In-Town Report 10-3-2010

Campaign 2010, three vie for open selectman seatCampaign 2010, three vie for open selectman seatBy Monica Jimenez/ staff writer

GateHouse News Servicehttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/features/x1380099369/Campaign-2010-three-vie-for-open-selectman-seat?img=1

Sep 23, 2010Chelmsford —

Jim Lane

Jim Lane has been negotiating large-scale contracts as the regional vice president of EMCOR, which has more than 300 employees and a multi-million dollar budget, for more than 25 years. For the past four years, he has volunteered with town boards such as the Planning Board and theMaster Plan Committee. Lane said he believes these experiences will help him as town selectman.

“Over the last 19 months, I’ve made a comprehensive review of every section of the town,Over the last 19 months, I’ve made a comprehensive review of every section of the town,” Lane said. “I understand, study,I understand, study,

live by and enforce zoning bylaws.live by and enforce zoning bylaws.”

Lane is particularly interested in being elected so he can link the Master Plan Committee’s efforts with the work of the Board of Selectmen. Hesaid the lengthy Master Plan document is often forgotten although it contains concepts the selectmen should know about.

Lane also plans to advocate more transparency in town government and better coordination and communication between Chelmsford’s inde-pendent boards. He said as selectman, he will look into setting up a joint annual meeting for all the town’s boards to make reports and shareideas.

Although Lane intended to run in the regular election next spring, he said he decided to run in November’s special election because the townneeds a selectman with the appropriate background now. He has already started going door to door.

“You find out a lot from a doorstep conversation: what people like, what they don’t like,You find out a lot from a doorstep conversation: what people like, what they don’t like,” Lane said. “I plan to do a lot ofI plan to do a lot of

footwork and wear out the soles of my shoes.footwork and wear out the soles of my shoes.”

Pat Wojtas

Pat Wojtas, who previously sat on the Board of Selectmen, planned to run in the regular February election but chose to run earlier in the specialelection so she could get involved more quickly. Since losing her seat last spring, Wojtas has continued with municipal volunteering, serving inpositions like representative to the North Middlesex and Lowell Transit Authority.

The transition back onto the board will not be difficult, Wojtas said, given she knows what issues Chelmsford faces. She added a candidate withpast experience as a selectman is particularly valuable because all the members of the current board are relatively new.

“I’ve been through these processes on a regular basis,I’ve been through these processes on a regular basis,” Wojtas said of a selectman’s duties. “I can bring that immediately to the board.I can bring that immediately to the board.”

Self-employed as a technology consultant, Wojtas said she has the flexibility to be available during the day as well as for evening meetings.

Although Wojtas said she is still considering what issues she might bring to the forum, one she definitely plans to address is property tax relieffor residents.

“The real estate tax can be a burden especially on families and seniors on a fixed income,The real estate tax can be a burden especially on families and seniors on a fixed income,” Wojtas said. “The town couldThe town could

come up with a more creative solution to raise revenue.come up with a more creative solution to raise revenue.”

Wojtas will have a campaign party on Oct. 1 at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts and intends to make calls and attend events as November ap-proaches. She said she looks forward to the campaign and the election.

Jerry Loew

Jerry Loew said his reasons for running include concerns about the local school system, particularly increasing class sizes, lack of proper fund-ing and the impending departure of the superintendent.

Loew also wants to address the unregulated development happening in Chelmsford. He said as selectman, he would look into some zoning by-laws he believes are not written well and change the way town officials are responsible to the public.

In Chelmsford, Loew said, resident are not involved enough in government and often speak up when it’s too late. He suggested the town coulddevise an early warning system to alert residents to important town matters in a timely fashion, perhaps via the Internet. Loew said representa-tives and a committee of concerned citizens could contribute.

“The town is at a flash point,The town is at a flash point,” Loew said. “It can either become just another mall suburb, or it can retain its characterIt can either become just another mall suburb, or it can retain its character.”

That character is the reason he moved here 14 years ago, Loew said, and is in danger of evaporating. Rather than move, Loew wants to seewhat he can do as a selectman. He said he would have run in the regular election if this opportunity hadn’t come up.

Loew said other candidates for the position have ties and special interests that could affect their ability to be objective, while he does not. Addi-tionally, as an operations manager for Oracle, Loew said he has done work with government contracts and predicted his background in“legaleselegalese” would carry over well to the board of selectmen.

Copyright 2010 Chelmsford Independent. Some rights reserved

Selectman Candidates Hope To Gain VisibilitySelectman Candidates Hope To Gain VisibilityWith only six weeks to go until election day, selectman candidates are turning up the heat.With only six weeks to go until election day, selectman candidates are turning up the heat.

By Krista Perry | ChelmsfordPatch | 9/26/10www.chelmsford.patch.comwww.chelmsford.patch.com

With only six weeks to go until Nov. 2 and a large voter turnout expected, selectman candidates say they'll do theirbest to be visible around town in an effort to reach every voter possible.

The special election for the selectman seat comes as Sean Scanlon resigned this summer for work-related rea-sons. Selectmen agreed to hold the special election on Nov. 2, the same day as the state election, to save thetown money.

But with tensions running high in the fall state election and more and more voters heading to the polls, the candi-dates acknowledge it'll take work to get the word out.

Candidate Pat Wojtas said she'll be working hard for every vote in the coming weeks.

"I'll work as hard as I can for every vote,I'll work as hard as I can for every vote," she said. "Every vote is important.Every vote is important."

Still, Wojtas said, there will be separate ballot for the selectman seat election and the number of voters who pullstate ballots could differ from the number of voters who pull the town ballot.

"The voter has an option we don't know that (turn out will be high) for certain, though you'd exThe voter has an option we don't know that (turn out will be high) for certain, though you'd ex--

pect that,pect that," she said. "We'll have to see how it turns out.We'll have to see how it turns out."

Wojtas said she hopes everyone becomes engaged in the selectman race in the coming weeks.

"Everyone should become aware of where the candidates' stand and make an informed deiciEveryone should become aware of where the candidates' stand and make an informed deici--

sion,sion," she said. "I hope we have a good turnout.I hope we have a good turnout."

Wojtas said she's feeling confident going into election day.

"It's been good for me, I'm feeling good with six weeks to go and I'm going to be working hardIt's been good for me, I'm feeling good with six weeks to go and I'm going to be working hard

every day in that six weeks,every day in that six weeks," she said.

Candidate Jim Lane said he'll reach more voters by being very visible and accessible in the next six weeks.

"(I'll be) reaching out to as many residents as possible, just as I would if the election was being(I'll be) reaching out to as many residents as possible, just as I would if the election was being

held in April,held in April," he said. "The voters of Chelmsford are very well informed so they will be aware ofThe voters of Chelmsford are very well informed so they will be aware of

the special election. Also, the Town Clerk's office will do a very good job notifying people.the special election. Also, the Town Clerk's office will do a very good job notifying people."

Candidate Jerry Loew said he'll do his best to get out to the audience of "untappeduntapped" voters.

"Even in the state election, voter turnout is not good. I think people feel like their vote doesn'tEven in the state election, voter turnout is not good. I think people feel like their vote doesn't

matter or feel like they don't have the time. I vote in everything,matter or feel like they don't have the time. I vote in everything," he said.

Loew said he doesn't have much money to spend on the campaign.

"I don't have a committee who can do this autonomously, I'd have to do all that in a real hurry,I don't have a committee who can do this autonomously, I'd have to do all that in a real hurry,"he said. "It'll be hard but I'm trying to get (the word) out for free and cheaply.It'll be hard but I'm trying to get (the word) out for free and cheaply."

Still, voters seem enthusiastic he is running, Loew said.

"They see me as riding on the anti-incumbent wave and I think that's a good thing,They see me as riding on the anti-incumbent wave and I think that's a good thing," he said. "I'm just trying to make this a better town and (bring) families back in. That message resonatesI'm just trying to make this a better town and (bring) families back in. That message resonates

with people with kids.with people with kids."

Photo by TC

Selectmen Introductions

CLICK HERE for JIMCLICK HERE for JIM


CLICK HERE for JERRYCLICK HERE for JERRY


CLICK HERE for PATCLICK HERE for PAT

Two of the three Selectmen candidatesheld Campaign Partieslast week.

Jim Lane's party took place at theChelmsford Country Club. Many ofJim's friends and supporters gatheredthere for some great food and to hear

Jim talk about his background and plans for the future of Chelmsford.

Pat spoke to her manyfriends and supportersabout her experience &background in localgovernment and herplans to help lead ourtown in the future.

