IN-TOWN REPORT August 8 2010

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Officials respond to political mailingBy Chloe Gotsis/ Staff Writer

GateHouse News Servicehttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x1080709683/Political-mailing-critical-of-Chelmsford-Planning-Board

Jul 26, 2010

Chelmsford —For the first time in four months, Chelmsford residents found a lengthy political mailing from Roland Van Liew intheir mailboxes Thursday.

The latest installment of mailings sent out by Van Liew, who critics of the mailings oftenrefer to as the money behind the town’s anti-Chapter 40B group, the Slow Growth Initia-tive, calls for the ousting of Planning Board members George Zaharoolis and Sue CarterSullivan. While the mailings generally come before an election, this one comes in thedays before former selectman Philip Eliopoulos will pull a building permit for his contro-versial 15,000 sq ft two-story office building on North Road.

Thursday’s mailing, the second one bearing the name of a 1998 book by Eben Fodor,“Better not Bigger,” identifies its goal as “promoting good government, and to maintainChelmsford’s quality of life and economic health – for the residents, not for the oligarchycentered around the Eliopoulos clan.”

According to Craig Chemaly, former director of the Slow Growth Initiative, SGI changedits name to The Better Not Bigger Alliance on July 15.Chemaly is now director of The Better Not Bigger Alliance.

Eliopoulos, also a lawyer in town, is representing his fa-ther’s property management group the Epsilon Group infront of local town boards and the state Land Court. Attor-ney Peter Lawlor, also a former selectmen, has filed threelawsuits over the site in the state Land Court on behalf ofhis client Michael Sargent.

Sargent owns properties neighboring the project and hasargued with Lawlor that the project does not comply with a1978 preservation restriction. But both the Planning Boardand Historic District Commission found that the plans docomply with the preservation restriction.

While the case awaits trial in the Land Court workers are prepping the Epsilon Group land for work and bringingdown utilities into the site. According to Town Manager Paul Cohen, the Epsilon Group filed an application for abuilding permit Thursday with the Building Inspector’s office.

In his petition to remove Carter Sullivan from the Planning Board Van Liew incorrectly refers to her as chairman.The current chairman of the Planning Board is Ann McGuigan.

When asked why he specifically targeted Carter Sullivan and Zaharoolis and not McGuigan, Jim Lane andColleen Stansfield, who all voted for the permits and site plan, Van Liew said the two members dominate theboard and the other members are “ ‘yes, me too,’ votes.”

“Zaharoolis and Carter performed specific actions to quell efforts of other people trying to beZaharoolis and Carter performed specific actions to quell efforts of other people trying to be

more evenhanded in the conduct of hearings or in the final language of decisions,more evenhanded in the conduct of hearings or in the final language of decisions,” he said. “InInthe final analysis, the entire board does deserve to be recalled but as a practical matter, targetthe final analysis, the entire board does deserve to be recalled but as a practical matter, target--

ing two is more feasible and should be sufficient in the short term.ing two is more feasible and should be sufficient in the short term.”

But Carter Sullivan said that she stands by her vote to approve the site plan andspecial permit and she treats all projects fairly and in accordance with thebylaw.

“We take an oath to uphold the bylaw and sometimes that goesWe take an oath to uphold the bylaw and sometimes that goes

against popular opinion,against popular opinion,” she said. “The bylaw has specific criteriaThe bylaw has specific criteria

for site plan and special permits and we followed the bylaw. Wefor site plan and special permits and we followed the bylaw. We

can’t outright deny a project because people don’t like it. Thatcan’t outright deny a project because people don’t like it. That

wouldn’t hold up in court.wouldn’t hold up in court.”

Zaharoolis too defended his actions and said he has always voted and acted in a fair manner as a member of thePlanning Board sincde his 2006 election.

Roland Van LiewRoland Van Liew

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"I have served ethically and without personal gain on theI have served ethically and without personal gain on the

Planning Board of Chelmsford since 2006,Planning Board of Chelmsford since 2006," said Zaharoolis in ane-mail. "All my actions have been taken in the best interests ofAll my actions have been taken in the best interests of

the citizens of Chelmsford who elected me on two occasions.the citizens of Chelmsford who elected me on two occasions.

I shall continue to serve the citizens of Chelmsford as a memI shall continue to serve the citizens of Chelmsford as a mem--

ber of the Planning Board and I do not intend to allow self diber of the Planning Board and I do not intend to allow self di--

rected persons to threaten or deter me from performing therected persons to threaten or deter me from performing the

duties for which the citizens of Chelmsford elected me.duties for which the citizens of Chelmsford elected me."

The Board of Selectmen are ruling authority over the town’s preservation restriction and while they have dis-cussed the matter in executive session and are named in the lawsuit they have not yet acted on it.

Van Liew charges in the mailing that Eliopoulos “shepherded through various town boards a series ofshepherded through various town boards a series of

special permits that are so unjustified and numerous it is enough to make your head spin.special permits that are so unjustified and numerous it is enough to make your head spin.”

Carter Sullivan argued that the board took seven months to issue the Epsilon Group’s final permit.

“It took five to seven months,It took five to seven months,” she said. “Five for the first round and seven if you consider whenFive for the first round and seven if you consider when

he had his permit. There were 11 meetings where we discussed this and most were public hearhe had his permit. There were 11 meetings where we discussed this and most were public hear--

ings. How is that railroading? We never saw Roland at any of them and he never submitted anyings. How is that railroading? We never saw Roland at any of them and he never submitted any

public commentpublic comment.”

Eliopoulos said the 10-page mailing, which comes with two petitions and a synopsis of the 9 North Road project, isfilled with blatant lies and misinformation.

Van Liew alleges that Cohen has filled the town committees and boards with “unapologetic growthists.unapologetic growthists.” How-ever the Planning Board is an elected board.

Cohen calls the statement a lie.

“He talks about how I pack these committees with boards most of these were on these boardsHe talks about how I pack these committees with boards most of these were on these boards

before I even got here,before I even got here,” he said.

Van Liew claims that Eastern Bank, which is a direct abutter of Eliopoulos’ property at 9 North Rd., employeeshave said that Cohen was offered the land on 9 North Road for the town at no cost and he declined with out notify-ing the Board of Selectmen. Cohen calls the statement inaccurate.

“Where’s the evidence of that?Where’s the evidence of that?” he said. “That’s not true and I would never take the autonomy toThat’s not true and I would never take the autonomy to

make that decision on my own.make that decision on my own.”

When asked where he obtained the information about the Eastern Bank offer Van Liew wrote in an e-mail that hecould not reveal his sources or evidence.

“None of the sources of that information want to get involved in public discourse at this time beNone of the sources of that information want to get involved in public discourse at this time be--

cause that issue is almost certain to be part of a formal investigation eventually,cause that issue is almost certain to be part of a formal investigation eventually,” he said in an e-mail. “And, of course, certain town officials are always anxious to know who to target forAnd, of course, certain town officials are always anxious to know who to target for

payback, and I’m not going to provide that information.payback, and I’m not going to provide that information.”

Despite Van Liew repeatedly calling for the removal of Cohen in his mailings, the two have not spoken in years,said Cohen. Cohen recently received praising remarks from the Board of Selectmen at its last meeting for his jobperformance. Several public officials at-tacked in the mailings have criticized VanLiew for speaking his mind behind the mail-ings but not speaking in a public forum.

Cohen urges residents to remember thatthe mailings are the opinion of one personand “just because it’s written doesn’tjust because it’s written doesn’t

mean it’s true.mean it’s true.”

Copyright 2010 Chelmsford Independent. Some rights reserved

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aaggaaiinnsstt ppoo ll ii tt ii ccaa ll mmaaii ll ii nnggBy Chloe Gotsis/ Staff Writer

GateHouse News Servicehttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x1981288992/Chelmsford-town-manager-fights-back-against-political-mailing

Jul 27, 2010

Chelmsford —Cohen openly addressed allegations that he acted illegally in matters relating to 9North Rd. Cohen said at Monday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting it was in thebest interest of the town for him to provide a formal response to the mailing, titled“Bigger Not Better,” sent out last week by Chelmsford resident Roland Van Liew.

“The letter reads ‘it’s time to hold accountable officials who are corrupt, init’s time to hold accountable officials who are corrupt, in--

competent, and repeatedly commit malfeasance in defiance of our towncompetent, and repeatedly commit malfeasance in defiance of our town

charter and Master Plan,charter and Master Plan,” said Cohen in his statement. “The letter containsThe letter contains

recall affidavits against Planning Board members George Zaharoolisrecall affidavits against Planning Board members George Zaharoolis

and Susan Carter. It also raises serious charges against me as townand Susan Carter. It also raises serious charges against me as town

manager.manager.”

Cohen directly references a charge by Van Liew that Eastern Bank offered the townthe land at 9 North Road for free and he declined without notifying the Board of Se-lectmen or Community Preservation Committee.

“At no time during my communication with Tom Dunn of Eastern BankAt no time during my communication with Tom Dunn of Eastern Bank

did the bank ever offer to transfer ownership of the 9 North Road propdid the bank ever offer to transfer ownership of the 9 North Road prop--

erty to the town of Chelmsford at no cost,erty to the town of Chelmsford at no cost,” he said. “I have never receivedI have never received

any such offer from any Eastern Bank official, nor am I aware of anyany such offer from any Eastern Bank official, nor am I aware of any

such offer to the town. If such an offer were to have been presented tosuch offer to the town. If such an offer were to have been presented to

me, I would have presented it to the Board of Selectmen.me, I would have presented it to the Board of Selectmen.”

Cohen said the under the Town Charter he does not have the authority to make such a decision without consulting theBoard of Selectmen and Town Meeting.

He further stated that he never “ ‘traded favors for job security‘traded favors for job security’” at any point during deliberations of the controversialproject. Cohen also corrects Van Liew’s allegations that his contract was renewed behind closed doors in relation to theEliopoulos project.

“My current employment with the town was signed on July 27, 2009, which was almost four monthsMy current employment with the town was signed on July 27, 2009, which was almost four months

after Phil Eliopoulos completed his service as a member of the Board of Selectman and almost fourafter Phil Eliopoulos completed his service as a member of the Board of Selectman and almost four

moths after the end of any discussions with Eastern Bank regarding the 9 North Road propertymoths after the end of any discussions with Eastern Bank regarding the 9 North Road property,” he said.“Philip Eliopoulos is not a signatory to my employment agreement…Philip Eliopoulos is not a signatory to my employment agreement…”

Cohen said that in his more than three years as Town Manager he has worked with 12 selectmen, and he believes thateach one could confirm his character.

The town manager echoed the his previous fear and the worry of other officials Monday night saying that he is concernedabout the mailing and previous ones from Van Liew could have on current and prospective volunteers.

“Both Susan and George are outstanding individuals who have served the town of Chelmsford selfBoth Susan and George are outstanding individuals who have served the town of Chelmsford self--

lessly for years as volunteer members of and representatives of the Planning Board,lessly for years as volunteer members of and representatives of the Planning Board,” he said. “They doThey do

not deserve to have their reputations smeared. The danger posed to the community is that such pernot deserve to have their reputations smeared. The danger posed to the community is that such per--

sonal affronts may serve to diminish their willingness to serve the town and it may discourage othersonal affronts may serve to diminish their willingness to serve the town and it may discourage other

residents from stepping forward to provide public service.residents from stepping forward to provide public service.”

Cohen defended the town he works for and said while it is not perfect is stands at the “front of the pack.” He also stood bythe decision of the Planning Board and said they acted ethically and obtained legal counsel.

Board members applauded Cohen for defending town officials.

“I have never heard of any incident that Paul of anyoneI have never heard of any incident that Paul of anyone

else has done anything illegally or remiss,else has done anything illegally or remiss,” said SelectmanEric Dahlberg.

Selectman Jon Kurland, who added that he has been the butt of VanLiew’s criticism before, said the resident is doing a disservice to him-self and the town by the mailings.

Cohen read his prepared statement after resident George Petersonquestioned his and the Board’s handling of 9 North Rd in open ses-sion and told the Board he heard there was “skullduggery” occurringbetween its members.


PAUL COHEN

Cohen’s Response

CLICK HERECLICK HERE

http://www.viddler.com/explore/re007hq/videos/139/


Chemaly resigns from the Better Not Bigger AllianceChemaly resigns from the Better Not Bigger AllianceBy Chloe Gotsis/ Staff Writer

GateHouse News Servicehttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x272784904/Chemaly-resigns-from-the-Bigger-Not-Better-Alliance

Jul 29, 2010

Chelmsford —Craig Chemaly announced today that he is stepping down as director of the Bigger Not Better Al-liance, the organization formerly known as the Slow Growth Initiative and widely known for theircampaign against Chapter 40B.

Chemaly announced in an e-mail that with the question to repeal the state’s controversial afford-able housing law on the ballot in November he felt it was the right time to move on and “challengehimself with something new. Chemaly has been with SGI for two years and has largely been theface and spokesperson of the Chelmsford-based nonprofit organization.

But his resignation isn’t the end of his work for slow growth.

“I will still be involved with the repeal 40B movement on a volunteer basis and lookI will still be involved with the repeal 40B movement on a volunteer basis and look

forward to a strong and exciting campaign over the coming months,forward to a strong and exciting campaign over the coming months,” said Chemaly inthe email.

Chemaly said the alliance will remain continue on without him and he wishes it the best in the future.

“I enjoyed my time here, fighting for slow growth and educating those in power on the importance ofI enjoyed my time here, fighting for slow growth and educating those in power on the importance of

weaning ourselves off of our addition the ‘build at any cost mentality,weaning ourselves off of our addition the ‘build at any cost mentality,” he said.


