Greetings,
I want to thank everyone who participated in this year's Town Meeting: those who helped to prepare, those members who attended, those who set up and cleaned the High School for us, those who broadcast us (although I learned that Town Meeting was not carried on FIOS - which is being investigated). It goes without saying that FinCom puts in an incredible amount of work for Spring Town meeting, as does Captial Budget, and it is a huge benefit for all the town hall staff who attends to answer Town Meeting's question. {I enjoy the irony in the fact that as moderator, I get to appoint the FinCom - the town "penny pinchers" whose primary purpose is to to watch the town's purse strings and save money, but also the Capital Budget committee, whose job it is is to go out and spend the Town's money on the coolest stuff it can find (dump trucks, fire engines, computers!)} I find myself working most closely with, and relying most heavily on, Town Clerk Ron Fucile and Town Administrator Michael Boynton, and I thank them for their advice and counsel.
I love Spring Town meeting for many reasons. The weather is getting nice, many people haven't seen each other in a long time, the youthful musicians who perform the National Anthem - it's a time for rejuvination and renewal, personally and as a town. Town Meeting made some difficult choices this year, but we (well, mostly YOU) proved once again that the system works.
As always, please contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or constructive criticism of how Town Meeting can be run better. It is your meeting, I am here merely to facilitate it.
Good luck to all candidates running for office in June. Hope to see you all at the various candidate events.
Thanks again.
Jon
P.S. Here is another interesting article about the New England town meeting, from a national perspective.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-04-28-town-meeting_N.htm
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
White Bridge
These pictures have nothing to do with Town Meeting, but the White Bridge and the Dam are just two of my favorite places in Walpole. In reference to Town Meeting though, as of today, it looks like we will not be dealing with the Phase II Zoning Re-Write this Spring, maybe in the Fall.
Take Care
http://www.walpole-ma.gov/HistCommDocs/TownForest/images/White%20Bridge,%20Town%20Forest,%20Walpole_jpg.jpg
Take Care
http://www.walpole-ma.gov/HistCommDocs/TownForest/images/White%20Bridge,%20Town%20Forest,%20Walpole_jpg.jpg
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Welcome to Walpole High - Location for Walpole Town Meeting
Hi All,
Just playing around with different options, like uploading pictures. Here, of course, is the site of our Town Meetings, Walpole High School. As you may know, the High School is celebrating 100 years at its Common Street location this year. The event will be on April 15, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the High School.
The next post contains a link to a very interesting article about how many moderators stay in the position for decades
Take care.
Jon
Long Live the Moderators!
Hi Everybody,
This article appeated in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette News on March 3 or 4. It's about some moderators in Massachusetts who have served as such for several decades. With permission of the author, please take a look and enjoy:
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090304/NEWS/903040426/1116
I have a long way to go to catch up with some of these guys!
Please contact me with any questions, comments or suggestions for May's Town Meeting.
Take care,
Jon
This article appeated in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette News on March 3 or 4. It's about some moderators in Massachusetts who have served as such for several decades. With permission of the author, please take a look and enjoy:
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090304/NEWS/903040426/1116
I have a long way to go to catch up with some of these guys!
Please contact me with any questions, comments or suggestions for May's Town Meeting.
Take care,
Jon
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS TO RTM DAVE SMOLINSKY
Our heart-felt congratulations go out to Dave Smolinsky and his family for his recent promotion to Police Sergeant on the Walpole Police Force. Dave is also an RTM from Precinct 1!
Here's the story from today's Daily News Transcript
By Keith Ferguson/Daily News staff
Daily News Transcript
Posted Feb 11, 2009 @ 12:35 AM
WALPOLE —
Officer Dave Smolinsky, a Walpole native and 13-year veteran of the force, was promoted to sergeant last night in an unanimous vote by selectmen.
In his interview with selectmen, Smolinsky said participating in police programs that deal directly with the community has helped him in becoming a better leader.
"A lot of people think being a police officer is all about arresting bad guys," Smolinsky said. "There's a lot more we do."
Smolinsky has been heavily involved in the child passenger safety seat program in town and was integral in recently securing a $20,000 grant for safety equipment. He also signed up last year for the force's new school mentor program where officers are assigned to elementary schools to talk with students on occasion and develop positive relationships.
"When you deal with people in a positive fashion, it has a lasting impact," he told the selectmen.
Selectmen also considered Walpole Officers Chris Mackenzie and Joe Zanghetti for the promotion made available by the retirement of Sgt. Steven Kenney some time ago.
Selectmen Chairman Cathie Winston commented several times how lucky the town is to have three very qualified in-house candidates.
Ultimately the board relied on the recommendations of Police Chief Richard Stillman and the department's commanding officers to break what Selectmen Chris Timson called a "photo finish" between the applicants.
"They're three good guys," Stillman told the board. "You would have made a good decision with any of them."
The chief did add that making a recommendation was difficult since all of them show great potential. He assured the board, who were disheartened about telling Mackenzie and Zanghetti, that the two young officers would receive plenty of other opportunities for promotion.
