Additional Funds for Newton from Parker-Sponsored Program

Alderman Ken Parker has a strong track record of identifying real solutions for Newton that control costs and improve services over the long term.  In 2003, Ken led the implementation of the Hopkinton Bill over the objections of the Cohen Administration, and the city has benefitted ever since.

The campaign just issued this press release for the 2009 Hopkinton Bill numbers:

The City of Newton received an additional $219,807 in revenue during fiscal year 2009 from the adoption of the Hopkinton Bill. This amount, combined with the previous five years' revenue, brings the total additional revenue realized by the City as a result of the Hopkinton Bill implementation to more than $1.4 million.

"I'm pleased that even in this difficult economy," said Alderman Ken Parker, "the Hopkinton Bill is generating more than $200 thousand a year for Newton, allowing us to pay for services that we might otherwise have had to eliminate."

In late 2003, Ken Parker worked to get the City of Newton to adopt the Hopkinton Bill by local option, allowing mid-year tax assessment adjustments for new construction. This proposal passed over the objection of the Cohen Administration, which said it would be too difficult to implement and would not result in significant additional revenue.

When arguing for local adoption of the Hopkinton Bill in Newton, Ken estimated that it would bring in an additional $200 thousand per year. To date, it has averaged nearly $240 thousand per year and the fear that it would be difficult to implement turned out not to be justified.

A couple hundred thousand here, a couple hundred thousand there, and pretty soon.....

Reinventing Newton Government: Join the Discussion on June 9

Community members are invited to join a discussion initiated by the Newton Board of Aldermen about reorganizing and consolidating various functions across city government. The Mayor's Office, members of the Citizen Advisory Group and the School Committee will also be a part of this effort, which will begin on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:45 p.m. in Newton City Hall Room 222 at a meeting which is open to all those interested in contributing to this important discussion.

One of the ways we can control costs while improving services for Newton residents is by modernizing management practices at City Hall. I am grateful that the Board of Aldermen has initiated this discussion, and look forward to working with members of the CAG, School Committee and Mayor's Office to identify ways to reinvent Newton government for the 21st century. I hope Newton residents who share this commitment will join the discussion on June 9.

- Ken Parker

The June 9 meeting follows the passage of a resolution proposed by Ken Parker and passed by the Newton Board of Alderman during fiscal year 2010 budget deliberations. The resolution asks the Mayor and School Department to work with the Board of Aldermen and members of the Citizens Advisory Group, as well as interested citizens, to investigate the possibility of consolidating and coordinating various functions across departments to improve services and to control costs.Snow and ice clearing, information technology, and human resourcesare a few examples where such opportunties may exist. For more information please get in touch.

Concerned about H1N1 (Swine) Flu in Newton?

Here is an update from the City of Newton - PDF download.

Globe, WBZ-TV Highlight Ken Parker's Opposition to Mayor Cohen's Proposed Pay Raises for Top City Staff

UPDATE: Newton TAB gives the story front page treatment!  Story here.

Several major news outlets including WBZ-TV and the Boston Globe are highlighting Ken Parker's opposition to Mayor David Cohen's proposed pay raises for top city staff during at a time when most employees have been asked to take a pay freeze.

It sends the wrong message to the people of Newton and to our employees to be handing out pay raises to people making six figures while we are asking for pay freezes.

We have the ability to roll back the pay raises for his [Mayor Cohen's] top lieutenants, and I will pursue that.

- Alderman Ken Parker

To watch the video of the interview with Ken Parker, please click here.