Worcester panel favors 15 pot shops at most, and 3% local tax on marijuana sales

Worcester panel favors 15 pot shops at most, and 3% local tax on marijuana sales

Seeking plaintiffs, Brockton education equity lawsuit chugs ahead

Seeking plaintiffs, Brockton education equity lawsuit chugs ahead



Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Report raises doubts about gas ‘crisis’

Report raises doubts about gas ‘crisis’
Did utilities create shortage with unused capacity requests?
 

ANDREW SAVITZ   

EVERSOURCE AND OTHER REGIONAL UTILITIES have long claimed that New England desperately needs new natural gas pipelines to meet electricity demand, with the “polar vortex” of 2013-14 as a prime example. Electricity prices rose sharply throughout New England at that time because of pipeline constraints, according to the utilities and regional grid operator ISO New England. In a 2014 online paid-content commentary placed by America’s Natural Gas Alliance in the Washington Post, ISO-New England CEO Gordon van Welie warned that the region is in a “precarious position.”

But it turns out that the price spikes were caused by the Eversource and Avangrid — another energy delivery company serving over 3 million customers in New York and New England — who were reserving pipeline capacity and not using it, thereby preventing gas from reaching the market. 


Researchers from the University of California Santa Barbara, the University of Wyoming, Vanderbilt University, and the Environmental Defense Fund recently released a white paper showing that Eversource and Avangrid   systematically reserved, but did not use, up to 28 percent of gas pipeline capacity needed by New England electric generators on the coldest days between 2013-2016.

That raised gas prices by 38 percent and electricity prices by 20 percent over the three-year study period, according to the authors. That cost consumers more than $3.6 billion, mostly in Massachusetts and Connecticut, about the same as the total of the price spikes announced at the time.

The white paper raises two very troubling questions. Did Eversource purposely manipulate the market to constrain pipeline capacity artificially, and cause unnecessary price spikes? And did the company – along with other utilities and ISO New England – win strong support for new pipelines from Govs. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts and Daniel  Malloy of Connecticut with a false narrative of pipeline bottlenecks, when it was an artificial shortage they themselves caused?

It’s time for outrage in business community

It’s time for outrage in business community

DPU ignores concerns of commercial, industrial firms

These organizations collectively represent a majority of all C&I customers in the Commonwealth. They  have energy expertise themselves, and they retain outside counsel and consultants with extensive expertise. Yet, when their views are opposed by the utilities, the attorney general’s office, or the Department of Energy Resources, those views are rejected out of hand as if these entities somehow know better how utility proposals impact customers and what is happening in the retail competitive market. The situation is not new to the current DPU; it has persisted for years.

The most recent example is the DPU’s order concerning proposed demand-reduction demonstration projects from Eversource (Docket 16-178).  Filed over a year ago but only approved recently, the proposal was half-baked and had very little factual support or analysis behind what the company was going to do with the $20 million requested to be spent over an 18-month period and recovered only from C&I customers. The company witness was ill-prepared. He couldn’t answer most of the questions put to him and the plan for spending C&I customer money was vague at best. Equally important, the legal standing for filing was questionable and the utility was unclear on exactly what basis they could even file the request under the statutes, rules, and regulations. They ended up punting on a vague explanation and the DPU embraced it.  The proposal was approved and a new legal standard was created by the DPU that essentially gives the utilities a blank check to do what they want as long as they call it a “demonstration project.”

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Tick , Tock...

Time Flies

December 1, 2017 is THIS Friday.  Why is this date important?

The $5,000,000  short term borrowing was for 6 months. On December 1, 2017, this borrowing comes due. Time to pay the piper!

For historical perspective see:

State’s bond rating downgraded despite growth

The Definition of Insanity

Full Circle - Again!

Mickey Mouse Financial Club

 

Carry on!

 

 

 

 

FBI Director Wray Demotes Embattled Andrew McCabe; Internal Investigation Dubbed “Train Wreck”

EXCLUSIVE: FBI Director Wray Demotes Embattled Andrew McCabe; Internal Investigation Dubbed “Train Wreck”

New projections show colleges will continue to pick from fewer high school graduates

New projections show colleges will continue to pick from fewer high school graduates

23 layoffs at Harrington HealthCare System

23 layoffs at Harrington HealthCare System

Monday, November 27, 2017

Former Hubbardston tax collector forfeits retirement account

Former Hubbardston tax collector forfeits retirement account

Meetings the Week of November 27, 2017



Meetings the Week of November 27, 2017


Monday   11/27/17

Liars Club                        PCS Town Hall*                6:30 pm
CANCELLED

Tuesday  11/28/17
Cap. Planning                   PCS Town Hall*              6:30 pm
       
Wednesday  11/29/17
Berkshire 1                       Shrewsbury                     10:00 am
Berkshire 2                       Shrewsbury                     10:01 am
Adv Com                          PCS Town Hall*             6:00 pm

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Michael Goodwin: Memo to the Clintons: It's over

Michael Goodwin: Memo to the Clintons: It's over

 

Editor's note: This column originally appeared in the New York Post.

