Frank Schroth

This Override Matters! Vote YES on Monday, 6/8

MyTownMatters Commentary

by Frank Schroth

It is difficult to imagine what life will be like in this town if we fail to pass the contingent override budget that is on the ballot in Milton’s special election this coming Monday, June 8th.

An entity remains financially viable by controlling costs and maintaining revenue. Milton has three significant costs: salaries, pensions, and insurance. It has two key revenue streams: property taxes and state aid. State aid has been cut so now we have a significant shortage of revenue.

The loss of revenue requires cuts in services. These cuts have been identified by the respective department heads at town meeting and numerous public forums. (Please see the links at the end of this post).

So this override matters. It matters because the outcome will directly affect our lives and the lives of our children.

If it fails to pass the town’s bond rating may be at risk. Kevin Sorgi, town treasurer for the pasat 28 years, has said that one reason Milton had the solid bond rating it did was due to the willingness to pass overrides to ensure the town services did not deteriorate.

Without the override the cuts to the school system will be so substantial that the schools may be at risk of being put on probation. Thirty-two teachers will be let go and classroom sizes may balloon to ~30.

We will not be as safe and secure in our homes. A fire station will close and 5 police officers will be relieved of duty. It is reasonable to expect response times to slow.

Maybe Milton property values, which to date have been fairly resilient given the recession, will continue to hold their value despite these risks or maybe not.

These are risks that some voters might be willing to take.

But when it comes to the town’s students it is not about risk, it is about loss. The cuts to the schools are a reduction in opportunities for the students. In the words of one school committee person, the schools would be “seriously diminished.” As adults we would not feel any of this; but the students will. Their opportunities will be diminished; their life experiences diminished; their chances for success, diminished. And following from that it is not too much of a stretch to say that all of our futures will be diminished.

We cannot let that happen. Vote YES on Monday, June 8th to ensure the town’s safety and security, it’s sound bond rating, it’s accredited schools, and the quality educational experience the town’s children should have.

Related links

> Invest in Milton: Web Site |  Blog
> Phil Matthews / Milton View: “What’s at Stake”
> MHS senior Siobahn O’Grady’s speech to Town Meeting
> Property Tax Impact Table

> Videos
– Chief Wells: Cops Count
– Warrant Chairman Tom Hurley’s TM presentation
– Superintendent Mary Gormley’s TM presentation
– Selectmen Chairman John Shields speech to Town Meeting

Student accused of making bomb threat

from the Boston Globe

A 13-year-old student at Pierce Middle School allegedly left a bomb threat on a school wall yesterday that authorities determined was a hoax. The student, who was not named, was quickly identified as the person responsible for the note, Mary C. Gormley, superintendent of Milton schools, said in an e-mail to parents and school staff. (Read the full story here. note  story is at the bottom of the page.)

from the Patriot Ledger

A 13-year-old student faces criminal charges after confessing to leaving a message in a boy’s bathroom threatening to “blow up” the Pierce Middle School, police said.

The school, on Central Avenue, was evacuated shortly before 2:30 p.m. Thursday after the hand-written threat was discovered. It read: “I’m going to blow this school up tomorrow at 8 a.m.,” Deputy Police Chief Paul Nolan said. (Read the Ledger story here.)

Program cuts hit Milton ballplayers

from The Boston Globe

When the University of Vermont baseball team made its annual pilgrimage to Little Fenway Wiffle Ball in Essex, Vt., a one-fourth scale replica of the Red Sox stadium, the three players hailing from Milton, Mass., dominated play.

“We were all on the same team,” recalled UVM sophomore shortstop Matt Duffy, referring to junior pitcher Tom Kelly and freshman infielder James Katsiroubas, former teammates on the Milton Post 114 American Legion team that won the 2006 Northeast title. Duffy and Katsiroubas were also teammates at Milton High, while Kelly played at Catholic Memorial. (Read the full story here.)

Cab stolen in Milton

from The Patriot Ledger

Two men stole a cab in Milton after getting a ride from the Ashmont MBTA station in Dorchester, police said. (Read the full story here.)

“Invest in Milton” interviews town officials

The group, “Invest in Mitlon” is interviewing town officials in advance of the June 8th election.

Invest in Milton is a local advocacy group campaigning in support of a Yes vote in the upcoming override election.

Regardless of your position on the issue, the interviews are informative and will provide a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the various town departments and officials.

Interviews with Tom Hurley, chairman of the warrant committee and Mary Gormley, Superintendent of Schools, have been posted. Additional interviews will be forthcoming.

You can listen to the interviews here.

SPECIAL WEDNESDAY “KIDS CONCERT” – Baron Hugo Gazebo on the Town Green at the Town Hall

The Milton Parks & Recreation present Wayne Potash “Yodel for a Fish”

Sponsored by Milton Early Childhood Alliance / Milton Park Department

At the Baron Hugo Gazebo on the Town Green at the Town Hall. The concert starts at 6:30.

NOTE: ***Schedule Subject to Change***
Concerts are offered by the Milton Parks and Recreation and the Board of Selectmen

RAIN CANCELLATION INFO AFTER 4 PM: 617-898-4940

23nd Annual Milton Road Race

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One of the largest sports events of the season is about to take place. And you can participate!
$20.00 (Non-refundable), $25.00 Day of Race
$5.00 Kids Fun Run -10 yrs. and under

Pre registration will take place June 8th from 4:00 – 7:00. You can also register online.

Visit their web site here.

WHERE: Cunningham Park / 75 Edge Hill  Rd / Milton, MA

WHEN: Tuesday, June 9th @ 6:30pm rain or shine.

Public Service Announcement: Town of Milton

We received the following email, a public service announcement from Town Hall:
There have been recent episodes on the south shore of individuals claiming to be Public Works employees in an attempt to gain access to homes.  If someone comes to your door claiming to be a Public Works employee and does not have identification, please do not grant them access.  Call Kathy Bowen at 617.898.4974 to confirm that they are in fact a Public Works employee.


“Mulan” at Pierce Middle School – change in schdule

Come see a stand out performance of Mulan, the tale of a young woman warrior. The performance is being staged by the Pierce Players.

Enjoy a great night of theater and support the Pierce drama students. It is sure to be a wonderful night.

Note the following:

June 5, 2009
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Tonight’s performance of Mulan Jr. will take place as previously scheduled at 7:00 PM
tonight in the Pierce Auditorium. Unfortunately, tonight’s show is already sold out. You will
not be able to purchase tickets at the door. As a reminder, students attending the
performances must be accompanied by an adult.
We were forced to cancel last evening’s performance and it has been rescheduled for
tomorrow afternoon, Saturday at 3:00 PM. All cast and crew members have been asked to
report to the Pierce auditorium at 1:30 PM tomorrow and the show will start at 3:00 PM.
If you purchased tickets for Thursday evening’s show, we will be honoring those tickets at
the Saturday matinee, June 6th, 2009. If by chance you purchased tickets for the Thursday
evening performance and are unable to able to make the Saturday show, simply contact
Assistant Principal, Anna McReynolds and we will be happy to reimburse you for the cost of
the ticket.
Again, I apologize for this disruption and truly appreciate your flexibility and ongoing
support.
Sincerely yours,
James F. Jette
Principal
Pierce Middle School

Salt marsh mosquito outbreaks predicted

from The Patriot Ledger

The sun is shining, the weather is heating up, and mosquito season is here.

Salt marsh mosquitoes, common in Boston, Quincy, Weymouth, Milton and Braintree, are expected to be the most aggressive biters this summer, according to the Massachusetts Natural Resources Collaborations. (read the full story here.)