Springfield may be one of the Massachusetts cities with a “strong mayor” form of government, but the mayor’s extensive powers over city government are not unlimited powers. That was the clear message in a Supreme Judicial Court ruling issued on Tuesday that represented a strong rebuke to Mayor Domenic Sarno, who had claimed unilateral power […]
Municipal Government
Posted inPolitics
Auditor says expanded voting hours will cost $2m
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE STATE WILL OWE cities and towns more than $2 million to keep polling places open for additional mandated voting hours during the September 2022 state primary and November 2022 general elections, Auditor Suzanne Bump said Tuesday. Under the 1983 Uniform Polling Hours Law, cities and towns must keep polling locations […]
Posted inUncategorized
Brayton Point finally lands offshore wind supplier
BRAYTON POINT in Somerset is finally getting a piece of the offshore wind industry it has been courting for years, but the industrial prize is apparently not big enough to displace the controversial scrap metal business that occupies a portion of the property and has alienated much of the town. An Italian company called Prysmian […]
Posted inPolitics
Meet Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne
One in series looking at newly elected mayors across Massachusetts. FORMER SOMERVILLE mayor Joe Curtatone was known statewide for his harsh criticism of Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, and his pithy soundbites about topics of national importance. Newly elected Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne represents a major change in style. Ballantyne, 59, is steeped in the minutiae of […]
Posted inArts and Culture
New Bedford arts groups making connections
THE NEW BEDFORD Historical Society, whose focus is the history of people of color in the South Coast city, appears poised for a takeoff. The society is developing a park and a historic district centered around the abolitionist movement in New Bedford and the city’s role in the Underground Railroad. “Between 1790 and the Civil […]
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2 mayors explain their ARPA spending strategies
IN THE 1970s, the federal government launched the Community Development Block Grant program and funneled $13 million in largely no-strings-attached money to New Bedford. The mayor at the time, Jack Markey, used a large chunk of the funds to restore the historic downtown, including the cobblestone streets. “People thought he was nuts,” said Jon Mitchell, […]
Posted inThe Download
2 mayors explain their ARPA spending strategies
In the 1970s, the federal government launched the Community Development Block Grant program and funneled $13 million in largely no-strings-attached money to New Bedford. The mayor at the time, Jack Markey, used a large chunk of the funds to restore the historic downtown, including the cobblestone streets. “People thought he was nuts,” said Jon Mitchell, […]
Posted inPolitics
Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga promises reset of City Hall
One in a series looking at newly-elected mayors across the Commonwealth. GLOUCESTER MAYOR Greg Verga was sworn into office on New Year’s Day promising to reset the tone in City Hall after a contentious term by former mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. Verga, 53, is a lifelong Gloucester resident who held several jobs. He started working in shipping at an aerospace […]
Posted inPolitics
New Lawrence mayor says it’s now the people’s turn
One in a series on newly-elected mayors in the Commonwealth. LAWRENCE MAYOR Brian A. DePeña is a bit of a throwback. He likes to meet one-on-one with his constituents, holding office hours every Friday from 1 p.m. until whenever the last person leaves. It’s a mayor-of-the-people approach that has resonated with voters in this community […]
Posted inArts and Culture
High school junior wows Lawrence crowd
ALLISON CASTILLO, a junior at Methuen High School, got the call on New Year’s Eve. The singer that Lawrence City Clerk Diane LeBlanc had lined up to sing “God Bless America” at Monday night’s inauguration of city councilors and school committee members couldn’t make it. A possible stand-in also said she wasn’t available. LeBlanc heard […]