TC

Pat Wojtas's Campaign Partytook place at theChelmsford Centerfor the Arts. Thefood at Pat's Partywas also very tasty.

Photo by TC

PARTYPARTY

HEARTYHEARTY

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzDRiBXmd74

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6vTrIjOS2I

Ask the CandidatesAsk the Candidatesfor the Board of Selectmen

JIM LANEJIM LANE

ITR - What qualities set you apart from your opponents and ITR - What qualities set you apart from your opponents and

make you the best candidate for Selectman ?make you the best candidate for Selectman ?

Jim Lane -I am an independent, forward thinker who understands long range strategic planning is essential to the success

of our town. Most recently, I have participated in a 20 month comprehensive Master Plan review which looked

at every aspect of the town. The Master Plan will set a strategic vision for the next 10-15 years to identify is-

sues, opportunities and recommendations guiding future boards, committees and policy makers for the town.

This was a collaborative process which took in input from our residents at six public input sessions. At next

month’s Town Meeting. I will be presenting the final report of our committee. I am also Vice Chair of the Plan-

ning Board, member of the Community Preservation Committee and a Town Meeting Representative in

Precinct 7.

In my professional career, I am the Regional Vice President for EMCOR Facilities Services, a Fortune 500

leader in commercial real estate solutions for Facilities Management and Property Asset Management. With

over 25 years experience in facility management, operations and maintenance, I have responsibility of a multi

million dollar budget and more than 300 employees often at sites with highly technical requirements and mis-

sion-critical functions.

I have the business experience and local government experience both from appointed committee as well as

elected office to bring experienced leadership to the current board of selectmen, work collectively and collabo-

ratively and immediately hit the ground running.

ITR - What is the most important issue that you can see facing Chelmsford in 2010/2011 ITR - What is the most important issue that you can see facing Chelmsford in 2010/2011

Jim Lane -• Chelmsford has many challenges at the current time. Public education and public safety are two of the

most important services in town. We need to advocate from the state for additional funds to ensure our chil-

dren maintain the very best education and our neighborhoods remain safe.

• Our school superintendent has recently resigned and we need to replace him with a qualified person who

will be an advocate for our great education system in Chelmsford.

• Our vacancy rates in Chelmsford are at an all time high, this negatively affects our commercial tax rev-

enue and we need to work with our Economic Development Committee to attract the right business' for our

community that will continue to flourish and remain in our town. The BOS should take an active approach

when new business' have interest in coming to Chelmsford and work to maintain a close relationship with the

Massachusetts Office of Business Development to ensure Chelmsford stays in the forefront when new compa-

nies are looking to relocate to Massachusetts

• We need to continue our efforts to deal with rising healthcare and Pension costs that continue to affect a

growing portion of our budgets.

• And finally, we need to work towards improving our bond rate to previous levels in part by increasing

our stabilization fund.

ITR - On November 2nd Question 2 on the State ballot addresses the repeal 40B question. ITR - On November 2nd Question 2 on the State ballot addresses the repeal 40B question.

Are you for the repeal of 40B if so Why? ?If not why not?Are you for the repeal of 40B if so Why? ?If not why not?

Jim Lane -Yes, I am for the repeal of 40b. For years developers have been forcing high density development on municipal-

ities without giving them a voice to put more money in their bank accounts. This law does not give local com-

munities any due process and takes adverse effects on our schools and infrastructure.

When 40b is repealed we need to bring control back locally, affordable housing should be targeted for more

urban gateway cities such as Lowell, Haverhill, Lawrence, Springfield and Worcester where they have the

transportation infrastructure and volume of jobs to support high density affordable housing. The individual

municipalities should have a choice whether they want to have this type of development rather than have it

mandated with no local control. Developers should not receive a tax credit specifically for a comprehensive per-

mit project where they are already receiving the benefit of not having to appear before multiple boards.

ITR - Do you have any ideas for the town that you would bring with you ITR - Do you have any ideas for the town that you would bring with you

to the Selectmen seat and hope to get implemented?to the Selectmen seat and hope to get implemented?

Jim Lane -

• I would like to have all the major boards meet at a minimum two times per year in a public format to dis-

cuss challenges each board is facing and discuss strategic long range planning to meet those challenges. At these

forums, the boards would solicit public input to determine the direction the community desires on any particu-

lar issue. I would envision two separate forums, one consisting of the BOS, Planning Board, Zoning Board and

Conservation Commission and a second consisting of the BOS, Finance Committee and School Committee.

• Institute a rolling review annually of all BOS policies to ensure they are up to date and still applicable.

• Continue to utilize Community Preservation funds for open space purchases and insure they are protected

to always remain open and accessible to the community.

• Prioritize protecting valuable open space by introducing sensible re-development bylaws which maintain 1

square foot for 1 square foot methodology which will help the town to maintain it's neighborhood character

when re-development occurs.

• We need to address the vacancy rates for commercial property in town by encouraging re-development of

second generation facilities that don’t meet current needs. For example, allowing ancillary services for the 129

corridor such as restaurants, banks and dry-cleaners, etc. In this way, you can touch upon redevelopment ver-

sus new development in the context of where it is most needed.

• Review any and all restrictions placed on town owned parcels to ensure they are written in accordance

with what was originally intended.

• Advocate for Brownfield money.

There are several properties in town that

have back taxes owed and the land has some

level of contamination. The BOS in partner-

ship with the Town Manager and Economic

Development Director should work with

DEP and EPA to leverage available Brown-

field money and clean up these parcels.

JERRY LOEWJERRY LOEW



Jerry Loew -

What makes me unique is that I am coming into this campaign with a passion for change from the status quo

which is build and develop. Over the past 10 years we have seen the decimation of our open land, our traffic in-

crease to the breaking point and our air quality suffer. Our infrastructure is over taxed and our next plan is to

build up as we run out of land. Who does this benefit? It is not increasing our bottom line as citizen's. It will

not fix our budget problems. It is making a select few wealthier at our expense. It will not fix our budget

problems. We do not have a balanced demographic and the projections are increasingly skewed toward an

older population. If we do not attract more families with children then we will not have the tax base or power

to preserve the charm that brought us here in the first place.

My plan is to halt the growth, and seek alternate funding methods for our town and our schools, to cut waste

and devote our attention to the needs of our children. We need to educate the voters as to why this is necessary

to preserve our community.


Jerry Loew -

The most important issue is obtaining the funding we need to support our schools to make this a destination

community for families who understand the need for education.

ITR - On November 2nd Question 2 on the State ballot addresses the repeal 40B question. ITR - On November 2nd Question 2 on the State ballot addresses the repeal 40B question.

Are you for the repeal of 40B if so Why? ?If not why not?Are you for the repeal of 40B if so Why? ?If not why not?

Jerry Loew -

I am definitely for the repeal. The the law had good intentions but it is flawed enough to have become a devel-

opers dream as can be seen all across the state and especially in Chelmsford. It allowed the state to much con-

trol over local development. I am for repealing and looking at new and better ways to implement affordable

housing.

ITR - Do you have any ideas for the town that youITR - Do you have any ideas for the town that you

would bring with you would bring with you


Jerry Loew -

I would like to review the by-laws and implement changes

that better protect us from unfettered growth. Also poten-

tial changes to the town charter to provide more input from

the voters and more accountability for the various boards

elected an appointed officials.

Photo by TCPhoto by TC

PAT WOJTASPAT WOJTAS



Pat Wojtas -

Having served a term on the Board of Selectmen, I can be an effective member of the Board immediately upon

election. I am familiar with practices and policies of the Board. I am accessible to residents, and available to ful-

fill the demands made upon members of the Board. My personal style of working with colleagues to build con-

sensus will help the Board achieve its goals, and maintain Chelmsford’s well-deserved reputation as an excellent

place to live and work.


Pat Wojtas -

The issue that is always in the forefront is the budget. In the recent past, the amount of state aid that Chelms-

ford receives has been reduced, forcing difficult decisions in all town departments, including public safety,

schools, libraries, etc. Despite these cuts, municipal and school staffs have maintained the high quality of serv-

ices that we have come to expect. The impacts of further revenue reductions must be anticipated, so that limited

resources are used most effectively.

ITR - ITR - ( For PAT) A little variation on the 40B question since you answered a similar question dur-

ing your spring campaign for re-election.

Last March Pat your Question and Answer were...

------------------------------------------------------------------( ITR Question - 40B - Repeal or Reform?

Which are you supporting and why in your own opinion will one be more effective than the other?

