Gas Prices Surge More Than 30 Cents in a Month; Are you Driving Less?

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline has gone from $3.43 to $3.74 in Danvers over the past month.

Gas prices in Easton continue their upward march, with prices reaching the highest point ever in February and up more than a quarter in the past month. AAA Southern New England said its survey of prices in Massachusetts on Monday found self-serve, regular unleaded averaging $3.72 per gallon, four cents higher than a week ago and up 31 cents over the past month. On Tuesday, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Danvers was $3.81, also up 36 cents from a month ago, according to AAA. The national average for self serve unleaded of $3.73 and a year ago at this time the Massachusetts average price was $3.60. The least expensive gallon of gas on Monday was being sold at Mutual Oil on Washington Street, which was selling for $3.76 a …

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TELL US: Should the Gas Tax Be Raised to Fund Transit Projects?

It has not been increased in more than two decades. Some people say the time has come to raise it. Others say people pay enough taxes.

As time progresses, unfortunately so do prices. That cheap burger you bought many years ago is no longer so cheap. What once could be purchased with some loose change you found in your pocket now requires cash or a credit card. But for the past 21 years and counting, the state gasoline tax has remained the same. Massachusetts residents pay 21 cents per gallon at the pump, with nearly all the money going to fund public and private transportation projects and programs (roads, bridges, public transit systems, etc.). Some people say this amount is no longer sufficient to improve and maintain what the state has to offer. In its 2007 report, the state's independent Transportation Finance Commission recommended the tax be raised to 32 cents. The…

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Editor's Notebook

Four Person Selectmen Field Highlights Town Election Lineup

Easton Patch Editor Patrick Maguire takes a look at some of this week's notes.

Once a week, Easton Patch Editor Patrick Maguire will open up his notebook and share his notes with you. If you have a question, comment, or opinion, share it in the comments section or email Patrick.Maguire@Patch.com. Many of Patrick's notes will be followed with a more in-depth article later in the week. While voters were heading to the polls to Tuesday to vote in the primaries for the Presidential Election, the Town Election field was being finalized. Tuesday is the last day to hand in nomination papers for the April vote. The highlight of the election? A four person race for two Board of Selectmen seats. Board of Selectmen Chair Colleen Corona, who has been a member of the Board since 2003, is up for re-election, as is incumbent Dan …

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