HAPPY HAUNTINGS FROM THE BOARD Of SELECTMEN

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What to do with Dutton House?By Grant Welker, gwelker@lowellsun.com

UPDATED:   10/06/2013 10:56:53 AM EDTLowell Sun

http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_24251506/what-do-dutton-house

CHELMSFORD -- The Dutton House, a two-story building with peeling yellow paint and crumbling shutters, was bought 20 years ago by the library when it looked to expand on Boston Road.

Another building at the library site was moved in 1998 to make room, but not the 1896 Dutton House, which has been used in recent years only for library storage. For a time, it was expected to be moved to the site of the central fire station on North Road after its replacement is completed, about a year from now.

But after the Housing Authority said it wouldn't move into the building, the library board of trustees decided it couldn't wait any longer. The building would have to be demolished unless someone would agree to move it.

"I'd hate to see it go," trustee Peggy Dunn said last week.

An offer from a nearby resident could save it. Richard McClure, a former Planning Board member and a Westford Street resident, has offered to buy the building for $1 and pay to have it moved nearly half a mile through the town center to his 1-acre property.

Any sale would require Board of Selectmen approval, and the process would also have to be opened first to other potential bidders, Town Manager Paul Cohen said.

The process remains early, but it would be ideal to find someone willing to take the building and make it usable, Selectmen Chairman Matt Hanson said.

"That's ultimately what the town wants," Hanson said.

Selectmen are scheduled to discuss options for the house at their meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.The building, at 10 Bartlett St., had been eyed by the Housing Authority for use as an office. But the authority, which was to move from its offices at McFarlin Manor, has since grown too large for the Dutton House. That led the library board of trustees to vote nearly unanimously last month to seek a demolition permit.

Trustees don't want to see the structurally sound building demolished, Chairwoman Pamela Davies said. But the building also cannot remain much longer because the library wants to use the land for a new storage building that would blend in aesthetically with the area, she said.

"It would be a more functional replacement," Davies said.

Because of the building's age, a delay of up to one year could be granted for the demolition permit to allow time for alternatives to knocking it down.

McClure said in his letter to selectmen that he would move the building within 90 days of closing on a sale. He did not return a call seeking comment.

If the building is not moved to the fire-station site, the town will also need to decide the future for that property. That building would not face the same delay if a demolition is sought, Cohen said.

Follow Grant Welker on Twitter and Tout @SunGrantWelker.

Chelmsford's board of library trustees wants the Dutton House removed so it can arrange build a new facility for storage. SUN / David H. Brow

Future remains open for Chelmsford's Dutton House

By Molly Loughman/mloughman@wickedlocal.comChelmsford Independent

Posted Oct 08, 2013 @ 02:37 AMChelmsford independent

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/blogs/happyathome/x980103058/Future-remains-open-for-Chelmsfords-Dutton-House#ixzz2hBbgHnAk

Chelmsford —During Monday night’s Selectmen meeting, Town Manager Paul Cohen made public that the fate of the 1896-built Dutton House, at 10 Bartlett St., and the 1952-erected center fire station, at 7 North Road, are to be determined.

Cohen notified the board during their last meeting two weeks ago that a proposal came in for the Library Trustees to seek the removal of the Dutton House property, located next to the library. This week, he provided board members with more information, including the disposition process, both for the Dutton House and for the center fire station.

Within a year, Cohen expects fire department personnel to begin vacating center station and relocating to new offices as construction progresses.

“And so the question comes before the town and before the board in terms of what to do with the two facilities,” said Cohen, explaining a few years ago, the fire station site at the center was explored as an option as a new location for the Dutton House.

Most recently, the Chelmsford Housing Authority reconsidered the matter and they’re not interested, said Cohen, who suggests not to putting the disposition procurement simultaneous, in order to provide either opportunity for the CHA for re-reconsideration or any other group for project synergy the two buildings.

Cohen provided board members with copies of the statues of Mass. General procurement laws regarding disposition of tangible assets, such as the Dutton House since the land isn’t being sold. The public procurement process is competitively bid, because if the value’s more than $5,000, it’s a sealed proposal. The fire station is certainly worth more, said Cohen.

“If the town were to dispose of the current center fire station site, that would require Town Meeting vote because that’s a disposition of town-owned land,” said Cohen, explaining the time to make the request is for 2014 Spring Annual Town Meeting, a duel bidding process, which would enable a procurement process in the summer and vacating in the fall.

Or the town could chose not to combine the projects and could hold onto the current fire station site and building, said Cohen. If that’s the case, the town could look into leasing the property. If leased, capital improvements may be needed for the building as a viable occupancy or it could be part of the lease condition, explained Cohen, who is not currently seeking a decision from the board.

As for the Dutton House, a request came in from Richard P. McClure for an Offer to Purchase Property of the Dutton House and to relocate it within the town’s historic district. Cohen said, terms could be dictated in a potential Request for Proposal, allowing for additional possibilities and flexibility.

“It should be more of a public process and then if this person is interested, no mater who it was, they could submit their proposal in a competitive environment as opposed to first come, first serve,” said Cohen, adding the town has the right to dispose of the property to a non-profit at a lesser price.

Selectwoman Pat Wojtas and Selectman Jim Lane think the town should issue an RFP to uncover proposals for the Dutton House. Selectwoman Janet Askenburg would like to see criteria to ensure the building’s survival within town boundaries. Lane is in favor of a non-profit acquiring it for preservation, which Askenberg does not see as an objective route.

During the board’s next meeting, set for Oct. 17, Cohen is expected to have a draft RFP ready for selectmen review and revision before a November issuance. For more information, contact the Town Manager’s Office at 978-250-5201 or go to www.townofchelmsford.us.

Staff Photo by Molly LoughmanThe 1896-erected Chelmsford Dutton House, at 10 Bartlett St.

ASK THE MANAGER

ITR: On the subject of the Dutton House, why is the Chelmsford Housing Authority no longer interested in using the Dutton House for their offices if it were moved to the old Center Fire Station property after the old station is razed? Paul  Cohen:  Chelmsford  Housing  Authority  (CHA)  Director  David  Hedison  has  informed  me  that  the  Du<on  House  would  not  be  large  enough  to  accommodate  the  CHA’s  administra@ve  offices. ITR: On the subject of grinder pumps, what is the real reason grinder pumps needed to be used on so many residences in town? Was it topography or was it that the Sewer Commission was running out of money to install a regular sewer system in certain sections of town and had to resort to grinder pumps in order not to go over budget again? And what makes you certain your answer is the real reason? Paul  Cohen:  Sewer grinder pumps were installed throughout the 25-year history of the town-wide sewer project. Topographic conditions and economic realities necessitate their usage, not only in the Town of Chelmsford, but in other towns across the state and country. The Sewer Commission went to Town Meeting to fund each subsequent phase of the sewer project. There was never any suggestion that Town Meeting would alter its commitment to sewer the entire town due to cost considerations. I was present during the last 5 years of the sewer project. The Sewer Commission never wavered from its plans to complete the project in a proper manner. ITR: On the subject of the new Center Fire Station needing an extra half a million dollars to continue, do you believe this will be the one and only time Pat Maloney returns to the Board of Selectmen asking for more money to build the new station? In comparison how many times did the new Police Station (at that time) have to come back to the well and ask for more money to complete it's building? Paul  Cohen:  We  do  not  an@cipate  a  need  to  return  for  addi@onal  monies  during  the  12  months  for  the  construc@on  of  the  new  center  fire  headquarters  facility.    At  this  point,  the  site  work  is  completed.    The    poten@al  unknowns  relate  to  the  quality  of  the  plans  and  specifica@ons,  as  well  as  poten@al  hidden  condi@ons  that  may  exist  in  the  lower  level  of  the  Town  Office  building  which  will  be  converted  to  the  Fire  Department  administra@ve  offices  and  training  room.    The  need  for  an  addi@onal  $500K  at  this  @me  is  a  result  of  the  drama@c  increase  in  public  construc@on  costs  during  the  past  6  months.    Pat  Maloney  has  an  exemplary  record  of  project  management  during  the  past  decade.    He  stewardship  of  the  CHS  and  middle  schools  project,  Town  Halls  renova@ons,  Byam  School  roof,  CHS  windows,  and  the  DPW  Alpha  Road  facility  illustrates  how  well  he  has  volunteered  in  service  the  Town  of  Chelmsford.    The  Police  Sta@on  project,  which  preceded  Pat  Maloney’s  efforts  over  a  decade  ago,  returned  for  addi@onal  funding  on  two  occasions.    

$55K sought for veterans housing in Chelmsford

By Grant Welker, gwelker@lowellsun.comUPDATED:   10/11/2013 06:36:20 AM EDT

LOWELL SUNhttp://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_24287924/55k-sought-veterans-housing-chelmsford?source=rss

CHELMSFORD -- Funding has been lined up, permits secured, and construction slated to start next month. The biggest task remaining is furnishing the veterans-housing units, and for that, officials are turning to crowd funding on the Internet.

CHOICE, a nonprofit arm of the Chelmsford Housing Authority, hopes to raise $55,000 by April to furnish eight new housing units in Chelmsford and five in Westford.

"People say 'we want to support the troops, what can we do?' " Chelmsford Housing Authority Executive Director David Hedison said this week. "Here's the opportunity. It's a real-life chance

to help."

