By J. Michael Whalen
Times Staff
1/1/09
The family of Milton High School soccer coach Mike Madden is offering thanks to the town for its support since the tragic accident left him partially paralyzed.
Madden, 37, lost the use of his legs following
a routine back surgery Nov. 7 at New England Baptist Hospital.
“The doctors do not know what they did,” said Lorna DiBona, Madden’s mother-in-law, who has been acting as family spokeswoman and helping her daughter, Heidi Madden, take care of the couple’s five children.
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By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
1/1/09
Department projections for fiscal year 2010 call for the town to spend around $5.7 million more.
But officials are anticipating local aid cuts to next year’s budget and want more conservative spending.
In a budget presentation to Selectmen on Dec. 18, Town Administrator Kevin Mearn included FY 10 department budgets that have been submitted to
his office.
He said the budget projected with all departmental requests would increase spending $5.8 million – from $84.6 million (projected revenue) to $90.3 million
in FY 10.
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1/1/09
Special Town Meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 23, the Selectmen announced last week.
The Selectmen had planned to open and close the warrant at their Dec. 18 meeting, but Selectman Marion McEttrick was unable to attend due to illness. They will vote on the warrant Jan. 8.
The Selectmen and Warrant Committee plan to ask Town Meeting to cut 10 percent from the state-aid portion of fiscal 2009 budgets for the Police, Fire, Public Works and School department.
The 10 percent cut, which Selectmen now say
is likely, would trim nearly $1 million from the
town’s operating budget, Selectmen Chair Kathy
Fagan said.

– S.M.

By J. Michael Whalen
Times Staff
12/25/08
Officials at Temple Shalom of Milton are hoping to hold a second neighborhood meeting about the retail plans for their Route 138 property as early as next month.
Paul Etkind, the former congregation president
who is acting as spokesman for the project, said a meeting hopefully will be held immediately after the holiday season.
“After the new year is probably the earliest we’ll
be able to set something up,” he said in a phone interview with the Times. “Early January would be our target date.”
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By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
12/25/08
She’s spirited, opinionated and passionate about her causes, but at the same time, Maralin Manning has brought a sense of style to everything she’s done. And she has more energy than women half her age, while she’s at it.
Looking at her, it’s hard to believe Manning has been adding to a briefcase-full of experience for over six decades. Her résumé could double as a small novel, which would include chapters on the ins-and-outs of the fashion industry; the nuances of teaching; mentoring women in the business world; dedicating hours to volunteering efforts; political savvy; how-to business tips; and even fighting town hall.
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By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
12/25/08
Fostering more parent involvement and creating transparency are what Cunningham Elementary School Principal Christine Gerber says her school
is doing to create a better environment for students and parents.
“After reviewing the 2007 MCAS assessment data, it became evident that parents were not familiar with how our current curriculum aligns with [state standards],” Gerber said in a report to the School Committee last week.
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By Pat Desmond
12/18/08
Kevin Sorgi, who has served the town for 28 years as treasurer/collector, will not run for re-election in the April town election.
He handles the finances of a $80 million operation - it wasn’t a figure he expected to be working with when he began as a police officer in 1972. He did a nine-year stint as a patrolman before deciding to run for the opening.
The treasurer before him was Harry Scanlon, who served three years and then chose not to run for re-election. Sorgi was one of three candidates who ran for the post in 1981. The other two are Charles Mahoney and Jerry Anglin.
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By Anne Comber
12/18/08
The Milton Foundation for Education recently helped the school system hire Christopher Masalsky as a grant writer whose sole responsibility will be to identify and secure new sources of revenue for the public schools.
The MFE will fund the position through a restricted grant for up to three years. Masalsky is expected to start work in mid-December and will focus on soliciting grants from foundations and private donors.
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By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
12/18/08
Police Chief Richard G. Wells has seen much – both the good and bad in people during his 20-plus years in uniform.
But one thing he has maintained through it all has been his compassion.
Compassion for job and people – this is just one of the traits Wells has carried with him as he has climbed the ranks of the department.
“These are the virtues I try to instill in young officers coming up the ranks,” he told the Rotary Club in an unscripted speech last week.
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