I have decided to support Article 6 in the Annual Town Meeting warrant, which is Community Preservation (CPC) funding for the Dartmouth Community Park between Cushman school and Southworth Library, and Article 5 of the Special Warrant which designates the area as a public park . Initially, I had concerns about the safety of school children if the park was open to the public. I am satisfied that access can be restricted sufficiently to provide security.
The park will also provide a bus circle that will allow the children to board buses more safely.
The use of CPC funds is restricted. See this link for details. However, I am not sure why the land is being designated to the park department since it seems from the CPC website that a school playground would be an allowed use of the fund. See this link (Fourth question under the heading of Recreation).
What I found was that public access to public lands is a complicated issue. The government can and does regulate the use of public land, such as parks. Generally, the courts have held that the public has a restricted right to use of those lands. It may be important, if there is a future challenge about the use, to clearly state how the town intends the land to be used. I am not sure that intention has been addressed to date. As I see it, unrestricted public access can occur during periods that the park is not in use for school purposes. I think in this case, a fair accommodation can be reached.
Update - Curt Brown's Standard Times article about the park can be found at this link
What are your thoughts?
Monday, May 24, 2010
Dartmouth Community Park
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58 comments:
Spend over $1 million dollars on a new park at this time? Of course Ms. Stone is leading the charge. More Obama liberals tugging at the taxpayers pockets. Yikes! When is the next override coming?
Obama liberals...LOL! ...or we can do it the conservative way and open our parks to DRILL BABY DRILL.
Teddy Roosevelt is rolling over in his grave.
mr.may 24th 8:53!!! You obviously have no problem with YOUR taxpayer money going to "invest" in corporations. What ever happened to BIG Corporations investing their own profit...pathetic...to your own detriment.
The money for this park is money that is already in the CPC. They use the funds for open space, historic restoration, parks, etc. We don't need an override for this park. That is the whole idea. By using money from the CPC, the town/school doesn't have to come up with the money for this project.
It would be ideal to use the CPC funds on a project the whole town can enjoy. This is not someone's pet restoration project or restoration for restoration's sake. It is a project whereby we all will benefit.
Maybe people don't realize this is not additional money needed. It is already in the CPC account. Perhaps that needs to be emphasized and clarified.
I have a problem when people make statements that the money is there so why not use it. This money is coming from the tax payers who purchase a new/used home and must pay an additional 1 to 3 percent for every dollar exceeding 100 thousand. At the time this article past by town meeting everyone had money and people who did not have money qualified through TARP. The banks sold the toxic mortgages to Fred/ Fan. Now we are on the brink of bankruptcy. Our government is spending more money then we can afford and our country is in a free fall.
What does all this rambling have to do with a community park?? It's not the park, it's the spending of money. The state reneged on their 100 percent funding. Recall the article that started it all and allow the new home owners a tax break. The community doesn't need a new park. Our elected officials need to save our money. The schools FDK begins in September through the middle of June. Then the place will turn into a location for drinking, drugs, and sex. I'm happy for the FDK but glad I don't live near the Cushman school. WHILE MUST WE ALWAYS BE SPENDING MONEY?
I believe that there is a misconception about where the CPC funds come from. It is a surcharge on the property tax that is paid by all property owners.
Here is section 3(b) of the act (the act is Chapter 267 of the Acts of 2000) which says "Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 59 or any other general or special law to the contrary, the legislative body may vote to accept sections 3 to 7, inclusive, by approving a surcharge on real property of not more than 3 per cent of the real estate tax levy against real property, as determined annually by the board of assessors. The amount of the surcharge shall not be included in a calculation of total taxes assessed for purposes of section 21C of said chapter 59."
The Town Meeting adopted the surcharge of 1-1/2% on the full value of all property taxes in town. The surcharge does not count against Prop 2-1/2 limits
Bill, I would like to echo support for this project and also express support for the village parking by-law change. I am hoping to be the first tenant to go into Mr. Santos' building. It will be a first class maritime tattoo parlor where visiting sailors can get a permanent momento of their trip to Padanaram Harbor. Hopefully, the community will be supportive of my venture. I think it would be the perfect anchor business for the village. If it is embraced by the community and enough young villagers get tattoos, we'll use the profits to have my sister open a body piercing shop next door.
