Alderman & City Politics

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About Time

Patch: State Senator Lewis Calls For More Government Transparency

Now if only he and Brodeur could do some heavy lifting and get Melrose politicians to begin doing the right thing when it comes to Government Transparency! Of course that might mean rocking some boats, which they are not likely to do, but if this is anything other th...

Views: 129 Replies: 2

Last Post: Jun 2, 2015 7:50pm
by Allah Up Ya!

Booze in Melrose

Humorous New Set of Melrose Liquor Laws

So parochial and silly. RD must not be pleased ("Why should I have to buy food when all I want is drinks?") He and Joe will have to go to Malden every night now. DL is pretty funny too. Wonder how this jives with Joe's wife's Subst Abuse Committee. Incestuous and hyp...

Views: 1352 Replies: 44

Last Post: May 28, 2015 9:14pm
by Jester Squad

charlie

override

So Rob proposed an override for taxes last night. Help me. Am I wrong to believe that all these monster apt buildings going up and the added retail space is supposed to be generating more taxes for the city? Are we being asked to deal with the excessive amounts...

Views: 451 Replies: 6

Last Post: May 19, 2015 5:40pm
by MFD

MFD

Mayor Having a City Budget Meeting, Monday, May 11th, at 7:30PM in Aldermanic Hall - Open to Public

This meeting is an opportunity for the public to speak to those in charge of the "purse strings". Of course it will be used by the Mayor to talk up an override. So don't expect the BOA or SC members present to be listening to you - this is a done deal!

Views: 554 Replies: 13

Last Post: May 15, 2015 2:06pm
by For You

change please

Term Limits

More people would run for office, if there were term limits. If many people ran for each office, they would divide/split the vote and we could get rid of the incumbent/ass kissing/political hacks.

Views: 464 Replies: 8

Last Post: May 9, 2015 10:54am
by New candidates

Angry Mike!

Dick Cheney made money off the Iraq war!

9/11 was an inside job[:-?]

Views: 174 Replies: 3

Last Post: May 5, 2015 5:57pm
by Me Too

Pulling Papers

Decision 2015

Now is about the time serious candidates should start thinking about getting a campaign started and pulling papers for the big election this November. I believe all of the Alderman seats are up for re-election, along with 3 school committee members, the Mayor's se...

Views: 386 Replies: 4

Last Post: May 4, 2015 9:13pm
by Dem Machine

Call in

Dolan on 1510

Just heard that RD is going to be on am 1510 this morning. He is going to talk about a bill becoming a law. Wondering if they will ask any hard questions or if it is just a puff piece.

Views: 340 Replies: 3

Last Post: Apr 23, 2015 9:11am
by Rob

questions

Do Aldermen Vote Anything They're Told?

The good buds in city council followed along and voted to make a show for the schools with science kits, textbooks, science labs, and Smartboards. They just signed another 5.3 Million to redecorate the high school library with a stage and kitchenette. Those things ha...

Views: 445 Replies: 9

Last Post: Apr 17, 2015 7:27am
by water price goug...

Wyoming Dumps

Commuter Rail Developments

"Mixed Use Development" zoning changes discussed at the 4-6-15 BOA meeting. The Cedar Park and Highlands areas were repeatedly mentioned. What about Wyoming? Is it only an area for druggies, vapors and slumlords?

Views: 446 Replies: 1

Last Post: Apr 12, 2015 10:18am
by Safety on Wyomin...

need for leadership

showtime

It will be interesting to watch which BOA members ask questions, fulfill roles as fiscal watchdogs and declare with reason and rationale why they will support upcoming bonds and the override question. All candidates need to declare themselves and earn votes (or not)...

Views: 660 Replies: 10

Last Post: Mar 27, 2015 8:10am
by yup

BOA Users

BOA and GIC

All candidates who run for The Board of Aldermen need to spell out where they stand on Melrose tax dollars being used for BOA members private health insurance.... FOR LIFE! The cost to The City of Melrose over the years is millions of dollars. The Override campaign...

