The Stanley Report

Patrick Administration Releases Fiscal Management Plan for 2010

With tax revenues for the first quarter of the fiscal year off by $212 million, the Administration plans to act immediately to bring state spending in line with a $600 million shortfall. Governor Patrick's five-point fiscal management plan to address this shortfall includes reduce spending by $600 million; reducing payroll by up to 2,000 positions; consolidating state agencies and services wherever possible; expanding 9C authority; and encouraging energy cost savings through joint purchasing.

Division of Health Care Finance and Policy Releases Study

According to an annual survey disseminated by the state Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, Hispanic adults are more than twice as likely as the general population to go without health insurance in MA. More specifically, more than eight percent of Hispanic residents between ages 19 and 64 lacked health insurance this year. The study is conducted by the Urban Institute and targets 4,910 MA households. The survey indicates that 97.3 percent of MA residents are insured while 171,000 are uninsured.

Other survey findings include: 75 percent of children and 80 percent of adults between ages 19 and 64 were covered by health insurance obtained through an employer; 91 percent of elderly adults were covered by Medicare; 6.4 percent of unemployed adults between ages 19 and 64 lacked health insurance; 2.5 percent of employed residents in that age group lacked health insurance; 6.1 percent of adults between ages 19 and 64 in fair or poor health lacked health insurance, compared to 3.2 percent of adults of the same age in good, very good or excellent health.

For complete results, please click here.

ARRA Funds Providing Lifeline to Unemployed

According to the Patrick Administration, MA has paid approximately $883 million in extended compensation to unemployed residents since March 1, an increase over the prior six-month period. As unemployment in the Commonwealth in September reached 9.1 percent, the funds from the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) continue to help residents who have lost jobs.

Mental Health Advocates Lobby for No Additional Cuts

Mental health advocates, hurt by prior cuts to the state budget due to decreased tax revenues, recently asked the legislature to cuts budgets of other state agencies, calling their cuts disproportionate. Advocates presented lawmakers with petitions asking the Patrick administration to mitigate the expected cuts. Tobias Fisher, the policy director of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) addressed several hundred advocates, individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members who had gathered at the State House.

Rep. Stanley Opposes Charter School

Rep. Stanley and other members of the Waltham Community expressed opposition to the Rediscovery Academy for a number of reasons.

Last year, The Rediscovery Academy applied to establish a charter school in Waltham and planned to recruit 220 students over a three-year period and open in the fall of 2010 in Waltham. The school would have been only open to students between the ages of 16 and 24 years who have dropped out of others schools.

Rep. Stanley opposed the charter school application because it would have drained public education funding from the Waltham School system, putting programs at risk and potentially increase class sizes -- and because of public safety concerns. The proposed school could have drawn up to 220 young adults to live and go to school in Waltham. The Waltham Police department warned that the proposed charter school could bring crime to the city, citing numerous incidents at a Rediscovery Inc. group home on Crescent Street.

The Rediscovery Academy reapplied this year with a modified proposal. The proposal included reducing the geographic area for potential students from statewide to 30 communities; changing the age range of students from 14-24 to 14-22; a new unspecified local site community which is expected once again to be Waltham. There is a possible hearing date of November 12 to hear Rediscovery's new proposal; Rep. Stanley will speak in opposition again.

Earlier this year, Rep. Stanley filed a bill to place a moratorium on charter schools until a special commission determines the effectiveness of Commonwealth charter schools based upon criteria set forth. The objective of this bill is to suspend the current practice of approving new charter schools in the state which threaten the financial stability of every MA public school. Charter schools divert dollars from school districts to programs that are not accountable to the taxpayers in your community and are not proven, in many cases, to be more effective.

MTF Forecasts 2010 fiscal revenues

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (MTF) recently reported that state tax revenues for fiscal 2010 will total $18.279 billion, $600 million less than the $18.879 billion consensus forecast on which the 2010 state budget is based. The MTF presented its finding to the chairs of the Senate and House Ways and Means Committees on October 8th.