Letter: Van Dyne calls for public debateGateHouse News Service

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/newsnow/x272785701/Letter-Van-Dyne-calls-for-public-debate

Jul 29, 2010

Chelmsford —A clown can change his big shoes put on a different nose, but he is still a clown.

Likewise Slow Growth Initiative can change its name to Better Not Bigger but it is still the Slow Growth Initiative, but with adifferent name. It is even more pronounced when the material being disseminated is indistinguishable from past distribu-tions.

It is this connection between past and present that is most disconcerting. In the July 21st, 2010 mailing from Better NotBigger the author Roland Van Liew makes the following assertion:

“Vitriolic attacks on those working to slow development are the predictable result of false statements made over an ex-tended period by Donald Van Dyne and Phil Eliopoulos, both clearly furious with those who have thrown a monkey wrenchinto their plan for self-enrichment from new construction.”

Personally I find this comment unnecessary and untrue. I challenge Mr. Van Liew to publically acknowledge how I am ex-periencing any “self-enrichment” from current new construction in Chelmsford.

Accepting the negative overtones of his statement and mailing, Mr. Van Liew has again attempted to disparage not onlyme, but many other active members in the Chelmsford community. More so, it should be noted that not all these individu-als are public officials.

Short of Mr. Van Liew presenting current evidence of my “self-enrichment” in progress, I publically demand a retractionfrom Mr. Van Liew to be printed as his response in this paper.

The citizens of Chelmsford deserve better than the untruthful allegations mired in inflammatory rhetoric that simply avoidsthe facts. Whether Roland’s belief is right or wrong his approach is not consistent with a civilized democracy.

The Town of Chelmsford would be better served if Roland and his associates would publically debate the officials they be-rate by means of Chelmsford public television i.e. Tom Chistiano’s Politically Incorrect or the Dennis Ready show. Thiswould provide an opportunity for both sides to defend their position, help enlighten us all on the facts, open the door to fur-ther productive dialogue and simply make Chelmsford a stronger and more unified Town.

Short of a commitment from Roland to act in a civil manner and debate or face the individuals he be-lieves are harming Chelmsford, all residents should dismiss his rants and seek the truth by othermeans.

In closing, please do not interpret my introduction as a derogatory illustration. I do not consider thetwo organizations analogous to a circus clown.

Donald Van Dyne


Craig Chemaly Craig Chemaly

Critics of Chelmsford project should focus on facts, not fabricationsCritics of Chelmsford project should focus on facts, not fabrications

The Lowell Sunhttp://www.lowellsun.com/letters/ci_15657928

08/02/2010

Recently many Chelmsford households have received a mass mailing from Roland Van Liew formerly operating underthe name of Slow Growth Initiative and now operating under the name of Hands on Technology Transfer, Inc. (HOTT).

That mailing is replete with misstatements of fact, malicious attacks on persons who give of their time and energy to helpmaintain and, yes, preserve the town of Chelmsford and its character.

Susan Carter is a dedicated professional whose knowledge goes far beyond the expertise she brings to the PlanningBoard.

George Zaharoolis has worked diligently and tirelessly during his tenure on the board and neither Ms. Carter nor Mr. Za-haroolis has any hidden agendas and acted ethically, efficiently, and aboveboard in their pursuit of problem-solving itemsthat come before the Planning Board. For anyone to suggest otherwise is simply ludicrous and malevolent.

Factually, the Epsilon project came before the board and, due to the preservation restriction, advice of town counsel wassought prior to any real testimony. The position of the board at the time was simple. No further hearings would be held iftown counsel rendered a legal opinion that the project could not be built as presented. Town counsel did not render anopinion stating the project could not be built therefore the public hearings moved forward. The Board of Selectmen re-ceived the same legal opinion and as such it is inane to think they are in a position to uphold a restriction that is notlegally adequate.

The diatribe mailed to Chelmsford households states the property now being developed by Epsilon LLC was originallyoffered to the town for free. That statement is patently false and is merely an attempt to inflame the residents. It servesno other purpose.

Furthermore, Mr. Van Liew has forwarded a petition to recall the current chair and the past chair of the Planning Board.Unfortunately he doesn't even know who they were or are. When he was corrected and advised that I am the currentchair, his response was that I am a "yes" person, i.e., a follower, therefore I really don't have a mind of my own. Forthose of you who know me, it should be blatantly obvious that Mr. Van Liew does not know me. His misfortune. Heshould have attended the public hearings on this project since he appears to have a significant interest. Maybe then hewould know who the current chair of the Planning Board is.

I am appalled at the people who have plenty of negative comments to make, but hide behind aliases and pen names.Why do you not want to stand up and be counted? The personal attacks have been fast and furious, but serve no realpurpose in helping Chelmsford move forward.

The problem with the preservation restriction lies within the document itself. Town boards cannot and should not ignorelegal opinions they seek. The project itself is moving forward with the sole risk to developers should the court ruleagainst them. The Land Court will make the final decision regarding the validity of the restriction.

Half-truths and misinformation are causing a severe division within the town of Chelmsford. The personal attacks muststop. Spirited debate is always beneficial, but malevolence and blatant viciousness serve no valid purpose other than tocreate an aura of mistrust within our community.

ANN B. McGUIGAN

Chair

Chelmsford Planning Board

ITR Q & A with Philip EliopoulosITR Q & A with Philip Eliopouloson the North Road Project

ITR:

What do you say to those who have risen up saying you are disre-garding the deed restriction put on the North Road property by thetown "fathers" in the 70's and are destroying open space for yourown greed?

PHILIP E: PHILIP E: The land in question is not open space or a park but private prop-erty and has been for the last 32 years since the town sold it. Theproject does not violate the Preservation Restriction. Before wesubmitted our applications to the various boards, we met with towndepartment heads, including Evan Belansky, our Community Devel-opment Director and Thad Soulé our Conservation Agent and re-viewed our project. I also made sure the town was aware of andhad copies of the Preservation Restriction.

It is regrettable that some would say that I or my family would everdo anything that would violate an agreement with the Town of Chelmsford. I would never do anythingagainst our town and I believe my 15 years of service are a testament to this. When we set forth to designthis project, we required our engineers and architects to design a project that adhered to the PR and itsprovisions.

Even though I provided the town in our application with a legal opinion which we had sought on the PR, Iwanted our town to be adequately protected and I suggested that the town seek its own opinion from towncounsel regarding the PR, which was ultimately obtained. Town counsel reviewed our application, the PRas well as the documents supplied my Mr. Shanahan to the Planning Board, Board of Selectmen, etc. (onbehalf of Mike Sargent) and concluded that the Planning Board could approve the project. Town counselwent on to say that the meaning of the PR “could be established from the plain language of the document”.

From there, the project was reviewed by all relative town departments and received approvals from theChelmsford Historic District Commission, the Conservation Commission and after almost eight months,from the Planning Board.

The matter is currently before the Land Court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which in its recentruling stated that the PR does not bar development on the site but rather regulates and controls new con-struction.

Finally, at the time of the PR,there was 11,937 SF of buildfootprints on the site. After theconstruction of this project, therewill only be 9,784 SF of buildingfoot print on the land providingmore open space than what ex-isting in 1978. So there will bemore open space once this proj-ect is completed than existed atthe time the PR was enteredinto. See attached plan :LINKSee attached plan :LINK

Philip Eliopoulos Philip Eliopoulos

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWyEc7FAMTg

http://www.slideshare.net/re007hq/pr-overlay-plan-rev-copy

ITR:

How much land was acquired inthe deal and for what price?

PHILIP E: PHILIP E: The total land area that was ac-quired from Eastern Bank was2.2 acres which included boththe Emerson House and associ-ated parking. The PurchasePrice was $480,000 which in-cluded a premium based on theadditional land we were pur-chasing. The appraised valuewas $430,000. The agreedupon purchase price was higherthan the appraisal based on thefact that the bank knew of theplans to construct a small officebuilding on the site. See copy of appraisal report from Eastern Bank: LINKSee copy of appraisal report from Eastern Bank: LINK

ITR:

Do you think you and your familyhave been treated fairly by the townboards and committees?

PHILIP E: PHILIP E: All boards reviewed this proposal ina very thoughtful and detailed man-ner. In fact, I believe that the townlooked at the project more closelythan what normally would have beendone for a small project of this sizemainly because of my previous serv-ice to the town. Town departmentsacknowledged that they were beingextra thorough in their review of thisproject given this fact and I not onlyfelt it was fair but that it was appro-

priate under the circumstances. We made sure that we submitted all of the information that the town wouldneed to evaluate the project. It was commented by certain boards that they had not seen a more completeand thorough application in some time. I believe the boards treated us fairly and did a superb job through-out the process. Having brought the application forward as the project attorney, I saw firsthand thethoughtful review of the application by the boards. I also believe they challenged the applicant to make itan even better project throughout the process. For example, the Historic District Commission had signifi-cant input on the design of the building.

I find it regrettable and disappointing that some would seek to use this project to be critical of the boards. Iam even more upset that Mr. Van Liew has singled out George Zaharoulis and Susan Carter in his attacks.They are two of the most dedicated town officials who give a significant amount of time and talent to ourcommunity and do not deserve this unwarranted assault.

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http://www.slideshare.net/re007hq/9-north-road-summary-appraisal-report

ITR:

What about the town wide mailings opposing the project and referring to you as the head of the local oligarchy?

PHILIP E: PHILIP E: Roland Van Liew, both individually and through his self created and self funded entity known as Better NotBigger, formerly Slow Growth Initiative (SGI), continues to attack the character and good reputation ofcountless official and fellow residents that serve our town every day and make it the great community wehave come to love. He and his entities have sought to drive an agenda through personal attacks and thedissemination of misinformation and outright lies. In my 15 years of service to our community, I havenever experienced or witnessed such character assaults by Mr. Van Liew/Bigger Not Better/SGI. Theyhave made countless allegations against town officials from the town manager to various board membersand appointed committees with total disregard for the truth. In fact, Mr. Van Liew attacks the boards whoreviewed the project however he did not attend even one meeting related to the project over the eightmonth permitting process to raise any concerns or objections. Having not attended one of those meeting,it is impossible for him to form an opinion of the process or the various boards’ actions. My sympathies goout to the individuals attacked over the last several years’ worth of mailings. It is these same individualswhose dedicated contributions make Chelmsford the great community in which we live. We can alwaysdebate the issues without resorting to lies and character attacks that only serve to divide us. To that end, Ichallenge Mr. Van Liew of any forum hosted by the press to debate the issues raised in all of the mailings.This will once and for all resolve the truth of this matter. However, even in making this offer, I fully expectMr. Van Liew and his associates are too afraid to come forth and debate the issues knowing that such aforum would bring out the truth and exposing their lies and propaganda.

As to him referring to me as the head of a local oligarchy, I find it both untrue and offensive. There are farto many town officials and residents more important than me whose service makes the Town of Chelms-ford a wonderful place to live.

ITR:

Did you ever discuss this North Road land deal with the BOS or Town Manager beforehand since it af-fected the center fire station?

PHILIP E: PHILIP E: My father, Michael Eliopoulos, approached Eastern Bank to buy the Emerson House when they boughtout MASS Bank in the Summer of 2008. My father had the land under agreement with Eastern Bank inlate 2008. However it was not until February or March of 2009 that the Fire/DPW Study Committeebrought forward to the Board of Selectmen the expansion of the current center fire station as one of thefive options. Following that process, we met with Pat Maloney, the chair of the Permanent Building Com-mittee on at least two occasions to see if there was any way to accommodate both the project as well asprovide land to the Center Station. We also met with Paul Cohen to discuss building a walkway over theNorth Road land to provide direct access from the back of the Center Fire Station to the rear parking lot ofthe Old Town Hall. The Town also requested that we seek a special permit for the project that would allowfor the ramp and parking area behind the fire station to remain, which was done.

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ITR:

On May 14, 2009 you appeared before the Board of Selectmen during an un-televised "work session". Inyour role as Master Plan Vice Chairman you requested designation as a "Special Municipal Employee".What does that mean? And did the rest of the Master Plan Committee know you were asking for this spe-cial status?

PHILIP E: PHILIP E: While serving on a Board of Selectmen, one is prohibited from representing any client’s before other townboards in the capacity as an attorney or other profession such as an engineer, etc. This makes obvioussense and also applies to professionals serving on any elected board, prohibiting them from representingclients before the board they serve on or other town board. When I finished my 12 years on the Board ofSelectmen, I decided that I would once again make as part of my practice representing clients beforetown boards.

The request to seek a designation as Special Municipal Employee was not related in any way to the factthat I had once been a member of the Board of Selectmen. Once I came off the board, I remained on theMaster Plan Committee which is a committee established once every 10 – 15 years (the last time we hada Master Plan Committee was 1995-1996). I requested an opinion from town counsel regarding whetheror not serving on a Master Plan (which is not a permanent committee under our town charter) preventedme from appearing before other town boards. The answer left some doubt in my mind and to be safe, Irequested the designation of Special Municipal Employee (similar in status to that of a town moderator) toinsure that there would be no ethical issues in finishing up my service on the Master Plan Committee. Ido not recall whether or not the committee was aware of my seeking of this designation however it issomething I had previously discussed with the town manager, town counsel and members of the Board ofSelectmen.

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CChheellmmssffoorrdd''ss 99 NNoorr tthh RRddBy Chloe Gotsis/ Staff Writer

GateHouse News Servicehttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x1610286890/The-past-present-and-future-of-Chelmsfords-9-North-Rd

Jul 26, 2010

Chelmsford —THE ISSUETHE ISSUE

In June 2009 the Epsilon Group, managed by Michael Eliopoulos, purchased land at 9 North Road from Eastern Bank.Eliopoulos and his son Philip, a former selectman, are seeking to build a 15,000-square foot, two-story office building onthe site, which is located behind the Center Fire Station. But Michael Sargent, who is a dentist in town and owns proper-ties neighboring the site, argues that the building will ruin his view of open space and hurt his property value. Sargent andhis lawyer Peter Lawlor, also a former selectman, argue that the plans for the office building violate a 30-year-old preser-vation restriction. The preservation restriction was approved by the Board of Selectman and Town Meeting in 1978 anddeemed that any building built on the site must be a “barnlike structure” or resemble a barn.

