NEVER FORGETNEVER FORGET

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ITR:FACEBOOK9/8/11

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

Barb Belanger:

At All-Star Gymnasticswith my then kinder-garten daughter. Sue, the office manager either had it on her pc

or a tv can't remember. Couldn'tfathom what was going on. Never forget.

Steve Conte:

At work (then Brooks Automa-tion) A co-worker who sat rightoutside my office father died onAmerican Flight 11. Never forgetthat awful day!

Roy Earley:

I was at work, had theonly radio in work set onthe news station, everyoneelse had rock stationsplaying. Then around 8:50

the reports started coming in. Iwas like the town crier spreadingthe news of the first airplane hit-ting the tower. We all thought itwas some small, private, one pilotplane whose luck had run out. Buta little after 9 am when the secondjet hitwe all knew it was America's luckthat had run out.Then the Pentagon was hit. Thenews reports were all frantic.Reports that the Capital wasunder attack and the White Housewas evacuating. Then reports thata jet heading for the White housemight have been shot down overPennsylvania,

I remember thinking "Everythingis changing today."

Alison Ludwig:

I had just gotten my oldest onthe bus. I was on the phone withmy girlfriend while getting theother 3 ready to go to HomeDepot. I immediately went toByam and picked up my little guyand went to my parents. It justseemed so surreal and I neededmy family together. Thinking ofthat day always makes me cry -so crazy with all the rumors ofthings that were happening. I re-member thinking "America isgoing to war today". God Blessall who lost their lives or lovedones that day. I won't forget!

Elaine Kerr:

I had just dropped my kids off atschool and was at Dunkin Donuts get-ting coffee when the report of the firstplane crash was mentioned on theradio. Like Roy said, it sounded like anaccident with a small plane. Got homeand turned The Today Show on just intime to see the second plane hit duringtheir extended coverage. I was on thephone with my husband telling himabout what was going on when thePentagon was hit. Driving to schoolthat afternoon, I remember thinking"How do I explain this to my kids?"

Ameena Langford:

I had just returned to college as anadult student (at the time takingclasses at Middlesex CC in Bedford).When it all was happening, we hadno idea, I was in a class - Sociology -and we were actually discussing sui-cide bombers. In my next classsomeone mentioned somethinggoing in in NY. We still didn't reallyknow anything. Someone from ad-ministration came in and told us thatall state facilities were being shutdown and we were to evacuate. Wewere all shocked, it was now that westarted turing on radios etc...but westill didn't know much. I expected togo outside and and see fighterplanes in the sky, because they wereevacuation Middlesex CC....not ex-actly on a terrorists top 10 list, so Iassumed it was bigger than just ter-rorists. But I looked up, nothing butsun and puffy beautiful clouds. Ithink of that day every time I seeclouds like that.

Virginia Chadbourne:

I was at work too. One of my co-workersheard it on the radio and set up a TV (nor-mally used for viewing tapes of sewer pipes).When I got there and saw the screen, Ithought it was a talk-show story about amovie stunt. It was doubly horrifying to real-ize what had happened AND how desensi-tized we have become to such violentimagery. There is now an entire segment of"entertainment" that I no longer find at all interesting.

Nick DeSilvio:

Never forgot that morning, after finding out whathappened tried calling my brother to see if he wassafe(all the phone lines were tied up). His numberone client was Cantor Fitzgerald, he lived in thosebuilds, his office was 50 yards from the southtower. I didn't know but Thank God that was hisson's first day of pre-school so he took him toschool and was going in late when the planes hit.

Lori McDonald:

Watching the Today show in my liv-ing room here. My Dad called to askif I had the news on. While we wereon the phone, both watching Today,we saw the 2nd plane hit. I worriedfor my kids, all in school in town,after that moment, more than I everdid before.

Maria Karafelis:

For so many 9/11 will be remembered asthe most horific day in our history. Ourlives have never been the same since. Wewill always be looking over our shouldersand waiting for another attempt on ourfreedom, that will never change. I wouldlike to express my sincere condolences toall of the victims and their families forthere losses that day and for all those whohave lost their lives defending our free-doms that we have today. God bless you alland God bless America the land that I love.

Jim Kender:

Left Boston Logan on anAmerican Airlines flight at8:40am that morning, flewover New York. Our planewas safe thank goodness.Still have my boardingpass in my wallet.

Andrew R. Weiner:

Marcia and I had just moved intoChelmsford 2 months prior. I was in-between jobs and that day i was lay-ing down tile in our mud room andalso training our new puppy gizmo. Iheard of the first crash and felt bad.Suspision and anger followed as thesecond one hit and the pentagon gothit as well as shanksville pa.

Donna Parlee:

I had just left Westford Pediatrics, dropped off aprescription at "Brooks" now Rite-Aid. Walked inthe Market Basket plaza Dunkin Donuts to try andmake my little guy (now 22) feel better with acoolatta and some munchkins. Watched in horroras plane #2 hit the second tower. Turned aroundand left. What do you say to a 12 year old, wheredo you even begin when you don't know the an-swers yourself. I also remember small bi-planesflying VERY low over the farm later that day. Theywere under the radar because all air traffic hadstopped. It really was scary... I also tried for daysto get through to our NYC fresh air child, Kevinwho lives in downtown Manhattan. Everyone wasfine in his family.

