October 08 Report

 

Here is the latest from the front lines:

I say that tongue in cheek but it feels that way lately with what is going on several different fronts.

Finances- First and foremost we have paid close attention this week to what has been going on in the financial markets. It’s interesting that some of the turmoil on Wall Street is starting to affect “Main Street” here in Dedham. We are actually in the money market this month looking to bond several projects that have been completed in the past year. Even though Dedham has an excellent credit rating, there are a limited number of lending institutions who are extending credit to the market at this time. Those who are in the market are in some cases charging a premium in their rate to reflect the fact that it is a limited market. We have been working closely with our Financial Advisor to determine the best strategy for addressing this latest phenomenon. We maintaining our present course but will be paying close attention to any new developments before we proceed with the sale of any bonds. Overall, the Treasurer/Collector informs me that our Finances are well protected and are in no danger of any possible exposure to the volatility of this market. This does not mean that our Finances are improving under the present conditions and it remains to be seen what the true impact that the events of the past few weeks will have on our budgeting estimates as the economy is slowing rapidly.  As they say in the news industry- “stay tuned for more information as this story continues to develop”. 

New Sewer Line and Pump Station-The Infrastructure Engineering Department announced that the new Rustcraft Road Sewer Line and Pump Station that was largely paid for by the JPI, Station 250 and Legacy Place projects became operational late last week for the first time. This line was an important improvement to the capacity of the Town’s sewer system that needed to be replaced to support the existing development and the new developments in this area of Dedham. This was a great example of a public/private partnership that worked to everyone’s benefit and is a welcome improvement for the Town.

Performance Contracting-The Town and School Departments are working together to evaluate proposals to do performance contracting for several of our capital facilities. This concept is starting to grow in popularity as an affordable means for improving a municipality’s capital facilities by addressing the efficiency of each building’s overall operating systems. We held our first meeting last week and we are investigating all of the options available to us.

Meeting with Representative McMurtry- Last week I met with Representative McMurtry and Mass Highway Officials to review the status of the High and Harris Street Bridge Construction and other Mass Highway issues throughout Dedham. I was joined by Assistant Town Administrator, Nancy Baker to go over the progress of the new bridge project and to address some of the on-going concern of some of the neighboring businesses. At the meeting we learned that the project will be largely complete by next summer and that the large utility relocations at the site are now nearly complete. In recent weeks Mass Highway and SPS has been very responsive to the Town’s requests to provide updates on information and to inform the businesses of new work that will impact the operation of their businesses. The greatest concern expressed at the meeting was from the work performed by the utility companies. Concerns stemmed from the impression that this work was done haphazardly without any schedule in place and very little concern was given to the impact on the neighboring businesses. Mass Highway agreed that some of the work was unpredictable and that they shared in the frustration of the work performed by the utility companies. We all look forward to the end result of this long awaited project in June or July of 2009.

Ongoing Projects- We continue to closely monitor the progress of the large development projects going on in Dedham at this time. I am happy to report that the projects are proceeding on schedule at this time. We have also seen in the past week that the CVS development proposed for the former Clay Nissan dealership has now been fenced and the initial demolition is now underway. That project will be proceeding shortly.

Meeting with Metro-West Managers and Fire Chiefs- Chief Jim Driscoll and I met in Ashland on Tuesday with the Town Managers ,Town Administrators and Fire Chiefs from 15 Metro-West Communities to discuss regional cooperation in how we can share our resources. The topics for discussion included service levels involving Advances Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) service; training; and State requirements for certification of this service. Dedham is somewhat unique in that we currently are one of the few communities who contract for their ambulance service. While there are pros and cons to the question of a private vendor providing this service from the Fire perspective, I was quick to point out that medical services in Dedham have been excellent and that the relationship between Fallon (our Ambulance provider) and our Department has worked very well. It was also important to note that as the medical field continues to become more complex and as the pressure for maintaining service continues to grow while revenues diminish, Dedham actually has an advantage in that we will continue to provide a high level of medical service; regardless of the financial pressures we might endure. This stems from the fact that the Town retains this service with little to no taxpayer dollars to support it. 

Preparation for Town Meeting- We continue to prepare for the Special Town Meeting slated for November 17, 2008. The Finance Committee Hearings are slated to begin on October 22 but the Planning Board has an important hearing regarding the proposed zoning change that is slated for Monday, October 20.

MMA Legislative Breakfast- Dedham will be hosting one of the State-Wide Legislative Breakfasts sponsored by the MMA on this Friday, October 10 at the Endicott Estate beginning at 8:30 A.M. There are several important issues to be considered at this meeting. One is the status of the current State Budget and how will the latest downturn in the economy effect Local Aid. Secondly, all eyes will be focused on what will happen on November 4^th if Question One passes.   I and many of my colleagues are deeply concerned with what could happen if voters decide to eliminate the State Income Tax. Our preliminary analysis shows that nearly 12% of Dedham’s Budget would disappear if that happens. That translates into an annual loss of revenue of nearly $9 million dollars. 

Representative McMurtry has asked that I serve on a local panel at a forum in Dedham on October 28 at the Dedham Middle School to speak to this very issue. He has asked that I and Chief Weir along with the Town Administrator and Police Chief from Westwood to come and explain to residents what would happen if this action were to pass. I will be working with the Director of Finance to present this information so that residents are informed of the impacts that this action could have on the fiscal condition of this Community. My role in this case is to inform and not advocate a position on this Question.