This is the right time to support a new high school in Tewksbury

OMG

Your last name fits you to a T.
People are still hurting from the recession. There's still plenty unemployment going around. This increase if the debt inclusion goes through will be devestating to families at this time. Stop worrying about UGG boots. Give us a break.
NO GO here.

Michelle: I hope you read this sometiime before March 1.
There is serious concern about the wording in the town warrant where it says "Any grant the Town of Tewksbury may receive..."
It could be simply that the full amount is not disclosed yet, so "may" could be referring to the total being variable depending on total expenditure, but a "will" in that spot would be more reassuring.
It appears that Charles Zaroulis, Town Counsel, is often not present at BOS meetingts. Last time I see him attending a BOS meeting was June, 2009.
My other concern is project management. How will we be assured that this doesn't turn into the mess we had with the "Big Dig", or worse, "Ground Zero".
I have no problem voting for this as the cost is presented. But these issues must be dealt with if we are going to get people to even vote for this question to be put on the ballot.

What do you think about ditching Charles Zaroulis and finding a new cousel? Attorney Wayne King comes to mind. He's right here in town, energetic, and shows up.

There we go with the cup of coffee thing again. Two things, I bet she doesn't buy a cup of coffee eacj day of the year 7 days per week.

I don't buy coffee on my way to work each day, mostly because I don't work. That said, why should anyone give up having a cup of coffee each day to fund something others want?

It's a good thing that no one takes these stupid analogies seriously or every coffee shop in the state would have gone out of business by now.

I hope everyone goes to the polls and votes when this comes up. It is up to each person to determine how this increasew ill affect them and which way they should vote.

Wondering wrote:

There we go with the cup of coffee thing again. Two things, I bet she doesn't buy a cup of coffee eacj day of the year 7 days per week.
I don't buy coffee on my way to work each day, mostly because I don't work. That said, why should anyone give up having a cup of coffee each day to fund something others want?
It's a good thing that no one takes these stupid analogies seriously or every coffee shop in the state would have gone out of business by now.

I am a lot more favorable to these capital constuction projects than I am to operational overrides. That being said, the cup of coffee a day analogy is insulting and demeaning. The projects have to stand on their own. Maybe Tewksbury is different than Westford but the school building projects in Westford went very well and I think improved the town. And the Tewksbury High School is a very 'tired' building. I was shocked when I went there for a basketball scrimmage.

Wondering wrote:

There we go with the cup of coffee thing again. Two things, I bet she doesn't buy a cup of coffee eacj day of the year 7 days per week.
I don't buy coffee on my way to work each day, mostly because I don't work. That said, why should anyone give up having a cup of coffee each day to fund something others want?
It's a good thing that no one takes these stupid analogies seriously or every coffee shop in the state would have gone out of business by now.

Are you retired too? I'm retired one year now and loving it.
I especially loved it when CatDad did the taxes. <^..^>
So nice to be in a lower bracket. Last year we paid out the behind, this year,(esp with the energy credits), we're getting 4.5K back.
I'm brewing great cups of coffee in my new $18 Mr. Coffee.(Hazelnut, of course)
I live in Tewksbury, but no one in my extended family will ever use this school, but like it or not, there appears to have been no money put aside toward a new HS, and it's needed.
I can't complain.. I never got involved other than paying my bills, so when our tax money all went elsewhere and there was no line item to accumulate money for a new HS, it's all of our faults.

Tony wrote:

Your last name fits you to a T.
People are still hurting from the recession. There's still plenty unemployment going around. This increase if the debt inclusion goes through will be devestating to families at this time. Stop worrying about UGG boots. Give us a break.
NO GO here.

Why so negative? Was the personal attack really necessary? This woman is presenting her opinion in a even tempered rational way. No snotty comments about anybody. Yes this is a recession. Yes money is tight. That doesn't change the fact this community has an opportuity for a REAL change with money granted from the state which will go to somebody else if we don't step up. If you get your no vote, what does that mean for the town? What other solutions to improve the town are you offering, Tony?

Concerned Parent wrote:

<quoted text>
Why so negative? Was the personal attack really necessary? This woman is presenting her opinion in a even tempered rational way. No snotty comments about anybody. Yes this is a recession. Yes money is tight. That doesn't change the fact this community has an opportuity for a REAL change with money granted from the state which will go to somebody else if we don't step up. If you get your no vote, what does that mean for the town? What other solutions to improve the town are you offering, Tony?

How much does Tewksbury pay to service their debt? Imagine if there were no debt. What if towns took the money they collect in vehicle excises taxes and put it in a separate account for these types of projects? When the town has the money they can do the project.