Memo to the Clintons: It’s over.


After New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said that, in hindsight, Bill Clinton should have resigned over the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the political mafia put a hit on her. Clinton henchman Philippe Reines tweeted that “Ken Starr spent $70 million on a consensual b—job. Senate voted to keep POTUS WJC. But not enough for you @SenGillibrand?”

Reines called her a “hypocrite” for taking the Clintons’ money and endorsements, ending with, “Interesting strategy for 2020 primaries. Best of luck.”

Perhaps Reines’ panic blinded him to the tea leaves. Donna Brazile’s book signaled that the Clintons’ time has past and Gillibrand’s views are simply more proof of the new normal.

The Clintons better get used to being backbenchers.

 

 

 

 

Metro Detroit doctors charged in historic national health care fraud scheme

Metro Detroit doctors charged in historic national health care fraud scheme

412 arrested in largest nationwide health care fraud scheme in US history

By Rod Meloni - Reporter, CFP ® , John Steckroth - Editor , Derick Hutchinson



DETROIT - The U.S. Justice Department is calling an opioid prescription drug and health care fraud scheme the largest operation of its kind in United States history, and part of it is centered in Metro Detroit.

Officials have made 412 arrests nationwide, including 56 doctors and targeting 200 clinics. The Justice Department said those arrested are responsible for $1.3 billion in fraudulent transactions.
Federal officials said a group of Michigan doctors was responsible for a major chunk of the scheme.
One of the clinics hit in the sting operations is in Farmington. Federal officials said the opioid epidemic is part of it, but the medical office and a number of others were set up specifically as a criminal enterprise to rip off Medicare.

Federal officers raided the Fisher Building Wednesday, and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said their work accounted for 10 percent of the scam's value.

"Six doctors in Michigan prescribed patients with unnecessary opioids, some of which ended up for sale on the streets," Sessions said.

A physician group called Global Quality used to operate out of a Woodward Avenue office building.

West Bloomfield man named ring leader

Mashiyat Rashid is accused of being the ring leader in scamming Medicare for $164 million. Rashid had no problem displaying his significant wealth on Facebook, where pictures show him standing in front of a Bentley sedan and a corporate jet. He also has pictures of himself and a friend courtside at the NBA Finals.


Local 4 visited Rashid's West Bloomfield home Thursday, but nobody was there. The house was large, but not a mansion.


The Drug Enforcement Agency's Tim Plancon issued a warning.

"It certainly should be a message to any rogue physician," Plancon said. "If they think they're going to get away with it, we're coming for you."

Rashid is not a doctor, but the doctors named in the case are Joseph Betro, Spilios Pappas, Abdul Haq, Tariz Omar and Mohammad Zahoor.

Federal officials indicted suspects a week ago and they've already been arraigned.

FBI responds to epidemic

MIAA releases schedule for 2016 state championship football games

MIAA releases schedule for 2016 state championship football games



By Kevin Dillon | kdillon@masslive.com
on November 21, 2016 1:10 PM 

The MIAA set times for each state championship football game Monday. Wahconah, the lone Western Mass. team in a state championship, will take on Mashpee at 1:30 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.
Here is the complete schedule.

Division I
Everett vs. Xaverian @ Manning Field, Lynn - 1 p.m.

Division IA
King Philip vs. Reading @ Gillette Stadium - 8 p.m.

Division II
Duxbury vs. Shrewsbury @ Gillette Stadium - 6 p.m.

Division IIA
Falmouth vs. Marblehead @ Gillette Stadium - 3:30 p.m.

Division III
Grafton vs. Hanover @ Gillette Stadium - 11 a.m.

Division IIIA
East Bridgewater vs. St. Mary's @ Gillette Stadium - 9 a.m.

Division IV
Mashpee vs. Wahconah @ Gillette Stadium - 1:30 p.m.

Division IVA
Maynard vs. Millis-Hopedale @ Worcester State University - 12 p.m.

 

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Traffic concerns brewing on Rt. 20 near Tree House in Charlton

Traffic concerns brewing on Rt. 20 near Tree House in Charlton


CHARLTON – State officials have been working with Tree House Brewing Co. to map short-term traffic safety improvements on Route 20 within the next few weeks, a Department of Transportation spokesman said Friday.

The area in question is an undivided portion of Route 20 where the speed limit is 50 mph. At times, motorists try to leave the new business by crossing the highway to turn left, or make an ill-advised U-turn.

According to police, there have been eight accidents at or near Tree House Brewing since the 55,000-square-foot craft brewing company opened in July.

Also, Charlton police have logged numerous complaints and concerns from the public with regard to traffic there, according to Officer Richard McGrath, the Police Department’s public records officer.