CHOICE has secured grants jointly for the Chelmsford and Westford developments, which are expected to be complete next July.

Chelmsford's eight units will be built in a single building on a vacant lot at 9 Manahan St., off Chelmsford Street, west of the Kohl's plaza. Each unit will have a stove, private bathroom and living room, and will share a common kitchen.

The five Westford units, both one- and two-bedroom, will be built on Carlisle Road by the intersection with Acton Road, by renovating an existing building once known as Tara Hall.

The fundraising page is www.gofundme.com/homeforvets. As of Monday, $400 had been raised.

More than $4 million has been secured for the complexes, including $1.7 million from the state Department of Housing and Community Development. Westford has given $400,000 from its Community Preservation Act tax surcharge, and $115,000 from its Affordable Housing Trust. The town of Chelmsford contributed $408,000 to the project cost through Community Preservation Act funds.

Two other affordable-housing developments in Chelmsford are also moving forward.

Construction is expected to begin next summer or fall on Chelmsford Woods, a 115-unit complex on Littleton Road, Hedison said. The town expects to close on a sale of the property, across from the Chelmsford Commons housing complex, by January, he said.

A 120-unit affordable-housing development on the east end of Mill Road recently won state approval for project eligibility, meaning the proposal can now seek town permitting. MassHousing reviewed the proposal for big-picture issues such as wetlands and zoning.

Follow Grant Welker on Twitter and Tout @SunGrantWelker.

ITR: David, can you give us an update on your Chelmsford projects (such as the new Littleton Rd. affordable rentals, the Veterans housing and whatever else you think folks need to know about)?  David  J.  Hedison,  Execu@ve  Director  CHA:  I  have  a'ached  a  copy  of  the  no0ce  (CLICK  HERE)  that  will  be  going  out  shortly  regarding  the  fundraising  that  s@ll  needs  to  be  done  to  furnish  the  units  of  the  Chelmsford  Veterans  Home  as  well  as  the  community  areas  in  both  developments.    We  will  be  se]ng  up  the  community  rooms  with  furniture,  TV,  dishes,  microwave  etc.    This  will  con@nue  through  April  2014.    We  will  be  having  the  ground  breaking  for  both  projects  around  Veteran’s  Day  as  construc@on  will  begin  in  early  November.    We  an@cipate  it  to  be  complete  by  next  summer.

 With  regards  to  Chelmsford  Woods,  the  Town  has  submi<ed  the  proposal  to  Mass  Works  that  would  fund  the  water  line  upgrade  on  Li<leton  Road.    It  would  benefit  our  project  as  well  as  the  Kensington  Woods  development.    We  will  be  hearing  shortly  from  the  State  with  regards  to  the  funding  and  we  will  be  submi]ng  another  applica@on  for  the  phase  two.    The  project  is  116  units  being  funded  in  two  phases  in  order  to  maximize  the  match  from  the  State.    We  plan  on  purchasing  the  property  in  Jan/Feb  2014  and  will  begin  re-­‐loca@ng  tenants  that  remain  and  are  in  good  standing  at  the  current  site.  

ITR:Why is the Chelmsford Housing Authority no longer interested in using the Dutton House for their offices if it were moved to the old Center Fire Station property after the old station is razed?

David  J.  Hedison,  Execu@ve  Director  CHA:The  Town  had  asked  if  we  were  interested  in  the  Du<on  House  over  two  years  ago.    The  building  would  have  required  significant  funding  from  the  Community  Preserva@on  Commi<ee  for  historical  renova@ons.    As  there  are  no  significant  funds  available  due  to  the  costs  associated  with  other  historical  projects  –  it  is  not  a  viable  op@on  for  the  Chelmsford  Housing  Authority.    We  had  thought  if  the  building  was  relocated  by  the  Town  and  restored  through  CPC  –  we  could  have  entered  into  a  long  term  lease.    However,  it  would  be  the  Town  that  would  have  to  make  this  decision  not  the  CHA  if  there  was  a  desire  to  fund  the  restora@on  through  local  funds  or  through  CPC.    As  there  may  be  funds  needed  for  the  restora@on  of  the  Odd  Fellows  Home  in  the  future  –  priori@es  have  to  be  made  by  the  Town.  Our  office  has  added  two  new  staff.    We  have  modified  our  office  to  accommodate  them.    However,  moving  to  the  Du<on  House  would  require  significant  resources  which  are  best  spent  pursuing  our  mission  of  housing.    Building  office  space  or  restoring  a  building  for  office  space  cannot  be  jus@fied  at  this  @me  as  we  are  in  the  midst  of  two  veteran  housing  developments,  an  affordable  housing  development  in  Harvard,  MA  and  the  development  of  Chelmsford  Woods  on  Li<leton  Road.  Take  care  and  thank  you  for  the  opportunity  to  provide  this  informa@on.

 David  J.  Hedison,  Execu@ve  DirectorChelmsford  Housing  Authority

10  Wilson  StreetChelmsford,  MA  01824

(978)  256-­‐7425  x16

UPDATE from the Chelmsford Housing Authority

Chelmsford health crisis looms over failed pumps

The Lowell Sun Letter To The EditorUPDATED:   10/09/2013 08:01:45 AM EDT

http://www.lowellsun.com/opinion/ci_24271348/chelmsford-health-crisis-looms-over-failed-pumps

The Chelmsford Board of Selectmen and the town manager again did an "about face" on one of the important problems facing 500 Chelmsford residents. I believe that it is their usual method of handling town problems for people in the town.

I assume that those who voted "no," or had a change of heart, do not have grinder pumps at their home. That is why they can back down on supporting the people. Perhaps if they or members of their family had to go outside to relieve themselves, had sewage coming into their houses or coming up through their yards or had to go to a hotel until the problem is fixed, would have a different opinion of the people's problems.

There was one instance of a resident purchasing a sump pump and pumping the sewage into the woods; that was when his pump had broken down three times.

The Sun has implied that grinder pumps had to be installed in sections of town because of the topography; that is not entirely true. The truth is that the Sewer Commission ran out of money to install a regular sewer system in certain sections of town, due to their negligence, and had to resort to grinder pumps. On top of everything, they used one of the worst pumps on the market because of their lack of knowledge in negotiating. And there is only one repair service that has a monopoly on servicing these pumps in all of New England. This is what we got in Chelmsford,

The town is worried about financing the repair of these pumps, but they can spend thousands on the repair of the town-owned golf course, the town-owned ice rink or town playgrounds.

This really is a health problem for the town and the 500 residents. This should be a subject taken up by the Department of Health in the town and state. Financing the repair of these pumps, which break down on a regular basis, should be a concern for the town.

WILLIAM HOOD

Chelmsford

OPINION CORNER

Achieving sewer fairness in Chelmsford

Chelmsford Independent Editorial

Posted Oct 14, 2013 @ 05:49 PMhttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x980105509/Achieving-sewer-fairness-in-Chelmsford

Chelmsford —When they convene the annual fall session later this month, Town Meeting members will be asked to act on a most ambitious proposal submitted by the Sewer Fairness Alliance.

Warrant Article 18 asks members to adopt a policy for grinder pumps, the devices used by property owners to hold wastewater and eventually deliver it to the municipal sewer system.

The proposed policy calls on the town to be responsible for the purchase and maintenance of the sewer grinder pumps. More than 500 homeowners were assessed thousands of dollars in betterment fees and paid to have grinder pumps installed (replacing septic systems) when the town completed its $165 million sewer system project almost three years ago. Reportedly, a high percentage of the grinder pumps have required expensive repairs and fingers are being pointed at the distributor.

Moreover, the grinder pumps stop working during power outages, a most unpleasant situation for the homes that rely on them in areas of town where the topography is not suitable for a traditional gravity tie-in to the sewer system.

On the surface, the SFA warrant article’s aim — to have the town assume the financial burden of maintaining/replacing the grinder pumps — seems simple and justified: Indeed, homeowners who rely on grinder pumps should not be treated as "second-class citizens," as some have claimed. But liabilities and the potential for precedent setting that assuming responsibility for the grinder pumps could establish are risks Town Meeting members should consider before voting.

The impact on taxpayers that increasing the Sewer Enterprise Fund to include the grinder pump homes would seem to be much less of an issue. Town officials have estimated this would cost approximately $100,000 annually — a lot of money, but less than 3 percent of the approximately $4.5 million fund.

Something must be done to achieve "sewer fairness" for the grinder pump homes, but perhaps the best idea we have heard is the establishment of a commission to study the options in detail and then report back with a plan to a future Town Meeting, as soon as possible.

Sewer relief needed now in Chelmsford

By Alan Jay Rom/chelmsford@wickdlocal.comChelmsford

Posted Oct 17, 2013 @ 04:20 PMhttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x348800083/Sewer-relief-needed-now-in-Chelmsford#ixzz2i1kuDpg7

Chelmsford —In your editorial of Thursday, Oct. 10, you purport to recognize the inequities and unfairness of the decision of the Board of Selectmen to "pass the buck" to this fall’s Town Meeting regarding providing relief to the residents forced by the town to install grinder pumps.Yet, in your editorial, you refuse to urge that Town Meeting grant us relief now by approving Warrant Article 18 and recommend instead it form a "commission" to study this issue. In taking this position, you miss three key facts.

