Montouri Says Turf Field Won't Require Money From Stabilization Fund

Voters will have the final say at Special Town Meeting on May 8.

Special Town Meeting voters will ultimately make the decision on whether or not the new athletic field at Tewksbury High has an artificial turf surface. But one thing appears certain -- they won't be asked to tap the stabilization fund to pay for it. Town Manager Richard Montuouri said this week he believes a recently received state grant, combined with private donations, high school project offsets and Community Preservation funds will be sufficient to pay for the project. "I'm confident that we will not have to use the stabilization fund," said Montuori, who met Wednesday with the Community Preservation Committee to discuss increasing CPA funding for the turf field from $450,000 to $550,000. Montuori estimates the overall cost of …

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Leadership Shakeup On Tewksbury School Committee

New chairman chosen for the first time since 2011.

The Tewksbury School Committee not only has a new member, it also has a new leader. Newly elected Lisa Puccia took her seat for her first School Committee meeting Wednesday night and the first vote she cast was to help elect Brian Dick as the committee's new chairman. Dick, starting his third year on the committee, was a unanimous selection. He succeeds Krissy Polimeno, who had served as chairman the past two years and was recently elected to a second term on the committee. "I'd like to thank Mrs. Polimeno for her leadership over the past two years," said Dick. "Her dedication and leadership is something we should all strive for over the next year." Dick went on to say he hoped to continue the success and improvements the school district …

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2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election

Election Day Recap: New Faces, Close Races And Low Turnout

Another Municipal Election is in the history books. What did we learn Saturday?

What would happen if you held an election and virtually no one showed up? Decisions that will impact the futures of Tewksbury taxpayers and their children would be made by the few that did. Such was the case Saturday, as just 13.1 percent of registered voters turned out to cast their ballots. There will be new faces on municipal boards, as Jim Wentworth won a seat on the Board of Selectmen, Lisa Puccia captured a seat on the School Committee and Ray Barry earned a seat on the Board of Health. But it was also a big day for the incumbents, as every candidate who sought re-election won another term, including Selectman Todd Johnson and School Committee Chair Krissy Polimeno. There were a couple of very close races. Puccia grabbed the second …

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Bob

8:37 am on Thursday, April 11, 2013

Tewksbury, She has a point! The Democrats have been employing this tactic in Boston for 100 years and they always get even the dead to show up to vote!   more ›

2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election

Polimeno Re-Elected, Puccia Narrowly Wins Open Seat on School Committee

2013 Tewksbury Municipal election School Committee results.

In 2010, Krissy Polimeno and Lisa Puccia were part of an emotionally charged three-person race for two seats on the Tewksbury School Committee. Polimeno got in, while Puccia was odd-person out. Fast-forward three years and Puccia and Polimeno were once again part of a three-person race for two seats on the school committee. But there were differences. The race was far more low-key this time around and this time both women were voted into office. Polimeno was easily re-elected with 2.039 votes. Puccia grabbed the second slot, slipping past Ray Lisiecki, 1,276-1,139. Polimeno said there were differences in running as an incumbent this time around. "Last time, I was just talking about what I wanted to do," she said. "This time I could talk …

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2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election

School Committee Candidates Q&A: Easing The Burden on Taxpayers

This is the third and final part of our Q&A series with School Committee candidates -- incumbent Krissy Polimeno and challengers Ray Lisiecki and Lisa Puccia.

(Editor's note: This is the third and final part of our Q&A series with School Committee candidates -- incumbent Krissy Polimeno and challengers Ray Lisiecki and Lisa Puccia.) Question 3: The school department budget takes the biggest bite out of the fiscal budget each year. What are some practical ways  the school department can ease the burden on taxpayers? I will continue to focus on fiscal responsibility and accountablility.  I will work to ensure that school materials and resources are allocated equitably.   Our district will continue to work collaboratively with other towns for savings by collaborative bidding on transportation, vendors, contractors and building services.   We will exhaust all resources for additional funding by …

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2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election

School Committee Candidates Q&A: Better Preparing Students For College and Life

This is Part 2 of a three-part Q&A with candidates for Tewksbury School Committee -- incumbent Krissy Polimeno and challengers Lisa Puccia and Ray Lisiecki.

