Today's poll: Is your tax bill fair?
04.14.2011 | NORTHAMPTON - Water approaches a garage on Route 5.The Forecast
The National Weather Service has canceled its flood warning for the Connecticut River in Montague, but the warning continues in Northampton "until late tonight... or until the warning is canceled."
View full size04.13.2011+04.14.2011 | EASTHAMPTON - Water levels at the Route 5 boat ramp mid-day Wednesday and early Thursday.Data show the river rose to 113.46 feet in Northampton early this morning and fell back to 113.16 by 8 a.m. Flood stage is 112 feet.
Outside of the official data are the more informal gauges. With the river tapping on Route 5's shoulder, water reached the edge of the tilting garage outside the home at the corner of Island Road. In the boat ramp's parking lot, the water climbed a few inches up the sign that The Republican's Don Treeger photographed yesterday.
Temperature- and all-around-weather-wise, abc40 / Fox 6 meteorologist Mike Masco calls today "...the pick of the next seven.”
Highs should be in the mid-60s. The National Weather Service forecast shows a cooler Friday and Saturday, with highs in the 50s.
Today's Poll
In a new Associated Press-GfK poll, 54 percent of respondents said they believe their tax bills are either somewhat fair or very fair.
46 percent said their tax bills are unfair.
The nationwide poll of 1,001 adults, conducted via landline and cellphone interviews, was conducted March 24-28 by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
What do you think -- is your 2010 tax bill fair? Vote in our far less scientific poll, and check back tomorrow for the results.
Wednesday's results: Yesterday, we asked, "Have the construction projects in downtown Westfield kept you from visiting the city?" 9 people voted. 77.78% said "yes"; 22.22% said "no."
Wednesday's Top 5
The top 5 headlines on MassLive.com on April 13 were:
- Mary Clare Higgins to resign as mayor of Northampton; City Council President David Narkewicz to become acting mayor
- Johnny Damon: 'Manny's in a better place now'
- Yale University senior Michele Dufault dies in apparent chemistry accident
- Editorial: Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastroianni courageous to drop Melvin Jones case
- 'Glee': Telly Leung talks Warblers, new Broadway show
Quote of the Day
“I feel happy. It’s nice. Now, people can borrow books to read.”
— 9-year-old William Chapman, on the reopening of the Mason Square Library. Read Peter Goonan's article here.
Daily Data
The Massachusetts Legislature released the House Ways and Means Budget Wednesday.
Section 1A details revenue sources; below, a look at how tax revenues break down for the category of "All Budgeted Funds."
Note: This doesn't show -$.6 million in the category of Public Utilities; accounting for that, total tax revenues shown in the budget are $20.525 billion.