Looks like we got $$ for the waste water treatment plant we use from the federal stimulus package.
Link
Wonder if the sewer bill will go down now (roll eyes ;).
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Updates from the Fox TV ziptrip
Here's the site
There's a bunch of video and photos etc as well as a nice backgrounder I learned a lot from.
We're #1 for the book drive btw - thanks in large part to Bryn Mawr library and book fair - have to thank Eleena again for running that one and putting a big effort ... she volunteers a lot of time (actually to the detriment of our laundry pile many weeks, gonna kill me for saying that but, the people need to know the sacrifices being made for our town and kids haha ;)
Also we have a wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auburn,_Massachusetts
There's a bunch of video and photos etc as well as a nice backgrounder I learned a lot from.
We're #1 for the book drive btw - thanks in large part to Bryn Mawr library and book fair - have to thank Eleena again for running that one and putting a big effort ... she volunteers a lot of time (actually to the detriment of our laundry pile many weeks, gonna kill me for saying that but, the people need to know the sacrifices being made for our town and kids haha ;)
Also we have a wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auburn,_Massachusetts
Friday, May 8, 2009
It's a beautiful day for Auburn
What a great morning we had on the Fox ziptrip - I gotta hand it to the local affiliate . There was quite a crowd there early for the broadcast from Goddard park down at the fire station.
Obviously kudos again to Kristin, my wife Eleena and everyone who helped make this happen and come together. I think the more that show our town in a good light like this the better people will feel about it and the more we'll attract good people to our town and serving our community.
Which by the way, I think the town meeting last night was really something to feel good about as well.
Two major things - the budget proposal obviously the unions, departments, finance, BOS, schools really everyone came together and put together a very workable sensible plan for finances this year. It was nice that we are ahead of many other towns in this respect - we've got the "extra" $800K or so into stabilization for the seemingly inevitable budget cuts to come, as well as new growth in levy, some room in the levy limit before any prop 2 1/2 issues. And to have the schools propose a budget that was in line with what finance and BOS came up with - that really helps smooth out the process which frankly was very uncomfortable last year. Think of where we would be also if we had gone with a larger budget in 09. This is not to say there isn't hardship in this budget because it's clear everyone is feeling some of it.
Also on the articles - pretty much all of them passed with flying colors with the exception of the weed control which was split. I was torn but voted for it given the relatively small size of the amount. I see the issue with cuts and that everyone was trying to cut back. But as they mentioned nature doesn't care about budgets those weeds are going to try and grow their hardest despite any financial issues we might have. Hopefully town meeting members in the precincts affected will remember this when Stoneville comes with proposals in the future like this because we definitely need it in our watershed soon.
The other proposal I was really glad we voted for was something I blogged about a while back - impact fees legislation. It's not going to be easy, but this really enables us to not have to punish the whole for the burdens thrust on us from a few. We have to be careful and try and learn how Cape Cod did this because in general the SJC in Mass doesn't like them. So legislation has to be crafted in such a way as to be fair. It does hold the promise of providing a buffer for the town in terms of revenues or fees for large developments that can offset the costs such as police fire and largely schools.
Obviously kudos again to Kristin, my wife Eleena and everyone who helped make this happen and come together. I think the more that show our town in a good light like this the better people will feel about it and the more we'll attract good people to our town and serving our community.
Which by the way, I think the town meeting last night was really something to feel good about as well.
Two major things - the budget proposal obviously the unions, departments, finance, BOS, schools really everyone came together and put together a very workable sensible plan for finances this year. It was nice that we are ahead of many other towns in this respect - we've got the "extra" $800K or so into stabilization for the seemingly inevitable budget cuts to come, as well as new growth in levy, some room in the levy limit before any prop 2 1/2 issues. And to have the schools propose a budget that was in line with what finance and BOS came up with - that really helps smooth out the process which frankly was very uncomfortable last year. Think of where we would be also if we had gone with a larger budget in 09. This is not to say there isn't hardship in this budget because it's clear everyone is feeling some of it.
Also on the articles - pretty much all of them passed with flying colors with the exception of the weed control which was split. I was torn but voted for it given the relatively small size of the amount. I see the issue with cuts and that everyone was trying to cut back. But as they mentioned nature doesn't care about budgets those weeds are going to try and grow their hardest despite any financial issues we might have. Hopefully town meeting members in the precincts affected will remember this when Stoneville comes with proposals in the future like this because we definitely need it in our watershed soon.
