April 9, 2008

Chelmsford shakeup a sign of the times?

THE DEFEAT of an incumbent selectman, coupled with the rejection of a Proposition 2 1/2 override, has emotions running high in Chelmsford.

Witness, for example, the following exchange Tuesday night at Town Hall after it was evident that incumbent Selectman Sam Chase was ousted and the $2.8 million override for the School Department went down in flames.

"I hope you're ready to solve all the problems you've caused," Kathy Duffett, School Committee chairwoman and override proponent, told Eric Dahlberg, who handily defeated Chase while opposing the override.

Dahlberg shrugged off the verbal attack.

"She was laughing when she said it, and she shook my hand," he said. "She's a nice person and just really passionate about the schools. This won't color my relationship with the School Committee going forward."

We're wondering if Duffett has the same warm and fuzzy feelings.

In other election tidbits:

* Bernie Lynch, the former town manager, received six write-in votes in Precinct 7 for School Committee. The committee's two incumbents, Angelo Taranto and Duffett, ran unopposed.

* Dahlberg swept all nine of the town's precincts, including Precinct 1, which is Chase's turf.

* Not on my property: Once gasoline-station owner Jimmy Good learned Chase was supporting Town Manager Paul Cohen's proposal for a Fire Department-run ambulance service, Good asked Chase to remove his sign and then replaced it with a
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Dahlberg placard.

* Chase arranged a $1,600 bulk mailing through the North Chelmsford Post Office the Friday before the election. Only one problem. Chase's fliers arrived at 4,000 homes the day after the election. Chase is seeking an official investigation.

* Is Selectman Bill Dalton reading tea leaves? He said he's probably going to seek re-election next year, but the defeat of his political confidante, Chase, must be weighing heavily on his mind.

* School Committee member Evelyn Thoren barely held on to her Town Meeting representative seat, while her husband, Glenn, who happened to be Chase's campaign manager, lost his.

A LOWELL School Committee majority has a message to Dave Conway, the former Lowell High School housemaster who joined the committee in January: You might have topped the ticket in November's election, but you're not the school king.

In other words, relax.

Committee members Jackie Doherty, John Leahy, Jim Leary and Connie Martin went ballistic a week ago when they learned that Conway scheduled a visit to the high school with the new Superintendent of Schools Chris Augusta Scott, without bringing any of them into the fold.

Martin was so incensed, she scheduled a meeting of the committee's personnel subcommittee last week as a refresher to member protocol. Calling the meeting was a direct salvo at Conway.

"I thought it was out of line," said Leahy, who was caught like a deer in headlights in the school's Courtyard Restaurant by Scott's appearance. He was there having lunch with Leary and United Teachers of Lowell president Paul Georges.

Doherty said she never received the supposed Friday morning e-mail from Conway notifying other committee members about the visit.

"We were all together Thursday night. Why didn't you tell us then?" she asked Conway.

Conway said he did not think it was a problem. He said he extended the invitation to Scott as an "olive branch," because she was not his first choice to succeed Karla Brooks Baehr. Conway's choice was Wendy Jack, the high-school curriculum and instruction director.

It's not just the high-school visit that ticked off the members. Conway has apparently been making the rounds at some of the middle schools, too.

ANOTHER PART of that Scott visit raised eyebrows.

Martin asked whether the visit cost the district any money. Conway said he paid for the lunch. The only other expense was that of a substitute teacher needed to cover two classes for teacher Jennifer Carey, the school's liaison to UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College, so she could attend.

Baehr was surprised to hear of Carey's new position.

Conway explained that it is an unpaid volunteer position that he held before retiring as a housemaster last December. Before he left, he asked around to find someone willing to pick up the slack. Carey agreed.

Baehr said that is something that should be appointed by the district, not by a School Committee member.

"As a School Committee person, it is not appropriate to appoint somebody to any position in the schools," said Doherty.

Solicitor Christine O'Connor said committee members cannot interfere with day-to-day operations of the schools, or with the authority of principals or the headmaster. Their only direct report is the superintendent.

Committee member Regina Faticanti piped up that it also includes questioning headmasters, principals or housemasters for reports, saying that Doherty called housemasters about reports during last month's ONE Lowell controversy.

"Let's not get personal here. We all have some anger in us about everybody here," said Leahy.

"All I'm saying is that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones," retorted Faticanti.

Doherty, sitting directly across from Faticanti, fought back.

"So, that would include yelling at principals as well," she spat back at Faticanti.

Conway learned that he was outside of his authority when he recently visited a school principal to inquire as to whether enough had been done to remedy a situation in which, ultimately, a teacher was not asked to come back to teach there next year.

