Disqus - Latest Comments for Serious_ly

Re: Town seeks to empty trust for youth center, seniors

Serious_ly — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:50:30 -0000

The voters decide how much money is used for the Youth Center, not the town leaders. This article is a PROPOSAL, and it's up to the Town residents how they want to spend their own money. If most people don't like this idea, then they can just vote it down. Did anybody ever promise that they wouldn't bring CHOICES forward to the voters? I hope not.

Re: Town seeks to empty trust for youth center, seniors

Serious_ly — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 07:37:23 -0000

The AYF has raised considerable *private* funding recently, in addition to the funds from the Wood Trust. The use of money from the Wood Trust (which was a gift to the town) for the Center is not an example of "taxing" in any form. These funds have been sitting in a bank account for decades, waiting for a good purpose to use them on. The donor family thinks this use is a pretty good one. So do I.

Re: Town seeks to empty trust for youth center, seniors

Serious_ly — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 07:27:20 -0000

This comment is absurd. How does a group "raise money on their own" without "looking for more money"? Aren't these two processes exactly the same thing?
The Andover Youth Foundation (different, actually, from AYS) has been very successful in raising substantial new funds for the center recently, including having secured this endorsement from Mrs. Wood.
Without your uninformed sarcasm, I think that this effort really has been a great lesson for Andover kids.

Re: Trio of residents launch website to promote discussion on town spending

Serious_ly — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:14:05 -0000

There is a health insurance committee that consists of representatives of every town union and management group. They study a wide variety of health care options, and have looked carefully at the GIC. The current Andover plan provides much better care than the GIC plan at a slightly lower cost to the town. If GIC was better for Andover, we'd be in it. Keep in mind that each town is different; Andover has had a long-term focus on promoting healthy employees, hence our "experience" factor is a lot better than most towns, and certainly better than the GIC. Better experience factor means better insurance rates,

Re: Voters approve $5.7 million more for Andover's Bancroft School

Serious_ly — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:05:06 -0000

As I thought - no facts. The point that Northeast... was making above is that the construction cost bids HAVE been received, so the risk of cost overruns (on the construction portion) have been substantially reduced. Your response categorically dismissed this fact, with the implication that the project team will certainly still find some way to inflate the costs.
I've been here for all of the projects that you mention, and I actually pay attention to what's going on so that I can judge each situation on it's own facts, rather than relying on jaded stereotypes.

Re: Meeting will determine next step for Bancroft

Serious_ly — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:37:04 -0000

Interesting question - and is the "problem" only within Andover (which would suggest incompetence), or do these overruns happen most everywhere (which suggests something more systemic)?
When a municipal construction project is being brought before voters for approval, all of the costs are estimates for work that won't be bid out for 1-2 years in the future. Costs are largely unpredictable on that time scale, and residents have a limited tolerance for appropriating large amounts of money on "speculation" of future market costs. I am guessing that most projects subconciously underestimate the possible cost excursions, in an effort to have a cost estimate that can be explained clearly and without the large uncertainties that would reflect reality.
I am also guessing that we have better recollection for projects that go overbudget (and make a big splash i the news) comapred to those which quietly finish under budget.

Re: Voters approve $5.7 million more for Andover's Bancroft School

Serious_ly — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:25:53 -0000

It appears that none of the facts of the situation actually matter to you - each response is simply a snide jab that assumes incompetence on the part of the town. Do you actually have *any* facts to suport your implications? Can you name two Andover projects that experienced non-trivial overruns *after* 100% of the building trade bids and remediating analyses were received, or are you just blowing smoke?

Re: Special Town Meeting called to save Bancroft

Serious_ly — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 06:57:53 -0000

Three of the committee members are construction management professionals. I don't know their specific years of experience, but I'll guess that there is over 30 years of aggregate experience among them. In addition, there are multiple expert consultants involved in the estimation and management of the project, each of which are actively involved in several other school building development projects in the state. The MSBA reviews and validiates every estimate, and they see dozens of these projects each year. The $5M estimated increase (which I expect will be fairly close) only exists because the bidding was delayed a year; several other projects bid last year have validated the per-square-foot basis cost usedin the original estimate. Projects being bid this year are coming in about 15% higher cost per square foot.

Re: Special Town Meeting called to save Bancroft

Serious_ly — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 23:08:32 -0000

You're obviously not following the issue very closing, Matt. The reason that it is impossible to know the final construction costs today is because only 60% of the project has completed the formal bidding process. The $5M is a projection based on the bids received to date, and the committee claims they will have a final number in January, because all of the bid packages will have been completed by then. The committee is extremely knowledgable and dedicated, which you would know if you actually took the time to attend some meetings, rather than just sniping from the keyboard. The committee has already cut out several $M worth of planned items, to cover the costs associated with the frivolous lawsuit from unhappy abutters. Cutting much more form the project could potentiallytrigger the MSBA to consider that the scope has been reduced, which would result in retraction of the 40% reimbursement agreement.
If you have any actual evidence that Mr. Deso is using his committee membership for illegal business advantage, then I encourage you to let the Attorney General know about it. If not, then I would encourage Mr. Deso to sue you for slander for your cheap unjustified insults. Over the past decade, Mr. Deso has donated hundreds of hours of his time to town service, providing thoughtful and valuable inputs to all the major boards and multiple generations of school building committees. What have you contributed?

Re: Selectmen to vote on new taxes tonight

Serious_ly — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:01:21 -0000

Increases are need to pay for rising health care costs, rising fuel costs, and contractual wage increases. There have been lots of expenses cut in Andover over the past several years. Fewer staff in the Library, fewer staff in the Town Hall, less frequent street sweeping, huge improvements in energy efficiency, and several contract negotiations that have reduced benefits costs compared to prior agreements.

Re: Selectmen review 28 Town Yard land options

Serious_ly — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 21:38:36 -0000

Duh. Has it occurred to you that the town has been seeking alternate locations for central services for the past twenty years, and all the town-owned parcels have been carefully reviewed many, many times. The ones that are good sites for town services are already being used for that purpose. Who needs some common sense?

Re: Letter: Town silencing official who asked tough financial questions

Serious_ly — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:19:15 -0000

If any resident has a desire to volunteer their time advising on town financial issues, I don't see why it matters whether they're appointed to the finance committee or not. They are free to attend all the meetings, read all the reports, and speak their mind. In fact, since formal finance committee recommendations are determined by majority rule, an individual would seem to have ever greater freedom to express their views than a committee member.
Unless someone likes the look of 'finance committee' on their resume, I don't really see that an appointment bestows any particular influence or power.

Re: WEB UPDATE: Budget balanced

Serious_ly — Mon, 03 May 2010 20:13:25 -0000

Voters at Town Meeting could also have said "no" to the SC reduced budget level, and voted in the larger amount recommended by the Superintendent. The motions made by the boards are just recommendations to the meeting - they can be amended by voters.

Re: Seeking to get AYS programs off mat

Serious_ly — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:28:42 -0000

As I stated above, I am very familiar with AYS and the value it provides to the town youth. I applaud the staff, and I recognize the dedication they have for serving our teens.
I also know that they aggressively encourage the teens involved in the programs to publically advocate for further budget increases. I don't mean to suggest that this is somehow wrong, but I think we should all recognize it for what it is.

Re: Seeking to get AYS programs off mat

Serious_ly — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:03:41 -0000

Mr. Bruce, I have a different experience - I have never had difficulty getting access to the town data that I have sought. As a Selectman, you get little "special" access - the vast majority of the information available to the Board is presented in open public meetings, which all residents have equal access to.
Anyone that wants a more detailed explanation of the 'Other' budget line items can simply show up at the budget review meetings happening this month, and ASK. Nothing is being hidden from the public here, but it does take some effort if you want to understand the details of a $139M budget.
I am pleased that our adminstrators do not readily drop what they're doing to respond to fairly arbitrary and time-consuing requests by every resident.
I want a Selectman that will let the professional staff do the jobs they were hired to do, and focus on setting good policy - not auditing every invoice.

Re: Seeking to get AYS programs off mat

Serious_ly — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:27:18 -0000

I'm a huge fan of AYS; it made a big difference in the life of my child. But I also recognize that Mr. Fahey agressively exploits emotional leverage every year at budget time. I have no doubt that every every department could generate similar passion and concern over their budget struggles, if they followed Mr. Fahey's playbook - the school department is a good example.
While there seems to be widespread agreement that AYS makes a valuable contribution, I've seen little justification for claim that they can't possibly manage as a largely self-supporting operation. While DCS serves a different customer base, they provide even higher leverage of town tax dollars than does AYS.
The Library budget was reduced by 1.5 FTE last year, and the Manager is recommending reduction by another FTE for FY11. No doubt an additional position could be dropped to help fund AYS, but I doubt that would reduce the budget politics from AYS in the following year.
Everyone has noticed that the total AYS budget for FY11 is UP about $12K from last year, right?