(Editor's note: This is Part 2 of a three-part Q&A with candidates for Tewksbury School Committee -- incumbent Krissy Polimeno and challengers Lisa Puccia and Ray Lisiecki.) Question 2: What are some ways you would like to see Tewksbury schools better prepare students for college and/or the work place?  I believe that this process needs to begin at the elementary school level starting as early as Kindergarten.  Tewksbury Public Schools needs to start looking at implementing STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, and Math) earlier on into our student’s curriculum to better prepare them for future endeavors.  Professional development for our teachers is also key factor in this process.  We need to question whether or not we start partnering …

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2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election

School Committee Candidates Q&A: What Big Challenges Are Looming?

This is Part 1 in a three-part Q&A Series with the candidates running for two seats on the Tewksbury School Committee -- Incumbent Krissy Polimeno and challengers Ray Lisiecki and Lisa Puccia.

(Editor's Note: This is Part 1 in a three-part Q&A Series with the candidates running for two seats on the Tewksbury School Committee -- Incumbent Krissy Polimeno and challengers Ray Lisiecki and Lisa Puccia.) Question 1: What are the biggest challenges facing Tewksbury Schools in the next few years? The challenge of student achievement becomes increasingly more difficult because of budget considerations.  We must continue to provide students with the skills and the knowledge needed to achieve a high level of success in their chosen career path.    Tewksbury must deal with the issue of paying for education in a challenging economy.  We must continue to have a reasoned and balanced approach to our school budget with the realization that …

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2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election

LETTER: He Will Vote For Polimeno For School Committee

Reader says the incumbent wants to advance the educational opportunities in Tewksbury for the children.

To the Editor: I am writing to express my support  for Krissy Polimeno. She is seeking to be re-elected to the Tewksbury School Committee on Saturday April 6th. These past three years she has demonstrated all of the qualities we need in a town leader. She is intelligent, enthusiastic, does her homework and gives careful consideration to all the issues. We are lucky to have her, and I am grateful she has chosen to run again and volunteer her time and energy for another three years. We can always count on Krissy. In my opinion Krissy only has one agenda, and that is to advance the educational opportunities in Tewksbury for the children. She comes from a family of educators which helps her brings a unique perspective which is key to the …

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2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election

LETTER: Polimeno Should Be Re-Elected To School Committee

Reader says the town is fortunate to have Polimeno on the School Committee.

To the Editor: I am writing to express my support for Krissy Polimeno, candidate for Re-Election of the Tewksbury School Committee. I have had the pleasure of knowing Krissy for several years and I admire her for so many reasons. First, she is a wonderful mom to her three blessed children. Family is of utmost importance to her. Her commitment to her children is reflected in everything she does. Whether she is coaching numerous sporting teams, volunteering in the classrooms or just cheering from the sidelines, I have watched her do all of these things beaming with pride. I am confident that the School Committee will continue to benefit tremendously with Krissy remaining on it, as she will demonstrate the same spirit and enthusiasm for all …

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2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election

LETTER: Polimeno Has Their Votes on April 6

Readers say that Polimeno takes strong stands on issues she believes in.

Dear Tewksbury Voters, As we look at all the candidates this election season, there is one that stands out for the office she is vying for. Krissy Polimeno has clearly demonstrated that she deserves another 3 years as a School Committee member. In her first term, she was instrumental with the transition of a new superintendent, business manager and most importantly our new Tewksbury Memorial High School. The elevation to Chairperson in her second year speaks volumes of the respect she so quickly garnered from her peers for not only her strong stance on issues she believes in, but also her openness to hear out all the issues. After many months of negotiations, her chair oversaw a 3 year contract with the teachers union ending the …

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