These dismal numbers, according to MTF, created another unexpected revenue gap and it is predicted that the 2010 shortfall could reach a billion dollars. The MTF reported that "Sales taxes continue to slip due to a weak job market, anemic wage growth, tight credit and increased savings as consumers push off discretionary spending to pay down their debt. Corporate and business taxes were especially weak in September, falling 34 percent below benchmark because of greater than expected profit declines, increased use of transferrable tax credits, and a jump in refunds."

Gov. Patrick may Expand Bottle Law

Gov. Patrick's aides say he will discuss whether to expand the bottle deposit and redemption law to include bottled water, sports drinks and juices, calling current policy riddled with loopholes that pass up revenue and lead to litter.

Earlier this year, Rep. Stanley filed legislation to update and expand the "Bottle Bill" in MA. His Bottle Bill would expand the existing Bottle Bill to include $0.05 deposit on bottled water containers. Unreturned deposit receipts would be placed in a dedicated fund available to municipalities, water districts, and the MWRA to be used for water and sewer infrastructure repairs and projects. The anticipated amount of unclaimed deposits would bring in between $30 and $50 million annually.

In addition, expanding the bottle bill could remove a significant portion of beverage containers collected through trash and recycling programs saving municipalities another 4-5 million dollars annually.

To watch a brief video of Rep. Stanley discussing his version of the updated Bottle Bill, please click here.

Under current law, consumers pay a 5-cent fee on bottles of carbonated beverages that they can recoup by recycling those bottles at a local redemption center. Retailers that help collect the redeemed bottles receive 2.25 cents for each bottle from bottlers and distributors.

RMV Restores License Renewal Reminders

The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is reinstating courtesy notices for driver's license and MA ID renewals that were discontinued last December. The RMV partnered with a private Massachusetts electronic messaging firm to develop a secure notification service at no cost to the taxpayer that will alert customers a month before their license expires by email, phone or text message.

Customers will have an opportunity to join the new service through www.mass.gov/rmv and choose what method they want to be notified. The RMV Reminder Service, which will be powered by Sendza, Inc, will be free of charge to customers and the Commonwealth because the notifications will be sponsored by Massachusetts businesses. In developing the reminder service, the RMV also built an IT infrastructure that can be expanded in the future to other registry services including registration and vehicle inspection renewals.

In order to be eligible for notification, a customer must sign up for the service at least 45 days prior to the expiration of their driver's license or MA ID. They will receive an electronic message by the method of their choosing at least 30 days before the expiration date and will inform the customer whether they can renew their license or MA ID online or must visit a branch. Customers will also be notified if their license is in non-renew status because of an outstanding parking ticket or excise bill and must be cleared before they can renew. The notification service includes a strict privacy policy to protect the information and data customers provide to the RMV.

MBHP Hosts Home Buying Workshop

Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP)will host the City of Boston Home Center for a 4-week series on Home Buying 101. This workshop is for people who are thinking about buying a home but who are not sure where to start. In this workshop you will learn how to shop for a home, get an intro to the mortgage process, the importance of good credit, and the legal aspects of homeownership. Folks must attend all 4 parts of this workshop. Part 1 will be on Monday, October 26th from 12- 2pm. The other parts are November 2, 9, and 16th. Space is limited for this event! To RSVP for these workshops, please contact Iris Sierra at 617-425-6650 or Iris.sierra@mbhp.org.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There was a significant decrease in breast cancer deaths among Massachusetts women from 2002-2006, according to Office of Health and Human Services. In Massachusetts, there was a 3 percent decline in deaths, while nationally breast cancer deaths declined by 2 percent.

It is recommended that all women over the age of 40 have a screening mammogram (a type of x-ray) every year. Some women, especially those with a family history of breast cancer may need to be screened early - they should talk to their doctor about getting a mammogram. Although there is no known way to prevent breast cancer, detecting cancer early greatly increases a woman's likelihood for surviving breast cancer.

To download facts about breast cancer, please click here.

Weekly Flu Updates

With the flu season approaching, it is important that we do what we can to stay healthy. For more information about protecting yourself and others, please click here for the most up to date information.

Food and Nutrition Information

The Office of Health and Human Service's website includes information about programs that offer access to free or low cost food to help eligible people meet their basic needs. Please click here for information on food banks, SNAP benefits (a nutrition program for families and individuals that meet certain income and resource guidelines), breastfeeding initiatives, growth and nutrition programs (makes expert services available to children and their families to ensure that nutrition does not impair the health and development of children in Massachusetts), meals and nutrition assistance for elders, school breakfast and school lunch programs and women, infants and children (WIC) nutrition programs.