Stefani Bush:

I was sitting in my car at the UMass Lowellparking lot drinking my Vanilla Chai fromDunkin Donuts. I was getting ready to head intomy Hate Crimes class but wanted to finish lis-tening to Tool's song, "Sober" and HowardStern interrupted it. I remember thinking, atfirst, "What the heck....he just interrupted oneof my favorite songs!" and then.....as his wordswandered into my ears...I realized that this in-terruption was little in comparison to what wasgoing on elsewhere. My initial thought went tomy husband (we had only been married for amonth at that time) who was 10 stories uphanging off a building in Andover. I called himto make sure he was okay. I went into class andit was decided that they were going to sendeveryone home - I made it home and went up tomy parents bedroom - where my dad, (who hadpneumonia at the time), my mother and Iwatched in absolute horror as the first towerfell....and then the second.....it's a day I willnever ever forget.

Laurie Myers:

My daughter and I were playing with our new puppy inthe yard when my neighbor came over to tell us that"some idiot" crashed a plane into the World TradeTower. I went into the house and turned on the tv, just intime to see the second plane hit. I will never forget thetone of the reporters voice when he said "this is an at-tack". It was surreal. I went into panic mode, called theWestlands and Parker wondering I should pick my othertwo kids up, I decided to let them stay in school. I oftenrelive the conversation I had with my then 5 year oldson when I picked him up from kindergarten that day.Me: Do you know how there are bad guys in the world.Roarke: Yes. Me: Well, today they flew two planes intothe World Trade Tower in New York, and caused a hugefire, it's pretty bad. I'm telling you because you will behearing a lot about it. Roarke: Are they coming toChelmsford? Me: I hope not. We were all glued to the tvfor days after. It was a life changing day for all of us. Be-fore 9/11/2001, I was a naive American who took my, thesafety of my children and family for granted. Post 9/11/2001, not so much.

Chuck Crannel:

l I was working in the lab at my start-up whenI heard a report some plane hitting the WorldTrade Center. We thought it might be somedumb pilot in a small plane doing a stupidstunt. The Internet was pretty frozen for localnews sites. I decided to try the LA Times sitewith it being 3hrs behind, and that's when wefirst saw the first photos of smoke billowingfrom the first tower. Somebody snarkedabout if somebody was going to fly a planeinto the other tower, when it happened a fewmoments later. We were shocked, the personmaking the comment was utterly embar-rassed. With the report of the Pentagonbeing hit, everything just came to standstill.When the towers collapsed, we were devas-tated. It was rather metaphorical - the towercollapse was symbolic our company's ulti-mate collapse (among other things). I re-member that morning as clearly as theColumbia disaster.

Paul Cohen:

I was home that morning. The television was onand I watched the breaking news that there wasan accident in New York City in which it appearedthat a plane had struck one of the twin towers. I, along with everyone else was horrified when thesecond plane flew into the second tower. We thenrealized that something sinister was happening. I then spent the new few hours watching the newscoverage of the attack at the Pentegon and theplane crash in Pennsylvania. It was a day of confusion, anger, and uncertainty as to whatwould come next.

Cori Rose:

I was in my car on I-84 heading for a meetingin Milford CT when the station I was listeningto was interrupted by the bulletin. Confirmingthe news with friends in Milford, I turnedaround and headed home in a trance-likestate, ultimately to view the video footage incomplete horror. I was glued alternately to thetv and the phone that morning as I tried toconfirm that friends at the Pentagon were ok. Jon Kurland:

I had just had a hearing in federal court. I went to theclerk's office and was advised that two planes hadflown into the WTC. They were in the process of clos-ing the court in response as I left.

CLICK HERECLICK HERE

They Call

the Wind Mariah

IRENEIRENE

A lot of wind blows through town just like an election seasonA lot of wind blows through town just like an election season

Irene on track to lash regionPrecautions urged as storm blasts up East CoastThe Lowell Sun08/27/2011Rita Savardrsavard@lowellsun.com

Time is running out for Greater Lowell residents to grab spare batteries, extra water and bread, and brace themselves forHurricane Irene, on track to blast through the area tomorrow.

Defying expectations, the storm's ferocity has diminished with wind speeds dropping to about 100 mph, but emergency-management personnel say Irene will still pack a powerful punch.

Parts of Massachusetts are expected to get slammed with 80-mph winds, according to the the National Weather Service.Here in the Merrimack Valley, forecasts are less extreme, with tropical-storm winds ranging anywhere from 30 to 45 mphand torrential rains.http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_18770607

Across Merrimack Valley, an anxious wait for the blastBy Robert Mills, rmills@lowellsun.com08/28/2011

National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Belk said rain last night was moisture being pushed ahead of the storm.

"That was associated with Irene, but it was not Irene herself," Belk said.

Irene herself will arrive this morning, with the storm's peak intensity arriving between late morning and early afternoon.