PAT WOJTAS -PAT WOJTAS -

Current 40B legislation, as it relates to affordable housing, is flawed. However, in recentCurrent 40B legislation, as it relates to affordable housing, is flawed. However, in recent

months, groups on both sides of this issue have been working together to develop a set ofmonths, groups on both sides of this issue have been working together to develop a set of

reforms, including aspects related to local control, accounting mechanisms to determinereforms, including aspects related to local control, accounting mechanisms to determine

profitability, disposition of excess profits, and a ‘safe harbor’ provision which gives comprofitability, disposition of excess profits, and a ‘safe harbor’ provision which gives com--

munities more control if they are making a good faith effort to increase their affordable inmunities more control if they are making a good faith effort to increase their affordable in--

ventory. I support these efforts. ventory. I support these efforts. ))

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok Pat, there were over 60 bills dealing with 40B reforms submitted at the State house over theOk Pat, there were over 60 bills dealing with 40B reforms submitted at the State house over thelast year including ones you mentioned and even one from Chelmsford State Rep Tom Golden last year including ones you mentioned and even one from Chelmsford State Rep Tom Golden and not one of them passed the legislature. The housing/developer lobbyist pump a lot of and not one of them passed the legislature. The housing/developer lobbyist pump a lot of money into the system in order to make sure no reforms to chapter 40B ever happen.money into the system in order to make sure no reforms to chapter 40B ever happen.I propose the best way to initiate REFORM is by REPEAL. I propose the best way to initiate REFORM is by REPEAL.

ITR - On November 2nd will you vote to repeal 40B? Why or why not?ITR - On November 2nd will you vote to repeal 40B? Why or why not?

Pat Wojtas -

I will not vote to repeal 40B. I stand by my previous answer. I’m not sure how the points you raise would

change my response. As is often the case, change at any governmental level does not occur as expeditiously as

we would like. During the last legislative session, the comprehensive reform legislation that I referenced was

broadly supported. Other priorities obviously took precedence. In the past few years, 40B development has

slowed dramatically. As the economy improves, and development increases, there will likely be more urgency

to enact the reforms that have been proposed. The Board of Selectmen should continue its advocacy on this

issue (and others of importance to Chelmsford), by tracking relevant legislation, and communicating with our

legislative delegation as warranted.

ITR - Do you have any ideas for the town that you would bring with you ITR - Do you have any ideas for the town that you would bring with you


Pat Wojtas -

It’s vital for the Board to know what’s important to the residents of Chelmsford. One method we may use to

determine priorities is a town-wide questionnaire. For example, we should be aware which current services are

considered most critical, and whether residents may be willing to pay a fee for some services which are impor-

tant to a small segment of our population. I would also like to develop and implement alternative options for

generating revenue to fund our operating budget. We have recently taken advantage of several such opportuni-

ties. Brainstorming with groups of residents may generate other creative, practical ideas.

Pop Warner honors Taranto with field housePop Warner honors Taranto with field house

Kevin Zimmerman/Staff Reporter • Sun, Sep 26, 2010

www.chelmsfordmassnews.com

Even if you didn't go to Chelmsford High School when he was one of thedeans, or Parker Middle School when he taught science, you've probablylearned a thing or two from Angie Taranto."The perfect way to describe who this man is, he's really the faThe perfect way to describe who this man is, he's really the fa--

ther of all of us,ther of all of us," said Sal Lupoli. "He is our second father. He isHe is our second father. He is

loved. He is respected.loved. He is respected."On Sunday morning, Lupoli addressed a crowd gathered for the ChelmsfordPop Warner games at McCarthy Middle School and dedicated the new An-gelo J. Taranto Field House.The idea for a field house cropped up a few years ago. Pop Warner's boardwanted a place to store equipment at the fields, but also needed properbathroom facilities and a snack bar.Lupoli said the board approached the School Committee with its idea."Then it really kind of got much bigger than that. As peopleThen it really kind of got much bigger than that. As people

started getting involved with this people got excited about whatstarted getting involved with this people got excited about what

we were doing over here,we were doing over here," said Lupoli. "And something very, veryAnd something very, very

special happened. And we decided to name this building after aspecial happened. And we decided to name this building after a

very special person.very special person."Currently serving his fourth term on the School Committee, Taranto startedin the system five decades ago. He began as a science teacher then be-came department head at Parker. After that he served as head master atMcCarthy Middle School then dean at CHS.Although many people may be aware of Taranto's resume, there are plentyof things they probably don't know about him, said Lupoli.For example, said Lupoli, Taranto often opened his home to underprivilegedkids during the holidays."There would be kids from all over the area that maybe did notThere would be kids from all over the area that maybe did not

have a father or a mother,have a father or a mother," said Lupoli. "But they were at his homeBut they were at his home

breaking bread on a very special timebreaking bread on a very special time."Even more importantly, said Lupoli, unlike some individuals who do deedsfor the accolades, Taranto never sent out a press release or contacted thelocal paper to come take a photograph of his charitable acts."These are things that this man didn't want any fanfare or pat onThese are things that this man didn't want any fanfare or pat on

the back forthe back for," said Lupoli. "These are things that he did becauseThese are things that he did because

they were the right thing to do, because of who he is as a man.they were the right thing to do, because of who he is as a man."Board of Selectmen Chairman George Dixon never studied under Tarantobut the two have been friends for almost 50 years. Dixon said there is noone more deserving of Sunday's honor than Taranto.

"You go to him with a problem and he doesn't rest until the probYou go to him with a problem and he doesn't rest until the prob--

lem is solved,lem is solved," said Dixon. "When he takes on a cause, he is alWhen he takes on a cause, he is al--

ways there.ways there."Sunday's ceremony during halftime of the Chelmsford DMaroon-Sudbury D 1 team had been planned as a sur-prise for Taranto.Taranto said he was surprised until he pulled into theparking lot and saw his sister-in-law and nephews andrealized something was up.He said he was honored so many former studentsturned out for the ceremony. And he thanked his wife,Mary, and started to choke up when he acknowledgedthat she is "of course, always behind me.of course, always behind me."But because it was a surprise, Taranto did not prepare aspeech. Instead he offered his thanks and gratitude forthe honor."This is a fantastic moment in my life; a fantasThis is a fantastic moment in my life; a fantas--

tic moment in the life of my family,tic moment in the life of my family," said Taranto."It's a beautiful addition to the field, a beautifulIt's a beautiful addition to the field, a beautiful

addition to the community. I can't thank youaddition to the community. I can't thank you

enough for everything.enough for everything."

Angie Taranto, left, and Board of Selectmen Chairman George Dixonoutside the Angelo J. Taranto Field House. (Chelmsfordmassnews.com Staff photo by Kevin Zimmerman)

Angie Taranto, left, laughs with fellowSchool Committee members Janet Asken-burg and Nick DeSilvio at Sunday's dedica-tion fo the Angelo J. Taranto Field House atMcCarthy Middle School. (Chelmsfordmassnews.com Staff photo byKevin Zimmerman)

Yeoman:Yeoman: Thank you for the chance to lead ChelmsfordGateHouse News Service

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/features/x1962035162/Yeoman-Thank-you-for-the-chance-to-lead-Chelmsford

Sep 24, 2010

Chelmsford —I came to visit Chelmsford for the first time more than three and a half years ago and agreed to lead the Chelmsford Public Schools to improve studentachievement and staff skill. Over the last three years, time and again, students and staff have shown themselves worthy of our praise. And in factwhen the rest of the nation is having difficulty graduating students, 100 percent of our senior class graduated in June. This is a remarkable achieve-ment and one for which our community should celebrate. I know you join with me in congratulating each one of the graduates and their teachers, ad-ministrators, and the support staff for their diligence, patience, dedication, and success.

Three years ago the economy began to sharply slip, and we have valiantly fought to protect the quality of our programs and our staff. After carefulstudy and analysis, however, we have had to continually cut spending and cut staff to balance the budget. But balance the budget we did.

It has been most difficult to maintain the quality of our programs with fewer staff and the resulting higher class sizes. We have done so, however, byidentifying, learning, and executing “best practices” in classrooms across the district. Our careful planning, staff training, and daily instruction have re-sulted in exemplary performance by students. For instance, every member of the sophomore class passed the MCAS test the first time in Math andEnglish/Language Arts. This is a wonderful achievement. Fifty-nine percent of students in the Chelmsford High School class of 2012 were acknowl-edged for achieving a score of “Advanced” on the English/Language Arts (ELA) MCAS test taken last March. This score was rated as one of the topten ELA scores in the state. For this, we congratulate our students once again.