United States Census 2010

The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. All residents of the United States must be counted every 10 years. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens. The next census occurs in 2010. Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to every household in the United States in March 2010. The questions ask you to provide information that is accurate for your household as of April 1, 2010. The Census Bureau must count everyone and submit state population totals to the U.S. President by December 31, 2010. The first Census was conducted in 1790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then. For additional information about the 2010 census, please click here. Accurate counting could mean additional federal aid for Waltham and Massachusetts.

AARP launches new web tool to help lower drugs costs

AARP launched its new Doughnut Hole Calculator, a free web tool that can help residents "avoid the dreaded coverage gap" which can leave folks stuck with thousands of dollars in unbudgeted spending. Click here to access this calculator. According to the AARP, in 15 minutes visitors can view a graph of their out-of-pocket spending by month, look up lower cost drugs for their conditions, create a Personal Medication Record and print out personalized letters to their doctors to help start a conversation about safely switching prescriptions.

MBA Veterans Legal Hotline

If you are a veteran, or family member of a veteran who needs to appeal a state or federal benefits decision, the Massachusetts Bar Association can help. Please call (617) 338-0572 to be matched with a volunteer attorney - for FREE.

Apply online for Food Stamps or Health Insurance and Health Assistance!

You may be able to complete a Food Stamps or Health Insurance and Health Assistance Programs application online. A simple screening survey asks questions about people in your household and compares your answers with the program rules. For more information, please click here.

Reminder! Municipal Election on 11/3

The City of Waltham will hold a municipal election on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 for city council and school committee. The last day to register to vote is October 14th. For more information, please click here.

City seeks to replace aging fire truck

Mayor McCarthy and Fire Chief Cardillo have asked the City Council to approve the replacement of Fire Engine 2, a 1990 Emergency One Pump which is nearing the end of its useful frontline life cycle. Replacement costs is $564,250. If the request is approved, the 1990 E-One will be reassigned as Engine 9 and the 1983 Ford/E-One can be declared surplus by the Waltham Fire Department.

Council Approves South Jr. Elementary School Building Reuse

The Waltham City Council voted to approve the transfer and custody of the South Jr. building over to the City of Waltham Recreation Department for the operation and maintenance of a multi-use community and cultural center. The buildings will be limited to educational, cultural and recreational uses only. The Mayor and Councilors Logan and Rourke recommended this proposal, which was supported by Rep. Stanley and approved by the City Council.

Finance Committee Approves Graverson Park Pedestrian Signal

The Finance Committee, of which Rep. Stanley is a member, approved the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk signal at Graverson Park. "Pedestrian Pushbutton Flashers" will be placed on Trapelo Road north of Brook Road, near the Graverson Playground. The crosswalk installation, for which Rep. Stanley advocated for years, was requested by Councilors Darcy and Tarallo.

Fernald Reuse Committee Meetings

The Fernald Reuse Committee meets every two weeks at Waltham City Hall. Rep. Stanley authored the legislation creating the committee and is an active member. The next meeting is 10/29/09 at 7:00 p.m.

Finance Committee Approves Bike Parking Program

The Finance Committee approved a grant from the MAPC Regional Bike Parking Reimbursement Program in the amount of $15,568. This program will approve 100 percent reimbursement of the purchase cost of bike racks, for which the City is responsible. The MAPC's bike parking program aims to make bicycle travel easier at a minimal cost for communities.

Rep. Stanley Addressed Community Day Center

On October 7th, Rep. Stanley attended a neighborhood Open House event hosted by the Community Day Center, of which Rep. Stanley is an honorary Board member, and its partners the Salvation Army and Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen. Rep. Stanley addressed the Open House attendees which included neighbors and local business owners. Attendees had the opportunity to see the Community Day Center, Salvation Army and the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen in action and learn about their functions in the community.

Councilors Sign Resolution Honoring Waltham Land Trust

Rep. Stanley cosigned a resolution with his fellow Councilors congratulating and commending the Waltham Land Trust on its 10th year anniversary of service, protecting and enhancing the City of Waltham's remaining open space through acquisition and advocacy.