WHAT'S HAPPENEDWHAT'S HAPPENED

In September 2009, the Historic District Commission issued its approval of the Epsilon Group’s site plan for the buildingand ruled it conformed with preservation restrictions. Two months later, Lawlor filed an appeal of the HDC’s decision inLowell Superior Court alleging the board approved the plan without enough supporting evidence. On March 10, the Plan-ning Board voted 5-2 to approve the site plan and four special permits for 9 North Road. In April, Lawlor filed a lawsuit inthe state Land Court over the appeal alleging it violated the preservation restriction. In June, he filed a second lawsuit overthe Planning Board’s April 28 decision to okay three additional special permits for construction in an aquifer protection dis-trict, off street parking at the Emerson House, and landscaping. A Land Court judge ruled against Lawlor’s petition for aninjunction to block construction at the site on June 28. Eliopoulos filed an application for a building permit last week.

WHAT'S NEXTWHAT'S NEXT

Over at the site, work crews are excavating and prepping thesite for construction. Eliopoulos said workers will be bringingdown utilities to the site soon. He and Lawlor are due back inLand Court in front of Judge Gordon Piper for a hearing onmotion for dismissal of the preservation restriction, filed byEliopoulos, in Boston Aug 26. Eliopoulos said he filed the mo-tion based on Piper’s recent ruling against Lawlor’s injunction.According to Piper’s decision, he found that Lawlor and Sar-gent will not likely win on the claim that the plans do not followthe preservation restriction. There are still three pending law-suits in Land Court, which Piper pushed into one trial.

Chloe Gotsis/WickedLocal Staff

Construction work at 9 North RoadCopyright 2010 Chelmsford Independent.

Some rights reserved

No selectmen public hearing on 9 North RoadNo selectmen public hearing on 9 North Roadwww.chelmsfordmassnews.comStaff reports • Tue, Jul 27, 2010

After meeting in executive session Monday, the Board of Selectmen decided it will not hold a public hearing on 9 NorthRoad. Board of Selectmen Chairman George Dixon issued a statement Tuesday evening detailing why the board will re-main silent on the matter."Three appeals from decisions by the Planning Board and the Historic District Commission are curThree appeals from decisions by the Planning Board and the Historic District Commission are cur--

rently pending in the Land Court,rently pending in the Land Court," wrote Dixon.Because the town and the town boards have been named as defendants in the pending litigation, the town will pursue aso-called passive defensive strategy, wrote Dixon."Among the reasons for this strategy is to conserve the town's limited resources,Among the reasons for this strategy is to conserve the town's limited resources," wrote Dixon. "The priThe pri--

vate parties are actively litigating the appeals, including addressing whether the proposed developvate parties are actively litigating the appeals, including addressing whether the proposed develop--

ment is consistent with a Preservation Restriction applicable to the property.ment is consistent with a Preservation Restriction applicable to the property."The plaintiff filed a motion to stop the project saying it would violate the Preservation Restriction. The Land Court deniedthe plaintiff's motion.The Land Court has scheduled another hearing on a motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the property owner on Aug. 26."Upon advice of counsel, as well as its independent assessment, the Board of Selectmen has decidedUpon advice of counsel, as well as its independent assessment, the Board of Selectmen has decided

to continue with a passive defensive strategy,to continue with a passive defensive strategy," wrote Dixon. "The board has also decided not to hold aThe board has also decided not to hold a

public hearing on these matters due to the pendency of the court's consideration.public hearing on these matters due to the pendency of the court's consideration."

PAID ADVERTISEMENT PAID ADVERTISEMENT PAID ADVERTISEMENT PAID ADVERTISEMENT

“Let the children guardwhat the sires have won”A Letter to the Residents of the Town of Chelmsford:

My wife, Joanne, and I were born and brought up inChelmsford. We both have a great love for the Town, a trueappreciation for its beauty, and a deep respect for its history.

In 1991, we purchased the then dilapidated Eriksen propertyat 21 Chelmsford Street in the Center Historic District andtook great pains to restore it in a manner in which we and theTown could take pride. Two years ago, we acquired the 1809Kittredge House across the street and have nearly completedits restoration with the same goal. Until a month ago, bothproperties, particularly the Kittredge House, looked out uponthe beautiful vista of “Center Park,” an open green field, witha pond and New England silo, located behind the Fire Stationand the historic Emerson House on North Road.

That vista was created, and had been perpetuated for over 30years, as a result of a Preservation Restriction voted by theTown Meeting and entered upon by the then Board ofSelectmen and Dr. Rodger Currie when the Town sold theEmerson House property to Dr. Currie in 1978. That document,states that “It is the intention of the Grantors [Dr. Currie andhis wife] to preserve so far as possible the distinctive charac-teristics of the buildings on the premises ... and to provide anopen space conservation area and pond for the general benefitof the Grantees [The Inhabitants of the Town of Chelmsford],and for the aesthetic improvement of the neighborhood andthe Town.”

Trusting in the Town motto, “Let the children guard what thesires have won,” the 1978 Preservation Restriction specificallyprovides that future Boards of Selectmen “shall” be responsi-ble to enforce the provisions of the document in order to pre-serve the site as “open space” forever.

Late last year, the Epsilon Group, consisting of members of theEliopoulos family, purchased the former Currie property fromEastern Bank - noting on their recorded plan of land that theproperty was, in fact, subject to the 1978 PreservationRestriction. Despite that acknowledgement, Epsilon, repre-sented by former Selectman Philip Eliopoulos, immediatelyproposed to fill what the Town intended to be green “openspace” forever with six feet of fill (as is necessary to get abovethe extremely high water table in the protected AquiferProtection District) and then build a nearly 4-story tall,16,000-square foot office building, with a 60-space parking lot.

Ignoring the mandate of the Preservation Restriction, thedevelopers brought the plan to the Planning Board and theHistoric District Commission, but never to the Board ofSelectmen. And the Board of Selectmen - the only authority inthe Town of Chelmsford with the power to enforce thePreservation Restriction - never said a word.

Joanne and I opposed the Epsilon project and, when thePlanning Board and Historic District Commission voted toapprove it, we filed appeals to those decisions and sought toenforce the Preservation Restriction through the Land Court.In a preliminary ruling, however, the Court has said that,because the Board of Selectmen is given the sole responsibili-ty for enforcing the Preservation Restriction, if the Board doesnot come forward to do so, nobody else can - and the Court ispowerless to do anything about it. But when our attorneywrote to the Board of Selectmen on two separate occasionsasking it to hold a public hearing and take action to enforcethe Preservation Restriction, he received no response - andthe Board took no action.

A month ago, because of the Court’s ruling and the Board’sinaction, the three surviving members of the Board ofSelectmen which negotiated and signed the PreservationRestriction in 1978 appeared before the current Board,explained the history and intent of the PreservationRestriction, and pleaded with the current Selectmen toenforce the Restriction and stop the project - or at least hold ahearing and discuss the matter publicly. Despite that unprece-dented action by the three former Selectmen (and the effortsby current Selectman Jon Kurland to at least hold a publichearing to consider the matter) the Board of Selectmen stilltook no action to fulfill its responsibility under thePreservation Restriction - though fully aware that the Epsilon

bulldozers were already desecrating the “open space” whichthe Preservation Restriction intended “for the benefit of TheInhabitants of the Town of Chelmsford” forever.

Last week, after nine months of silence, the Board ofSelectmen issued a “public statement” to announce that theBoard would not hold a public hearing or take any otheraction to enforce the Preservation Restriction because “pri-vate parties [my wife and I] are [before the Land Court]actively litigating ... whether the proposed development is con-sistent with the Preservation Restriction applicable to theproperty.”

And on Monday, in a Letter to the Editor published in thisnewspaper, the Chairman of the Planning Board, AnnMcGuigan, incorrectly stated “The Land Court will make thefinal decision regarding the validity of the [PreservationRestriction].” One must wonder if that is the misapprehensionunder which the Planning Board ignored the PreservationRestriction and voted to approve the Epsilon project. Ms.McGuigan and her Board should have read Judge Piper’s rul-ing: The Land Court has no authority to make a decision onthe Preservation Restriction unless and until the Board ofSelectmen acts to enforce it - and, thus far, the Board hasrefused to do that.

Presented with the announcement by the Board of Selectmenand the misunderstanding of the Land Court process by thePlanning Board, here is the dilemma my wife and I now face -while we and the residents of Chelmsford are forced to wit-ness this scheme of unbridled greed and unrestricted develop-ment in the Historic District:

• For the past nine months, the Board of Selectmen hassaid nothing and done nothing to enforce thePreservation Restriction and preserve the “open space”of Center Park, as was originally intended by the TownMeeting vote in 1978.

• My wife and I initiated our litigation to try to enforce thePreservation Restriction only because the Board ofSelectmen continually refused to say anything or do any-thing to enforce it on behalf of the residents of the Townof Chelmsford.

• The Board of Selectmen has admitted to discussing thismatter behind closed doors no fewer than four times,but has refused to discuss it publicly - claiming our liti-gation prevents it from doing so.

• The Court has now ruled, however, that, because theBoard of Selectmen has the sole responsibility toenforce the Preservation Restriction, if the Board won’tdo it, neither our litigation - nor the Court - can do any-thing to stop the Epsilon project and preserve CenterPark.

• Now the Board of Selectmen has announced that it won’tsay anything or do anything to enforce the PreservationRestriction or stop the project so long as our litigation is“pending.”

Accordingly, because the Board of Selectmen has announcedthat its only reason for not acting to stop the Epsilon project,or at least holding a public hearing on the matter of thePreservation Restriction, is because of our pending litigation -which, ironically, we initiated to try to enforce thePreservation Restriction only when the Board wouldn’t - mywife and I have notified our attorney to withdraw all litigationagainst Epsilon, the Town and all Town boards, effectiveimmediately.

Our litigation - which the Board of Selectmen has claimed tobe its only obstacle to enforcing the Preservation Restriction -is now out of the way. Accordingly, we encourage you, the resi-dents of Chelmsford, to contact your Selectmen and requestthem to take all actions necessary to enforce the PreservationRestriction and order Epsilon to immediately halt - and thenrestore - the ruin of a Town treasure in the heart ofChelmsford’s Historic District.

Your thoughtful consideration of this matter - and yourtelephone calls and/or emails to the Board of Selectmen - areappreciated.

Sincerely,Michael G. Sargent, D.D.S.

1295084

Dr. Michael Sargents open Letter to the Residents of the Town of ChelmsfordDr. Michael Sargents open Letter to the Residents of the Town of Chelmsford


AAnnootthheerr llaawwssuuii tt oovveerr 99 NNoorrtthh RRooaadd

iinn wwoorrkksswww.chelmsfordmassnews.com

Kevin Zimmerman/Staff Reporter • Wed, Aug 04, 2010

Shortly after town officials learned Boars Head LLC dropped its lawsuits related to 9 North Road, theyheard from a different lawyer poised to file his own suit.Attorney Richard McClure sent a letter to Board of Selectmen Chairman George Dixon in which he urgedthe board to hold a public hearing on the Preservation Restriction related to the property.McClure said he has been hired by several residents to initiate a class-action lawsuit against the board fornot upholding the restriction on land currently being developed by Epsilon Group LLC.Prior to filing the suit, McClure said he would wait to see if the board schedules a hearing for its Aug. 9meeting.

The selectmen's agenda for Monday would need to be posted by the end of the day tomorrow, Thursday,Aug. 5.

"The complaint is drafted and ready to file,The complaint is drafted and ready to file," said McClure. "Let them put their money whereLet them put their money where

their mouth is.their mouth is."

Below is the letter McClure sent to Dixon:

Dear Mr. Dixon,Dear Mr. Dixon,

Please be advised that this office has consulted with and been retained by several resiPlease be advised that this office has consulted with and been retained by several resi--

dents of the Town of Chelmsford to initiate a class-action lawsuit which, inter alia, allegesdents of the Town of Chelmsford to initiate a class-action lawsuit which, inter alia, alleges

that the development by Epsilon Group, LLC, of the 9 North Road property constitutes anthat the development by Epsilon Group, LLC, of the 9 North Road property constitutes an

"in whole" or "in part" release of the 1978 preservation restriction which encumbers the"in whole" or "in part" release of the 1978 preservation restriction which encumbers the

lot.lot.

M.G.L. c. 184, section 32 specifically states: "[T]he restriction may be released, in wholeM.G.L. c. 184, section 32 specifically states: "[T]he restriction may be released, in whole

or in part, by the holder for consideration, if any, as the holder may determine, in theor in part, by the holder for consideration, if any, as the holder may determine, in the

same manner as the holder may dispose of land or other interests in land, but only after asame manner as the holder may dispose of land or other interests in land, but only after a

public hearing upon reasonable public notice, by the governmental body holding the republic hearing upon reasonable public notice, by the governmental body holding the re--

striction.striction.

Said statute also states, "…[I]n determining whether the [1978 preservation] restriction orSaid statute also states, "…[I]n determining whether the [1978 preservation] restriction or

its continuance is in the public interest, the governmental body acquiring, releasing orits continuance is in the public interest, the governmental body acquiring, releasing or

approving shall take into consideration the public interest in such conservation…"approving shall take into consideration the public interest in such conservation…"

The Board of Selectmen's failure, to date, to notice and hold such a public hearing notThe Board of Selectmen's failure, to date, to notice and hold such a public hearing not

only violates M.G.L. c. 184, Sec. 32, but also violates my clients civil rights in that suchonly violates M.G.L. c. 184, Sec. 32, but also violates my clients civil rights in that such

non-performance denies them both substantive and procedural due process which isnon-performance denies them both substantive and procedural due process which is

guaranteed to them under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution and theguaranteed to them under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution and the

Massachusetts Constitution.Massachusetts Constitution.

