Green Line meeting will ponder transportation links to Winchester center

The current phase of the Green Line Extension Project - preparing all necessary state and federal environmental review documents, as well as conceptual engineering materials - is focused on finalizing the best route and station locations for the new public transit service. Additionally, EOTPW is pursuing federal funding assistance for this project as part of the Federal Transit Administration’s discretionary New Starts program.

Winchester, MA - The Winchester Planning Board will be meeting with representatives from Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation on Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 71 Mt. Vernon St., Winchester Town Hall.

Meeting attendants will discuss the expansion of the Green Line to Route 16 in Medford.

The Planning Board’s goal would be to get transportation links from the center of Winchester, Woburn, Winchester Hospital and other locations to the proposed Route 16 Green Line subway stop.

The decision was recently made to extend the Green Line to Route 16, funding permitting. It should provide for a number of economic development opportunities at stops along the Green Line. Coordination of bus lines and other services to this location will be key.

More information is available on the project website at www.greenlineextension.org.

Out of town criminals to be tried in Medford

Arlington, Mass. - The Cambridge District Court moved into Medford this week, placing itself in the former Cross Country building at 4040 Mystic Valley Pkwy.

Approximately 70 court personnel will occupy the renovated 56,000 square-foot, one-story building, which the Trial Court has leased for five years. The facility provides three courtrooms with sound amplification and digital audio recording capabilities, two jury deliberation rooms and 12 holding cells. The building also provides modern security and HVAC systems, record storage space and on-site parking.

“Obviously, it’s bringing jobs to Medford,” said Mayor Michael McGlynn. “It’s bringing more people who will spend more money into Medford.”

McGlynn said the courts move into the city is a positive one and he didn’t see any potential negative effects.

City Councilor Michael Marks, on the other hand, said the criminal element the court will bring with it outweighs whatever benefits its employees might bring.

“Based on the nature of the business, it could put an additional strain on our Police Department,” said Marks. “I contacted Cambridge police when we were first discussing this and they had a number of assist calls come from the court house. I assume that will be consistent at the new location and will strain our already understaffed Police Department.

Marks said he might feel differently if Medford were one of the communities serviced by the court house. Presently, the Cambridge District Court serves Cambridge, Arlington and Belmont.

“I feel strongly that a court should be housed in one of the areas it services,” Marks said.

In addition, Marks had some concern about accessibility, considering the building’s close proximity to Wellington Circle. The MBTA will provide T bus service to Commercial Street, but these new stops will only see busses frequently in the mornings and evenings.

“Coverage is really going to be limited during the day time,” said Marks.

The state purchased the building from CC Industries Realty Trust last year.

“It’s only going to bring revenue to the city by way of renovations and additional taxes,” said Sidney Wolke, a trustee from CC Industries.

Source:Medford Transcript

EOT announces Green Line meetings for March 9 and March 11

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) is pleased to announce two public meetings to discuss the Green Line Extension Project on March 9 and March 11.

At these meetings, EOT will present an overview of the project, an environmental analysis, recommendations for station sites and the preferred project alignment.

At both meetings, there will be an open house from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., where members of the project team will be available to answer questions about the project. The meeting presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a public question and comment period.

Meetings are the following dates and locations:
· Monday, March 9: Brooks Elementary School, 388 High St., Medford.

· Wednesday, March 11: Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave., Somerville.

At these meetings, EOT will be seeking public comment in advance of filing a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (DEIR/EA) for the Green Line Extension. There will be a public hearing and comment period for the DEIR/EA as well.

Full announcement

Draconian liberal "trash reform" coming to Medford

Lincoln: Improving commercial trash and recycling in Medford
By Tom Lincoln/medford@cnc.com
Fri Feb 20, 2009, 04:00 PM EST

Some background: The commission has been charged with three goals: increase the recycling rate; control (and perhaps reduce) solid waste (MSW) costs; and promote equity and fairness within and among beneficiaries of these services.

We are addressing all aspects of this broad landscape: commercial trash/recycling, residential trash/recycling, recycling in the schools and municipal buildings, and illegal dumping. Given the breadth of these issues, we are rolling out changes in stages.

Commercial trash and recycling are first; residential recycling initiatives will be announced early next month.

The statewide recycling average is 30 percent of total tonnage; Medford recycled 13.4 percent of total tonnage in calendar 2008, including yard waste. Improvements are clearly needed.

Mandatory recycling of cardboard and paper of all types will begin on March 6. Pickups are weekly, every Friday.

Full story

Honoring Abraham: Local Republicans gather on President’s Day to remember leaders of the past

By Barry Greenspan / Special to the Observer
Thu Feb 19, 2009, 05:04 PM EST

Malden - Approximately 100 Boston-area Republican activists gathered at The Malden Loyal Order of Moose Lodge on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 16, for a breakfast hosted by the Malden Republican City Committee to commemorate the birthday bicentennial of the nation’s first Republican President Abraham Lincoln.

Republican groups around the nation hold Lincoln-Reagan Day events in February to honor the February births of both party icons, Lincoln’s on February 12, 1809 and Reagan’s, February 6, 1911. The Republican Party itself was conceived in Ripon, Wis. in February 1854 by Democrat and Whig abolitionists who convened to discuss how their respective parties were not doing enough to end the practice of slavery.