The Resolution was brought forward by Concillors Tarallo and McMenimen. Councillors Rourke and Darcy are founding members of the Waltham Land Trust.

Council approved Redevelopment of Central Square

The City Council approved by a 12-2 vote two special permits for Moody and Main on the Common, a development which will include two new, five-story buildings containing 230 apartments and 42,000 square feet of commercial space. The special permits were for drive-through windows for a bank and increased floor area. Councilors hope this residential and commercial development will help further revitalize downtown Waltham.

The City Council overwhelmingly rejected a proposal a year ago that would have allowed a much larger development with over 100 more apartments and seven stories instead of the five approved by this vote. The current development minimizes some traffic concerns by exiting some traffic south through Charles Street to Felton Street going west.

Given the additional cuts promised by the Patrick administration, coupled with a suffering economy, rise in unemployment numbers and crime, cities and towns across the state may continue to see rising property taxes, cuts in government services and an increase in proposition 2 1/2 override votes. State revenue projections for current and next fiscal year are dire. This means cuts to local aid are more likely.

The redevelopment of this site will generate new revenue for Waltham through building permit fees and increased commercial property taxes that may help avoid cuts to education, public safety and other important municipal services.

Gore Place Offers a Talk on Early 19th Century Dining Habits

On Thursday, October 29, Gore Place, the historic Governor Gore estate will offer a talk by noted foodways scholar Sandy Oliver. The Talk entitled, Peas on a Knife: Dining in Early America is a fun and informative talk on dining and manners in the time of the Gores.

Sandy Oliver began working in food history in 1971 when she founded the fireplace cooking program at Mystic Seaport Museum. She continues researching historic foodways and speaks before professional and public audiences at museums, historical and culinary organizations. Sandy teaches historic recipe research and responds to media requests on historic food. When asked, she provides training programs in historic cooking for museum interpreters. She is the author of Saltwater Foodways and Food in Colonial and Federal America. She co-authored Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving History and Recipes with Kathleen Curtin of Plimoth Plantation.

The talk will begin at 6:30pm followed by a reception where period food and libations will be served. Tickets are $18, $15 Gore Place members. Reservations are suggested. For reservations, call: (781) 894-2798. Gore Place is located at 52 Gore Street, just off Route 20 (Main Street) near the Waltham/Watertown line. For more information, call: (781) 894-2798 or visit the museum's website.

Women's Danger Awareness & Self Defense Program

The Waltham Police Department (WPD) offers FREE Rape Aggression Defense Training to women (and their families) who live or work in Waltham. The R.A.D. program is a women's self defense program that stresses risk reduction and has physical defense options. The physical defense options can be done by anyone! They are adaptable for any age or fitness-condition.

The Rape Aggression Defense System is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. The R.A.D. System is a comprehensive, women-only course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. R.A.D. is not a Martial Arts program. Courses are taught by police officers who are nationally certified R.A.D. Instructors. Each student is presented with a workbook/reference manual. This manual outlines the entire Physical Defense Program for reference and continuous personal growth, and is the key to our free lifetime return and practice policy for R.A.D. graduates.

The program runs for 5 nights [one night per week], from 6:00 pm until 8:45 pm. Class dates are: November 9, 16, 23, 30, and December 7, 2009. The program will be held in Waltham at a location to be determined. Students will be notified prior to the start of the program.

Students must be 16 years old to attend this program. Students under 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian. Students should wear clothing that allows for physical training and freedom of movement, and please bring water. A typical class is structured with class-time, a short video or lecture, and then instruction in physical techniques. Ample breaks are included in the classes. Class size is limited and is first-come, first-serve.

To apply, please go to the WPD website by clicking here and click on R.A.D. (which is on the right side of the home page) and follow directions for registration. Applications are also available at the front counter at the Waltham Police Station. For additional information contact Sergeant Clare Schroeder at 781-314-3522, or Officer Stephen Taranto at 781-314-3526.

The Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra (WPO) 2009-10 Season

The WPO will host a fall concert, The Spirit of Halloween, on Saturday October 31, 2009 at 7:00pm at John F Kennedy Middle School located at 655 Lexington Street in Waltham. To purchase tickets online, learn more about the 2009-2010 season or learn more about the WPO, please click here.