"That is totally inappropriate," O'Connor said.

"We should have had this meeting 12 years ago," quipped Conway, stating that when he was a housemaster School Committee members called him frequently, yelling on several occasions.

TWO YEARS ago, a sharply split Lowell City Council voted to use its eminent-domain powers to take a seven-acre swath of vacant lots and decrepit mill buildings owned by downtown land magnate James Lichoulas Jr.

Lichoulas' land comprises almost half of what city planners call the Hamilton Canal District, now a blighted, city-owned 15-acre site on the fringe of downtown. Lowell officials envision selling the district land to the state and Boston-based master-development firm Trinity Financial to be converted into a new $125 million state judicial center and a sparkling new $500 million to $800 million commercial and residential zone.

In April 2006, the City Council was split on whether to accept a buyout package that former City Manager John Cox's administration had negotiated with Lichoulas and his attorneys or to take it by eminent domain.

A council majority -- then-Mayor Bill Martin and Councilors Kevin Broderick, Eileen Donoghue, Rodney Elliott, Jim Milinazzo and George Ramirez -- opted to reject Cox's package for lack of trust in Lichoulas, who has drawn criticism for essentially allowing his historic mill buildings to crumble to dust.

Councilors Edward "Bud" Caulfield (the current mayor), Armand Mercier and Rita Mercier favored Cox's advice to go the negotiated buyout route, to avoid the risk of costly lawsuit from Lichoulas.

That brings us to today.

Last Monday, a U.S. District Court judge dismissed Lichoulas' federal lawsuit, dealing a significant blow to the landowner, who nevertheless has appealed and could still come back to haunt the council for its decision.

THE FIRST Amendment is alive and well in Billerica.

In the week leading up to yesterday's town election, town cemetery workers made their allegiance clear by posting large placards in support of selectman candidate and fellow town employee (police dispatcher) Bob Accomando on their private vehicles.

However, those vehicles were parked on town-owned land, a situation that did not sit well with Cemetery Commissioner Frank Busalacchi, who questioned the legality. He is also a supporter of Selectman Marc Lombardo, who is seeking re-election.

Busalacchi asked the worked to remove the signs. They refused.

DPW Director Abdul Alkhatib received an opinion on the matter from town counsel, who backed the workers' rights to support the candidate of their choice, regardless of where their vehicles are parked.

"I may not like it either," said Alkhatib. "But it is a First Amendment issue, and this is a free country."

Lombardo was riding along with Busalacchi when he stopped at the cemetery, but says he did not say anything to the workers and was unaware that Busalacchi was going there until they arrived.

"I didn't say anything to anyone, just was a witness to Frank's question to the crew," Lombardo wrote in an e-mail. "I didn't think it was my place, so I said nothing."

JUST WHEN it seemed that the circus-like atmosphere surrounding the continually continued public hearings on the $20 million Billerica Mall revitalization plan could not possibly be any more comical, the Billerica Fire Department came to the rescue.

In the middle of last week's Planning Board meeting, BFD Deputy Chief Thomas Ferraro waded through the throngs spilling out into the hallway, suddenly appearing at the rear of the steamy, crowded hearing room. He was counting heads. Then he called Planning Board Chairman Paul Marasco out into the hall.

The room was over capacity by about 15 people. The doorway needed to be kept clear.

It was suspected that a disabled gentleman who had protested earlier in the evening about the inaccessibility of the small hearing room had dropped a dime to the Fire Department.

The board recessed to consider options. The board was unable to secure the Town Hall auditorium because the Substance Abuse Prevention Committee was holding an event. The Conway hearing room, usually used by the selectmen, was locked and likely still too small for the crowd of nearly 80 people.

In the end, the board continued on, trying to wrap up. It dragged on, prompting a return appearance from the mustachioed jake.

Ferraro called Town Planner Peter Kennedy out into the hall and told him to wrap it up or move it out.

Then, the peanut gallery piped in. Someone suggested holding the next hearing at the Billerica Mall.

"There's too much mold there," someone shouted.

"You better hope it doesn't rain. Bring your rain gear -- that place leaks," yelled another.

Well, it has been dragging on for more than two years ... but it is never boring.

AYER SELECTMEN Chairman Gary Luca returned to his duties on the board this week. He's recovering from a fractured right heel he suffered when he fell about 12 feet from his roof while clearing snow off a satellite dish a couple of weeks ago. He said he will likely be out of work as postmaster in Ashland until the end of April.