Belk said that even though the Merrimack Valley is too far inland to fear a storm surge or coastal flooding, the hurricanewill still bring sustained winds of 50 to 60 mph, with gusts of up to 80 mph.

"Irene is an incredibly large tropical cyclone with winds currently 290 miles from the center," Belk said last night. "Youdon't have to be right near the eye in order to get strong, damaging winds."http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_18775540

Irene gone but not forgottenMany still without power, as crews continue to clean up in Lowell areaBy Evan Lips, Sarah Favot and Hiroko Sato, Sun Staff08/30/2011 Chelmsford resident Marilyn Locke is one of more than 2,300 residents who have been without power since Sundaymorning and was worried about the prospect of having no electricity for several days. The Park Road resident said herhusband is elderly and hasn't been feeling well.

John Moriarty, a crew leader for National Grid, said a fallen treewith a trunk that had a diameter of 10 feet destroyed the main-linefeeder at a utility pole on Route 27. He said once the main line wasrepaired, crews would examine the entire feeder and repair anydamage before power was turned back on to that line.

He said he hoped to have the power restored yesterday and thatresidents had been asking him throughout the morning if he knewwhen the power would be back on.

"Everyone has been very patient with us and understanding," Mori-arty said. "They know we can't fool Mother Nature."http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_18786798

CLICK HERE FOR CHELMSFORD CLEAN UP VIDEO

Chelmsford residents rally to rid roads of stripesBy Monica Jimenez / Wicked Local ChelmsfordGateHouse News ServicePosted Aug 31, 2011www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford

Chelmsford —A group of Robin Hill Road and High Street residents are mobilizingto get double yellow lines removed from their roads. The lines werepainted near the end of July because of a miscommunication withinthe town Department of Public Works.

About 20 residents attended the Chelmsford selectmen’s work ses-sion Monday, Aug. 29, according to former selectman DennisReady. Earlier on Monday, High Street resident Kathy Tubridy saidthe group planned to rally a large group to attend the selectmen’snext regular meeting Monday, Sept. 12, when road lines will be dis-cussed.

“We’re hoping to get at least 40 people in there,We’re hoping to get at least 40 people in there,” Tubridy said.At a selectmen’s meeting in early August, Robin Hill Road resident Jim Pinder presented the board with a petition, signedby more than 40 people, to remove the lines from his neighborhood. Two weeks later, three High Street residents includingTubridy’s husband John appeared before the selectmen requesting the same thing.

Tubridy said about 10 residents from Robin Hill Road and High Street have been meeting Saturday mornings at one of theneighborhood homes and strategizing about how to get rid of the lines, which they believe endanger pedestrians by creating the impression of a main road.

The selectmen, who have final say, have pointed out there are two sides to every story and are postponing a decision untilthey have gathered more information. But according to Tubridy, the residents’ group has been doing its own homework.“We want to go in armed with facts, not just pure emotion,We want to go in armed with facts, not just pure emotion,” Tubridy said.

The group has surveyed homeowners and studied roads elsewhere in Chelmsford and has found people in similar situa-tions, Tubridy said. She said Clover Hill Drive residents don’t believe their small, looping road merits its double yellow lines,while Elm Street residents are unhappily anticipating the arrival of new stripes.

According to Tubridy, the group also read up on road lines criteria in other towns and states and discovered some interest-ing things. For example, although road lines rules vary from place to place, most agree on one point — double yellow linesbelong on collector roads, a category excluding Robin Hill Road or High Street.

Further, Tubridy said, by creating the impression of a main road, double yellow lines could bring down the value of thehouses in a given neighborhood. The group is still consulting realtors to determine precise amounts, but Tubridy said it’salso common sense.

“If you had a choice to buy a house on a road with double yellow lines or a road without them, youIf you had a choice to buy a house on a road with double yellow lines or a road without them, you

wouldn’t choose the one near the lines,wouldn’t choose the one near the lines,” Tubridy said.

Town Manager Paul Cohen has said removing the lines without further study would be costly and ill-advised and has rec-ommended reviewing the town’s policy on road lines.

As they stand, Cohen said Monday, the DPW maintains a list of roads to be striped, according to the national standardsbook “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.” Once a year, the list is provided to the supervisor of a private contrac-tor’s nighttime road marking team.

Asked how the town’s approach to road lines could be improved, Cohen answered simply:“By a formal policy determining which roads should be striped and from that policy an approved list of striped roads.”

But setting policy doesn’t fix everything, Tubridy suggested, pointing to one rule that has not helped on her road.“Ten years ago, when my children were little, the police sat at the end of our driveway to Ten years ago, when my children were little, the police sat at the end of our driveway to

catch speeders,catch speeders,” said Tubridy. “Speeding has always been an issue.Speeding has always been an issue.”

Removing the lines now is the best option, Tubridy insisted.

“This is about the safety and character of the neighborhood,This is about the safety and character of the neighborhood,” Tubridy said. “They took away our walkingThey took away our walking

space. It’s almost not a road for pedestrians anymore.space. It’s almost not a road for pedestrians anymore.”