Town meeting will be asking for the amount of $143,000 from the CPC funds. Stone estimated (according to Curt Browns article) that she estimates that the park will cost around $600,000. Where will the the $457,000 come from? I read in the Standard Times that there may be a reduction in the sales tax for Ma. from 6.25 to possible 3% or Governer Patrick suggested 5%. What will happen then if this should happen? More cuts? We will be stuck with a nice to have park and FDK. I guess then we could once again blame Gagne.
Can the TM vote to rescind the 1-1/2% surcharge on OUR tax bills that is being used for CPC? Can it be put on as a ballot question? Giving back 1-1/2% back to the tax payer would be better then having a park. By the way will this park only be for the Dartmouth residents?
Town Meeting can vote to remove the surcharge. However the outstanding debt that has been assumed must be repaid. Up until recently, the CPC maintained enough money in reserve to discharge the debt within one year. A couple years ago, they made a decision to forego that policy and the outstanding debt is well in excess of available reserves and receipts.
I looked up the act and in addition to the Town Meeting, the voters would have to repeal the acceptance. The surcharge would remain until all debts were discharged as well, This is what section 16(b) says,
At any time after the expiration of five years after the date on which sections 3 to 7, inclusive, have been accepted in a city or town, said sections may be revoked in the same manner as they were accepted by such city or town, but the surcharge imposed under section 3 shall remain in effect in any such city or town, with respect to unpaid taxes on past transactions and with respect to taxes due on future transactions, until all contractual obligations incurred by the city or town prior to such termination shall have been fully discharged."
To the Obama moonbat liberals who need to be further educated:
Just because we have some taxpayer money put aside does NOT mean we HAVE to spend it now! Nor does more taxpayer money NEED to be raised (did I say overrides?) for projects that are nice to have but NOT necessary. The only thing pathetic about this discussion is the IGNORANT rantings by those in the minority who may not get their nice little neighborhood park that will further lock the Cushman School into future usage.
9:19: glad someone is seeing past all the nice things that our money could be spent on. Keep questioning motive behind all the good action and community togetherness talk of a select couple of our Select Board members.
"... the outstanding debt that has been assumed must be repaid. Up until recently, the CPC maintained enough money in reserve to discharge the debt within one year. A couple years ago, they made a decision to forego that policy and the outstanding debt is well in excess of available reserves and receipts."
And who made that bright decision? And why?
Lara Stone is a nice person with expensive taste for the nice things that children enjoy. This doesn't make her a bad person but Lara lives in a house off of School street in the richest area of Dartmouth. I'm certain that she is a person with expensive needs and her family income is respective of her desire to spend money. This is her money to spend.
During the deliberations concerning the new Tucker Road relocation, Lara hinted that the North end library must be reestablished before any mention of using the library land to minimize the towns expense for constructing a new section of road. This select board member, Lara Stone, must be connected with the impossible dream. The selectmen are dreamers if they believe the town voters will approve the spending of not less than 1 million dollars to develop a small section of Tucker Road that will intersect with Hathaway Road and must relocate all business that are affected by the new Tucker Road.
I must be having some long ago dream when money was not a concern. Lara Stone and the other select board members must be returning from some island that has money tree's. I certainly agree that Tucker Road is over traveled and traffic can backup for several hundred feet or more but guess what I don't drive along Tucker Road during those hour or time of day. Tucker Road is not the only Dartmouth road that is over used by traffic. During certain peak hours/days travelers use Tucker Road to stay away from Slocum Road. Certain times of days/hours operators are on the road going to work, if they have a job to drive too, while this is a busy time of day, try leaving earlier. All I'm hearing lately is spend money for parks, spend money for FDK, spend money for new roads or transfer monies from tax accounts to reconstruct old building, purchase property with the DNRT. Don't you all remember when Dartmouth shut off it's street light because we didn't have the money to spend. Wake up folks the spending freaks are not gone they just keep on coming like weeds in a garden and finally they will take over the money and we may end up in the poor house. Ooops, who remembers the poor house.
Bill...