At least the injury came with benefit. Luca is stuck home most of the day watching television.

SLIM CHANCE.

That's how residents are categorizing the odds of a Proposition 2 1/2 override passing in Tyngsboro this year.

It's the economy, right? Actually, people are pointing to recent history.

In 2006, a $1.6 million override request failed 62 percent to 38 percent.

A second request for $630,000 to fund pay for highway and fire equipment, as well as the completion of the roof at the Early Childhood Center failed 64 percent to 36 percent.

In 2005, an override -- which appeared on the ballot in $1.25 million, $1.6 million and $1.9 million amounts -- was struck down by more than a 2-1 ratio.

Selectmen decide tomorrow night whether an $800,000 override request for the School Department makes the ballot.q

IT'S OFFICIAL: Tewksbury is the poor kid on the block.

During the unveiling of a draft School Master Plan in Wilmington last Monday, Selectman Michael McCoy pointed at its neighbor while arguing that it may not be the right time for a new Wilmington High School.

"I don't want to be like Tewksbury," McCoy said at the height of his argument. "They're bankrupting that community. Those officials should be ashamed of themselves."

Granted, Tewksbury is facing a $6.2 million budget deficit next fiscal year -- unarguably the largest shortfall in Greater Lowell.

But officials there do appear to be working hard on bringing back some fiscal stability, even delaying the placement of a Proposition 2 1/2 override question on the ballot until every internal cut is made and every efficiency is found.

This week's Column was written by Jennifer Myers, reporting from Billerica and the Lowell School Department; Michael Lafleur in Lowell City Hall; Rita Savard in Chelmsford; Jack Minch in Ayer; Chris Camire in Tyngsboro; Alexandra Mayer-Hohdahl in Tewksbury/Wilmington; and City Editor Christopher Scott.

Posted by Admin at 3:37 PM

April 4, 2008

Geoff Hall will leave some big shoes to fill

THE ANNOUNCEMENT by state Rep. Geoffrey Hall, D-Westford, that he'll be stepping down has triggered a lot of chatter about what could be a blockbuster tri-town election in November.

Hall was first elected 18 years ago in a largely conservative and Republican-leaning district, comprising Littleton and Westford and three Chelmsford precincts.

"I've had a lot of Republicans come up to me and say, 'You're the only Democrat I've ever voted for' and I truly am proud of that," Hall told The Sun yesterday. "I guess you can say I owe a lot of my success to Republicans who are willing to consider what I've tried to do for the district."

Hall, of course, is a special rep and person, and Democrats can be proud of his legacy on and off Beacon Hill. For 36 years, he's been a public school teacher and a solid role model for district youngsters. He's also hanging up his school books in the fall. "I've enjoyed my life in the public sector, helping people, and now I want to enjoy my private life with my family," he said.

Doctors recently gave Hall a clean bill of health after his bout with cancer a year ago.

"That was a scare and I felt while I've got my health, I want to enjoy it. I've truly had a great run as a legislator and teacher and I feel it's time to do something different."

Hall said he's hoping to convince his wife, Pam, to take a nice, long, relaxing trip throughout New England in the fall. "That's what I want to do,
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see the Mystic River area in Connecticut, Newport, R.I., spend some time in New Hampshire and Vermont. I love New England and now I want to really discover it."

HALL CAME up in politics the old way. He served on the Westford Housing Authority for several years and later was elected a selectman in 1983. He served six years and then made the leap to the House of Representatives in 1990-91.

A 1966 Westford Academy graduate, Hall has never forgotten his roots and is dedicated to quietly getting things done on Beacon Hill for his constituents. "He's a great legislator to work with. He knows the issues and is always helpful," said Lowell Rep. Dave Nangle. "I know the Lowell delegation is going to miss him for his friendship and partnership on regional issues."

WHILE WESTFORD voters would certainly like to hold onto the seat, Chelmsford politicos are angling to win back clout that was lost in the 2001 redistricting that forced out longtime Rep. Carol Cleven.

Chelmsford was carved into four districts, with Hall representing precincts 3, 5, and 7. The precincts total 7,272 registered voters. Though outgunned by Westford (14,570 voters), Chelmsford's strategy could be to unify behind one strong local candidate. It would be even better if more than one Westford candidate emerges in a Democratic primary.

So far, Jim Arciero of Westford is the lone announced Democrat in the race. One name mentioned in Chelmsford is former selectman Mike McCall. Another is present Selectman Phillip Eliopoulos, who's been quite vocal in saying he wants to lead a charge to regain a Chelmsford seat.

