The Patriot Ledger profiles Spiro Demakes who took over the Milton House of Pizza last October. He had spent 2 months researching locations and restaurants when he was alerted to the prime East Milton spot. Demakes, who lives in Chelsea, felt it was the right place at the right time. “What finally pushed me to make the big step were the people in this town,” he said. Read the full story here.

Milton recently received an e-Government Award from Common Cause. Milton is one of 118 Massachusetts municipalities to receive the award in recognition of their use of web sites to make at least six important local governance documents available to the public.

In their press release, they state, “The event is part of Common Cause’s on-going Massachusetts Campaign for Open Government, which periodically reviews the Internet presence of all 351 cities and towns in the state.”

You can read the full press release here.

Related links:

Town of Milton web site

from the Patriot Ledger

More than 70 people found out if their family heirlooms and treasures, from bowls to books, were worth a mint or belonged on the curb at a benefit for the Milton Council on Aging. (read full story here.)

from the Boston Globe

Milton Academy officials launched an aggressive investigation last month after receiving copies of Facebook photos sent anonymously that showed students drinking at off-campus parties. The officials warned that students could face harsh discipline for violating school alcohol policies, and some students were sequestered and even prohibited from sending text messages to their friends while they were questioned by administrators. (read the full story here.)

The Boston Globe ran an editorial on the efforts of Temple Shalom to redevelop their property on Blue Hill Parkway in an effort to remain in Milton and stay financially viable. It opens:

“”IN GOD’S HOUSE,’ declares a familiar religious adage, ‘there are many mansions.’ But the Town of Milton is struggling over whether there is also room for a drugstore and office building.” (read the full editorial here.)

A weekly recap of key events and items of interest to the Milton community:

The Milton Schools closed out Music in Our Schools month with a fantastic concert that featured bands from the elementary, middle, and high schools. This was the last of three concerts.View the original post on the band concert  here, the strings here, and the choral groups here.

Senator Joyce sent a letter to Milton officials and residents regarding Governor Patrick’s announcement of $168,000 of stimulus funding to be earmarked for schools. This announcement is due in large part to the state’s historic 1993 education reform law which established foundation budgets for communities, setting a minimum funding threshold districts must meet so students receive a “fair and adequate” education. How and when this will appear and might be factored into the current budget discussions underway here in town is not known.

Regarding the override numbers that have been discussed and or published,  Mr. Hurley, chairman of the Warrant Committee, confirmed the override number they are working with at the moment is $2,978,396. The portion allocated to the schools is$1,758,780. However, $586,293 of that amount brings the schools from the non-contingent FY ’10 budget to where they were with they were with there FY ’09 funding. Hence, the net increase is $1,172,487. This is the $1.2 million sited by Mr. Pavlicek at the recent school committee meeting (see original post here). The contingency budget is a work in progress, and the number are subject to change. The final figures will be made by in Warrant Committee’s presentation to Town Meeting in April.

The Boston Globe has a nice article on the championship games between Milton and Hoosac Valley and Notre Dame vs Millbury. It provides a behind the scenes look at the players on the day of the game. You can read the full story here.

Tom Ranton (courtesy Boston Globe)

At the Scool Committee meeting on 3/18, member Glenn Pavlicek’s summary of a discussion he had with the Warrant Committee regarding the contingency budget based on passage of an override raised serious concerns among members of the School Committee.  Mr. Pavlicek reported that the schools would get slightly less than $1.2 million. “I’m shocked,” stated Chris Huban. “I thought we were crystal clear”  that $1.3 was the amount needed to keep all schools open. He asked why anyone would vote for an override if a school were to close. Ms. Kelly questioned the Warrant Committee’s putting $50,000 into the Stabilization Fund. “That’s a full time teacher.” She suggested dipping into the “rainy day” Stabilization fund. “It’s pouring out there.” Mr. Pavlicek noted that the Warrant Committee discussions were ongoing and that they were still in session as the school committee meeting was taking place.

The School Committee agreed that they should seek a meeting with the Warrant Committee to discuss further.

On 3/19, the Milton Times reported that the ‘Contingent Override Budget’ was $3.1 million. The article states, “Schools would receive around $1.4 million. . . ” It appears that the Warrant Committee may have revised the contingent budget from what was discussed with Mr. Pavlicek. (read the full Milton Times story here).

The Warrant Committee does not factor in any potential federal or state relief. They are taking a conservative position in their budget and preparing for a “worst case” scenario.

However, there is reason to believe aid to towns may be forthcoming. Senator Joyce recently sent out a letter addressed to Milton officials and interested residents informing them of an announcement by Governor Patrick regarding allocation of stimulus funds in support of schools achieving “foundation level” funding.

Read more

from Boston Herald

A five-year-long transformation has turned the six-bedroom home at 11 Countryside Lane in Milton into a real showpiece.

The 26-year-old country-style house has gotten more than $600,000 of upgrades, from porcelain floors to custom wall coverings, wainscoting and built-ins. (read the full story here.)