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My name is Matt MacDonald, I moved to Watertown, MA in the spring of 2010. I blog here, muck with municipal data at http://www.nearbyfyi.com and work at http://www.prx.orgI’m interested in learning more about how our world works. I love data, I write software and tools to help explain and visualize that data and I enjoy sharing what I find with others.
If a picture can speak a 1,000 words data visualization can speak 1,000,000. I think visualizations of data can help explain very complex topics and data does not lie.
Monthly Archives: April 2011
Suggested criteria for selecting a new Watertown, MA Superintendent
With the coming work required to select a new superintendent in Watertown, MA I think we should begin work to narrow our selection criteria down to 5-7 items so as to reduce cognitive load during the decision making process. I … Continue reading
Posted in Municipalities, Schools, Watertown
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Questions about retirement benefits that citizens in Watertown, MA should be asking
This is a letter that I sent to Town Manager Mike Driscoll, Town Auditor Tom Tracy and the Watertown Town Council members. Hi Mike/Tom and Town Councilors, I’ve been reading a document report from the MMA titled “Retiree Health Care-The … Continue reading
Massachusetts municipal retiree healthcare benefits and a proposal from the Massachusetts Municipal Association
I initially got involved in understanding budget data for Watertown, MA because of the proposed funding cuts to the school system in the FY 2012 budget. I care about our schools, I have a daughter who just started in the … Continue reading
Posted in Budget, Government, Healthcare, Municipalities, Pensions, Uncategorized, Watertown
1 Comment
We need to have a serious conversation about healthcare benefits and pensions in Watertown, MA
A 2011 to 2030 revenue and expense forecast for Watertown, MA When Town Manager Mike Driscoll presented the 2012 budget on Tuesday April 26th there was a page in his printed FY 2012 Budget Presentation that contained a budget forecast … Continue reading
Posted in Budget, Government, Healthcare, Municipalities, Pensions, Uncategorized, Visualizations, Watertown
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A question about rising pension, benefit and insurance costs in Watertown, MA
This is an email that I sent to Town Manager Mike Driscoll and Town Auditor Tom Tracy. Hi both, I mentioned this to Mike last night but I was scanning the forecast during the meeting last night and three items … Continue reading
Posted in Budget, Watertown
2 Comments
Create an environment in Watertown, MA where our town is public by default
My name is Matt MacDonald and I live at 34 Hardy Ave in Watertown. I’d like to thank Mr. Driscoll and the Town Council for the opportunity to speak. While our town continues to prepare the FY-2012 budget I ask … Continue reading
Watertown, MA Fire and Police Department Freedom of information request
Just posting two freedom of information requests that I sent to the Watertown Fire and Police Departments Watertown, MA Fire Department FOI Letter Watertown, MA Police Department FOI Letter
Posted in Fire, FOIA, Police, Watertown
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Ride the wave of citizen interest and caring
I’ve been a bit pissed off by the apathy toward renewed citizen interest that many of our elected officials are visibly showing during the numerous school and town meetings over the past few weeks. I understand that this is hard, … Continue reading
Posted in Watertown
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Give our schools more money! How can you argue with that?
I wanted to speak at the public hearing last night but needed some time to process the presentation, collect my thoughts and determine how I wanted to respond. After hearing the passionate statements from a number of students and citizens … Continue reading
Information about the iPod and iPad school budget line items
After the Memorandum of Agreement veto at the School Committee meeting on 4/4/11 there were a few presentations from students, teachers and principals. One of those presentations was from a group of English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers talking about the iRead … Continue reading
Posted in Schools, Watertown
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