting and Annual Town Meeting, there were TWO PAY RAISES that Town Counsel FAILED miserably to explain clearly.

The first had to do with the Selectmen's Secretary.

The Selectmen removed their Secretary from the Collective Bargaining group and provided a separate 3 year contract that included a clause (much like the one posted for the Town Accountant) providing for a pay increase equivalent to any received by ANY other town bargaining group.

When the GMEG group received their long overdo wage increases. it was in the SECOND YEAR of the Secretary's THREE YEAR contract.

In other words, Town Meeting voters had already APPROVED her three year contract by their vote, they just didn't realize it.

The second had to do with the salary increases of the Fire Chief -- a contract that the Selectmen deliberately neglected for 3 years and negotiated to enable to Fire Chief to retire.

Town Meeting voters DID NOT APPROVE THAT CONTRACT.

The Selectmen subsequently voted to pay that amount from 'found' money within the Fire Department prior to the end of the fiscal year. The motion, made by Chairman Brunelle was improperly worded and illegal, but one must wonder if anyone noticed.

IT Director

The following job posting is listed on the MMA site and makes one wonder what the qualifications of Middleboro's current IT Director are:

IT Network Administrator, Town of Winchester
IT Network AdministratorTown of Winchester

The town of Winchester (population 20,000) is seeking an IT Network Administrator. Under the supervision of the information technologies director, the Network Administrator will have overall responsibility for the day to day operation of the town’s local area and wide area networks. The Network Administrator will be responsible for network security, maintaining software/user licenses and for providing software and hardware troubleshooting assistance to departments. Position is responsible for the implementation, integration and system administration of servers, printers, and personal computers into the town’s network. Responsibilities: analyze current LAN/WAN and introduce future applications to meet the needs of the town services and operations; and update the town’s Web site and maintain the overall infrastructure of the website. B.S. in computer systems or equivalent required with minimum of three years’ experience in network computing and distributed systems, particularly with Windows Server systems; knowledge of Microsoft Exchange 2003, Cisco hardware and operating systems; and knowledge of networking protocols with emphasis on TCP/IP, HTML and JAVA, JavaScript, and graphic user interfaces. Salary range: $46,000-$65,188 depending upon qualifications and experience. Send cover letter and resume by December 28, 2007, to Melvin Kleckner, Town Manager, 71 Mt. Vernon St., Winchester, MA 01890, or e-mail
The town of Winchester is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. (posted 12/03, exp. 12/28) MMA

Where is Middleboro?

Every other Town seems to be addressing municipal energy consumption.

Where is Middleboro?

Is anyone asking?


Easton to take part in energy-saving program
By Susan Tolar, Enterprise correspondent
EASTON— In an effort to save money and cut energy consumption, the town will take part in a statewide pilot program to make water pumping stations more efficient. Enteprise

Trash Fees

To understand the failure of the Board of Selectmen to appropriately address flawed fiscal policy by continually using one time revenues or bandaid solutions, the genesis of Trash Fees is worthy of note (Additional meeting minutes available on the Town's Web Site provide more information.):

SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JUNE 9, 2003

Selectwoman Brunelle noted that Department Heads had presented level funded budgets. $940,000 of the problem goes back to 1990 and has never been addressed.
Mr. Healey noted that layoffs will effect 12 full-time people, 4 vacant positions and 2 part-time positions. He said each week delaying the layoffs creates more of a shortfall.
It was noted that a $200 trash and recycling fee would generated $1.2 million. It still would not give the Town the $1.8 million that it needs. It also would not give the School Department the additional $600,000 that they are requesting. Increasing Local Receipts will temporarily deal with the additional shortfall. Beyond that, permanent sources of revenue have to be established.
Mr. Healey noted that the Building Commissioner and Health Officer would like to come back before the Board to discuss fee increases.
Chairman Perkins said, if he had to make a choice, he would rather see trash and recycling fees implemented. He said a Debt Exclusion only effects people who own property.

http://www.middleborough.com/Selectmen/Minutes/June%20Minutes/June%202003/June%209,%202003.htm



SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JUNE 2, 2003

Selectman Eayrs noted that a fee for trash and recycling could wipe out the rest of the debt.

The idea of maximizing receipts runs the risk of leaving us in a worse position next year. However, at that point trash fees could be implemented.

