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Dear Felicia

May 16, 2024 By whvoice

Howdy, sweets. Hard to believe we’re in the middle o’ May already. It seems like jest a week or so ago we were bringing in the New Year. Don’t look now, but careening toward the half-way mark. The older we git, the faster it goes.

With that in mind, the Mystick Maidens of the Marsh, that venerable organization that’s been around since this berg was settled way back when is planning its annual bash at the Cove River near Painter Park this year. We’re still lookin’ for a new High Mystick Maiden, but that may be settled before you know it. I’ll be sure to let you know about our annual doings in our next missive.

The big news is that by the time yew git this here missive, the MARB, official known as the Municipal Accountability Review Board, may have already passed, or is set to pass Mayor Dorinda Borer’s budget as amended by the City Council. Those amendments were passed two weeks ago at the deadline, with only minor alterations to expenditures and line items. The big test was it goin’ before the boys and girls of MARB.

It looks like it’s a go with some high praise from those who reviewed – and recommended passage – by the panel. This is the foist time in a while we didn’t have the give-and-take and grousing and mewing that usually comes from the board. In fack, there was some talk of beginning to look for an exit strategy for the group after seven years of oversight, three under Tier IV.

Two things came outta this, and Sammy Bluejay was perched outside to hear it all. The fack that an exit strategy is even being discussed is good news, and lends one to believe after six years under the old administration that it was the old administration that was part of the problem. That seemed o be Sammy’s take on it. There was some acrimony there and the new administration offers a different perspective, and even one that could answer queries without being defensive.

The second thing, according to Sammy, is the belief by some of the members the fire services should be consolidated –yeah, the C-word – and put under some type of city control. Anybody who’s been paying attention for as long as we have can tell you that is a non-starter. Jest in terms of the legal folderol the districks would have to go through, not to mention the lack of political will to do it, makes it almost impossible.

The remaining two independent districts would have to have a vote to dissolve their charters, and that is not going to happen anytime soon. But the bigger problem is the accrued financial burdens they have. All those pensions and other debts would have to be paid off before the city could take responsibility. And making an agreement for the city to assume the debt is a political fireball.

Does anyone remember the episodes of when the Allingtown Fire District dissolved? And that was not chartered under the Home Rule Statutes the way the other two districts are. It was a long, involved, and messy process. And there are those who say the district gave up its independence and is not at the mercy of the City Council.

Let’s face it, there has always been a give-and-take between the districts and the city. The fact the city might assist in upgrading this or that facility is part of the longstanding way things have been done. But Sammy and Cobina don’t see the political will to move toward one department. We thought this isshew was long off the table, and has been the subject of many a tussle over the years.

The members of the MARB should just get on with it, and see that whilst they might want things another way, what we have now is what we have. Move on, already!

~~~

Oh, and Sammy made one last pernt. The budget passed by the Council and on the verge of being approved (if not already) by MARB includes a tax increase that makes the mill rate 36.60. People are not gonna be happy with it, and is the sixth or seventh increase in as many years.

We can see the faces on many a homeowner who haven’t been paying attention, and see that their monthly taxes in their mortgage payments are up – again. We’re seeing the annual spring surge of For Sale signs. Don’t be surprised effen they spring up like dandelions after July 1.

~~~

Nelly Nuthatch was in tother afternoon and sez that the road off o’ Cap’n Kangaroo Boulevard and Jimmies has been shut down. Those looking to patronize Jimmies have to use the auxiliary parking lot entrance about 200 feet down the road.

That makes one wonder effen things are finally afoot for the former Conference Center becoming the New England Brewing Company venue that has been promised for the last two years. The aforementioned Jimmies still has a court case against the plan, but one is getting the sensation that things might actually be moving. Let’s hope so.

~~~

Cobina got herself into her gassamobuggy t’other afternoon and decided to see what was happening at the Washington School site. I hafta admit, though I ain’t a big fan of tearing down a venerable building like they did, the aerial shot in this papyrus two weeks ago piqued my interest.

All things considered they ain’t lettin’ any grass grow under their feet over there. The footings were put in and since then the steel superstructure has been slowly and steadily put in place. When I saw that they think the thing is gonna be ready by this time next year, I was surprised.

I do hafta say though, the Building Committee, and our own Ken Carney, have a knack for doing things on time – not something this berg has been know for over the years. Still as an old codger I’m gonna say I miss thee old building. It went with the neighborhood. Yeah, I’m still gonna carp about it.

~~~

The long saga of Beach Street is still going on. Madame Olga decided to look over there when perusing her crystal ball. It seems that May is off the boards as far as finishing the paving over there. The new date is June 1 we hear. The weather has played its part, we’ve been told.

This rainy pattern is not helpful for getting the work completed. She did note that some work on the stretch from Morse Avenue to Washington Avenue is being done –patching and setch. But things are still not completed cuz Mother Nature won’t cooperate.

There’s a developer over there who is chomping at the big waiting for the road to open so he can begint he final phase of his development – the restaurant. The condos are completed, Olga said. The only thing that needs doing is landscaping. But the final phase can’t start until they open the dang road.

Of course, like I told yew last time, the real opening won’t take place until every politico in town gets a chance for the required photo op. While projecks are important. Photo ops are mandatory.

~~~

We see a new arts initiative is coming around. A cooperative of various groups, and some grant money might change hands, all well and good. But it does beg the query, posed by Iva Lootey, what in tarnation is going on with the former Masonic Temple/Arts Center on Center Street?

The project was announced when another Borer was sitting on the thoid floor of the Actors Colony, and it’s perty much lain fallow since. Some work was done more than a decade ago, gutting the inside to create a theater space, but that’s where things have been left.

There are some who think the idea should be scrapped. OK, but what are we gonna do with the building, which is now city property? This was supposed to be part of a downtown renaissance of sorts, bringing people down to the Center for cultural events. Effen that ain’t gonna happen, then some other plan has to be put in the works.

We are waiting to hear what the new administration has in mind for the area. We rue the day the Guerra administration got rid of the superior court from City Hall. That was part of the massive decline down there, and we still haven’t recovered.

With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,

Filed Under: 051624, Column, Dear Felicia

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