Excellent piece by Fred Hanson of Patriot Ledger / Wicked Local on the forums being held by the Police Department. Chief Wells gives some interesting statistics and a unique perspective. You can find more information on the forums here.

from Wicked Local

It was a view of police operations not normally seen by outsiders.

For a group of 10 residents and town officials Wednesday night, Milton Police Chief Richard Wells went behind the budget numbers to explain how cuts in police staffing would harm the services provided by the department.

“Every time you lose an officer, it impacts the way you patrol the town,” Wells said. (Read the full story here.)

from Wicked Local

A defense lawyer who has faced off against Carmen Ortiz in court says the federal prosecutor is “straightforward and honest and doesn’t play games.”

Another defense lawyer, who met Ortiz when she was a prosecutor in Middlesex County, describes her as a “decent and compassionate individual” who has a great reputation. (Read the full story here).

Wicked Local: Westborough has a summary of end of season baseball action. Milton topped Natick 2-1 in a game that went 11 innings and Wellseley took the Bay State Herget division for the first time in 23 years.

You can read the summary here.

If you are planning on leaving Milton this week end you might want to check out the following. The state has installed new traffic cams at key congestion spots.There is a 511 number you can call for traffic information and they’ve improved their web site. You can learn more in an article in today’s Globe. Read the article here.

from The Daily News Transcript

The seventh inning was a type of horror show that Walpole High baseball coach Bill Tompkins has seen all too often this season.

The Rebels allowed six runs in one of the final three innings for the third time this year, as they bobbled away a chance to secure a fifth straight Herget Division title with a 9-5 loss to Milton, which qualified for the postseason, at a raw Eldracher Field yesterday. (Read the full story here.)

What a fantastic achievement. Congratulations Ms. Ortiz!

from The Boston Globe

Carmen M. Ortiz, who grew up poor in New York City’s Spanish Harlem neighborhood and became a state and then a federal prosecutor in Massachusetts, is poised to become the first woman and the first Hispanic US attorney in the state.

US Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry recommended yesterday that President Obama nominate Ortiz, the daughter of Puerto Rico natives, to the highest federal law enforcement position in the state. (read the full story here.)

The Milton High School afterschool ensembles performed last night and filled the high school auditorium with music as crisp and bright as the day that preceded it.

The afterschool ensembles are groups of musicians that meet before or after school to rehearse. They include;

• The Jazz Combo
• The Jazz Band
• The Jazz Band 2
• The Afterschool Singers (mixed)
• The Girls Afterschool Chorus
• The Boys Afterschool Chorus
• The Gospel Choir
• The 16th String (freshman string ensemble)
• The Senior String Ensemble

Read more

from Wicked Local

Supporters made what may be a final pitch to save the East Milton branch to library trustees Tuesday night.

“If this library is closed, I don’t think it will ever reopen,” former state Rep. M. Joseph Manning said.

(read the full story here.)

The School Committee will be meeting this evening, 05/19/09 @ 7:00pm in the MHS library.

The Superintendent will review the class of 2009 college admission status, the chairman will discuss subcommittee appointments, and the finance sub-committee will provide an update. Click on the “Continue reading . . . ” link below for the full agenda.

Read more

Ms Gormley, Superintendent of the Milton Public Schools published a letter to parents on the school web site. She writes:

In our continued efforts to keep you current on the important health issues which arise in our district, we want to inform you that the Milton Board of Health has confirmed the first case of H1N1/Swine Flu in a Milton High School student. The student is doing well and expected to make a full recovery. The Milton Public School system is working closely with the Milton Board of Health to ensure maximum surveillance in our community. To this end, we are being guided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It is very important for parents/ guardians to make responsible decisions concerning sending a child to school if sick with flu like symptoms. A check list is attached to help all parents and guardians make appropriate choices for the safety of your child and the students, staff and community as a whole.
Most important, please take common sense precautions with any family member who presents with flu like symptoms.
Contact Margaret Gibbons if you have any additional questions or concerns at 617-696-4470 ext. 1.

You can find the letter as well as a flu symptom check list from Massachusetts Department of Health here.