Disqus - Latest Comments for pjlooney

Re: Libraries…who needs ’em? (Answer below)

pjlooney — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:33:08 -0000

Paul,
I suspect more would benefit from my idea if the logistics and savings are there. It would require some DD so let me rephrase the idea in the form of 2 questions as I think you may have misread my first email.

Would you support closing the Belmont Public Library and transferring $1.6m from the Library budget to the School Department who would then offer limited Public Library Book services M-F from 4-7pm at the HS Library. The expected cost for the School Department to do this is less than $600k (wild guess) and the remaining $1.0m can be used as seen fit by the School Department to hire Teachers and reduce class size or activity fees that presently can exceed $1,000 per kid?

Would you support closing...... and transferring $200k from the Library budget to the Senior Center to help pay operational costs and make the Senior Center available for Public Internet and Computer access as well as occasional Community Talks and Children Book Hours hosted by Senior volunteers?

I know the Library costs $1.8m minimum to run this year. I have seen their listed service offerings and by offering internet/computer access, book access, and community talk space we maintain a semblance of the core services of the Library. What I don't know is the cost savings of doing this and if it's logistical. What I do know is relying on a positive Override vote is risky and not in the best interests of the Town and especially the School children who will suffer most. The time for sharing ideas is now.

BTW... one of the most popular items at the BPL is the Kindle.

Re: Libraries…who needs ’em? (Answer below)

pjlooney — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:20:27 -0000

What if we did this....

Close the Public Library. Give 90% of the Library budget to the School Department and have them offer a significantly watered down Library service (books only/after school hours/no weekends etc) at the HS Library? Take the other 10% and direct it to the Senior Center to help offset operation costs and to open the Computer Center/Internet access to the general Public?

Anyone else have ideas to close the gap? The assumption being that their would be major cost savings by reducing the scale and sharing existing sites.

Re: Reburbia: reimagining the suburbs

pjlooney — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:08:46 -0000

Paul,
What's the deal at the Santos (Burbank) playground? Seems like some nice improvements underway.
PJ

Re: Single stream recycling = big boost in participation

pjlooney — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:46:31 -0000

Paul,
I hope they do. I handle the recycling at home and it has gotten ridiculous that I have to spend an hour a week working out what goes where. I am up to 3 and sometimes 4 bins but I see others with 4 bins plus.
Make it simpler and increase participation sounds like a Win/Win.

Re: Proposed MBTA service cuts could hit Belmont

pjlooney — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:10:17 -0000

Wondering... If the MBTA cuts service and a route through Belmont does it correlate into a reduced assessment for Belmont and how much might the Town save? Any MBTA experts out there?

I recall but can't find an article that said Arlington's MBTA assessment went up last year because of added service.

Re: Proposed MBTA service cuts could hit Belmont

pjlooney — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:13:17 -0000

This sounds like great news. We can save the taxpayer money, save the environment from all the exhaust created by half empty buses, reduce traffic jams and encourage more people to bike. What's not to like about this... ;)

Re: Recession meme: college is optional?

pjlooney — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:24:41 -0000

I don't think we can get to that debate until we stop the "fee" system in Town and have an honest discussion about appropriately "fully" funding needs and discontinuing wants. Hopefully that day is approaching and we may find that doing with less of the wants will bring the community closer together as the new economic and Global reality take root.

Re: NYT: Literary legend Ray Bradbury fights for local libraries

pjlooney — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:34:42 -0000

It's working now. Thanks.

Re: NYT: Literary legend Ray Bradbury fights for local libraries

pjlooney — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:57:43 -0000

Paul... I can't find the "Open Letter" content just a list of names. I was under the impression that Anne's amendment taking $100k + from free cash was to preserve the Library Aides and some HS Elective teachers? I haven't caught the last couple SC meetings so is the aide issue one of more important things to spend the money on like Teachers or is this just a call to arms to persuade the SC to apply the funds as Anne dictated.

I agree that the $1.8m cost to run the Public Library has the potential to be a major target for elimination out of necessity "if" local aid continues at this reduced rate and an operating override fails.

Re: We did it! Wellington passes by wide margin!

pjlooney — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:39:22 -0000

David,
Years of conversations with current and former residents is evidence enough for me but to help you reach the same conclusion I would refer you to remarks made by the former Principal of Butler Elementary School several months ago in the BCH in which he says he first started 17 yrs ago at Butler and it was a large group of 3rd and 4th generation students. He goes on to say that the School is now changed dramatically to one with over 30+ nationalities represented. In other words the Butler is no longer a school of familiar family names.

As for the numbers they speak for themselves... You would save an average $3,500 in taxes/ins if you owned an average SFH in Arlington, $4,500 in Watertown, and $5,500 in Waltham. All of a sudden that small 0.5% seems like 3.5 to 5.5% of the average Belmont Household's income and your statement of if you can afford a mortgage payment you can afford the taxes makes no sense. Do you really think Banks ignore your ability to pay the property taxes when you apply for a mortgage? They don't... they take principal, interest, taxes and insurance and look at your ability to pay which should be about 36% of less of your gross income.

If you don't want to answer the last question how about this one... Is a Public Library a service the Government is supposed to do?

Re: We did it! Wellington passes by wide margin!

pjlooney — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:02:38 -0000

David,

I'll help you understand Fiscal Conservatives in a later post and how the Town could follow the lead ... but for now a quick question.

Does it trouble you that the property taxes are so high in Town that most families who move here have no interest in staying once their children have finished School and that many potential second generation Belmontians want to move back here but can't because the taxes are so high? It's kinda a trick question...

Re: We did it! Wellington passes by wide margin!

pjlooney — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:05:51 -0000

David,
Sadly, I suspect that the Wellington will be the last thing we agree on for the foreseeable future. Fiscal Conservatives could support the Wellington but an operating override would be met with vocal and organized opposition as would your affinity for higher taxes. I do look forward to the debate in the coming months over ending "middle class subsidies", regionalization, and Commercial growth and Zoning among other things.

New revenue idea.... Sell the naming rights for the new Wellington. There must be some trust fund readers of BB that would like to leave their mark in Town for the next 50yrs. Starting bid is $500k which is less than $40 a day for the life of the building. ;)

Re: Wellington vote is neck and neck. Get out and vote!!

pjlooney — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:58:59 -0000

Old fashion Boston politics. I was vote # 303 at 4pm at Precinct 7. That would put turnout at even to slightly higher than the 433 total last year. Still haven't heard what the turnout is at the Wellington Precincts which in and of themselves can control the outcome.

Re: Update: Vote today for Wellington!

pjlooney — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:45:43 -0000

Wayne... what Precinct would that be and how busy was it when you voted. I'll be voting Yes and truly believe this will be a blowout Yes vote and I will find it interesting to see how the No vote is distributed among Precincts. Will the Wellington Precincts be overrepresented and push it to a big victory or will it be a Town wide Statement with 8/8 Precincts in favor. Will certain Precincts have more No then Yes votes etc... If you recall the Roads Override there were a few Precincts that voted Yes out of the 8 overall so it wasn't a unanimous rejection.

I did solve some of the missing and stolen sign problem. Sunday morning there were several Wellington signs and Real Estate signs dumped at a house on School Street. Looked like a HS prank.

Re: Thinking of going solar? The pros and cons…

pjlooney — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:03:50 -0000

David,
That's my point... we regulate fences and cars so why not water heaters that occupy yards.