If the Board of Selectmen truly desire to conserve the town's resources, as your publicIf the Board of Selectmen truly desire to conserve the town's resources, as your public

statement letter of June 27, 2010 purports, I strongly suggest that the matter be postedstatement letter of June 27, 2010 purports, I strongly suggest that the matter be posted

for Hearing at the next Selectmen's meeting by 4 p.m. on Aug. 5, 2010.for Hearing at the next Selectmen's meeting by 4 p.m. on Aug. 5, 2010.

A failure to perform your lawful duties will leave my clients no choice but to file saidA failure to perform your lawful duties will leave my clients no choice but to file said

class-action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusettsclass-action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts

on Aug. 6, 2010. Said civil action will certainly name both the Town of Chelmsford Boardon Aug. 6, 2010. Said civil action will certainly name both the Town of Chelmsford Board

of Selectmen and Epsilon Group, LLC as defendants and seek immediate injunctive relief.of Selectmen and Epsilon Group, LLC as defendants and seek immediate injunctive relief.

I implore you to act accordingly.I implore you to act accordingly.

Sincerely,Sincerely,

Richard P. McClure, EsquireRichard P. McClure, Esquire

Dropped lawsuitDropped lawsuitclears the way for public hearing

By Chloe Gotsis/ Staff WriterGateHouse News Service

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x1869745817/Dropped-lawsuit-clears-the-way-for-public-hearing

Aug 06, 2010

Chelmsford —With litigation no longer hanging over the town, selectmen are going ahead with a public hearing regarding a con-troversial office building project slated for 9 North Road.

The decision came after Michael Sargent, who owns properties neighboring the controversial project, opted todrop several suits over the project, the same week the town received a letter on behalf of several unnamed townresidents threatening a class-action lawsuit if selectmen didn’t hold the hearing.

But Selectmen Chairman George Dixon said this letter – submitted by attorney Richard McClure -- did not playinto the decision.

Town Manager Paul Cohen announced Thursday that selectmen opted for the hearing – set for Monday, Aug. 23 -- on the contentious project proposed by the Epsilon Group for a two-story office building.

The board will likely decide that night whether the plans for the 15,000-square foot office building violate a three-decade old preservation restriction that calls for any new construction to reflect the historic character of the site.

In recent weeks, residents have criticized the board for not holding a public hearing and not speaking openlyabout their thoughts on the project – a stance Cohen said the board maintained on the advice of town counsel be-cause of pending litigation by Sargent, who owns property near the site.

However, this week, Sargent said he would drop his case, in which he had filed three appeals in Land Court overtown boards’ approvals of the project, arguing the approvals violated the terms of the restriction measure. His at-torney Peter Lawlor, a former selectman, said this week that his client’s primary motive behind dropping the caseis that any decision to halt construction on the land would have to come from the Board of Selectmen.

“We were under litigationWe were under litigation,” said Dixon. “We’ve been criticized for not saying anything but that’sWe’ve been criticized for not saying anything but that’s

what we were told to do. We were protecting the taxpayers by not doing something that townwhat we were told to do. We were protecting the taxpayers by not doing something that town

counsel had advised us not to do. It’s what anyone else would do in public or private life -- youcounsel had advised us not to do. It’s what anyone else would do in public or private life -- you

would listen to your CEO that’s the manager and your attorney.would listen to your CEO that’s the manager and your attorney. “

McClure, who is a town resident, sent Dixon and town officials a letter Aug. 4 threatening a class-action lawsuitunless the board held a public hearing on the project. The letter charges the by not holding the hearing the boardwas violating state laws.

In the letter, McClure said several town residents contact him to request the suit. McClure did not name any of thewould-be clients.

He said Thursday that he no longer intended on filing the lawsuit after the board announced it was holding thehearing.

“Presuming that they still hold it, I won’t file,Presuming that they still hold it, I won’t file,” he said.

Dixon said he was aware of the letter, but would not comment further on it.

“I have no idea what his intention was,I have no idea what his intention was,” said Dixon.“[But] I did not make any moves based on that[But] I did not make any moves based on that.”

Cohen said Thursday that he had a conference call with Dixon and town counsel Thursday morning and they dis-cussed the recent updates involving the matter and decided a public hearing was the best course of action.

The public hearing is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 75 Groton Road, Chelmsford.


LETTER TO THE EDITOR: OPEN LETTER TO THE RESIDENTS OF CHELMSFORDDear Fellow Chelmsford Residents,

I hope this finds you well. Recently, you received a mailing from Roland Van Liew and his self created and self funded entity, Bigger Not Better(formerly known as Slow Growth Initiative-SGI). I would like to respond to and clarify the ongoing attacks that have been cast on the characterand reputation of countless officials and fellow residents who serve our Town, and make it the place that each of us takes pride in calling ourhome. Mr. Van Liew has sought to drive his own agenda through personal attacks and the dissemination of misinformation and outright lies.

In my 15 years of service to Chelmsford, I have never experienced or witnessed such character assaults. There have been countless allega-tions against Town officials with total disregard for the truth. My sincere sympathies go out to these individuals whose dedicated contributionsmake Chelmsford the great community in which we live.

I would like to debate Mr. Van Liew on each of the statements that he has made in his recent mailing and those of his associates from SGI, inan open public forum that could be hosted by the local press. This would fully resolve the truth of these matters. However, even in making thischallenge, I fully expect that Mr. Van Liew and his associates are too afraid to come forth and debate the issues knowing that such a forumwould bring out the truth and exposing their lies and propaganda that they have manufactured.

When Roland Van Liew, Bigger Not Better/SGI and its Director, began their attacks against our Town leaders several years ago, I was servingas one of your elected Selectmen. I vehemently spoke out against these personal attacks because they were untrue and brought forth a meanspirited rhetoric unbecoming to our community. Undoubtedly my response against Mr. Van Liew and SGI's propaganda during that time ismost likely the reason I have earned such prominence in some of their more recent mailings. As a Selectman, every position that I took waswith the firm belief that it was in the best interest of our Town. My hope is that those who witnessed my 12 years of service on the Board of Se-lectman (and my more recent experience on the Master Plan Committee) remember the dedication and integrity I brought to the position. I be-lieve that the members of the Boards and Committees that I have served with over the years would vouch for my character, integrity, andcommitment.

Unfortunately, actual facts have not been taken into consideration when Mr. Van Liew and the Director of his SGI organization, have composedtheir mailings and other communications. They have both refused all requests for public debate of their allegations.

Some of these attacks have surrounded the building that my father proposes to build to the rear of the Emerson House on North Road. Ideeply regret that he has used this project as a means to attack many good and giving people in town. The following are some of the falseclaims made by Mr. Van Liew with the actual facts about the project:

1.FalseFalse - Van Liew claims that Eastern Bank offered the land to the Town for free and that our Town Manager declined the offer for that land at 9 North Road. Fact Fact - Eastern Bank never offered the land to our Town Manager for free in 2009. It was under agreement with my father Michael

Eliopoulos for purchase in 2008. The Town Manager has done absolutely nothing in this process that is against the best interest of our town.

2. FalseFalse - Van Liew claims that the Town Manager passed on expanding the Center Fire Station to make way for the project. Fact Fact - The option to expand the Fire Station was not brought forward to the Board of Selectmen until 2009, after Eastern Bank was under con-tract to sell the land to my father.

3. FalseFalse ¬- Van Liew claims that the proposed project violates a Preservation Restriction.Fact Fact – Mr. Van Liew’s personal attorney, Gallant and Ervin, P.C., issued an opinion letter that the project at 9 North Road fully complies withthe Preservation Restriction (said opinion is on file at the town hall).Fact Fact – The Land Court wrote in its recent ruling that that the PR does not bar development on the site but rather regulates and controls anynew future construction.

4. FalseFalse – Van Liew claims that the permits issued by the appropriate Town boards where not issued in accordance with local bylaws butmerely “rubber stamped”.Fact Fact – The Historic District Commission, Conservation Commission and Planning Board each held numerous hearings on the proposed proj-ect with public input sessions. Mr. Van Liew did not attend one of those meetings over the eight month permitting process to raise any con-cerns or objections.

5. FalseFalse - Throughout their recent mailings, they refer to 9 North Road as a park.Fact Fact - The land at 9 North Road is not public land nor is it a public park. The town sold the land in 1978 and it has remained private land forover 32 years.

6. FalseFalse – The project takes up land that was vacant at the time of the PR.Fact Fact – At the time of the PR, there was 11,937 SF of building footprint on the site. After the construction of this project, there will only be 9,784SF of building footprint on the land providing more open space than what existed in 1978. 7. FalseFalse– The land was to remain as open space.Fact Fact - If it was the intention that the land remain as open space, the PR could have been one sentence long instead of an eight page docu-ment that clearly sets forth in Article 2 density limits for new development which this project meets.

8. FalseFalse – That any actions related to this project are or will result in ethical violations.Fact Fact – The State Ethics Commission has reviewed the matter and issued a clearing letter dated March 23, 2010,in which they stated that they were satisfied that the matter did not require any action on their part.

9. FalseFalse – That the land was purchased for less than its full value.Fact Fact - The property was acquired from Eastern Bank, and included both the Emerson House and associatedparking lots. The Purchase Price was $480,000 which included a premium based on the additional land beingpurchased. The appraised value was $430,000. The purchase price was higher based on the additional land andgiven that we had informed the bank of the plans to construct a building on the site.

If you would like to contact me (978-250-3800 or [email protected]) personally, I would welcome theopportunity to discuss with you any questions that you may have in this matter. You can also see all of the rele-vant documents on the town’s website at www.townofchelmsford.us/BOS-Upcoming-Meetings.cfm.I would like to thank you for taking your time to hear my side of the story. Most importantly, I want to thank the allof the volunteers who serve our community and who help to contribute to its ongoing success.

Respectfully, Philip M. Eliopoulos

ITR Q & A with Roland Van LiewITR Q & A with Roland Van LiewThe Man behind Better Not Bigger

ITR:ITR: Eliopoulos,Van Dyne, Dalton, Belansky, Cohen, Ready,

Zaharoulis and the list goes on. After a few years of mailings,why do you think that no one you have criticized in townthrough your mailings has come after you legally?

RVL:RVL: I don’t know that criticism is grounds for legal action.I don’t know that criticism is grounds for legal action.

In any case, truth is an absolute defense against any sortIn any case, truth is an absolute defense against any sortof legal intimidation tactic, and there are laws protectingof legal intimidation tactic, and there are laws protectingagainst frivolous lawsuits. I should add that many officialsagainst frivolous lawsuits. I should add that many officialswould be very wary of any legal action that would lead towould be very wary of any legal action that would lead todepositions and a formal investigation of malfeasance. It’sdepositions and a formal investigation of malfeasance. It’sa lot harder to deal with trained legal questioners than witha lot harder to deal with trained legal questioners than withthe press, who can (through no fault of their own) be mathe press, who can (through no fault of their own) be ma--nipulated with half-truths, non-sequiturs and omissions.nipulated with half-truths, non-sequiturs and omissions.

ITR:ITR: After North Road is there any thing else on the horizon in town that has you concerned?

RVL: RVL: I am concerned about the enormous disconnect between so many town officials and theI am concerned about the enormous disconnect between so many town officials and the

general public. Chelmsford’s residents want a better, not bigger, future for the town. Thegeneral public. Chelmsford’s residents want a better, not bigger, future for the town. Therecord shows that town officials, the vast majority of them appointed by Town Manager Paulrecord shows that town officials, the vast majority of them appointed by Town Manager PaulCohen, are bigger not better advocates, the opposite of what residents want. Cohen has conCohen, are bigger not better advocates, the opposite of what residents want. Cohen has con--tinually advocated for new construction in order to collect the incremental fees that allow his optinually advocated for new construction in order to collect the incremental fees that allow his op--erating budget to expand beyond the limits imposed by Proposition 2.5. He is recently quotederating budget to expand beyond the limits imposed by Proposition 2.5. He is recently quotedagain saying that Chelmsford “is not getting enough development proposals.”again saying that Chelmsford “is not getting enough development proposals.”

I am very concerned that too many town officials are intellectually dishonest with us. For examI am very concerned that too many town officials are intellectually dishonest with us. For exam--ple, the Planning Board is vigorously defending its actions facilitating the destruction of Centerple, the Planning Board is vigorously defending its actions facilitating the destruction of CenterPark with statements like, “We have to follow the bylaws,” and “if the petitioner complies with allPark with statements like, “We have to follow the bylaws,” and “if the petitioner complies with allthe requirements of our town bylaws, the Planning Board must approve the application,” andthe requirements of our town bylaws, the Planning Board must approve the application,” and“the Planning Board is not a policy-making body.” Those are true statements. But what the“the Planning Board is not a policy-making body.” Those are true statements. But what theplanning board did was to pass multiple special permits circumventing bylaw protections. Inplanning board did was to pass multiple special permits circumventing bylaw protections. Inother words, they did the exact opposite of “following the bylaws.” And they certainly ignore theother words, they did the exact opposite of “following the bylaws.” And they certainly ignore thetown charter, which states very clearly that they are to consider the overall benefit of a projecttown charter, which states very clearly that they are to consider the overall benefit of a projectto the town before issuing any permit. By skirting the protections in the town charter and existto the town before issuing any permit. By skirting the protections in the town charter and exist--ing bylaws, they are most definitely making pro-development policy.ing bylaws, they are most definitely making pro-development policy.