First, one of the stated reasons given as a "mantra" by the town is that we had to have grinder pumps because of the topography of the area we live in. The fact is that there are other sections of town similarly situated to ours that have gravity feed; the truth is that the town ran out of money and was in a hurry to finish the project so the Sewer Commission, who instigated full-town sewers, could go out of existence. And the fact is most of our area does not have topography that requires grinder pumps. At the end of 1998, when 68 percent of the sewer project was complete, there were 40 pump houses for gravity feed and approximately 203 grinder pumps; in 2013, with the sewer project fully completed, there are approximately 43 pump houses and over 500 grinder pumps. The truth is that the town foisted the costs on those of us who were "sewered" at the end of the project. But for the fact we were at the tail end of the sewer project when funds were exhausted, we would have had gravity feed and not grinder pumps, as this was a cost-savings measure for the town.

Second, your call for a "commission" to study this issue brings to mind the question, "what else is there to learn that isn’t known now?" The Sewer Fairness Alliance did its own survey of grinder pump owners, how often they fail, the costs incurred, etc. and gave this information to the town manager and selectmen. The town manager did his own independent research and came up with similar numbers as to the approximate yearly costs. It is impossible to know precisely from year to year what the cost will be, but our estimates and the town manager’s are as close as any further study will provide.

Third, the main point of the manager’s recommendation against relief, either by the Board of Selectmen or Town Meeting, was the concern of the town’s liability. But, if there is liability, it will not depend on whether relief by the town will be given. If there is liability, it can and will be determined independently and cannot be escaped. Not only will liability claims be brought for health-code violations, but there is liability for treating similarly situated people differently in an arbitrary way, in violation of equal protection guarantees of the federal and state constitutions.

What the town manager did in his recommendation, what the Finance Committee did in its recommendation and what the Board of Selectmen did in its vote of Sept. 23 was to pass the buck to avoid the issue. There is a committee in the state Legislature known as the Committee on Third Reading. Any time the leadership doesn’t want a bill to be voted on, they refer it to this "committee" because that is where bills go to die. The purpose of the formation of a commission to study this issue is to achieve the same outcome. This is what you are recommending now. A commission will only further delay the relief necessary to support residents left to deal with excessive costs of failing grinder pumps.

We truly hope that Town Meeting representatives will see through this and pass Warrant Article 18.

Alan Jay Rom, on behalf of the Sewer Fairness Alliance of Chelmsford

Time to improve play in Chelmsford at Varney

By Grant Welker, gwelker@lowellsun.comUPDATED:   10/10/2013 12:44:52 PM EDT

Lowell Sunhttp://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_24279973/time-improve-play-chelmsford-at-varney#ixzz2hKz312XQ

CHELMSFORD -- A plan to renovate Varney Playground has received a boost with approval of a federal grant of about $248,000, which the town's Community Preservation Commission has already voted to match.

The combined funding total of $496,000 would cover the beginning of a major overhaul for the park complex on Freeman Lake. In all, the work could cost an estimated $1.9 million.

The town also applied for a state grant that would reimburse 60 percent of nearly $400,000 in improvements, but it was only going to get one of the two grants, town Community Development Director Evan Belansky said.

Approval of the federal grant from the National Park Service was announced at a Board of Selectmen meeting last month. Though the Community Preservation Commission voted to match the grant, final approval is still needed at Town Meeting, which could take place in a special portion of the meeting Oct. 21.

Chelmsford would pay the $496,000 upfront and then be reimbursed by the grant, which is administered by the state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.Of the town's match, half would be paid in Community Preservation Act funds and half from other general funds, Belansky said.

The first phase of construction could take place as soon as next July, Belansky said. It will include moving the basketball courts to the end of Adams Street and enlarging them to regulation size, creating handicapped access to the playground and beach, and upgrading the bathhouse, which would also make it handicapped-accessible.

Drainage improvements would also be included, but improvements to the baseball field would take place in a later stage.

Follow Grant Welker on Twitter and Tout @SunGrantWelker.

From left, Kelsey O'Hare, and Nate Baer, both 4, and Maksim Ganas, and Ava Baer, both 2, enjoy a recent sunny day at Varney Park in North Chelmsford. Plans are under way to rehab the area. View video at lowellsun.com. SUN photos/ David H. Brow

Mr. Moderator, I have a question please?

ITR: Town Moderator, please explain the rules and regulations as far as residents who are not Town Meeting Representatives being able to speak out on a warrant article during Town Meeting?

Richard DeFreitas, Town Moderator:

The charter is both specific and vague in section 2-9 Participation by Non-Town Meeting Members.

"Any resident of the town who is not an elected town meeting member may attend sessions of the town meeting but may not vote. However, subject to such rules as may be from time to time adopted, any resident may participate in proceedings."

Currently by tradition...

Residents cannot sit in the main portion of the hall reserved for Town Meeting Members (Reps).

Residents cannot participate in the Question and Answer period. The Q & A is solely for Reps to get factual information.

Residents can fully participate in the Debate Period after they state their name and address. They must follow the same rules of decorum that the Reps do as specified in the back of the Finance Committee warrant book.

Residents cannot make motions.

Residents cannot propose amendments.

Residents cannot rise to a point of Order, Information or Privilege.

Lastly... Residents cannot vote. This is the one restriction specifically addressed in the Charter, section 2-9.

Except for the right to vote, Town Meeting does have the authority to add, extend, modify or remove any or all of the current restrictions which have been in place since 1989 when Representative Town Meeting was adopted in Chelmsford. It would require a motion from a Town Meeting Member and a subsequent vote by Town Meeting.

Chelmsford will tackle sewers, fire stationBy Grant Welker, gwelker@lowellsun.comLOWELL SUNhttp://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_24304786/chelmsford-will-tackle-sewers-fire-station?source=rss

CHELMSFORD -- The Oct. 21 Town Meeting will include votes on broadening a town fund to include repair or replacement costs for grinder sewer pumps, paying $500,000 in unexpected costs for the new central fire station, and putting aside as much as $1 million for employee retirement benefits.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m., at the senior center at 75 Groton Road.

An outspoken group of residents has pushed for inclusion of so-called grinder pumps in a townwide fund for repair or replacement of the equipment. But both the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee have unanimously recommended against the question, with some officials saying burdens cannot always be shared fairly among residents.

The citizens group, called the Sewer Fairness Alliance, has said some residents have been unfairly burdened with repair or replacement costs that other residents don't have to worry about. The specialized underground pumps are used in an estimated 500 homes where topography or soil type made traditional tie-ins to the sewer system too difficult.

"We have a municipal sewer (system) in the town of Chelmsford," Pat McGahan, the group's chairwoman, told the Finance Committee last month. "We just want to be part of it. We want to be the same. We pay the same taxes ... but other than that, we're separate."

A question submitted by the Sewer Fairness Alliance asks voters to amend the Sewer Enterprise Fund to cover repair and replacement costs for grinder pumps.

The town has estimated the sewer fund would have to be increased by about $125,000, or 3 percent, a year to cover grinder-pump costs, an amount the sewer group agreed with. The group has proposed raising sewer rates for all users by an average of $10 per household.

The Attorney General's Office would need to issue final approval before the change is official.

A request for additional funds for the new fire station could also bring debate at Town Meeting.

The town awarded a $6.3 million contract last month for the station, which is $500,000 more than what the town budgeted. Rising prices for materials, and contractors submitting higher bid prices as demand for construction has increased, have caused the price hike, town officials have said.

Of the requested amount at Town Meeting, $300,000 will go toward furnishings, new traffic signals and other materials to finish the project. Another $200,000 would be used as a contingency, spent only if costs unexpectedly rise.

Selectmen and the Finance Committee have voted unanimously in favor of the request.

Another proposal that has already caused debate among town officials would set aside about $1 million for employee retirement benefits. Nearly 90 percent of those funds would come from free cash, and the reminder from Sewer Enterprise Fund free cash, with the two amounts voted on separately.

The Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee have recommended in favor of the $1 million request, but not without an unusual amount of debate. Selectman Janet Askenburg voted against recommending the larger of the two amounts, and Selectman James Lane, though he voted in favor, also expressed concern about short-term needs.

"We have a lot of needs right now," Askenburg said at a meeting in September.

Last fall, Town Meeting voted to set aside $1.2 million toward employee retirement benefits, for which only $280,000 had previously been dedicated. The town's total liability for those costs is $85 million, half of what it was a year ago thanks to reforming employee insurance and a plan to set aside $1 million a year to pay down the liability.

Follow Grant Welker on Twitter and Tout @SunGrantWelker.

Report: Unfunded liabilities digging deeper fiscal hole

By Lisa HagenStatehouse Correspondent

UPDATED:   10/18/2013 06:35:26 AM EDTLowell Sun

http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_24336590/report-unfunded-liabilities-digging-deeper-fiscal-hole?source=rss

BOSTON -- A government watchdog group says generous retirement benefits for state municipal workers has put the government in a deeper and deeper hole, with about 57 percent of $146 billion state and municipal pensions and health care still unfunded.

According to a report released by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, state and municipal pensions alone were 63 percent funded with a total liability of $98 billion.

Under previous guidelines, pensions were supposed to be fully funded by 2018. That date has been moved to 2040.

