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The economic crisis and Wellesley
Posted on October 13, 2008 by Elana Zak
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Gov. Deval Patrick recently announced he will cut spending, which could mean a lot less local aid for towns. Less local aid means less services, such as policemen and firemen. Right now, the town is budgeted to receive $8,556, 840 from the state. Sheryl Strother, Wellesley’s town accountant, said it would be “catastrophic” if those services were reduced.
“We’re lobbying hard that cities and towns aren’t impacted,” she said.
Furthermore, Special Town Meeting is looming and it is the first step in the high school project either being rejected or endorsed by the town. In the economic downturn we are now experiencing, many might be wondering how likely it is that the high school project will be passed.
What do you think? This is the largest project the town has ever funded, coming in at $87 million for the taxpayers of Wellesley. Is now a good time to ask residents to pay for this?
Time running out to file for tax stimulus payments
Posted on October 10, 2008 by Cathy Brauner
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
A reminder from H &R Block landed in the Townsman’s mailbox this week:
According to IRS data, 151,154 area veterans, retirees, and citizens have yet to file a tax return in order to receive their economic stimulus checks in Massachusetts. Local H&R Block offices are reminding these Americans that they must file a tax return by Oct. 15 in order to receive their checks.
“With stimulus payments starting at $300, $600 and $1,200, filing a tax return is even more important this year – even if you’re not typically required to file a return.” said Kimberly Powell of H & R Block in the press release. “Local veterans, retirees and others who haven’t filed should act now, so there’s no chance of them missing out on this government incentive.”
Taxpayers with Social Security benefits, certain veteran’s benefits, and other qualifying income totaling at least $3,000, are eligible for a stimulus payment.
WHS students in trouble for Facebook Drinking?
Posted on October 10, 2008 by Elana Zak
Filed Under Wellesley High School | Leave a Comment
UPDATE: According to one source I have, I guess WHS students were drinking and posted pictures of them doing that on Facebook. The school administration found out. Not that I condone drinking underage, but if you are, don’t put evidence of it up on Facebook! That’s just asking to be caught.
I’m not 100 percent sure what this pertains to, but according to the unofficial Wellesley High student forum, The Radford, the school administration called in students regarding “Facebook Drinking.”
The matter is only listed as a poll question (”How freaked were you when the administration was calling students down for the Facebook Drinking?”) so I don’t have any more details, yet, on this topic, but it does seem interesting.
FYI: The majority of the roughly 40 kids who answered the poll said it didn’t concern them. Do you have any more info on this? If so, please share in the comments section!
Last chance to say goodbye to the birthplace of Wellesley
Posted on October 10, 2008 by Elana Zak
Filed Under Buildings in town, Wellesley Country club | Leave a Comment
This weekend is your last chance to say goodbye to the current Country Club’s clubhouse. The building, which was Needham’s original Town Hall and a poor farm at one point, is slated for demolition early next week.
Many in Wellesley have fond feelings towards the old building because it was where West Needham voted to separate from East Needham in 1880. West Needham bloomed into the town of Wellesley. Just because the building is coming down, however, doesn’t mean the building won’t live on.
Various parts of the building, from the flooring of the room where the momentous 1880 decision was made, to parts of the posts and beams to some windows and decorative stairwell posts, have been saved and will be put into storage, according to Greg Mills, chair of the Board of Selectmen.
Update on Forest Street/Abbott Road issues
Posted on October 10, 2008 by Elana Zak
Filed Under Roads | Leave a Comment
For any of you watching the Board of Selectmen over the past few months, the issue over what to do regarding the intersection at Forest Street and Abbott Road has been a point of much debate. (The neighbors can get really upset over this topic and are not shy about sharing their opinions, as was shown at one meeting where this matter was discussed for more than an hour and a half).
The good news is a resolution has been made. In a 3-2 vote, the Board of Selectmen voted this past Monday to undertake improvements to the area which will hopefully improve traffic calming and help insure buses can easily turn. There will be a change in the curb configuration, forcing cars to slow down, which also provides more room for trucks/buses making a left from Forest Street onto Abbott Road. The board also agreed to add a 30 mph sign at the intersection of Abbott and Inverness roads that will be clearly visible to motorists.
The work should be done before the winter comes, said Board of Selectmen Chairman Greg Mills, and will cost $10,000. Taxpayers, however, won’t be impacted because the money is coming from parking fines and fees from the town’s parking meters.
Wellesley’s Blink Master*
Posted on October 8, 2008 by Elana Zak
Filed Under Elections, People, Politics | 1 Comment
*Editor’s Note: This video was made on Oct. 3, 2008, before the second presidential debate had occurred.
URINETOWN (THE MUSICAL) “The Best Musical Comedy with the Worst Name”
Posted on October 8, 2008 by Keith E. Jacobson
Filed Under Entertainment, Uncategorized, Wellesley High School | Leave a Comment
Students from the Wellesley High School Drama Society will be presenting URINETOWN, a musical comedy, on November 6th, 7th, and 8th in the Wellesley High School Auditorium. Tickets may be purchased at Roche Brothers in Wellesley on Monday, October 20th from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm and on Tuesday, October 21st from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm. You may also download the ticket form at the WEB site.
Wellesley teachers get a new contract
Posted on October 8, 2008 by Elana Zak
Filed Under Schools, Wellesley High School | Leave a Comment
The Wellesley School Committee and the Wellesley Teachers Association have agreed on a new contract which includes salary raises and a revision of the current health insurance plan.
There will be lower monthly premiums for both the town and employees who fall under the agreement, according to a press release sent out by the office of Asst. Superintendent Carol Gregory. This will start in January 2009.
As far as raises, for fiscal 2009, there will be a 1 percent raise for all teachers and a 3 percent raise at the top level. In 2010 and 2011, there will be a 3 percent raise overall.
The Teachers Association ratified the agreement on this on Oct. 7.
Volunteers needed to teach English language skills
Posted on October 7, 2008 by Cathy Brauner
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Literacy Unlimited needs ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) volunteers to work one-on-one teaching English language skills or basic literary skills to adults. Daytime tutor training sessions take place 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the following dates: Oct. 16, 23 and 30, and Nov. 6, 13 and 20. Classes will meet in the Trustees’ Room of the Framingham Public Library.
Teaching experience is not required because training will be provided. Participants should be able to speak English clearly and correctly and have a high school diploma or higher. Tutoring may take place at the library, Morse Institute and other locations at times convenient to tutors and their students.
For information about Literacy Unlimited and to register, call 508-532-5574 or e-mail FPLMail4@minlib.net.
Barney Frank defends bailout
Posted on October 6, 2008 by Greg Reibman
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Now on Wicked Local Wellesley: Defending the $700 billion rescue plan, Congressman Barney Frank told reporters today that the bailout was necessary to ensure the financial problems weren’t being carried out on the backs of the average citizen.
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“People said ‘Gee, you are bailing out the wealthy people’,” Frank said from a podium in the War Memorial at Newton City Hall. “The fact is the people on Wall Street who had been running the show have enough money to live for the rest of two or three lives and never do another day’s work. The banks were going to do fine…
“It was average citizens, people who worked as salesman in auto showrooms, construction workers, people in small businesses and their employees who couldn’t get inventory. They were the ones that were going to pay. We did what we thought we had to do.”
