Monday, May 20, 2013
Without discussion, Town Meeting voters authorized an $84.3 million budget for the fiscal year that begins in July. That's a 4 percent increase.
Saving discussion and debate for later, Town Meeting voters quickly authorized $84.3 million in spending Monday for the upcoming year, a 4 percent increase. The budget reflects a 2 percent increase for most town employees, and increased spending in the public schools, public safety and town inspections areas. Milford Town Meeting, led by Town Moderator Michael Noferi, rejected no items on the 45-article warrant. Several were skipped or "passed over" by the body without taking action, including the most talked-about item of the night: whether the meeting would take a non-binding position on the Milford casino. Just one person tried to spark debate about the budget. Michael Visconti, an unsuccessful candidate for selectman in 2011, moved to …
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The Milford Annual Town Meeting begins at 7:30 Monday night.
Milford has a lengthy warrant for the 2013 annual town meeting Monday, with items relating to town budgets, zoning and a non-binding referendum that asks people what they think of a Milford casino. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Upper Chamber of Milford Town Hall. Here are some highlights: 1. Fiscal 2014 Budget: the proposed budget for the year beginning July 1 is $84.3 million, a 4 percent increase over this year. Public safety spending would increase by 8.2 percent, Milford schools by 3.5 percent, and public works by .9 percent. Employees would receive between 1 and 2 percent raises, based on position. [See attached PDF] 2. Medical Marijuana: the town is proposing a zoning bylaw that would restrict medical marijuana treatment …
42.143003
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Milford Town Hall
52 Main St, Milford, MA
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Saturday, May 18, 2013
If passed, the legislation would go into effect from Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15.
The Joint Committee on Revenue in the Massachusetts legislature held a hearing this week on the notion of a potential meals tax holiday for August and one supporting group liking its chances. According to the state's Restaurant and Business Alliance (R.A.B.A), the hearing held Tuesday, May 14 for the Meals Tax Holiday Bill saw "no sign of opposition" to the measure. Twelve legislators have signed on to the bill primarily sponsored by Rep. Keiko Orrall of Lakeville and Sen. Michael O. Moore of Millbury. If passed, the legislation would go into effect Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15. "We should offer a Meals Tax Holiday to benefit employees and small local business owners inside Massachusetts to help stimulate the economy," said …
State legislators recently recognized the 30-year record of the Evergreen Center, a specialized school in Milford that educates children with disabilities.
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Saturday, May 18
Editor's Note: the following release was issued jointly by the office of state Sen. Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) and state Rep. John Fernandes (D-Milford). Thirty years ago, Dr. Robert Littleton of Milford set out with the idea of creating an integrated center for care of children and adolescents living with disabilities and founded the Evergreen Center located in Milford. The center has since blossomed, having served thousands individuals and their families who live throughout the Commonwealth and across New England. Last week, Sen. Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) and Rep. John V. Fernandes (D-Milford), joined together to recognize the Evergreen Center for three decades of success in promoting the lives of its disabled clients. The lawmakers …
Recap and analysis of the week in state government.
Like pieces of a puzzle that don't quite fit together yet, the Big Three may have been separated at birth, but with each incremental step their destinies seem to grow more intertwined. No, we're not talking about those Big Three - Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker Robert DeLeo - though they play major character roles in this thickening plot. Instead, three bills have come to define the early months of the 2013 legislative agenda and resolutions on tax hikes, local road funding and the annual state budget continue to be elusive and dependent on one another. Patrick spent the early part of his week welcoming British Prime Minister David Cameron to Boston for a few quick meetings and a visit to the Copley …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Henry Papuga, the retired former manager of the Milford Water Company, was found guilty Thursday of deliberately tampering with water samples in 2009. He will be sentenced Friday.
WORCESTER — Henry Papuga, the retired former manager of the Milford Water Company, deliberately tampered with water samples in 2009, and made false statements about the integrity of those samples, a Superior Court judge ruled Thursday. The four-day trial in Worcester Superior Court ended with a verdict from the bench. Superior Judge David Ricciardone said he found the state's circumstantial evidence to be convincing. "I am convinced beyond a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt," Ricciardone said. "... to do otherwise, I'd have to believe in a stunning series of coincidences." Sentencing will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday. Papuga was found guilty of six counts of tampering with environmental monitoring device or method, and two counts of …
The trial of retired Milford Water Company manager Henry Papuga is expected to finish Thursday. Closing arguments are expected this afternoon.
WORCESTER — Scientists, lab technicians, public safety officials and Milford Water Company employees have all testified this week in the trial of former Water Company manager Henry Papuga. The testimony is expected to be completed Thursday, with closing arguments tentatively set for Thursday afternoon. Papuga is charged with six counts relating to tampering with drinking water samples, and two counts relating to making false statements on a chain of custody form. State prosecutors contend he was under so much pressure to put a stop to the boil water order of August 2009, that he intentionally tampered with a round of water samples to make sure they came out "clean." The boil water order required 27,000 residential and business customers of…
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Everett officials have negotiated the first host community agreement with a casino developer for the greater Boston region. Milford has an active application, but no agreement yet.
Everett officials have completed the negotiation of a host community agreement with casino developer Wynn Resorts, of Las Vegas, becoming the first community in the greater Boston region to schedule a public vote on a resort casino. According to the agreement, the referendum will be June 22. [Editor's Note: See attached PDF for text of host community agreement.] Under the terms: Milford and Suffolk Downs in East Boston also have casino applications before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. In Milford, the Foxwoods Massachusetts casino is being pursued by a partnership including Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. The Suffolk Downs casino redevelopment is being pursued by a group including Ceasar's, of Las Vegas. The Suffolk Downs site…
Monday, May 13, 2013
Henry Papuga, the former head of the Milford Water Co, waived his right to a trial by jury Monday and chose instead to have his case heard by a judge.
WORCESTER — Testimony in the criminal trial against the former head of the Milford Water Company began Monday, after the defendant, Henry Papuga, waived his right to a trial by jury. Instead, a judge will determine whether Papuga is guilty, or not guilty, of eight charges filed against him by the state Attorney General's Office. Papuga is charged with six counts relating to tampering with drinking water samples, and two counts relating to making false statements on a chain of custody form. Prosecutors contend he intentionally tampered with drinking water samples to lift the burden of a boil water order imposed on Milford in August 2009. The state-imposed boil water order required the 27,000 customers of the private water company to boil …
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Recap and analysis of the week in state government.
Massachusetts' problem is now Virginia's. After a macabre, around-the-clock stakeout of a Worcester funeral home this week by frenzied reporters and furious protestors, the remains of alleged Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev were secreted out of central Massachusetts and buried in a small Muslim cemetery in rural Virginia. No cemetery in Massachusetts, or public official for that matter, wanted Tsarnaev's body. And Gov. Deval Patrick just seemed relieved the tense standoff was over. "No. I have enough to do," Patrick said, when asked if he wished he had gotten involved to end the theatrics sooner. The April 15 attacks on the finish line of the Boston Marathon threw Beacon Hill policymakers off stride, quieting the raging debate …
Jennifer
9:49 am on Tuesday, May 21, 2013
300K for plans. estimated 2.4 million for renovations/to bring the building up to code once plans are completed (which would have to be approved at Town Meeting as well) more ›