After abandoning this column each of the last two weeks, I felt it was my obligation to return with a bang, so to speak. And, thankfully, Marblehead delivered for me. It was this week 40 years ago when, at a Special Town Meeting, residents rebuffed the recommendation of the Finance Committee, providing 5% pay hikes to municipal employees, school custodians, … [Read more...] about Back in time to Oct. 18, 1983
James Hourihan
Back in time to May 18, 1988
When I began writing this column, I talked about the ways in which history repeats itself. That sentiment may never be more true than for this week’s installment of “Blast from the Past.” Stop me if this sounds familiar: “Override of Prop 2 ½ far from certain.” If I weren’t staring at the news clipping, I could be convinced that was a headline from the May 18, 2023 … [Read more...] about Back in time to May 18, 1988
Back in time to June 9, 1983
A few weeks ago in this space, I chronicled a dispute between the School Committee and the Finance Committee four decades ago in 1983. Long story short, the School Committee opted to ignore FinCom's budget recommendation, instead lobbying Town Meeting to restore the budget to its original sum of $8.7 million. That action prompted criticism from the then-chair of FinCom, James … [Read more...] about Back in time to June 9, 1983
Back in time to May 12, 1983
In 2023, the school budget generated little debate on the floor of Town Meeting, and the School Committee repeatedly earned praise from the Finance Committee for the transparency of its budget process throughout the year. But, 40 years ago this week, the two committees sparred after the School Committee charged the FinCom chair with spearheading "an unjust and misleading attack … [Read more...] about Back in time to May 12, 1983