Anybody know what the music is pre-fireworks Friday at the Football Field?
PJ

Re: Thinking of going solar? The pros and cons…

pjlooney — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:56:27 -0000

I suspect as the ROI on solar and green solutions improves more and more people will embrace them. I think the Town needs to address some of these solutions and put restrictions in place. Solar Panels on a roof seems reasonable but I would advise you to drive down Washington Street and see the solar water heater parked in the front yard of a residence there. It is unfair to neighbors that something like that would be allowed and many will view it as unsightly. I am not against harnessing the sun and wind but there are issues that need to be addressed. An example in addition to the unsightly water heater is windfarms and the noise pollution they create. Technology will in time address these issues but for now we need some bylaws to protect the character of Belmont neighborhoods.

Re: Marathon Town Meeting ends with dramatic vote on free cash, library aides

pjlooney — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:04:36 -0000

Damned if you do and damned if you don't was basically the choice. If you think there is hope for any override or that the economy will dramatically improve in the next few months then voting in favor has few consequences. I doubt it will derail Wellington though the No side is getting more vocal and this doesn't help. I'm more concerned about what this means for next year.

Just to get a better understanding of the fiscal situation of our fellow residents. You mentioned at a SC meeting a certain percent of FDK families receive tuition waivers. What was the approx. percent and do you know what percent they are factoring into fee waivers for HS athletics and activities? What is the income threshold for waivers approx.?

Sorry to hear about the episode at your house. Fiscal stress can cause people to lose control but this is just wrong and bizarre.

Re: Globe article highlights push for new Wellington

pjlooney — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:01:11 -0000

When you are ahead in the polls the best advice is to lay low... Too much publicity opens the door for error. The Yes voters to date are better organized than the No. The Globe article incites No voters. The naivete of an 18yr old saying he is "willing to pay for it" doesn't help. 2000 signatures is overwelming support in a vote count likely less than 6000. The more silly comments incite NO voters the larger the turnout and that is not conducive to a YES outcome. IMO.

TM should be interesting with the Wellington vote/ Minuteman funding / and Anne's Free Cash Amendment. I'll need to bring a 2 liter tonight to stay awake...

Re: Information session on the Wellington – Tuesday evening!

pjlooney — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:48:01 -0000

It seems like a growing chorus of anti-debt exclusion voters are citing a recent letter to the editor in the BCH by a Belmont resident Ed Kazanjian who is an Educational Facility planner. His letter is well written and certainly sums up much of the frustration many voters in Town have regarding select groups who have done irreparable harm to the Town with their constant lawsuits.

Hopefully tonight's meeting will address many of his concerns related specifically to the Wellington design and what he sees as flaws. He hasn't changed my mind on supporting the override because he doesn't mention the potential cost of not passing this override which among other things could include less or no state aid, higher interest rates on the borrowed money, and higher labor costs. Even so if he has reasonable changes then every effort should be made to protect the taxpayers investment in the new School. I will venture a guess that in the future every School will be built off a State template and these issues will go away but for now if small changes can be made without altering the State money and timeline then we should embrace them.

Re: More Town Meeting Notes (Now Even Notesier)

pjlooney — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:12:04 -0000

Kim,
It was mentioned that the potential for occupancy among the barns was 35 people. My concern was the potential burden this article puts on the School System. One would think the planning board and assessors could have provided rough numbers as to possible occupancy rates and possible assessment impacts. This was not the case and is a major reason the general public has no trust for town government.

We have succeeded in providing a benefit to a loud greedy group of mostly million dollar home owners at the expense of many abutters and taxpayers. The Town is going bankrupt and we are subsidizing million dollar home owners to maintain their property. Let them eat cake...

See you in June.

Re: Crazy Idea bubbles up at Town Meeting

pjlooney — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:40:46 -0000

Paul,
Please the highlights of the meeting were clearly as follows:

Paratore Brothers duo pianists
Sandy Kendall "God Bless America"
Kim Becker Article reading

It was all downhill from there... with a handful of people fighting for applause from the same small group.

Anyways... 2 more ideas for you to ponder.