Views: 676 Replies: 19

Last Post: Mar 6, 2015 2:21pm
by Doink the Clown

Flood Watcher

Primative Drain Clearing

Faced with major street flooding, most the storm drains are still not opened except for Main St. and some others. It's not surprising wheb you consider that DPW crews are being sent out with long poles to stick them into up to four foot banks probing for the drains...

Views: 249 Replies: 0

Last Post: Mar 5, 2015 12:02pm
by Flood Watcher

Content

State of The City Address

I'm sure that Brigid is working hard today on the final draft of the "State of The City" today. I wonder how many times he will call for the Override?

Views: 867 Replies: 24

Last Post: Mar 2, 2015 10:01am
by GIC/BOA: Compoun...

Watershed year

Fall 2015 Elections

This is one of the best election cycles in recent memory. The Mayor is up, there is talk of an override on the ballot, 3 school committee members, and a full slate of Alderman. Last time this happened was the Balfour/Middle School Debt exclusion election in 2003....

Views: 637 Replies: 18

Last Post: Feb 23, 2015 11:10am
by Maybe Not Lifers

More Wasteful Spending Ahead

Tax Increase Coming

Just read in the local papers that the BOA will be recommending a tax increase for residential & commercial properties. Looks like our residential taxes will go up about an average of $170 per homeowner, more for commercial properties. This means with property evalua...

Views: 729 Replies: 22

Last Post: Feb 12, 2015 10:44am
by Old Guy

Next Mayor

With Dolan going to work for Baker, hopefully Ed O' Connell will run for Mayor.. with his rehab in progress, Ed would be perfect to continue the policies of the current administration. Maybe this was the plan all along?

Views: 1465 Replies: 37

Last Post: Feb 9, 2015 6:23pm
by Truth Shall Set ...

resident

snow removal from sidewalks

The time has come for the city of Melrose to pass an ordinance requiring property owners to clear the sidewalks in front of their property within a reasonable time after a storm, perhaps 24 hours. We are a walking town we don't bus our kids to school.The sidewalks ne...

Views: 508 Replies: 10

Last Post: Feb 4, 2015 6:02pm
by The Real One

Snow Scandal

Do you believe it?

It has come to my attention, from a disgruntled insider at City hall, that Mayor Dolan and his minions have conspired to create a Nor'Easter this week in an effort to get Dolan's cronies in the DPW overtime pay. He colluded with the alderman who have health insuranc...

Views: 379 Replies: 3

Last Post: Jan 26, 2015 7:15pm
by Snowless

Melrosian

Police blog

What happened to the Melrose Police Log? It stopped in August. It was nice to know about what is going on in the city. Newspaper only lists a few.

Views: 924 Replies: 11

Last Post: Jan 26, 2015 7:42am
by I think...

legal question

Oil Truck Rollover

Paper showed the oil truck rollover on Howard St. All the roads were icy that morning for too long. They didn't put salt down until after a couple hours. What liability does the city have for the rollover and all the other accidents that morning?

Views: 228 Replies: 2

Last Post: Jan 24, 2015 6:08pm
by The Scavenger

Story Behind The Story

Alcohol Changes

When are the BOA "debating" the Alcohol changes that Don Conn mentioned at the last meeting? The handpicked "Committee Members" appointed by Dolan to deliberate were suspect from the beginning. Just like the schools, back room deals, hidden agendas and lack of trans...

Views: 490 Replies: 2

Last Post: Jan 23, 2015 11:33am
by Less interesting...

Saddened

Pray for ny police

tragedy in Brooklyn today. Please pray for the families of the two slain police officers today.

Views: 401 Replies: 4

Last Post: Jan 7, 2015 3:14pm
by Lets get real

Blue Blood

2 PEAS IN A POD

What do the Mayor of New York City and Mayor "Wonderful" of Melrose have in common?[Cop]

Views: 627 Replies: 6

Last Post: Jan 4, 2015 10:46am
by Haterz

GIC-takers

WLocal/JSacco: Alderman Peter Mortimer: Serving Out of Dedication for Melrose

Serving out of dedication for Melrose By Peter Mortimer / Melrose Alderman Posted Oct. 24, 2014 @ 8:23 am Based on the article in [this week's] Free Press you may be wondering why I applied for pension benefits, including health insurance, in 2013, if I wanted...

