EXTRA...

Some State Reps pay No Federal Income Tax; New law requires oil heating upgrade; No bail for accused killer; Mihos in it to win: Mashpee Ponzi scheme; Harwich OKs 11 CPC projects

TODAY's quotes: "The reports of my political death are greatly exaggerated." - Christy Mihos.
"My client was used and abused. Our evidence will show my client was manipulated by one or more people. He was not the shooter in this case." - Gerald Alch, Manoloules' attorney.

New law requires upgrade for homeowners who use oil for heating

Homeowners with oil heating systems that were installed before 1990 will have to pay up to $300 to comply with a new state law that will take effect in July... Before 1990, most pipes from the tank to the burner were buried in concrete. The new law calls for homeowners to either dig up the concrete and line the pipe with a non-metallic sleeve, or simply install the safety valve on the oil tank... A simple leak can cost as much as $15,000 to clean up, while more extensive cleanup costs can top $250,000... Banner.
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11 Harwich CPC projects get nod

Jack Brown, chairman of Harwich Community Preservation Committee, has watched with pride the last two years as 51 of 53 CPC projects which won approved at town meeting, many by a simple voice vote.
   But Brown, who has been involved with the CPC since its inception in 2005, has also witnessed a rapid lowering of the state's matching grant, which was 100 percent in 2008, declined to 75 percent in 2009, and now has fallen to 39 percent for 2010.
   The CPC projects are targeted to historic, affordable housing, and open space-recreation... Oracle.

Judge denies bail request by teen accused of killing uncle

While the attorney for a Southborough teen charged in the murder of his Framingham uncle argued that his client had no motive to commit the crime, a Superior Court judge yesterday denied his request to set bail.
   Christopher Manoloules, 18, is charged with the murder on Cape Cod of Aris Manoloules. Robert Upton, 45, an uncle of Christopher Manoloules on a different side of the family, is also charged in the murder.
   Judge Gary Nickerson denied the defense's request for $250,000 bail in Barnstable Superior Court... MetroWest.

Mashpee business, residents accused of Ponzi scheme

Like money in the bank is how Thomas A. Belekewicz and Merope E. Dayos allegedly described the investments they obtained from mortgage clients and others into a Mashpee business. But even as Mr. Belekewicz and Ms. Dayos were reassuring their clients over the past few years, according to a civil complaint filed by state financial regulators last week, their finances were falling apart.

A scheme that the two allegedly devised broke down when they ran out of money and could not make either guaranteed interest payments or return principal investments, according to civil charges announced last week. A company the two founded is now in bankruptcy. A host of lawsuits have been filed in Barnstable Superior Court... Mashpee Enterprise.
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Some State Reps pay little or no Federal Income Tax
Obscure Federal Law Allows Tax Deduction For Massachusetts Legislators

Imagine paying nothing in federal income tax. It's a dream come true for state legislators living more than 50 miles from the State House. Federal tax law allows them to legally deduct as much as $311 per day from their federal income tax. For some, it could mean deducting their entire state salary.

Federal law does not require legislators to travel to Boston or even prove that they're working for taxpayers on any given day to claim the deduction.

The law, passed by Congress in 1981, only requires the Massachusetts House and Senate to be "in session" on the days claimed. WCVB discovered the last time the Massachusetts Legislature prorogued -- or was officially not in session -- was in 1988... WCVB.
Who was eligable (All of ours)
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Mihos insists he's a gubernatorial candidate

Republican Christy Mihos insists he's still in the Massachusetts gubernatorial race. In an e-mail to supporters Friday, the convenience store magnate said reports of his political death are greatly exaggerated.

Mihos' campaign has been plagued with staff upheavals. And last week a Superior Court judge slapped liens on three businesses he owns after a gasoline supplier claimed he was owed more than $600,000.

The Cape Cod resident has also faced skepticism within the GOP after running for governor in 2006 as an independent.

Mihos faces Charles Baker in the Republican primary.

Gov. Deval Patrick and community activist Grace Ross are competing for the Democratic nomination. Treasurer Timothy Cahill is running as an independent, and Jill Stein is the Green-Rainbow candidate... Lowell Sun.