Moms Talk Q&A

Moms Talk Q&A: Do French Mothers Know Something We Don’t?

A new book suggests that French parents are baby whisperers.

At 5:47 this morning*, my son Lucas let it be known that he had an urgent need. “Mama! MaMA! Maaaaama! MamaMamaMamaMama! MAMA, I NEED YOU NOW!” Any casual witness (like, say, our next-door neighbors, who most certainly could hear him) would assume that he was either a) dying, b) trapped between the bed and the wall or c) covered in a bodily fluid. I had my doubts, but nonetheless stumbled blearily into his room to assess the threat level. And do you know what he wanted? What he needed the way asthmatics need air during an attack? He required that I pick up the half-deflated Patriots’ balloon bobbing near the floor and place it on his bed BECAUSE IT’S MY FRIEND AND IT’S SAD AND I NEED IT. Had he suddenly lost use of his legs? Were there …

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Frugal Family

Frugal Family: Local Mother's Day Gift Ideas

A few ideas that will help spoil Mom!

In recent weeks, I have shared dollar-stretching tips for savvy consumers. Today, I will tell you what to do with the money you have saved: Spend it on Mom. Mother’s Day is May 12, and this is no time to be frugal. She’s worth it! Kidding aside, there are some fabulous deals available to aid you in your quest for the perfect Mother's Day gift. Here are some great ways to make the mothers of Acton feel special: Check out Acton’s Gift Shops Several local merchants carry large selections of gifts.  You don’t have to go further than the Gould’s plaza in North Acton to find two of them. The Paper Store carries cards, jewelry, stationery, handbags, collectibles, candles, Vera Bradley luggage and accessories, Life is Good clothing…and Red Sox …

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: The Price of Doing Too Little

Acton resident Lauren Morton says the state can't afford to not invest in transportation.

Many of us are all too familiar with the crisis facing our transportation system: crumbling roads, unsafe bridges, MBTA vehicles decades overdue for replacement, the entire system drowning in debt. Regional transit agencies are unable to provide evening and weekend service, while drivers in Greater Boston spend on average 47 hours each year sitting in traffic. There is a remarkable level of consensus across the state that this is a problem we must fix: Governor Patrick, House Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Murray, and other legislative leaders have all said that transportation is a top priority this year. The public is on board as well: a recent MassINC poll found that almost 80% of respondents think investing in transportation would be …

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Growth Agenda Will Stimulate Prosperity in Massachusetts

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge says Gov. Deval Patrick's revenue proposal will help more residents be able to pay bills and better handle financial struggles.

Gov. Patrick’s growth agenda goes to bold lengths to move our Commonwealth forward and invest in the future of our communities. We can’t afford to watch from the sidelines as our roads, bridges and public transportation systems decline, nor can we turn a blind eye to the rising cost of higher education that is deterring tomorrow's bright minds from following their dreams.  The years of cuts to Chapter 70 education funding, special education, regional school transportation and local aid have hurt the quality of education in our schools and divided residents in each community. Gov. Patrick has proposed to change that with a revenue proposal that is fair and progressive by shifting the burden of taxes from working families to the wealthy, …

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Spring Garden Projects for April

Here's what and what not to prune.

Before you put on your gardening gloves and get out the tools, remember to stretch a little and don’t overdo it. You’ve probably not given your muscles a good workout in a while. That way you’ll avoid that Monday morning backache common to most April gardeners. Although it seems that there’s so much to do everywhere in the gardens, it's best to begin with the easy stuff. April is the best month for pruning most non-flowering plants. Evergreens — such as Junipers, Yews, Arborvitae, and Cypress — need to have their dead, diseased and winter-damaged wood removed. Also with this year’s heavy snow and ice, the evergreens probably have a few misshapen or bent pieces that need to be removed to restore their shape. While you’re pruning it's a …

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Acton Property Taxes Should Not Increase

Charlie Kadlec and Allen Nitschelm urge other Acton residents to attend Annual Town Meeting on April 1.

Are Acton's Property Taxes Too High? There is a lot of evidence that they are. Of all the cities and towns in Massachusetts, Acton has the 15th highest average property tax bill and the 15th highest property tax rate, yet our per-capita income is 39th and our per-capita EQV (equalized property value) is 106th. In short, our taxes are very high compared to other cities and towns, much higher than our income or "wealth" would indicate they should be.  On top of this, the current economy has impacted many families. The town and schools have responded by reducing the growth in spending, yet taxes have continued to go up by 2.5% per year, the maximum allowed by Prop 2 1/2 -- and our leaders plan to continue this practice as shown in the Warrant…

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Allen Nitschelm

8:55 am on Thursday, March 28, 2013

The ALG just met and spent most of the meeting discussing our plan. As expected, they were opposed to any changes, but some interesting comments were made, while other points were ignored. For example, there was no talk about Acton's high property tax rate. I have been to many ALG meetings and I can't recall ever recall a discussion about what the town can do to alleviate the tax burden on Acton …   more ›

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Green Has My Support

Resident Catherine Chase says Katie Green is the right choice for Board of Selectmen.

I am writing in support of Katie Green for Acton selectman in the upcoming March 26th election. Katie is a hard working, well educated young woman with a strong commitment to Acton and a desire to contribute to our community. For four years she was the legislative aide to one of our state representatives.  During those years she learned a lot about the needs of Acton, about the legislative process, about the all important budget process and its effect on our town. She has learned the importance of working with people of all backgrounds and all viewpoints. As a selectman she would actively seek out differing viewpoints, the better to represent our entire community.  Katie is practical, down to earth, well organized and attentive to the …

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Vote Green for Selectman

Residents Bob and Deena Ferrara say Katie Green's work ethic will help guide Acton.

We are encouraged by the competitive Selectmen’s race in Acton and that the March 26 ballot offers several competent and well-motivated candidates for the two positions. We are especially enthusiastic about the first-time candidacy of Katie Green.  In the several years we have known Katie, she has always been a very thoughtful, approachable, and well-grounded person. And when it comes to getting something done or participating in a community project, you absolutely want her on your team. She brings a solid work ethic, focus, intelligence, and a sensitivity to others’ viewpoints. These traits suited her well on the staff of State Representative Jen Benson. In several years in that role, she also gained first-hand experience with the …

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Green is My Choice for Selectman

Resident Lauren Rosenzweig Morton says Katie Green she will help to make sure people's voices are heard.

Katie Green will make the kind of Selectman that will bring both experience and a fresh new perspective to our Town of Acton.  Her work in the State House as a legislative aide to Representative Jen Benson has given her a depth of knowledge very few people have had before running for Selectman.   She has already helped our town in countless ways — helping to get additional state funding for municipal and school needs, advocate for the train station and shuttle, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and many others. She worked on many issues to help individual constituents who had problems that needed solving, or needed help to get their voices heard on a variety of issues.   She cares about all people, and will work hard to make sure that Acton is …

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Pledging Support for Katie Green

Acton Democratic Town Committee Chair Phyllis Novick says Green is the right choice for selectmen.

Katie Green is a special candidate for selectwoman because she brings to the office the important new viewpoint of a young single woman. Katie's youthful attitudes accept and embrace individual rights and enable her to use social media comfortably to communicate. She understands Acton's values and plans to support them, but will strive to balance expenditures and revenues to keep costs down for young people trying to live independently in Acton Moving here three years ago, Katie loves living in Acton and has shown this by her willingness to join volunteer organizations. As a member of the League of Women Voters she has encouraged Acton voters to be knowledgeable about the candidates and to exercise their right to vote in local, state and …

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