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Override and police
Posted on May 16, 2008 by Gail Spector
Filed Under tax override | 25 Comments
Here’s a question to NFFR and other non-override supporters: If you’ve already addressed this on a previous thread and I missed it, I apologize. Things are moving kind of fast these days…
I just got Emily’s Norton’s robo-call about voting no. She says that our police and fire protection will remain the same. True on the fire side, but that’s not really true on the police side. Those positions that are vacant now are being staffed through overtime. If the override fails, police from other departments will move into those positions, leaving fewer total police hours being manned each week. So, if the total number of hours per week is reduced — because we are not paying overtime — isn’t that a reduction in protection?
I recognize that the number might not end up as high as 14 or 15, but it’s not going to be as low as zero either.
Fire station report documents unsafe conditions
Posted on May 16, 2008 by Greg Reibman
Filed Under General | 30 Comments
When they are not spending their time on this blog, Mark Sangiolo and Steve Siegel have real jobs. Mark is an architect. Steve is a structural engineer. Recently, they put their professional skills together and conducted an inspection of Newton’s fire stations.
Here’s an except from a letter sent to the city…
As Newton residents concerned about our firefighter’s safety, we decided to inspect the stations ourselves. We hoped to apply our experience as a licensed architect and structural engineer, and provide the public with unbiased, objective information regarding safety conditions. We were contacted by the local firefighter’s union president Thomas Lopez and he assisted us in scheduling walkthroughs of each of the six Newton fire stations.
Our investigation and assessment included every space in the firehouses, from the basement to the attic or roof. We recorded our observations in writing, with photographs, and in some instances video. The reporting of our investigation is being submitted to you, Fire Chief LaCroix, and to Union President Lopez. We also plan to make this report available to the general public.
Given that both men have been critical of the Cohen administration on many occassions, I suspect some might chose to challenge their “unbiased” claims. Here is the link to the full report for you to decide.
TAB POLL: Yes, no or still don’t know
Posted on May 16, 2008 by Greg Reibman
Filed Under tax override | 8 Comments
Here’s our final poll about the you know what….
Hey Lance, can you handle the hills of Newton?
Posted on May 16, 2008 by Jim Walker
Filed Under General | 1 Comment
Alright, it may not be the Tour de France, but this Sunday, BikeNewton.org will host its first-ever Rally and Ride to promote safe biking here in our city. So if you want to get some exercise and increase your bike-friendliness, join us on the steps of City Hall at 12:30 p.m. The ride is billed as a 2.5-mile family-oriented affair, but for those who may wish to race, I’ll see you out there …
And if your mind is still focused on that big vote on Tuesday, take comfort that the biking effort seems to receive support from both sides of the override aisle. Check out Sean Roche’s blog on Streets and Sidewalks that takes on the ride/override issue.
Photo by Sean Roche
Newton is not Wellesley
Posted on May 16, 2008 by Greg Reibman
Filed Under Newton North | 14 Comments
People have said before that it’s not fair to compare Newton — with its broader economic and cultural diversity — to Wellesley. Maybe so. Maybe it’s not fair to compare elected officials either.
Last night Wellesley officials did a very un-Newton thing: They unanimously chose the less expensive ($159M vs. $175M) of two options for their new high school. And they did so even though some abutters didn’t like how the less expensive plan was closer to their properties.
Oh and by the way, the plan still needs to be approved by voters….and they plan to use a debt exclusion to pay for it.
Find out how much your neighbors gave for — or against — the override
Posted on May 15, 2008 by Chrissie Long
Filed Under tax override | 32 Comments
As reported earlier, pro-override group Move Newton Forward has raised just under $90,000 as of May 2, while the vote no group, Newton for Fiscal Responsibility collected less than $7,000.
The TAB marked out override campaign contributions in the city of Newton. View the map here and click on any icon for more details. The blue posts indicate a donation to Move Newton Forward. The red posts indicate a contribution to Newton for Fiscal Responsibility.
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A hidden co$t of the override
Posted on May 15, 2008 by Greg Reibman
Filed Under CPA, tax override | 7 Comments
Guive Mirfendereski reminded me in an email about an additional cost to our property tax bills not included in the TAB’s override calculator or the calculations provided by Move Newton Forward or even Newton For Fiscal Responsibility.
Here’s what he wrote:
The $12 million Newton override, if passes, will increase the funding of the Community Preservation Fund by 1% of that amount annually ($120,000) on top of what the taxpayers are already paying into that account. For example, if the override increase the property taxes of a home owner by $375 every year, every year that taxpayer will pay an additional $3.75 for CPA (for total of $378.75). Naturally, the greater the assessed value of a property, the greater will be the additional dollar amount tacked on to the tax bill on the account of the Community Preservation Act. Moreover, as the city raises taxes by 2.5% annually, the CPA taxes too go up routinely.
