I’m just catching up on the last Middleboro Selectman’s meeting. The longest part of the meeting was a hearing about the former brickyard on River street - another of our illustrious hazardous waste sites.
Idea - a walking tour of Middleboro hazardous waste sites - that could be a real tourist draw.
Back to point. The owner of A Plus Waste Disposal - Ronald High - endured a fairly lengthy grilling about the lack of permits to operate a business despite having been told repeatedly to get them. After Mr. High said his piece, the BOS brought in the big gun - Middleboro Health Department head Jeanne Spaulding, who went medieval on his High-ney going on for a full 13 minutes detailing the history, missing permits, and other deficiencies on the site. In the end High came of as a guy who never met a permit he didn’t want to ignore. After being released from the rack, High promised to work with the town to get the business up to code. Given how non-compliant this business is, that will be quite an accomplishment. It should also be noted that High is doing a cleanup of waste that existed when he bought the property. This would be a good thing and in the end it is in everyone’s interest to make that happen.
Here an excerpt from a Gazette article and audio of the the portion of the BOS meeting of Nov. 3rd that featured Ms. Spaulding - who did a fantastic job presenting the facts on this issue.
November 11th, 2008 in
middleboro |
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From the Middleboro Gazette:MIDDLEBORO — The town’s Office of Economic and Community Development will undertake a feasibility study to see whether the town should accept the donation of much of the 19th-century Star Mill complex from the Winthrop-Atkins Company.This is a nice looking property that is in excellent condition by all accounts. It would be great to see something good done with it. Are there any interesting ideas out there to use this property? It backs up to a wooded area that connects with the Barden Hill area.
On thing I would like to see in Middleboro, preferably downtown, is a higher end pub/restaurant - maybe like a brew pub sort of thing - that had acoustic music. Something like the Offshore Ale Company in Oak Bluffs on the Vinyard.
May 31st, 2008 in
middleboro |
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Open letter to people who write open letters
Please stop writing them.
Nobody cares or will respond to them.
Particularly if they’re about the Mashpee Wampanoag casino being planned for Middleboro, Massachusetts or CasinoFacts.org or even gambling
in general.
Ed - if you don’t understand this post - trust me … it’s hilarious.
May 29th, 2008 in
humor |
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When I first read this Bloomberg article, I was very encouraged. After my recent blog about Charles Barkley’s $400K gambling debt and the $10M he’s lost gambling over the years, it was welcome news the Barkley was going to quit gambling:
Hall of Fame basketball player Charles Barkley vowed to stop gambling and said he’s paid the $400,000 he owed Wynn Resorts Ltd.
Barkley, a TNT studio analyst, made the comments last night in an interview on the network before Game 7 of the National Basketball Association Western Conference semifinal between San Antonio and New Orleans.
“Just because I can afford to lose money don’t mean I should do it,” Barkley said. “I’m not going to gamble anymore.”
Sadly, in the very same article, the firm committment to quit gambling was watered down considerably:
Barkley initially said he was going to stop gambling. Later in the interview, he said that the break may be temporary. “For right now, the next year or two, I’m not going to gamble,” Barkley said.
One day at a time Charles. One day at a time
It’s no secret that Foxwoods has been fighting tooth and nail to prevent their employees from unionizing.
So why the strong union support for the Mashpee Wampanaog Casino Resort Bingo Hall in Middleboro? There is nothing codified in the IGA for unions. It seems that Glenn Marshall1 promised that union workers would be used for construction of Bingo Palace.
Is it just me, or does trading decades of permanent jobs for a few thousand temporary construction jobs seem short sighted?
1Glenn Marshall: Convicted rapist, serial liar, and chief negotiator of the Middleboro/Mashpee IGA
The wonder of it all
Here is an interesting report on Charles Barkley and his $400K casino debt.
The legal action, filed Tuesday in District Court in Clark County, Nev., says the casino granted the former 76ers star four separate credit instruments of $100,000 each Oct. 18 and 19 last year, and that it now wants not only that money, but also interest and damages covering attorney fees.
“I gamble,” Barkley said yesterday during the golf tournament. “Do I gamble too much? More than likely, I do. This was just a mistake on my part for not knowing the dates involved.”
But he insisted he is not in financial difficulty.