Michael Widmer, president of the business-funded think thank that monitors state finances, says that under the new schedule of payments toward the pension funds, the government's liability levels will grow before they drop.

"The way the payment schedule is going to be structured is how much the state will contribute over the next 30 years to get unfunded liability to 0," said Widmer. "The way payment works right now has unfunded liability increasing for next several years."

State and municipal retiree health-care benefits, however, are funded by less than 1 percent. Widmer explained that unlike pensions, which are pre-funded, health-care liability is handled as pay-as-you-go with no money set aside for future funding.

Widmer said government could save money by putting aside funds for retiree health care.

"If it takes longer to pay it off, then it is costing you more instead of putting money in earlier and earning interest," he said. "Basically, all of this pay-as-you go is delaying the day of reckoning."

Carolyn Ryan, a policy analyst at the foundation, said the problem has been made worse by the extension of the pension payment period, the high goals for pension fund investments, and a 2001 law that added incentive for early public-worker retirement.

Although she said Gov. Deval Patrick's 2011 pension reform takes steps in the right direction, Ryan warned that the eligibility for public pensions needs to be more limited and fairer since different state pensions can be accessed earlier depending on the job description.

Tom Moses, Lowell's chief financial officer, said the city has been implementing several changes to reduce its liability by $200 million through the state's Group Insurance Commission.

According to the 2012 Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission report, 60 percent of Lowell's pension liability of $450 million is now funded. They city also has $433 million in unfunded health-care liability.

"This year we appropriated some money to those (health care) liabilities, so we expect within the next two years to see the effect of that reduced further," he said.

Although communities have until 2040, Leominster hopes to have fully funded pensions by fiscal year 2016. Mayor Dean Mazzarella said an analysis from a private company determined the city would save between $8 million and $10 million for one year by hitting the earlier mark.

According to the 2012 retirement commission report, Leominster's pensions were almost 80 percent funded with a total pension liability of $129 million. The city also has $155 million in unfunded health-care benefits.

"It is not fashionable and it comes with sacrifices and other things to put money towards, but at same time, in good conscience, I can't push this off to other administrations," Mazzarella said.

Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong hopes to tackle fully funding pensions by 2036, a plan she said the city will handle through its operating budget. Fitchburg has 42 percent of pensions funded with a total of $194 million in pension liability, according to the 2012 PERAC report.

"We have an older population of retirees than most cities so that has been a major burden on the city," Wong said. "Moving forward we have been conservative on hiring and have negotiated with unions to lower the cost of personnel, so that will help us in the long run."

But unlike Leominster and Fitchburg, Richard Montuori, the Tewksbury town manager, said it is unlikely that the town can beat the 2040 deadline.

He said Tewksbury has $166 million in unfunded liability for health care and hopes to continue to put at least $350,000 in a trust fund that will go to funding post-employment benefits.

"We haven't made it part of our budget because we're not trying to fund the liability at the expense of the operating budget and services," Montuori said. "The budgeting and finance (for these liabilities) is something we try to address every year and hopefully we'll have the money to do it."

Wilmington Town Manager Jeff Hull is looking to a similar strategy. He said the town hopes to set aside an annual funding source for health insurance liability. It has already banked $100,000 in the fund.

"It's a tough nut to crack," Hull said. "It's not a huge burden on taxpayers at the moment, but it's one of those looming issues that is going to take some serious, consistent effort."

Chelmsford Town Meeting

to act on zoning bylaws

By Molly Loughman/mloughman@wickedlocal.comChelmsford Independent

Posted Oct 10, 2013 @ 12:20 PMhttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x980104449/Chelmsford-Town-

Meeting-to-act-on-zoning-bylaws

Chelmsford —Proposed amendments to a series of zoning bylaws are central to this month’s fall Town Meeting.Beginning Monday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Chelmsford Senior Center, Town Meeting members will decide several zoning articles, including those permitting uses of land based on mapped zones. Bylaw amendments to Home Occupations, Signs and Outdoor Lighting, Off-Street Parking and Loading, along with Community Enhancement and Investment Overlay District will be put to votes.

"The Planning Board has already recommended approval for [several of the amendments to] Town Meeting," said Community Development Director Evan Belansky.Belansky said a Planning Board hearing on the Investment Overlay District was continued but a recommendation was forthcoming.

Article 13: Home OccupationsThe Home Occupations zoning bylaw is a general update from the 1998 version, which was brought to the Zoning Board of Appeals. A couple of years ago, the ZBA brought it to the attention of the Planning Board and the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee. Because the bylaw was withdrawn at this year’s spring Town Meeting due to concerns and proposed amendments, the Planning Board has been reworking it, explained Belansky.

"The goals are to strengthen the protection of existing residential neighborhoods and provide a reasonable opportunity for home business uses. No major game changes here," he said. "I expect it to pass this time around"

The first provision is to regulate the size and number of commercial vehicles associated with home businesses, which current the bylaw does not address. Second, it would adopt a certain number of visits per day, which is no more than four. Third, it proposes regulation of hours of operation from Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It also clarifies the total maximum square footage a home occupation can have.

Article 14: Signs and Outdoor LightingThe Signs and Outdoor Lighting zoning bylaw is a general update, recommended in the town’s 2010 master plan. The bylaw adopts a series of new definitions to clarify existing language. The goals are to protect residential neighborhoods and offer temporary sign opportunities for businesses, according to Belansky.

The first provision states all LED and electronic message boards would be prohibited from residential zoning districts. It would also prohibit all internal illuminated signs within residential zoning districts. The bylaw would prohibit LED and neon lights town-wide, with the exception of window signs. It also adopts specific regulations for Center Village signs in the public district. Lastly, it takes on a new provision to allow temporary signs on private property and public property within defined conditions, relating to duration, size and frequency.

Under Outdoor Lighting, the bylaw expands existing regulation to cover architectural lighting on roofs and buildings. It proposes to adopt a new provision in which architectural lighting cannot be colored, instead only white spectrum.

Article 15: Off-Street Parking and LoadingA general update as recommended by the master plan, the Off-Street Parking and Loading zoning bylaw involves codifying existing Planning Board procedures, practices and policies as they relate to the parking bylaw, explained Belansky. The codifications deal primarily with provisions on how the board approaches reductions in parking spaces.

"The board routinely approves reduction in parking spaces. And over the last couple of years, they’ve been more specific with their reasons, so this was viewed as an opportunity… to kind of take unwritten rules and create formal written rules as to how they conduct business," said Belanksy.

Article 16: Enhancement and Investment Overlay District"This is also an outgrowth, the primary, major, most significant outgrowth of the 2010 master plan, which emphasized the need for the town to increase and maximize its values of commercial and industrial tax base without rezoning or creating new commercial or industrial zoning districts," said Belansky.

To do this, recommendations for prioritizing and encouraging redevelopment of older commercial and industrial properties were put in focus. The Enhancement and Investment Overlay District zoning bylaw effectuates the planning goals about the incentive-based zoning overlay, according to Belansky. This means the underlying zoning remains unchanged for commercial/industrial uses, but adds property rights. Within commercial zoning districts, the bylaw enables residential redevelopment opportunities.

"The incentive the bylaw provides to encourage redevelopment would be a flexibility as it pertains to parking and landscape requirements. Flexibility for dimensional requirements and expediting and consolidating permitting," said Belanksy, adding the updates all lead to less risk from a developer’s perspective. "At the big picture, all the flexibility mirrors the existing flexibility in the current bylaw."

In return, Belanksky said, the Planning Board would require higher quality development and architecture, along with more compatibility and consistency with existing neighborhoods.

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ITR Tidbit for the dayITR Facebook :10/08/13

ITR: Any word on a construction start date on the new shopping area on Boston Road??

Paul Cohen (Town Manager): The developer was before the Board of Appeals last week for the approval of a sign along Boston Road and for a reduction to the size of the fitness area at the former Marshall’s site. I do not have an estimated date for the start of construction.

Evan Belansky (Community Development Director): Site activity, starting with demolition, should begin within the 30 days.

In North Chelmsford, talk of revitalizing Vinal Square

By Molly Loughman/mloughman@wickedlocal.comChelmsford Independent

Posted Oct 10, 2013 @ 03:05 PMChelmsford Independent

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x980104457/In-North-Chelmsford-talk-of-revitalizing-Vinal-Square?zc_p=0

Chelmsford —About 60 residents gathered at last Thursday’s public input session about the future of North Chelmsford’s Vinal Square.

Kicking off the two-hour discussion Oct. 3, at the Chelmsford Community Center was Vinal Square Strategic Action Plan (VSSAP) Committee Chairman Bill Gilet, who detailed committee objectives, project details, the study area, feedback and initial ideas. After, Jay J. Donovan, assistant director of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) helped residents identify and prioritize strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the area.

"Our task is to look at economic development, land use/zoning, traffic, open space, recreation, landscaping and historical preservation," said Gilet, after introducing the committee’s seven members and three associates, including residents, Town Meeting members and other local officials. "And we really we want to build on some of the good things that happened."

Following the creation of a Master Plan Committee for Center Village in 2010, residents expressed interest in devoting a study committee for Vinal Square to implement initiatives and recommendations. Since the VSSAP Committee’s formation last January and first meeting in March, members have met monthly to carve out a study area and interview stakeholders, including town officials and committees.

In addition to the residential input session for Vinal Square, a program for businesses will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7. The committee will compose recommendations to town government by the end of the year, including land use/zoning, traffic/circulation, open space, recreation and historic preservation.

Obtaining additional project funds, developing a plan, working with the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and NMCOG for available funds are goals in fiscal year 2014. “We want to talk about strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, but we want to hear from you… We need to balance that… because some people want change, some don’t," said Gilet, adding the town could acquire grant funding to provide low- and zero-interest loans to aid property owners in financing improvements.

Suggested short-term solutions (one to two years) for Vinal Square are park benches, landscape buckets with flowers, planting trees and rezoning. Brick walkways, lanterns, parking and overall improved traffic design through MassDOT were noted as midterm goals, spanning two to 10 years. Long-term goals are to be determined.

Word from the people

Donovan outlined Vinal Square’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, including land use, housing, economic development, historical/natural and cultural resources, open space/recreation and transportation. Some in the neighborhood, however, see no need for change. "Why do we have to do anything at all? I think it’s fine as it is… I don’t understand why it can’t just be left alone, why everything has to be developed, overdeveloped," asked Middlesex Street resident Eileen Hennessy.

Strengths noted were Vinal Square’s trees, lake, river, old homes and neighborhood feel, a senior center, an under-built center, convenient location, MacKay Library, gardens, parks, water department, open space, fire station, the largest intact mill community in the state, affordable homes, local businesses and a low crime rate.

Vinal Square weaknesses mentioned were its lack of parking, community/business partnerships, snow removal, water drainage, landscaping, nightlife, and poorly lit streets. Deemed as an unfriendly area for pedestrians and bicyclists, neighbors felt it was also blighted with vacant and rundown buildings, limited commercial business, inconsistent signage, an unattractive and unclean lake, Varney Playground concerns and state-controlled roads.

Opportunities cited were beautifying the square, garden club projects, increased civic activity, traffic control, becoming a historic district, branding Vinal Square, purposeful business planning, marketing businesses, installing comprehensive signs, adding parking, filling vacancies with new businesses, cleaning the lake and revamping historic infrastructure.

"The building we’re sitting in right now is a perfect example of what an opportunity is. This building was revamped and rebuilt and made to look like it fits into the old mill town area and here we are using it for this purpose here," said Newfield Street resident Chris Clarke. "This is what can happened to Vinal Square if improvements are made."

Rushing the process, state regulations, finances, Rourke Bridge, traffic, overbuilding, regulations, lack of identity, commuter rail and not doing anything at all, were all noted threats.The residential input, along with the upcoming business input, will be used by the VSSAP Committee to further understand the neighborhood.

"I thought it went great, the turnout was super, participation by residents was great… I think it will be helpful for the overall plan as it gets developed," said Donovan. "Partnerships between the cultural interests and the businesses are very important."

Wicked Local Staff Photo/Molly LoughmanAbout 60 residents attended a forum on plans to revitalize Vinal Square in North Chelmsford.

CHELMSFORD OPEN SPACE STEWARD: Flag raised at Old Mill

By Joanne Stanway/chelmsford@wickedlocal.comPosted Oct 11, 2013 @ 11:19 AM

Chelmsford Independenthttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x980104557/CHELMSFORD-OPEN-SPACE-STEWARD-Flag-raised-at-Old-Mill

Chelmsford —While I was off enjoying Parentʼs Weekend with my daughter at UMass Amherst, my husband Phil Stanway was doing some interesting things here with the Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship, not to mention studying like a fiend for his own UMass Lowell computer programming course (which he is acing!)

On Saturday, COSS worked with Boy Scout Troop 70 to raise a special flag on the freshly painted flagpole on the Old Mill property. I have mentioned it in previous columns, but the flag had been donated by an Air Force serviceman, who carried it on rescue missions around the world. Heʼs from Chelmsford and wanted us to have it. It was a great ceremony from what I was told, with Chelmsford TeleMedia on hand to record it and Selectman George Dixon to explain the origin of the flag and lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Scouts did a wonderful job, and the servicemanʼs mother was on hand to receive a nice bouquet of flowers. Steward Greg Piper, also heavily involved with Troop 70, brought another very special flag so he could share its story. The flag he brought to the ceremony had belonged to his father-in-law, Major Harry Eugene Bungard, U.S. Air Force (Retired), who passed away last week. Major Bungardʼs flag had flown over his base camp at Okinawa, Japan and was given to him upon completion of his tour that included classified missions. Pretty amazing, brave, historic stuff.

Later in the day, Phil joined Steward Jeff Apostalakes to groom Heart Pond beach and tidy up the playground area. I understand that the view across the pond, as the leaves turn color, is just extraordinary.Coming up this weekend is star gazing on Friday, Oct. 11 (rain date is Saturday, Oct. 12) with the Land Conservation Trust. Learn a little at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts (Old Town Hall) at 7 p.m., then hang out Bartlett Park behind the library with the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club and the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston. Bring a pair of binoculars and a flashlight.

Saturday, Oct. 12, COSS is working with the McCarthy PTO to clean up the outside courtyard starting at 9 a.m. We will bring the tools, but could use some parents and other volunteers to help get the work done. The courtyard is across from the tennis courts, so please join us.

Also during the day on Saturday, Eagle Scout candidate Stephen Kender is starting to build the irrigation system at the plant nursery at Sunny Meadow Farm. It could be interesting to see what he has in mind, and I know the gardeners are anxious to have a watering system in place to save hours of time. If any Eagle Scout candidate wants to design a system for keeping the weeds down there, weʼre all ears.

Then on Monday, Oct. 14, Steward Jim Tribou and his grandson Chris Tribou from Billerica are going to help oversee the move of several selected trees from Chrisʼ tree nursery at Sunny Meadow Farm to Harrington Elementary School. The trees are in fine shape since Chris planted them and ready to serve their purpose over at the school. We welcome anyone who wants to help at either end of the move – digging up or planting. We have some business partners involved, and it should be an interesting effort that starts at 9 a.m.

I mentioned that our annual Pumpkin Armada is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26 starting at 5 p.m. at Heart Pond. Most people already know the drill – bring a carved pumpkin that is 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Weʼll add a candle and nail it to a float – then launch it into the pond. Itʼs really fun to see hundreds of jack-o-lanterns out on the water after the sun sets. Well, this year, the CHS National Honor Society is going to help us remove the jack-o-lanterns from the pond early on Sunday, Oct. 27 and bring them over to the Paul Center, 39 Concord Road, for their Haunt for a Cure event that includes a haunted trail. Their event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5 ($3 for the haunted trail) with a $20 cap per family. All proceeds benefit the Paul Center and Autism Speaks. What I love about this is that the community brings carved pumpkins to the COSS Pumpkin Armada, then they help decorate the Haunt for a Cure, then we can hurl them through the air so they smash in the field for our Air Pumpkin event on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A lot of recycling going on.

Joanne Stanway contributes the Open Space Steward to the Independent.

Flag Rasing at Old Mill

To the Chelmsford Open Space Stewards,I would like to contribute an American flag to put on the pole at the Old Mill or anywhere else you feel is necessary. I’m currently in the Air Force and stationed in Nevada as part of a combat rescue unit. The flag I’d like to donate has been with me on countless rescue missions around the world. Just as you guys are trying to save a beautiful piece of our town, I see it fit to raise a flag that has saved the lives of Americans. Thanks for the hard work you guys are doing for the town!” - Kevin Holland

PTO, COSS, BOS AND LOCAL CONTRACTOR KEN DEWS REHAB McCARTHY PARKCost to town zero dollars

CHELMSFORD OPEN SPACE STEWARD: McCarthy courtyard cleanup

By Joanne Stanway/chelmsford@wickedlocal.comChelmsford Independent

Posted Oct 17, 2013 @ 01:14 PM http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x348800135/CHELMSFORD-OPEN-SPACE-STEWARD-McCarthy-courtyard-cleanup

Chelmsford —It was a productive long weekend around town with the Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship and partners getting some great projects done.

The biggest accomplishment was cleaning up the courtyard at McCarthy Middle School with members of the PTO and Board of Selectmen.

The Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship was asked to bring over a power washer and a rototiller, which turned out to be helpful, but insufficient for the job at hand. Fortunately, Steward Ken Dews came to our rescue, bringing over his backhoe tractor to move around a big pile of Roma Pack (a ground concrete mixture used under highways). Thanks to Ken for donating use of his equipment and about eight hours of his time on site, plus additional time to haul away the old material. The job also included use of his pneumatic tamper to pound the Roma Pack firmly around the courtyard base. The crew, including Cathy and Mark Poisson, Dennis Hebert, Doug Bruce, Moira and Bill Malavich, Dafna Erickson, Robert Mattson, Selectman Pat Wojtas, Lead Steward Phil Stanway and Jerry the Open Space Dog power-washed the brick patio (engraved with names of supporters) and shoveled and raked the Roma Pack into place. It was an exhausting, yet fulfilling project. Cost to the town: $0.

The Harrington Elementary School tree move has unfortunately been postponed because there was some concern about the future height of the trees and proximity to the school building. The town facilities department needs to review the project and evaluate the trees we have in our tree nursery at Sunny Meadow Farm again before we can proceed. The project will be revisited in the spring. If we are able to move forward, the value of the donated trees will be about $5,000.

On Sunday, Steward Barbara Apostalakes, Phil, Jerry and I cleaned out our shared community garden plot. It was a tangled mess of weeds and we were afraid abutting gardeners were going to tar and feather us. We had a good season in the garden that produced some tasty tomatoes, squash, peppers and other vegetables. I think I enjoyed growing onions the best and will certainly do so again next season. It took two solid hours, but gave Barbara and I a chance to catch up and to look ahead to our upcoming COSS fall events.The community tool shed, constructed several years ago by Eagle Scout Christian Booth, got a good power- washing on Sunday. Now it looks brand new again.

The irrigation system installation is underway at the Sunny Meadow plant nursery by Eagle Scout candidate Stephen Kender (who, by the way, was awarded with a Sadie Award for his efforts). Special thanks to Selectman George Dixon and the North Chelmsford Water Department for providing us with not two, but four 250-gallon water tanks!

Our friends at the Chelmsford Garden Club planted 412 daffodil bulbs at the town offices, the Community Center in North Chelmsford and in the memorial garden at Heart Pond. And, our corporate partner, KRONOS, did some yard work outside of the administrative building at the Paul Center around the area where we donated and planted peonies and Asian lilies. Beautification projects by volunteers make a huge difference in our community.

The kiosk at the Janet Road entrance to Thanksgiving Forest was smashed, and the kiosk at the Gary Road entrance to the site, previously reported as being damaged during some utility work, is now missing (although it’s possible it was removed for repair). If you like to walk Crooked Spring Reservation, we have had numerous reports of dirt bikes along the trails, so please be careful. We have alerted Town Hall and police.

Our annual Pumpkin Armada will take place at Heart Pond on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. Please bring a carved 6-by-8-inch jack-o-lantern to float on the pond at sundown. We’ll provide the candle and the float, as well as some scary music and treats. Girl Scout Troop 66322 will once again host a bake sale, complete with pizza slices and beverages, so come hungry! Jack-o-lanterns fished out of the pond the following day will be donated to the Haunt for a Cure event at the Paul Center hosted by the CHS National Honor Society, so plan to make it a weekend of pre-Halloween fun!

Joanne Stanway contributes the Open Space Steward.

The Sadie Appreciations Award

When a problem emerged one young man stood forward. The Chelmsford Community Garden needed an irrigation system for their new perennial garden. A boy scout from troop 77 came forward diagnosing the problem and to build a working gravity irrigation system for the perennial garden. In the summer heat, with ruler, book, paper and pen in hand he silently walks the field making his calculations. In acknowledgement and appreciation the Sadie Award Counsel recognizes and approves the nomination, of this young Scout for devoting his time and work. We thank him for his act of kindness and for being a remarkable person that he is.

Sadie Awards are given only with the approval of the Sadie Counsel.

Awarded to: Steven Kender Date: Sept 9, 2013Approved By: Sadie

On behalf of the Sadie Award we thank the Boy’s Scout of Troop 77 for all the work they have done in the town of Chelmsford, Ma and a special thank you to Saint Mary’s parish for sponsoring Troop 77 since 1964.

The Sadie Recognitions Award This award is presented to all members of troop 77.

Mr. Baden-Powell was not thinking just of being prepared for an accident. He wanted every Scout to prepare himself to become a useful citizen and to give happiness to other people. He wanted each Scout to be prepared to work for all the good things that life has to offer and to face with a strong heart for whatever may lay ahead. Be prepared for life - to live happily and without regret, knowing that you have done your best. We recognize and thank you all within troop 77 for your community work you have done in the town of Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

Awarded to: Chelmsford Troop 77. Date: Sept 11, 2013

Mr. Sousa accepts Troop 77 Sadie Awards

Farmer Market Managers gets Sadie Awards

Fran McDougall, Sadie, & Kathy O'Brien

Let us know!If you know a person or a

volunteer group that needs a little "Sheltie recognition"

contact Sadie at Sadie@SadieAwards.com

http://www.sadieawards.com/gallery

All, Affordable housing Chapter 40B comprehensive permit application filed for 120 rental units at 276 Mill Road.

ZBA hearing for Mill Rd opens on Nov. 7.

Note it in your calendars.Please pass the word along and attend.

Thanks,Jeff

Date:November 7Time:7:00 PMLocation:Room 204Address:50 Billerica RoadChelmsford, MA 01824

Jeff ApostolakesTown Meeting Representative Precinct 9

Chelmsford Schools Now Have "Bulletproof" Wireless Network

In a recent announcement, Chelmsford's Public Schools and a New Hampshire company began a partnership both say will facilitate technological learning as well as wireless access.

Posted by Andrew Sylvia (Editor) , October 09, 2013 at 10:43 AMChelmsford Patchhttp://chelmsford.patch.com/groups/schools/p/chelmsford-schools-now-have-bulletproof-wireless-network

In an announcement last week, the Chelmsford Public School District began a partnership with Enterasys Networks to help Chelmsford’s schools with technological learning initiatives while improving the district’s connectivity capabilities.

The Salem, NH company, owned by Siemens Enterprise Communications, believes their solutions will help those who use portable devices such as iPads get online with much more ease than their previous Cisco systems.

“(The) Chelmsford Public School District is a trailblazer in online testing and is taking the necessary steps in order to be prepared,” said Bob Nilsson, Director of Solutions Marketing, Enterasys Networks. “Coupled with the proliferation of mobile applications and devices in the classroom, it was imperative that they had a stable network to support these key technology initiatives. With less time being spent managing the network, their small IT team is able to focus on other priorities.”

According to the Chelmsford Public School District’s head of Technology and Information Services, Anne-Marie Fiore, the district’s wireless network is now “bulletproof.”

“To have 1,000 students connecting to the network with their own personal devices with no technical support issues is significant,” said Fiore. “Our staff has also embraced the new wireless network which has allowed the Chelmsford High School business department to move to an entirely digital curriculum using a combination of iPads and BYOD (bring your own device) – paving the way for our other schools to follow suit. Enterasys has been a trusting partner as Chelmsford Public School District moves into the 21st century of learning.”

More information on the partnership can be found on the Enterasys website.

Chelmsford hazing case sent to N.H. state attorney to consider charges

By Grant Welker, gwelker@lowellsun.com and Kris Pisarik kpisarik@lowellsun.comUPDATED:   10/10/2013 06:37:24 AM EDT

Lowell Sunhttp://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_24279817/chelmsford-hazing-case-sent-n-h-state-attorney?source=rss

CHELMSFORD -- An investigation into alleged hazing by three Chelmsford High School football players at a camp in New Hampshire in August is being forwarded to the Carroll County attorney.

The office of County Attorney Robin J. Gordon will review the investigation and decide whether to file charges, said police Sgt. Peter Beede in Moultonboro, N.H., where the alleged incidents took place.

Meanwhile, The Sun has learned that the three individuals, now former members of the football Lions, were not in classes at Chelmsford High for 10 days, but are back in class, as is the alleged victim.

"The investigation is done and will be forwarded to the Carroll County Office," Beede said Wednesday.

The investigation is being transferred to the County Attorney's Office because of the complexity of the case, Beede said. Few details are likely to be made public because those involved are juveniles, he said.

Gordon did not return a phone call seeking comment.

The alleged hazing took place at Camp Robindel on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire in late August while the Chelmsford High team was visiting the camp. News of an investigation was first reported about two weeks later, when Moultonboro police said they were investigating allegations of hazing at the camp.

Sources have told The Sun the alleged incident involved three perpetrators who were underclassmen and one victim, and that the hazing was sexual in nature but of a "very juvenile" nature. No injuries were reported, the sources said.

Chelmsford school officials have not offered detailed comment on the allegations or what actions it took against the alleged perpetrators. Superintendent of Schools Frank Tiano released a statement on the case last month that mentioned only "inappropriate conduct."

"As with any school-based incident involving students, we cannot share the specific allegations

or the results of the inquiry," Tiano said at the time.

Athletic Director Scott Moreau did not return a call seeking comment on Wednesday.

Head football coach Bruce Rich declined comment and referred all questions to Tiano.

Tiano said on Wednesday he wasn't able to give more information on the case, including what disciplinary action may have been taken.

But Sun sources Wednesday confirmed the alleged perpetrators were not in school for a period of 10 days, but have returned. The same sources said the victim was also back in school.

Laurie Myers, a Chelmsford parent and the founder of the victims-advocate group Community Voices, said Wednesday she doesn't agree with the school district's policy of allowing students under investigation to remain in school while criminal charges could still be filed.

"I think it sends a message to other kids, (that) we're only going to protect you to a certain

point," she said.

The Sun has filed a public-records request with the Chelmsford Public Schools to obtain records and correspondence related to the trip, the investigation and any official action taken by the district.

Follow Grant Welker on Twitter and Tout @SunGrantWelker.

Follow Kris Pisarik at kplowellsun.