Our students and our staff have achieved our objectives, and so my work here is done. I want to thank:

The School Committee for bringing me to Chelmsford to help the children of our community.

The administrators, teachers, and support staff for their loyalty, sacrifice, and professionalism.

The students for their strong achievement in so many areas and for their smiles and high fives.

The parents, P.T.O.’s, Foundations, Council of Schools, Friends of Music, and Athletic Boosters for their dedication and support.

And Town officials and community residents for their leadership in helping make Chelmsford this wonderful place in America.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve the children of our community. Your support has made all the difference. Dr. Donald R. Yeoman, superintendent


Yeoman's work, or God's work? You decideYeoman's work, or God's work? You decideThe Lowell Sun

http://www.lowellsun.com/danphelps/ci_16122744

09/20/2010

The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Take Don Yeoman. Please.

The lame-duck superintendent of Chelmsford's public schools apparently stunned everyone in attendance at a School Committee meeting Tuesdaynight by giving his notice. And while it wasn't exactly Steven Slater sliding down the JetBlue chute clutching a couple of cold Bud Limes while shouting,"Take this job and shove it," in the world of superintendents resigning, it was pretty close.

Yeoman didn't exactly leave the committee with a lot of time to find a replacement, giving just 60 days notice. The way these things slog through mu-nicipal channels, that's about enough time to appoint the members of a search committee to find his successor.

Most superintendents, when they realize it's time to go, give lots of lead time, usually enough so that when a replacement is hired, there will be someoverlap before the one on his way out is gone. (I am, of course, not thinking about W. Spencer Mullin as an example of this. Compared to Mullin -- whostayed in Dracut for a couple cups of coffee then turned his phone off and left a note telling the School Committee he was gone and to remember toturn off the lights when they left -- Yeoman is giving plenty of notice.)

The first instinct is to ask why. Why did Yeoman decide to quit? Why did he make the announcement at the end of a meeting -- on primary night, noless -- without giving committee members a heads-up? Why did he only give two months' notice? And why do it right at the start of a new school year?

Well, Yeoman says he's tired. Oh, and he has a heavy workload.

Hmm. Tired and overworked. Can anybody relate to that? I thought so. If you're tired and overworked, that pretty much means you have a job. Andnowadays, that's not considered a bad thing.

I mean, this is a guy who's making just shy of 170 G's a year -- and re-upped for four more years just a few months ago.

John Q. Chelmsford's not going to be too sympathetic with the "tired and overworked" spiel.

Ah, but Yeoman believes he received divine guidance in making his decision. A self-described spiritual man, he told a Sun reporter, "I prayed aboutthis, and this is what I think God wants me to do."

Well, heck, if God wants you to screw Chelmsford over, who are we to question it? When you consider what, for example, Moses did because God toldhim to do it, quitting as superintendent with only 60 days' notice doesn't seem too radical.

While guiding Chelmsford's school system is, I'm sure, a daunting task, it's not exactly akin to spending 40 days and nights on a mountain waiting forthe Ten Commandments to be imparted to you.

But the part that would worry me -- if I were Yeoman, I mean -- is the "I think" part: "... this is what I think God wants me to do." I don't remember Charl-ton Heston standing before the Red Sea, arms outraised, proclaiming, "The Lord of Hosts will do battle for us -- I think."

What if Yeoman misunderstood God?

What if God told him he should stay on for three more years or he should give back half his salary to the town, and Yeoman was too exhausted to hearHim correctly?

The funny thing about the divine inspiration is that last fall -- when the Byam Elementary School was the subject of national ridicule after its principalrefused to allow the PTO's holiday gift shop to include Christmas-related items, and Yeoman, instead of assuming control, took the I'm-not-touching-this-one-with-a-10-foot-Christmas-tree stance -- some people could have sworn the devil made him do it.

Dan Phelps' e-mail address is [email protected].

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By Rita Savard, [email protected]://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_16152349

09/23/2010

CHELMSFORD -- The holidays won't be on hold this year in Chelmsford elementary schools, according toofficials.

After last year's controversy at the Byam School -- when selling Christmas and other religious-themeditems was challenged by parents -- Superintendent of Schools Don Yeoman said principals in the town'sfour elementary schools discussed the possibility of canceling the PTO fundraisers altogether this year.

But yesterday, School Committee members Kathy Duffett and Nick DeSilvio stressed there was no "blanketcancellation."

"I think there was a misunderstanding,I think there was a misunderstanding," DeSilvio said. "The PTOs have control over what theyThe PTOs have control over what they

do for a fundraiser and each school PTO is doing its own thing.do for a fundraiser and each school PTO is doing its own thing."

The Center School will include not only a regular gift room, but also a "culture tableculture table" that allows studentsto bring and share items that represent what their culture celebrates.

"Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa -- whatever they want,Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa -- whatever they want," DeSilvio said.

Concern over gift-room fundraisers was rekindled during the first week of September after principals got to-gether to discuss a variety of issues, including PTO fundraisers. Yeoman said that while no decisions werefinal, school administrators did talk about alternative options for raising PTO funds, including seasonal festi-vals that would take place on weekends.

One concern was that the gift rooms took kids away from their lessons in the classroom, Yeoman said.Once parents learned of the discussion, several were worried that eliminating the seasonal event wouldhave a major impact on annual fundraising.

At the Center School, the gift room is the second largest moneymaker of the year, bringing in about $3,600that goes toward enrichment programs for children, according to the PTO.

Duffett, chairman of the School Committee, said it was natural that the question about what to do regardinggift-room fundraisers would come up in the wake of last year's controversy at Byam.

Last November, parents Kathleen Cullen and Kathryn McMillan fought a ban on religious-themed items atthe Byam gift shop that included Santa Claus, candy canes, menorahs and Christmas stockings. The issueignited a national media frenzy.

After holding a public hearing that drew a large crowd to the Chelmsford High School Performing Arts Cen-ter, the School Committee said its hands were tied by the law, which gives PTOs the authority to governtheir own fundraising events.

"It's clear under the law that the PTO is a self-functioning organization, so it's their deciIt's clear under the law that the PTO is a self-functioning organization, so it's their deci--

sion to make,sion to make," Duffett said.

The Byam is the only school that appears not to be holding a fundraiser this year. Duffett said from her un-derstanding, that decision stemmed more from the fact that there was no one available to spearhead theevent this year.

"It's a labor-intensive project that usually requires planning to begin in the summerIt's a labor-intensive project that usually requires planning to begin in the summer

months,months," Duffett said. "If they haven't chosen anyone to plan the event yet, time will be theirIf they haven't chosen anyone to plan the event yet, time will be their

biggest snag now.biggest snag now."

The School Committee did not carve out much time to speak about any "misunderstandingmisunderstanding" regardinggift rooms at its Sept. 14 meeting following Yeoman's surprise resignation, DeSilvio added.

The committee has appointed Assistant Superintendent Frank Tiano as acting superintendent. Yeoman'slast day in the office is tomorrow, but he will continue to use accrued vacation time until his 60-day noticeexpires on Nov. 13.

Chelmsford anti-bullying task force holding October forumChelmsford anti-bullying task force holding October forum

GateHouse News Servicehttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/newsnow/x241583951/Chelmsford-anti-bullying-task-force-holding-October-forum

Sep 29, 2010

Chelmsford —The anti-bullying task force will hold a forum on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in the McCarthy Middle Schoolbuilding. They will present a draft of their state-compliant bullying prevention and intervention policy and lis-ten to questions and concerns from members of the public. The meeting will not be televised.

The anti-bullying task force is comprised of school district directors, building principals and administrators,counselors and researchers. Its members include CHS principal Anne O’Bryant, South Row ElementarySchool guidance counselor Dr. Linda Rich and district curriculum director Donna Hussey. The task forcehas been considering issues such as current bullying policy and literature, cyber-bullying, incident reportingmethodology and reasonable response times.

Acting superintendent Frank Tiano, who is leading the task force, said new state bullying legislation hasbeen very clear about what school policies should do. For example, cyber-bullying is now specifically statedto be the responsibility of the school. Tiano said the task force has been working to align the district’s ruleswith state requirements and communicate the policy in an understandable manner.

“The policy will be spelled out and made clear to students in their own language,The policy will be spelled out and made clear to students in their own language,” Tiano said.“That’s our charge.That’s our charge.”

The state deadline for producing a bullying policy in keeping with the new legislation is Dec. 31.