Interestingly, two Republican candidates have emerged. William Bunker, 25, of Westford has taken out nomination papers, as has Paul Avella, a Littleton School Committee member. (Littleton has 5,775 registered voters in the 2nd Middlesex House district.)

It's very rare to have an open legislative seat in Massachusetts, so this race should be hotly contested, especially because Republicans could play a prominent role in the outcome. Whatever happens, the new state rep will be replacing a highly respected legislator.

THE LOWELL School Committee made history Thursday night, when members unanimously agreed on a contract for new Superintendent of Schools Chris Augusta Scott that will make her one of the top-paid school administrators in the region.

It's not quite set in stone, but it's looking like Scott will earn a base salary of about $170,000. In her current job as superintendent in Norfolk, Scott's base salary is $134,000.

Current Lowell Superintendent Karla Brooks Baehr earns $154,715.

Scott's three-year contract includes a $300 monthly travel allowance, $1,200 annual health-insurance benefit, 15 sick days, three personal days, and five weeks vacation. She will not receive an annuity, a benefit many other superintendents receive. (Dracut superintendent Elaine Espindle had an annuity, but incoming Superintendent Spencer Mullin will not.)

Scott, 42, came to the negotiating session in the Mayor's Reception Room without an attorney. By several accounts, she didn't need one. Scott reportedly negotiated for an "industry average" salary, citing what other urban superintendents earn. Evidently, she made a persuasive argument, telling board members she plans to move to Lowell from Cambridge and be a "24/7" superintendent.

So how does Scott's salary compare to others? Billerica Superintendent Anthony Serio is earning a base salary of $156,000; Donald Yeoman of Chelmsford, $165,000; Maureen Marshall of North Middlesex Regional, $163,800; Christine McGrath in Tewksbury, $165,800. Lawrence Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy earns a base pay of $189,000.

Scott's contract was discussed in executive session. It should be voted on in public early this week.

BAD BLOOD continues among members of the Lowell School Committee.

Committee member Dave Conway organized a meet-and-greet at Lowell High School on Friday with Scott and sent out e-mails to other members of the committee that morning.

After touring Lowell High, Conway led Scott to the school's restaurant. Committee members John Leahy and Jim Leary were there having lunch with Paul Georges, president of the United Teachers of Lowell, when Conway's small entourage entered the room. Leahy and Leary were obviously not pleased by the last-minute notice.

When the vote was taken last Monday night, Leary voted for Scott on the first ballot. Conway and committee member Regina Faticanti were behind Lowell High School Curriculum Director Wendy Jack. Leahy wanted to start the entire process over and voted "present."

Faticanti showed up for lunch. Running interference for Conway, and probably for herself, Faticanti said the invitation to lunch was just an effort on Conway's part to extend an olive branch to Scott and let her know that she had his full support.

"I really don't think it was anything more than that," said Faticanti, who invited the new superintendent to breakfast at some future date at The Owl Diner on Appleton Street.

"I'd like that a lot. I love diners," Scott replied, with her ever-present smile.

Just better make sure everyone is invited.

LOWELL CITY Councilor Alan Kazanjian describes his often stern questioning of Manager Bernie Lynch as his attempt to hold city government accountable -- not a contradiction of his campaign pledge to work with Lynch.

"I'm there to ask questions for the people," he said. "I told them when I was running that I'm not going to rubber stamp anything, and I'm going to continue asking questions, whether Bernie Lynch is there or someone else."

Since joining the body in January, Kazanjian has spared Lynch no quarter on many issues, everything from the manager's proposal to create a new city Division of Cultural Affairs & Special Events to flood-control efforts on Beaver Brook.

Kazanjian began Tuesday's meeting by criticizing Lynch's hiring of Arlington resident David McGurl, the town treasurer in Winchester, to be the Mill City's next treasurer.

Kazanjian would have preferred Lynch to hire Lowell resident John Linnehan, the city Board of Parks chairman and a certified public accountant. Linnehan has no municipal finance experience.

He accused Lynch of "reaching out for another out-of-town individual instead of a local resident for this position," adding that McGurl (who he never mentioned by name) "to me wasn't as talented as this Lowell resident."

Asked about this later, Kazanjian said he is simply continuing to beat the drum on his proposed residency requirement for new employees. He said it would not be fair to characterize him as Lynch's biggest critic.

"The manager's trying, there's no question about it, but I'm still going to ask the questions," he said. "I don't think I'm being a critic, and I've got nothing against Bernie Lynch."

CITY MANAGERS past and present were intrigued with the official arrival in Lowell of Xenith LLC, which is developing a new type of helmet that aims to better prevent serious head injuries resulting from collisions on the football field -- and potentially other places.

