On Brookline

News and commentary (mostly commentary) on events in Brookline, MA.

Archive for June, 2006

A Long, Hot Summer.

By Jim Conley • Jun 30th, 2006 • Category: On Brookline Blog

That’s what onbrookline.com promises those on the sixth floor of Town Hall in the coming weeks. But even heretics need a break, so the posting will be light over the holiday.
And for an Independence Day message, we’ll give the floor to Thomas Paine:
“Let them call me rebel and welcome, I feel no concern from [...]



We Have an Answer.

By Jim Conley • Jun 29th, 2006 • Category: On Brookline Blog

On the subject of legal fees (and their taxability) paid to the DPW Commissioner A. Thomas DeMaio. According to an expert who is both a lawyer and a CPA, reimbursement of legal fees by an employer is taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code, Section 61.
Sometimes when you rush to pay a crony, it [...]



The Record.

By Jim Conley • Jun 29th, 2006 • Category: On Brookline Blog

In today’s TAB reporter Jessica Scarpati covers the Town Hall spin (missing the point that the Selectmen relied on a bogus legal opinion to justify the expense) on the $11 thousand DeMaio indemnification and writes:
DeMaio said this week he was relieved the town would cover his legal bills. When asked, he said he hoped the [...]



Calling Lawyers and CPAs.

By Jim Conley • Jun 29th, 2006 • Category: On Brookline Blog

As I understand it, the Town’s reimbursement of DPW Commissioner A. Thomas DeMaio’s legal bill is considered additional compensation under state and federal tax laws. As such, the Town would need to withhold income taxes from the Commissioner’s paycheck.
Do we have a tax lawyer or CPA in the house that can shed some light? [...]



Too late.

By Jim Conley • Jun 28th, 2006 • Category: On Brookline Blog

So, when Town officials come to you in November saying they need a 3% tax surcharge to fund community preservation projects (and relieve pressure on the budget), ask them how they can rush an $11,000 check out to Jeffrey Allen, Esq. for questionable legal advocacy justified by bogus legal opinions.
Most businesses pay on invoices after [...]



The Way Brookline Does Business (Part II).

By Jim Conley • Jun 28th, 2006 • Category: On Brookline Blog

Here’s a curious item in the bill presented to the Town of Brookline for his legal advocacy on behalf of DPW Commissioner Tom DeMaio, or Town Hall’s Dr. Phil. Apparently Allen attended four meetings with Town Counsel Jennifer Dopazo at the time she was conducting an administrative review on behalf of the Selectmen.
Of course, [...]



More Silver Lining.

By Jim Conley • Jun 27th, 2006 • Category: CPA Vote

Remember when Selectman, and Community Preservation Act (CPA) Study Committee chair, Nancy Daly reportedly said that the recent increase in mortgage foreclosures would mean more Land Court filing fees, fees that could be used to match a 3% tax surcharge should the CPA be enacted by Brookline voters?
According to several people, she called the [...]



Administrative Salaries Are On-line

By Jim Conley • Jun 26th, 2006 • Category: On Brookline Blog

Town Administrator Richard Kelliher has announced salaries for top administrators and we’ve reserved a special place for them.
Click here to visit the Look Inside the Big Box section of onbrookline.com.



The Way Brookline Does Business.

By Jim Conley • Jun 26th, 2006 • Category: On Brookline Blog

Here’s the quality legal advocacy that took Jeffrey Allen Esq. more than 18 hours at $350.00 per hour to prepare (from the January 24, 2006 hearing transcript):
Page 45
ATTY. ALLEN: I am proud to have left here with a relationship with Tom DeMaio. He’s been with this Town 26 years, 13 years as your Commissioner. He [...]



I Think My Head is Going to Explode.

By Jim Conley • Jun 24th, 2006 • Category: On Brookline Blog

Here is the invoice sent by Jeffrey Allen to the Town of Brookline…an invoice the Town thinks is a reasonable amount for legal work. Allen - the pride of the New England School of Law - charges $350.00 per hour to prepare for a shouting match on behalf of DPW Commissioner A. Thomas DeMaio.
Note [...]