Ripson and Doherty honored by BOSRipson and Doherty honored by BOSBob Joyce/Staff Reporter • Tue, Sep 28, 2010

www.chelmsfordmassnews.com

In 1996 George Ripson stood before the Board of Selectmen and asked for a way to give residents an op-portunity to raise funds, outside of taxes, that would benefit the schools.

The board agreed to place an article on the Town Meeting warrant that would eventually lead to the creationof the Chelmsford Arts and Technology Education Fund.

Monday night, selectmen and the other ATEF members honored Ripson for his 14 years of service. Theyalso recognized Glenn Doherty, who first joined in 2003 and later served as chairman from 2005 to 2008,and recently stepped down.

“When Glenn would talk to people about the ATEF you would always hear him say this wasWhen Glenn would talk to people about the ATEF you would always hear him say this was

his favorite committee and that the best part was listening to the teachers presentationshis favorite committee and that the best part was listening to the teachers presentations

and seeing how enthusiastic they were about their applications and how they would beneand seeing how enthusiastic they were about their applications and how they would bene--

fit the children of Chelmsford,fit the children of Chelmsford,” said ATEF Chairman Kirk Marshall.

Evelyn Thoren, an original founder of ATEF, presentedinformation about Ripson including his history of beinga dedicated Town Meeting member, School Committeemember, his work with the Garrison House and his ded-ication to the country serving more than 40 years in themilitary. “He is well respected by the town andHe is well respected by the town and

those in his past and present professional orthose in his past and present professional or--

ganizations,ganizations,” said Thoren.

The Board of Selectmen presented each honoree witha certificate of appreciation for their service to the town.

Members of the Arts and Technology Education Fund, from left,Colleen Stansfield, Kirk Marshall, Tricia Dzuris, Glenn Doherty,George Ripsom, Evelyn Thoren and Beverly Barrett outside theBoard of Selectmen's meeting Monday night. (www.chelmsford-

massnews.com Staff photo by Bob Joyce)

Schools begin superintendent search processSchools begin superintendent search process

Julie Hanson/Staff Reporter • Thu, Sep 30, 2010chelmsfordmassnews.com

The Chelmsford School Committee started to review its options for conducting a search for a new superin-tendent.Glenn Koocher, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) ad-vised committee members on the process at their work session Wednesday night.

"The School Committee’s discretion is extremely strongThe School Committee’s discretion is extremely strong," Koocher said.The committee could choose to promote from within, conduct an internal search for candidates before con-sidering external applicants, or embark on a broad search for external candidates, Koocher said.

He warned that some out-of-staters might be reluctant to apply because of the challenges associated withmeeting MCAS benchmarks and the complex regulations of the Massachusetts school system. Someonerelocating for the position has to consider the availability of housing comparable to what they have and theprobability of their spouses finding employment in this area, Koocher said.

"People don't take risks in a recession and we don't see a lot of people willing to move,People don't take risks in a recession and we don't see a lot of people willing to move,"Koocher said.

He is seeing more school districts grooming employees for promotion, Koocher said.An internal promotion reduces disruption and protects current standards while eliminating the cost ofsearching for a new superintendent, Koocher said.

The School Committee has the authority to keep Acting Superintendent Frank Tiano in place until the endof the year and decide then if a search is necessary, Koocher said. If they choose that option, Tiano wouldbecome interim superintendent after Nov. 13, and would likely get a pay raise. The board could also offer atwo-year interim contract to Tiano, according to Koocher.

The MASC does not tell School Committees what to do or who to hire, Koocher said, but he has seenmany successful internal promotions. He estimated that if the School Committee was ready to start asearch in the next two weeks it could have a new superintendent in place by mid-February.

That time line includes four to five weeks of advertising and accepting resumes, two weeks for the searchcommittee to conduct interviews, a holiday break, and time for the School Committee to interview finalists.

Committee members decided to study the written material Koocher provided and schedule a meeting inmid-October where they will decide the next steps.

"We just want to make sure we're exploring all of our options and considering how weWe just want to make sure we're exploring all of our options and considering how we

might proceed from heremight proceed from here," said Chairman Kathy Duffett. Acting Superintendent Acting Superintendent

Frank TianoFrank Tiano

NashobaNashoba: Chelmsford schools missing 'opportunity'

The Lowell Sun10/01/2010

By Rita [email protected]

http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_16225614

CHELMSFORD -- School officials at Nashoba Valley Technical High School say they fear Chelms-ford Public Schools are "closing a door of opportunity" for eighth-graders.

For the second year in a row, Chelmsford Public Schools are opting out of an annual tour geared atgiving middle-school students a chance to participate in technical classes at the high school. Lastyear, former Chelmsford Superintendent Don Yeoman said the reason for canceling the event wasbecause the entire eighth-grade class -- about 400 children -- would use the tour as an opportunityto skip classes for a day.

Chelmsford school officials are still allowing students to view a presentation by Nashoba Tech atthe Chelmsford middle schools. Acting Superintendent Frank Tiano was unable to be reached forcomment yesterday.

But Nashoba Tech Superintendent Judith Klimkiewicz said the presentation alone only introducesstudents to what the school offers. By visiting classrooms in action, students also get a hands-onfeel for course offerings.

"It's a big difference from just walking around the building," she said. "The exploratory gives stu-dents a few hours of hands-on experience that they really need to determine the kind of educationthey'd like. And I strongly believe that kind of opportunity should be determined by parents and thestudents, not predetermined by educators."

Klimkiewicz said Chelmsford was the first community in her 15 years as superintendent to cancelthe daylong tour. Nashoba Tech also serves Groton, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend andWestford. About 140 of Nashoba's more than 700 students are from Chelmsford.Yeoman said last year that taking 400 children out of class, only to have about 30 sign up, didn'tseem effective.

School Committee member Nick DeSilvio said yesterday that he hadn't yet heard anything aboutthe canceled tour from fellow committee members.

DeSilvio did say it seemed problematic to have an entire grade use the tour as an excuse to skipclasses for a day. He also had questions about whether Chelmsford Public Schools had to providetransportation to the event.

But DeSilvio said he has no problem with parents who really want their children participating in anon-site tour at Nashoba.

"If a parent wants to write a note and say, 'I'd like my child to go seeNashoba,' and they pick the student up and take them there, the studentshould not be penalized for that," DeSilvio said.

PhotographyPhotography

byby

LUCYLUCY

SCHULZSCHULZ

Free toFree to

BreatheBreathe by Suzanne Dahlberg

The inaugural Free to Breathe 5K fun run/walkfor lung cancer research awareness tookplace on Sunday, September 26 in Chelms-ford. Nearly 330 people joined us at this bene-fit for National Lung Cancer Partnership; todate, our event has raised over $33,000. Wewould like to extend our heartfelt thanks toeveryone who joined us on event day: theamazing runners and walkers, our rockstarvolunteers and speakers, and our incrediblygenerous sponsors.

The National Lung Cancer Partnership startedthe Free to Breathe® program in 2006 as a5K run/walk event series that has now ex-panded to include marathon teams, yogath-ons, and other athletic activities. Each Free toBreathe® event brings together people fromthe community – those who have beentouched by lung cancer, and those who wantto participate in a sporting event for a goodcause – in an effort to raise awareness of lungcancer and increase funding for National LungCancer Partnership’s research, education,and awareness programs.

Lung cancer kills approximately 160,000 peo-ple in the United States each year—more peo-ple than breast, colon, and prostate cancerscombined. It is responsible for over a quarterof all cancer-related deaths in the U.S. eachyear. This disease is also very lethal – roughly85% of people who are diagnosed with lungcancer will die of it within five years of their ini-tial diagnosis. People should also realize thatroughly 15% of lung cancer patients havenever smoked; because five-year survival isso poor, more never-smokers die of lung can-cer than do patients of leukemia or ovariancancer.

A lack of research funding has slowedprogress in developing new treatments forlung cancer. There is considerably less fund-ing available for research on lung cancer thanon other types of cancer. In 2009, the NationalCancer Institute (NCI) and the Department ofDefense (DOD) spent only $1,675 on re-search per lung cancer death, while theyspent $5,292 per colorectal cancer death,$18,658 per breast cancer death and $13,666per prostate cancer death.

Anyone who would like more information iswelcome to visit www.FreeToBreathe.orgwww.FreeToBreathe.orgor they can follow us on Facebook at "FreeFree

To Breathe 5k - Chelmsford, MA.To Breathe 5k - Chelmsford, MA." We'dlove to hear from folks who are interested ingetting involved with us [email protected]!