Promoted as a Republican Unity event, Malden Republican City Committee Treasurer and Attorney Peter Georgiou was the morning’s emcee.

Full story

MegaVote for Medford MA, Democrats pass pork filled stimulus, Republicans oppose

Recent Senate Votes
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Vote Agreed to (60-38, 1 Not Voting)The Senate agreed to the conference report of this stimulus bill, sending it to the President.

Sen. Edward Kennedy voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio

Sen. John Kerry voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (246-183, 1 Present, 3 Not Voting)The House gave final approval to this stimulus bill.

Rep. Edward Markey voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

MegaVote is powered by Capitol Advantage © 2009.

Reminder: Malden GOP Lincoln/Reagan Day Unity Breakfast

LINCOLN-REAGAN DAY / REPUBLICAN UNITY BREAKFAST
* ABRAHAM LINCOLN BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION *
HOSTED BY THE MALDEN REPUBLICAN CITY COMMITTEE

PLEASE JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE THE BICENTENNIAL OF
THE BIRTH OF OUR NATION'S FIRST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT

DATE: PRESIDENTS DAY
MONDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2009

TIME: DOORS OPEN 9:30 AM
PLACE: LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE LODGE #1910
562 BROADWAY (RTE. 99), MALDEN

MENU: BUFFET STYLE HAM * SCRAMBLED EGGS * HOME FRIES
BREAKFAST SAUSAGES * BREAKFAST ROLLS * COFFEE/DECAF COFFEE
TEA * DANISH PASTRY * CONDIMENTS

COST: $20.00 per person
$15.00 for college students

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: HOLLY ROBICHAUD
JOURNALIST AND POLITICAL CONSULTANT
"THE LONE REPUBLICAN", THE BOSTON HERALD

FEATURED SPEAKERS: CHARLIE BAKER
PRESIDENT & C.E.O., HARVARD PILGRIM HEALTH CARE
"A TRIBUTE TO ABRAHAM LINCOLN"

BOB PARKS
CONSERVATIVE JOURNALIST & BLOGGER "BLACK & RIGHT"
"HIJACKING OUR HISTORY"

ERIC ESTEVEZ, PH.D.
POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPT., NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
"RONALD REAGAN AND THE 1964 GOLDWATER PRESIDENTIAL
CAMPAIGN"

ALLAN GILLIS
PAST PRESIDENT, MASS. REPULICAN ASSEMBLY (2003-09)
"THE CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN ASSSEMBLY AND RONALD
REAGAN'S ELECTION AS GOVERNOR IN 1966"


*LIVE ENTERTAINMENT *
* REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA CONTEST *
* SIGNED BOOK SALE *

FOR RESERVATIONS PLEASE MAKE CHECKS
PAYABLE BEFORE FEBRUARY 9, 2009 TO:


MALDEN REPUBLICAN CITY COMMITTEE
23 GRAPE ST. #2
MALDEN, MA. 02148-5710


FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT CHAIRMAN
BARRY GREENSPAN AT BGREENSPAN02148@YAHOO.COM
OR (781)322-0004,
Malden GOP blog;
http://maldengop.blogspot.com

MegaVote for Medford, Massachusetts

Recent Senate Votes

Confirmation of Eric H. Holder, Jr. to be Attorney General - Vote Confirmed (75-21, 3 Not Voting)The Senate confirmed Eric Holder to be Attorney General.

Sen. Edward Kennedy voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio

Sen. John Kerry voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (290-135, 8 Not Voting)The House gave final approval to this bill that reauthorizes and expands the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Rep. Edward Markey voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

DTV Delay Act - Vote Passed (264-158, 10 Not Voting)The House passed this bill that will delay the transition to digital television signals until June 12.

Rep. Edward Markey voted YES

Upcoming Votes

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - H.R.1The Senate is scheduled to continue its work on this economic stimulus bill.

Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 - S.22The House is scheduled to vote on this legislation related to public lands, national parks, and water development.

MegaVote is powered by Capitol Advantage © 2009.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele debates Gov. Tim Kaine on the stimulus boondoggle

Lawmakers in 20 states move to reclaim sovereignty

Obama's $1 trillion deficit-spending 'stimulus plan' seen as last straw

February 06, 2009
By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

NEW YORK – As the Obama administration attempts to push through Congress a nearly $1 trillion deficit spending plan that is weighted heavily toward advancing typically Democratic-supported social welfare programs, a rebellion against the growing dominance of federal control is beginning to spread at the state level.

So far, eight states have introduced resolutions declaring state sovereignty under the Ninth and Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, including Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Washington.

Analysts expect that in addition, another 20 states may see similar measures introduced this year, including Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Nevada, Maine and Pennsylvania.

"What we are trying to do is to get the U.S. Congress out of the state's business," Oklahoma Republican state Sen. Randy Brogdon told WND.

"Congress is completely out of line spending trillions of dollars over the last 10 years putting the nation into a debt crisis like we've never seen before," Brogdon said, arguing that the Obama stimulus plan is the last straw taxing state patience in the brewing sovereignty dispute.

