Wrap up

Some talk of schools, etc.

All in all….mostly good dialogue, if heated at times. We have no idea how this meeting will effect both relationships and policy going forward, but most councilors seem relatively pleased with the conversation.

Lukes on non profits

Lukes is concerned about non profit cultural institutions with falling endowments…does that apply to universities as well?

Push and Pull

This all comes down to the same old play between cutting services and raising taxes/fees.

Palmieri, again twice, says he wants the legislators making some decisions to help the situation.

Lukes and Rosen going back and forth now about taxes, etc.. Nutting calming the conversation…

Dual tax

Haller: I think another issue that will test our civility is the dual-tax rate.

Clancy: That comes from the businesses.

Lukes: They’re who it effects.

Palmieri: No they’re not! It’s the residents!(etc etc etc…usual Palmieri rhetoric on the issue)

Haller: My point is made.

Eddy: “We look stupid” to legislators if we say were not going to even look at raising taxes.

Palmieri: Says its the legislators fault, not the council…

Some heated debate going on over tax policy and who has what responsibility, what issues should be looked at.

(Nutting: “Do you guys stream your meetings? I’m going on that website.”)

Green heart of the commonwealth?

Lukes says there are colleges and corporations meeting about establishing Worcester as a leader in green jobs and industry.

Something’s got to give

Nutting raises a good point…if everything is a priority, then what goes away?

Talking about public safety and economic development as priorities now.

Intrigued at school facilities takeover

Lot of intrigued councilors right now at Nutting’s tale of Franklin(his town) voting to take over school building management.

Rosen ties the concept into his idea to consolidating services.

We’re back

We’re back after a short break.

Nutting breaks down the conversation so far into two components: Trust and respect of councilors and better communication with the school committee.