Thank you very much ! You nailed it right on the head last night when you mentioned the Mr Santos and his plans vs other sections of the town. Thank You. You are 100% only becuase its Padanaram we must talk about it, if it was someplace else in town there would be no discussion it would just happen. Other sections of the town have had history demolished, large excessive building projects and it was done with no fan-fair. However when a project is discussed for Padanaram the world stops spinning. Thank You. There is more to the town than Padanaram. Finally one elected offical see it. Thank You.
Was it not a a consideration once a few (long) years ago to become a community called Dartmouth, with no distinction between North and South Dartmouth? Well, we see how quickly that happened.
Want to take bets that, if it had become just "Dartmouth," there would still be Padanaram?
"Oh, you live in Dartmouth?"
"No, I live in PADANARAM."
In the meantime, who gets the shaft?? NORTH Dartmouth. Some things never change.
"Oh, you live in Dartmouth?"
"No, I live in PADANARAM."
I guess it could just as easily be HIXVILLE or SMITH MILLS.
What is your point? There are villages all over this town!!
Please know the facts...Considering the current economic conditions the Town Of Dartmouth and its current leadership has made this town more progressive and fiscally sound than it ever has been. We are not talking about SPENDING money here but rather an INVESTMENT into our town. BIG difference. The reason we can do ALL of this is because our house is in order and leadership know has the ability to think strategically about what will make our town even more desirable. And stop with all this stupid North / South talk. Get over it already it lame and old already. North has a beautiful park which as a South resident I love to go too.
5:22 Listen to yourself spat off about padanaram.
You need to educate the North end voters to the power of the VOTE. Any townie with political ambitions know that precinct (9) padanaram has the largest voter turn out, along with next door precinct (10). If you lose these two precincts, you lose the election. These two precincts attack 45 percent of their eligible voters while the North end drags out 18 to 21 percent.
Example: John Nunes, long time school committee member, lost his bid for reelection two years ago. John was the highest vote getter in all the precincts except (9) where he lost by three to one. John Nunes lost the election to a Mr. Nobody. The question one may ask is why did John win in 9 of the 10 precincts but lose the election? Because the precinct nine voters have a large VOTER turn out for town elections. John Nunes lost precinct 9 because he voted to close the Cushman school during the time that our town was running out of money. In my opinion the voters in Padanaram care about padanaram and they stick together and VOTE. It's what this is all about.
How can you get more voters to the North end polls?? Find the answer to this question and you will move the balance of power. It's called VOTING IN LARGER NUMBERS.
This is my prediction.....if Bill Trimble runs for re election in 2011 he will lose by a large number of voters from precinct (9) padanaram. When they tally up the precinct votes Bill Trimble will Win in all precincts except (9).... Bill Trimble will lose his election to Mr/Mrs Nobody FROM SCHOOL STREET.
OMG, $300,000 for a swing set!!!
Only at Cushman!
All of this and much, much more points to the town charter being revised to set up regional seats on the SB. When you vote, you vote for candidates living in, and running for, a seat that represents your area of town. Having said that, do you think the "impartial" voters in precincts 9 or 10 would ever go for that?
Bill, what is the amount of the CPC debt that you mentioned?
Can anyone tell us who has been appointed to the charter and bylaw review committees?
The CPC has about 3.5 million dollars in outstanding debt. The debt service is about 10% or $350,000. Their local surcharge receipts for a year are about $500,000 which is also matched at some level by the state. If the state match is 50% then the total would be $750,000. If at 25%, then $625,000 total. The state will match at least 5% which puts the minimum at $525,000 total.
The CP Committee has proposed over $1 million dollars for new projects to the Town Meeting this year. They had about $1 million in retained funds. Essentially we are spending the reserves and would have to rely almost solely on future surcharge amounts to pay off the outstanding debt.
I have not seen an accounting lately of the CPC finances and have put these numbers forward off the cuff. I believe the amounts are in the ballpark but if someone has better info, let us know.
8:43 AM
H E L L N O.............PRECINCT (9) WILL NEVER ALLOW IT. You need to know that long ago before the North end became populated there was nothing living or breathing in the North end of town that had any value, including the people who didn't vote or more likely didn't know how to vote. But played the Banjo. Not until the town meeting members, along with the planning board , and a few other appointed members to the ZBA, did the North end become ZONED BUSINESS. The first thing to go was the beautiful Pasky golf course. Sold to the people who built the North Dartmouth Mall. This property was owned by the HAWES family. The Hawes lived off Smith Neck Road. Tom Hawes was the elected town clerk and treasurer. Another good Ole boy was the Goldstein's, they bought most of the North end dairy farms along route 6. Goldstein was appointed to the ZBA. This family quickly sold the property to KMART. The North end of town was RAPED by all the business developers and turned into a traffic nightmare, while the Padanaram ( village people) used the tax revenue to build better streets along Dartmouth Street, Elm Street, and Middle Street. Padanaram was the first area in town to have sewer lines installed. A first class fire station built on Bridge Street. They made sure the new high school, now known as the middle school, was constructed in North Dartmouth, but just over the line, not too far away as to not allow their well dressed kids to travel to far away from home.
When we look back on all this political theater how can we blame the village people. They had the money, fancy cars, yacht club influence, and after all this is Padanaram. I'm truly surprised that this location didn't become a gated community, surrounded by high walls and private security. Don't be laughing while you read my ranting, it happened at Nonquitt, Mishawam Point, Salters point, to name a few locations. Don't forget Bay View!!!
This is just my way of blowing off steam, I truly enjoy the village and it's people, Where else can you go and see a 65 year old guy in summer short, shorts, roller blading along Elm Street. One thing is certain, they the village people, don't like (those) people fishing off the bridge. Where did they come from??If you want to enjoy a nice afternoon, or just take in the sights, go to the village bridge and bring a chair to sit on, while watch the village people as they make faces at the people fishing from the bridge. This is good stuff and remember we can disagree but let us not become disagreeable. Thanks Bill, I'm feeling much better, took my new meds and feel a nap coming on.
Bill,
In regards to your posting on May 26th @ 3:26. I would like to know if we add $143,000 + (for the other phases of the park) What will the CPC debt be? Along with all the other projects?
Perhaps the TM should be made aware of this. Before you know we will be way over our heads. Like the federal debt we will be trillions in debt.
Mr. Lynam, With the CPC's outstanding debt does the Fin. Com. still endorse this park? We are spending money that we don't have. I for one am nervous about the future.
Bill,
How does one go about repealing the current CPC surcharge? Where would we start to get this to the next TM? Would we need to start a petition? Could you please post the site that you got your info from on your May 24th @ 5:51.
Thanks.
To 2:31 PM
It is perfectly normal for you to take your granddaughter to the park and watch her play with the other children, why would you be arrested for taking your granddaughter for a cone of ice cream?
The problem/concern is not all grandparents are like you or me. Some grandparents, not all, enjoy watching little boys/girls play together because they are sex offenders. Most of these offenders, according to the best psycho analysis experts, say that these sicko bastards are sexually fantasizing. The saying “ dirty old man” didn't become common name because they don't wash. It's because of the things they may say to females. He is just a dirty old man! When that dirty old man stops fantasizing and stars planning on how to abduct a child, it's already too late to worry.
Little girl/boy have you seen my little white bunny? I was feeding him a carrot and he ran into the woods. You tell me one child that will not be interested in seeing a little white rabbit. Before you can say gotcha, this older man pulls a small rabbit out from under his jacket and says, I found my rabbit, and shows it to the little child. “Wow, can I pet the rabbit” said the little________??
To anon May 26th, 2010 11:37 PM,
You said : Mr. Lynam, With the CPC's outstanding debt does the Fin. Com. still endorse this park?
It has long been my position that CPC should never have outstanding debt in excess of cash on hand. I made a detailed presentation at Town Meeting on this subject when proposed CPC projects threatened to place us in debt such that our citizens ability to remove the CPA tax would be thwarted. The Town Meeting, with full knowledge of the consequences, then voted to go ahead with the borrowing. Bill is exactly right ; even if voted out, the tax must remain until all existing debt is paid off.
At the end of each year the Fin Com receives a updated fiscal position of the CPC. As of 6/30/09 my documents show that debt was $3.53 Mil with $1.9 Mil cash on hand. Of that cash $1.4 Mil was "Unreserved Community Preservation Fund Balance" . The rest is spread amongst the various fund reserves ; Community Housing, Historic Preservation, Open Space and current year Debt service. These numbers have since changed, of course. Additional tax receipts have been received along with some State matching funds. Last fall we spent $31K on the "Stone Barn Farm " and $99.7K at the Clarks Cove public access along with $6K in administrative costs associated with those projects.... all from cash on hand, no additional borrowing.
