Last week I blogged about two new small businesses here in town and how successful they've been. At tonight's Board of Selectmen meeting, the board approved the expansion of Owen and Ollie's Restaurant to include a function hall. The selectmen were unanimous in their support and the lawyer representing Owen and Ollie's predicted that this would bring 15-20 jobs to the town.
Selectman John Zimini called it a "great story." I agree, things are looking good especially in this economy.
I was also impressed with the positive tenor and tone of the meeting. The boys seemed to be getting along.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
More tension?
At tonight's Board of Selectmen meeting, a letter from School Committee chair Matthew Sheehan was read asking that the board appoint a "town official" to serve on the interview committee for the superintendent of schools. Selectman John Zimini mentioned that at a prior School Committee meeting, Mike Miles said that he did not feel that a selectman should be on the interview committee since "what do they know about the schools."
Now I missed that meeting so I can't confirm this exact quote but Chairman George Malliaros said he heard that too. Zimini said he was upset that a member of the School Committee would say something like this about the selectmen, especially inferring that they do not know anything about the schools or that they may not care about the schools.
The selectmen agreed that one of them would serve on the committee and would decide who that will be after they check their calendars. Selectman Bob Cox agreed to serve if Malliaros is unable.
Now I missed that meeting so I can't confirm this exact quote but Chairman George Malliaros said he heard that too. Zimini said he was upset that a member of the School Committee would say something like this about the selectmen, especially inferring that they do not know anything about the schools or that they may not care about the schools.
The selectmen agreed that one of them would serve on the committee and would decide who that will be after they check their calendars. Selectman Bob Cox agreed to serve if Malliaros is unable.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Espindle's contract
School Committee chair Matthew Sheehan read soon to be interim superintendent Elaine Espindle's contract to the public tonight. Some highlights:
- Will be paid $400 a day for her 82 days of work (maximum total pay of $32,800)
- She will not receive any sick days, vacation days, personal days, etc.
The contract was approved 5-0.
School Budget
The budget for the 2010-2011 academic year was presented again tonight and represents an increase of 2.77% from the 2009-2010 academic year. The increase is due to transportation increases and pay raises for employees.
So, once again the teachers refused to make any sort of financial sacrifices for the taxpayers of Dracut. I wonder if anyone even bothered asking them this year...perhaps more effective to talk to a wall.
Lest anyone forget, during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the ONLY group of town employees who did not make any contract concessions last year were the teachers.
So, once again the teachers refused to make any sort of financial sacrifices for the taxpayers of Dracut. I wonder if anyone even bothered asking them this year...perhaps more effective to talk to a wall.
Lest anyone forget, during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the ONLY group of town employees who did not make any contract concessions last year were the teachers.
Open government
Good article in the Sun today about the Greater Lowell Technical High School Committee looking to be more open and transparent. They're looking into posting their agendas, meeting times, sub-committee information, and meeting packet information on the school's website. That would be a very positive step for the board and I applaud them for doing it. Kudos to Dracut's Paul Morin, a member of the committee, for bringing the motion to the floor.
I think Dracut's boards could follow the example of the GLTHS committee. While I don't think they're trying to hide anything, I feel that the town could do a much better job with the posting minutes of meetings, sub-committee work, etc. The Board of Selectmen, for example, have a number of sub-committees but I've never seen a meeting time posted, their locations, minutes, etc. You only hear about them at full board meetings.
The School Committee does a decent job posting agendas and minutes but I feel they meet in Executive Session too often. At a meeting of the selectmen and school committee last year to fill Mary Gail Martin's term, they were trying to come up with a date to meet again to fill Brian Martin's seat. Ron Mercier was going through their calendar and mentioned executive session and one of the selectman said, "You still meet in executive session?"
I think Dracut's boards could follow the example of the GLTHS committee. While I don't think they're trying to hide anything, I feel that the town could do a much better job with the posting minutes of meetings, sub-committee work, etc. The Board of Selectmen, for example, have a number of sub-committees but I've never seen a meeting time posted, their locations, minutes, etc. You only hear about them at full board meetings.
The School Committee does a decent job posting agendas and minutes but I feel they meet in Executive Session too often. At a meeting of the selectmen and school committee last year to fill Mary Gail Martin's term, they were trying to come up with a date to meet again to fill Brian Martin's seat. Ron Mercier was going through their calendar and mentioned executive session and one of the selectman said, "You still meet in executive session?"
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Staying put for now and election 2010
Not much of new news in the local paper this morning about the hometown. There was a small piece in the Column about how Town Manager Dennis Piendak has no plans to retire anytime soon (thank God).
There was an article on the selectmen's race but this time with some interesting quotes and campaign ideas:
Pete Wilde: "I want to return communication and family values back to the town," said challenger Pete Wilde, a Collinsville resident who wants to add more fire hydrants in East Dracut. "We need to stop the shenanigans going on at the selectmen's board."
Brian Bond: "Honestly, after last year's election, I didn't think I was going to run again because of the political games being played," Bond said, "but after talking with my family and friends about all the positive things that could be done, I decided to turn around and run again. It's time for a change. Selectman O'Loughlin has been in that seat for 18 years. He just feels entitled to be there."
James O'Loughlin: "My focus right now is being elected to the Board of Selectmen because that's where I think I can be most beneficial to the town," O'Loughlin said. "I don't feel I have an entitlement for the seat. I've been very fortunate that the voters of Dracut have kept me in that seat.
