New Push For August Meals Tax Holiday

The state's Restaurant and Business Alliance said there was "no sign of opposition" at a hearing this week.

The Joint Committee on Revenue in the Massachusetts legislature held a hearing this week on the notion of a potential meals tax holiday for August and one supporting group liking its chances.   According to the state's Restaurant and Business Alliance (R.A.B.A), the hearing held Tuesday for the Meals Tax Holiday Bill saw "no sign of opposition" to the measure. Twelve legislators have signed on to the bill primarily sponsored by Rep. Keiko Orrall of Lakeville and Sen. Michael O. Moore of Millbury. If passed, the legislation would go into effect from Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15. "We should offer a Meals Tax Holiday to benefit employees and small local business owners inside Massachusetts to help stimulate the economy," said …

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State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Three's Company

Recap and analysis of the week in state government.

Like pieces of a puzzle that don't quite fit together yet, the Big Three may have been separated at birth, but with each incremental step their destinies seem to grow more intertwined. No, we're not talking about those Big Three - Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker Robert DeLeo - though they play major character roles in this thickening plot.  Instead, three bills have come to define the early months of the 2013 legislative agenda and resolutions on tax hikes, local road funding and the annual state budget continue to be elusive and dependent on one another. Patrick spent the early part of his week welcoming British Prime Minister David Cameron to Boston for a few quick meetings and a visit to the Copley …

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Medford Man, Four Other Massport Employees Charged with Soliciting Bribes from Logan Cabbies

The men solicited and took bribes and then let the cab drivers cut in line, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

Medford’s Donald Potts and four other Massport employees allegedly solicited and took bribes from cab drivers at Logan Airport in exchange for letting them cut other taxis in line, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. The men were indicted Tuesday by a Suffolk County Grand Jury. The men are all Ground Transportation Unit agents, or “cab starters,” at Logan. Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley said the men “exploited a position of power to line their pockets.” “It’s hard enough to make a living without having to grease a palm or pay a bribe,” he said. Massport’s CEO, Thomas Glynn, said his agency assisted State Police with their investigation and said all five employees are suspended without pay and will be…

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Council to Receive Update on Pool Reconstruction

Medford City Council approved a total of $2.4 million for the reconstruction in 2012.

The Medford City Council will receive an update Tuesday on the status of the reconstruction of the Medford High School indoor pool. The update will take place during a committee of the whole meeting at 6 p.m. in room 207 of Medford City Hall. Here is what they have on tap for the whole evening, including their regular meeting at 7 p.m. in the Howard F. Alden Auditorium. The council has invited Mayor Michael McGlynn, Budget Director Stephanie Muccini Burke, owners project manager John Buckley and Medford Public School Superintendent Roy Belson to discuss the reconstruction. A total of $2.4 million was approved by the council in early 2012 for the pool, which has been closed since 2008. The funding was approved in two votes, one for a $1.9 …

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Weekly Recap: Medford Bank Robbed, Quick Arrest

A look back at Medford's top stories of the week.

Here are some of the highlights from Medford Patch's coverage this past week. This is only a small sample—to see all the coverage, click on the News tab on the navigation bar. To see your neighbors' news, check out our Announcements section under News. Also, check out our Local Voices bloggers' latest posts, and start blogging yourself—no application necessary! Medford Police charged Robert Cornejo, 26, of Malden with armed robbery while masked for allegedly robbing the East Cambridge Savings Bank at 243 Salem St. Wednesday afternoon. Cornejo allegedly made off with a bag of cash but a dye pack exploded inside the bag. Cornejo was arrested after police interviewed a woman driving a vehicle described as the getaway car. Medford City …

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You Ask...Patch Answers

What New Business is Opening on Middlesex Ave.?

Mark's Sandwich Shop will be opening at 213 Middlesex Avenue.

The Medford City Council granted a common victualler license Tuesday for a new sandwich shop at 213 Middlesex Ave. that will replace Kennedy Fried Chicken & Pizza. Mark's Sandwich Shop has listed owners as Therese Gigliotti and Mark E. Reading, according filings with the state Secretary of State's office. Gigliotti, a Medford resident, told the council the hours of the new store will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Gigliotti indicated the shop will have a "scratch kitchen" in addition to a basic menu where customers will be able to order any kind of sandwich they'd like. City Councilor Michael Marks joked that because the store will sell a quality product because "it bears my name."

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Medford Motorcycle Repair Shop Relocating

Aero Cycle Co. will be moving from Boston Avenue to Mystic Avenue.

A long-standing Medford motorcycle repair shop will be moving to a new location following approval by the Medford City Council Tuesday evening. Aero Cycle Co., currently located 642 Boston Ave., will stay within Medford but will be moving to 401 Mystic Ave. Medford attorney Robert Abruzese, who represented owner Paul Morrissey at Tuesday's meeting, said the move is taking place due in part to the impact of the Green Line extension and the need for additional room. Abruzese said the Mystic Avenue location has been the site of "a number of prior automotive repair shop licenses." Morrissey first opened a shop in Somerville in 1979 and moved in the late-'80s to his current location, according to Abruzese. Speaking in favor of the move, …

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