N.H. police seek criminal charges in Chelmsford hazing incident

By Christopher Scott, cscott@lowellsun.com UPDATED:   10/10/2013 01:47:15 PM EDT

Lowell Sunhttp://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_24281865/n-h-police-seek-criminal-charges-chelmsford-hazing

CHELMSFORD -- Leonard Wetherbee, the police chief in Moultonboro, N.H., told The Sun Thursday that he has recommended to Carroll County Attorney Robin J. Gordon that several Chelmsford High School football players be charged criminally for an alleged hazing incident in late August at Camp Robindel, located on Moultonboro Neck on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Wetherbee declined to discuss the precise nature of the charges or the number of suspects, except to say they are all juveniles.

"This was an exhaustive investigation that involved numerous members of the Moultonboro Police

Department who traveled to Massachusetts for full days on numerous occasions," Wetherbee said.

Wetherbee also said he is confident that Gordon will uphold his recommendations for criminal charges, although the county attorney can downgrade or upgrade the charges.

In the weeks leading up to Wetherbee's decision, Chelmsford Superintendent of Schools Frank Tiano described the incident as "inappropriate conduct" and nothing more. He and School Committee members declined to respond to The Sun's requests for information, prompting the newspaper to file a Freedom of Information request.

The juvenile justice system in New Hampshire operates swiftly, said Wetherbee, the former chief of the Concord, Mass., Police Department. Wetherbee said he expects Gordon to issue charges as early as next week.

Since the story broke in early September, Chelmsford school officials have been mostly mum. The most Tiano said publicly was published in The Sun on Sept. 11. He referred to "inappropriate conduct" and that the school has begun an "extensive investigation."

"As with any school-based incident involving students, we cannot share the specific allegations or the results

of the inquiry," Tiano added at that time. "As reported, there is an ongoing police investigation headed by the

Moultonboro, N.H., Police Department. We are assisting them in their efforts as requested."

Tiano is currently traveling in Finland on an educational trip and was unavailable for comment.

Assistant Superintendent Kristan Rodriguez said: "We haven't heard anything official, so we have nothing to

offer."

In his interview with The Sun, Wetherbee said he does not believe Chelmsford officials have been given a copy of the report he gave Gordon.

Asked if he thought the football camp had proper adult supervision, Wetherbee declined to answer, saying: "That is a

question best asked of Chelmsford school officials."

News of the Chelmsford investigation initially surfaced less than two weeks after three Somerville High School soccer players were charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of another student at a soccer camp in western Massachusetts.

Meanwhile, The Sun reported Thursday that three students, now former members of the football team, were not in classes at Chelmsford High for 10 days, but are now back in class, as is the alleged victim.

Sources have told The Sun the alleged incident involved three perpetrators who were underclassmen and one victim, and that the hazing was sexual, but of a "very juvenile" nature. No injuries were reported, the sources said.

Chelmsford goes 'Behind Closed Doors' of teen drug abuse

By Molly Loughman/mloughman@wickedlocal.comChelmsford

Posted Oct 18, 2013 @ 09:00 AM Chelmsford Independent

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x348800091/Chelmsford-goes-Behind-Closed-Doors-of-teen-drug-abuse#ixzz2i6vQT5vh

Chelmsford —Like many American communities, Chelmsford strives to raise awareness to prevent substance abuse, especially among its young people.

More than 200 folks filtered into Chelmsford High School’s Performing Arts Center last Thursday night for a "Behind Closed Doors" examination of current trends in teen substance abuse."We did a great amount of advertising for this program, not just in Chelmsford, but in surrounding communities as we all know that substance abuse has no boundaries," said Chelmsford Public Health Nurse and Manager of Healthcare Services Sue Rosa.

Rosa is also a member of the Substance Use and Prevention Task Force of Greater Lowell.Before entering the PAC, attendees browsed through informational booths on substance abuse from local organizations. Blue ribbons were handed out for October, which marks National Substance Abuse Month, an observance to highlight the vital role of substance abuse prevention and to remember those who have lost their lives to alcohol and drugs. An evaluation form was also distributed for program feedback.

Under the auditorium spotlight was a staged teenager’s bedroom, created with the help of the CHS Theatre Guild. Parents took turns sifting through the seemingly normal bedroom, which was hidden with simulated narcotics, along with homemade and store-bought drug devices.

"Pay attention. And if you’re concerned, speak to school personnel, your child’s physician or a mental health clinician," said Rosa. "You may also want to look in their room to help you understand if there is reason for a change of behavior."

Council of Chelmsford Schools, Inc. sponsored the event while Healthy Chelmsford, the school and police departments, CHS Theatre Guild and the Chelmsford Coalition to Live Smart promoted it.

Eye of the expertLeading the two-hour "Behind Closed Doors" program, which explored current trends in teen substance abuse, was Traci Wojciechowski, regional director of students assistance programs for the Caron Drug Treatment Center.

"I really have no intention of making this something where every parent leaves here tonight and goes and tosses their child’s bedroom. It really is to create awareness… just to kind of be open and talk to your child," said Wojciechowski before walking parents through a 60-slide PowerPoint presentation, dotted with anecdotes from Wojciechowski’s past.

"Every person I’ve ever worked with that’s been in some kind of treatment will tell you there were a lot of red flags leading up to that," she said.

Wojciechowski said youngsters often use drugs or alcohol because of peer pressure, to reduce stress, decrease social inhibitions, a belief in invincibility, to appear more grown up, for the thrill, to rebel, or due to parental influence. She then quizzed parents on slang words used for drugs and alcohol.For those born in the later 1990s and on, mindset and behavior relies heavily on today’s rapid and profound technological advancements, said Wojciechowski. On the other hand, underage alcohol and tobacco use has decreased over the last 20 years, thanks to enhanced public education and enforcement.However, numbers are still staggering for alcohol, the most widely abused drug by teens and adults, said Wojciechowski. It is the one common factor in the three leading causes of death in teens, including drinking and driving crashes, homicide and suicide. Binge drinking, drinking games and marketed alcohol products are also of concern, explained Wojciechowski.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, cigarette use dropped 33 percent from 2000 to 2011. However, during the same time period, people's consumption of other types of tobacco products climbed 123 percent. Illicit substances have seen a notable uptick.

Various means of ingesting marijuana was discussed. According to Wojciechowski’s findings, marijuana doubles the risks of car crashes, is linked to testicular cancer, reduces IQ, can stimulate mental illnesses,

lead to respiratory problems and poor life outcomes. The film and television industries glorifying marijuana should be of concern, said Wojciechowski.

Also in the media today is MDMA/ecstasy. Wojciechowski said from 2004 to 2009 there was a 123 percent increase in emergency room visits related to the synthetic drug.

"[Molly] is marketed as ecstasy. Part of the issue is they have no idea what they’re getting," said Wojciechowski, who addressed signs of changing of behavior.

An average of 2,500 American youth between 12 and 17 are abusing a pain reliever for the fist time each day, according Wojciechowski. Methamphetamine can be manufactured quickly and cheaply. Deaths from methadone overdoses rose 390 percent between 1999 and 2004. Constriction of the pupils is a sign of a user. Inhalants are also of concern among youth, said Wojciechowski.

Wojciechowski explained the underdeveloped brain is particularly vulnerable to addiction, which happens in two to three years for adolescents. For adults, it’s five to 10 years. Wojciechowski outlined the signs/symptoms and continuum of dependency in four general stages.

"Alcohol and drugs are chemicals. They change the way the brain works. Less dopamine is released and the they’ll need to ingest more to feel the same sense of normalcy," said Wojciechowski, who suggested the car as an effective place to converse seriously with a kid because it doesn’t require eye contact.

"You really are the number one influence in your child’s life."

Visit www.caron.org for additional resources. To learn more about the programs and services Caron is able to provide to Massachusetts schools, visit www.CaronSAP.org.

WICKED LOCAL STAFF PHOTO/MOLLY LOUGHMANParents in line to browse through a mock bedroom filled with signs of substance abuse, on the stage of the CHS Performing Arts Center.

Chelmsford Audio Theater debut to be a horror

By Molly Loughman/mloughman@wickedlocal.comChelmsford

Posted Oct 18, 2013 @ 04:20 PMChelmsford Independent

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x348800139/Chelmsford-Audio-Theater-debut-to-be-a-horror?zc_p=0

Chelmsford —A performance later this month ushers in the inaugural Chelmsford Audio Theater production — a live Halloween spectacular designed to thrill the senses.

The Halloween-themed radio drama will be recorded by Chelmsford TeleMedia and performed in front of a live audience at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts Sunday, Oct. 27, at 3 p.m.

A longtime WGBH TV producer and director, Chelmsford’s Fred Barzyk has joined forces with the show’s executive producer, Scott Hickey, to orchestrate the half-hour production. The $5 per ticket proceeds will go to support the CCA.

"This will be the first time I’ve actually run a live show myself," said Hickey.

Hickey has been involved in radio production for the last 14 years. He was also a member of a regional old time radio club. During the 1930s and ‘40s, radio drama was a popular pastime, he explained.

"Halloween is a big deal for audio. I think horror stories really adapt to audio," he said. "By using your imagination, as a producer, you can scare people more than they can see on a movie screen."

Hickey helped match a local cast, and gain recorded and live sound effects and music. Over the last decade, Hickey’s released CDs of similar dramatic radio shows and has participated in national radio theater workshops.

The chosen script trio of "scary" and "mind boggling" stories are deemed potentially inappropriate for children under age 7. Hickey, who heard Barzyk was involved in last year’s reenactment of old-time radio shows during Christmas time at the CCA, requested the professional’s skills in composing the first Chelmsford Audio Theater production. To help raise funds for the CCA, Hickey has paid rights for the selected professional scripts.