I am concerned at the Town Manager’s apparent view of the town as an operating budget ratherI am concerned at the Town Manager’s apparent view of the town as an operating budget ratherthan as a place where people live. He has a written policy of supporting development projectsthan as a place where people live. He has a written policy of supporting development projectswherever they can be arranged, and whenever a development interest will provide an incrementwherever they can be arranged, and whenever a development interest will provide an incrementto his operating budget through various fees, he leaps at the opportunity regardless of the imto his operating budget through various fees, he leaps at the opportunity regardless of the im--pact on individual neighborhoods or the town as a whole. I predicted that this view would leadpact on individual neighborhoods or the town as a whole. I predicted that this view would leadto development debacles and constant conflict with residents, and here we are with Epsilon asto development debacles and constant conflict with residents, and here we are with Epsilon asthe latest, and possibly the worst, example.the latest, and possibly the worst, example.

Roland Van LiewRoland Van Liew

ITR:ITR: We know you don't really like to attend these town board meetings in person. But tell me, do

you at least watch the televised meetings on cable?

RVL: RVL: Frankly, there are a variety of news sources that provide a much more efficient way toFrankly, there are a variety of news sources that provide a much more efficient way to

keep on top of what’s going on than attending individual meetings. But despite my distaste forkeep on top of what’s going on than attending individual meetings. But despite my distaste forthe kangaroo court nature of so many hearings, when I feel it’s important that I be there I’ve atthe kangaroo court nature of so many hearings, when I feel it’s important that I be there I’ve at--tended dozens of hearings and committee meetings and roundtables in the last few yearstended dozens of hearings and committee meetings and roundtables in the last few yearsalone.alone.

For example, when most people were attending a hearing regarding the Billerica Power Plant, IFor example, when most people were attending a hearing regarding the Billerica Power Plant, Ifelt someone should represent the interests of ordinary residents at the ZBA meeting the samefelt someone should represent the interests of ordinary residents at the ZBA meeting the samenight regarding the Hillside Gardens 40B project. I advised the ZBA to require more than thenight regarding the Hillside Gardens 40B project. I advised the ZBA to require more than thebare minimum of affordable units (this was before the DHCD changed their regulations to disalbare minimum of affordable units (this was before the DHCD changed their regulations to disal --low that). I was reprimanded by one board member for even testifying – he stated that I shouldlow that). I was reprimanded by one board member for even testifying – he stated that I shouldhave provided my recommendations to the affordable housing committee three years earlier,have provided my recommendations to the affordable housing committee three years earlier,and it was irrelevant at the present time. No, I am not making this up. You can’t make this stuffand it was irrelevant at the present time. No, I am not making this up. You can’t make this stuffup.up.

I attend some meetings where I don’t speak, and just want to hear for myself once in a whileI attend some meetings where I don’t speak, and just want to hear for myself once in a whilewhat’s going on. But I did speak in front of the Master Plan Committee along with hundreds ofwhat’s going on. But I did speak in front of the Master Plan Committee along with hundreds ofother residents and business people advocating for more greenery in construction projects,other residents and business people advocating for more greenery in construction projects,slowing down growth, keeping traffic from increasing and retaining open space. The Commitslowing down growth, keeping traffic from increasing and retaining open space. The Commit--tee’s response in their draft plan has been to advocate for decreased setback requirements totee’s response in their draft plan has been to advocate for decreased setback requirements toallow larger developments along Route 110, rezoning for 5-story high rises along Route 129,allow larger developments along Route 110, rezoning for 5-story high rises along Route 129,and removal of the mission statements that protect quality of life in the current master planand removal of the mission statements that protect quality of life in the current master plansuch as “resisting the urbanization of Chelmsford using all available means.”such as “resisting the urbanization of Chelmsford using all available means.”

Some extremely important meetings can’t be attended by the public in any case, such as execuSome extremely important meetings can’t be attended by the public in any case, such as execu--tive sessions like the one where Paul Cohen’s contract was quietly extended a year ago. Notive sessions like the one where Paul Cohen’s contract was quietly extended a year ago. No--body heard a peep about that until I obtained a copy of the new contract through the Freedombody heard a peep about that until I obtained a copy of the new contract through the Freedomof Information Act. I could have attended every public meeting ever scheduled and not knownof Information Act. I could have attended every public meeting ever scheduled and not knownwhat happened with that.what happened with that.

Written correspondence provides an opportunity to be more thorough than verbal testimony.Written correspondence provides an opportunity to be more thorough than verbal testimony.I’ve provided written reports, some of which I’ve had to purchase myself, to appropriate boards.I’ve provided written reports, some of which I’ve had to purchase myself, to appropriate boards.As far as I can tell, they’ve never even looked at the executive summaries. The ConservationAs far as I can tell, they’ve never even looked at the executive summaries. The ConservationCommission issued Epsilon LLC permits in defiance of bylaw requirements which I have deCommission issued Epsilon LLC permits in defiance of bylaw requirements which I have de--tailed in the attached letter to the chairman,(tailed in the attached letter to the chairman,(CCLLIICCKK HHEERREE ) sent to him in April after he published) sent to him in April after he publishedan op-ed piece claiming that no bylaw requirements had been waived. I never heard anythingan op-ed piece claiming that no bylaw requirements had been waived. I never heard anythingback. As can be seen from the letter, the builder has not met the requirements of the bylaw,back. As can be seen from the letter, the builder has not met the requirements of the bylaw,and the Conservation Commission has the duty and the authority to withhold the permit. Yetand the Conservation Commission has the duty and the authority to withhold the permit. Yetwhen the Building Inspector asked a few weeks ago if the Commission has any “concerns”when the Building Inspector asked a few weeks ago if the Commission has any “concerns”about the project, the Commission still answered that they have no concerns.about the project, the Commission still answered that they have no concerns.

I don’t think my attendance at a public hearing is going to change the fact that the pro-developI don’t think my attendance at a public hearing is going to change the fact that the pro-develop--ment fix is in. It’s dispiriting that even when you do their homework for them, officials still doment fix is in. It’s dispiriting that even when you do their homework for them, officials still donot do their duty to uphold bylaws and act in the best interests of the town’s residents.not do their duty to uphold bylaws and act in the best interests of the town’s residents.

ITR:ITR:There has been a lot of feedback that you should run for a town office. Even if it is just Town

Meeting Representative. Any thoughts on that idea?

RVL: RVL: The people clamoring the loudest for me to run are town officials who disingenuouslyThe people clamoring the loudest for me to run are town officials who disingenuously

claim that if I’m not an official I have no right to criticize officials regardless of what they do.claim that if I’m not an official I have no right to criticize officials regardless of what they do.That’s just silly. I’m not going to run for office just to shut down that childish argument. It’s likeThat’s just silly. I’m not going to run for office just to shut down that childish argument. It’s likesaying that government has no right to criticize or punish business people like me if we mistreatsaying that government has no right to criticize or punish business people like me if we mistreator cheat customers, because they’re not one of us. I think there are lots of good people in townor cheat customers, because they’re not one of us. I think there are lots of good people in townwho would make better public officials than I would. I can’t personally be everywhere all atwho would make better public officials than I would. I can’t personally be everywhere all atonce, so I hope I can have a greater impact encouraging them to run as “better not bigger” once, so I hope I can have a greater impact encouraging them to run as “better not bigger” advocates replacing the “bigger is better” crowd that currently dominates Town Hall.advocates replacing the “bigger is better” crowd that currently dominates Town Hall.

http://www.slideshare.net/re007hq/roland-van-liews-letter-to-theconservation-commission

Chelmsford’s scorched political imageKendall Wallace

8/7/10http://www.lowellsun.com/kendallwallace/ci_15703895

In more than 50 years of observing local politics, I never felt any community played tougher hardball politics in regard to municipal managers than the city of Lowell.

But after receiving some anonymous mail from concerned citizens in Chelmsford, I'm beginning tochange my mind.

Politics in that town have become downright nasty, with the personal attacks against Town ManagerPaul Cohen bordering on slander.

Issues started to boil in town about a year ago when a group advocating slow growth in the commu-nity became active.

That group caused a bit of a stir, but now a group called Better Not Bigger, formerly Slow Growth Ini-tiative, has taken town controversies to a new level.

Several citizens of Chelmsford have mailed me some of the newsletters that have been sent out byBNB with some pretty strong attacks on Cohen, the Eliopoulos family and members of the PlanningBoard.

The unknown folks who mail me copies of the newsletters are clearly upset at the mudslinging in atown that has had a lot of pride about the way it has been governed over the years.

They call what is happening in their town "despicable."

The controversial newsletters are signed by Roland Van Liew, who describes himself as the presi-dent of a company called Hands on Technology Transfer, or HOTT, located in Chelmsford and listshimself as a resident of the town.

Most of his anger seems to center on a controversial commercial building project located behind thetown's central fire station on land that apparently abuts what is called Center Park.

The project has been guided through a legal process by former Selectman Phil Eliopoulos, a lawyerand member of a family that has been involved in the town for many years. The newsletter, however,labels them leaders of an "oligarchy" in Chelmsford.

The newsletter is laced with some pretty sharp attacks on the town manager, questioning why theBoard of Selectmen is "tolerating Cohen's demonstrably incompetent performance and corrupt deci-sion making?"

The letter also talks of "corruption and cronyism" in Town Hall.

Van Liew has some pretty tough things to say about Planning Board members Susan Carter Sullivanand George Zaharoolis and in fact has started a petition drive to recall Sullivan and Zaharoolis.

I clearly don't know all the facts or what has led to this unusual no-holds-barred warfare in this nicesuburban town, but after reading the latest 10-page newsletter, Bernie Lynch's job in Lowell is apiece of cake compared to what Cohen is dealing with in Lynch's old job.

The Eliopoulos side has won its point before every board and in the courts, but in the end, whicheverside prevails, Chelmsford has been left with a scorched political image.

SUBMITTED BY

TOM CHRISTIANOTOM CHRISTIANO TOWN MEETING REP PRECICT 9

-------- Original Message --------Subject: Re: 9 NORTH RDDate: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 19:38:13 +0000 (UTC)From: [email protected]: Tom \"TC\" Christiano <[email protected]>

Hi Tom

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. I was just sitting back thinking about

how everyone who is in opposition to the EPSILON PROJECT can make the best use

of the next 16 days.

The time will fly by and before you know it, the selectmen will be deciding the fate of

the only remaining piece of open space land in Chelmsford center. This piece of land

,prior to the recent construction, had pretty much remained untouched going back to

even before the town was incorporated in 1655.

I usually do not get involved in local politically controversial topics due to having a

business in town, but this one has irritated me more than any other from day one. I

then began to realize the difficult position you were faced with in your decision to

support the opposition to this project.

I for one, would like to thank you for being the type of person who truly cares about

this wonderful little town of Chelmsford and who has shown a deep respect for its

residents by judging this project purely on its merits and how it will affect the people

of Chelmsford, rather than just siding with a friend, which we both know would have

been the EASY way out.

Your courage to speak out for what you know is the right choice speaks volumes for

you as a caring person who has earned my deepest respect. I thank you once again,

your hard work on this is greatly appreciated by all those who care so much about

our town, and you should know there are many who feel the same way as i do in re-

gards to the help you are providing.

Please keep up the great work.

MIKE SARGENTMIKE SARGENT

Battle heats up for future of 40Bfuture of 40BBy Rita Savard, [email protected]

http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_15620632

07/28/2010

Groups clashing over the state's 40B affordable-housing law are planning battle strategies, as a measure to wipe out the statute is scheduledto land on the statewide ballot in November.

In its second attempt to bring the issue to the polls, The Coalition to Repeal 40B was able to gather the necessary signatures from more than100,000 registered voters. The measure will appear on the ballot as Question 2, and if passed, will cancel the state law passed in 1969 knownas Chapter 40B.

Supporters rallying behind the repeal of 40B -- which allows developers to bypass local zoning laws in communities where less than 10 percentof the housing stock is deemed affordable -- say the law has only profited developers while doing nothing to solve the state's housing problem.

Opponents argue that erasing the law will just stall the creation of more affordable units at a time when they are needed more than ever.

Both are building up their bases for winning public opinion.

"We've worked hard to bring this to the voters, who will finally be able to decide on whether to replace a broken law with one that actuallyworks," said John Belskis, director of the Coalition to Repeal 40B. "As it exists, 40B does nothing but put developers in control of taking landand reaping the profits while only dedicating a small portion of a development as affordable."

Belskis also cited to a 2006 investigation by the state Inspector General's Office that revealed fraud among several 40B developers who in-flated prices and pocketed money that should have gone to cities and towns.But Aaron Gornstein, director of the nonprofit Citizens Housing and Planning Agency (CHAPA), said that despite some bad developers, the lawhas done more good by rehabilitating existing historic structures and creating new units of housing in both cities and suburbs that have bene-fited thousands of families.

Since 40B was established, CHAPA reports that it helped create 58,000 units, out of which 30,000 are affordable rentals and homes.

"The fact is, there are thousands of working families, many who we see working in our cities and towns every day, but cannot afford the state'shigh rents and home prices," Gornstein said, adding that the wait list for affordable units is about 100,000 long. "The law was formed to helpcreate affordable housing and it has. If the law goes away, construction will not stop. There will be new construction, just none of it will be af-fordable to many of the families that live there."

Belskis said it's ludicrous to think affordable housing will cease if 40B goes away.

"There are other ways of making housing affordable," he said.

He noted that his home town of Arlington has an inclusionary zoning bylaw that requires that any development of six or more units has 15 per-cent marketed at an affordable rate.

Under the Arlington bylaw, the affordable units are held in perpetuity. Chapter 40B has no provision for perpetuity.

