ASK THE MANAGER:ASK THE MANAGER:IInn--TToowwnn RReeppoorrtt66--2266--0099

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IInn--TToowwnn RReeppoorrtt ::

How much money has the town spent so far "studying" the need for a newDPW and Center Fire Station?

CChheellmmssffoorrdd TToowwnn MMaannaaggeerr PPaauull CCoohheenn::

AAtt tthhee 22000077 SSpprriinngg AAnnnnuuaall TToowwnn MMeeeettiinngg,, tthhee TToowwnn aapppprroopprriiaatteedd $$1177,,000000 ffoorr tthhee pprreelliimmiinnaarryy ppllaannnniinngg ooff aa ffiirree aannddDDPPWW ffaacciilliittyy.. AAtt tthhee 22000077 FFaallll AAnnnnuuaall TToowwnn MMeeeettiinngg,, tthhee TToowwnn aapppprroopprriiaatteedd $$8855,,000000 ffoorr tthhee ffeeaassiibbiilliittyy ssttuuddiieess ffoorr tthheeppllaannnniinngg aanndd ccoonnssttrruuccttiioonn ooff aa nneeww FFiirree DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt HHeeaaddqquuaarrtteerrss aanndd ffoorr tthhee ppllaannnniinngg aanndd ccoonnssttrruuccttiioonn ooff aa nneeww DDee--ppaarrttmmeenntt ooff PPuubblliicc WWoorrkkss ffaacciilliittyy..

IInn--TToowwnn RReeppoorrtt ::

How many debt exclusions are we currently still paying for in the town?

TToowwnn MMaannaaggeerr PPaauull CCoohheenn::

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IInn--TToowwnn RReeppoorrtt ::

How much will it cost(roughly)for the Town to hold a special election in October for a debt inclusion vote?

TToowwnn MMaannaaggeerr PPaauull CCoohheenn::

AApppprrooxxiimmaatteellyy $$1188,,000000..

IInn--TToowwnn RReeppoorrtt ::

Does the meal/hotel tax have to go to a special town wide ballot also?

TToowwnn MMaannaaggeerr PPaauull CCoohheenn::

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IInn--TToowwnn RReeppoorrtt ::

If the Town adds on it's own meal/hotel tax on top of what the State is adding, will the town tax come directly back totown?

TToowwnn MMaannaaggeerr PPaauull CCoohheenn::

YYeess.. TThhee eessttiimmaatteedd aannnnuuaall llooccaall rreevveennuuee ffrroomm aa ..7755%% mmeeaallss ttaaxx iiss aapppprrooxxiimmaatteellyy $$222200,,000000 aanndd tthhee eessttiimmaatteedd aannnnuuaall llooccaall rreevveennuuee ffrroomm aa 22%% iinnccrreeaassee iinn tthhee rroooomm ooccccuuppaannccyy ttaaxx iiss aapppprrooxxiimmaatteellyy $$113300,,000000..

Poor economy could aid town's structural needsPoor economy could aid town's structural needshttp://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_12712165

By Rita Savard, rsavard@lowellsun.com06/29/2009

CHELMSFORD -- Pat Maloney said the pictures are worth 1,000 words.

Temporary wooden support beams hoisting up the Center Fire Station's floor. A rickety trailer housing theadministrative offices for the Department of Public Works.

Both sights, said Maloney, chairman of the Fire Department andDPW Facility Study Committee, are an eyesore. But more impor-tant than aesthetics is the structural integrity of both buildings, theStudy Committee reported.

"You can't assume what's there is going to hold up forever,"Maloney said.

Although money is tight, Town Manager Paul Cohen said the re-cession might actually present an opportunity to address struc-tural needs for both antiquated buildings. Cohen said he wouldlike to see both projects put before a Special Town Meetingscheduled for Aug. 17.

"The current economy offers a favorable bidding climate for construction, reduced cost for real-es-tate acquisitions and low interest for borrowing," Cohen said. "Because our debt rate is declining,both projects would have a minimal impact on the average single-family tax bill."

In March, the Study Committee said Chelmsford could save millions of dollars by moving the DPW opera-tions to an existing building on Alpha Road for about $12.8 million. Building a brand-new facility, reportedthe committee, would cost the town about $31.2 million.

At the time, officials said the town couldn't afford to bring both buildings up to date, considering that build-ing a new fire station on the corner of Chelmsford and Wilson streets would cost another $11.9 million.

The Fire Department plans to apply for a $5 million federal grant to help foot the bill. But the grant, officialswarned, is highly competitive. In the meantime, the Study Committee also suggested that the saggingCenter Fire Station floor could be rebuilt for about $590,000.

Maloney said that while firefighters at the Center Station "couldn't be living in worse conditions, thecost savings for relocating the DPW were far too great to ignore."

If the DPW relocation and a new fire station are approved by Town Meeting ata combined cost of about $25 million -- not accounting for any possible fed-eral stimulus money -- it wouldn't impact tax bills until about 2013, when theeconomy is expected to be better, Cohen said.

