Category Archives: Government

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

Mapping the location of building permit submissions in Watertown, MA

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Matt

Hi, I’m trying weekly to identify and hack on data that is published in the Watertown, MA document center in order to provide it in a manner that people might find more useful than a PDF, Excel or PowerPoint presentation. … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Hacks, Municipalities, OpenGov, Software, Watertown | 3 Comments

API access questions for Tyler Technologies creator of MUNIS

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Matt

Below is an email that I wrote to TylerTech in early July. Summer is nearly over so it’s time to pick back up on this. UPDATE: I heard back a few days after I posted this and the official response … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, MUNI, Municipalities, Software | 2 Comments

Summary of my conversation with Police Chief Deveau and Fire Chief Orangio of Watertown, MA

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Matt

Hi – below is a summary email that I sent to Chief Deveau and Chief Orangio from our conversation this morning. Hi Chief Deveau and Chief Orangio, Thank you for taking the time today to meet with me. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire, FOIA, Government, Municipalities, Police, Watertown | 1 Comment

Preparing for a meeting with Watertown, MA Police and Fire department Chiefs

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Matt

Hi, Below is an email that I sent to the Watertown, MA Police and Fire Chiefs to continue discussing how to satisfy the crime and fire incident data Freedom of Information Request that I filed nearly 3 months ago. Hi … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire, FOIA, Government, Municipalities, Police, Watertown | Leave a 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

Visualization of the Watertown, MA Teachers Contract text 2006-2009

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Matt

Hi, A number of parents have been invited to a meeting organized by Deb King the president of the Watertown Educators Association, to learn and discuss with the union about how the lack of a contract will be handled by … Continue reading →

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

Discuss crime and fire incident data in Watertown, MA with Chief Deveau and Chief Orangio

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Matt

Hi Chief Deveau and Chief Orangio, A commenter on an article that I wrote in the Watertown Patch made an astute observation about relationships being key in establishing mutual trust and respect. I agree. My initial information request asking for … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire, FOIA, Government, Municipalities, Police | Leave a comment

A response to retired Watertown Police Department employee Harry Palmer

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Matt

This is in response to a number of comments that Harry made on an article that I wrote in the Watertown Patch. The Patch limits comment responses to 1,500 characters so I had to respond in full here. Hi Harry, … Continue reading →

Posted in FOIA, Government, Police, Watertown | Leave a comment

Access to Police Department crime reports and a suggestion to the Town Council about creating a Public Collaboration Committee

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Matt

Hi Mr. Town Manager, Chief Deveau, members of the Honorable Town Council and other Town Department Heads, I could not find email addresses for all Department Heads on the Town website. Please forward as appropriate. As some of you may … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire, FOIA, Government, Municipalities, Police, Schools, Watertown | 1 Comment