The School Committee Monday has everything of interest to anyone paying taxes, raising kids, or just wanting to know when not to go on vacation next year:
- A vote on the 2014-15 calendar
- A comparison of budgeted vs. actual spending
- The Enrollment report, including projections and comparisons to surrounding communities (spoiler: we don’t have it so bad–look at Brookline)
- Budget guidelines for FY15
- Diversity in Hiring
- and an interesting proposal from Waltham Home Depot.
If you’re still obsessed with pot dispensing, or want to argue for a plan to fund improvements to conservation lands, go to Zoning. If you’d like to know more about a possible Residential Exemption, the numbers are now there. Otherwise, enjoy your latkes and turkey!
Is Zoning discussing a proposed development in Newton Centre for people with disabilities?
There is some suggestion in the School Committee Budget Guidelines that with the override this is some wiggle-room for new spending. As someone that supported the override, I find this surprising. I thought every penny of the override request was for specific spending a part of a well designed plan. Here is what the guideline says:
“Though (sic?) override funding does not specifically provide for extensive new programming, with some creativity it is possible to include investment in some initiatives that do not have a large net cost increase that will translate to real educational improvements.”
Sure I see the words “do not have a large net cost increase”, but what is different post-override and why is override even mentioned?
Here’s the doc> http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/documents/55646
Lucia, the Zoning Board of Appeals is holding a hearing on an appeal from the issuance of a building permit for alterations to a residence for adults with disabilities in Newton Centre.
Ted, do you know why the neighbors are appealing now? The residence has been renovated and worked on for many months. I have been inside and it is magnificent. If you know why this is happening, please let us know.
Jo-Louise, my understanding is that some of the neighbors appealed the issuance of the building permit on the ground that this is a congregate living facility for which a special permit is required.
Hoss is exactly correct. The override reference is irrelevant. All of the override money was directed at specific planned items. And those items did not include spending for new programs.
Notice also that there will be an SC caucus to determine its leadership for the next year, starting at 6:45pm
There was a battle royal for the vice chair position, with Diana Fisher Gomberg, Steve Siegel and Margie Ross Decter as contenders.
Geoff Epstein, I think most of us have seen in the business world a typical budget guideline these days would say:
“Despite recent revenue increases tied directly to related costs [“override funds”], with some creativity it is possible to include investment in some initiatives that will translate to real value-added improvements by discontinuing older, stale programs.”
Geoff –
Does that mean that the SC is electing its leadership at 6:45 tonight or that it has already elected the leadership? This calls for a new blog post!
I have to work tonight but have question re: The Home Depot item. Any amount of money is welcome but are they talking about a one-time donation of “only” $1,500? Per student or just to build this one shed?
I really like the other item proposed in which students can sell items they’ve made through web site. Lots of issues and a couple of concerns come to mind (who keeps what % for example) but if I’ve glanced at this correctly, I like idea on surface.
M
The new leadership will be elected in the caucus starting at 6:45pm
Jo-Louise, the Zoning Board of Appeals upheld the determination of the Commissioner of Inspectional Services that a special permit is not required for Hasseltine House at 40 Chase Street by a vote of 5-0. The ZBA’s decisions was based on the civil rights provisions of the Fair Housing Act, Section 5o4 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988, and Chapter 40A, section 3 of the state zoning act protecting the rights of people with disabilities. I will be docketing an item with some of my colleagues to repeal the zoning ordinance to the extent it conflicts with these laws.
Hi Ted, thank you for the posting. I was there for the whole 2 1/2 hours, and I spoke, right after Madame Chair tried to close the hearing while about 20 members of the public wanted to talk.
Jo-Louise, I am sorry I missed you. I attended all but 20 minutes or so of the public hearing, but had to leave to attend another meeting. I returned in time to hear the last 10 or so speakers, most of whom were adults with development disabilities and who will be living in Hasseltine House. Their testimony, in particular, was very moving and compelling. I know there were many supporters of affordable housing and Engine 6 who were present as well. It made me proud to live in Newton.