Safety remains the priority at MHS – forum this evening at 7:30

Early this afternoon police are stationed at the entrances of Milton High School again this afternoon as a Channel 5 news copter cirlces overhead.

We spoke with an officer stationed at the Blue Hill Parkway entrance who said the school is not locked down and people are free to come and go; but that they are checking out a couple things.

House budget would avoid raising taxes, but cut local aid

from The Boston Globe

Massachusetts House leaders today unveiled a budget for the new fiscal year that would likely leave fewer teachers in classrooms across the state and allow for fewer services for mentally ill residents, but would avoid raising taxes or dipping into the state’s dwindling rainy day fund. (Read the full story here.)

LWV candidate’s debate available online

You can now view the recent debate among candidates for town wide office on the League of Women Voters web site.

The League recently hosted debates for School Committee, Planning Board, and Assessor. There was no Selectman’s debate because Bob Sweeney had a personal issue and could not make it. The League does not allow for “single seat debates.”

View the debae here.

Update: Lock down at the High School

At last night’s School Committee meeting Chief Wells, Officer Richmond, and Dr. Drottar along with Superintendent Gormey addressed the the committee and gave a summary of the incident at the school and the actions taken before news crews from both Channel 7 and Fox.

Eric Edman is in the race for Town Meeting Member from Precinct 11

The following was contributed by the candidate

My name is Eric Edman and I am a Town Meeting candidate for precinct 11. I am a twenty year resident living at 5 Pagoda Street with my wife Patricia and 18 year old son Eric Jason. Our son is autistic and we adopted him when he was a year old to give him a better quality of life.

Is Selectman Shields position on the Ulin rink softening?

Update: Selectman Shields has not softened his position as he states in his response to this commentary. Please click “Read more” to view his comment. We appreciate the response and clarification.

Commentary by Frank Schroth

We were somewhat surprised and heartened to read the following quote from Selectman Shields in a recent article from The Boston Globe regarding the Ulin Rink:

“You’re getting a $5 million facility for just a dollar per year,’’ said Shields, adding that Joyce’s plan was much more beneficial to the town than the alternative move the Patrick administration could impose. “Most of the times this kind of plan has been brought up in the past, the plans have not been beneficial for the town. But Senator Joyce’s plan is different.’’

A frank talk with Glenn Pavlicek, candidate for School Committee

glenn pavlicek

Glenn Pavlicek

It’s hard to believe that Glenn Pavlicek is the old dog in this school committee race.

It was about 15 years ago that I first saw Mr. Pavlicek loping onto Kelly field with a young boy in tow. I was coaching T-ball and his older son was on the team. All our children are in college now. It seems like a long time ago.

Absentee ballots available

Absentee ballots are now available for the April 27 town election. You can find the absentee ballot form here.

Voters who will not be in town during the hours the polls are open,