Legislature Fails to Act on Municipal Health Insurance Reform

After education advocates, public health organizations, Governor Patrick, and just about every municipal official in the state begged the legislature for greater flexibility in setting up municipal health insurance plans, the legislature included some very modest reform provisions in the budget, but even those baby steps have now been dropped, according to a Boston Globe report. I hope that the Newton delegation pushes this issue to the forefront for a vote soon.

How Dense is Too Dense?

BH Normandy Riverside LLC has proposed a 869,000 square foot development at the MBTA Riverside Station. This would be in addition to the existing hotel, office building, and MBTA maintenance facility. Their proposal includes two commercial towers of 11 stories and 8 stories; three parking garages (8, 5, and 5 floors), a 260-thousand square foot apartment building (5 floors), and two smaller commercial spaces.

How desperate is Newton for tax revenue? Are we willing to harm the residential character of our neighborhoods with additional traffic and pollution -- not to mention cram more students into already overcrowded classrooms -- in an effort to chase down every last possible property tax dollar?

This isn't the only parcel in Newton where this question is relevant. There is also discussion of constructing a dense housing/commercial complex on the small triangle of land that now houses the Newton Centre Fire Station, the Fire Headquarters, and a hair salon.

Where do we draw the line?

Hebrew College for Sale?

Rumors are running fast and furious that Hebrew College's Newton campus, which was just last year talking about expanding, may be for sale. If you have any information on the accuracy of these rumors (and if they are true, further details, please post them here.

If Hebrew College's Newton campus is for sale, the City of Newton should consider purchasing it for school space. If not, I will correct this blog entry as soon as I receive information to the contrary.

My mom is in the Boston Globe today

She has some thoughts on the the new robocam parking enforcement in Newton Centre. And the article appeared the day after Mother's Day!