DOT spokesman Patrick Marvin said in an e-mail Friday: “The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has been closely monitoring this location and is pleased to collaborate with municipal leaders, elected officials, and local businesses to ensure safe and reliable travel throughout this area.”
The spokesman did not say what the short-term improvements would be, but he noted, “MassDOT will also be working with all of the stakeholders involved in this topic in order to help put in place potential longer term improvements to address traffic and safety concerns at this location in the coming year.”

According to Officer McGrath, various remedies have been suggested locally, including traffic lights, turning lanes, barriers, signs, and a reconstruction of the Tree House Brewing driveway.

“MassDOT is doing their own traffic study so that they can come up with viable proposals,” Officer McGrath said in an interview.

Of the eight motor vehicle accidents, two were in the business’s parking lot and the other six were in front of the business and related to people turning or changing lanes while entering or exiting Tree House Brewing, Officer McGrath said. Causes have included not paying attention, traveling too fast, or following too close, he said.

None of the accidents involved alcohol, Officer McGrath said.

“We don’t think that this is a problem with the business,” he said. “We certainly don’t see it as a brewery being a problem in the area.”

Meetings the Week of November 20, 2017


Meetings the Week of November 20, 2017

Monday  11/20/17
Conservation                     PCS Town Hall*                  6:00 pm
Liars Club                         PCS Town Hall*                  6:30 pm
Assessors                          PCS Town Hall*                  6:45 pm
BOH                                 PCS Town Hall*                  7:00 pm


Tuesday  11/21/17
Veterans                           Am. Legion                          6:30 pm


 
* Pauly Cosentino Sr. Town Hall

Friday, November 17, 2017

Turkey Raffles and Bazaars

Turkey Raffles and Bazaars

FRIDAY-
Gardner Legion Turkey Raffle
7 pm

West End Beagle Club Turkey Raffle
7 pm
 

SATURDAY -
Holy Cross  Church Holiday Fair
November 18, 2017 
9 am - 2 pm 

Memorial Congregational Church
Ham and Bean Supper 
November 18, 2017
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm    Reservations 978-939-2631



TEMPLETON FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL TURKEY RAFFLE
Baldwinville Legion  7 pm

Eagles Turkey Social
November 18, 2017
Starts at 7 pm


  
 

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Cui Bono ? Who Benefits?

Cui Bono ?  Who Benefits?

Definition of cui bono. 1 :a principle that probable responsibility for an act or event lies with one having something to gain. 

Zoning Change articles:


Both Zoning By-law articles were eventually passed over at the STM last night.

So who would have benefited?
 
 An interesting comment:

An interesting thing happened on the way to the Town Meeting..............lol.

OK, so taking my time getting moving I decided to do some review of the Warrant articles in preparation to attend the town meeting tonight.

I found what I consider to be a very curious happening. Article 13 presented by the Planning Board.

Planning board members are:

Kirk Moschetti---Chairman
Charles Carrol - Vice Chairman
Tim Rotti
John Buckley
Christof Chartier
Frank Moschetti
Dennis Rich

Parcels listed in zoning change, owners:

Kirk Moschetti----------- Parcel 20.5
Frank Moschetti---------- Parcel 20
John Buckley------------- Parcels 23, 23.10, 23.20
Charles Carrol----------- Parcel 36


Four members of the 7 member planning Board are the listed owners of property they voted to have re-zoned. How did they achieve a quorom? How does this comply with Ethics standards?

Mr Fortes assured the voters during a board meeting that everything was on the up and up and had been checked into. "nothing hinky going on" was I believe the exact quote.

I call 4 members of a 7 member board apparently voting to benefit themselves, HINKY!

 ****************************************
 Interesting Comments from Town Counsel regarding these Zoning Articles:

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Special Town Meeting TONIGHT !!

Special Town Meeting  

TONIGHT !!

7 pm



Sixteen articles. 

$1,042,588 in Certified FREE CASH to spend!

Article 15 - Amending  the general  By-laws re: Date of Town Meeting & Election:

 Zoning Changes - Articles 12 + 13   Cui Bono?  

Definition of cui bono. 1 :a principle that probable responsibility for an act or event lies with one having something to gain. 

A Twitter Story:

Thread Reader is happy to present

an unrolled Twitter story with 38 tweets

9 hours ago

Monday, November 13, 2017

Meetings the Week of November 13, 2017


Meetings the Week of November 13, 2017

Monday  11/13/17
Elem. School                  PCS Town Hall*                 5:30 pm

Tuesday 11/14/17
Assessors                       PCS Town Hall*                 4:00 pm
Historical                       Boynton PL                          7:00 pm
BOS                               NRSD Aud                           6:45 pm


November 14, 2017     7 PM



Thursday 11/16/17
Adv. Com.                       PCS Town Hall*              6:00 pm


* Pauly Cosentino Sr. Town Hall

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Proposed Use of Free Cash in Templeton

Proposed Use of Free Cash in Templeton

From the Interim Town Administrator:

 "Working Capital" = $199,192 . "Working Capital" = Slush Fund ? Is there a line item in the FY 18 budget for "Working Capital"? 

No?

Really?

From the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting November 14, 2017: