About Town: Town Manager Tuesday

The met last night with an overloaded agenda and the prospect of a long meeting. I don’t envy them, since I understand they are meeting again this morning at 8 a.m.

Thankfully, I tuned into LexMedia’s coverage of our Town Manager Carl Valente and left for my computer when Selectmen Chair Hank Manz started talking about noise levels near Shire.

Carl had four pieces of information that are relevant to everyone -- especially anyone with a desk inside the .

First he noted that officials are still playing “musical chairs” at the Town Office Building. I noticed the trucks, dollies, boxes and ramps while there last week.

Community Development staffers are doing business at the in the Robbins Room and on the lower level in Estabrook Hall. They’ve also taken residence in the Bird Room on the top floor.

I know it sounds as though everyone’s pretty scattered, but I’ve been there and it’s working, which says a lot about the people who toil in our Town Offices – or in this case Cary Hall. 

Since Community Development vacated its space Town Clerk Donna Hopper, Town Treasurer Arnold Lovering and moved into what was Community Development's location. By Friday, everyone from the Town Clerk’s office will have moved over with Donna.

I bet everyone will be happy when this is finished.

Carl’s second and third announcements were federally related.

“Joint federal military training exercises will take place within and around the Boston area,” he said. The exercises continue until Aug. 5. Military personnel are conducting various training exercises for deployment and care of our country.

Our TM made the announcement because helicopters are involved in some of these activities and will be coming and going from Hanscom Air Force Base at all hours.

This preparation helps protect America, so let’s bear with the noise while they train.

Carl’s third announcement didn’t come as a surprise to anyone who's read a paper or watched television in the last few weeks.

“As of 6 p.m. this evening, Congress and the President have still not approved legislation regarding the country’s debt limit," he said, adding that “Moody’s has placed under review for possible downgrade the AAA ratings of 177 public finance credits, affecting a combined $69 billion of outstanding debt.”

This includes 162 local governments in 31 states and Lexington, as well as other triple-A rated Massachusetts communities, is on the list for possible downgrade.

Carl said Moody’s is scheduling time to discuss specifics – and Patch will have information as it’s received.

Three Massachusetts communities have enough backup money in the coffers to keep them off this list. Wonder which communities? Anyone have any ideas?

Finally, Carl welcomed new Budget Officer Theo Kalivas, who started in Lexington on Monday. He came from the Arlington Town Manager’s office.

With all the musical chairs going on I’m not sure where Theo’s office is located …