Both projects would increase the average single family tax bill by about$76.50 at its highest rate, which Cohen estimates would be in 2014. Afterthat, the amount would continue to decline until 2020, when the debt serviceis expected to return to its current level.

Some officials say more input from the public is needed before either project end up on the floor of TownMeeting.

"The Alpha Road site does provide the town with a big cost savings," Selectmen Chairwoman ClareJeannotte said. "But more in-depth discussions are needed, with room for community input, beforewe can talk about sending either one of these issues to Town Meeting for a vote."

Chelmsford mulls $25M$25M for Fire, DPW headquarters

http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_12720009By Rita Savard, rsavard@lowellsun.com

06/30/2009

CHELMSFORD -- The crack in the foundation was visible in 1987.

Now the floor of the Chelmsford Center Fire Station is crumbling.

"It's decrepit, deplorable, in terrible condition," said Selectmen Chairwoman Clare Jeannotte.

But town officials said the big hurdle in fixing the problem will be getting voters to approve $25 million tobuild a new fire station on the corner of Wilson and Chelmsford streets, and relocate the town's Departmentof Public Works to Alpha Road.

"We can't sit around and wait for the floor to collapse," Jeannotte said."But it's a difficult time to ask this."

With the town's excluded debt service on capital projects decreasing over the next couple years, Jeannottesaid residents might not be willing to take on another expense to fill the void.

But Town Manager Paul Cohen reminded selectmen that the poor economy puts the town in an excellentposition to bid for construction costs at much lower rates and low interest for borrowing.

In March, a committee charged with researching two of the town's oldest municipal buildings said Chelms-ford could save millions of dollars by moving DPW operations to an existing building on Alpha Road, offRoute 129, for about $12.8 million. Building a new facility would cost about $31.2 million.

In addition, building a new fire station would cost $11.9 million.

Cohen said if both projects were done now, the town would also save on sharing project managers for therenovation and construction of both buildings.

"We can wait until a better day, but the better day might never come," Cohen said. "No one is buildinga Taj Mahal here. We have to trust the voters to make the best decision."

The Fire Department and DPW Facility Committee did suggest that the sagging Center Fire Station Floorcould be rebuilt for about $590,000. Former Selectman Bill Dalton, who was also on the study committee,said that would be like "throwing good money out the window."

"Even if the floor is fixed, the building has other structural problems," Dalton said. "And like the townmanager said, it's just not big enough to house the department's headquarters into the future."

Fire Chief Jack Parow told officials that firefighters currently park in a bank parking lot next door becausethere isn't enough room behind their own building.

Parow also talked about the netting in place under a section of the floor where a piece of concrete keepscrumbling every time a fire engine rolls in.

"One day a wheel will come through that floor," he said.

Jeannotte asked David Turocy, the Finance Committee representative on the study committee, why he did-n't vote in favor of building a new fire station.

While he believes a new fire station is needed, Turocy said he also believes something had to be done andopted to support an alternative more palatable to voters.

If a new fire station were on the ballot, Turocy said he would vote for it.

Cohen said if both projects are approved for about $25 million, it wouldn't affect tax bills until 2013. At itshighest rate, the average single-family tax bill would increase by about $76.50 in 2014, then continue to de-crease each subsequent year until the debt service returns to current levels in 2020.

Selectmen expect to hold a public input session on both projects in July.

NMCOG will study effect of NMCOG will study effect of regional 911regional 911By Rita Savard, rsavard@lowellsun.com

07/01/2009

CHELMSFORD -- How local should 911 centers be?

Town and public-safety officials say regionalizing emergency dispatch services is a move to save moneyand improve the system. But as the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments launches a study on re-gionalization, there are concerns over mistakes and delays from outside dispatchers who might not knowthe communities to which they're sending emergency responders.

"Sharing 911 dispatch services seems to make more sense than maintaining many small fiefdoms," said Chelmsford Town Manager Paul Cohen.

Several other states have taken a regional approach to 911 emergency call centers and it works, Cohensaid. He cited Rhode Island, which has one regional center, and California, which has six. Massachusettshas more than 200.

Gov. Deval Patrick, who is also pushing for regionalization, has said sharing dispatch operationsstatewide could save cities and towns thousands of dollars.

NMCOG Executive Director Beverly Woods said the study should take about a year to complete, withrepresentatives from each of the council's nine communities participating.

"It's very common in other parts of the country, and already in some parts of Massachusetts, includingthe Berkshires and Cape Cod, so there are many different models to look at," Woods said. "Ultimately, it'sbeing looked at as another cost-saving measure to deal with some of the cuts in local aid."

Wood said NMCOG received $20,000 this year from the District Local Technical Assistance Program toopen dialogue among communities and begin identifying what the issues are. The council has also ap-plied for a grant from the state 911 department to undertake a more detailed analysis that would com-pare what each community spends on 911 dispatch services and how much it could save by mergingresources.