Copyright 2011 Chelmsford Independent. Some rights reserved

Eyesore comes down, and cheers go upEyesore comes down, and cheers go upLong-polluted Chelmsford factory site to be cleaned

By Joyce Tsai, jtsai@lowellsun.com09/02/2011

www.lowellsun.com

CHELMSFORD -- Standing by small mountains of broken concrete, rusted pipe and other debris in a barren lot, federal, state and townofficials found reason to celebrate yesterday.

After years of neglect and decay, the former Silicon Transistor factory at 27 KatrinaRoad was ripped down last month, an important milestone in the long-anticipatedcleanup of one of the state's most contaminated sites.

Officials hailed the interagency collaboration that helped the town finally make it happen.

They also celebrated the additional funding of $600,000 that has been granted by fed-eral and state agencies over the past year, as a result of the Patrick administration'sBrownfield Support Team Initiative, which has helped to fast-track cleanup of the site.

Much of the additional funding will go to reimburse for the building's demolition andcleanup. The Environmental Protection Agency contributed $218,245 for the site as-sessment, and then kicked in another $200,000 for the project. In addition, MassDe-velopment, which administers the Brownfield Redevelopment Fund, provided a$152,835 grant to help with the building's cleanup. MassDEP also invested $257,000to help pay for the environmental testing of the ground underneath.

The designation as a priority project means up to $2 million in Brownfields funds are available for the project.

The final stage of the demolition, which began last month, will be completed next week. That will pave the way for the next step ofcleanup: a full site assessment and testing of a contamination plume that runs underground at the site, which should start Sept. 12 andfurther boost the site's cleanup and future redevelopment.

State officials said the site's designation this year as one of six state-prioritized Brownfields Support Team Initiative Sites, a program thatwas launched by Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, helped the town to obtain the necessary funding and collaborative spirit to advance the pro-ject's cleanup.

They also commended the town leadership and vision in finding ways to collaborate with the state to clean up the site and recognize itsredevelopment potential.

"As a municipal leader, it's always easier to do nothing and blame everybody in the past, but the true leaders areAs a municipal leader, it's always easier to do nothing and blame everybody in the past, but the true leaders are

the ones that stand up and have a vision and stick it out,the ones that stand up and have a vision and stick it out," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard Sullivan,commending Town Manager Paul Cohen for his efforts.

"We all need to be rowing the boat in the same direction, and this is a perfect example of everyone getting onto theWe all need to be rowing the boat in the same direction, and this is a perfect example of everyone getting onto the

same page,same page," he said.

The demolition of the building was important not only to the environmental cleanup of the area, but because the building was long con-sidered a public-safety hazard. Five years ago, the building had squatters inside of it, and it was contaminated with mold and asbestos,Cohen said. Its presence also prevented the town from assessing the extent of contamination underneath.In 2006, the town took over the property, which was valued at $1.74 million, for nonpayment of $174,000 in back taxes. At that time, thatseemed like a risky proposition, since so much cleanup was needed for the site. The land is contaminated with chlorinated volatile or-ganic compounds, left behind by Silicon Transistor, a high-tech manufacturer.

Since Silicon Transistor left, the site was used by tenants mostly as storage for items including tires and motorcycles. And as of 2007, itonly had one tenant, Drum Hill Cycle-Northeast Cycle Salvage, based in Tewksbury. The DEP also had concerns over air quality forthose using the building.

Sullivan said the demolition has brought him "a tremendous sigh of relief.a tremendous sigh of relief."

"We will aggressively work with MassDevelopment and other partners to bring this site back on the tax rolls for theWe will aggressively work with MassDevelopment and other partners to bring this site back on the tax rolls for the

town of Chelmsford.”town of Chelmsford.”, he said. "More importantly than that, to provide jobs and economic opportunity for the town.More importantly than that, to provide jobs and economic opportunity for the town."

MassDEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell called the cleanup efforts "a true partnership" between the town, state and federal agenciesall working toward the same goal.

The site was listed as one of the most serious contamination sites since 1989, and it is in attractive location for redevelopment because itis right next to Interstate 495 and Route 3, as well as the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and the Chelmsford Mall. And though it poses no dan-ger to the public, it is also located about 2,000 feet away from a nearby drinking well.

Cohen said he hopes that, with the cleanup, the site might one day become home to an office building, helping to bring jobs to the area.

Local, state and federal officials celebrated thestart of the cleanup at 27 Katrina Road inChelmsford yesterday. The former SiliconTransistor factory is being demolished. Sun Photo/Bob Whitaker

Survey looks at Chelmsford's historical assetsSurvey looks at Chelmsford's historical assetsBy Monica Jimenez/Wicked Local staff writer

GateHouse News ServiceSep 04, 2011

www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford

Chelmsford —A comprehensive survey of Chelmsford’s public and private historical assets is set to begin after Labor Day. The survey,which will be conducted by Community Opportunities Group (COG), which will help the town qualify as a state historicaland cultural district.