Re: Editorial: Budget cuts don't hit heart of problem

Serious_ly — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:05:57 -0000

One-time trust fund money for library purposes would be a terrible way to fund ongoing operations in some other town department (even AYS). These funds are appropriated by the Trustees, and neither Selectmen nor Town Meeting have any direct control.

Re: Editorial: Budget cuts don't hit heart of problem

Serious_ly — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:01:01 -0000

The 'fund' Mr. Bruce is discussing is a trust managed by the Board of Trustees. My guess is that the Trustees manage a fair number of distinct trusts, establed through gifts designated for library use.
If you look at pgs. 140-142 of last year's Finance Commitee Report, you will find a list of all special funds maintained by the Town Treasurer.

Re: Letter: Teacher urges Andover to support efficient, critical AYS

Serious_ly — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:50:48 -0000

The TM proposed FY11 Youth Services budget is $10K more than the FY08 budget, and $12K more than budgetted in FY10. What's so shameful?

Re: Letter: Feeling shut out of town government

Serious_ly — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:46:51 -0000

Peece4All, I speak mostly from my expierence with the people I know, and my observations of those people who do manage to particpate in town affairs.
While I wouldn't promote it as real science, there have been several attempts to get insight into the questions you raise. The Town Government Review committee in 2000 looked broadly at Andover's form of government, and held multiple public hearings to get resident input. There were formal surveys conducted in 2004 and 2008, though Town Metting was not a central topic of those surveys. These are all posted on the town website. The League of Women Voters has also put significant effort into learning about resident concerns with Town Meeting, and has recommended numerous valuable improvements over the years.
A formal, town-wide survey to ask the questions you raise would probably yield valuable insights.

Re: Letter: Feeling shut out of town government

Serious_ly — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:54:18 -0000

I agree that Andover communications could be improved, and that more information (and interaction) should be available online. State ethics laws do restrict some of this, and need to be modernized before the town could make big changes. Note that a new 'blog' has been started with a focus on financial issues, and the town has conducted a few surveys (both online and through mail) over the past couple years. Most public meetings are televised, and now available for replay on-demand online.
I'm not a 'town rep', but they all have email that residents can use to reach them.

I reject the idea that people's time is more important today than it was in years past. While there have always been some people with truly exceptional situations that preclude their participation in civic duty, it seems today there are an abundance of people so absorbed in their own personal lives that they reject the idea of "hard work" to help govern themselves.

I applaude those people, young and old, who step up and devote their time to helping run the town. It is a shame they get such little respect for their efforts.

Re: Letter: Feeling shut out of town government

Serious_ly — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:40:50 -0000

HeywoodJa, in the mid-'90's I lived in the town of Maynard, MA, when they were debating whether to join the local regional school district. First night of Town Meeting, the *whole* town showed up, and they postponed the meeting until the next night. They set up chairs on the football field, and held the meeting in the open air. It ran until midnight, with two standing recounts.
Those towns lucky enough to have adopted and retained a Town Meeting form of government provide residents with a truly democratic (republic) experience, unlike our state and national processes.

Re: Letter: Stick with proven Stapczynski

Serious_ly — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:29:12 -0000

HeywoodJa - The Town Manager is professional municipal administrator, and I doubt he would run for political office; There's little similarity in the two jobs.

I personally don't want our town lead by someone primarily concerned about the 'cachet' of the job, and elected by people who can't bother to spend more than 10 minutes each year understanding the issues.

If Andover residents can't name the Selectmen, then their lack of attention is the problem, not the form of government. Just becuase they're registered, doesn't make them informed and responsible voters.

Your 'drunken sailor' analogy still rings hollow, when your best supporting data is coverage in the Townsman.

I have a challenge for you: the FY2011 Town Manager's proposed budget has just been published on the town web site. Rather than flinging out vague disparaging remarks about spending, how about you identify the specific line items in this budget that you believe should be reduced, what they should be reduced to, and why. THAT would be a real contribution.

Re: Light fight goes to vote

Serious_ly — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:16:19 -0000

Only you, and your peer residents, can raise your taxes. What to pay more for lights, then show up at Town Meeting and vote for it.

Re: Editorial: Involvement in local government makes difference at home

Serious_ly — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:13:22 -0000

Go for it! Andover provides lots of opportunity for interested residents to get involved, and get valuable experience, without having to be elected to office.
Check the town website for the schedule of upcoming budget review meetings, which start on Monday. Show up, and learn what really goes on in the various departments, and get a taste for what the Selectmen really have to go through to make good recommendations to Town Meeeting.