In May 2006, he said he had lost about $10 million over the years. In an interview with ESPN at the time, he said, “My agent has really worked with me to try to get it where I can go and gamble and have fun. That’s easier said than done. Do I have a gambling problem? Yeah, I do have a gambling problem. But I don’t consider it a problem, because I can afford to gamble.”$10M?!! Holy mathematically challenged Batman! I have to ask. Can we get this guy to move to Middleboro to flush all his money into our casino toilet?
Viva Las Vegas!
Self-sustaining town expenses
Having just gone through the Middleboro town meeting, and going through the budget and revenues for the town, it got me thinking.
I know this is a dumb, unworkable, idea but just for fun…..
Those of us without pensions, that can afford it, put away a portion of their pay into a retirement account. Ideally, you will someday have enough money to retire, and if you’ve really done well, you will have enough to live comfortably off the interest without touching the principle.
In some ways, a town can be thought of as a person, with an near infinite lifespan. What if the town saved a portion of it’s income, invested it long term in growth funds? Eventually the earned interest would be enough to pay all town expenses. You would have a town that provided all the services it does today that would not have to charge any fees, real estate taxes, commercial taxes, etc.
Depending on a number of factors, you could achieve the goal of a tax-free town in about 68 years. Here is the guide for the following table
Year - years starting from the time the town started saving
Budget - yearly budget increasing by 1.25% a year
Saved - 2% of budget put into a growth account
Savings acct - total $$ in the savings account
Interest - Interest earned on savings (8%)
B - I - Budget minus interest
When “B - I” is zero or negative, you are earning enough(or more) from interest on the savings account to pay for all town expenses.
.nobrtable br { display: none }
| Year |
Budget |
2% saved |
Savings acct |
Interest |
B - I |
| 1 |
60M |
1.2M |
1.2M |
0.1M |
59.9M |
| 2 |
61.5M |
1.23M |
2.53M |
0.2M |
61.3M |
| 3 |
63.04M |
1.26M |
3.99M |
0.32M |
62.72M |
| 4 |
64.61M |
1.29M |
5.6M |
0.45M |
64.17M |
| 5 |
66.23M |
1.32M |
7.37M |
0.59M |
65.64M |
| 6 |
67.88M |
1.36M |
9.32M |
0.75M |
67.14M |
| 7 |
69.58M |
1.39M |
11.46M |
0.92M |
68.66M |
| 8 |
71.32M |
1.43M |
13.8M |
1.1M |
70.22M |
| 9 |
73.1M |
1.46M |
16.37M |
1.31M |
71.79M |
| 10 |
74.93M |
1.5M |
19.17M |
1.53M |
73.4M |
| 11 |
76.81M |
1.54M |
22.24M |
1.78M |
75.03M |
| 12 |
78.73M |
1.57M |
25.6M |
2.05M |
76.68M |
| 13 |
80.69M |
1.61M |
29.26M |
2.34M |
78.35M |
| 14 |
82.71M |
1.65M |
33.26M |
2.66M |
80.05M |
| 15 |
84.78M |
1.7M |
37.61M |
3.01M |
81.77M |
| 16 |
86.9M |
1.74M |
42.36M |
3.39M |
83.51M |
| 17 |
89.07M |
1.78M |
47.53M |
3.8M |
85.27M |
| 18 |
91.3M |
1.83M |
53.16M |
4.25M |
87.04M |
| 19 |
93.58M |
1.87M |
59.28M |
4.74M |
88.84M |
| 20 |
95.92M |
1.92M |
65.94M |
5.28M |
90.64M |
| 21 |
98.32M |
1.97M |
73.18M |
5.85M |
92.46M |
| 22 |
100.77M |
2.02M |
81.05M |
6.48M |
94.29M |
| 23 |
103.29M |
2.07M |
89.6M |
7.17M |
96.13M |
| 24 |
105.88M |
2.12M |
98.89M |
7.91M |
97.97M |
| 25 |
108.52M |
2.17M |
108.97M |
8.72M |
99.81M |
| 26 |
111.24M |
2.22M |
119.91M |
9.59M |
101.64M |
| 27 |
114.02M |