For this Town Meeting once again no additional borrowing was recommended or asked for. The Fin Com recommended AGAINST the "Stone Barn Farm" partly because of its minimal benefit for the majority of town residents but also because of the enormous cost [ $689K ] that would further suppress cash reserves. Increasing cash on hand allows debt to be paid off sooner thus giving the citizens the flexibility of voting out the CPA tax sooner if so desired. I am not advocating such a move, just that the citizen's right to do so be preserved, or reclaimed in this case.
Yes ... I do support the 'Community Park'. It will save the General Fund in excess of $100k in Capital Improvement funds building suitable playground facilities at Cushman and fits into a longer term usage plan for this area that hopefully Lara will detail at TM. It would be one of the very few things we do spend CPC money on that will actually be used by a great number of our citizens. Children are citizens too, so I am told :)
Future:
Over the past few years the Fin Com has put into place policies and practices that have built our reserves, addressed our capital and educational needs and smoothed out our budgeting. We have a ways to go yet in terms of building an adequate reserve but we have a plan that, if stuck to with patience and planning, will allow us to not just survive but thrive. We can fix our roads, institute FDK, we can build the park and we can reduce beach fees, and other burdensome fees heaped on our citizens. If only 'we' can just avoid the temptation to throw out those plans and just 'spend it because we have it'.
Greg Lynam
Fin Com
Thank you Mr. Greg Lynam. I stand and applaud your vision of understanding and the wonderful use of the English language. Writing is one thing but expressing ones self in writing is an art I never mastered. The elegance of word usage is like music to the ear. I personally don't know where our town would be with out you and your fellow fincom members. Who're the man. Please keep working on behalf of the tax paying public.
So disappointed in this choice. The playground was recently updated. If Cushman is the home of Full day kindergarten then public access is going to be limited to after school. What a shame. There are better uses for these funds.
9:50: has that ever stopped a do-gooder? Or, for that matter, anyone who wants to make a name for him or herself? Something for posterity to remember him or her by, maybe? Maybe even be named in his or her honor?? Now THAT would be a coup, wouldn't it!
To Mr. Lynam,
First, let me acknowledge my respect and support for the job you do for the citizens of this town. It is a rare instance when I find myself in disagreement with you. This is one of those rare instances. I do believe you are not being objective in your support of this project. We have often added services and facilities for our citizens over the many years that I been around. When we can afford them, great, when we can't afford them, we should not. With the gloomy economy still hanging over our heads, union contracts to settle, increased costs to maintain current services, and much more; we need to be more responsible with our discretionary spending.
To Anon May 28, 2010 9:10 AM
Thank you for your kind words ........
History:
I was appointed as a member of the FDK steering committee last fall. During the many discussions of start-up costs, operating costs and facility costs, the cost of the needed playground equipment came up. Initially it was ball-parked at $100K. Because of the cost it was not going to be included in the initial funding, preferring to try to raise the money by 'other means' over the coming years. Those 'other means' referred to the many parents and volunteers that had once raised the money for, and installed, playground equipment at Cushman once before when it was an elementary school, only to have to move it when Cushman was closed. Those same parents and volunteers would likely be less than inclined to do it again at the same location.
In those discussions it was also observed that those kindergarten students currently studying at Quinn do have appropriate playground equipment. Upon hearing that I voiced the opinion, " Then let's just get it done . " This would mean the expenditure of an additional $100K of what you correctly term 'discretionary' money; Capital needs money actually. No one will ever accuse me of being a spendthrift but personally I do not warm to things that are half done. I think people lose faith and tire with being asked over and over for funds to complete a, seemingly, never ending project. Be it school text books, education technology, roadway repairs, the Bullard Wellness center or FDK - let's just get it done.
I'll credit Lara with suggesting the use of CPC money since, if memory serves, it was she who initially voiced the idea in that meeting.