"All I will do in this campaign is address the voters of Dracut and what I can do for them," he said.
O'Loughlin said he refuses to be "baited into any sophomoric arguments" with his opponents.
George Malliaros: Malliaros said it's "probably a healthy thing that we have so many people willing to serve in government.
"I wish my opponents the best of luck," he said. "I think the town of Dracut is in a good place as far as other towns and communities in the area are concerned, so I don't think we need a change of pitchers."
There is certainly no love loss between Bond and O'Loughlin, these guys hate each other with a passion. Look for them to go at each other in debates with Wilde and Malliaros staying out of it. Bond may be right to mention O'Loughlin's 18+ years in office as there is an anti-incumbent mood out there right now. I also think Wilde has a good approach going after the constant back biting that takes place at the selectmen meetings. I'm not entirely sure where he's going with the family values thing but I'm sure he'll spell it out as we go on.
As for O'Loughlin, he can run on his record and him being a good selectman for the town. He does clash with people but I do think he is good at his job. It's just up to the voters to decide if his ability overrides his personality. Malliaros has had a heck of a year as chairman and has really come into his own. He has done a nice job handiling the "shenangians", as Wilde calls it, without getting mixed up in it. I think he'll win, maybe even come in first.
It should be a lot of fun, stay tuned as always.
There was an article on the selectmen's race but this time with some interesting quotes and campaign ideas:
Pete Wilde: "I want to return communication and family values back to the town," said challenger Pete Wilde, a Collinsville resident who wants to add more fire hydrants in East Dracut. "We need to stop the shenanigans going on at the selectmen's board."
Brian Bond: "Honestly, after last year's election, I didn't think I was going to run again because of the political games being played," Bond said, "but after talking with my family and friends about all the positive things that could be done, I decided to turn around and run again. It's time for a change. Selectman O'Loughlin has been in that seat for 18 years. He just feels entitled to be there."
James O'Loughlin: "My focus right now is being elected to the Board of Selectmen because that's where I think I can be most beneficial to the town," O'Loughlin said. "I don't feel I have an entitlement for the seat. I've been very fortunate that the voters of Dracut have kept me in that seat.
"All I will do in this campaign is address the voters of Dracut and what I can do for them," he said.
O'Loughlin said he refuses to be "baited into any sophomoric arguments" with his opponents.
George Malliaros: Malliaros said it's "probably a healthy thing that we have so many people willing to serve in government.
"I wish my opponents the best of luck," he said. "I think the town of Dracut is in a good place as far as other towns and communities in the area are concerned, so I don't think we need a change of pitchers."
There is certainly no love loss between Bond and O'Loughlin, these guys hate each other with a passion. Look for them to go at each other in debates with Wilde and Malliaros staying out of it. Bond may be right to mention O'Loughlin's 18+ years in office as there is an anti-incumbent mood out there right now. I also think Wilde has a good approach going after the constant back biting that takes place at the selectmen meetings. I'm not entirely sure where he's going with the family values thing but I'm sure he'll spell it out as we go on.
As for O'Loughlin, he can run on his record and him being a good selectman for the town. He does clash with people but I do think he is good at his job. It's just up to the voters to decide if his ability overrides his personality. Malliaros has had a heck of a year as chairman and has really come into his own. He has done a nice job handiling the "shenangians", as Wilde calls it, without getting mixed up in it. I think he'll win, maybe even come in first.
It should be a lot of fun, stay tuned as always.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Small business in Dracut
Despite the poor economy, it seems like some small businesses are thriving here in Dracut. Two cases in point: Jewelry Gone Wilde on Lakeview Ave. and Tony and Ann's Pizza on Broadway.
Pete Wilde and his wife opened his jewelry shop late last fall in the JFK Plaza and business has been so brisk that they will be taking down a wall and expanding into the location next door! And of course, the biggest story of the past month - the resurrection of Tony and Ann's. They have been so busy that there have been 3 hour waits for pizza. I went in two weeks ago at 3pm and was told to come back at 6pm! Unfortunately, when I got back they were closing as the owner's relative was dying and they were going to see here. They were closed last weekend to grieve but today they're back at it. One of these days I will try that pizza and I cannot wait.
Lines and business is so great that they have put up a Pizza Cam on their website so you know how long the wait will be.
The Wildes and the Getmans are making an investment in the town of Dracut and it's paying off. This comes on the heels of Warren Shaw building a new farm store last year. Let's keep supporting these local businesses.
Pete Wilde and his wife opened his jewelry shop late last fall in the JFK Plaza and business has been so brisk that they will be taking down a wall and expanding into the location next door! And of course, the biggest story of the past month - the resurrection of Tony and Ann's. They have been so busy that there have been 3 hour waits for pizza. I went in two weeks ago at 3pm and was told to come back at 6pm! Unfortunately, when I got back they were closing as the owner's relative was dying and they were going to see here. They were closed last weekend to grieve but today they're back at it. One of these days I will try that pizza and I cannot wait.
Lines and business is so great that they have put up a Pizza Cam on their website so you know how long the wait will be.
The Wildes and the Getmans are making an investment in the town of Dracut and it's paying off. This comes on the heels of Warren Shaw building a new farm store last year. Let's keep supporting these local businesses.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
