President Obama on Jobs and Health Care

Posted on October 3, 2009 by billmanzi

The President’s Weekly Address, which deals with jobs and health care.

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The Unfolding Fiscal Meltdown

Posted on October 1, 2009 by billmanzi

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation has issued a report detailing the severity of the fiscal problems facing the Commonwealth and its cities and towns. This report, attached below, shows the urgency of dealing with the real budget busters that continue to grow at rates that are not sustainable. Those budget busters are health care and pensions. The can has been kicked down the road for many years. We are now about to run out of road. Michael Widmer posted the below on the Taxpayer Foundation website.

The continuing cuts in local aid that are crippling municipal budgets make it essential that the Legislature act to rein in the escalating costs of pension and health care benefits for local employees and retirees. The Legislature’s top priority should be to give municipal officials the same powers over health plan design – outside of collective bargaining – that the Group Insurance Commission has for state employees and retirees.

mass_fiscal

Posted in Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged | 4 Comments

Methuen High School Educational Plan Unveiled

Posted on September 30, 2009 by billmanzi

The Methuen Public Schools, as part of the Methuen High School Building Project, has produced an educational plan that will guide us in shaping the building plans for Methuen High School. We will have a Public Hearing on this plan next Monday evening, October 5th,in the Great Hall, Searles Building. I have attached both the executive summary and the full plan to this posting. My thanks to Arthur Nicholson and Jim Giuca, who both worked very hard to produce this plan.
If you would prefer to submit comments via email we will enter those into the Public Hearing record. You may submit those to me directly at wmmanzi@ci.methuen.ma.us. I look forward to seeing you next Monday.

executive-summary-rev-92409

rev-educational-plan-text-9_9_09

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September Revenues Take a Hit

Posted on September 30, 2009 by billmanzi

Massachusetts revenues have fallen substantially below budget projections in September, with estimates that the gap could be as high as $200 million. Final figures for the month are not complete, but the figures in hand have set off alarm bells in Boston. The Governor will likely need to submit revised revenue estimates in October, which could lead to a fresh round of mid-stream budget cutting. Local aid accounts could be cut in that process, although Governor Patrick has said that it is to early to tell if local aid will be slashed. Michael Widmer talked of another $500 million dollar gap in this budget. From the Globe:

“Oh, Lordy,’’ said Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, when told of the estimates. “Numbers like this for September suggest [the state’s revenue estimates] could be $500 million or more too high for the year.’’

While we will have to wait for final numbers and do the requisite analysis it appears that state budget folks may have overestimated the revenue from the increased sales tax. Sales data appears to be showing steep declines in retail sales on the Massachusetts side of the border, with a corresponding increase in sales on the New Hampshire side. Customers are voting with their feet, adding millions of dollars in sales for New Hampshire merchants. Nancy Kyle, President of the New Hampshire Retailers Association, summed it up.

“It’s definitely more than usual – the number of out-of-state residents shopping here in recent weeks,’’ Kyle said. “It’s wonderful for New Hampshire retailers. We are ecstatic.’’

And so the revenue news continues to jolt the State, where reserves have plunged and federal stimulus money will be gone soon. Some hard choices are dead ahead.

Globe sales tax story.

Globe Revenue story.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 6 Comments

Santa Parade BBQ a Big Hit!

Posted on September 28, 2009 by billmanzi

We had a wonderful day for our Santa Parade BBQ on Saturday, with a big crowd at Riverside Park to enjoy food, games, pony rides, and an early arrival by Santa. This BBQ, to help to raise money for our annual Santa Parade, was blessed by great weather and big crowds. My thanks to Jill Stackelin, who did a great job of putting it all together.

Charlotte Rides a Pony!

Santa Comes Early to Methuen!

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President Obama Reports on G-20

Posted on September 26, 2009 by billmanzi

The President gives a wrap-up of the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh as well as his visit to the U.N., talking financial reform, economic growth, Iran, and the Israeli and Palestininian meeting he brokered.

Posted in National News | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Kirk Announcement

Posted on September 25, 2009 by billmanzi

Governor Patrick announcing the appointment of Paul Kirk as the interim selection for United States Senator.

Posted in State News | Tagged | 1 Comment

Governor to Name Kirk

Posted on September 24, 2009 by billmanzi

It appears that Governor Patrick will announce this morning that he is naming Paul Kirk as the interim U.S. Senator. Kirk, a Kennedy family confidante, is the choice of the family, and if selected will show that the Kennedys still have plenty of clout in Massachusetts. Governor Patrick will bypass former Governor Michael Dukakis, a fact that is not sitting well with many Dukakis loyalists in the Democratic Party. Almost a no win situation for the Governor politically. The Governor has scheduled an 11:00 a.m. press conference to make the formal announcement.

Posted in State News, U.S. Senate Race | Tagged | 5 Comments

Methuen to Retire Dan Ford's Football Number

Posted on September 24, 2009 by billmanzi

METHUEN TO RETIRE DAN FORD’S FOOTBALL NUMBER
The Late Star Running Back Will Have His Number Retired at Friday Night’s Game

Methuen will retire the number of Dan Ford on Friday, September 25, 2009 during half time of the Methuen vs. Billerica football game. Game starts at 7 p.m. The former star running back died of cancer at the age of 40 earlyer this year.

Dan Ford, a member of the Methuen High School Class of 1988, was an outstanding three-sport athlete whose incomparable dedication, enthusiasm, passion, and athletic prowess set him apart from his peers. Though he ran spring track where he distinguished himself as one of the area’s finest quarter milers, and was a power forward on the hockey team scoring thirty-two goals and thirty-six assists, his favorite sport was football where he excelled on the gridiron. A natural leader, Dan was elected a tri-captain of both his football and hockey teams.

During his junior and senior seasons, Dan ran for over a thousand yards. For that effort, he was honored by sportscaster Mike Lynch with the “High Five Award.” Dan also was named to the Merrimack Valley All-Conference Team. He was also named Methuen High’s Athlete of the Year in 1988. Those who played with Dan remember that he led his teams by both his tenacity and skilled example. Many of his former teammates will be on hand for Friday night’s cerimony.

Inducted into the Methuen High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997, Dan Ford stands as a remarkable role model for those who will follow. Only one other superb athlete, Michael Jozokos, Class of 1981, has been honored by having his football number retired. Dan will now join Mike in this elite category as his number #42 is retired. “The entire City of Methuen salutes Dan Ford’s superlative accomplishments as well as his courage,” said Methuen Mayor William M. Manzi, III. “This promises to be a moving night for the Methuen Rangers as well as Dan’s many friends and family members.”

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Historic Walls Get an Upgrade

Posted on September 24, 2009 by billmanzi

Methuen’s historic walls are one of our valued treasures. The walls are indeed unique but require upkeep, which can be expensive. The Festival of Trees is an organization that has devoted itself to helping to preserve history, and they have once again come through to fund two projects that will help to preserve valuable pieces of Methuen history. The Festival has donated $98,450 to help preserve the Bell Tower at the Presentation of Mary, as well as $25,000 to help preserve a section of Wall owned by the City along the Park Street area. We are extremely grateful for their dedication and committment to historic preservation in Methuen. Read the Tribune story here.
Visit the Festival on the web here.

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