The other proposal I was really glad we voted for was something I blogged about a while back - impact fees legislation. It's not going to be easy, but this really enables us to not have to punish the whole for the burdens thrust on us from a few. We have to be careful and try and learn how Cape Cod did this because in general the SJC in Mass doesn't like them. So legislation has to be crafted in such a way as to be fair. It does hold the promise of providing a buffer for the town in terms of revenues or fees for large developments that can offset the costs such as police fire and largely schools.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Zero hour PE
Cross-posted here.
Zero Hour PE - a before school (or early) fitness class and the effects on student acheivement.
The emphasis is NOT on expensive team sports here but rather on individual fitness, which serves the most students and brings the best results.
Long story short: Fitter body, smarter brain.
Zero Hour PE - a before school (or early) fitness class and the effects on student acheivement.
The emphasis is NOT on expensive team sports here but rather on individual fitness, which serves the most students and brings the best results.
Long story short: Fitter body, smarter brain.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Evidence of bigfoot found in Auburn
I've always had a suspicion that the legendary Sasquatch that the Nipmuc Indian tribes referred to in their unwritten oral history exists here in Auburn. As shown here in archive footage in a local stream fishing next to a bear, 150 years ago, before the Industrial Revolution, it wasn't uncommon to see them every day. In fact there are many accounts in areas like Auburn Pond, Drury Square and even mentions in Artemis Wards diaries of encounters with the affable but dangerous when riled animals here in Worcester County.
Well, as luck would have it, as I was out scouting around I saw evidence in my own yard of the beast! This spring certain nights, I have been hearing something outside rummaging around my trash can, but I put it down to local politicians looking for scraps. Well, after this there is no doubt - it's a Sasquathus giganticus Auburnus, the giant Auburn Sasquatch. You can see his spore next to the trash can here.
Apparently, he likes Miller Lite.
and as shown here, he tried to consume ... a stalk of broccoli, but it wasn't to his liking because he didn't finish it.
Although he did relieve himself in the sand. As you can see in this exclusive photographic proof, the hominid was standing apparently unable to contain himself. Or maybe he just had too many Lites.
Well, as luck would have it, as I was out scouting around I saw evidence in my own yard of the beast! This spring certain nights, I have been hearing something outside rummaging around my trash can, but I put it down to local politicians looking for scraps. Well, after this there is no doubt - it's a Sasquathus giganticus Auburnus, the giant Auburn Sasquatch. You can see his spore next to the trash can here.
Apparently, he likes Miller Lite.
and as shown here, he tried to consume ... a stalk of broccoli, but it wasn't to his liking because he didn't finish it.
Although he did relieve himself in the sand. As you can see in this exclusive photographic proof, the hominid was standing apparently unable to contain himself. Or maybe he just had too many Lites.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Formula big box stores impact mitigation
Cross-posted from Dennis
I realize we're pretty far down that road here in town (there's a pun there somewhere with all the roads ;) but given the issues with Lowes and the like, some ideas ...
Link
Story
Paper
The other thing you realize is - the impact of empty boxes. Take a look around on Rt 12. There are risks for building these ugly monstrosities if/when they go out of business. We need to be in it for the long haul and respect the branding/look of the town in planning.
I realize we're pretty far down that road here in town (there's a pun there somewhere with all the roads ;) but given the issues with Lowes and the like, some ideas ...
Link
Story
Paper
The other thing you realize is - the impact of empty boxes. Take a look around on Rt 12. There are risks for building these ugly monstrosities if/when they go out of business. We need to be in it for the long haul and respect the branding/look of the town in planning.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Gateway Partners success story
Nice story in the Worcester Business Journal about Gateway park. My alma mater WPI is a major tenant in the complex and now - they need to expand! Jim McGovern was integral in obtaining federal money to help with the development of the place - think it was a brownfield also - toxic site that they helped rehab into a state of the art biotech area.
And - check out the additional tax money they generate for the city each year! Auburn would be well-served by a project like this, I'm thinking particularly in the area of the new "gateway highway district" or whatever down on Rt 12.
And - check out the additional tax money they generate for the city each year! Auburn would be well-served by a project like this, I'm thinking particularly in the area of the new "gateway highway district" or whatever down on Rt 12.
The results include an MBI business incubator facility and the tenancy of both RXI Pharmaceuticals and Blue Sky Biotech in the WPI building. Today, 226 people work in its various companies and academic units. The building is bursting at the seams, and additional facilities are needed for expansion of the growing life science companies—facilities that pay property taxes. This year, Gateway Park will pay Worcester nearly $300,000 in property taxes.
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