In March, state officials agreed to fund the creation of a regional emergency dispatch center in EssexCounty. The Executive Office of Public Safety awarded $4.9 million toward the cost of building and equip-ping the center. It also committed to covering the $6.8 million project cost.

The Essex County Sheriff's office manages the dispatch center in cooperation with local police fire and fi-nance advisory boards.

Chelmsford resident Anne Holland, who has an elderly mother with Alzheimer's, said she's a little con-cerned about regionalization taking dispatchers out of their respective communities.

"People like the idea of having people they know, who know their town on the other end of thatphone when the worst happens," Holland said.

Chelmsford Fire Chief Jack Parow said he has talked to several fire chiefs inEssex County who are happy with the move to regionalization. But like anychange, Parow said in the beginning it can be a difficult concept to grasp.

"There's that old Yankee mentality of wanting to keep your piece of what youhave," Parow said. "The driving force for town managers is saving money. Forus it's a much better system with more manpower and professionally traineddispatchers. I've seen it work around the country and it could work heretoo."

Chief Chief Jack ParowJack Parow

Chelmsford, Westford residentsChelmsford, Westford residentsgirding for fight girding for fight

vs. asphalt plantvs. asphalt planthttp://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_12695454

By Rita Savard, rsavard@lowellsun.com06/26/2009

CHELMSFORD -- A single mother, a Harvard research scientist and a school-bus driver.

The people living along Groton Road don't look the same, but now many are sharing the same title eversince company executives from Newport Materials Inc., proposed to build a hot-mix asphalt plant nextdoor to their homes: community activist.

More than 200 residents in Chelmsford, joined by dozens of neighbors in Westford, have been circulatingpetitions online and door to door, to keep the 4-acre plant from moving into Westford. As names are addedto the petitions daily, abutters hope town officials will hear their message.

"A facility like this just doesn't belong next to residential neighborhoods," said Merle Adelman, aresident of the Scotty Hollow community in Chelmsford, located about 1,300 feet from the proposed site at540 Groton Road.

Upset that possible health, environmental andtransportation concerns may be overlooked toallow for construction of the plant, residents onboth sides of the town line say they won't backdown. The biggest concern among the growinggrass-roots effort, said Adelman, is childrenbreathing in toxins.

"These neighborhoods are filled with kids," Adelman said. "I understand (Newport Materials) isdoing everything they can to make the plant as clean as possible, but you're still going to haveparticle pollution."

But representatives for Newport Materials say 99.9 percent of the particulate matter emitted will be cap-tured by the plant's clean-burning technology.

"The emission report we submitted was very clear," company spokesman Scott Tranchemontagnesaid. "We will produce some emissions, but they are so far below the standards of safety set byfederal and state regulators that they will not have a negative impact on the communities in thiscase."

Tranchemontagne also cited study results from an independent consultant hired by the town of Westford.

Consultant David MacIntosh of Needham-based Environmental Health and Engineering Inc., reported thatchemical and compound emissions from the plant wouldn't have any major impacts on health.

Members of the Westford Route 40 Clean Air Coalition, including Harvard research scientist MichaelWang, say the information in the report is not enough. Wang has said dangerous particles about one-30ththe diameter of a human hair can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause a variety of health complica-tions.

Tranchemontagne said he has never seen an actual report based on testing from the proposed site fromWang.

Compared to the number of vehicles that drive over Route 40 each day, about 13,000, and the number ofvehicles that drive over neighboring Route 3, about 86,000, Tranchemontagne said Newport Materials' 62to 75 trucks per day is "just a drop in the bucket."

"No matter how you stack it up, it's just not credible to argue our trucks are going to have an im-pact on residents' health," he said. "People should be concerned. This is where they live. But atsome point, you have to look at the facts and the data presented by the experts."

The plant -- proposed for an industrial zone next to an existing rock quarry -- is expected to produce up to1,000 tons of asphalt per day. Town officials have estimated it will also generate 75,000 to 100,000 in an-nual tax revenue for Westford.

The Westford Board of Health and PlanningBoard are still waiting for more informationon hazardous air pollutants and the impactsof emissions to sensitive populations wholive nearby the proposed site.

In the meantime, Chelmsford Selectman EricDahlberg said he's throwing his full supportbehind residents and has contacted thetown's state legislators about the issue.

State. Rep. Jim Arciero, D-Westford, said he and Sen. Steve Panagiotakos, D-Lowell, are sending a peti-tion they both received from residents to the Westford Planning Board. Panagiotakos represents Westford;Arciero represents Westford and parts of Chelmsford.

The Chelmsford Board of Selectmen has also sent a letter voicing its concerns to Westford officials.

"They (Newport Materials) can put up all the filters and masking agents in the world, but there isstill going to be fine-particle pollution coming from the plant," Dahlberg said. "I trust Westford offi-cials will look at long-term health effects over the dollar."

The Westford Planning Board will discuss the issue at its next meeting, scheduled for July 20.