Views: 1694 Replies: 69

Last Post: Dec 30, 2014 8:37pm
by names

"king"goes public

dolan declares OVERRIDE

Today's Globe North has "Mayor for Life/KING" declaring for the OVERRIDE ! I'm sure the GIC taking Aldermen will support him all the way! Peter Mort is retired and since his family's Health Insurance for life is paid by Melrose taxpayers, he is free to be appointe...

Views: 656 Replies: 7

Last Post: Dec 15, 2014 11:31am
by Put down the cra...

Leaves

Blowing leaves in Street

Does anybody have an ignorant and arrogant f...... neighbor who blows his leaves in the street so we have to pick them up when they blow down to our lawn? I would love it if somebody smacks him in the head with a rake (plastic of course). Signed Green Thumb

Views: 479 Replies: 6

Last Post: Nov 29, 2014 12:38pm
by Hmmm....

WTF?

Retirement Board

A "little bird" told me today that the City has been paying three "city employees" (not those of the retirement board staff) out of retirement funds, in an arrangement concocted by Patrick Dello Russo, the City Auditor/CFO, and the Mayor's ex-officio appointee and Ch...

Views: 391 Replies: 5

Last Post: Nov 8, 2014 2:35pm
by WTF?

Election Predictions

Nostrodamus

1) Baker over Coakley by 5 points 2) Brodeur and Clark win comfortably 3) Question 1 - State gas tax remains as is, NO vote prevails 4) Question 2 - Expanded Bottle Bill fails. NO Vote prevails 5) Question 3 - Casino built in Everett. No Vote prevails 6) Questi...

Views: 729 Replies: 25

Last Post: Nov 8, 2014 9:40am
by Political Observ...

unlisted

Rob RoboCalling for Everett No on Repealing of Casino Law

This is just gross and inappropriate. So what else is new? "paid for by Everett" is the tag line!

Views: 486 Replies: 18

Last Post: Nov 6, 2014 11:34am
by Complete joke

M. Debater

Baker vs Chokley Debate

After watching the debate last night, looks like Baker is a shoe-in for the governorship.

Views: 537 Replies: 24

Last Post: Oct 30, 2014 1:40pm
by Woodstock

far fetched

Cops are leaving soon

Rumor has it there are several cops looking to leave the fair city of Melrose. what is it? The administration? Not enough details? Dolan?

Views: 1369 Replies: 48

Last Post: Oct 28, 2014 10:30am
by Pro

GIC-takers

WLocal/JSacco: Alderman Peter Mortimer Explains Retirement

http://melrose.wickedlocal.com/article/20141024/NEWS/141027629 Alderman Peter Mortimer explains retirement By Jessica Sacco / jsacco@wickedlocal.com Posted Oct. 24, 2014 @ 8:46 am An alderman’s unusual move to hold on to state health care benefits left so...

Views: 290 Replies: 0

Last Post: Oct 24, 2014 9:15am
by GIC-takers

Jimmy Olsen

Breaking News

Governor Protects his Staff "As he prepares to leave office, Governor Deval Patrick is quietly transferring 500 of his managers into the state public employee union, a move that will qualify them for a series of 3 percent raises and insulate them from firing when...

Views: 541 Replies: 14

Last Post: Oct 21, 2014 1:26pm
by Yugdlo

outraged over water & sewer tiered system

WickedLocal: Multi-unit buildings request changes to water, sewer rates

http://melrose.wickedlocal.com/article/20141009/NEWS/141006959/?template=printart By Jessica Sacco jsacco@wickedlocal.com October 09. 2014 10:07AM Multi-unit buildings request changes to water, sewer rates Representatives from Melrose condominiums and ap...

Views: 494 Replies: 12

Last Post: Oct 18, 2014 7:07pm
by Agree

Taxpayer

WATER BILLS

WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE OF THE INSANE AND RIDICULOUS WATER BILL RATES? THE TIER SYSTEM SYSTEM THAT WE PAID A CONSULTANT TO DETERMINE IS INSANE. MY BILL HAS INCREASED $800 PER YEAR WITH NO INCREASE IN USAGE. I AM OUTRAGED AND DISAPOINTED AND DISGUSTED FRANKLY BY THE...