Town Counsel

Although this has previously been posted, it bears revisiting:
(Three selectmen present at that meeting are currently serving on the Board)

SELECTMEN’S MEETING
MARCH 3, 2003

Chairman Perkins called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.

Selectman Rogers, Selectwoman Brunelle and Selectman Eayrs were present.
Selectman Wiksten was absent.

CORRESPONDENCE

The Board received notice from George Decas that he is retiring as Town Counsel as of April 1, 2003.

Upon motion by Selectwoman Brunelle and seconded by Selectman Eayrs, the Board
VOTED: To send a letter of thanks to Attorney Decas for his many years of service to the Town and to wish him well on his semi-retirement.
Unanimous Vote.

Upon motion by Selectman Eayrs and seconded by Selectwoman Brunelle, the Board
VOTED: To accept the resignation of George Decas with deepest regrets.
Unanimous Vote.

Upon motion by Selectman Eayrs and seconded by Selectman Rogers, the Board
VOTED: To appoint Attorney Daniel F. Murray as Town Counsel.
Unanimous Vote.

http://www.middleborough.com/Selectmen/Minutes/March%20Minutes/March%202003/

Take the poll

The format has been corrected.

Take the poll:

Cranberry Times

Still looking for 'reporters' who want to write articles and comment on local events.

The world can't wait for George Bush

Public protests and condemnation forced modifications in Bali and in Washington.

Democratic Senate leadership was forced to strip important provisions from the energy bill by Republicans owned by energy interests and an out-of-touch Administration:

Senate Energy Bill Establishes Breakthrough Fuel Economy and Fuels StandardsRenewable Energy Development in Limbo
WASHINGTON (December 13, 2007) – In an 86 to 8 vote, the Senate today passed a landmark energy bill strengthening vehicle fuel economy standards for the first time in 30 years and requiring a significant increase in biofuel production. Lawmakers twice failed to muster the necessary 60 votes to end debate on more comprehensive legislation including renewable energy standards and tax incentives. So to avoid a filibuster and a veto by the White House, Senate leadership moved forward with a trimmed down bill, which is expected to pass early next week in the House before going to President Bush to be signed into law. UCS

DetroitFreePress

I am reminded that 20 years ago, we owned a vehicle that got 40 MPG. 10 years ago, we owned a vehicle that got 60 MPG. The auto industry and lawmakers seem to have sacrificed the consumer and the environment.

The Independent offered excerpts of Al Gore's speech:

Al Gore: The world can't wait for George Bush

Bali climate change summit hears a passionate appeal for action by the Nobel Prize-winner
Published: 14 December 2007
We, the human species, face a planetary emergency. That phrase still sounds shrill to some ears but it is deadly accurate as a description of the situation that we now confront.

They'll look back, and either they will ask "What were you thinking? Didn't you hear the IPCC four times unanimously warning the world to act? Didn't you see the glaciers melting? Didn't you see the deserts growing, and the droughts deepening, and the crops drying up? Didn't you pay attention to what was going on? Didn't you care? What were you thinking?"

Or they'll ask a second question, one that I'd much prefer them to ask. I want them to look back on this time, and ask: "How did you find the moral courage to successfully address a crisis that so many said was impossible? How were you able to start the process that unleashed the moral imagination of humankind to see ourselves as a single, global civilisation?" And when they ask that question, I want you to tell them that you saw it as a privilege to be alive at a moment when a relatively small group of people could control the destiny of all generations to come.

IndependentUK





Reuters





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Bloomberg

Nations Set Timetable to Revive Climate Treaty

Fuel Economy: The Single Most Effective Step for Cutting Oil Dependence

Big Coal's Dirty Plans for Our Energy Future (with shocking photos) LINK

Just as the American people and the world are beginning to recognize the necessity of shifting to renewable energies, Big Coal, in collusion with an out-of-step administration, is pushing their dirty fossil fuel as the solution to our nation's energy crisis.

Energy Bill Update: Senate Approves Compromise Legislation

EMCORE to Supply Solar Systems in Canada

GE Energy Completes Wind and Solar Deals

Xcel Energy Announces 1,000th MW of Wind in Minnesota

PacWind Delta II Turbines Make Silent Leaps of Progression

Blue Mass Group

Other cities and towns are seeking alternatives, attempting to reduce their municipal consumption. And Middleboro? It might seem that the Selectmen are more interested in adjourning their meetings early than fulfilling their responsibilities.