TOWN TALK TOWN TALK withwith

DENNIS READYDENNIS READY

Dennis Ready talks with NorthChelmsford resident Joe Readyabout the proposed Asphalt planton the Westford/Chelmsford border

CLICK HERE CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOFOR VIDEO

Chelmsford Police Chief JamesMurphy talks with Dennis Readyabout the sex offender registry andthe Chelmsford police policy con-cerning offenders who work andlive in the town.

CLICK HERECLICK HERE FOR VIDEOFOR VIDEO

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

www.ncmec.orgwww.ncmec.org

www.netsmartz411.orgwww.netsmartz411.org

www.townofchelmsford.uswww.townofchelmsford.us

www.communityvoices.netwww.communityvoices.net

Board to North Water District:That's more like itThat's more like it

http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_12686604By Rita Savard, rsavard@lowellsun.com

06/25/2009

CHELMSFORD -- Plans for a $7.8 million water treatment plant in North Chelmsford are picking up steam, astensions dissolved last night over project details.

While the Planning Board didn't approve the North Chelmsford Water District's site-plan proposal, the board --which gave the district an ultimatum at the previous meeting -- said last night's presentation seemed less likedeja vu, and more like what they have been requesting.

"The process resulted in an improved project," said the town's Community Development Director Evan Be-lansky.

During the Planning Board's last meeting on May 27, members showed their frustration with the district, sayingofficials had failed to deliver a detailed proposal for eight months. The biggest problem, said Planning Boardmember Jim Lane, was that the district still hadn't proved it acquired official access to the site.

"If you don't have access to a site, you don't have anything," Lane had said.

Before launching into last night's lengthy public hearing, Chairman George Zaharoolis told North Water officialshe expected a "full presentation from beginning to end, from top to bottom."

"Anything less than that, and this board will not be happy," he said.

Paul Howard, a consulting engineer for the North Water District, was armed with reports, posters and blueprints,and gave a presentation trying to touch on all of the Planning Board's questions.

Howard said the district has worked hard trying to attain an easement from National Grid, which owns the onlyparcel an access road can be built upon. National Grid has finally approved access for a payment of $15,000.But the North Water District is still waiting for project approval before it pays the utility.

Howard said the district didn't want to pay the utility company, and then have the project denied.

But there was still a push from neighbors, who remain unsatisfied.

Attorney Doug Hausler, who represents a group of water customers that live next door to the site of the pro-posed plant, hammered North Water officials with several questions, including asking if National Grid could putsomething in writing about the easement. Hausler questioned why the access road couldn't be farther away fromneighboring homes.

Planning Board member Ann McGuigan told Hausler that request was "not even reasonable."

McGuigan who cracked down on North Water officials at a previous meeting, said the Planning Board has"harped" on the district to get an easement.

"They have done due diligence," she said. "Whether we like it or not, they've done what's required."

Zaharoolis said the board wanted to take time to draft its decision, which would include a list of conditions.Among those conditions, were an emergency site-plan review, a guarantee North Water would place trees infront of neighboring houses as a buffer, and an official easement filed with the Registry of Deeds.

"I felt it went well," said North Water Superintendent Bruce Harper. "We'll do whatever we have to do to meet(The Planning Board's) request."

The Planning Board will take up the issue at its next meeting on July 22.

Is it the end for Aspen Apartments?By Chloe Gotsis/Staff Writer /THE BILLERICA MINUTEMAN

http://www.wickedlocal.com/billerica/newsWed Jun 24, 2009

BILLERICA, MASS. - The Past:The Past:

In early December representatives from K and K developers came before the

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for the first public hearing on the 672-unit, 55-acre

affordable housing complex.

In the six months since then, residents from Billerica and Chelmsford have

criticized the project for its immense size, traffic impacts and sewer hookups.

Town officials including the Traffic Committee and members of the ZBA found fault with the $3 million price tag for the traffic impacts from the

development. At the May public hearing the developers said they will contribute up to $735,000.

The Present:

The ZBA closed the public hearing for Aspen Apartments at its Wednesday, June 17, meeting.

Both sides including the town’s engineering consultant, Nitsch engineering, presented its summaries for recommendations on the project.

Zoning Board members asked Eli Pechthold, developer for New Jersey-based Garden Homes, about the possibility of reducing the number of

units. Pechthold said he will look into it, but the decision of the future of Aspen now is in the hands of the board.

The Future:

The ZBA has 40 days from its meeting on June 17 to issue a decision on the proposed development. The ZBA could deny the project or rec-

ommend it at a lower unit count or with recommendations for changes.

*******************************

ZBA OK’s Aspen ApartmentsZBA OK’s Aspen Apartmentshttp://www.wickedlocal.com/billerica/news/x931214911/ZBA-OK-s-Aspen-Apartments

Wed Jul 01, 2009THE BILLERICA MINUTEMAN

BILLERICA, MASS. - In an effort to bring revenue to the town and help fill a state quota for affordable housing, a

divided Zoning Board of Appeals voted this week to approve permits for a sprawling apartment complex on

Rangeway Road.