Suzanne Dahlberg

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-to-Breathe-5k-Chelmsford-MA/10150175686810553?ref=ts

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-to-Breathe-5k-Chelmsford-MA/10150175686810553?ref=ts

http://www.freetobreathe.com/

Photography by Photography by

LUCY SCHULZLUCY SCHULZ

Lucy’s website isLucy’s website is

http://lucy.mixmox.comhttp://lucy.mixmox.com

http://lucy.mixmox.com

Still no decision on Locke Road monopole planStill no decision on Locke Road monopole plan

Julie Hanson/Staff Reporter • Fri, Oct 01, 2010www.chelmsfordmassnews.comwww.chelmsfordmassnews.com

Chelmsford Water District authorities sought input on the Locke Road water tank replacement at a publichearing Thursday night.

Consulting Engineer George Allen, of Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., outlined three scenarios.

Option one involves demolishing the existing steel tank and replacing it with a 300,000-gallon concrete tank.The plan includes a controversial monopole to house public safety and cellular phone antennas on the exist-ing tank.

Option two would erect a new steel tank in the footprint of the existing steel tank. It would stand approxi-mately 100 feet high and may require town approval. Two "cell on wheelcell on wheel" towers would be built to hold thetown safety and Verizon cell antennas for about a year while the tank is under construction.

The third option requires constructing a concrete tank in the back right corner of the parcel. The existing tankwould remain in place to hold the town safety and Verizon antennas. The plan calls for extensive clearing onthe site and may need town approval for putting a second structure on the site.

Police Chief Jim Murphy told residents that the property is a main receiver site necessary to keep the publicsafety radio network functioning at full capacity.

"If there's nothing on that site we have a big problem,If there's nothing on that site we have a big problem," Murphy said.

He was followed by Chief Leo Gaudette of the Dracut Fire Department and president of the District 6 FireMutual Aid Association. Gaudette said Chelmsford is located in the center of the District 6 Mutual Aid area,which serves 18 communities from Pepperell to Wilmington.

The antenna on the Locke Road water tank allows personnel to communicate with each other on mobile ra-dios anywhere in the district, Gaudette said.

Losing the site would set communications back 15 to 20 years, when officers couldn't communicate easily,according to Gaudette.

"This particular location is an important location to all 18 communities, This particular location is an important location to all 18 communities,

Chelmsford included,Chelmsford included," Gaudette said.

Residents countered that they never contested the need for police and fire equipment on the site and wouldwelcome a whip tower for that purpose.

"The elephant in the room is called Verizon,The elephant in the room is called Verizon," said Alan Maclean, of Tanglewood Drive.

Attendees nodded in agreement as Maclean explained that abutters were concerned with the monopole thatVerizon is attempting to build at the site. Residents were further concerned when Ron Wetmore, chairman ofthe board of water commissioners, expressed his opinion that the Verizon project could be grandfathered in ifthey rebuilt the tower on the existing site.

Wetmore then opened the floor for a show of hands on each option.

A few hands were raised for the first option before people were reminded that it included the monopole. Thenumber then reduced to four votes. Option two received 38 votes. One person voted for option three.

The water district expects to make a decision on which option to pursue at its next meeting.

Residents raise their hands to show a preference for Option 2 at Thursday night'sChelmsford Water District meeting over the Locke Road water tower replacement.

(chelmsfordmassnews.com Staff photo by Bob Joyce)

Town wants Town wants oonnee rreepphttp://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_16193925

By Rita Savard, [email protected]/28/2010

CHELMSFORD -- Residents and town officials are hammering out a plan to put one of their own on Beacon Hill.

A Legislative Redistricting Committee was appointed last night to begin redrawing the town's electoral lines. Nearlya decade ago, a redistricting battle left the town carved up among four House districts.

The four-district split lumps sections of Chelmsford with Lowell's Centralville and Pawtucketville neighborhoods;Westford and Littleton; Concord; and Lowell's Belvidere and South Lowell sections.

While the division gives the town four state representatives, town officials say it also made it much harder for aChelmsford resident to get elected to the Statehouse in any of the districts.

"Our state representatives do a great job,Our state representatives do a great job," Selectman Jon Kurland said. "But we really need one of our own -- a sole voice who is representing Chelmsford.But we really need one of our own -- a sole voice who is representing Chelmsford."

The redistricting committee includes Kurland, Tom DiPasquale, Sam Poulten, Paul Rigazio and Selectman MattHanson.

With data due back from the 2010 Census around Jan. 1, the committee plans to look at the numbers, then re-search the best approach in getting the district back.

Under the town's old districting plan, Chelmsford shared a representative with Carlisle. In 2001, acting Gov. JaneSwift signed into law the current redistricting plan that split the town into four districts.

Former state Rep. Carole Cleven, R-Chelmsford, decided not to seek re-election after the redrawing of electorallines would have forced her to run from a district where 70 percent of the constituents lived in Lowell and were rep-resented by a popular incumbent.

Pat Wojtas, a former selectman who ran for the 2nd Middlesex District seat, ran into a similar roadblock. When for-mer state Rep. Geoff Hall, D-Westford, announced he wouldn't seek re-election in 2008, Wojtas saw an opportunityto fill the seat that includes Precincts 3, 5 and 7 in Chelmsford, and the towns of Westford and Littleton.

In Chelmsford, the three precincts have about 7,272 registered voters. Westford has about 14,570 registered vot-ers, and Littleton has 5,755.

Westford Democrat Jim Arciero cruised to victory in the primary election, capturing 66 percent of the vote to defeatWojtas, 2,334 to 1,212.

Wojtas credited Arciero's successful campaign but also recognized that he did extremely well in his hometown,which has the lion's share of voters in the district.

In addition to Arciero, Chelmsford's current state representatives include Lowell Democrats Tom Golden and DaveNangle, and Concord Democrat Cory Atkins.

Last year, Arciero was the only member of the Chelmsford delegation to support appointing an independent com-mission to study redistricting, saying that he thought dividing the district into four parts was wrong.

Golden said he rejected the notion because there was no assurance that an independent commission would betruly independent.

The last redistricting round gave rise to controversy around House Speaker Thomas Finneran and court rulingsthat ordered electoral lines to be redrawn. Finneran resigned in 2004 and was eventually convicted of obstructionof justice related to his testimony in a redistricting lawsuit.

Chelmsford Town Manager Paul Cohen said last night that once the Census data are in, he will attend a statewideredistricting workshop in Ipswich on Jan. 11 that will help explain the process. The town's redistricting committeewill then have one year to complete its work.

Chelmsford residents work to be heard on Billerica project

By Monica Jimenez/staff writerGateHouse News Service

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x552738717/Chelmsford-residents-work-to-be-heard-on-Billerica-project

Sep 28, 2010

Chelmsford —Billerica opens a public hearing on the Aspen Apartments project, abut-ting the town line, in a little more than two weeks and Chelmsford resi-dents are determined to get their concerns heard.

The hearing opens Oct. 13, which serves as a deadline for all informa-tion about the project. Among the many concerns: Building the projectwill alter the topography changing how water runs off from the site anddownhill neighbors are concerned that water will then become their problem.

Monday night, Bill Griffin, a Bishop Street resident, pressed selectmen on hiring an independent analyst to studythe problem and prepare a report in time to meet the Oct. 13 deadline.

Town Manager Paul Cohen explained the town engineering department reviewed the system in place at the site todecrease off-property flooding. Stormwater retention basins are used to hold water on-site so drainage occurs in acontrolled manner over time. The problem is the bedrock is too shallow to accommodate the basins and Billericahas asked the size calculations be revised. The age of the basins is also a factor to consider – they may need tobe repaired in the future.

“It’s been a frustrating process,It’s been a frustrating process,” Cohen said.

To get an analysis in time for the Oct. 13 hearing, Griffin suggested the town partner with the Horlsey and WittenGroup, an environmental science and engineering firm that charges $1000 for a report and $160 per hour. The se-lectmen moved to give Cohen the authority to spend an amount not exceeding $1160 from the Board of Select-men’s office budget.

“It’s an investment well worth making,It’s an investment well worth making,” Selectman Jon Kurland said.


Chelmsford Board of Appeals has North Road appeal on agendaChelmsford Board of Appeals has North Road appeal on agenda

GateHouse News Servicehttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/newsnow/x1616316368/Chelmsford-Board-of-Appeals-has-North-Road-appeal-on-agenda

Sep 30, 2010

Chelmsford —The Chelmsford Board of Appeals will hold public hearings on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at the ChelmsfordSenior Center, 75 Groton Road, North Chelmsford to hear requests for special permits, variances,

and other appeals.