1/3 of CPC funds are raised and set aside specifically for the purpose of preserving open space and developing recreational areas, with 1/3 each for Community housing and Historic preservation. These funds are 'discretionary' in that they can be used for any purposes that fit one of these three criteria. They are not 'discretionary' in the sense that the money can be used for other things outside these areas.
So the question then becomes :
Q1: Do we use our Capital needs money to complete the project ?
Q2: Do we use CPC funds to complete the project ?
Q3: ... or do we leave the project incomplete for an indeterminate period of time.
It is true that the initial idea has grown beyond just getting the playground equipment and, in fact, still relies on some fund raising volunteerism but it also solves some lingering traffic problems at the school while cleaning up a plot of unused land. The infrastructure work being done by the CPC funds qualify us for grant monies with 50% matching funds up to $350K to complete the playground proper.
Yes, this is a long way around Robin Hood's barn to get a playground built but it does use the 'discretionary' funds available through CPC for what they are intended for, and restricted to. It also serves to save the Town $100K in Capital needs funds that can be better used elsewhere .... and it has the added benefit of, " getting it done ".
... but that's just my opinion, I appreciate yours as well.
Greg Lynam
Fin Com
Mr. Lancaster stated in his presentation that the playgound alone would be $300K. The park will not be available from 9 to 3 during the school week and will be closed for special events. That doesn't give the public an awful lot of time to enjoy the park.
Also mentioned that there was going to be enough land left around the library and Cushman School for expansion (if needed). Why would the Cushman school need expansion if it is supposed to ONLY be used for preschool and FDK? I sounds as if there is some "plans" for the future. We the taxpayers were told that it would never open as an elementary school? I believe that there has always been a plan to reopen that school from day one.
First of all, FDK should not be partially funded by the town side at all. If the schools want to add a service, it should be paying for it out of their funds. As I see it, this new park is being created solely for the purpose of Cushman School. The playground will not be open to the public when the school requires it and the new access road is nothing but a turn around and drop off for the school. If I am correct, CPC funds are not to be used for schools. This idea that the park is being created for the public is a farce. Yes, the public will be allowed to use it during certain hours but the real intention was to provide yet more funding for the schools outside of their budget. I remember a post here by Beverly Days who attended a FinCom meeting and heard Lara Stone's comments about asking for a school override but telling the public it was for something else. This is just more of her deceitfulness at work.
To Mr. Lyman
This is not 'getting it done' as you say. Ms. Stone's proposal is only Phase I of this project and phase I doesn't even include a playground for the FDK children. It includes a drop of for all the Padanaram parents who drive their children to school instead of putting them on the bus. It looks like Phase II might be a playground to the tune of $300,000. So, that will be next years CPC funding. Wasn't it nice of Ms. Stone to invite you into the process.
So Mr. Lyman, It is ok to spend 300,000 foolishly if it saves 100,000 somewhere else? Sorry I don't see that as responsible spending. I support CPC and would not like to see it rescinded, but this playground has been used by the public for many years/ possibly decades. This use of CPC funds is clearly not intended to benefit the public in any real sense.
yes, deep, dark mysterious plans are in the works for.............THE FUTURE!!!!!!!!!!!
wake up, go to a meeting once in a while, participate instead of foment and spread unfounded lies and misrepresentations.
And all this for a school that was closed just a few years ago. The Phoenix
rises. . .
Mr. Lynam, would you break down the cost of the playground/park, from acquiring the land to the finished product, with all the playground equipment, please. It would help Town Meeting members as they consider their vote.
Of what relevance, then, is the figure $143,000 from Article 6, since we are hearing numbers from $100,000 to $300,000?
Is the use of the word "creation" in Article 6 the same as saying "start-up" in whatever form that "start-up" is?
Have Town Meeting members read further into the article and others from the CPC that also ask for Meeting members to appropriate $1,000 for the CPC " to pay its legal fees and costs associated with this Warrant Article . . ." ? That $1,000 is tucked in the article(s) and while not a large sum of money, is still, money. We might as well be aware of where our money is going, regardless of the amount.