From Alderman Baker on the override
Posted on May 15, 2008 by Gail Spector
Filed Under General, tax override | 13 Comments
Alderman Lisle Baker sent this letter to the editor last week but it got lost it cyberspace and didn’t make it into the paper. My apologies.
I urge Newton citizens to vote YES on May 20th. The City faces financial difficulty, and without additional revenues this coming fiscal year we will have fewer teachers and more crowded classrooms for our children, fewer police to prevent as well as respond to crime, and poorer care for our streets, trees and parks. I am working with the Chair of the School Committee and the Mayor to establish to establish a Citizen Advisory Group, modeled on the Blue Ribbon Commission on the City’s Finances, to help find ways to save money and enhance services. But in the meantime, we must act now to assure the best future for our children, our families and our community. My wife, Sally, and I have lived in Newton for forty years, and we are grateful for the benefits of safe neighborhoods and good schools for our children. We are proud of our Garden City, and want it to stay a great place to live. Please join us in voting Yes on May 20th.
— Lisle Baker, Ward 7 Alderman
Here’s the latest from NFFR
Posted on May 15, 2008 by Greg Reibman
Filed Under tax override | 30 Comments
Newton for Fiscal Responsibility has posted a new handout which it’s volunteers will be distributing to voters this week.
Open Studios open thread
Posted on May 15, 2008 by Greg Reibman
Filed Under Life in Newton | 4 Comments
Now I understand how North got so expensive
Posted on May 15, 2008 by Jim Walker
Filed Under General | 14 Comments
Last week I attended a public meeting to discuss plans for improvements to Lowell Park which is right near my apartment in Newtonville. The small park is considered by many to be a glorified traffic island formed by the intersections of Walnut Street, Lowell Avenue and Watertown Street.
I really like this forgotten bit of green space and it is definitely in need of some attention. The grass is not in great shape, there’s a few dead trees that need to be cut down and a couple benches would make the place more inviting.
That being said, I was amazed as the meeting went by at how Read more
One of the override’s bright spots: the people
Posted on May 14, 2008 by Greg Reibman
Filed Under tax override | 7 Comments
No matter which side of the override debate you support, one of the best things about this campaign is the level of engagement from so many people. Yes, there’s frustrations about tactics or missing signs. But think about how engaged people have become and how much we’ve all learned about our city finances.
As an example, I wanted to mention Dan Fahey, co-director of Newton for Fiscal Responsibility. Many of us knew his co-chair Jeff Seideman or Move Newton Forward’s Rob Gifford and Chris Hill before (MNF’s Sarah Ecker has stayed out of the public view). But this is Dan’s first venture into politics and I think he’s done a remarkable job convincingly articulating his views without being confrontational or condescending (skills I’ve yet to master).
Dan told me today Read more
PAC chairman steps down
Posted on May 14, 2008 by Chrissie Long
Filed Under General | 1 Comment
Thirteen-year chairman of the Parent Advisory Council for Special Education — Leslie Lockhart — is stepping down. The PAC invites residents to celebrate her service at 7 p.m. in the Education Center, Thursday (tomorrow) night.
Following the tribute, one mother (and author) will present her experiences navigating the school system for help with her dyslexic son. The presenter, Mary Jean Hughes, is the director of occupational therapy at the Massachusetts Hospital School. The event begins at 7:45 p.m. and is free.
New version of ‘Your Guide to the Override’
Posted on May 14, 2008 by Gail Spector
Filed Under General, The TAB, tax override | 7 Comments
In yesterday’s deadline haste, I inadvertently published the wrong version of “Your Guide to the Override” that appears on page 25 of today’s TAB. There aren’t a lot of changes — mostly small edits — with the exception of the answer to this question:
Mayor David Cohen originally wanted a $23.9 million override. How did we arrive at a $12 million override instead?
The printed version is very clunky and contains more than one inaccuracy. My apologies to everyone involved in crafting the override plans. I’ve posted a new version of the Guide. And here’s the answer that should have been in the newspaper: Read more
State becomes co-signer on Newton North
Posted on May 14, 2008 by Chrissie Long
Filed Under Newton North | 14 Comments
NEW ON WICKED LOCAL NEWTON: The Municipal Finance Oversight Board just approved Newton’s request to issue 30-year bonds for the high school project.
Under the Qualified Bond Act, the state now becomes the co-signer on Newton North High School and the city pays debt service through state aid.
According to Glenn Briere, spokesman for the state auditor, having the state co-sign on the project makes it more attractive to investors and lessens the burden on the city’s yearly finances. For story click here.
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