The survey will cost $20,000 or less out of last year’s Community Preservation administration fund, meaning it will not re-quire a Town Meeting vote or impact this year’s budget, according to Community Preservation Commission and Historical Commission member Linda Prescott

Chelmsford’s Historical Commission keeps an inventory of buildings constructed before 1940 and the town’s nonprofitHistorical Society displays documents and artifacts dating back to Chelmsford’s earliest years. Some sites in Chelmsfordare also listed on the state and national Registers of Historic Places.

But Town Manager Paul Cohen said the upcoming survey, scheduled to finish by the end of the fall, will be more detailed.The final document or map might go online, Cohen said, where anybody can access it.

“People could go online and ask, ‘What are the significant historical properties in my neighborhood?People could go online and ask, ‘What are the significant historical properties in my neighborhood?

Which ones are in my area of town?Which ones are in my area of town?’” Cohen said. “This would be a great resource.This would be a great resource.”

Historical Commission member Fred Merriam, who put together the commission’s database of historical homes, said thereport would go beyond a simple inventory of individual properties.

“Their report will likely be used in future planning and implementing the recommendations in the MasTheir report will likely be used in future planning and implementing the recommendations in the Mas--

ter Plan, and will be more polished and have a broader perspective than our local all-volunteer Historiter Plan, and will be more polished and have a broader perspective than our local all-volunteer Histori--

cal Commission could produce,cal Commission could produce,” Merriam said.

The idea originated with Prescott, who sat on the Master Plan Committee.

“The study will provide the Town with a ‘Master Plan’ for developing and preserving historic and culThe study will provide the Town with a ‘Master Plan’ for developing and preserving historic and cul--

tural assets,tural assets,” Prescott said. “The Planning Board will use the survey to develop bylaws to help developThe Planning Board will use the survey to develop bylaws to help develop

these assets with a positive impact while protecting their history.these assets with a positive impact while protecting their history.”

Kathy Cryan-Hicks, the Chelmsford Library assistant director for community relations and programming, said the COGcould also could enhance a dialogue that is just beginning about the town’s historical and cultural character. She is coor-dinating efforts to establish North Chelmsford and Chelmsford Center as cultural districts with the Massachusetts CulturalCouncil (MCC).

“The historical component is definitely a large part of that,The historical component is definitely a large part of that,” Cryan-Hicks said.

The MCC defines a cultural district as “a specific geographical area in a city or town that has a concentration of culturalfacilities, activities, and assets,” according to their website. Such a cultural center must be easily identifiable to visitorsand residents, according to the MCC’s site, and getting one designated may involve historic property stewardship, identi-fying public resources, and preserving and reusing historic buildings.

With this fall’s survey, Chelmsford may be well on its way toward an MCC cultural district designation — and according toCryan-Hicks, residents will be invited to speak up in the process.

“The question is, what do residents feel they would like to see in town in the way of art or culture?The question is, what do residents feel they would like to see in town in the way of art or culture?”Cryan-Hicks asked.

A soon-to-be-seated Historical and Cultural Preservation Committee may help answer these questions, according toPrescott, and could make useful recommendations based on COG’s survey.

“The recommendations will help the Town plan for the future while preserving our history. It will helpThe recommendations will help the Town plan for the future while preserving our history. It will help

secure grant money.” secure grant money.”

“It will inform the Town about all of our cultural assets and help those groups find buildings suitable“It will inform the Town about all of our cultural assets and help those groups find buildings suitable

for their use,for their use,” Prescott said.

She suggested this goal is essential to the well-being of the town.

“Chelmsford is culturally very rich,Chelmsford is culturally very rich,” Prescott said. “We cannot over look the importance of culture to thisWe cannot over look the importance of culture to this

community.community.”

Copyright 2011 Chelmsford Independent. Some rights reserved

Town Manager’s Roundtabl

e

Town Manager's Round Table:

CPD & Traffic Issues - 9/1/11

Chief James Murphy, Lt. Colin Spence, Sgt. Gail Beaudoin

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HEREHERE for show

Town TalkTown Talk(New Season) with

Dennis Ready and Mary Gregoire

Guests:Town Meeting Rep, Kathy Tubridy discusses Robin Hill Road and HighStreet and the newly-painted double-yellow lines on the road.

Town Meeting Rep, Danielle B. Evans discusses the South Row Schoolplayground project

CLICK HERECLICK HEREfor show

FACEBOOK CHATTERFACEBOOK CHATTERDavid McLachlan:Last week I took a walk through OakHill in North Chelmsford. It truly is awonderful solitude. This is what willbe on two warrant articles this fall.One to make it Conservation Landand one to study the site for otheruses. Is this where we want morehousing? ball fields? or industrialdevelopment?

Peggy Dunn:No to housing, ball fields, other development........let's preserve it. It is far more valuable to us and tothe future in its present state thanany thing else that could be donewith it. Let it be!

Philip Stanway:I think we should have the study. We should open itup for residents to speak and have full public meet-ings. I would like to see proper access , plans tomaintain the site etc. Just moving it to conservationwith no plans or funding would be a diservice to thetown. Any plans or changes then would be boggeddown. Having a study does not mean it will be hous-ing but means we can talk about the options. Manypeople have spend a huge amount of time on theopen space plan and I would like to see the processcompleted.

