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April 15, 2011 - 1:58pm

Update on Dean of Students, and review of snow removal

by GregAgnew

I've been somewhat disconnected from the Westwood Blog ever since Dave Atkins moved from Westwood, but I've continued to believe that this Blog was, and continues to be, a valuable tool and source of information for the residents of Westwood and for the surrounding regions. It is my firm belief that this blog, along with my personal website (http://www.gregagnew.com), and newer online media outlets such as: http://westwood.patch.com, will be what people look towards for informative, real, and honest news about their hometown.

Most recently, the Westwood School System put out notices of hire for two positions: High School Principal, and for a new (and unnecessary) postion referred to as: "Dean of Students." A few weeks ago, I had written an article praising School Committee Member Jack O'Brien's critical comments concerning the high cost of paying this newly created postion (about $78,000), and echoed his concern over the School's Budget, and Westwood's inability to recognize that this newly imposed expense was not an intelligent choice to implement, especially during a poor economy.

The full article is available here: http://gregagnew.com/2011/04/07/obrien-is-right-parks-is-wrong-dean-of-s...

Secondly, as you may have noticed, the Westwood DPW did a pretty decent job handling the plowing this year, considering the amount of snow we received, and the numerous budgetary constraints that Westwood faced. However, during the aftermath of one of Westwood's final snow removal operations, I witnessed a FedCorp contracted plowing employee plow a private driveway during his time on the clock for the Town of Westwood. Reports of this singular incident made its way to Dedham, MA, where FedCorp employees were thought to be doing the same thing, on the taxpayer's dime. Video was taken of the incident, and I entered into a discussion with Westwood Town Officials to remedy the issue in time for next year's Winter Season.

The full article is available here: http://gregagnew.com/2011/02/21/a-final-examination-plowing-and-contract...

My hope is that with contributed stories similar to this, the Westwood Blog will begin to have the high level of activity that it once enjoyed back in 2008!

March 4, 2010 - 4:18pm

Health Care Costs Tax Town

by Dave Atkins

Westwood is better off than many of the communities profiled in a Boston Globe series this week (Runaway health costs are rocking municipal budgets). Westwood certainly shares the pain of all communities as health care premiums have quadrupled in the past decade and currently represent about 7.6% of the proposed budget for FY11. Currently, the town is budgeting over $5 million to provide health insurance to 714 employees and retirees.

Some key differences between many of the towns profiled in the Globe story:

  • Although Westwood does not purchase through the state's Group Insurance Commission, we do purchase health insurance through the West Suburban Health Group which results in lower group rates than towns "going it alone."
  • Westwood covers only 60% of the HMO premium--unlike some towns that cover 90% or more of employee's health benefits. This 40% share also discourages some who have better alternatives through a working spouse or other eligibility.

Detailed information about the proposed budget may be downloaded from the town web site. Summary Detail

January 14, 2010 - 2:47pm

School Budget Presentation from October 2009

by Dave Atkins

I just found this video that was posted to the Schools website (other videos include additional meetings of the School Committee).

Watch for more videos, especially as WestCAT gets operational and sets up the Comcast and Verizon public access channels...

May 5, 2009 - 4:44pm

Library Funding and FY 2011 Budget concerns

by JohnCraine

I would have spoken up at town meeting last night but I didn't think my comments would have an outcome on the vote for the library funding. However, I have some very real concerns about the timing of this project as I'm sure the library trustees do as well.

For those who weren't at town meeting last night, the town voted to appropriate $60,000 to the library to continue their development of architectural renderings in pursuit of $3.9 million in state aid to the town for building a new library.  According to the library's own presentation last night, this brings the library's out-of-pocket spending to about $380,000 for this project since 2005.

Later this year, I understand that the trustees intend to request a special town meeting at which they are going to ask us to approve a funding authorization for an amount between 3 and 4 million dollars. This money is estimated construction costs for a new library above and beyond the state aid and expected private donations. Their argument will be that if we don't vote through the funding, we are going to lose our $3.9 million in state contribution that they have been working on for 4 years.

Everyone who was at town meeting last night heard Pam Dukeman tell us to gird our loins for FY 2011. She is expecting significant cuts in services resulting from declining revenue. She also said that the town's bond rating had fallen in part because we did not have sufficient capital reserves.

So here's the problem I see looming. If the town decides to fund $3-4 million for new library construction in the fall, what are the chances that we're going to also pass a multi-million dollar operational override 6 months later? Not very good I think. This could be a real problem for the schools and other town services including the library. It would be fair irony if the library had it's operating budget cut by 20% at the same time it was putting up a new 32,000 sq ft building.

I also wonder about the cost of maintaining and operating a new library building. I assume the old library building will be retained for other purposes. If we are already behind in our capital reserves and can't keep up with maintenance on our existing structures, how can we justify building yet another one? Wouldn't we be better served keeping our exisiting infrastructure in good repair? Couldn't the $380,000, that's been spent pursuing the pot of gold from the state, have been better used to address some of the shortcomings of the existing building?

I commend the library trustees for their hardwork and dedication to making the library a true resource for our town. I realize this is a difficult conversation but it's one that needs to take place. This project made sense in 2005. Does it still make sense in 2009? What do others think?

 

 

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