Gornstein warned that people should read between the lines when it comes to the coalition's claims, adding that the organization's website anda recent string of snafus leave its credibility in question. CHAPA is launching its own campaign to preserve the law, which is being supported bythe Massachusetts Homeless Coalition, as well as all three candidates for governor.

"Who are their supporters?" Gornstein asked.

The CHAPA director said the pictures of people representing a cross-section of residents are stock photos, statistics reported from studieshave been misinterpreted, and "none of the claims supposedly from real people have any attribution."

In addition, Gornstein said the coalition's list of supporters is mainly all offshoot organizations of the coalition itself.

"We don't have the kind of money CHAPA has," Belskis said. "We're a grass-roots organization that's had a couple of significant donations butthat's about it. They've got money to put out a better website because they're a bunch of lobbyists."

Repeal 40B, along with the Chelmsford Slow Growth Initiative and a major Repeal 40B financial donor, Roland Van Liew, of Chelmsford, wereall part of a lawsuit back in April over allegedly failing to pay money owned to professional signature gatherers, Freedom Petition Managementof Worcester.

Rob Wilkinson, co-owner of the company, told The Sun yesterday that, "there is an agreement in effect," but declined to comment further.Wilkinson told a Superior Court judge that Van Liew wrote in an e-mail that he is taking responsibility for the debt owed -- about $80,000 -- onthe collection of some 90,000 signatures.

Repeal 40B and SGI tried to gather signatures on their own in 2008, but were unable to collect the number required in Massachusetts, about75,000.

The Slow Growth Initiative, which appears to have since changed its name to the Better notBigger Alliance, was also issued a cease-and-desist order from Attorney General MarthaCoakley's office for accepting cash donations until it registered as a nonprofit with the state.Calling it an oversight, SGI filed the necessary paperwork and was allowed to collect again.

Van Liew was unable to be reached for comment before press time yesterday. A phone num-ber listed on the Better not Bigger Alliance Web site was not in service.

In addition to Question 2, Secretary of State William Galvin has also approved Question 1, aproposal to repeal the sales tax on alcoholic beverages; and Question 3, a proposal to reducethe sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent.

Billboard applicant asks for additional waiverBillboard applicant asks for additional waiverwww.chelmsfordmassnews.com

Julie Hanson/Staff Reporter • Thu, Jul 29, 2010

Capital Advertising LLC will need a waiver for lighting in addition to the height restriction waiver it requested for a proposed billboard atChelmsford High School.The current proposal calls for bottom-up lighting that the applicant said is industry standard. Town bylaws state that billboards must be lit fromthe top-down. This is similar to other zoning requirements that require full cut-off style lighting on buildings and parking lots.The company also claims that the billboard needs to be 75 feet above highway grade to be seen above the mature tree line. Current townbillboard zoning bylaws only allow a billboard to be 35 feet above that grade level.

Residents don't seem to want it at any height."I'm proud of the character of my neighborhood as a residential area,I'm proud of the character of my neighborhood as a residential area," said Bob Stegmaier of Prescott Drive, "not as a commercial area.not as a commercial area."

Former Planning Board member Pam Armstrong, of Scotty Hollow Drive, spoke against allowing the billboard to be built any higher than cur-rent bylaws allow.

Mike Combs, of Fuller Road, reminded the Planning Board that the billboard project was approved by a very narrow margin at Town Meeting.Allowing the waivers, he said, would result in a project much differentthan what was presented at Town Meeting.

Planning Board member Sue Carter told the company to provide writtenproof that the state will not allow tree cutting to make the billboard visibleat a lower height.

Chairman Ann McGuigan reminded residents before the board reachesany decision much work remains to be done.A new public hearing on the lighting waiver would need to be scheduledand advertised before the board could vote on the request.The board also asked Capital Advertising LLC to schedule a balloon testand invite School Committee members and the superintendent. Boardmembers requested balloons be flown at heights of 35, 50 and 85 feet.

The company also needs to address Fire Department concerns that theproposed access road is inadequate because it's not paved.Capital Advertising must also appear before the Conservation Commis-sion because the site is located within 100 feet of a wetland.The Planning Board continued the public hearing until their next regularmeeting on August 25.

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Selectmen to sign off on police contractsBy Staff reports

GateHouse News Servicehttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/newsnow/x1869744279/Selectmen-to-sign-off-on-police-contracts

Aug 05, 2010

Chelmsford —

At their Monday night meeting, the Selectmen will be signing collective bargaining agreements officialsand negotiating teams have reached with the town’s police unions.

Officials have been in negotiations with police unions for a number of months. According to the TownManager’s office once the four selectmen sign the contracts will become public documents.

Also on tap for Monday night’s Selectmen meeting, the board members are also scheduled to sign collec-tive bargaining agreements reached with the town’s highway and cemetery unions.


In this picture provided by Capital Advertising, a proposed billboard at 85 feetis shown as it would look on Route 3 South approaching the Drum Hill exit.(Courtesy photo illustration)

Center Fire Station floor work beginsCenter Fire Station floor work beginswww.chelmsfordmassnews.com

Staff reports • Tue, Aug 03, 2010

Last week workers started to clear largechunks of concrete from the Center FireStation's floor in preparation of a tempo-rary fix to the crumbling structure.An epoxy coating will be applied to thefloor to stop water from leaking into theconcrete."It's going to buy us some timeIt's going to buy us some time,"said Town Manager Paul Cohen.The project is expected to last from fourto five weeks.Town Meeting approved transferring ex-cess funds from the Snow and IceBudget to cover the $42,000 cost of theproject.Last fall, residents rejected a debt exclu-sion question to construct a new CenterFire Station.

Workers have started work on fixing the Center Fire Station floor.

(Staff photo by Kevin Zimmerman)

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Town begins to contact Fire Chief finalistswww.chelmsfordmassnews.com

Kevin Zimmerman/Staff Reporter • Fri, Aug 06, 2010

Town Manager Paul Cohen has started to contact finalists for the next fire chief in anticipation of a Sep-

tember hire date.

"I've notified some of the people,I've notified some of the people," said Cohen. "But we don't have a finalized list yet.But we don't have a finalized list yet."

Cohen said no more than five of the 20 applicants will be selected to participate in a fire chief assessment

center on Sept. 8.

The original 20-applicant pool includes both of the town's deputy fire chiefs as well as other members of

the Chelmsford Fire Department and nearby communities.

Cohen said he would not comment on who those individuals are.

During the assessment center, candidates will be subjected to an all-day interviewing process with an

outside consulting firm. Cohen said part of the process involves responding to hypothetical situations a

fire chief would face.

The assessment center, which will receive $6,850 for its service, then informs Cohen of the best

individual for the job.

Although Cohen originally planned to present a candidate for Board of Selectmen confirmation before

Labor Day, Sept. 6, scheduling conflicts have pushed it back a few weeks.

Residents prepare Residents prepare

to fight cell tower proposalto fight cell tower proposalJulie Hanson/Staff Reporter

www.chelmsfordmassnews.com• Wed, Jul 28, 2010

Residents opposing a proposed cell tower on Locke Road are setting theirsights on the next ZBA meeting.About 35 residents gathered at the Chelmsford Police Station last night to dis-cuss their options regarding the 120-foot monopole proposed by Verizon.

Abutters are alarmed by the size of the proposed project, as well as additionalnoise, safety and health risks associated with cell phone towers. They were es-pecially concerned that the site was chosen without considering other sites.

"No one has looked at alternatives,No one has looked at alternatives," said Linda Maclean, of TanglewoodDrive.

The group would like to see Verizon withdraw its petition and consider othersites for the monopole. If not, they're ready to continue to fight at the Aug. 12ZBA meeting.

The Zoning Board is considering Verizon's request for a special permit and vari-ance that would allow construction of the facility within 500 feet of an existingresidential structure.Abutters are prepared to ask the Zoning Board to uphold the bylaws.

Neighborhood residents say they want to protect the character of the town. Thisis the first time a project of this type has been proposed in such a densely-popu-lated area, Maclean said, and the outcome could affect where such projects areallowed in the future.

"It's creating a very dangerous precedence for the town,It's creating a very dangerous precedence for the town," Macleansaid.

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Dear Fellow Town Meeting RepresentativeDear Fellow Town Meeting Representative,

We would like to bring to your attention a current hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding the application byVerizon to place a 120’ monopole cell tower at 106 Locke Road, which is Water District owned land, to replace the currentantenna on top of the water tower. This aged tower is being replaced by the water district, and the new tower will not betall enough for the existing antenna.

The applicant seeks to bypass our town bylaw, which wisely requires these be placed greater than 500 feet from a resi-dential home. We are hopeful that you will be aware of this situation, and stay abreast of these hearings. The next hear-ing of the ZBA is scheduled for Thursday, August 12.

The neighbors in the immediate area are rightfully concerned, and are organizing to fight for their interests. But I wouldhope we would all follow this closely, as it could be any neighborhood in town that sees the next applicant request to by-pass this bylaw, and we would hate to set a precedent.

Documents relative to this application are available on the town website at:http://documents.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/dsweb/View/Collection-20099. It is also getting press coverage. Please contact either of us if you are also concerned with protecting this bylaw and safe locating of Cell Towers inChelmsford, or would like to contribute in any way to supporting these residents.

Thank you for your service to the town,

Clare Jeannotte, Precinct 7 Town Meeting RepresentativeClare Jeannotte, Precinct 7 Town Meeting Representative, [email protected]

Billy Martin, Precinct 4 Town Meeting RepresentativeBilly Martin, Precinct 4 Town Meeting Representative, [email protected]

http://documents.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/dsweb/View/Collection-20099

We have had a significant increase in the number of reported car breaks around town. While these breaks have occurredthroughout all parts of town, the most recent breaks have been concentrated in the Westlands area. From our analysis, itappears that most breaks are taking place during the late night into the early morning hours, & many of the vehicles havebeen left unlocked. Historically, this type of activity does increase during the warm summer months. Typically, those in-volved tend to be younger in age, & are looking for a quick & easy way to obtaing loose change, cash, credit cards & otheritems of value.

While the following tips might seem somewhat elementary & basic, I would urgethat people do the following:

1- Lock all car doors of vehicles in your driveway. Thieves typically don't wantto make alot of noise or spend alot of time committing their crime.

2- Secure items of any value out of sight or in your home. Thieves will lookfor anything of value that they can use to their advantage. Don't leave walletsor pocketbooks in vehicles. We have had wallets with credit cards taken fromvehicles.

3- If you have a car alarm, set it & use it, even in your driveway. This can be agreat deterrent.

4- Finally, be alert to any strange persons, vehicles or actions in your neigh-borhood. If observed, please contact the police department at our main # of978-256-2521. In true emergencies i.e. a crime in progress or other urgent sit-uation, please feel free to call 911.

Respectfully,

Chief James F. MurphyChelmsford Police Department2 Olde North RoadChelmsford, Ma. 01824

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Chief James F. Murphy

CClleeaanneedd oouutt -- -- iinn bbrrooaadd ddaayy ll iigghhttPolice warn public after Chelmsford woman has $80G in jewelry stolen

By Rita Savard, [email protected]://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_15584931

07/23/2010

CHELMSFORD -- From her great-grandmother's antique wedding ring to her own hand-picked assortment of preciousgems, Barbara LaViska had been collecting unique jewelry for more than 20 years.

But all it took was one morning for her entire collection, appraised at about$80,000, to disappear from her 186 Dalton Road home. As Chelmsford police con-tinue to investigate, detectives advise residents to take steps that will keep theirhomes safe.

From Jan. 1 to July 20, there were 25 housebreaks in town, with four between July2 to July 16, Police Chief James Murphy said. All occurred during daytime hours.

"People usually don't think of anything like that happening during thePeople usually don't think of anything like that happening during the

day, but that's mostly when break-ins take place because nobody isday, but that's mostly when break-ins take place because nobody is

home,home," Murphy said.

LaViska, a fashion designer, was at her work space at Western Avenue studios inLowell when the robbery occurred on Thursday, July 8.

She returned home about 1:30 p.m., entering through the back door when she im-mediately noticed the door to her sun porch was ajar.

Barbara Barbara

LaViska LaViska

"My heart droppedMy heart dropped," she said. "I ran upstairs right away. My big fear was that they took my jewelry.I ran upstairs right away. My big fear was that they took my jewelry."

Once inside her bedroom, LaViska saw three dresser drawers, all containing her gems, wide open. So was a linen closetwhere she kept pillowcases.

Her pricey pieces were cleaned out, with only her costume jewelry left behind. In all, about 30 pieces were missing.

One ring, a one-third karat diamond in aVictorian setting, had belonged to her great-grandmother, Marion Smithwick. Twoothers, a 2 1/2 karat pear-shaped diamond and a marquis diamond anniversary band, belonged to her mother, the lateAnn Farraher.

The rest of the pieces were small rewards she's been purchasing for herself since the 1980s.

Some celebrated milestones, like the 4 1/2 karat emerald she bought when she earned her degree in management fromLesley College. And the diamond cluster she bought after landing a major account she had worked six months on in Lon-don.

"Some people collect cars or electronics,Some people collect cars or electronics," LaViska said. "I collected gems. I'd try to purchase at leastI collected gems. I'd try to purchase at least

one a year as a gift to myself. They were all investment piecesone a year as a gift to myself. They were all investment pieces."

She said the thief or thieves picked a lock to get inside.

Since the incident, she has been scouring local pawn shops and jewelry stores, and hand-delivered more than 50 lettersto neighbors.

"Please, please, keep your doors and windows locked,Please, please, keep your doors and windows locked," she wrote.

Attached to the missives was a sheet containing hand-drawn pictures of the stolen pieces.