After more than six months of hearings filled with criticism for the project from town boards and abutters, the zon-

ing board voted Tuesday, June 30, to allow a scaled-down version of the plan. Four of the five members approved

348 units in eight buildings at Aspen Apartments, slimmed down from 672 units and 14 buildings. The develop-

ment will have an emergency access on State Street in Chelmsford, but the primary access is a 35-foot driveway

near Curriculum Associates on Rangeway Road.

Throughout the public hearing process, town departments and committees raised concerns with the level of traf-

fic, sewer and drainage and cost the development would bring to the town.

Attorneys for K and K Developers Inc. said they are pleased with the board’s decision and understand the re-

duced unit number.

“We think the approval and review process was done in a very thorough and professional manner,” said Meredith

West, attorney for the Freeman and Davis law firm representing K and K. “The board acted responsibly with their

roles to create housing. We are very comfortable with the 384 units.”

But Dan Hill, an attorney for more than 50 Chelmsford abutters, said while he is pleased withBut Dan Hill, an attorney for more than 50 Chelmsford abutters, said while he is pleased with

the reduction in units, he is disappointed the board chose to ignore the advice and warningthe reduction in units, he is disappointed the board chose to ignore the advice and warning

signs from their consultants.signs from their consultants.

“The biggest disappointment is the way the builder left it up to the developer to chose where“The biggest disappointment is the way the builder left it up to the developer to chose where

those buildings are going to be,” said Hill. “There won’t be any further opportunity for them tothose buildings are going to be,” said Hill. “There won’t be any further opportunity for them to

comment on the redesign. Therefore the impact to the residents of Chelmsford still remains uncomment on the redesign. Therefore the impact to the residents of Chelmsford still remains un--

resolved.”resolved.”

Hill added that while the board is convinced it could bring revenue to the town, he thinks thereHill added that while the board is convinced it could bring revenue to the town, he thinks there

is a chance it could be an expense.is a chance it could be an expense.

ZBA member Ralph McKenna opposed the permit. He said throughout the process the board was looking at a

permit for 672 units and it was only 20 minutes before the last hearing, on June 17, that the lower number was

suggested. McKenna said he is not convinced the location is the right place for the development.

“Everything I saw was that this was a very poor place to put this project and why with all the warnings from con-

sultants we went along with this just baffles me,” said McKenna.

The state’s controversial affordable housing law, Chapter 40B, allows new developments to bypass local planning

and zoning laws if the 25 percent of the project is deemed affordable for families earning 70 to 80 percent of the

town’s median income. Towns with more than 10 percent of their housing stock deemed affordable are exempt.

The new development, 96 of the units will be affordable, but evenly dispersed and with no substantial difference in

appearance.

The board’s lengthy decision came with 49 conditions of approval and 22 waivers of town and state bylaws, in-

cluding alterations to the planned size, draining, noise management and traffic management plans. The decision

also alleviates the burden from the town of trash removal, on site parking and snow plowing.

The board also waived zoning bylaws for construction in an industrial zone because the project is residential.

The developer is also responsible for installing traffic lights, estimated to cost about $1 million, at the intersection

of Rangeway Road and Route 129.

“We really tried to spread out the impact,” said ZBA Chairwoman Doris Pearson. “We think we’ve made a good

decision.”

The board has 14 days to file the decision with the town clerk’s office. The applicant or abutters have 20 days to

appeal the decision if they wish to do so, before the applicant begins filing for construction.

Billerica bylaw bouncedBillerica bylaw bouncedBy Chris Camire, ccamire@lowellsun.com

http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_12663033

06/22/2009

BILLERICA -- The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office has annulled one of the town's newest bylaws, ruling that a

measure seeking to regulate power plants is "inconsistent" with state law.

But resident Jeanne Landers, who first pitched the bylaw to Town Meeting last month, said she may try to revive it.

"I have a hard time agreeing with that decision," said a disappointed Landers. "It just doesn't seem right to me. I might

bring it back to Town Meeting but I want to make sure it would pass as a zoning bylaw.

The bylaw should have been adopted as a zoning change rather than a general bylaw, Assistant Attorney General Kelli

Power Plant BuzzPower Plant Buzz

Gunagan wrote on behalf of Attorney General Martha Coakley last week.

The bylaw states that various town departments must review 17 criteria before an electric-generating power plant can be

built in Billerica.

It passed, 97-77, at Special Town Meeting in December. The proposed bylaw would authorize local boards to take action if

an electric-generating power plant created a threat to public safety or the environment.

Authorizing local boards to regulate construction and siting of power plants is a classic example of "land regulation

which must be adopted by way of a zoning bylaw rather than a general bylaw," Gunagan wrote in her decision.

When the bylaw passed at Town Meeting, Landers said she hoped it would encourage town leaders to take a closer look at

the proposal for the Billerica Energy Center, a $200 million, 348-megawatt, natural-gas-fired power plant proposed for Bil-

lerica Avenue in North Billerica, near the borders of Chelmsford, Lowell and Tewksbury.