"This particular 111th Congress is the biggest bunch of over-reachers and underachievers we've ever had in Congress," he said.

"A sixth-grader should realize you can't borrow money to pay off your debt, and that is the Obama administration's answer for a stimulus package," he added.

Full story

Crisis, Catastrophe: Are These Words of Hope?

Charles Krauthammer
Friday, February 06, 2009

"A failure to act, and act now, will turn crisis into a catastrophe."
-- President Obama, Feb. 4.

WASHINGTON -- Catastrophe, mind you. So much for the president who in his inaugural address two weeks earlier declared "we have chosen hope over fear." Until, that is, you need fear to pass a bill. And so much for the promise to banish the money changers and influence peddlers from the temple. An ostentatious executive order banning lobbyists was immediately followed by the nomination of at least a dozen current or former lobbyists to high position. Followed by a Treasury secretary who allegedly couldn't understand the payroll tax provisions in his 1040. Followed by Tom Daschle, who had to fall on his sword according to the new Washington rule that no Cabinet can have more than one tax delinquent.

Full article

Medford officials frustrated by EOT's Green Line announcement

Many local officials were frustrated that the EOT’s recommendation was announced only a few hours before Monday’s Green Line Advisory Group (GLAG) meeting.

“It didn’t really give us time to react,” said Medford City Councilor Frederick Dello Russo, a member of the group.

Others saw it as a way of saying the EOT had made up its mind from the beginning.

“To me it appears that Mr. Aloisi made an announcement that was already foregone,” said City Councilor Robert Penta.

On a snowy Monday afternoon residents and project advisors from Medford, Somerville and Arlington made it to the GLAG meeting at St. Clement’s High School. Speakers voiced concerns to the EOT on issues of noise mitigation, the health effects of diesel particulates, federal funding, land taking and a number of others.

The EOT has mentioned on several occasions that land taking would probably be necessary for the extension project. To what extent land will be taken is a gray area, but it is generally understood that only small slivers of land would be needed from properties up to the terminus, where larger land takings will be far more likely.

When the time comes for land acquisitions to be vetted, LaVita said the MBTA will send out survey teams, hire independent appraisers and make offers to the owners of whatever properties it needs.

“The process generally takes about six months to actually acquire that land,” said LaVita. “But only the MBTA board of directors can authorize the permanent acquisition of land that is needed for a development project.”

If a property owner does not like the offer, the MBTA will still take the land under its Chapter 161 eminent domain powers. In this case the property owner has up to three years to accept the offer, or hire an attorney and negotiate.

LaVita said the MBTA does provide relocation assistance where needed.

Unlike a number of previous meetings, land taking was not as central an issue. A majority in attendance voiced concerns regarding the EOT’s commitment to mitigating the many difficulties to be brought about by widening the existing railway and sending trains through it more than five times per hour.

Full story

MegaVote for Medford Massachusetts

Recent Senate Votes
Confirmation of Timothy Geithner to be Secretary of the Treasury - Vote Confirmed (60-34, 4 Not Voting)The Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner to be Secretary of the Treasury.

Sen. Edward Kennedy voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio

Sen. John Kerry voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (66-32, 1 Not Voting)The Senate voted to reauthorize and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Sen. Edward Kennedy voted Not Voting

Sen. John Kerry voted YES

Recent House Votes
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (250-177, 6 Not Voting)The House gave final approval to this wage discrimination measure.

Rep. Edward Markey voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (244-188, 1 Not Voting)The House passed this $819 billion bill providing for additional 2009 fiscal year appropriations.

Rep. Edward Markey voted YES

Upcoming Votes
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - H.R.1The Senate is scheduled to take up this economic stimulus bill.

Confirmation of Eric Holder to be Attorney General - The Senate is expected to vote Monday evening on the nomination of Eric Holder to be attorney general.

The DTV Delay Act - S.352The House will take up this bill delaying the switch from analog to digital television signals.

Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 - H.R.2The House will try to reconcile their SCHIP bill with the Senate bill.

MegaVote is powered by Capitol Advantage © 2009

State wants to extend Green Line to Mystic River

By Globe Staff

The state recommended today that the MBTA's Green Line should be extended all the way to the Mystic River, a decision that will take the trolley line a mile further into Medford than an alternative route that stopped at Tufts University.

The $600 million plan, which will require federal funding, would move Lechmere Station and extend the trolley line to the Mystic Valley Parkway, which is also known as Route 16. The station would be near Medford's border with Somerville and Arlington, a location that is within a half-mile walk of nearly 10, 000 residents. The proposal released today, however, does not include construction of a new parking facility, an addition that had been discussed.

“The Green Line Extension will advance community plans for smart growth and urban redevelopment and provide environmental justice communities with faster rides to jobs and destinations," said Transportation Secretary James Aloisi Jr. in a press release announcing the decision. The Executive Office of Transportation "is very pleased to advance this project and we will continue to work with local officials to make it very successful.”

Full story

Minutes from Medford City Council meeting, January 27, 2009

Meeting minutes