"I want people to be aware so that they can protect themselves,I want people to be aware so that they can protect themselves," she said. "Public safety should be thePublic safety should be the

number-one thing. I always felt safe in my neighborhood, but what happened to me shows any neighnumber-one thing. I always felt safe in my neighborhood, but what happened to me shows any neigh--

borhood, and house is susceptible.borhood, and house is susceptible."

Murphy said details of LaViska's robbery have been circulated to the 50 police departments that make up the North East-ern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council.

Detectives have been checking pawn shops, which have seen an uptick in foot traffic since the value of gold has risen.

"They were unique pieces, which should raise a red flag for any pawn-shop owner,They were unique pieces, which should raise a red flag for any pawn-shop owner," Murphy said.

The housebreaks have not been concentrated to one neighborhood, Murphy said, adding that they happen year-roundand in different areas of town. Car breaks, he said, have increased significantly, with police reports showing 52 incidentsfrom Jan. 1 to July 20 last year compared to 90 this year.

The police chief stressed the most important thing people can do to protect themselves is also the most obvious.

"You'd be surprised how many people leave their homes and cars unlocked,You'd be surprised how many people leave their homes and cars unlocked," Murphy said. "It doesn'tIt doesn't

matter how good your neighborhood is. A robbery can happen anywhere.matter how good your neighborhood is. A robbery can happen anywhere."

Anyone with information on LaViska's missing jewelry can call Chelmsford police at 978-256-2521.

How to protect yourself

* Lock doors and windows.

* Install deadbolts on doors and safety bars on sliding doors.

* Keep windows and doors free of overgrown bushes that can give perpetrators easy places to hide.

* Install a home-security system.

* Call police if you see a suspicious person or vehicle in the neighborhood, and get a license-plate number.

* Be on the lookout for suspicious behavior. Perpetrators often carry backpacks, walk into people's yards claiming they'relooking for someone, or ring a doorbell to see if anyone is home.

Sources: Chelmsford Police Department, FBI and the National Crime Institute.

WESTLANDS WATCHDOGS WESTLANDS WATCHDOGS on

FACEBOOKFACEBOOK

CLICK HERECLICK HERE

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=132740130095067&ref=ts




Firm moving to North Chelmsford; Firm moving to North Chelmsford;

zoning dispute may endzoning dispute may end

By Chloe GotsisGateHouse News Service

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/newsnow/x109291780/Firm-moving-to-North-Chelmsford-zoning-dispute-may-end

Aug 04, 2010

Chelmsford —A zoning controversy over a medical testing equipment company may be ending, after owner Frank O’Brien saidhe plans to relocate the business next week from his garage at 12 Stedman St. to a commercially-zoned spacein North Chelmsford.

The move should bring an end to a standoff between O’Brien and town officials and neighbors over his decisionto operate part of his enterprise, O’Brien Compliance Management, from his garage, in a residentially zoned areain the Westlands section of town.

O’Brien said as of Aug. 11, the business – whose staff includesO’Brien and three employees -- will fully operate from a 1,900-square-foot space on the third floor of the Mill building at 73 Princeton St.

The date also marks the end of O’Brien’s lease at a commercial spaceon Steadman Street in Lowell; he has been operating the business inpart from this location and from his Stedman Street garage since theZoning Board of Appeals nixed his special permit request for a homebusiness.

Stedman and Steadman streets meet at the border between Lowell and Chelmsford.

Officials and neighbors said home business location violates the town's zoning bylaws.

O’Brien said he is dropping a lawsuit he filed in February against the town over the ZBA’s decision.

“We’re working on dropping the appeal [with the Land Court],We’re working on dropping the appeal [with the Land Court],” O’Brien said Tuesday. “I’ve signedI’ve signed

what I need to sign and the town’s attorney and I will jointly file a motion to dismiss it and I’llwhat I need to sign and the town’s attorney and I will jointly file a motion to dismiss it and I’ll

have a new office in Chelmsford.have a new office in Chelmsford.”

O’Brien ran his business out of his garage without permission from the town for about a year, until signs in theneighborhood advertising an open house caught the attention of neighbors.

A concerned group of residents alerted town officials. Building Inspector Scott Hammond notified O’Brien he wasin violation of the town’s zoning bylaws last fall.

Under the town’s home occupation bylaw, O’Brien is the only allowed one employee. If he were granted a specialpermit, he would’ve been allowed one additional employee that did not live at the home.

Despite the concerns area residents raised, O’Brien said he bears no hard feelings toward the town or his neigh-bors.

“I’m moving forward,I’m moving forward,” he said. “I’m staying at myI’m staying at my

house. I love the house.house. I love the house.”

O’Brien said his nephew, Matt O’Brien, who lives withhim at his Stedman Street home, been working from thegarage since the ZBA vote.

O’Brien and his two other employees have been workingfrom the Lowell location. O’Brien said all four will beworking together at the new, Princeton Street space.


FrankFrank

O’BrienO’Brien

Baker, in Lowell, calls for online posting of Level 2 sex offendersBaker, in Lowell, calls for online posting of Level 2 sex offendersBy Erin Smith, [email protected]

http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_15647682

07/31/2010

LOWELL -- Laurie Myers, a child-protection advocate, has been pushing for more transparency withthe sex-offender registry for years.

"When I realized a child rapist could also be classified as a Level 2 sex offender, I started pushingto put those lists on the Internet," said the Chelmsford resident, who attended a press conference inLowell yesterday for Charlie Baker, the Republican candidate for governor.

Myers doesn't work for Baker's campaign, but supports Baker's push for the state to post online thenames, photos and addresses of Level 2 sex offenders as it does with Level 3 offenders.

"It always seems like we have to wait for something awful to happen to get the Legislature to act,"said Baker, who made a campaign stop in front of the Pollard Memorial Library, where two weeksago a Level 2 sex offender was arrested on a probation violation after he removed his ankle track-ing bracelet in a bathroom of the children's section of the library.

The sex-offender, Rudolph Allard, had been convicted of indecent assault and battery on a childunder 14.

"This is a guy that, if the public wanted to know about him, they would have to go to the police sta-tion and fill out a form," said Myers, co-founder of Community Voices, a Chelmsford-based watch-dog group. "Then the police department would have to research the request, print out the fliers and,for most police departments in Massachusetts, the person would then have to go back to the stationto get the information. By the time you get the Level 2 information, it's outdated because it changes constantly."

Level 2 sex-offender information is only available at local police stations.

Myers, a former rape crisis counselor in Lowell, said making the information on Level 2 sex offenders more accessible will prevent crimes.

She points to a case where one parent used the Level 2 sex-offender registry and learned that the mother of her daughter's friend had a live-inboyfriend who was a registered sex offender. The parents decided not to allow their daughter to spend the night at her friend's house, saidMyers.

"That's when the information works right there. It's so that parents can make informed decisions about their kids and who they spend timewith," said Myers.

While state officials consider the crime when labeling sex offenders as Level 1, 2 or 3, the Sex Offender Registry Board decides how to classifyoffenders based on the likelihood that they will commit more sex crimes and the offenders' dangerousness to the community. That means theconvicts with the most egregious crimes aren't always categorized as Level 3 offenders.

Several Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Lewis Evangelidis, D-Holden, filed a bill this session to change the law and allow Level 2 of-fender information to be posted online, but it was not enacted.

Baker has made the push to put Level 2 sex offenders online a campaign issue for the November election.

Treasurer Tim Cahill, an independent running for governor, is also in favor of posting Level 2 sex offenders online.

"As a father of four daughters I am in favor of anything that keeps our children and families safe. Additionally, we should be giving our law-en-forcement officials any tools necessary that would help them in monitoring these individuals who are a risk to our communities," Cahill said in astatement.

Gov. Deval Patrick has declined to take a position on posting Level 2 information online, reiterating the administration's commitment to "ensur-ing the safety and well-being" of residents.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆According to the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry,

Chelmsford has 30 level 2 (moderate risk of re-offense) sex offenders who either live or work in town.Chelmsford has 30 level 2 (moderate risk of re-offense) sex offenders who either live or work in town.

To obtain level 2 sex offender information, fill out a Request for Sex Offender Information form

(link) http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/sorb/request_tolocals.pdfhttp://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/sorb/request_tolocals.pdfand bring it to the Chelmsford Police Department. If you have questions or concerns about a particular individual, contact Chelmsford Police Department (978) 256-2521.

Why do we need the Sex Offender Registry or Megan's Law?

On July 29, 1994, The parents of Megan Kanka, Richard and Maureen had their lives shattered whentheir 7-year old daughter was lured into a neighbor's home with the hopes of seeing his puppy.Shortly after, thirty yards from her front doorstep, Megan Kanka was raped and murdered.

Unknown to the Kankas, a convicted sex offender lived across the street. The murderer had alreadyserved six years in prison for aggravated assault and attempted sexual assault on another child. "Weknew nothing about him", says Maureen Kanka.

The result of this tragedy was a nationwide law. A law that would give parents what they desperatelywanted: the right to know.

Knowledge is power. Know who the level 2 and 3 sex offenders are in your neighborhoodKnowledge is power. Know who the level 2 and 3 sex offenders are in your neighborhood

and know who your children are spending time with. Anonymity is a sex offenders bestand know who your children are spending time with. Anonymity is a sex offenders best

weapon. weapon.

- Laurie MyersCommunity VoicesCommunity Voices

Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker during astop yesterday at Lowell's Pollard Memorial Library,where a Level 2 sex offender was arrested recently.Looking on are congressional candidate Sam Measand child-protection advocate Laurie Myers.SUN / JON HILL

Laurie Myers

http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/sorb/request_tolocals.pdf

State hears license battleBBuuttcchheerr sshhoopp iinn CChhee llmmssffoorrdd eeyyeess rr iigghhtt tt oo sseell ll bbeeeerr aanndd wwiinnee

By Rita Savard, [email protected]://www.lowellsun.com/ci_15682221?IADID=Search-www.lowellsun.com-www.lowellsun.com

08/05/2010

BOSTON -- No matter how you slice it, the owner of a new upscale butcher shop saidChelmsford officials erred in denying him a license to sell beer and wine.

During a 4 1/2-hour hearing yesterday, Meat House owner Len Carpenter told members ofthe state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission that town officials never mentioned any-thing about a policy of not granting partial alcohol licenses to food stores. He asked that thestate licensing board overturn a 3-2 vote by the Board of Selectmen that now blocks his es-tablishment from selling specialty beer and wine.

After Selectmen John Kurland and Eric Dahlberg and Police Chief James Murphy testifiedthat they were contacted by Chelmsford liquor-store owner John Harrington and asked to oppose the license, Carpenter's lawyer, TomVangel, argued that the board's decision was discriminatory.

Harrington is also a retired police officer and a member of the Chelmsford Business Association.

"You can't restrict a license to prevent competition,You can't restrict a license to prevent competition," Vangel said. "We shouldn't be promoting an anti-competitive enWe shouldn't be promoting an anti-competitive en--

vironment with liquor licenses.vironment with liquor licenses."

Although they were contacted by Harrington, Kurland, Dahlberg and Murphy all said his request had no bearing on their individual deci-sions.

During his testimony, Kurland said it is true that Carpenter was not informed that the town did not grant partial licenses, but added thatCarpenter was told at a public meeting that it was a long-standing precedent that the board did not grant them.

Part of the confusion, Kurland said, stemmed from a 2006 policy created by the Board of Selectmen when controversy roiled over astate ballot question seeking the sale of wine in food stores.

The ballot question ultimately failed, but before the state vote, Chelmsford officials enacted the policy as a safeguard to make sure theyretained authority over the kind of sales they wanted in town, Kurland said.

But the policy was also formed during a time when Chelmsford was between town managers, and it "fell through the cracksfell through the cracks," Kur-land added.

Not a single selectman signed the policy.

None of the current selectmen even knew of the document's existence before their vote to deny the Meat House's license, but Kurlandsaid its discovery shows "the desire of both citizens and former leaders to restrict the sale of alcohol to full licenses."

Murphy testified that he opposes any additional liquor licenses in town because it would create "additional problems, concerns and lia-bilities."

The state allots alcohol licenses to cities and towns based on population. Chelmsford is allowed seven full liquor licenses, all of whichare now in use by package stores.

The town was also allotted seven licenses for beer and wine only, but none is currently in use.

Murphy said seven licenses are adequate, noting that the existing stores have all had some type of "incident where they've beenincident where they've been

broken into during the night or shoplifted during the day.broken into during the night or shoplifted during the day."

Murphy was asked by Vangel if the chief would support granting a new license if one of the seven in use became available again. Mur-phy said he'd have to consider it because "six is still a good number of establishments.six is still a good number of establishments."

Murphy also testified that he had never been inside Carpenter's store.

Elected to the Board of Selectmen this past spring, Kurland told commissioners he contacted previous selectmen to get their opinionson the issue. Former Selectman Clare Jeannotte, he said, was the only one who supported granting a partial license to the Meat House.

License Commission Chairman Kim Gainsboro told Kurland she was a "little bit concernedlittle bit concerned" about his testimony.

"It sounds like you're delegating your responsibility,It sounds like you're delegating your responsibility," she said.

Kurland said he contacted his predecessors to gain some insight on the history as to why such a license hadn't been issued in severalyears.

Commissioners said they will need time to weigh both sides. A ruling can typically take between four to six weeks, depending on the na-ture of the complaint, Gainsboro said.