The power plant has also drawn opposition from a vocal group of residents. Billerica Watchers, a citizens activist group

formed to stop the power plant from being built, has argued that it will pose a health risk.

In a written statement, Billerica Watchers president Ed Camplese said his group would continue to show that Billerica

doesn't have the resources to support "the type of facility proposed as the Billerica Energy Center."

"The legal dispute over a simple bylaw, which does nothing beyond require discussions among Billerica's reviewing

boards according to Billerica Town Counsel Costello, verifies (our) concerns," Camplese said in the statement.

Town Counsel Patrick Costello said the bylaw would create an advisory committee to study the power plant, but would do

little else.

When the bylaw was first proposed, attorneys for DG Clean Power, the plant's proponent, took steps to freeze the zoning

at the site of the power plant, according to its chief executive, Joe Fitzpatrick.

"We all knew what (the bylaw) was about -- preventing the power plant from being built," Fitzpatrick said. "The burden is

back on Billerica Watchers to do it properly, if that's what they want to do."

Fitzpatrick also called the attorney general's decision a "pyrrhic victory," due to the fact that the in-service date of the

power plant has been delayed because of dropping demand for electricity throughout New England.

DG Clean Power also withdrew its application for two wetlands permits in May. The company plans to submit a new appli-

cation in November that will address concerns raised by the town's Conservation Commission.

The state's Energy Facilities Siting Board issued a permit for the power plant in February.

The next phase of permitting must go through the Billerica Board of Health, Conservation Commission and Planning

Board on the local level, and the Department of Environmental Protection and Executive Office of Environmental Affairs at

the state level.

From a dream, Chelmsford community garden sproutsFrom a dream, Chelmsford community garden sproutshttp://www.lowellsun.com/ci_12659989

By Rita Savard, rsavard@lowellsun.com

06/21/2009

CHELMSFORD -- Life can rise from ashes.

After working the Sunny Meadow Farm for 50 years, not even a ragingfire could destroy the seeds Walter and Betty Lewis had planted.

"Walter worked the land his whole life," said Bernie Ready of Chelmsford."He believed land could bring a community together."

Thirteen years after Walter's death, his land is still linking the people of Chelmsford, as he would havewanted it. The new Walter F. Lewis Community Garden is taking shape off Robin Hill Road, and giving resi-dents a chance to grow something more than the usual garden variety.

"Coming here is a chance to get to know your neighbors," said Sue Daw-son, whose sunflowers are now pushing three inches from the ground."The people who garden here have become fast friends."

The Lewises, said Ready, would have been happy to see their formerfarm being shared by the community. Because community "was every-thing" to Walter and Betty Lewis.

The couple moved to Chelmsford and purchased the land along Robin Hill Road in the early 1940s. It washalfway between their hometowns -- Betty was from Lunenberg, Walter from Andover.

Walter only knew farming. One of nine children, he was the son of a vegetable farmer.

"He grew up in the middle of the Great Depression," said daughterJoan Crandall, of Chelmsford. "My father didn't grow up with money,and getting an education was very important to him."

Walter put himself through college, earning a bachelor's degree at theformer Lowell Technological Institute, now UMass Lowell, and then re-ceived a master's degree at the University of Connecticut. He armedhimself with the means to get a white-collar job early on, Crandall said.But, "he loved farming," Crandall said. "It's what made him happiest."

Walter and Betty also filled their days with volunteer and charity work.

The couple were deeply involved in their church, Central Congre-gation, and were active in nonprofit organizations, including Habi-tat for Humanity and Heifer International.

When their church wanted to sponsor a Cambodian family who es-caped the Khmer Rouge genocide, the Lewises donated theirland. Now in their third generation in the United States, the Cheyfamily continues to farm the property today.

Walter and Betty didn't know exactly how deep their own connection to the community was rooted untiltheir darkest day.

On Dec. 5, 1970, their dairy barn caught fire when hay was accidentally ignited. Flames reached up to 80feet.

The Westford Fire Department was called in to help battle the roaring blaze. A 29-year-old Westford fire-fighter, Richard St. Onge died, succumbing to smoke inhalation. St. Onge left behind a wife and a new-born.

The Lewises were devastated. But seeds planted long ago were not for-gotten.

People brought food and comfort. Tools and supplies. Hundreds of help-ing hands for Walter and Betty.

All of Chelmsford seemed to turn out, remembers Joan. And farmersfrom across the state came knocking, offering their services.

A new barn was built.

"My parents loved their community, and with all the help that came pouring in, it was obvious the commu-nity loved them back," she said.

A year after the barn fire, Walter officially retired from farming andstarted a new career as director of animal health for the state. Heand Joan started a home building company, Sunny MeadowHomes.

Betty died in 1990, at age 75. Walter followed six years later. Hewas 83.

In 2007, the Lewises' grandchildren sold the land to Chelmsford for$1.5 million, under the condition it remain open space.