All hearings begin at 7 p.m.

On the docket

Attorney Richard McClure for administrative appeal of the is-suance of a building permit to Epsilon Group, LLC to constructa legal and medical office building at 9 North Road.

Files and plans are available for review in the CommunityDevelopment Office, Room LL05 of the Town Offices, 50Billerica Road, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday.


Photos by Pam ArmstrongPhotos by Pam Armstrong

A large crowd turned out for the latest "Support Our Town Coffee" atthe Java Room last week. These coffees are friendly get togethers,held about once a month, to support our local small businesses andto gather for informal chats about town activities and local politics.

A few of the many political & town leaders who made it to this latestcoffee are: Senator Susan Fargo, Town Manager Paul Cohen, Cur-rent School Superintendent Frank Tiano, State Rep candidate K.C.Winslow, Congressional candidate Sam Meas, Selectmen CandidatesPat Wojtas & Jim Lane, all of the five School Committee Members,Selectmen George Dixon & Jon Kurland, and many Chelmsford TownMeeting Representatives & residents.

The next Support Our Town Coffee will take place at the Jones FarmGreenhouse Cafe in late October. We hope you can join us.

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Fall Town Meeting10/18 at 7:30 PM

Click here for Town Meeting

Warrant

http://documents.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/dsweb/Get/Document-59394/2010%2520Fall%2520Annual%2520Town%2520Meeting%2520Warrant.pdf



Chelmsford resident shakes off diagnosis, keeps moving aheadChelmsford resident shakes off diagnosis, keeps moving ahead

By Monica Jimenez/staff writerGateHouse News Service

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x1106457647/Chelmsford-resident-shakes-of-diagnosis-keeps-moving-ahead

Sep 30, 2010

Chelmsford —Historically, October isn’t a great month for Lynn Marcella.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2008 at age 54. Her mom died of the illness in October 21 years ago.

But October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month and that fact alone give Marcella a reason to celebrate.

Upon first hearing her diagnosis, she was forced to contemplate the end of a life carefully built: She was co-chair of thetown’s 2009 4th of July Parade, in the middle of a Rotary Club dictionary project for Chelmsford schoolchildren andpoised to become president of the Chelmsford Business Association.

“Would I have to quit everything?Would I have to quit everything?” Marcella recalled wondering. “Would I be too sick to even be able to participateWould I be too sick to even be able to participate

in all the activities I loved?in all the activities I loved?”

Her diagnosis meant an array of medical tests and two surgeries to her to-do list and she had to fit a visit to the Lowell GeneralHospital Center into her morning routine for seven weeks. But surprisingly, little else changed.

“I was basically a healthy person with a little blip in my life,I was basically a healthy person with a little blip in my life,” Marcella said. “I realized that the best thing I couldI realized that the best thing I could

do was to try to keep my daily activities as normal as possible.do was to try to keep my daily activities as normal as possible.”

The support of family and friends helped enormously, Marcella said. As if to prove her point, one of her friends from the ChelmsfordBusiness association walked in during the interview. Kim Walters called Marcella a superhero and reported she did a great job.

“Breathe,Breathe,” Walters instructed as Marcella’s eyes started misting. “You’re surviving.You’re surviving.”

Marcella also expressed gratitude to the Lowell General Hospital center, where social workers made themselves available for coun-seling and the billing department went above and beyond, creating multiple accounts as they figured out costs and insurance cover-age.

According to Marcella, perhaps most essential was the navigator, a hospital employee who guides patients through all phases ofthe disease: Coping with the news; finding treatment; and finding their way through the medical system labyrinth.

Even as the 10th month of 2010 approaches, Marcella’s thoughts aren’t black rather, her outlook is downright rosy.

Marcella is planning a pink display case for the Chelmsford Copy and Secretarial Center, where she works, as well as a pink com-edy night. She is also preparing a basket of pink goodies for the Rotary Club. The basket already includes a Mary K gift certificateand a dozen pink roses.

“I was fortunate to be diagnosed early,I was fortunate to be diagnosed early,” Marcella said, putting away a set of pink hand towels and pink gloves. “My motherMy mother

was not diagnosed early.was not diagnosed early.”

Marcella has a family history of breast cancer and two sisters who have undergone lumpectomies. Her risk of developing the dis-ease was always higher than average — but so was her awareness of that chance. So Marcella went in for frequent screenings andher cancer was discovered at an early stage.

This October, Marcella remembers her mother and others who have succumbed to breast cancer, understanding this remembrancemay have saved her life. To her, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is not just about a history of lives lost – it’s about how that historycan change the future.

Marcella applauds the spirit behind the fundraisers, parades, walks and ribbons, but believes even more can be done to improveawareness. For example, she pointed out not many people know men can also suffer from breast cancer. She herself met one mandaily at the Lowell General Hospital Cancer Center, where they were both being treated for the disease.

Breast cancer can also develop much earlier than people might expect, Marcella said. Her friend’s daughter was diagnosed at 23.Routine screenings should begin earlier, Marcella suggested, citing how common the disease is.

“I’m not unique,I’m not unique,” Marcella said. “Almost everyone you know has a friend or family member with breast cancer. It’sAlmost everyone you know has a friend or family member with breast cancer. It’s

touched everybody.touched everybody.”

These days, Marcella takes an anti-cancer drug daily and checks in at the doctor’s office every six months. She has surgery scarsand three tattoos, tiny ink pinpricks that helped direct the radiation during her treatment. But all things considered, Marcella said,she’s doing fine.

“I think it was the love and support from my family and the wonderful friends I have in this community, espeI think it was the love and support from my family and the wonderful friends I have in this community, espe--

cially my CBA and parade buddies, that gave me the inspiration to keep going and not miss a beat,cially my CBA and parade buddies, that gave me the inspiration to keep going and not miss a beat,” Marcellasaid.


POLITICALLY INCORRECTwithTom Christiano

POLITICALLY JUNKIESwithTom Christiano

Tom Christiano's Politically Incorrect 9/21/10 Candidate for Selectmen Jerry Loew an exclusive 10 minute interview.

Guests include: School Committee member Nick DeSilvio, Town MeetingRepersentatives Karen DeDonato& Pat Magnel, and PermanentBuilding Committee Member Steve Roberts

CLICKCLICK

HEREHEREfor entire show

The panelists on the 304th POLITICALLY INCORThe panelists on the 304th POLITICALLY INCOR--

RECT SHOW, recorded on SEPT 21, 2010 are: (l to r)RECT SHOW, recorded on SEPT 21, 2010 are: (l to r)

Jerry Loew, Nick DeDilvio, Pat Magnell, TC, KarenJerry Loew, Nick DeDilvio, Pat Magnell, TC, Karen

DeDonato & Steve Roberts.DeDonato & Steve Roberts.

CLICKCLICK

HEREHEREforinterview

CLICKCLICK

HEREHEREforinterview

Guest:John Belskis, the Director of theCoalition to Repeal 40B ballotquestion initiative throughout theState. This show was taped onOctober 1, 2010.

Guest:State Representative Jim Arcierotaped on September 28, 2010.many state and local issues werecovered on the show.

http://www.viddler.com/explore/intownreport/videos/2/








http://www.viddler.com/explore/re007hq/videos/152/



TOWN TALKTOWN TALKwith Dennis Ready & Mary Gregoire

Guests:

Jerry Loew

Selectmen Candidate

Dr.Donald Yeoman

Superintendent of Chelmsford Schools

in his first TV appearance since his

resignation

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HEREHEREfor segment

CLICKCLICK

HEREHEREfor segment

Phil and Joanne StanwayPhil and Joanne Stanway

Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship

Pat MaloneyPat Maloney

on the new DPW facility

CLICKCLICK

HEREHEREfor segment

CLICKCLICK

HEREHEREfor segment















ExtraExtraExtrasExtras

The Chelmsford Women Of Today & The Chelmsford Public Library

Present:

THURSDAY

October 7th

7-9PM

CHELMSFORD OPEN SPACES

BEHIND THE SCENES

Phil Stanway, founder of the Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship, will discuss

the locations, history, recreational options, and educational and family

opportunities available within our town. With over 1000 acres of open space to

explore, there is much to be learned. This program is FREE and open to the

public. It will be held at the Chelmsford Public Library

25 Boston Road in Chelmsford.

Contact the library at 978-256-5521, ext. 109 or visit www.chelmsfordlibrary.org

or www.cwotma.org for more information.

