On the matter of Chapter 40T, Brookline’s House Delegation all voted to override the governor’s veto, and to allow “Special Development Districts.” Despite telling me he voted to sustain the veto, Rep. Frank Smizik is listed as not voting in the official roll call.
It’s not like we should expect the Boston Reps who have [...]
Some Brookline Town Meeting members are circulating an e-mail warning of a provision in a legislative bill (Section 41 of House Bill 5057) that could further erode local decision-making in development matters. Known as Chapter 40T, the provision essentially gives municipalities the power to create “Special Development Districts” that could operate independently of local [...]
It seems Deborah Goldberg, a former Chair of the Brookline Board of Selectmen, has repositioned herself as the education candidate in the race for Massachusetts Lt. Governor.
What the…?
Is this the same Deborah Goldberg who presided over a Board that gave as much in capital funds for a school renovation ($15 million less than asked for) [...]
…to impose a 3% real estate tax surcharge in Brookline. According to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, existing home sales in the Commonwealth have fallen 16.6 percent because of, mostly, higher interest rates.
And foreclosures have risen by 66 percent (a good thing according to CPA Study Committee Chair Nancy Daly).
So, what’s the message [...]
Onbrookline.com has received the accounts payable reports for various town departments over 2005 and 2006. Now while there’s a lot to mine in these reports, one conclusion is inescapable - Brookline’s Economic Development Office is a colossal waste of money.
Never mind that it’s director serves as the adjunct PR agent for Winn Development. [...]
Jessica Scarpati does an admirable job in today’s Brookline TAB of covering the Lawrence School fiasco and reports that the Town is on the hook for $700 thousand in additional costs.
But the real price tag to taxpayers from this plunder of blunder is $3 million. In their initial audit, the State peeled back their [...]
In a few months, voters in Brookline will be asked to approve a 3% tax surcharge to finance a Community Preservation Fund (or CPA). Now, to hear proponents tell it, the raison d’etre behind the CPA is that it will provide the funds to bring more affordable housing on-line in Brookline.
Are you kidding? [...]
We’re going to suspend our (some say too) rigid comment rules and open up the floor to anyone who wants to post a comment. As long as you have a valid e-mail and you register under your full name, an alias is allowed. We’ll see how high-minded Brookline responds.
Remember the $11,000 legal bill the Town covered for Brookline DPW Commissioner A. Thomas DeMaio? According to tax lawyers, with whom I have spoken, if the Town fails to withhold taxes from DeMaio on this special compensation, the Town will have to pay the tax instead of DeMaio.
When I asked Brookline Town Administrator Richard [...]
…on the playground at 5 Brookline Place. In response to the rather egregious statement made Dr. Alan Balsam, the Town’s health director, that the ground at the playground has been tested and proven safe (see News from Chumpville), I received a copy of this 2004 test report in the mail.
The only thing these [...]