The 22.5 acres are now used for farming and agriculture. And new this year, a community garden. It pre-sented an opportunity for someone like Dawson, whose own yard is shaded with trees, to grow a real gar-den.

Fifty plots sit side-by-side, each with their own sig-nature stamp from gardeners. Raised flower beds. Amailbox that holds tools. A winding pathway.

In each plot where green stems are sprouting up,Dawson said the Lewis legacy continues. You can also see it in the friendships that grow.

"This is really a social place," she says. "To think, inthis tiny piece of land, you can really find so muchjoy. This is what the Lewises were all about."

For more information on the Walter F. Lewis Community Garden, contact Phil or Deb Jones at 978-256-8065.

Chelmsford farmer's market set to open July 9Chelmsford farmer's market set to open July 9http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/fun/entertainment/dining/x931213994/Chelmsford-farmers-market-set-to-open-July-9

By Michelle BrosnahanWed Jul 01, 2009

CHELMSFORD - Everywhere, it seems, farmers markets are in bloom.

“Farmers markets have taken off in communities in this year,” said Donna Parlee, who runs Parlee Farm on PineHill Road with her husband Henry Parlee. “We got a lot of letters from other farmers markets asking us to partici-pate this year.”

Parlee’s customers have already started canning, she said, making the best of the summer bounty while it’s inseason. The rain has been good for the blueberries, she said, and the fruit on their 750 blueberries bushes are“humongous.”

Former Chelmsford Selectman Susan Gates and Town Meeting representative Peggy Dunn originated the idea ofa farmer’s market for Chelmsford in 2008, after attending farmers’ markets in towns across New England. (Gatesand Dunn, longtime friends, work together often; for example, as the driving force behind Chelmsford’s Winter-fest.)

The first market opens Thursday July 9 at 2 p.m. Dunn will ringa large old-style schoolmaster’s bell to get it started, and theevent will also feature a bagpipe band.A booth at the market will offer information about the advan-tages of eating locally.

“You remember that we used to have ‘crook neck’ squash, but ithas now been bred so that it is straight, and easier to put in abox.” Dunn said.

The same methods that make supermarket tomatoes a uniformsize, color and shape make them more attractive, she added,but come at the expense of flavor.

“There is really nothing, nothing, like a fresh, locally growntomato, still warm from the heat of the field,” Dunn said.

Phil Jones of Jones Farm said shoppers should expect radishes, basil, Swiss chard, lettuce and raspberries, andmore choices later as summer wears on.

“We have 300 tomato plants in the greenhouse,” Jones said, “they’ll be ready soon, and we’ve got some beauti-ful tomatoes on them.”

This will be Jones Farm’s first farmers’ market, and he looks forward to getting Chelmsford residents together.Donna Parlee agrees.

“The farmers’ market for me gives me a chance to see people I haven’t seen all year long,” Parlee said, “so I re-ally enjoy connecting all the people.”

Gates and Dunn spent the last year navigating the process of creating the farmer’s market with the state and thetown.

“We met so many people already running markets who were so friendly, helpful and generous, really great spir-its,” Dunn said.

Dunn said Town Manager Paul Cohen and his staff, Richard Day and the people at the Board of Health, Chelms-ford’s police and fire departments, and everyone at Town Hall were invaluable in the effort, she said, and the con-gregations at the Central Baptist Church and First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church Chelmsford were bothquite helpful generous with their time and space.

“This has been a very positive experience,” Dunn said, “and I already consider it a success.”

Everywhere, it seems, farmers markets are in bloom. Local growers provide produce that’s fresher more nutri-tious and better-tasting. People save money, meet their neighbors and support the farms and open space andbenefit from field-ripened local produce really tastes better.

From: Leslie & Deborah, Stand for Childrenlnicholson@stand.org

HELP DELIVERHELP DELIVERHEALTH BENEFIT HEALTH BENEFIT

REFORM NOWREFORM NOW

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Dear friend,Send a message!

Despite the Governor’s signature yesterday on the state’s $27 billion FY2010 budget, the leg-islature still has important unfinished business. From transportation to pensions to ethics, “re-form” has been the buzzword of this year’s legislative session. But despite the efforts of theMunicipal Relief Commission, the legislature has not yet delivered on municipal health benefitreforms - a critical issue that could save $100 million per year for cities and towns. Please send a message TODAY to Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo urging them to deliver this much-needed reform.

Send a message right now!www.stand.org/ma/actionalertwww.stand.org/ma/actionalert

Schools and public services will be ravaged by budget cuts next year as communities struggleto cope with a 28% cut to local aid. Yet most communities will continue to pay more for theiremployees' health benefits than the state pays for its employees under the state-run Group In-surance Commission (GIC). With municipal and school budgets hemorrhaging, it’s irresponsi-ble to ignore this opportunity for meaningful reform and savings.

Ask legislative leadership to break the stalemate between unions and management and focuson what’s most important: our children and our schools. Our communities simply can’t affordanother year of double-digit health benefit increases when there’s a lower-cost alternative outthere.