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Trick or Treating Trick or Treating 10/31, 510/31, 5 -- 8 PM8 PM

The First Annual Chelmsford Dog Association

Howl’ween Howl’ween

Dog & Costume Show with Trade FairOctober 16, 2010

11AM-3PM

At Parlee’s Farm Corn Maze Field located at the intersection of Pine Hill and Galloway RdGeneral Admission is free! (Does not include the Corn Maze.)

Prizes will be awarded for:

• Best trick•Best wag/swishiest butt

•Best dog costume•Best Owner & Dog costume

•Best shelter dog•Biggest drooler

•Long Distance Award •Vendor award for cleverest dog theme.

•Biggest dog•Smallest dog

•Dog/Owner Look Alike•People's Choice

•Best Kisser•Best Heinz

Pet Photos, Silent Auction, Kids’ Games, Hotdogs door prizes and more!

Vendor Spaces Available: $25.00

Dog Show entrance fee-$2.00/category, 3 categories for $5.00 -pleasecall 978-250-3878 or e-mail

[email protected] for applicationor more information

Rain Date: October 17, 2010

CLICK HERE for video interview about the Halloween Ball


PRINT PAGEPRINT PAGE

Chelmsford Residents Only2010 Seasonal Flu

and Pneumonia Vaccine Clinic:

Administered by the Chelmsford Board of Health

This vaccine is for the regular yearly seasonal flu. The three viruses that it provides protection against are:A/H1N1 (pandemic) influenza

A/H3N2 influenzaInfluenza B

Location: Chelmsford Senior Center75 Groton Rd, North Chelmsford

Date and Time: Tuesday, October 19, 20102:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

(for all Chelmsford residents ages 65 yrs + and all thoseunder age 65 with a chronic illness)

and4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

(for all Chelmsford residents ages 6 months +)

For those ages 65 + Bring ALL of your HEALTH INSURANCE CARDS with you.Donations are accepted from those under age 65 to cover the cost of the vaccine and supplies.

If you have any questions you may call Sue Rosa, RN at the Chelmsford Board ofHealth (978) 250-5243

2010 Merrimack Valley2010 Merrimack Valley

Heart WalkHeart WalkDid you know that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of all Americans? In fact, someone dies from CVD every 38 seconds! Heart dis-ease also kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. And congenital cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of infantdeath from birth defects.

You can help. When you join Start! Heart Walk, you join more than a million people in 300+ cities across America in taking a stand againstheart disease and helping save lives!

The funds you raise in Start! Heart Walk will support projects like these:

Putting up-to-the-minute research into doctors’ hands so they can better prevent and treat heart disease among patients.

Groundbreaking pediatric heart and stroke research.About 36,000 babies are born with heart defects each year —research is the key to saving babies’ lives.

Getting life-saving information to those who need it most – information that can save a life, like how to eat better, how to recognize the warn-ing signs of heart attack, and how to talk to a doctor about critical health choices.

Event Info:Saturday, October 16th

Sampas Pavilion on the Merrimack River

Registration: 8:30AM

Opening Ceremonies: 9:30AM

Walk Start!: 10:00AM

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay a registration fee?

No, the Merrimack Valley Start! Heart Walk is a completely free event. However, we do encourage walkers to fundraise and there is no mini-mum as to how much you raise. The average fundraising amount per walker in 2009 was $270 and if you raise $100 by the Heart Walk youwill receive an official Heart Walk t-shirt!

How do I form a Team?

Teams can be formed from groups of co-workers, friends, families, or a combination of these. Your personal webpage makes it easy to re-cruit team members. Just log into your webpage at www.MerrimackValleyHeartWalk.org and from the Email Center select the Join My Teamemail template. A link to join your team is automatically included in the email!

Is there any special recognition for survivors of heart disease and stroke?

Yes, survivors are given red ball caps to wear during the Heart Walk to show their triumph over heart disease or stroke and are invited on-stage for the Red Cap Wave to kick off the Walk.

Where do my donations go?

Your donations will support the American Heart Association’s clinical, educational and research programs here in the Greater Boston andMerrimack Valley area. Every contribution will help bring us further along the path of reducing heart disease and stroke throughout our na-tion, our communities, and among our friends and family.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE...CLICK HERE FOR MORE...

submitted by TM REP submitted by TM REP Mary TianoMary TianoVisit her website Visit her website HEREHERE

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When: Saturday, October 16Where: Brewery Exchange, Cabot Street, LowellTime: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.Cost: $10 per person, $20 per family, seniors free (Appetizers included)

3RD ANNUAL TOM GOLDEN FALL FESTIVAL TO BENEFIT FAMILIES IN NEED AND VETERANS

Saturday, October 162:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

When: Saturday

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☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆Chelmsford Women of Today Food DriveChelmsford Women of Today Food Drive

The Chelmsford Women of Today is sponsoring aFood Drive at Market Basket, 288 Chelmsford Street,

on Sat, October 23 from 9 am to 3 pm to benefitthe Chelmsford Community Exchange Food Pantry .

At the door, shoppers can take a suggested shopping list,purchase as many items as they wish and then,

simply drop the items off with our volunteers at the store exit.All items collected will be delivered to the Food Pantry

and any monetary donations collected will be usedto purchase Market Basket gift cards.

The Chelmsford Women of Today is aa non-profit group focused on community service,

personal development and fellowship.We support other charities such as Project Linus,

Alternative House, MSPCC, etc.We meet regularly at the Chelmsford Library

on the third Tuesday of each month fromSept-June at 7pm. Chelmsford residency is

not requred. For more info, checkout www.cwotma.org or contact Mary Gail at 978-251-1543.

VOICESVOICESOf Involved Citizens Encouraging Safety Inc.Of Involved Citizens Encouraging Safety Inc.

Please join us at our third annual fundraiserPlease join us at our third annual fundraiser

COCKTAIL PARTY, SILENT AUCTION & DANCINGCOCKTAIL PARTY, SILENT AUCTION & DANCING

DATE: Friday, October 15, 2010TIME: 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Doubletree Guest Suites550 Winter Street

Waltham, MA 02451

for reservations or more information contact Sandy DiBacco508-541-6360

email: [email protected]

SPECIAL GUESTS Mark Lunsford, father of Jessica Lunsford & Child Protection AdvocateStacie Rumenap, President of Stop Child Predators, Washington D.C.

Donation: $25.00 in advance$30.00 at the door

PLEASE BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLEASE BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

If you are unable to attend but would like to donate to our cause, donations can be made by clicking on Paypal or by sending a check made payable to:

VOICESc/o Sandy DiBacco51 Cleveland StreetNorfolk, MA 02056

We are a 501(c) non-profit organizationAll donations are tax deductible

www.communityvoices.net

http://www.communityvoices.net

Every Every

ThursdayThursday

2-6 pm 2-6 pm

through through

OctoberOctober

14, 201014, 2010

Learn Learn

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

A message from Tom Fall Town Meeting Representative precinct 7

I am a co-sponsor for a Cory Atkins Coffee at The JavaI am a co-sponsor for a Cory Atkins Coffee at The Java

Room on Saturday, October 9th from 8:00 A.M.to 11:00 AM.Room on Saturday, October 9th from 8:00 A.M.to 11:00 AM.

Cory represents Pct. 1 & 9 but she has been a strong advoCory represents Pct. 1 & 9 but she has been a strong advo--

cate for many others in Chelmsford as well as those in othercate for many others in Chelmsford as well as those in other

towns that are in need of assistance.towns that are in need of assistance.

Any questions please feel free to contact me or Rep. AtkinsAny questions please feel free to contact me or Rep. Atkins

Office.Office.

Best Wishes,Best Wishes,

Tom FallTom Fall

Home Tel. # (978)256-3297Home Tel. # (978)256-3297

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

QUOTE OF THE WEEK :

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble,

finding it everywhere,

diagnosing it incorrectly,

and applying the wrong remedies."

— — Groucho Marx

CLICKCLICK

HEREHEREFOR

From the

FARSIDEFARSIDE of ChelmsfordChelmsford

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1941782



If you have friends, family or neighbors who If you have friends, family or neighbors who

would like to be added to this news would like to be added to this news

distribution list just have them drop a line atdistribution list just have them drop a line at

[email protected]@gmail.com

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ROY EARLEYROY EARLEYTown Meeting Representative Precinct 6Town Meeting Representative Precinct 6In-Town Report:Creator,Editor,compiler,

Designer,writer,photographer

ITRITR on FACEBOOK link

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http://www.lowellsun.com/

In-Town Report 10-3-2010

News & Politics

Transcript of In-Town Report 10-3-2010