Saturday, June 8, 2013
Massachusetts may approve 18 more giant lighted boards as a way to boost revenue. Is it worth the money if the light burns all night long?
Are you ready for digital billboards on state land across the commonwealth? The Department of Transportation wants the glowing house-sized signs on its property across the state, and the revenue they'll bring to the state, according to the Boston Globe. Under the current deal signed with Clear Channel, the state would get a cut of each billboard's revenue—either 25 percent or $90,000 a year, whichever is higher. But other states have negotiated more lucrative deals. Current Massachsetts state law allows these digital billboards, but prohibits any animation. So you won't see the latest Geico lizard ad or anything like that, but you may see a rotating set of images. It also requires the sign's owner to set aside time for public service …
Recap and analysis of the week in state government.
It could have been a turning point in the race, the moment when the lights flicked on and the much-anticipated contest finally lived up to expectations for a U.S Senate race. Would Congressman Edward Markey finally slam the door on Gabriel Gomez and dash the GOP's dream of Scott Brown redux? Could Gomez shine, narrow the polls and entice national Republican donors to start paying attention? Instead, all anyone wanted to talk about Thursday morning was the thrilling Bruins double overtime victory in Game 3 of the NHL Eastern Conference finals. Tuukka Rask as a write-in? At long last, Markey and Gomez shared the same debate stage. In fact, they were so close to each other in the WBZ studios they practically shared a podium. It was all Markey…
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
AP reports the president will campaign for the Senate hopeful in Copley Plaza.
President Barack Obama will campaign in Boston next week for Democratic Congressman Edward Markey in the U.S. Senate special election race, according to an Associated Press report published by CBS Boston. The president recently issued his endorsement of Markey's bid and First Lady Michelle Obama also appeared at a Boston fundraiser for Markey. The AP reports President Obama will attend a fundraiser for Markey in Copley Plaza next Wednesday, June 12. The Boston Herald was first to report on the visit, according to the AP. Markey will face Republican Cohasset businessman and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez in the June 25 election to replace U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in the Senate.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Tonight is your chance to sound off on a proposed $68 million in costs for fiscal year 2014.
Residents will have their chance to weigh in on the city's proposed budget during a scheduled public hearing tonight. Mayor Robert Dolan has proposed an operating budget of $68,048,387.30 for fiscal year 2014, and is subject to further adjustments by the city council. Those wishing to speak about budget priorities can attend the hearing scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday night in the Aldermanic Chambers. You can also go over the budget line-by-line in the attached documents above. For further details, check out this hyperlinked copy of tonight's agenda.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Recap and analysis of the week in state government.
The specter of deceased citizens collecting welfare benefits haunted the marbled halls of the State House this week as Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray tied up the loose ends dangling on his six-and-a-half years with the Patrick administration and Attorney General Martha Coakley sued the Obama administration for allegedly putting fishermen on death row. Other than that, the arrival of steamy days in Boston ushered in a post-Memorial Day and budget week lull at the State House with the governor out of town, politicos watching two special elections and committees plodding forward with bill hearings while lawmakers wait for word from on high about their next big votes. Congressman Ed Markey and Republican Gabriel Gomez also continued sniping from a …
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Youngsters and their families are invited to the annual event, which teaches kids about the nuts and bolts of running a city.
The city's Department of Public Works will hold its eleventh annual open house this morning, and kids/families are encouraged to drop by and learn about the people that keep city services running. This year's theme? "Public Works - Everyday Superheroes." The event, held at the yard's 72 Tremont St. location, is aimed at children eight and under. "DPW Day is fun, but it also has a serious purpose," Mayor Robert Dolan wrote in an email. "It's an opportunity to educate our young people about the importance of our roads, water and sewer systems, stormwater systems and recycling, and to meet the men and women responsible for ensuring everything runs smoothly." The program is in conjunction with the city's emphasis on science, technology, …
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Melrose Public Works - City Yard
72 Tremont St, Melrose, MA
/articles/celebrate-everyday-superheros-at-dpw-day
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Tuesday, May 28, 2013
The city website makes it easy.
Have a streetlight on your street that needs replacement? The city's website offers a free and easy way to report the malfunction - fill out the form at this link. If you don't get satisfaction, or prefer using the telephone, you can always ring Siemens at 1-800-LIGHTS-ON.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Residents can save checks and time paying their municipal bills online.
Still writing checks to pay your bills? Melrose offers residents the opportunity to make electronic payments for real estate, excise, water/sewer taxes and more. To register, fill out this form on the city's website. Once you have an account, you can log-in and pay your bills with electronic transfers or via credit card. For more information, check out the service's FAQ.
The Massachusetts house passed legislation to treat most 17-year-olds as juvenile defenders. Is this a compassionate or dangerous change?
Massachusetts is currently one of only 11 states that tries 17-year-olds as adults. A bill passed this week by the state's House of Representatives would make these teenagers juvenile defenders, according to a report by 7News Boston. That will put the commonwealth in line with most other states, where adult court is reserved for individuals 18 and older. The bill still allows the state to try 17-year-olds as adults in serious cases, like murders. But proponents hope the change will reduce cases of rape in the state's prison system by keeping younger inmates away from older, stronger convicts. What do you think? Are we getting too soft on younger defendants? Or is this a justified, compassionate change to protect teenagers? Tell us your …
Recap and analysis of the week in state government.
The rush from Beacon Hill to the westbound turnpike this week had as much to do with two of Worcester's political sons beating feet from the capitol as with the impending Memorial Day weekend. As Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray attempted as graceful an exit as possible from politics, fellow Worcester Democrat Rep. John Fresolo made his hasty escape under an ethics cloud feeling "marginalized" by his peers and pressured to resign, which he did. If not for those two storylines, the focus may have been on the Senate's breakneck budget debate concluding Thursday night as senators wiped their hands clean of 725 amendments and passed a $34 billion fiscal 2014 budget without the need for Senate President Therese Murray to threaten a Friday or Saturday …
Mike G.
1:26 am on Wednesday, June 12, 2013
NIMBY-ism in full effect. Gotta love it. more ›