Smolinsky said he sought the promotion so he could help improve the department and guide new officers in the department.
He said he is aware times are tough, but he would eventually like to see more officers on the force, improve technology and have the department pay for more training courses for officers.
The biggest obstacle in becoming a sergeant, Smolinsky said, would simply be acclimating himself to the new position and its responsibilities.
Smolinsky grew up on Winter Street and has lived in Walpole for 35 years. He now lives in East Walpole.
Best of luck in he new position Dave, and we look forward to seeing you around town, and at Town Meeting in May.
JWR
Here's the story from today's Daily News Transcript
By Keith Ferguson/Daily News staff
Daily News Transcript
Posted Feb 11, 2009 @ 12:35 AM
WALPOLE —
Officer Dave Smolinsky, a Walpole native and 13-year veteran of the force, was promoted to sergeant last night in an unanimous vote by selectmen.
In his interview with selectmen, Smolinsky said participating in police programs that deal directly with the community has helped him in becoming a better leader.
"A lot of people think being a police officer is all about arresting bad guys," Smolinsky said. "There's a lot more we do."
Smolinsky has been heavily involved in the child passenger safety seat program in town and was integral in recently securing a $20,000 grant for safety equipment. He also signed up last year for the force's new school mentor program where officers are assigned to elementary schools to talk with students on occasion and develop positive relationships.
"When you deal with people in a positive fashion, it has a lasting impact," he told the selectmen.
Selectmen also considered Walpole Officers Chris Mackenzie and Joe Zanghetti for the promotion made available by the retirement of Sgt. Steven Kenney some time ago.
Selectmen Chairman Cathie Winston commented several times how lucky the town is to have three very qualified in-house candidates.
Ultimately the board relied on the recommendations of Police Chief Richard Stillman and the department's commanding officers to break what Selectmen Chris Timson called a "photo finish" between the applicants.
"They're three good guys," Stillman told the board. "You would have made a good decision with any of them."
The chief did add that making a recommendation was difficult since all of them show great potential. He assured the board, who were disheartened about telling Mackenzie and Zanghetti, that the two young officers would receive plenty of other opportunities for promotion.
Smolinsky said he sought the promotion so he could help improve the department and guide new officers in the department.
He said he is aware times are tough, but he would eventually like to see more officers on the force, improve technology and have the department pay for more training courses for officers.
The biggest obstacle in becoming a sergeant, Smolinsky said, would simply be acclimating himself to the new position and its responsibilities.
Smolinsky grew up on Winter Street and has lived in Walpole for 35 years. He now lives in East Walpole.
Best of luck in he new position Dave, and we look forward to seeing you around town, and at Town Meeting in May.
JWR
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Hello Folks,
This Notice about the upcoming Public Forum was published by the
Zoning ReWrite Committee today, February 4, 2009.
Hope to see you there. Thanks.
Jon
NOTICE OF PUBLIC FORUM on
ZONING BYLAW REWRITE
Phase 2, Use Table
Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 7:00 P.M.
Auditorium, Johnson Middle School, Robbins Road
The purpose of this public forum is to provide an opportunity for Representative Town Meeting members and other Walpole residents and interested parties to obtain a full understanding of work to date on the proposed changes to the Use Table of the Zoning Bylaw, which is described as Phase 2 of the Town’s comprehensive rewrite of the Zoning Bylaw, and which will be an article on the Walpole 2009 Spring Town Meeting. Members of the consultant team working on the rewrite, the Horsley Witten Group, will be giving the presentation. Questions on the proposed changes to the Use Table will be answered, but specific recommendations or suggestions for further changes to the Use Table should be directed to the Planning Board at the official Hearing on this Town Meeting article, which will take place on March 19, 2009. In the interim, recommendations or suggestions for further changes to the Use Table may be sent by email to the Planning Board at djohnson@walpole-ma.gov.
This Notice about the upcoming Public Forum was published by the
Zoning ReWrite Committee today, February 4, 2009.
Hope to see you there. Thanks.
Jon
NOTICE OF PUBLIC FORUM on
ZONING BYLAW REWRITE
Phase 2, Use Table
Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 7:00 P.M.
Auditorium, Johnson Middle School, Robbins Road
The purpose of this public forum is to provide an opportunity for Representative Town Meeting members and other Walpole residents and interested parties to obtain a full understanding of work to date on the proposed changes to the Use Table of the Zoning Bylaw, which is described as Phase 2 of the Town’s comprehensive rewrite of the Zoning Bylaw, and which will be an article on the Walpole 2009 Spring Town Meeting. Members of the consultant team working on the rewrite, the Horsley Witten Group, will be giving the presentation. Questions on the proposed changes to the Use Table will be answered, but specific recommendations or suggestions for further changes to the Use Table should be directed to the Planning Board at the official Hearing on this Town Meeting article, which will take place on March 19, 2009. In the interim, recommendations or suggestions for further changes to the Use Table may be sent by email to the Planning Board at djohnson@walpole-ma.gov.
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