Peggy Dunn:When the articles come to Town Meeting, residents havethe opportunty to speak for or against each article, to askquestions, make suggestions, and urge the adoption ordefeat of either one. It is the same process that takes placewith every article presented to Town Meeting. I would urgeall residents to attend Town Meeting and make their prefer-ences known.

There will be two articles at this fall’s town meeting regarding the Oak Hill property (65+acres) in North Chelmsford. A citizen petition submitted by Town Meeting Representativeand Historical Commission member George Merrill to place the land into conservationstatus and the second a BOS article is to perform a master plan study of potential uses(including conservation) of the land.

Philip Stanway:Oak hill is a complex site thatwill require many meetings anda great deal of input from peo-ple. If the second article is supported thenthat is what will happen. A single vote wasa disaster years ago over 9 th. The lessonshould be to take our time and do it right.And if you look back at the Red Wing planand the Wright plan they where dead fromthe start. I think its a knee jerk to move itto conservation and some if not all willend up in conservation.. but lets take ourtime and do this one right with a goodsolid funded plan.

David McLachlan:I disagree. To compare Oak Hillwith 9 North Road is wrong unlessyou want to develop it. Oak Hill isnot a complex site unless you wantto develop it. The two plans forWright Reservation and Red WingFarm were good plans. The WrightReservation Plan was created in the1960's and never implemented forwhatever reasons. The funds fromthe Wright Reservation Trust arestill there, $40,000+. The plan forRed Wing Farm was a good plan aswell and much of it has been imple-mented by COSS.

Philip Stanway:I still think its to early to send this to Conser-vation. Why the hurry? Why not take the timeand allow residents to bring plans and ideasforward? Time is needed to find funding forprojects. People have spent over 20 monthsworking on open space plans so we shouldallow them to complete all the plans.I knowCOSS does not have the resources to handlethe issue sat Oak Hill. Russell Mill has taken 3years to sort out and thats an ongoing dailybattle.

OAK HILL photos by David McLachlan

David McLachlan: Conservation Commission

Peggy Dunn: Precinct 1 Town Meeting Representative

Philip Stanway: Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship

New Assistant Superintendent Brings Passion for Collaboration

The new Assistant Superintendent, Kristen Rodriguez, discusses goals for the Chelmsford Public Schools.

By Michael CarneySeptember 2, 2011

www.chelmsford.patch.com

Since Dr. Kristen Rodriguez was appointed the assistant su-perintendent for the Chelmsford Public School District in July,she's hit the ground running to improve the district.

Before becoming the assistant superintendent, Rodriguezwas the curriculum director in Georgetown. Rodriguez saidshe that her new position grants her more opportunities towork with others.

“In Georgetown, the office was just me for theIn Georgetown, the office was just me for the

whole district,whole district,” said Rodriguez. “Working in ChelmsWorking in Chelms--

ford grants me more collaboration, I get to workford grants me more collaboration, I get to work

with more peoplewith more people.”

As the assistant superintendent, Rodriguez’s job comes with multiple responsibilities.

“My job is to help coordinate the professional development, train the staff, figureMy job is to help coordinate the professional development, train the staff, figure

out the materials and recourses used to teach, what data we have in the district,out the materials and recourses used to teach, what data we have in the district,

and how to improve in all areas,and how to improve in all areas,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said this year she will focus on professional development. To help in this, guest speak-ers have been enlisted to discuss possible areas of improvement.

Some of these guest speakers include Irene Fountas, a pioneer in guided reading, world renownedpsychologist Dr. Ross Greene, and Dr. Elizabeth Bowlander, an expert on bullying.

“It’s the rock stars of the education world coming to talk to us directly,It’s the rock stars of the education world coming to talk to us directly,” said Rodriguez. “It’s very exciting.It’s very exciting.”

Rodriguez said these guest speakers would be paid for by state grants. In addition, Rodriguez saidthat NEASC, an organization that accredits schools, will be stopping by Chelmsford High Schoolthis year.

Rodriguez said another goal is to use data teams to find out what works and what does not in aclassroom.

Rodriguez said Chelmsford will be collaboratingwith Salem State to aid in helping to define theirinstructual data teams. Rodriguez said that this isalso paid for by a state grant.

Rodriguez said she is glad to have the opportu-nity to work in Chelmsford.

“I’m very grateful and thankful forI’m very grateful and thankful for

Chelmsford. Since I started in July, everyChelmsford. Since I started in July, every--

one has been nothing but welcoming. I’mone has been nothing but welcoming. I’m

tremendously impressed by the profestremendously impressed by the profes--

sionalism,sionalism,” said Rodriguez. “I think theI think the

school year will be fun, I cannot wait forschool year will be fun, I cannot wait for

the kids to start.the kids to start.”

