Miceli Voices Support For House Budget

State representative says Tewksbury has fared well under the proposed FY '13 Budget.

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by the office of State Rep. Jim Miceli, D-Wilmington.) State Rep. James Miceli, D-Wilmington, joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts General Court in passing a state budget for fiscal 2013 after negotiators struck a compromise that increases funding for local aid, keeping Taunton Hospital open, and making some reforms to the state’s welfare and immigrant verification systems. The budget directs $5.7 billion in state revenues back to cities and towns for spending at the local level, almost $289 million more than the current fiscal year. By including no new taxes or fees, Rep. Miceli and the House once again showed his commitment to the citizens of his district and Commonwealth.  …

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Former State Rep. L’Italien Seeks Return to House

Andover Democrat will take on State Rep. Jim Lyons, R-Andover, in newly constructed 18th Essex District.

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by state representative candidate Barbara L'Italien. As of Jan. 1, 2013, the 18th Essex District will include Precincts 3 and 3A of Tewksbury.) Stating she will be a “better representative,” Barbara L’Italien announced her campaign to represent the new 18th Essex District.  “When I served in the MA House of Representatives I made it my priority to help my constituents—not grandstand for political points,” said L’Italien. “My neighbors in this district deserve better than what they have today. L’Italien represented several Merrimack Valley communities for 8 years in the legislator, earning a reputation as a responsive legislator who worked with members of both Parties to deliver …

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Adams Kicks Off Campaign for State Senate

Calling for fiscal reform in Massachusetts, Adams is determined to increase Republican presence in the State Senate.

Running on a platform of lowering taxes and an end to overspending, state Rep. Paul Adams, R-Andover, held his official campaign kickoff Thursday night at LaRosa’s Café.   Approximately 40 friends, family, and local politicians came to support the 30-year-old candidate’s bid for State Senator of the 2nd Essex and Middlesex district, which includes Andover, Dracut, Lawrence and Tewksbury. If Adams succeeds in winning the Republican nomination this Sept. 6 against Andover Selectman Alex Vispoli, he will face incumbent Sen. Barry Finegold in the general November election. Adams who was elected to the State House of Representatives in 2010, said he wants to “take Massachusetts in a new direction.” Standing for values and principles, he said he…

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Round Two? L'Italien Takes Out Nomination Papers

The former state representative is pondering a run against Jim Lyons.

This year, there may be deja vu in reverse -- L'Italien vs. Lyons. Former State Rep. Barbara L'Italien has filed nomination papers to run for her former seat representing the Essex 18th district, which currently includes parts of North Andover, Haverhill, Andover, Boxford, Georgetown and Methuen. Next year, with redistricting, the district will lose Haverhill and Methuen and pick up a section of Tewksbury currently represented by state Rep. Paul Adams, R-Adams. Adams is mounting a run for State Senate. No other Democrats or Republicans have launched campaigns to run for the 18th Essex seat. L'Italien confirmed that she has taken out nomination papers but said she is still gathering signatures and an official campaign announcement is …

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POTD: Sears First To Make State Ballot

(Editor's Note: The attached photo was submitted by Doug Sears.) When it comes to earning a place on the fall ballot, someone always has to be first. In this case, it was Tewksbury Selectman Doug Sears. Sears, a Republican, is mounting a challenge to state Rep. Jim Miceli, D-Wilmington, in the 19th Middlesex District in the fall. Recently, Sears filed his nomination papers with the Secretary of State's Office and was told that he was the first candidate in the state to qualify for the ballot. In addition to his own campaign, Sears has also been campaigning in Tewksbury for U.S. Sen. Scott Brown.

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Precinct Redistricting Will Be Felt On A Local Level

Some residents will be moved to a different polling place, some will have different Legislative representation.

Much has been made about the impact Congressional and Legislative redistricting will have on the residents of Tewksbury. But the changes done yet and the final round of redistricting will have a significant impact on several Tewksbury neighborhoods. Town Clerk Denise Graffeo is awaiting final approval from the Legislature on precinct redistricting within Tewksbury. According to the proposed changed, which have already been approved by the Board of Selectmen, several streets and sections of streets will change election precincts based on population shifts revealed in the 2010 U.S. Census. "It's all based on population," said Graffeo. "Each precinct has to have approximately the same population." Based on the latest census figures, the …

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Bill Gilman

5:40 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011

Hi Malcolm. As it was explained by Town Clerk Denise Graffeo, the Clerk's office works on breaking down the population of the various precincts based on the Census numbers. Based on certain population shifts (compared to 10 years ago) the precincts are then modified to equalize, as best as possible, the populations of the precincts. So the short answer is, the decisions as to the new precinct …   more ›

Legislative Redistricting Will Impact Tewksbury, Adams

Portion of Tewksbury will switch districts.

Paul, we hardly knew you. Whether he gets re-elected in 2012 or not, state Rep. Paul Adams' days representing the people of Tewksbury will come to an end at the completion of his first term in office. Precincts 3 and 3A, which had been part of Adams' 17th Essex District, will be switched to the 18th Essex District as of January, 2013. Adams, an Andover Republican, is a freshman legislator who won the seat with an surprise win over Democrat Patricia Commane last November. "Tewksbury is such a great town and it is such a privilige to represent the people here," said Adams, after the new districts were announced. "I won't be going away. I will still be representing Tewksbury for another year and three months." The new Legislative district …

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Finegold: I Won't Support Casino Gambling Bill

State senator breaks ranks with Democratic leadership, governor to oppose bill.

State Sen. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, says he will vote against a bill that would allow the construction of three casinos and a slots parlor in Massachusetts. The bill, which is supported by Gov. Deval Patrick, was overwhelmingly passed by the House of Representatives last week, 123-32, in a largely partisan vote. The Senate is scheduled to begin debate on the bill Monday (Sept. 26). More than 180 amendments have already been filed for consideration. "I just don't think the economics of this bill are as good as people think they are," said Finegold. "We have the most successful lottery in the country, generating over a billion dollars a year. The state takes in 23 cents on the dollar. It will be more like four cents on the dollar with …

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Board Of Selectmen Notebook

Home Rule Petition approved by Legislature; Police receive $1,100 grant.

At its meeting Tuesday night, the Board of Selectmen took the following actions:

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A Few Minutes With ... State Rep. Paul Adams

Tewksbury's freshman legislator chats about his responsibilities, his goals and the 17th Essex District.

State Rep. Paul Adams, R-Andover, was elected in November to represent the Seventeenth Essex District. His district includes Precincts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 in Andover, Precincts 1 and 2 of Ward D and Precincts'1 and 4 of Ward E in Lawrence and Precincts 3 and 3A in Tewksbury. He has benefited as a member of the Republican minority in the House, a position that has helped him take a higher position of leadership than his Democratic freshman counterparts. His committee committee memberships include ther following: Tewksbury Patch correspondent Bill Deignan sat down with Adams recently to talk about his first several months on the job. TEWKSBURY PATCH: Please tell the Readers about your background and why you ran for State Representative? PAUL…

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