Latest news with #AnnualTownMeeting
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Top stories: Community celebrates life of late State Rep. Carol Doherty
Before we begin the new week in earnest, we're taking a look back at the week that was, and the stories that led the news with Taunton Daily Gazette readers. Top stories this past week included: A massive 275-unit market-rate housing development, intended to be built next to the new MBTA rail station in East Taunton, has a new developer. A profile of Dighton-Rehoboth baseball's Ben Miller, and how the senior pitcher/infielder looks to lead by example. There's going to be a free classical concert at the Old Colony History Museum in Taunton. The 1712 Restaurant & Tavern in Dighton will be closing at the end of this month. The latest Greater Taunton real estate report, featuring a renovated multi-family in Taunton that sold for $1,000,000. The Cohannet Street home was built in 1900, and has undergone a significant makeover. Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers. These were the Top 5 stories of the past week, according to Gazette readers: A celebration of life was held for late State Rep. Carol Doherty on Saturday, April 12, at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Taunton. Family, friends, and officials attended, to honor Doherty's life and work for her community. Moving moment: Celebration of life for Taunton/Easton State Rep. Carol Doherty Graduating seniors will now need to earn passing grades in biology, 10th grade English, algebra 1 and geometry in order to receive a Taunton High School diploma. Those are some of the new graduation requirements that the Taunton School Committee voted to implement at their April 2 meeting. The new requirements come after a statewide ballot question where voters voted to remove MCAS as a graduation requirement. Gazette Reporter Emma Rindlisbacher takes a look at what we know about the new graduation requirements. Graduation requirements: Here are Taunton High School's new graduation requirements to replace MCAS Taunton has welcomed a new bookshop! Serendipity Bookshop opened downtown on April 7, at 1 Main St. Owner Donna Melchionno is aiming to make the bookshop a cozy community space. 'More than just books': New bookshop in downtown Taunton aims to be cozy destination Now it's Raynham's turn to decide whether it will comply with the state's controversial multi-family housing law or forge a path of resistance. At Raynham's upcoming Annual Town Meeting voters will decide whether to amend the town's bylaws to establish a multi-family overlay zoning district to comply with the state's MBTA Communities Act — a mandate requiring all communities with MBTA transit service or that abut them to establish a new zone for multi-family housing. Gazette Reporter Daniel Schemer has the story. 'Jamming this down our throat': Raynham proposes 2 new multi-family housing zones. Where? Taunton City Councilor Jeff Postell is not running for re-election, opening up a seat on the council for a newcomer. Here's what we know about Postell's decision, plus information about the upcoming election. Election: Longtime Taunton City Councilor Jeff Postell not running for re-election. What he said This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Top stories: Community celebrates life of late State Rep. Carol Doherty
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Killingly budget plan would increase taxes 15.5% for average homeowner
Killingly — The average homeowner here could see their taxes increase by more than 15% next year under the latest 2025-26 budget proposal, according to local officials. The $74.4 million spending proposal was presented to the Town Council and the public on Saturday, kicking off the budget season. Over the next week, the council will review the budget, which calls for a $3.1 million increase in spending. The council is tentatively scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the proposal ahead of a joint review of the Board of Education's operating budget on Tuesday. The proposed budget would raise the tax rate from 20.32 mills to 23.47. For the average homeowner, Town Manager Mary Calorio said Friday that the 3.15 mill increase would translate to a 15.5% rise in taxes. According to Calorio, taxes on a home with a market value of $360,000 would go up $790, or 15.5%. A home with a market value of $500,000 would see a tax increase of $1,100, also 15.5%, Calorio said. The proposal includes a $2.35 million, or 4.97%, increase in school spending, which brings the district's budget up from $47.3 million to $49.7 million. The Board of Education's budget proposal was approved in a 5-2 vote with board members Kelly Martin and Kyle Napierata voting opposed. According to a recording of the meeting minutes, Martin and Napierata were concerned about the impact increased education spending would have on taxpayers. Other cost drivers include a $667,000 increase in general government operational costs, a $156,000 increase in the human services subsidy and Civic and Cultural Event Subsidies budgets, a $620,000 increase in debt service, a $124,000 hike in the student transportation capital non-recurring fund, and a $1.25 million for capital projects. The budget proposal also calls for reducing the town's fund balance utilization by $250,000 next year, pushing the cost onto taxpayers. After other revenue sources are factored in, the town would need to raise $5.18 million more in tax revenue in 2025-26 compared to the current year, under the proposal. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, in the Killingly High School auditorium. Residents can provide public comment in person or by email, at budgetcomment@ Statements must include the commenter's name and home address. Following the public hearing, the council must act on the budget within 10 days and forward the proposal to the Annual Town Meeting. That meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 5, in the Killingly High School auditorium. The meeting must be adjourned to a townwide, all-day referendum, which is scheduled for May 13. The town meetings and referendums will continue every two weeks, excluding holidays, until voters approve a budget. 'The budget process offers us the opportunity to maximize the use of taxpayer dollars, plan for the future, implement the priorities of the Town Council and the services desired by the public,' Calorio said in a message to the town. 'Our outlook is always forward-leaning and collaborative, as we strive to provide the best service in the most efficient and affordable way.'
Chicago Tribune
28-03-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Maine Township looking for nomination for late Cook County deputy sheriff award
Maine Township is accepting nominations for a resident to receive a community accolade in honor of a sheriff's deputy who lived in and was 'deeply involved' in the township. Nominations are being sought for the 2025 Sgt. Karen Lader Memorial Good Citizen's Award, officials announced in an electronic newsletter to residents, which will be presented to a Maine Township resident who has shown support and dedication to the community. The winner will be given a plaque and recognized at the Maine Township Annual Town Meeting on April 8, according to the newsletter post. Township officials started the honorarium in 2011 in tribute to Lader, who was from Des Plaines and was a 15-year veteran of the Cook County sheriff's office. She lost her battle with cancer in 2010, the post explains. She is credited with being 'deeply involved' with township residents, especially in the Neighborhood Watch Program. The post explains that Lader was also active in the National Night Out Against Crime event held annually in August. She also worked on Special Olympics and animal rescue. 'Sergeant Karen Lader was not only a caring police officer, her life was an example of what it means to be a good citizen,' Maine Township Clerk Peter Gialamas stated in the post. 'She was someone who truly cared about making a difference. I am proud to have known her.' Nomination forms may be submitted online or picked one up in person at Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge, during regular business hours. The deadline for submission is Friday. Those who have a 'formal or informal relationship to any Maine Township elected official or Township staff member is barred from nominating someone or receiving the award,' the post states.