Chelmsford schools adjust as several custodians opt outBy Monica Jimenez/Wicked Local staff writer

GateHouse News ServiceSep 07, 2011

www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford

Chelmsford —Three Aramark employees have opted out of their contracts and will be replaced by three newcustodians, according to Chelmsford School Superintendent Frank Tiano.The change comes as Aramark custodians are switching to day-night shifts, Tiano said. Of thethree that reneged, one found a day job and another left for a different custodial position, hesaid.According to Tiano, the three new hires have completed their CORI and TrueScreen checksand are set to begin work Thursday, Sept. 8 or the following Friday.In the meantime, Tiano said, Aramark’s other Chelmsford custodians are working overtime tomake sure all the schools are covered.“Our schools are in great shape for the start of the school year,” Tiano said.

Copyright 2011 Chelmsford Independent. Some rights reserved

Askenburg: Thanks to Chelmsford Community for Making Schools Great

A statement from the School Committee chairwoman.A statement from the School Committee chairwoman.www.chelmsford.patch.com

Recently Money Magazine listed Chelmsford as #28 on the Best Places to Live. One ofthe statements made by the magazine is “The schools are strong”. Not only is thisrecognition a proud moment for us as a community, but the statement “The schools arestrong” is a testament to the hard work and dedication of many people.

I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone. To Dr. Tiano and his administrative team,teachers, and staff – thank you for providing an excellent education for all of our stu-dents. To the Chelmsford community, including the volunteers, Chelmsford businesses,sports organizations, CHS alumni organization, and all groups who assist our schooldistrict – thank you for your time, your donations, and your support of our students,schools and athletics. And finally – thank you to the parents and families of our stu-dents.

This is not a community of parents that simply sends its children off to school andhopes for the best. As we witness every day, Chelmsford’s families not only care abouttheir children’s education, but they are very involved as well – so thank you for the loveand support you show your children, for keeping them motivated to succeed in school,and for being their advocate to ensure that they receive the best ed-ucation possible.

Janet Askenburg

Chair, Chelmsford School Committee

Chelmsford playground Chelmsford playground on the mend after fireon the mend after fire

By Rita Savard, rsavard@lowellsun.com09/08/2011

www.lowellsun.com

CHELMSFORD --

A new playground is growing at South Row Elementary School after fire destroyed the popularchildren's play area.

Through fundraisers and hard labor from parent volunteers, South Row's schoolyard is gettinga face-lift and should be completed by 2012, said Principal Irene Hannigan.

"There's still work to do but the differences parent volunteers have made are inThere's still work to do but the differences parent volunteers have made are in--

credible,credible," said Hannigan, adding that some missing pieces of playground equipment haven'thindered students' excitement over recess.

"The area has been cleaned, has fresh mulch and new hopscotch squares,The area has been cleaned, has fresh mulch and new hopscotch squares," Han-nigan added. "Money is still being raised for completely new playground equipMoney is still being raised for completely new playground equip--

ment, but since the fire, we've come a long way.ment, but since the fire, we've come a long way."

In July, a blaze turned a slide, jungle gym and play area into a heap of twisted metal andcharred plastic. The school's PTO had already been organizing fundraisers to replace thestructures that were getting too old for use, Hannigan said.

But fundraising took a temporary back seat as the South Row community tried to grapple withthe aftermath of a fire a month before school was back in session.

The cause of the blaze is still unknown.

In recent weeks, parent volunteers, including Danielle Evans and Cathy and Mark Poisson,have toiled to restore life to the play area.

"It's a very unfortunate situation,It's a very unfortunate situation," Hannigan said. "But we used it as an opportuBut we used it as an opportu--

nity to come together as a community and to move on. With love and labor ournity to come together as a community and to move on. With love and labor our

new playground will look better than ever.new playground will look better than ever."

Notice to all Notice to all Town Meeting RepresentativesTown Meeting Representatives

ITR●8/19/11

The following is a "Preliminary" set of regulations to be discussed at the upcoming open public hearing in September sent in by Dick DeFreitas (Town Moderator). However, the Moderator is charged with coming up with the regulations to be be presented. The adoption of which will be done in consultation with the BOS and the Town Clerk after theopen hearing and prior to the actual implementation.

Dick DeFreitas is only following the mandates of the By-law, butwanted to give Town Meeting Representatives a "heads up" so thatthey come prepared for the hearing. Dick will be available to answer questions via email: rdefreitas@townofchelmsford.us

ELECTRONIC VOTING GUIDELINES...Richard E. DeFreitas, Town Moderator

ELECTRONIC ROLL CALL... Motions and Amendments require full disclosure. Names and Votes will be displayed andrecorded after the vote has been taken.

ELECTRONIC TALLY... Procedural Votes only require a tally. Names need not be displayed. Only the total count will berecorded... unless the Moderator decides the vote is crucial and requires full disclosure.

One or more large screen displays will be used to display Electronic Roll Call votes. Both Electronic Roll Call and Elec-tronic Tally results will be fed to a separate display for the Town Moderator and Town Clerk.

The Electronic Roll Call votes shown on the large screen(s) will show both the individual rep votes by precinct and thetally by precinct and the totals. The Electronic Tally will only show the totals.

System will calculate 2/3 vote requirements for both Electronic Roll Call and Electronic Tally based on the "yea" and "nay"votes. Moderator and the Clerk will verify the result.

Electronic Roll Call will require up to 30 secondsElectronic Tally will only require up to 15 seconds.Moderator will start and stop the voting process.

System will allow a quorum count at the start of Town Meeting and any time a "point of order" is raised for a quorum count.

System will allow for, and record the following...

"yea". - in favor of motion or amendment"nay" - opposed to motion or amendment"present" or "abstain" - not voting and not a part of 2/3 vote.

If no selection is made, it will be recorded as not voting.

Any challenge to the electronic vote must be made before the next article is read...

Seven (7) Reps can request a hand count.Forty (40) Reps can request a roll call vote.

If the challenge count varies from the electronic count, the physical count will prevail. The electronics results will still beposted and noted as overturned by the challenge. Both physical and electronic counts will be recorded.

The results of each vote taken will be posted on the Town's web site for all to see and will be saved in perpetuity.

Dick Dick

DeFreitasDeFreitas

Town Moderator Public HearingTown Moderator Public Hearingre: Electronic Voting 9/21 at 7PMre: Electronic Voting 9/21 at 7PM

Senior CenterSenior Center

EXTRA ExtrasEXTRA Extras

The Show of Hope Benefit Concert Show of Hope Benefit Concert aims to raise funds for and awareness about Mitochondrial Disease, a progressive and life-threatening neuro-muscular disease. Mitochondrial Disease has no proven treatments and no cure. For more about Mitochondrial Disease, see umdf.org.

September 23rd, 2011 ♪ 7-11pmLowell Memorial Auditorium ♪ Lowell, MA50 East Merrimack StreetLowell, MA 01852

A night of music, raffles, and making memories with:Liz Longley (www.lizlongley.com)Air Traffic Controller (www.airtrafficcontrollermusic.com)Stefani Bush (www.hoperisingmusic.com)

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀ The Chelmsford Senior Center is offering a Zumba Program on Thursday Afternoons from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.Socialize while getting fit! The cost is only $5.00 per session.

Shown here are: Left to right.Barbara Carroll, Carol Elder, Pat Egan, MaryAnn Ryan,Theresa Feely, and instructor Leslie Janis.

To sign up, call the Chelmsford Senior Center at 978-251-0533.

To receive a bulletin of Senior Center News, call the recep-tionist at 978-251-0533,

the fee is $7.00 for home delivery.

Chelmsford Farmers' Market VendorsBring You The BEST

Bagel AlleyBrewed AwakeningsFior D'Italia Pasta and CheeseFox Barn FarmGolden Girl GranolaGot-Thyme-to-CookIdle Hour FarmJones FarmLa Bella Dolce BakeryMonadnock Berries/Hill OrchardParlee FarmShady Pine FarmSurfing Goat SoapSweet Lydia's

Where: ChelmsfordCommon

When: Every Thursday,

July 7 - October 6, 2011

2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

The Farmer's Market Committee would alsolike to invite you tojoin the facebook group "Friends of the Chelmsford Farmers' Market"

Every Volunteer Hour Counts!! Please emailchelmsfordfarmersmarket@gmail.com to helpout

Charlie Wojtas and Tom Christiano would like to invite you to the next

"Support Our Town Coffee" "Support Our Town Coffee" at the Jones Farm Greenhouse Cafe, Acton Road, Chelmsford,

on Saturday, September 24th, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Please stop by and join us for just a few minutes --or for the full two hours -- to talk aboutwhat's happening in town and to catch up on the latest news. These Support Our Town Coffees are organized to support for our local small businessesand to informally talk with some of our town leaders and representatives.

Should you have any questions, please email Tom at: tchristiano@comcast.net

Chelmsford Historical Society Farm Fair Chelmsford Historical Society Farm Fair The Chelmsford Historical Society is holding its annual Farm Fair on Saturday, September17th from 12 noon to 4 PM at the Barrett-Byam Homestead, 40 Byam Road in Chelmsford.

Come and see what life was like in the rural farming village of Chelmsford in earlier times. The Barrett Byam Homestead Museum will be open for self-guided tours of the house, its military room and a recreated old -time general store.

Chelmsford Historical Society members will be available to answer any questions you mayhave about the antique treasures you will discover within the homestead. Outside, there will be hay rides, pony rides and demonstrations of honey and cider making, as well as spinning,weaving, and farming techniques new and old.

Children will have the opportunity to try out chores they would have been expected to do duringColonial times, including making their own apple juice! Local farm produce, penny candy forthe children, Chelmsford Historical Society books and collectibles, and refreshments for all willbe available for sale.

Musical folk group “Two Cat Folk and Friends” will entertain throughout the day.

For more information call Bernie Ready at (978)256- 6058.

Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

Free Town SponsoredBrush Drop-offSat. 10/15 from

9 AM - 1 PMat Community Tree

I pledge allegiance tothe flag of theUnited States ofAmerica;

and to the republic, forwhich it stands;

one nation,under God,

indivisible,with libertyand justicefor all.

The late comedian RedSkelton shares hisprophetic views of theAmerican pledge of allegiance to the flag,recorded over 40 yearsago in 1969, on his CBStelevision series "TheRed Skelton Show".

CLICK CLICK 

HEREHERE

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intownreport@gmail.comintownreport@gmail.com

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