Category Archives: Budget

What if adding more money to our school budget doesn’t help our children as much as we hope?

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Matt

Someone questioned why I posted an article from The Onion in the Watertown Residents for Strong Schools Facebook group. Thought it might be useful to cross post it here. Hi, I was hoping that posting the satirical article from The … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Government, Municipalities, Schools, Watertown | 1 Comment

I support our teachers – I don’t support the Teacher Contract

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Matt

Hi, Below is an email response I recieved from Debra King the president of the Watertown Educators Association when I asked her to respond to my blog post about the meeting they are holding next week. The concept of giving … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Government, Municipalities, Schools, Watertown | 1 Comment

Block the Watertown Retirement Board recommendation to increase the Cost of Living Adjustment

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Matt

Hi, I’m asking that you help me encourage our Watertown, MA Town Councilors to reject the recommendation and request from the Watertown Retirement Board to increase the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) base. This vote will have direct long term … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Government, Municipalities, Pensions, Watertown | Leave a comment

Watertown, MA Town Council public speaking time OPEB benefits and true department costs

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Matt

Hi, Here is the text for my 2 minutes of public speaking time at the Town Council meeting tonight. Hello Honorable Town Council & Town Manager, I wanted to use my 2 minutes of public speaking time tonight to cover … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Government, Pensions, Uncategorized, Watertown | Leave a comment

Should our school system get more money, where will it go and how will it benefit our students?

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Matt

Hi, This spring rumors about the impending collapse of our Watertown Massachusetts school budget were being circulated among parents, newspapers and community members. As a parent I became alarmed about the possibilities and have been spending the past several months … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Fire, FOIA, Government, Healthcare, Municipalities, Pensions, Police, Schools, Uncategorized, Visualizations, Watertown | Leave a comment

Massachusetts municipal retiree healthcare benefits and a proposal from the Massachusetts Municipal Association

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Matt

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

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Matt

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 | 1 Comment

A question about rising pension, benefit and insurance costs in Watertown, MA

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Matt

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