Concerned Parent wrote:

<quoted text>
Why so negative? Was the personal attack really necessary? This woman is presenting her opinion in a even tempered rational way. No snotty comments about anybody. Yes this is a recession. Yes money is tight. That doesn't change the fact this community has an opportuity for a REAL change with money granted from the state which will go to somebody else if we don't step up. If you get your no vote, what does that mean for the town? What other solutions to improve the town are you offering, Tony?

Fix the present building. I went to Lowell High and that building is more "tired" as someone used that term for TMHS, still in use for a lot longer than Tewksbury. If the town can't maintain the present building, what makes you think they'll maintain the new one.
There's also a clause that states that we "May" get the money. There are no guarantees we will. What then? Can you really trust the state government?
It's a NO GO here.

Interested Observer wrote:

<quoted text>
I am a lot more favorable to these capital constuction projects than I am to operational overrides. That being said, the cup of coffee a day analogy is insulting and demeaning. The projects have to stand on their own. Maybe Tewksbury is different than Westford but the school building projects in Westford went very well and I think improved the town. And the Tewksbury High School is a very 'tired' building. I was shocked when I went there for a basketball scrimmage.

There are a lot more "tired" buildings in this state that are still operating. Fix and maintain the present high school. If you can't do the maintenance on the current one, who says it'll happen with the new one. What are we going to do? Build a new high school every 15-20 years? And what if the new school is approved. What are they going to do with the present school? I haven't heard anything about that.
I do agree with you that the coffee cup analogy is insulting.
The new school is a NO Go for me.

Tony wrote:

<quoted text>
Fix the present building. I went to Lowell High and that building is more "tired" as someone used that term for TMHS, still in use for a lot longer than Tewksbury. If the town can't maintain the present building, what makes you think they'll maintain the new one.
There's also a clause that states that we "May" get the money. There are no guarantees we will. What then? Can you really trust the state government?
It's a NO GO here.

With what money -- we still need funds for that. Would you change your vote if it were to pony up the money to fix the current structure? Didn't we try that a few years ago? See how well that no vote worked then to improve the community.

Wondering wrote:

<quoted text>
How much does Tewksbury pay to service their debt? Imagine if there were no debt. What if towns took the money they collect in vehicle excises taxes and put it in a separate account for these types of projects? When the town has the money they can do the project.

When will that be? After the HS loses accredidation and the state passes us by so then we will need the full load of cash. I do appreciate that you offered a solution instead of just saying no.

I live in Tewksbury and have children in (or soon to be in) the school system . On principle, I will not vote for any tax increase for the community or otherwise. I would advise the town management to get creative and make the cuts necessary to fund the project as it is such a deal.

This is a tax wrote:

I live in Tewksbury and have children in (or soon to be in) the school system . On principle, I will not vote for any tax increase for the community or otherwise. I would advise the town management to get creative and make the cuts necessary to fund the project as it is such a deal.

I see your principle, but this is going to affect your kids if you stay in town. The state match for the money is not going to stick around and wait until the town "gets creative". Not trying to be mean, but have you been in town long? Have you ever been in the HS? There have been at least 2 other proposals that got shot down to fix the HS. This one IS creative, the planning the application, the state funding. If this one doesn't pass, the town will have to fund the whole thing. We need your support.

We moved out of Tewksbury because of all of Tewksbury’s financial difficulties. The high school (and impending lose of accreditation), Billerica power plant and lack of general support residents have for the community and government was disheartening to say the least. The town does not have the support it needs to change, thrive and grow. The sidewalk controversy was a joke. Anyone who says Tewksbury needs to find the money elsewhere should actually attend a town meeting.

Nice job Michelle. You nailed the issue. There is no downside to this proposal. All we have to do is look at the community as a whole and realize that a new high school will benefit everyone.

Suffice to say, there will be GENERATIONS of children that will reap the benefits of a new High School. Although I do not agree with the UGG's or coffee anologies, sorry, with the state of the current high school, the accrediation cloud looming overhead, and a 60% assurance that funding will assist with the project - there is NO BETTER TIME than NOW to build a new HS!!!
There's no question that the recently built Senior Center is one of the crowning jewels in the town - NOW is the right time to provide the same opportunities to the children (and future children of Tewksbury) and build a high school that will make our town proud!

Concerned Parent wrote:

<quoted text>
Why so negative? Was the personal attack really necessary? This woman is presenting her opinion in a even tempered rational way. No snotty comments about anybody. Yes this is a recession. Yes money is tight. That doesn't change the fact this community has an opportuity for a REAL change with money granted from the state which will go to somebody else if we don't step up. If you get your no vote, what does that mean for the town? What other solutions to improve the town are you offering, Tony?

Some of our better institutions in this state are well over a hundred years old producing some of the finest individuals in this country. Why would a new building that is controlled by the sons and daughters of past pundits create a different type of environment?

Good job sticking up for your wife though!