2.28M |
131.79M |
10.54M |
103.47M |
| 28 |
116.87M |
2.34M |
144.67M |
11.57M |
105.29M |
| 29 |
119.79M |
2.4M |
158.64M |
12.69M |
107.1M |
| 30 |
122.78M |
2.46M |
173.78M |
13.9M |
108.88M |
| 31 |
125.85M |
2.52M |
190.2M |
15.22M |
110.64M |
| 32 |
129 |
2.58M |
208 |
16.64M |
112.36M |
| 33 |
132.23M |
2.64M |
227.28M |
18.18M |
114.04M |
| 34 |
135.53M |
2.71M |
248.18M |
19.85M |
115.68M |
| 35 |
138.92M |
2.78M |
270.81M |
21.66M |
117.25M |
| 36 |
142.39M |
2.85M |
295.32M |
23.63M |
118.77M |
| 37 |
145.95M |
2.92M |
321.87M |
25.75M |
120.2M |
| 38 |
149.6M |
2.99M |
350.61M |
28.05M |
121.55M |
| 39 |
153.34M |
3.07M |
381.72M |
30.54M |
122.8M |
| 40 |
157.17M |
3.14M |
415.41M |
33.23M |
123.94M |
| 41 |
161.1M |
3.22M |
451.86M |
36.15M |
124.95M |
| 42 |
165.13M |
3.3M |
491.31M |
39.3M |
125.83M |
| 43 |
169.26M |
3.39M |
534 |
42.72M |
126.54M |
| 44 |
173.49M |
3.47M |
580.19M |
46.42M |
127.08M |
| 45 |
177.83M |
3.56M |
630.16M |
50.41M |
127.42M |
| 46 |
182.27M |
3.65M |
684.22M |
54.74M |
127.54M |
| 47 |
186.83M |
3.74M |
742.7M |
59.42M |
127.42M |
| 48 |
191.5M |
3.83M |
805.94M |
64.48M |
127.03M |
| 49 |
196.29M |
3.93M |
874.34M |
69.95M |
126.34M |
| 40 |
201.2M |
4.02M |
948.32M |
75.87M |
125.33M |
| 51 |
206.23M |
4.12M |
1028.31 |
82.26M |
123.96M |
| 52 |
211.38M |
4.23M |
1114.8M |
89.18M |
122.2M |
| 53 |
216.67M |
4.33M |
1208.32 |
96.67M |
120 |
| 54 |
222.08M |
4.44M |
1309.42 |
104.75M |
117.33M |
| 55 |
227.64M |
4.55M |
1418.73 |
113.5M |
114.14M |
| 56 |
233.33M |
4.67M |
1536.89 |
122.95M |
110.37M |
| 57 |
239.16M |
4.78M |
1
664.63 |
133.17M |
105.99M |
| 58 |
245.14M |
4.9M |
1802.7M |
144.22M |
100.92M |
| 59 |
251.27M |
5.03M |
1951.94 |
156.16M |
95.11M |
| 50 |
257.55M |
5.15M |
2113.25 |
169.06M |
88.49M |
| 61 |
263.99M |
5.28M |
2287.59 |
183.01M |
80.98M |
| 62 |
270.59M |
5.41M |
2476.01 |
198.08M |
72.51M |
| 63 |
277.35M |
5.55M |
2679.64 |
214.37M |
62.98M |
| 64 |
284.29M |
5.69M |
2899.69 |
231.98M |
52.31M |
| 65 |
291.39M |
5.83M |
3137.5M |
251 |
40.39M |
| 66 |
298.68M |
5.97M |
3394.47 |
271.56M |
27.12M |
| 67 |
306.14M |
6.12M |
3672.15 |
293.77M |
12.37M |
| 68 |
313.8M |
6.28M |
3972.2M |
317.78M |
-3.98M |
Of course these numbers would change according to the rate that town expenses increased, the rate of saving, and the interest returned on the savings. But even if it took 100 or 200 years who cares. None of us are going to see the benefits in our lifetimes. This is for future generations. Whether it’s then next generation or a later one - who cares?
Update: Article 30 passed after a motion was made to set a conservency restriction. I may have that term wrong but as I understand it, it will make it extremely difficult in future to sell the land to a developer.
So I think everybody wins here - The Gibbs, the town, and the residents of Middleboro.
Without getting into the Gibbs property and the speculation about the town’s motivation behind article 30, this can be distilled into some very simple facts.
Judy Gibs is a lifelong resident of Middleboro. She and her husband decided to sell their land - which is Chapter 60. This gives the town right of first refusal on the property. The Gibbs recently changed their minds. The town is evoking a little used clause of Chapter 60(Correction: Chapter 61) that allows them to buy it anyway.