People, please read Bill Trimble's post from May 26, 2010 @ 3:26 It states that the CPC has an outstanding debt of $3.5 million. Can you imagine what it will be after the park fiasco? Even if we the "people" are able to rescind the 1 or 1 1/2% from our tax base it would still take about 5 years to pay off the outstanding CPC debt. (which is obviously our debt). By turning over the land for the park to the park dept. it could be paid for by CPC monies under the pretense of a park instead of the school dept. We are being duped again. Too bad that we didn't find this out before we only have a few days before town meeting. All the plans are being made for FDK and the park even before the money is allocated from TM. Maybe we can name the park The Stone/Olympio Park.
To anon May 29, 2010 4:08 PM
You said : It is ok to spend $300,000 foolishly if it saves $100,000 somewhere else? Sorry I don't see that as responsible spending.
You are right, it is not responsible spending in the global sense. That said, there is 'my' money, 'your' money and 'their' money. Would I spend $300K of your money and their money to save $100K of my money ? ... in a heart beat ! :) .... and so would anyone else.
In government we see these types of spending choices more frequently than you might imagine. In this case, the CPC monies [ 'your' monies ] must be collected and earmarked only for certain purposes and none others. Even though we may be able to do a particular project cheaper using 'my' money [ Capital funds ] I'd rather spend 'yours' and save mine. But by using 'yours' I will then have to use 'theirs' [ grants ] as well, thereby increasing the cost 300% over what it would have been if I just used 'my' $100K...... if this analogy makes any sense.
Bottom Line, I agree with you, and those who argue the cost is high, but that is the system we are forced to work within. We can stand on principal and get nothing done, or we can work within the system we have and get something done; even if it does seem wasteful overall. This approach is the most efficient use of Dartmouth citizen's tax dollars, and that is the goal of this particular approach.
To Anon May 29, 2010 8:49 PM ... The 'extra' $1,000 tucked into each CPC article is for administrative / legal costs. In the past these costs were rolled into the project amount requested. The CPC law allows up to 5% of yearly revenues to be set aside for administrative and legal purposes associated with 'a' particular project. If incorporated into the project cost that expense would be born by the particular reserve applicable to the project ; in this case the Open Space reserve. If listed separately it can then be deducted from that 5% set aside for administrative / legal expenses. This allows the full reserve balance to be available for projects. In all cases, unspent amounts revert back to the applicable reserve.
To Anon May 29, 2010 8:37 PM ... As far as a breakdown of all the costs cradle to grave on this project.... I do not have those. Perhaps Lara does but the only funds the Fin Com would be concerned with were town funds and possible future town funding to complete it ; none is expected with this project. What may be envisioned through fund raising and grants are not expenditures that either the Town Meeting or the Fin Com would have a vote on..... good question for Town Meeting though.
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/44b-6.htm
Greg Lynam
Fin Com
Did I read somewhere where the playground equipment with the exception of a slide and swing set were taken from Cushman and brought over to Quinn for their students' use, once Cushman was closed?
Now we must replace the equipment at one or the other schools, apparently.
Where is all the money??
Just a few years back, I can remember the town elected selectmen telling anyone who cared to listen that we are out of money and need an override, or face drastic cuts in services. This is the good news, the bad news was next year will be worse so we need the override and to cut spending money. We also need a fiscal plan for the next five years, said the fin com. The selectmen and fin com where pointing fingers at the school department, while schools where demanding more monies. The school board approved a three year teachers contract at 3% for the next three years at a cost of over 3,000,000 million dollars. School teachers where yelling at the selectmen and parents were erecting yard signs stating S.O.S. Save your school or save or students. All town departments, except the teachers, accepted a salary freeze.
Now we are talking about spending money from special accounts that increased our tax but can only be used for certain projects. FDK has been accepted by all town committee's and we are beginning the free spending, that caused all the fiscal problems in the beginning. Where is the new direction the selectmen where taking us? Joe Michaud wants a new library in the North end of town. Mile Watson will extract 35,000 thousand dollars to complete some building project at the senior citizens location. Lara Stone is pressing for a new playground for the FDK students at Cushman school. Bill Trimble wants to spend Millions on a Tucker Road too “NOWHERE” Our fearless leader the one and only Greg Lynam is sending out mixed signals, and I'm losing my mind trying to meet my house expenses. Our leaders are spending money like drunken sailors.
