Milton is not alone in running somewhat afoul of the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The Boston Globe reports today that both Hingham and Milton received letters from the SBA cautioning them on closing a school.

The school committee here was reviewing closing a school in an attempt to deal with harsh economic realities and the drastic reductions in state aid. While sympathetic, the SBA is clear that closing a school is not without consequences. You can read the letter from Ms. Craven, director of the SBA, to the school committee here.

The Globe quotes Ms. Craven as saying, “When you have to close an older school to have the money to open a new one, it’s a situation SBA doesn’t want to create,” Craven said. “You see it more in towns that lack a broad tax base, like Milton, where there’s not much of a commercial base. That’s a structural problem and they need a long-term solution.”

You can read the full Globe story here.

NOTES:

1. The version of this story that appears in print is somewhat expanded. In that version Tom Hurley, chairman of the Warrant Committee, notes that he’s not sure the override has voter support. Pay increases account for the lion’s share of the school budget increases for the upcoming year. Hurley is quoted as saying, “The feeback I’ve heard, although it is not a poll by any means, is that the people don’t want to have an override for pay increases.”
2. There will be school committee meeting tomorrow night at the Milton High School Library @ 7:00 pm to discuss theFY10 budget.

from The Sun Chronicle

Tori Rocha, Brittney Noons and Lyndsey Coutourier each stroked a pair of hits as the Dighton-Rehoboth High softball team came away with a hard-earned, 8-2 victory over Milton Saturday in a non-league game. (read the full story here.)

from The Sun Chronicle

A Milton man has been arrested on a number of charges stemming from a road rage incident, police reported today.

Wrentham police Wednesday night informed Norfolk police about the incident on Dedham Street (Route 1A) near the town line. (read the full story here.)

from The Patriot Ledger

A Citizens Bank in Milton was robbed Friday, most likely by the same person who robbed a Quincy Citizens Bank on Thursday, police said.

The man walked into the Milton bank at 420 Granite Ave. around 2:30 p.m. and passed the teller a note saying he had a gun and wanted cash in $50 and $20 bills, Milton Deputy Police Chief Paul Nolan said. (Read the full story here.)

The Board of Selectmen interviewed the 3 finalists that have been recommended by the selection committee tasked with identifying qualified candidates for Fire Chief. The current chief, Malcolm Larson is retiring July 1. He has been Milton’s Fire Chief for the last 11 years.

The three candidates are John Foley Jr., John Grant Jr., and Brian Linehan. All three are internal candidates and hold the position of deputy fire chief. Foley is a senior deputy fire chief.

The Board of Selectmen expect to make a decision next week.

You can find Wicked Local coverage of the Selectmen’s interviews here.

This information has been posted elsewhere previously but here it is all in one place.  Note, if the candidate has a web site, then their name will be “hot” (i.e. click on their name to go to their web site).

Treasurer & Collector – Candidates are Janet Lorden, James McAuliffe, and Charlie McCarthy

• Candidate summaries with links to candidate submissions made to Milton Times
• Milton Speaks Treasurer debate
• League of Women Voters Treasurer debate
• MyTownMatters conversation with Janet Lorden
• MyTownMatters conversation Charlie McCarthy

Note: Mr. McAuliffe did not respond to requests for an interview

Park Commissioner – Candidates are Stephen Affanato and Thomas McCarthy

• Candidate summaries with links to candidate submissions made to Milton Times when available
• League of Women Voters Park Commissioner debate

Library Trustee – Candidates are Raymond P. Czwakiel, Andrea Gordon (incumbent), Barbara A. Mason, Brendan F. McLaughlin, Ingrid L. Shaffer and Tammy D. Vyas (Note: Vote for three)

• Candidate summaries with links to candidate submissions made to Milton Times
• League of Women Voters Library Trustee debate

Assessor – Candidates are Todd Greenwood and Thomas Gunning

• Candidate summaries with links to candidate submissions made to Milton Times

from The Patriot Ledger

The Milton Player’s production of “Seussical the Musical.” is a show full of fun and feeling.

Written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, who also collaborated on “Ragtime,” “Seussical” is based on the many famous children’s stories (including its well-known rhyme schemes) written by Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Suess. “The Cat in the Hat,” “Horton Hears a Who” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” are a few of the stories whose characters and plotlines are included in “Seussical’s” fanciful fusion. (Read the full review here.)

At this morning’s School Committee meeting the administration voiced their deep concern over the cuts that may be required if an override does not pass. The situation was made more acute upon receipt of a letter from the Massachusetts School Building Authority which effectively says that all schools need to remain open. The School Committee was reviewing closing a school to meet budget constraints. Without that option further staff and service cuts would be required.

On “The Invest in Milton” blog,  Julio Valera reports that Dr. Drottar, principal of Milton High School, minced no words. He said, “The high school would never be the same again.”

Please read Mr. Valera’s recap of this morning’s meeting here.

The Globe has an interesting article on an issue that has been in the news quite a bit lately; having schools check students body mass index, a key health metric.

Several south shore schools are in the first wave of a state mandated program to screen students in attempt to address the incredible rise in obesity among children and adolescents. Milton is not included in the this phase.

You can read the full story here.

If you cannot make it to the polls on election day due to physical constraints, religious beliefs, or responsibilities that take you out of town, you can vote by absentee ballot.

Town Clerk James Mullen reminds residents that those requesting an absentee ballot need to apply by noon the day before the election.

More information is available at  the town clerk’s office in the town office building or you may call 617-898-4859. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

You can view information from the town web site on absentee ballots here.