Views: 1381 Replies: 31

Last Post: Oct 9, 2014 5:36pm
by Yugdlo

patricia wright

Dolan Wants Taxpayers to Pay for More Political Toys!

I read in the Melrose Weekly News on page 6 an article that Dolan wants to propose buying a purported interactive software that Melrose citizens can use to understand how their tax money is being spent. Dolan is quoted as saying “ I was introduced to the other...

Views: 524 Replies: 7

Last Post: Oct 8, 2014 9:31am
by Skipped the show

Disgusted

Health Reform

Disgusted Oct 2, 2014 - 4:25PM Health Reform Last week, the Mass Taxpayers Foundation (MTF) released its latest report on municipal retiree health insurance. As expected the report finds that the cost of municipal health insurance plans is unsustainable, and as...

Views: 246 Replies: 0

Last Post: Oct 3, 2014 4:34pm
by Disgusted

Vinnie

Vinton/Warwick

We need to start thinking about limiting truck traffic along Vinton Street and Warwick Road. I know this is a common shortcut to the fells (and vice versa) but these are still residential and school neighborhoods. The noise and volume of trucks, is just not acceptab...

Views: 571 Replies: 6

Last Post: Oct 1, 2014 3:01pm
by MDC

Real Facts

Mohegan Sun-down

Hey Robbie, I hope you cashed that Mohegan Sun mitigation check! And good luck getting one from Steve Wynn.

Views: 343 Replies: 5

Last Post: Sep 17, 2014 9:49pm
by yabo

It's Scary Rob !

Election Results

Dolan must be drowning his sorrows tonight.....Martha, Maura, Katherine and Marion.... Year of the woman, Rob !

Views: 875 Replies: 13

Last Post: Sep 17, 2014 9:47pm
by woot

Conflict of Interest?

Alcohol Law Changes

Is Dolan's "Drinking Buddy, Joe" ( mentioned on another thread on this board ) the same person who is on the Liquor Commission and whose wife works for the Health Department as the Substance Abuse Coalition staff member? I can't believe this is true! Conflict of i...

Views: 303 Replies: 5

Last Post: Sep 4, 2014 6:17pm
by Willie

Hmmmm.....

Morty Retiring?

According to the City website, Morty is retiring. Retiring from what? The Board of Aldermen? How exactly will this affect his GIC insurance I wonder? Will he be eligible to keep it permanently as a retiree?

Views: 1401 Replies: 29

Last Post: Sep 3, 2014 5:40pm
by Out of Control

citizen

Outrageous Water Rates

Monica Medeiros is quoted in the Free Press below. She was literally the ONLY alderman to vote against the new tiered system, which actually penalizes those who conserve water and/or who have second water meters. It was a crazy thing that the community basically let...

Views: 669 Replies: 14

Last Post: Sep 1, 2014 7:30pm
by Knowledge

TGIF

TGIF for Carjackers

Had my children locked inside the house all day Friday after receiving a message from Mayor Rob that two men, apparently armed and dangerous, were roaming the city. Suddenly at 5pm I receive another message that Police have done a thorough search of the city and hav...

Views: 540 Replies: 6

Last Post: Aug 27, 2014 8:41pm
by What??

Insomniac

What's up at MMTV?

MMTV always replayed the board meetings so viewers could watch when they wanted. My doctor prescribed them for my insomnia and it worked wonders for years. For the last couple weeks they only post a graphic showing the time of the next meeting and aren't replayin...

Views: 1892 Replies: 49

Last Post: Aug 27, 2014 1:59pm
by Shakespear Quote...

Lifelong Learner

Smartest Towns in Massachusetts (where is Melrose?)

http://www.boston.com/real-estate/community/2014/08/05/the-smartest-towns-mass/3bLvfPlGyLvLvvWLa5nqjM/pictures.html Gee, is anyone surprised that Melrose is not on this list? Not even close! Here instead of smart we have smarta$$es who think that unpacking the...

Views: 634 Replies: 25

Last Post: Aug 14, 2014 4:05pm
by A life Lesson

Melrose Cares: Open Community Dialogue