This is simple.The Gibbs do not want to sell their land at this time.
The Gibbs will not take the land out of chapter 60 and sell it later.
The Gibbs should not be forced to sell their land.Whether you think this sale will help, hinder, or have no effect on the casino(as I do), there is only one fair vote.
No.
DiMasi paying the price for casino opposition
I received this email today and thought it post-worthy. DiMasi is being unfairly targeted for his sensible, well-reasoned, and RIGHT opposition to casinos. It’s not unlike the smear campaign being waged against local casino opponents. You can be sure that pro-casino interests would like nothing better than to silence opposition, stifle debate, remove anyone or anything that stands in the way of expanded gambling. There is far too much money to be made to let things like informed debate stand in the way.
I had an opportunity to thank House Speaker Sal DiMasi at a Democtatic State Committee meeting on Saturday for his leadership in defeating the casino bill.
His reply to me was gracious and included these telling remarks, “now I am paying for it”. It is clear to anyone following recent media reports that the Speaker has been targeted by his opponents.
Elected officials need to hear from constituents about their concerns as well as their approval for actions taken. In light of today’s Globe article*, I would encourage anyone who has not yet taken the time to send a thank you to the Speaker and the state representatives who worked to defeat the casino bill.
So
pass along some thanks and maybe even some money.
The Globe is reporting:
House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi was given State Police protection at his North End home after he received what authorities felt was a credible death threat during the highly charged debate over casino gambling, said three people who have been briefed on the threat and the State Police response.
Beyond the death threats, there have been many cheap shots being made from
various source - all with questionable motivations.
Vote no on Article 14 & 15. You are going to the Middleboro Annual Town Meeting …… right?
Where: Middleboro High School
When: May 13, 2008
Time: 7:30 PM
These articles are for adopion of Chapter 43D - expedited permitting on two parcels of land. One in the Middleboro Park at 495 and one parcel across the street from Stop and Shop that is borderd by Rt. 28, Rt. 44, Anderson Ave. and Old Center Street.
Chapter 43D is a law that would force the town to permit commercial development within strict periods of time - 180 days. If the town does not get it done, the permit is automatically granted.
My main problems are that 43D is very complicated, involves changes to a half dozen other Mass General Laws, may require changes to local bylaws, and so far has only been adopted by 21 of the 351 towns in Massachusetts. I feel that we need to do a lot more investigation before we mess around with it.
The Middleboro Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 in favor of supporting these articles. The lone dissenter was Adam Bond. I have spoken to Adam on this and I would venture to say that he has done more investigation on 43D than anyone else on the board. When Adam and I are not at each throats and slamming each other on the internet, we sometimes find time to agree on some things. So why did the other 4 vote in favor? I don’t know. During the BOS meeting of May 5, very few questions were asked by anyone other than Adam. I would guess they are largely in favor based on their trust in our town planner. But honestly - I don’t know.
At this point I don’t know if 43D is good or bad. And neither does the town. We as a town need to do a lot more study on the effects of this law before we adopt it. At this point the town may be willing to drop 43D for the Stop & Shop land - but “experiment” with it on the industrial park. I say we hold off on any experimentation until we have a much, much better idea of the ramifications. At this time, with my limited knowledge of 43D, I don’t believe that there are gradations 43D-ness. A town either adopts it, or it doesn’t. I say we don’t.
Here are some excerpts from a Middleboro Gazette article:
Chairman of Selectmen Adam Bond, who voted in opposition to recommending favorable action on the town meeting articles, expressed one of the major concerns about Chapter 43D. “If we don’t make the (180-day) deadline it’s granted,” he said. He said the fact that communities can obtain up to $150,000 in planning grants by adopting the law does not make its limitations more palatable.
“I don’t like the fact that the state is giving me a carrot of $150,000…I’d rather have more control of the process,” Mr. Bond said.
Former Conservation Commission member Barbara Frappier said the language in the state law as well as summaries provided by state agencies raise questions about whether all local bylaws and ordinances would have to be revised permanently to guarantee any development could be permitted within 180 days.
The town’s demolition delay bylaw, for instance, which is designed to promote the preservation of historic buildings, allows the Historical Commission to negotiate for up to a year, — and 18 months in the case of National Register districts — with property owners who seek to demolish historic buildings.
May 13th, 2008 in
43D |
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