School Athletics... Request a special meeting of the Middlesex league to discuss reducing Varsity athletic schedules by 20%. This doesn't eliminate a sport but rather the number of contests played. In today's USA Today it was mentioned the State of Florida has instituted a 20% cut in Varsity games and 40% in sub Varsity games. This will result in lower transportation costs and ref fees and should make participation fees less onerous.

Eliminate all School Busing (excludes special needs).

I understand the frustration with BH School but writing a nasty letter is like negotiating with Ahmadinejad. It also should be noted that BH is generally a good neighbor and one of many non-profits in Town. We should maintain a cordial relationship here and ask for dedicated rink time for HS Hockey so when we close the Belmont rink we can maintain the sport.

I'd like to see Walter McGlaughlin give a speech at Wednesday's TM on his electricity proposal or at least tiered pricing. He has some sharp ideas every once in awhile and now is the time to dig deeper.

Re: Full Day K goes up for a vote tonight

pjlooney — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:32:40 -0000

Paul,
Don't jump to conclusions... but as a concerned parent I wanted to know some things about FDK as we deal with a deep recession.

Is FDK being offered next year?

Did FDK require any funds this year besides those raised through Tuition and the State FDK fund?

My concern is that I see FDK as minimally beneficial for most children and therefore I am deeply concerned that FDK may be taking away some key funds that could save Teachers or reduce fees for Band or Sports or pave the area in front of the HS.

I am also concerned that unlike last year with the amazing 93% participation rate that the increase in tuition as seems certain giving Governor Patricks gutting of the FDK funds will mean a significant drop in children and with it potential costs that would have to be picked up by the School.

In other words can you assure me that FDK will be fully funded by tuition and whatever funds we get from the State for FDK and not taken from other sources?

I am also interested in the mandatory hours necessary for Kindegarten students. If I recall we had split sessions Morning/Afternoon growing up. Could that be done to save a few Teachers by having 1 Teacher teach a morning and afternoon class as an FTE. I know 5 hours in mandated for elementary students but that doesn't apply to K students.

Thanks,
PJ

Re: Climate plan calls for personal, municipal changes

pjlooney — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:32:17 -0000

Wayne,
If you read the report you would see in Section 3.1.2 it states "promotion of daintily strolling will be addressed after the fee implementation to parents who use brown bags for packing their child's lunch". I found Section 4.6.1 more interesting... renaming the High School "Albert Gore Sustainable High". Section 5.8.1 was somewhat groundbreaking "Why Belmont should return to the popular dirt roads of the 1890's" It's good reading but a day late. :)

On a more serious note... the clamor over the $1.36m seems to be dying down so maybe we escape this year relatively pain free. It also helps that the Dow is back up around 8k which will help with Cap Gains revenue to the State next Q.

Re: Why we need a new Wellington Elementary: the video

pjlooney — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:52:26 -0000

The Wellington DE is going to pass. Embrace it. Refurbishing is expensive and doesn't address the growing enrollment issues in Town. We might even get a relatively good deal on the cost if the Construction Market stays weak. If I felt there was excess or deception I would call it out but based on the new stringent reviews by Tim Cahill one can feel confident that this plan is fiscally sound and not another Newton.

Re: Federal aid could direct $1.36m to schools

pjlooney — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:05:03 -0000

Kim,
Why so glum? This is great news. We get the $1.36m because we are underfunded and that is a guideline from the FED. If we were not underfunded we would get what Lexington is getting $0. I expect the entire $1.36m will be applied toward keeping Teachers and should mean no layoffs. The other good news is the SC is getting a 1 time $266k LABB credit which is likely to be applied to fees for sports/arts. That wll help reduce these fee's.

...and the best news that may occur from this is the Override get's tabled for a year. Why is that good news? It helps many people in Town get through a really tough year and it makes the Wellington DE much more likely to pass.

This has been a very good week for Belmont. To me this funding addresses the Needs in the School system which is Teachers and Education. In the coming weeks we can look to reduce the onerous fee's assigned to the important wants like athletics and music.