I'm planning on building a large 10 foot stoned wall around my house with barbed wire strung along the top. No, I won't apply for a building permit. One large heavy duty gate to allow my friends access and several 12 gauger shot guns at each window. Yes, they will be loaded. A large sign will warn anyone not to enter, private property. My bad ass dog, with no license can make it to the road in 1.2 seconds, can you? I'll plant a garden, milk a cow, burn my garbage, unplug the T.V. except for the Monday night dog and pony show on DCTV.
If Ms. Stone and her supporters want the new park so much, why don't they pay for it and turn it over to the town?
Hey stonewall guy - fyi - the teachers have been without a contract since July 2009. The former contract was negotiated back in 2006, well before the current financial crisis that hit the Town. In fact, at that time, all town employees were getting some sort of increase per their contract, not just the schools.
I wonder how the parents at Quinn, Potter, and DeMello feel about this so called 'playground' at Cushman. With sooooo many children at Quinn, one would think that would be where you could do the most good for the most children.
How many classes of full day Kindergarten children will be in Cushman anyway?
I think Quinn deserves the 'new' play equipment!
Here we go again. Spending like drunken sailors. Instead of expanding services like FDK, harbor patrols, new libraries, new Cushman School playgrounds, why don't we give the residents back an already existing service like trash collection. I understand that we are obligated to the PAYT program but that doesn't mean we can't change what is charged for it. How about eliminating the yearly fee and residents would just have to pay for the bags? We have reduced fees in other areas like the beach stickers which only benefits those who go to the beach. We have eliminated bus fees which only benefits those with school children. How about something that benefits all town residents?
I realize this post is about CPC money but it seems to me we are going right back to the old ways of spend, spend, spend. Now this mentality has permeated CPC funds as well.
Wow, July 2009, huh?
Your right the contract was in 06 but when every union was asked to take a pay freeze a few years back everyone did except for the schools and right now no other union in town has a contract and the teachers are the only ones crying about it. They lived the good life for why too long maybe its time to set limits and if they don't like it firer them all like in RI. I know they ended up keeping them but that is only because the union gave in because they realized that about 300 teachers applied for those position. Just be happy that you have a job and if you don't like it try and get a position somewhere else. There are plenty of unemployed teachers out there looking for a job.
Hey folks, I know this isn't the right town issue location to be spouting off about politicizing the Memorial day parade, but Mr. Trimble doesn't allow any movement for general town complaints. Bill inserts an issue and people run away with all types of complaints/concerns.
While enjoying the memorial day parade, I noticed some politician walking in the parade and shaking hands with the people lined up along Elm Street. The memorial day parade is set aside so that we can pay our respect to all our veterans, not for the solicitation of votes.
Used to be that no candidates were allowed in the parade. Only current office holders but I suppose if your part of a politically connected clan that rule doesn't apply. Wake up people New Bedford is on the move and they want to add us to the list of hacks
I hope someone else noticed and puts a stop to politicizing our memorial parade. Some of our local elected officials where seen walking, but not carrying political signs. It would be nice if we could have some young people attend the parade carrying the name/picture of a fallen soldier.
I didn't see ALL the local politicians marching.
President Obama didn't stay in Washington or visit Arlington Cemetery, or place a wreath at the grave of the unknown soldiers. Shame on you Mr. President.
Is it 2012 YET??
Excellent idea, 3:57. What a great way to put a "name" to the conflicts that our children study.
Cushman School Playground
Concerned Grandparent said....
Please correct me if I am wrong. I was under the impression that the existing playground would be replaced with a new larger playground. However, all I see is a rotary and new roads for the Cushman School. Why is this rotary and road taking up most of the land? Roads and playgrounds do not mix. Is this playground going to have specific hours due to the roads being used by the school?
To Concerned Grandparent: I wondered the same thing. It did seem like what started out as a need for playground equipment for Cushman all of a sudden became this ambitious project now known as the "Dartmouth Community Park." I wondered from the beginning how much room there would be to "enjoy" this "park," as in sitting and reading a library book as one Select Board member suggested might be done, along with a path that seniors apparently would feel safe to walk. Sounds like it's going to be quite an all-encompassing project to me. It seems like there will be "something for everyone," if it's all that safe, that is. It just seems to me it will be too busy a place to just sit and read and watch the world going by.
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