Councilor Wants 'More Teeth' in City's Savings Policy

Sara-Lynn Reynolds says a recently approved cash reserve policy is "fluff." This angers Council President Frank Cook, who sources say yelled at Reynolds and Councilor Jonathan Weydt after the meeting.

The city could get specific on its savings policy if the City Council approves a measure proposed by Councilor Sara-Lynn Reynolds. She faces opposition from the council president and the head of the budget committee. Although the council approved a measure last month calling for the city to increase targets for cash reserve accounts, Reynolds said at last week's meeting this was "kind of just a fluff policy, there was nothing really set in stone." She has proposed the outline of an ordinance that she said would "put more teeth to it." Reynolds' proposal states, "The city of Attleboro requires and must maintain a cash reserve policy that includes stated targeted balances for the stabilization fund and other reserve funds or a percentage of …

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Public Hearings Often Lack Public Speakers

The City Council discusses whether enough is done to promote what is happening at City Hall.

Last month's public hearing for the city of Attleboro's 2012-13 fiscal year budget featured a grand total of one speaker. The next week, City Councilor Mark Cooper received phone calls from residents asking him when they could comment on the budget, prompting him to wonder if the city does enough to promote public hearings and other happenings at City Hall. The lack of speakers at the budget hearing is not a rarity for Attleboro council meetings, but rather it is the norm. Most public hearings feature no speakers, and when there are participants, the number can usually be counted on one hand. Attendance at meetings is almost non-existent, with the audience usually consisting of local media, one regular and the occasional city staff member…

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I Voted Against the Budget Because ...

The lone dissenter in the Attleboro City Council's vote on the 2012-13 budget explains his decision.

Attleboro is, in fact, financially better off than the surrounding communities and appropriate accolades are in order for the administration's astute financial stewardship. Yet, during budget hearings the Attleboro treasurer told the City Council that the tax titles were the highest she has seen in her 15 years in the position. The assessor stated that Attleboro foreclosures were the greatest in number of his career. The building inspector told the council that the 120 vacant buildings in Attleboro is the greatest number in the history of the city. The collector stated her department was processing 30 requests per day for municipal lien certificates. The School Department is transporting 34 more homeless children this year than last for a …

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City Leaders Recognize Local Marine

Master Sgt. Peter Brasil recently returned to Attleboro from his fifth deployment.

The Attleboro City Council meeting on Tuesday began with a special ceremony to recognize Master Sgt. Peter Brasil, a U.S. Marine and Attleboro native who recently returned from Afghanistan in what was his fifth deployment. The 1994 Attleboro High School graduate, who was joined by his family, was presented with recognitions from Mayor Kevin Dumas, City Council President Frank Cook and Veterans Agent Carl Bradshaw. To learn more about Brasil, read this blog entry written in November by his sister-in-law Laurie Brasil.

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pablo

9:50 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012

Semper Fi Top.   more ›

Councilors Didn't Violate Open Meeting Law, City Solicitor Says

Councilor Jeremy Denlea says accuser Councilor Richard Conti is a bully. Conti says he wants to bring much-needed fresh air and sunlight to Attleboro government.

City Councilors Jeremy Denlea and Walter Thibodeau did not violate the state's open meeting law when they privately discussed a possible solution to parking enforcement problems in Attleboro, City Solicitor Robert Mangiaratti wrote in a letter submitted Monday to Council President Frank Cook and Mayor Kevin Dumas. [The letter is attached to this article] Councilor Richard Conti alleged at last week's council meeting that the law had been violated. Denlea applauded Mangiaratti's opinion and slammed Conti in an email to Attleboro-Seekonk Patch. "I will not allow a fellow city councilor to bully me," Denlea wrote. "I will continue to work hard for the residents of Attleboro. I will continue to work with fellow councilors and the …

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Fines Approved for Overdue Dog License Fees

Owners must pay for a license by June 1 or face a fine of at least $25.

If you haven't gotten your 2012-13 dog license, you better hurry up. The City Council voted 10-0 on Tuesday to approve fines for those who fail to purchase the licenses by June 1. The fine is $25 per dog. Kennel owners can be charged up to $150, depending on the number of dogs they have. The money generated from the fines will go into the city's General Fund, and later shifted to a pool dedicated to construction of a new animal shelter. "This is really good policy for the city of Attleboro to have," City Councilor Jeremy Denlea said. "It promotes responsible dog ownership, which is a goal that we all have." There are more than 3,600 licensed dogs in Attleboro, City Clerk Betty Shockroo told Attleboro-Seekonk Patch in January. Owners are …

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Five Things To Know Today

Red Flag Warning Issued

The dry air creates a fire danger. Also, get your taxes done.

1. A Red Flag Warning will be in effect today from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Attleboro and Seekonk as well as the rest of Massachusetts except Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, all of mainland Rhode Island, northern Connecticut and southern New Hampshire. "A mild and generally dry air mass continues to promote favorable conditions for fire spread," the NWS' website states.  The daytime weather is expected to be sunny with a high near 80 and a west wind traveling from 8 mph to 13 mph, according to the NWS. At night, it should be partly cloudy with a low near 41. The north wind could reach 15 mph, with gusts moving up to 25 mph. 2. Today is the final day to pay your taxes. So get on it! You must file your payment electronically or get it in the …

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Committee to Resolve Tensions Between Attleboro Farmers Market, Library

Three members of the council have been appointed to a special committee to resolve issues between the Attleboro Farmers Market and the Attleboro Public Library.

The Attleboro City Council is hoping for a resolution to the conflict between the Attleboro Farmers Market and the Attleboro Public Library by the end of this April. During its meeting Monday, the council created a special committee and appointed Councilmen Jay DiLisio, Jeremy Denlea, and Mark Cooper. The committee is charged with the specific task of thoroughly investigating the requested use of the parking lot by the Attleboro’s Farmers Lot as well as addressing the concerns of the Attleboro Public Library, to prevent a repeat of the 2011 situation and clearly identify the specific dates of operation. The conflict between the Farmers Market and the Attleboro Public Library is over the use of the parking lot on 74 North Main St., which …

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State Rep. Ross Will Work For ARA Request

State Rep. George Ross, a former Attleboro City Councilor, will work work at the state level for the city's request to borrow money to pay off debt on the industrial park.

Can We Borrow Money for ARA Debt? Asks Attleboro City Council

The Attleboro City Council is asking the state legislature to be able to borrow money to pay off debts for the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority.