Superintendent Mullin stated in last nights School Committee meeting that his initial budget is just about ready to present to the Finance Committee.
The budget calls for a 1.18% increase over last year’s.
This, I believe, is a mistake.
I think the schools will need to level funded, or even cut, before the end of this process.
The [...]

Thats the word we’re hearing from the street.
The teacher’s union is refusing to participate in a one-year wage freeze (basically delaying their raises for a year).
I understand Sup Mullin will show up at Monday’s School Committee meeting with a list of over 40 initial layoffs that now must happen for next year.
With the state revenue [...]

Well, I was at the town hall for a couple hours last night, you would have thought I would have looked at the bulliten board..
The School Committee met at 6:00 at the High School tonite (not 6:30 at the admin building, as I expected) to vote on their new organization.
Matt Sheehan was voted in unanimously [...]

If you get a chance, stop by the Blue Angus tonite for dinner or drinks..
They are contributing 10% of all orders to the Grad Night program tonite (Tuesday).. bring this flyer: Blue Angus supports Grand Night.
Another great local business supporting our kids.

In the race for selectman, Bond was right in saying it was a David and Goliath situation.
DiRocco is in the key Selectman’s seat, where he is the only seat up for re-election. He is also very well liked throughout town.
Bond had one strong thing going for him.. his efforts in the creation of the Canney [...]

The “unofficial” numbers are in:
Selectman:
Joe DiRocco: 2366 Brian Bond: 1605, Blanks: 95
School Committee:
Ron Mercier: 2089, Bonnie Elie: 1945, Paul Elmstrom: 1880, Blanks: 2215
Mike McNamara: 3239, Blanks: 800

Moderator:
Gary McCarthy: 2892, Jeanne Balkas: 880, Blanks: 291
Library Trustee:
Cheryl Storm: 1650, John Dyer: 1781, Mary Lee Matthews: 2274, Blanks: 2425
Regional Vocational School Cmte:
Dave Norkiewicz: 1593, Paul Morin: 2153, [...]

This is a tough one to call. All three have a very good chance of getting in. I noticed yesterday while driving across town that while everyone else was at corners (especially Navy Yard), Elmstrom was over on Lakeview with his support out in front of the credit union. I like a guy who thinks [...]

This mornings Lowell Sun had a great article summarizing the key issues in the Board of Selectmen campaign between Joe DiRocco and Brian Bond.

I’m not a self-promoter, so this has been a little uncomfortable for me,” said the 63-year-old former fire chief.
DiRocco and his challenger, Brian Bond, have
appeared on live Web forums and at two [...]

 

 Selectman O'Loughlin calls into WCAP [4:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Sun came out with its election endorsements today, and I see no reason to disagree with their choices, but do not endorse anyone myself. Their article clearly lists the reasons for their choices, and they seem reasonable.
In Dracut, The Sun endorses Joseph DiRocco for the Board of Selectmen, Bonnie Elie and Paul Elmstrom for [...]