"As director, I am trying to make this Halloween event more like a Charles Adams cartoon. When you see the actors, live, reading from a script and the live sound effects people trying to create sounds out of makeshift materials, it gives the impression of a group of performers having fun with the scary end of their imagination," said Barzyk, who will co-produce with Pierre deVilliers.

"We hope the live sound effects are actually going to make it funny. When they’re going to ‘eat flesh,’ the guys will really be eating a watermelon," said Barzyk.

The full show will feature 10 dancers, eight actors, a 10-person production crew, including four on sound effects and a music guru. The crew hopes to fill the CCA’s Veterans Memorial Auditorium, which can seat 200.

Tickled to death

The Internet has been a significant radio drama enabler nationwide by fueling creative juices in producing more radio dramas, added Hickey. He and other local radio theater buffs hope the upcoming event encourages local communities to embrace a New England spot to produce professionally scripted audio plays.

"The CCA is a great location because it has a great theater, the lighting, the sounds, the stage - everything’s topnotch. I know they put a lot of money into it and it certainly shows," said Hickey. "Around this area, that’s the absolute best place to do something like that."

Kicking off Sunday’s entertainment will be the brief performance of "Calling All Monsters," a dance performance by the Chelmsford Elite Dance Company, comprised of girls 10 and older.

The radio drama "Up On The Rooftops" will take the stage next, in what Hickey considers, the "scariest of the three scripts." The strange and chilling Christmas story concerns a little girl who tries to convince her father the person on the rooftop is Santa Claus. The father, suspecting something more sinister, arms himself with a gun to fend off an invasion. As one can imagine, the worst does happen. Barzyk plays the father and Chelmsford’s sixth-grader Delaney Schiefen plays the girl. Next, Chelmsford’s 9-year-old Olivia Buckley will recite a scary poem.

"All of these shows have been produced at some point in time and have been all over the radio. They’re creepy," said Hickey.

"But there’s nothing I wouldn’t let my mother listen to. "

The second story will be "The Homecoming." This frightening tale surrounds of a couple driving through a rainstorm when they encounter an old gas station. There, they find the attendant covered in blood and zombies returning to homes to bring loved ones into the next world. The wife succumbs to the monsters. The husband attempts to reconnect with his dead brother, David, but he too falls.

The third story is that of an "Egyptian Tomb," which becomes the final resting place for many of its explorers.

"The CCA has really embraced this idea. It can be kind of a tough thing to sell because a lot of people don’t really know what it is… I think people like to be scared, particularly around Halloween," said Hickey. "But with audio, you can really scare the heck out of people because you really engage their imagination, more so than probably any other art form."

For more information, visit www.chelmsfordarts.com.

PoliticallyIncorrect

With Tom Christiano

GUESTS:

ZBA member Charlie Wojtas

Community Voices Founder

Laurie Myers & Wena - Laurie's facility dog

School Committee Member Nick DeSilvio

& CHS Principal Emeritus George Simonian.

The topics we discussed on this show included: Synthetic Turf Fields, Sex Offender Registry, Bullying & the recent incident by CHS students in New Hampshire, All day kindergarten, 40Bs and the Mill Road 40B proposal, the Warrant Article for an additional $500,000 for the new Fire Station, & the Warrant Article concerning Grinder Pumps.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

CLICK HEREfor Show

GUESTS:

Angie Taranto (TM Rep)

Kathy Hunt Duffett (TM Rep)

Ellen DiPasquale (President: Sewer Fairness Alliance)

and Selectman Matt Hanson (Chairman BOS).

The topics we discussed on the show are: The Grinder Pump Sewer fairness issue (for most of the show)...the recent Chelmsford High School hazing incident in New Hampshire...and the future use of the Center Fire Station Location.

CLICK HEREfor show

with Dennis Ready and

Mary Gregoire

CLICK HERE for Show

WN Lk

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

CLICK HEREfor Show

Town Manager’s RoundtableWith your Town Manager Paul Cohen

Subject -Zoning Articles for Fall Town Meeting

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆CLICK HERE

for Show

CLICK HERE for Show

Campbell's Comedy Corner Host Bill Campbell CLICK HERE

for the laughs

Special Education and

CHIPS PreschoolCLICK HERE

for Show

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

EXTRA EXTRAS:

For Chelmsford friends and family: to join the ITR email list, write to intownreport@gmail.com. And if you would like to read all of the articles in this newsletter and more as they happen, please join the ITR Facebook page which is linked here…

CHELMSFORD’S IN-TOWN REPORT

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Coming Attractions at the CCA…Oct. 25, Nov. 22, Dec. 27 – Fourth Friday Acoustic Coffeehouse Open Mic with host Ruth Canonico. Come sing, play, or listen. 6:30 sign up, 7:00 pm performance $5.00 at the door. Refreshments available.

Nov. 1, Dec. 6– First Friday Gallery Receptions 5:30-7:30 pmhttp://www.chelmsfordarts.com/

Flatbread  Company  of  Bedford/Burlington  is  suppor7ng  the  

Chelmsford  Dog  Associa2on  for  the  month  of  November!$1.  Of  every  Seadog  Ale  purchased  during  the  month  of  November  will  benefit  the  CDA!

Raffle  7ckets  are  available  for  a  tote  bag  full  of  goodies  like  a  hat,  T-­‐shirt,  glassware,  giL  cards  and  several  other  surprises  for  $1.00/chance.  

                                                           

Visit  the  Flatbread  Company  Restaurant  213  Burlington  Rd.,  Bedford,  Ma  any  day  in  November,  between  the  hours  of  11AM-­‐9PM,  and  help  support  the  CDA  in  their  work  to  build  and  maintain  a  Public  Dog  Park  for  Chelmsford,  and  our  other  programs!    For  more  info:  please  visit  www.chelmsforddogassocia7on.org,  or  www.flatbreadcompany.com.

WALK & WAG TO SUPPORT DISABLED VETERANS!

An easy and fun way to give back to those who have given us so much! Veteran's Day Weekend

Saturday, November 9, 2013, 11am-3pmGreat Brook Farm State Park

984 Lowell Street, Carlisle, MADogs, bikes, and kids welcome! Join us for a day of fun and fresh air as we raise funds to help local disabled veterans who are in need of a service dog. We'll have refreshments, kids' activities, a silent auction, Great Brook's farm animals, and a two-mile scenic route for walkers, bikers, runners, horseback riders, dog walkers, stroller pushers, and wheelchair riders. Feeling adventurous? The park has many more trails available if you'd like to venture beyond our planned route. (Please note: The state park charges a $2 parking fee per vehicle.) You can sign up here to register, set your goal, and get your very own fundraising page to email to family and friends. Or, if you'd rather not register, you can simply show up for some fun on the day of the event, make a donation through one of our participant's pages, or make a donation to Operation Delta Dog. All donations are tax-deductible. All proceeds will benefit Operation Delta Dog, a Chelmsford-based 501(c) nonprofit with a mission to rescue shelter dogs and train them to work as service dogs for New England veterans who suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). All of the Delta Dogs are rescued from animal shelters: The dogs get the homes they need, and the veterans get the help they deserve!All registered participants will receive a Delta Dog double-walled straw cup, and the top three fundraisers will also receive a limited edition Delta Dog sweatshirt!In case of rain/snow, check the Operation Delta Dog website for updates. (We'll only cancel if it's really bad.)For more information, visit www.operationdeltadog.org.

“Chelmsford Youth Wrestling introduces our 2013-2014 Captains they are;

Connor Nunnery, Jack Stansfield, Lucas Cordio and Joe Vecchione.

Our online registration is now open atwww.chelmsfordyouthwrestling.com.

We will also be having an in person registration night on Friday Oct 18th

at the Chelmsford Police Department from 6-8pm.

Any questions please contact Missie Reynolds at paulmisreynolds@verizon.net. “

ONE BOOK CHELMSFORD

2014

It's time to make your selection for the book Chelmsford will read in 2014. Voting will be open until October 26th, 2013, and the winning book will be announced at the Volunteer Reception on October 27th. The choices are…

Vote Now >>CLICK HERE

Thank you Friends for another successful Book Sale!

The CFOL 2013 Book Sale brought in $25,885!

Sunday Hours Resume at the Main Library October 20th

Don't forget we'll be resuming Sunday hours beginning October 20th. The main library will be open on Sundays from 1:00-5:00 p.m. through May 18th.

CFOL Annual Meeting & Program on Fenway ParkThe Chelmsford Friends of the Library will hold its annual Meeting Thursday, November 7th. The meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. At the conclusion of the meeting Dan Rea, special assistant to the President/CEO of the Boston Red Sox, will talk about the history of Fenway Park and his experience chronicling it in the coffee table book, Fenway Park: 100 Years, the Official, Definitive History of Fenway Park. Talk begins at 7:15 p.m.

 Chelmsford Community Blood Drive

Monday, October 21, 2013

2:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the main library

For an appointment please call 1-800-RED CROSS (733--2767) or visit redcrossblood.org

Laugh while you can...

- Q u o t e o f t h e w e e k -

“A boy's best friend is his mother.”- Norman Bates

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