We were glad to see the Azorean had made their menu available for takeout.  And I’ve enjoyed sharing the various restaurants offerings especially during this period of isolation and curbside services.  A recent comment on a previous post stated the food pictures weren’t appealing and I had to agree to a certain extent. Meals in take out containers on my kitchen counter do not offer the same photo opportunity as a nicely plated and presented entree at a dining establishment.  But I’m going to share those take out meal photos in hopes that, soon, you’ll see much improved food photos.

Lemon chicken at the Azorean is one of my favorites and sorely missed. We also ordered Buffalo chicken tenders to have for a future lunch. Scallop casserole rounded out the Azorean experience in our humble apartment. Here’s the link in case you are interested. 

It was a very busy day on the water last weekend when the weather was glorious!

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken Presents Proposed FY2021 City Budget

GLOUCESTER — Today, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken submitted her proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Budget (July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021) to the Gloucester City Council.  This budget reflects a balanced, responsible, and conservative spending plan for Gloucester that continues to invest in municipal infrastructure, education, and public safety.

Highlights of the FY21 proposed budget are as follows:

·         General Fund Revenues and Expenditures are projected to increase from $114.3 million in FY20 to $117.9 million in FY21, a 3.08% increase.

·         Gloucester Public School funding is proposed at $44,388,897, a $1,250,000 or 2.90% increase from FY20

·         Water Enterprise Fund Revenues and Expenditures are proposed at $7,068,315, a $337,324 or 5.01% increase from FY20

·         Sewer Enterprise Fund Revenues and Expenditures are proposed at $9.030,824, a $577,694 or 6.83% increase from FY20

·         Talbot Rink Enterprise Fund Revenue and Expenditures are proposed at $308,685, a $25,790 or 7.70% decrease from FY20

·         Waterways Enterprise Fund Revenue and Expenditures are proposed to increase by nearly $6,500, a 1.42% increase from FY20

·         Community Preservation Fund Revenue and Expenditures are proposed at $728,000.  

Each year, Mayor Romeo Theken consults with the department managers and compiles a balanced budget to operate the general fund and ’enterprise’ funds (Water, Sewer, Rink, Waterways and CPA).  Included in this budget is an amount of money for the public schools.  Mayor Romeo Theken and the City Council do not control how the School Committee allocates their budget.

The long-term outlook for Gloucester continues to be very strong, which is confirmed by the City’s AA bond rating.  For the past five years the Romeo Theken Administration has worked hard to implement financial management practices to ensure long-term monetary stability to best position Gloucester to remain on a fiscally-sustainable path.   

Mayor Romeo Theken said, “The City of Gloucester will continue to make key investments toward infrastructure, education and public safety efforts.  Collective bargaining with City unions, rising fixed costs, and contractual obligations have required thoughtful strategies to maintain resources and fund core operations to meet the needs of the community and to ensure the effective delivery of services.”  

As the local, state and national economies are changing daily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this spending plan does not yet factor in new economic realities throughout the City.  Significant adjustments may be necessary in order to respond to the rapidly changing circumstances.  

Mayor Romeo Theken added, “We will also face financial challenges head on to ensure that the City of Gloucester is financially sound in the future.  Together I know that we can work through any challenge before us – and I am confident that by doing so we can recover and emerge stronger than before.”   

The City Council’s Budget & Finance Standing Committee will conduct public meetings to review the city and school budgets on the following dates and times:  Wednesday, May 20, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m, and Tuesday, June 2, 6 p.m.   Agenda and meeting details will be posted online as those meeting dates approach.  

A City Council public hearing is scheduled on the FY21 proposed budget on Tuesday, June 9.  

According to the City Charter, the Council has 45 days from date of submission to adopt a final city budget plan that will become effective on July 1.  A Special City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16 to pass the FY21 budget. 

The public is encouraged to review the budget document. A PDF copy of the FY21 Budget Submission to the City Council will be available on the City’s website under Office of the Mayor on Wednesday, May 6. Hard copies will also be available for the public to view, once re-opened to the public, in the City Clerk’s Office and the Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library.

Click to access 2021-budget-document-1.pdf

“Water Shuttle Seasonal Passes” $75 for the whole season!. available online now

The St. Peter’s Committee has reluctantly decided to cancel June’s Fiesta activities this year in concern for everyone’s health and safety. I think we all expected this and realize that many of the traditional Fiesta activities would put people at risk. A two day event is being considered for Sept 12-13 2020. We appreciate all the pain and consideration the committee has endured in making this decision.

Here’s the link for the Gloucester Daily Times article. 

Here’s how it works:
May 3rd: the online farmers market opens for orders at: www.rockportexchange.org/shop

Mary 7th: the online farmers market closes for orders at 5pm.

May 9th: orders are available for pickup outside the Seaview Farm Store at 38 South St between 11am and 1pm.

Our vendors this market include:

Marshview Farm – eggs and seedlings
Seaview Farm and Farm Stand – grass fed beef and patties
Brothers’ Brew Coffee Shop – Will very sadly not be able to participate this market.
Dancing Daisy Cookie Company – cookies and cake
Breakwater Roasters – coffee, beans and ground
Sandy Bay Soaps – soaps
Beckah’s Bangin’ Butter – almond butter
Halvah Heaven – tahini candy
Eclectic Clam – stuffed clams
The Spicy Shark – hot sauce, hot honey, hot maple syrup
Pigeon Cove Ferments – Kimchi & Kraut
Bonny Breads – Organic bread

COVID-19 Pick up Policies:
* Pickup will take place outside of the Seaview Farm Store (please park across the street on Marmion Way)
* Each order will be packed in a new paper bag.
* policies requiring the wearing of masks, social distancing, and sanitation will be strictly observed.
* All orders are prepaid online. No money will be exchanged at pickup and no orders are taken the day of.

West Gloucester Marsh looking towards Conomo Point

Eastern Point stroll after the rain.

Lisa Jordan Photo:

I have truly appreciated every single encouraging sign or display that people have created and shared over these last 100 weeks or so (just seems that way I guess).  They are all over the place and I thank you all. These are among the 2 biggest I have seen so far:

On the river:

This sign may not have meant to be an isolation encouragement, but I took it as such all the same. Thanks Cape Ann Museum.

Hello,

I wondered if you could ask your readers to send a note or card of thanks to the staff at Den Mar Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 44 South St., Rockport MA 01966.

They could use the encouragement and support. I volunteered there until the Covid quarantine.

Thank so much,
Janet French🌻
257A Granite St
Rockport