Saturday, May 25, 2013
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 …
Thursday, May 23, 2013
The campaign committee called “Koutoujian for Congress” allows the candidate to raise money for a campaign and hire campaign staff.
Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced Thursday that he is opening a Congressional campaign committee account. The move is a serious indication that Koutoujian will run for U.S. Congress if Congressman Edward Markey wins the U.S. Senate special election next month. "I have dedicated my life to working on issues important to the people I have been honored to represent as a legislator and now as Sheriff. If given the opportunity, I intend to fight for the people of the 5th Congressional district as their representative in Washington," said Koutoujian. "Throughout my career, I have focused on guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care, enacting common sense measures to strengthen our economy, ensuring public …
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Outgoing lieutenant governor said recent controversies had nothing to do with decision to resign.
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said none of the controversies that have dogged him during his tenure on Beacon Hill contributed to his decision to announce his resignation. In a press conference at the State House Wednesday, Murray said his final day on the job will be June 2. The next day he will take over as president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce where his salary will reportedly be around $200,000. In January, Murray said he had no intention of running for governor when Gov. Deval Patrick's term expires in January 2015. "This has been a very difficult but empowering decision," Murray said. "It has been an honor to serve as lieutenant governor." Patrick called Murray an "outstanding partner" during his time in …
42.35763
-71.063499
Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon St, Boston, MA
/articles/murray-to-resign-june-2-patrick-calls-him-outstanding-partner
1465768
/locations/9409818
Raytheon is bidding to build a ‘Space Fence’ to track orbital debris, a project around which Hanscom Air Force Base, MIT Lincoln Labs and Mitre Corp. are all expected to be involved.
First cyberspace and now outer space. Hanscom Air Force Base, by virtue of the surrounding intellectual capital and scientific industry, has long been a leader in cutting edge defense systems. Home to the Electronic Systems Center and a first line of defense against cyber warfare, Hanscom now has its sights set on the “final frontier.” According to the Globe, Hanscom is a “focal point” for bids to build a $3 billion “Space Fence” system for tracking orbital debris. The local ties to the first-of-its kind Space Fence don’t stop there. One of the companies competing for to build the system is Waltham-based Raytheon, and engineers at MIT Lincoln Labs in Lexington and Mitre Corp in Bedford will assist Air Force officials in selecting the …
CBS Boston reports Murray has a new job lined up already.
UPDATE, 12:15 p.m.: The Massachusetts Republican Party was quick to jump on the reports about Murray's resignation, saying Murray is trying "to outrun the scandal that dogs him" in a statement on their website. MassGOP attempted to liken Murray's exit to that of former House Speaker Thomas Finneran, who was convicted of obstruction of justice in 2007. “History doesn’t always repeat itself, but in this case it looks like Tim Murray is following the same path as a previous, disgraced Democratic official,” said Nate Little MassGOP Executive Director in the scathing statement. “Only time will tell if Murray follows the Finneran playbook to the end, complete with indictment and guilty plea.” UPDATE, 10:45 a.m.: Boston.com has updated their …
42.35763
-71.063499
Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon St, Boston, MA
/articles/lt-gov-tim-murray-to-resign
1465768
/locations/9408680
The new shelter would be located on Lexington Street.
A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 28 to review and discuss a proposed zoning change that would allow the former north Waltham Library to be converted into a cat shelter, according to the group. Waltham-based Cat Connection has proposed converting the building, which sits next to the John F. Kennedy Middle School on Lexington Street, into a cat rehabilitation shelter. The proposal comes after the group stopped accepting new foster cats this year because it did not have enough foster families or a shelter. The hearing begins at 8 p.m. at City Hall. The group is asking for residents' support. "So we need your help: please attend the meeting and let the councilors know that Waltham residents support this change. Even if you don't …
Monday, May 20, 2013
The city would see a 3.1 percent increase in spending under the proposed budget.
The city's Finance Committee budget hearing will begin tomorrow, May 21, at City Hall. The session will begin at 8 a.m. and likely run until 5 p.m., according to City Clerk Russ Malone. Department heads and city officials will review and discuss the fiscal 2014 budget for potential changes. The hearing could run into a second day, if necessary, Malone said. Mayor Jeannette McCarthy's proposed budget totals $225 million which includes a 3.1 percent increase of approximately $6 million, according to a copy of the mayor's budget. Of that figure, $68 million would be budgeted for the Waltham Public Schools. As is normal practice, a final vote on the budget will take place at a later date.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Recap and analysis of the week in state government.
Like pieces of a puzzle that don't quite fit together yet, the Big Three may have been separated at birth, but with each incremental step their destinies seem to grow more intertwined. No, we're not talking about those Big Three - Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker Robert DeLeo - though they play major character roles in this thickening plot. Instead, three bills have come to define the early months of the 2013 legislative agenda and resolutions on tax hikes, local road funding and the annual state budget continue to be elusive and dependent on one another. Patrick spent the early part of his week welcoming British Prime Minister David Cameron to Boston for a few quick meetings and a visit to the Copley …
Friday, May 17, 2013
A new decision has been made relative to the city's overnight parking ban.
The city of Waltham has permanently lifted the overnight parking ban, according to Traffic Engineer Michael Garvin. Previously, motorists were prohibited from parking on most public streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. However, the Traffic Commission temporarily lifted that ban in December as a test period for abolishing it. The Traffic Commission, during a Thursday, May 16 meeting, voted to permanently lift the ban, Garvin told Waltham Patch. The decision takes affect immediately. The ban was lifted for several reasons. Garvin said the city has other ways to accomplish the goal of the previous ban — to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles. Garvin said the city can institute snow or weather emergencies which prohibit any parking on …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
A Waltham City Councillor is aiming for another city job.
Waltham City Councillor Thomas Curtin has resigned from the City Council. Curtin, who has served on the council for 12 years, told Waltham Patch he plans to apply for the assistant city clerk position. Kevin Ritcey, the current assistant clerk, plans to retire on June 28, according to City Clerk Russ Malone. While Curtin plans to apply for the assistant clerk job, he said he would have resigned regardless of the opening. "It's one of those things where everybody comes to this point in their life. For me, this was it,” Curtin said. “Now is the right time for me." Curtin's seat will remain unfilled until November when a new councillor is elected, according to Malone. Curtin announced his resignation during a Monday, May 13 council meeting …
42.37646
-71.23519
City of Waltham City Hall
610 Main St, Waltham, MA
/articles/waltham-city-councillor-resigns
198895
/locations/9386942
Curious
3:40 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2013
Peter would make an excellent Congressman. He has proven himself as a State Representative and Middlesex County Sherriff and has always shown himself to be a man committed to public service. Should he run he has my vote and support. more ›