Sounds like this guy is from our town

"Dump man" dumps on town officials in Brookfield. Maybe you've seen his yellow sign on Rt 9. Sounds like an opportunity for a sign bylaw ;)

Story here:

You think our HS was a white elephant

Try Newton. They are building a $171 million project. Unfortunately for them the state has come to its senses to some degree on this stuff and is limiting funding. Actually they just realized they can't afford too many more High School Mahals. So the regular towns folk will be left holding the bag again.

Barbara Anderson (a great citizen of our Commonwealth) was on Howie Carr the other day talking about this. Apparently a representative of Newton is trying to push a new elderly property tax exclusion. Not a home rule petition, mind you, which would limit this to one town, the whole state.

The proponents of this idea have no qualms about why they are doing it. It's so the seniors, who are the ones holding the line on taxes (because they're on fixed incomes AND more importantly they've heard it all as far as tax increases and don't fall for it anymore) will be less likely to vote down Prop 2 1/2 overrides.

The funny thing when you think about the rationale for new high schools is that property values will go up. But that means - higher taxes due to higher assessments right? I mean, unless ... well I won't even mention it - THEY CURB SPENDING??

Mercury collection at the BOH

While I was up at the Town Hall last night for the Charter Review meeting that got canceled I noticed a large notice by the Board of Health about mercury collection.

With the increased use of CFC (compact fluorescents) to save energy, there is the prospect of mercury contamination. Here's a link on what to do if you break a bulb. Here's the EPA site for how to manage mercury.

But anyway, it's good to know the BOH is now addressing this, collecting items from 8-4 during normal business hours. I think we had questioned them a few times last year and they are taking initiative to accept not only old bulbs but thermostats, thermometers, switches etc.

A more complete list from the EPA of consumer products with mercury is here.

I think I have a few jars worth of old thermostats and things I've been holding waiting for the opportunity to dispose of them. DON'T JUST THROW THEM IN THE TRASH! Think about it - Millbury incinerator will burn them up and people down in Milford etc will have airborne mercury floating around.

Together they can!

Tax us to death that is

New health insurance authority payroll here.

43 people on the payroll for administering the new health insurance plan (that goes after people who don't buy insurance). Isn't this kind of unconstitutional - forcing you to buy a product ... I dunno. But anyway the payroll doesn't come cheap either.

Check out this guy - chief marketing officer, $176K/yr!!! marketing?? Why do we need to market to people who are compelled to buy the product by law? OK it's not a constitutional law but still ....

Charter review meeting TONIGHT 5-6PM

Thought I'd send a message - this is a tough time for me, but I will try and make it because I think the time to comment on their plans is fast running out. The warrant for the town meeting has to be in next month I believe.

I might have to leave work early ... great, hopefully the boss isn't looking for me around that time ....

late edit: meeting was at 7 but it was cancelled due to weather.

$140K for fiber in the schools ... and???

Way back last May the BOS approved money for fiber for the schools. It'd be interesting to find out just what happened to that RFP and the funds.

Worst states for finding a job - it ain't us for a change

Believe it or not we're not that bad off - not top 10 anyway according to Careerbuilder. California is among the worst btw. Don't go west young man in search of California gold (or Alaska either).

Story is here.