Two candidates in two days for open seatTwo candidates in two days for open seatKevin Zimmerman/Staff Reporter • Wed, Jul 28, 2010

www.chelmsfordmassnews.com

On the second day nomination papers were available, a second potentialcandidate picked up the forms needed to run this November.Jim Lane, who currently serves on the Planning Board and as chairman ofthe Master Plan Committee, dropped by Town Clerk Betty Delaney's officetoday and pulled papers."I'm running because I can make a differenceI'm running because I can make a difference," Lane said last week."I've got leadership experience and business experience.I've got leadership experience and business experience."After Selectman Sean Scanlon announced he would step down to pursue anew job, Lane said he would run for the remainder of Scanlon's term.Yesterday, Pat Wojtas, who served one term on the Board of Selectmen be-fore losing to Matt Hanson and Jon Kurland this past spring, pulled papers forthe seat and started collecting signatures at the Town Office Building.Wojtas told the weekly newspaper yesterday that she waited until Scanlon re-signed Monday night before confirming she would run.Nomination papers must be returned to the town clerk by Sept. 14. Potentialcandidates are required to obtain signatures of 50 registered voters that willbe certified by election officials.The election will take place on Nov. 2, in conjunction with state racesfor governor and Beacon Hill lawmakers.Residents can register to vote at the town clerk's office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last day to register for the Nov. 2 election is Wednesday, Oct. 13.

Jim LaneJim Lane

Jim Lane pulled nomination papers on Tuesday to run for Sean Scanlon's seat on the Board of Selectmen. (Courtesy photo)

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Pat Wojtas

As someone who is actively involved in the community, I have decided to run for the unex-pired Selectman seat now available due to the resignation of Sean Scanlon. I recentlycompleted a three-year term on the Board, and believe my experience can continue to beinstrumental in achieving the goals that the Board has set for itself and the Town ofChelmsford. I am committed to addressing the concerns of our town and its residents, soupon election, I will immediately become a productive member of the Board.

I grew up in Chelmsford, and was educated in our excellent public schools. My bachelor’sdegree was earned at UMass/Amherst, where I was enrolled in the Air Force ROTC pro-gram. After being commissioned, and completing my stint on active duty, I continued mymilitary service in the Air National Guard, during which time I earned an MBA under provi-sions of the GI Bill. Through my work as a business consultant, I have helped many localbusinesses and town departments with their technology needs.

Since my departure from the Board, I have continued to represent Chelmsford on severalregional boards, including the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (where I currently serve as ViceChairman), and the Lowell Regional Transit Authority. My participation facilitates on-going communication withofficials in neighboring communities. For example, I was directly involved in a regional effort that delivered bene-fits to Chelmsford, including the recent awards of almost $3 million for transportation improvements. As a mem-ber of the Board, I can be even more effective in this capacity – thinking about a challenge, and figuring out howto bring people, departments, businesses and agencies together for a solution.

Collaboration and consensus-building are critical to building a successful Board of Selectmen, and I believe mypersonal style reflects my ability to foster cooperation for the benefit of the Board and our town.

I welcome the opportunity to renew my service on the Board of Selectman, and respectfully ask for your vote forPat Wojtas on Election Day, November 2.

Pat WojtasPat Wojtas

MOORES PARK TAKES A STEP FORWARDMOORES PARK TAKES A STEP FORWARDBy Joanne Stanway

[email protected]/22/10

The Cynthia Ann Moores Nature Park behind West lands’School got some attent ion th is past weekend. EagleScoutt candidate Dominic Russo (armed with a nice dis-count f rom Moore’s lumber) repaired al l the decayed andbroken wood on eight benches and moved them back totheir or ig inal p laces.

With another generous discount f rom Parsons EarthProducts, Russo also added fresh stone dust to the walk-way. The next phase of th is project wi l l be to restore thegazebo that requires some wood replacement,new roofshingles and staining.

More funding is needed to get th is done, and dona-t ions can be sent to Town Hal l wi th checks made outto the “Town of Chelmsford Land Maintenance Fund”.Please note your intent ion for your donat ion to go to-ward the gazebo. Volunteers who want to help wi ththe gazebo restorat ion when the t ime comes cansighn up by sending an emai l to Phi l Stanway atphi [email protected] .

Photos by Phil Stanway and Roy Earley

Open Space Steward: Team work trumps vandalsTeam work trumps vandals

By Joanne Stanway/ Correspondenthttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/newsnow/x1028347123/Open-Space-Steward-Team-work-trumps-vandals

GateHouse News ServiceAug 06, 2010

Chelmsford —A disturbing report of destruction at Red Wing Farm also brought out the best in caring neighbors.

The offenders allegedly carved their names into the picnic table donated by Chelmsford Women of Today and peeled thebark of the limb of a nice old apple tree.

The bad part of this story is obvious, but there is an amazing good side. Less than 48 hours after the damage was dis-covered, it was repaired by several really great people.

The history of Red Wing Farm and the Stewards is interesting. A few short years ago, the parcel of conservation landwas chest high in grass and unusable unless you wanted to walk through with a machete.

Gradually, the property was mowed, fences repaired, granite benches installed, and posts reseated.

Chelmsford Open Space Stewards repaired a culvert used for water drainage, partnered with the Garden Club to create abutterfly garden, and erected a kiosk.

COSS and Boy Scouts planted a grove of apple trees purchased in memory and recognition of loved ones, cleared backfields, and helped to host a Girl Scout Scarecrow Festival that attracted 700 people there. They babied the existingapple trees when they were hit with blight, enduring the application of a fish gut and seaweed remedy that saved thetrees under whose limbs sit the aforementioned picnic table donated by CWT (who raised funds so families could enjoy apicnic on the property.)

This weekend, the usual suspects took care of business: Phil, Jim Tribou, Bob Giunta and Bob Morse rolled up theirsleeves to dismantle the picnic table, flip the boards, put the table back together and sand the surface so you’d neverknow that “Manny, Zeke, TJ and DJ” were there.

There are gold stars to give out this week to everyonewho helped, but Phil and Deb Jones of Jones Farm andKen Dews really deserve it. After hearing about thedamage to the apple tree, the Jones donated 25 treesand shrubs to the open space program, and Ken Dewsbrought out his back hoe and flatbed truck to pick up,transport and plant everything. Red Wing Farm bene-fited from four pear trees, two cherry trees, two appletrees, one red maple, and two flowering bushes. Thewealth was spread to Heart Pond park where two flower-ing cherry trees and six flowering bushes were planted.Sunny Meadow now has six flowering white bushesalong the fence adjacent to the accessible communitygarden.

It was wonderful that so many people stopped by, calledor helped out, including Board of Selectman ChairmanGeorge Dixon, BOS member Jon Kurland, the BoyScouts’ Michael Booth, Iva Mooney of ChelmsfordWomen of Today, Conservation Officer Thad Soule, andConservation Commission Chair Dave McLachlan.

Dozens of others who saw the work going on or readabout it on Facebook, thanked the crew for taking the time to repair the damage and improve the open spaces.

It was impressive how everyone mobilized to solve a problem, but you know I have to ask . . . why does it take forever forme to get things done around here, like have our house power washed or for Phil to dust the 50 million science fictiontoys – er – action figures - in his office?

In other serious news, if anyone has seen Crooked Spring Pond, could you please tell it to return? The water is all butgone due to an apparent leak in the drainage system for the dam. The Stewards suspected there was a leak and broughtit to the attention of the Conservation Commission about a year ago. Now is a great time to repair it or cap it since it isexposed, although a tricky job due to all the mud.

Joanne Stanway can be reached at 978-273-1473 or [email protected]. Information about the Chelmsford OpenSpace Stewardship can be found at www.thechelmsfordian.com and on Facebook. The Walter F. Lewis Community Gar-den at Sunny Meadow Farm also has a Facebook page where comments and photos can be posted.


Open Space Stewards Bob Giunta,left, and Jim Tribou fix a picnic tableat Red Wing Farm that was damaged last weekend by vandals. The table was donated by Chelmsford Women of Today.Photo: Joanne Stanway/ WickedLocal Staff

ExtraExtraExtrasExtras

SET UP VOLUNTEER NEEDED

The open space stewards are looking for a volunteer to set upa small speaker system & shade tent at the Thursday afternoonFarmer's Markets in Chelmsford center, through September.The volunteer would also be in charge of lining up the musicaltalent as well. If you are interested in volunteering, or shouldyou have any questions, please call Phil Stanway at (978) 273-1474. Thank you.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Attention all Town Employees, Town Meeting Reps, Board & Committee members!Please join us for our 2nd Annual Town Cook-out. The cook-out will be held at the ElksPavilion on Tuesday, August 24 at 5:00 PM. Great food, music, cash bar, volleyball,horseshoes and a few other fun, camp activities. All are welcome! $15.00 each for thefull course BBQ or just come by to enjoy the games, the bar and the company! Pleasecall or email me your response before Friday, August 20. Pass the word!

Attached is also a notice regarding our 2nd Annual Community Service Day. All arealso invited to join Town employees from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at the Paul Center where wewill be painting the new cabin recently built by Brian Reidy. Paint for this project isbeing donated by the Colorworks Paint & Decorating store on Summer Street. Bringyour brushes, rollers and gloves and join the team! Please let me know if you plan tohelp out.___________________Tricia DzurisExecutive AssistantTown Manager's Officephone (978) 250-5201fax (978) [email protected]

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More COFFEE TALKKathy Duffett Kathy Duffett and

Tom Christiano Tom Christiano would liketo invite you to the next "Support Our Town"Coffee/Breakfast at Jessie'sPlace in Chelmsford Center,on Wednesday, August 18th,from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.Please stop by and join us...for just a few minutes... or forthe full two hours, and talkabout what's happening intown and to catch up on thelatest political news.

TOWN WIDE YARD SALE TOWN WIDE YARD SALE AUGUST 28THAUGUST 28TH

Chelmsford Lions Club (LCIF) is holding it's 2nd Annual Town WideCommunity Yard Sale on Saturday, AUGUST 28, 2010, 9 am to 2 pm.$20.00 donation.

For info contact Charlene Svenson, 50 Stedman St., 01824, [email protected], 978-256-6982 or 978-930-0878 or [email protected], 978-323-9033

The yard sale takes place all over the town.

You pay $20.00 and the Lions Club gives out maps of the town with allthe yard sales marked on the map.

We put up signs showing where the yard sales are, we handle all ad-vertising, each person is given maps for customers to take and theLions set up at the Baptist church on academy street with maps andtables for those who don't have a home to sell from and we serve foodfor sale. It was very successful last year and we are hoping to get more partici-pants this year and each year in the future.

Instead of a Town wide cleanup it is a Town wide yard saleInstead of a Town wide cleanup it is a Town wide yard sale

A Special Invitation for Chelmsford Town Meeting Reps

Meet K.C. Winslow Independent Candidate for State

Representative 14th Middlesex District (Concord, Carlisle,

Chelmsford 1 & 9, Acton 1, 2 & 6) K.C. is committed to listening to

constituents, finding common ground across party lines

and bringing balance to Beacon Hill

Bring a friend or two!

Community Meeting Room, Chelmsford Police Station Wednesday, August 18th

7:00 to 7:30 Refreshments 7:30 to 8:30 Brief Presentation and

Questions RSVP: Peggy Dunn at 978-250-8095

or [email protected]

Chelmsford, MA - September 26, 2010This is the Inaugural Free to Breathe® 5K Fun Run/Walkin Chelmsford, MA. The event provides an opportunity forlung cancer advocates, survivors and the community tocome together to raise awareness and support to fightthis disease. 100% of the net proceeds from this eventwill benefit the National Lung Cancer Partnership’s re-search, education and awareness programs.

What: Free to Breathe® 5K Fun Run/WalkWhen: September 26, 20107:00 a.m. - Event day registration opens8:30 a.m. - Run/Walk begins

Where: Where:

Chelmsford High SchoolChelmsford High School

200 Richardson Road 200 Richardson Road

N. Chelmsford, MA 01863N. Chelmsford, MA 01863

Registration Fees/Deadlines:Online: (closes Wednesday, September 22)$20 adult / $10 child (10 & under)Mail-in: (must be received by Monday, September 20)$23 adult / $13 child (10 & under)Event day on September 26, 2010:$25 adult / $15 child (10 & under)

If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring this event, please sign-up at the event website.

You can also visit www.FreetoBreathe.orgwww.FreetoBreathe.org to learn more, register, or donate.

All donations are tax deductible.

Every Every

ThursdayThursday

2-6 pm 2-6 pm

through through

OctoberOctober

14, 201014, 2010Learn Learn

more atmore atwww.chelmsfordfarmersmarket.blogspot.comwww.chelmsfordfarmersmarket.blogspot.com

http://www.chelmsfordfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/

http://participate.freetobreathe.org/site/TR?fr_id=1293&pg=entry

From the From the VaultsVaults of theof the

Chelmsford FarsideChelmsford FarsideAn “An “out of the boxout of the box ” idea that just never caught on” idea that just never caught on

CHELMSFORD TOWN Manager Paul Cohen says keep the change, because rumors that town officials are planning to blanket ChelmsfordCenter and Vinal Square with parking meters are "not true."But the idea sparked pages of commentary on www.chelmweb.com -- and a few doctored photos including a toll both in Chelmsford Centermanned by Selectmen Bill Dalton and Sam Chase, as well as Cohen."It's nonsense," said Cohen. "I'm not considering it. I have not considered it, and it's certainly not on the horizon."Cohen said the rumor might have stemmed from a report previously submitted by the town Revenue Enhancement Committee. Once a year,the committee brainstorms ways to put more cash in town coffers. Parking meters was an item on the punch list, Cohen said. But it neverfloated.A collage of snapshots on the Web site depicts different scenes in town with meters doctored in front. Then there's the toll-booth photo.

"If somebody says 'I heard a rumor,' why don't they pick up the phone, call Town Hall, and just ask if it's true?" wonders Chase. "Most of the

stuff on (Chelmweb) is inaccurate, people's rantings and ravings. But I thought the picture was very funny and give the person who did it credit

for their creativity." From the Lowell Sun Political Column From the Lowell Sun Political Column 10/15/200710/15/2007

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“Truth is generallythe best vindicationagainst slander”- Abraham Lincoln

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IN-TOWN REPORT August 8 2010

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