Curbside Leaf Vacuuming

Mayor McCarthy established a new leaf pickup policy. Leaves will be vacuumed only once during the fall. Waltham's Recycling Department reminds residents that leaves will be vacuumed only once during the fall. Residents must have the leaves out prior to the Monday of your scheduled week for vacuuming. To access the City's schedule for its Leaf Vacuum Program, please click here. The City encourages residents to bag leaves which will be picked up until 12/18/09 on your regular waste day. Any questions, please call 781-314-3855.

Gore Place to offer a special Halloween season tour of the mansion

This Halloween season, Gore Place, the historic Governor Gore estate in Waltham, will be offering a unique event entitled Things That Go Bump in the Night. This fun and informative tour of the mansion features costumed actors in a spooky setting. There's a mystery to solve and it has the whole household in an uproar! The tour will start in the carriage house and, led by a willing guide, will explore the mansion while encountering suspicious characters with chilling tales to tell.

This tour is recommended for adults and children 12 years old and up. Things That Go Bump in the Night will be offered on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24 from 6 to 9pm. Admission is $20, $15 Gore Place members. Reservations are recommended. Call (781) 894-2798 to reserve.

Gore Place is located at 52 Gore Street, just off Route 20 (Main Street) near the Waltham/Watertown line. By public transportation: Take the Red Line to Central Square. Take the 70 or 70A bus toward Waltham. Gore Street is 1-1/4 miles West of Watertown Square. For more information call: (781) 894-2798 or visit the museum's website.

News from the Waltham Partnership for Youth (WPY)

The WPY established the Open Summer Lunch program in Waltham in the summer of 1999, working with the Waltham Boys & Girls Club and many others. The WPY is pleased that the Club continues to facilitate the lunches. This past summer, the WPY provided a $4,000 challenge grant, and that grant was matched!

The 4th Annual WPY Spelling Bee will be 6:30 pm on November 12th at McDevitt Middle School. Click here for more information to sponsor or enter a team. As always, coming to watch the Bee is free. It's a great opportunity to see teams of adults having a good time while raising funds for youth programs. Rep. Stanley is a board member of WPY.

Registration Now Open for Fall First Time Homebuyer Classes

The federal tax credit for first time homebuyers has resulted in a significantly higher demand for WATCH's first time homebuyer classes. WATCH has a class scheduled for this fall, to be held at Christ Church Episcopal, which can accommodate up to 75 people. The class will be held on November 9th, 11th, 16th and 18th from 6:00 - 8:30 pm. Registration is now open for both classes.

WATCH Board Member Annette Reynolds coordinates the class, including providing direct instruction and soliciting professional experts to teach sections of the class, such as the legal process for buying a home, the home inspection or how to select a mortgage. WATCH's classes are certified by CHAPA's Homeownership Collaborative.

Those interested in registering for the November class with WATCH can receive the registration form at http://www.watchcdc.org/news.html, by e-mailing joan@watchcdc.org or by calling 781-891-6689 ext 0. Classes offered in other parts of the state can be found at www.chapa.org.

Waltham League of Women Voters Candidates Night

The Waltham League of Women Voters and the Waltham West Chamber of Commerce announce Candidates Night. At Large Candidates Night will be held on October 22, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the Cannon Lecture Hall at Waltham High School.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend these free programs brought to you by the Waltham West Chamber of Commerce and the Waltham League of Women Voters. This is your opportunity to see all of the candidates in action. Both events will be broadcast on cable WCAC.

Waltham Citizens Police Academy

Applications are now being accepted for the Waltham Citizens Police Academy. This 12-week FREE program will allow you to get a behind-the-scenes look at police work. Classes include patrol procedures, narcotics investigation, domestic violence, field exercises, patrol ride alongs, firearm training and much more!

Classes are once a week (Wednesdays), Sept. 23rd until December 9th, 6:30 pm until 9:30 pm at the Waltham Police Department Academy Classroom, 155 Lexington Street. Applications are available at the Main Station at 155 Lexington Street or from the Neighborhood Substation at 11 Carter Street.