Editorials
Below are comments excerpted from former Gov. Charlie Baker’s final state-of-the-state address. We live in difficult times, but objectively, Charlie Baker’s address makes clear that we are doing some things right in our Commonwealth. When there is so much to be anxious about, it’s worth taking some...
Even though newspapers are one of the institutions that keep democracy strong, newspapers across America continue to close. Yes, printed newspapers cost more than online publications. And even though newspaper costs are higher, we believe most people would be surprised how little it takes to keep...
The towns and cities of Massachusetts were created by the legislature for various political and economic reasons that made sense at the time. The original purpose for the creation of any given town may be irrelevant now, but today each town and city carries a distinct character, each being a vessel...
In the new year we need to face our challenges head on, to be prepared to make changes that will benefit our town and our state. As we grapple with a changing climate, the steep cost of housing, surging property taxes, and the urgent needs of a changing society, it is important to figure out how...
Since the passage of anti-bullying legislation in 2012, Massachusetts has made solid strides toward preventing bullying in our state’s schools. Unfortunately, recent actions by the state legislature and the state educational bureaucracy make it harder to maintain and establish discipline in our...
About three weeks ago, Kevin Kelly, Manager of the Groton Electric Light Department, sent a letter to all ratepayers warning of the risk of rolling electricity blackouts this winter. A blackout is a total shut off of electricity across the whole town for about four hours. Despite the criticism he...
We believe in the truth of the time-worn and occasionally derided expression, ‘Everybody has a book in them.’ In fact, small-town newspapering is, at its core, an affirmation of this idea - the great American idea that everybody’s experience, observations and ideas can be interesting and worthwhile...
Town Meeting approved funding for the elevator at Prescott School in large measure because both the FinCom and the Select Board supported it. In recommending the funding, both boards brushed away questions about cost, safety and appropriate process - like swarms of pesky gnats. For them, opposition...
Town Meeting should assert its legislative authority and postpone funding for the Prescott elevator. There are too many questions that deserve answers before spending $580,000 in public funds. This rushed, out-of-cycle recommendation by the CPC brings to mind the Boynton Meadows project which lost...
The Select Board is sponsoring an article seeking out-of-cycle CPC funding to install an elevator in Prescott School at Fall Town Meeting. With a grant paying roughly half the cost and with the town paying the rest from Community Preservation funds, the total cost for the elevator would be about $...