Speak up right now by sending a message at www.stand.org/ma/actionalert!www.stand.org/ma/actionalert!

Standing with you for children,

Leslie Nicholson Massachusetts Executive Director

Deborah BrownMassachusetts Policy Director

Stand for Children 77 Rumford Ave., Suite #2, Waltham, MA 02453781.891.1300 or Nat'l Office Toll Free 1.800.663.4032 © Copyright 2007

COFFEE TALKSubmitted by SEAN SCANLON SEAN SCANLON - - Board of Selectmen

Roy,

Would you be kind enough to add an announcement to the next edition?

I will be hosting "office hours" every otherevery other Wednesday, starting July 8th, from5:30-6:30 (7 if needed) at the Java RoomJava Room (with the exception of the month ofAugust). Please feel free to stop by with questions, comments, or just to sayhello.

Additionally, I would like anyone who may have ideas that would save the townand/or taxpayers money to contact me either by email, facebook, phone, or atmy "office hour" sessions. I welcome feedback at any time. seanmscanlon@hotmail.com

Thank you,Sean******************************************************************************************

Submitted by Gail Kruglak Gail Kruglak - - Town Hall Utilization Committee member

The Town Hall Utilization Study Committee / final Public InputSession on Thursday, July 9

The Town Hall Utilization Study Committee will be holding its final Public Input Session on Thursday, July 9 from 7 to 9PM at the Congregational Church in North Chelmsford. Any ideas/suggestions for the future uses of the Old Town Halland the North Town hall are sought. If you are not able to make the public input session, bring your ideas to one of ourregularly scheduled meetings. The deadline for input is August 5th

Local groups interested in using the Old Town Hall in Chelmsford Center prior to the completion of this study are encour-aged to contact Tricia at Town Manager Paul Cohen's office to check availability and fee schedule. The building is avail-able for immediate use.

Details are as follows:

Schedule Rooms through Town Manager's office (Tricia)

Fees paid at Town Manager's Office (to cover buildings expenses (utility, custodial/cleaning)

Room fees are as follows(per use not per hour):

- Auditorium $50Capacity with chairs is 250, w/tables and chairs is 150

- Lower Room: $35 with use of kitchen $50Capacity: 190 people, w/tables and chairs 90

- Rooms 1, 6, & 8 $25

- Gym at Town Hall $100

Weekend rentals are subject to custodial availability. A weekend custodial fee will apply at $25/hour - 4 hour minimum.

Thank you for helping us to get the word out.

Gail Kruglak*****************************************************************************************************************************************

Friends of Music bottle and can drive July 11Chelmsford Independent

Fri Jun 19, 2009

CHELMSFORD - Turn your clean, returnable bottles and cans into music at the Chelmsford Friends of Music's next bottleand can drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 11, behind the McCarthy School on 250 North Road in Chelmsford. All proceeds benefit the music programs at the Chelmsford Public Schools through scholarships, instrument purchases,and competition fees.

EEXXTTRRAA,, EEXXTTRRAAEEXXTTRRAA,, EEXXTTRRAA****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Public can test waters atPublic can test waters atHart PondHart Pond againagainhttp://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_12753253By Rita Savard, rsavard@lowellsun.com

07/04/2009

CHELMSFORD -- First it was the law that kept Mike Najarian from water skiing in his ownbackyard.

But now that Hart Pond is officially open to the public -- including motorized water crafts --the only thing holding Najarian back is the endless rain.

"It's a nice a place to go that's close to home," said Najarian, 27, of Littleton Road."And it's pretty cool thinking I won't have to sit in traffic if I want to go on the waterafter a long day of work."

Hart Pond opened last week, also opening a Chelmsford swimming hole to motorboats.Town Meeting approved acquiring the formerly private beach on Pond Street off Route 27,from George Barnes and South Village Improvement Association in the spring.

Town Manager Paul Cohen said while there are no restrictions on motorized boats on thepond, there are currently no provisions for launching boats by trailers.

"The boat dock is not in use so you'll most likely see smaller boats on the pond, whateverpeople can carry across the beach and into the water," Cohen said.

The 91-acre pond joins the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail -- a 25-mile recreational trail connect-ing Lowell to Framingham that's now under construction. The first construction phase ofthe trail, set to be completed at the end of August, is a 6.8 mile stretch beginning on theLowell-Chelmsford line at the Cross Point tower and ending in Westford.

Once the trail is completed, it will become the longest in the state along with the Cape Codrecreational trail, also 25 miles."As a part of this trail, Hart Pond is yet another piece of open space land the publiccan enjoy for recreational uses," Cohen said.

Najarian said he's lookingforward to testing the wa-ters.

"Now if it will only stopraining," he said.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Ev'ry heart beats true 'neath Ev'ry heart beats true 'neath

the Red, White and Blue,the Red, White and Blue,

~George M. Cohan~George M. Cohan

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