The company, founded by former Harvard University quarterback Vin Ferrara, is setting up a testing center at the Wannalancit Mill.

After being invited to speak at Monday's ribbon cutting, Lynch took a long look at a display of the new football helmets and quipped, "I might be able to use one of these on Tuesday nights at City Council meetings."

Moments later, one of Lynch's predecessors, Brian Martin, gently reminded the manager of what he should have seen coming.

"When you're interviewed to be city manager, one of the questions they ask is whether you ever played football without a helmet," Martin said.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES aren't the only ones who can profit from a little crying. Tewksbury's Community Preservation Committee Chairwoman Nancy Reed proved last week that local officials can be swayed by tears, too.

Reed appeared before selectmen on Tuesday to lobby for the 1.5 percent Community Preservation Act surcharge that is currently added to Tewksbury tax bills to fund preservation projects.

The town's Financial Plan Task Force recommended that the surcharge be lowered to 1 percent, as Tewksbury prepares for the prospect of a Proposition 2 1/2 override. Selectmen recently voted for the suggestion to be brought before Town Meeting.

A visibly upset Reed appealed to the board to reconsider their vote.

"To use a $12 to $15 savings (on the CPA) as an enticement to vote for an override is misleading and, with all due respect, insulting to the residents of the town," Reed said, with a breaking voice and trembling lower lip.

"It took us two years to educate the public. It's a disservice to the citizens of this town to let it be discussed on the Town Meeting floor," she went on. "I beg you to reconsider this and please set your decision aside until all the information comes out."

The board voted 3-2 to reconsider and 4-1 to table the matter, despite clear speeches against the matter just moments earlier.

THE DAY his proposal to bring legalized gambling to the Bay State was rejected by the Legislature, Gov. Deval Patrick jetted off on another gamble of sorts: a book deal.

The deal Patrick struck will reportedly earn him $1.35 million, with a portion going to A Better Chance, the charity that allowed Patrick to go to a private school, Milton Academy, when he was younger.

Closing the book deal was apparently so important that Patrick ducked out of state before his biggest administrative initiative could be voted down in the House, leaving many wondering why he didn't symbolically stick with his plan to legalize casinos to the bitter end.

But could the autobiography be yet another signal the self-professed "impatient man" is angling for the White House?

Barack Obama wrote the book The Audacity of Hope. Hillary Clinton had Living History. Perhaps Patrick will title his book Profiles in Impatience. Or how about Together, I Can't.

THEY SERVED together as Dracut police officers. Now they are running against each other for public office.

Dracut Housing Commissioner Gerard Surprenant is facing a challenge from his former partner, Russ Taylor Jr., in the May 5 election.

Observers say it all points back to the hiring of Executive Director Mary Karabatsos back in September.

Surprenant and Chairman Kenneth Martin were not among the three commissioners who were pushing hard to bring her on.

Commissioners who voted for Karabatsos include Tom Salem, Robert Audet and James Gookin. Gookin, a former Lowell cop, stepped down shortly after Karabatsos was hired. Gov. Deval Patrick replaced Gookin with George Nangle, who works on and off at O'Hara's Pub in Dracut, which is owned by Gookin.

Taylor was also a Lowell cop who worked closely with Karabatsos when she was employed at the Lowell Housing Authority.

Surprenant has said that even though Karabatsos was not his first choice, he has nothing but praise for the job she is doing.

CHELMSFORD WAS honored last week with an open-government award by Common Cause Massachusetts.

Unfortunately, the actions taken by Ambulance Study Committee Chairman John Thibault seem to counter that honor. The committee was appointed by selectmen and as such must comply with the public-records law.

While Thibault's board reserves the right under state law to hold meeting minutes for up to 10 days, it's not only unacceptable but unlawful that Thibault refused to tell a Sun reporter how the committee voted in a public meeting.

Thibault also decided to withhold approved meeting minutes that were typed and ready to go.

At Monday's selectmen's meeting, Thibault joked that the committee wears its "thumbs down" with pride, referring to a Sun editorial that jeered the committee for not telling the public how they voted.

This week's Column was written by Sun Editor Jim Campanini, City Editor Christopher Scott, Lowell City Hall reporter Michael Lafleur, Statehouse Bureau Chief Hillary Chabot, Business Editor Dan O'Brien, Dracut reporter Dennis Shaughnessey, Chelmsford reporter Rita Savard and Tewksbury reporter Alexandra Mayer-Hohdahl.

Posted by Admin at 9:51 AM