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The Council on Aging got a boost toward uniting all seniors Tuesday night (6/30) when Selectmen appointed a current member and a former member of Friends for Seniors to the COA Board. Carol Weineck, treasurer of Friends, and Candace Fisher, former secretary of the group, were named to the board. Former Town Manager/Town Clerk Jeanne Fleming, an incumbent, also was appointed, along with Harvey Spack, who got exposure to the Senior Center through the senior tax credit program. Fisher got a one-year appointment, the others were three years. All of the COA, along with director Karen Hall (also director of the Youth Commission), have their work cut out for them.

Others appointed Tuesday night (6/30) by the Board of Selectmen included: William Angelos to the Planning Board (he is current chairman); Orlando Digiampietro (regular) and Herb Musmon re-appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals; Karen Hall, as Stoughton rep to the Area Agency on Aging; Stanley Zoll, reappointed to the Board of Assessors; Scott Turner, appointed as Stoughton’s rep to the Old Colony Planning Council; Beverly Dancey, reappointed to Self-Help Board of Directors; Dan Weaver and Justin Alpert, appointed to the Facilities Master Planning Committee. Are you a culture vulture? There are openings on the Cultural Council. To be appointed, call the Town Manager’s office at 781-341-1300.

Sal & Katie's, a downtown landmark for awhile, has closed down. The phone line has been disconnected, and the place is empty. I will miss their calzones. But, for the past year or so, I thought the quality was not as good as previous. It is yet another empty storefront in Stoughton Center. It has since reopened as Olivio's. Check out their chicken parm sub!

News That Broke Here:
Lightning Takes Out Four Units at Knollsbrook in 3 Alarm Fire

Firefighter Fred Little on Engine 2

A powerful lightening strike caused between $500,000- $750,000 damage in four units at the Knollsbrook Condominium complex Saturday night (6/27). Captain Jim Bertram, who was in command at the scene, tells Snyder's Stoughton that the department had responded to multiple alarms, and discovered an active fire at the scene. "There were multiple calls in the area. There was a porch fire on Jennifer Road, in Knollsbrook, that caused minor damage and was handled by firefighters from Randolph, Easton and Holbrook. Then, there was the large scale fire from 61-67 Ethyl Way at Knollsbrook, a three alarm fire." Three firefighters were injured, two treated at the scene for heat exhaustion and dehydration. One was sent to the emergency room. Bertram said conditions were very difficult, "It was extremely hot outside, and the guys just did a terrific job in tough conditions. We were left shorthanded from the beginning, with nine firefighters (minimum manning) all responding to the Ethyl Way location, on two engines and a ladder truck. It should also be mentioned that station two (which is closed due to a mold problem) was right down the street, and there were multiple calls in that area." Bertram said he was assisted at the scene by Brockton Fire Chief Kenneth Galligan, and an engine and ladder from Sharon, an engine from Canton, a ladder truck from Brockton, and an engine from Avon. According to Bertram, four people were displaced from the fire. "Two units were heavily damaged, and two had smoke and water damage. Everyone worked hard to prevent the fire from spreading."

Thursday, June 25th, Snyder's Stoughton attended a meeting of the ZBA which started @ 7 p.m. and didn't end until 11 p.m. The first ZBA hearing concerned the Pond View Village development, off of Turnpike Street. The developer got a ton of concessions from the ZBA for their "Over 55" project, and touted the need for senior housing in town. Problem is, they only sold 16 of the units, four of them "affordable." So, being developers, they wanted to make money. They approached the current owners. One told me, "They told us if we didn't go along with the change, they may have to double our condo fees, or create two associations---one for the over 55, and the other one for the new section. We just can't afford it. We had no choice." But, Mary Reed of Pond View Village said, "I'm very happy there. I love children. The more the merrier." Pond View's Atty. Freedman said that, "Norfolk County has 1700 over-55 units in inventory. The market has fallen off a cliff." But meanwhile, their website currently reads, "Pond View Village is a community of 79 detached homes for active adults who have arrived at 55, and wish to enjoy the comfort and privacy of their own home while enjoying maintenance free living starting in the low 300’s!" Developer Conroy Development Company is also intending to build a 240-unit Chapter 40B apartment building behind the Courtyard Marriott in Stoughton Technology Park.Regarding Pond View, Freedman told the ZBA Thursday night, "There's not a whole lot of money to be made. We've made an agreement with the current residents.Completing the project is important. We've agreed to build a second pool for the residents. We've agreed not to raise condo fees for five years. We're going to target the property to empty nesters, and first time homebuyers." Marguerite Mitchell, a ZBA alternate and a B.C. educated attorney, proposed making conditions including written proof of an agreemenr with current property owners, a professional financial review of the pro forma at Conroy's expense, and a bus shelter on the corner for school students. Attorney Freedman opposed his client paying for any financial reviews, saying, "The rights of looking at the pro forma are rather limited." ZBA member Bob O'Regan, also an attorney, said, "I consider these shortcomings of the developer. These points will help the applicant to provide information that is needed by the Board to make an inforrmed decision." Mitchell's idea, motioned by ZBA Vice Chairman Jerry Savage, passed unanimously. The Village Pond master deed requires 67% of the owners to agree to make any changes. Freedman said that the requested change is "squarely in the interest of the town of Stoughton." Dr. Roberta Camacho, speaking at the Pond View hearing, said, "People that bought went in with their eyes open. The developer that sold it went in with their eyes open. I don't see any benefit for the town with this change. There was a master plan in 1971, it has been destroyed by the Zoning Board." ZBA member Herb Mussman said, "This ZBA has changed the town due to the Chapter 40B's that have been forced on us."

Snyder's Stoughton opinion on the change from Over 55: What really is in the interest of our town? It's not providing bailouts in the form of variances to developers. The ZBA should not have to bailout projects that run into financial problems. Conroy got a ton of concessions and variances while promising to deliver a much-needed product for those of us "55 and over," So, because of the economy, or their own unsuccessful marketing and sales, Conroy comes hand in hand asking for another change and more variances. If developers build and can't sell individual units, let them sell the project to another developer, and take a loss. Allowing this change sets a bad precedent. If they make promises to the community, they should be held to those promises. Personally, I don't think it ever should have even been allowed to be built in that location off of Turnpike Street. And, Conroy can't say he has any interest in this community, when he is shoving 240 unwanted apartments down our collective throats. By the way, he has full permitting already in place for that project. Thanks to all the boards in town for that, too. The ZBA should say NO to this change. The hearing was continued to September 3, 2009.

Woodbridge Crossing had their 10th session, where they are trying to flip a court decision allowing them 192 condos, into an apartment project with a total of 354 bedrooms. The town requires 562 parking spaces for that much development. Yes, they want the town to slice a couple of hundred off that requirement. Richard Bennett, attorney for developer Thomas Kennedy, told the ZBA, "We need this 70% two bedroom/30% one bedroom mix to meet today's underwriting requirements." Bennett added that, "changes in market and economic conditions made changes to this project necessary." Kennedy had sued the town, and a court had ordered that the town allow Woodbridge Crossing to build 192 condos. Then, Woodbridge requested it be changed to apartments, one and two bedrooms. This latest request makes 70% of the units now two bedrooms. They are proposing to re-align West Street to match up with the project's entrance. They have offered $50,000 to the schools toward Hansen School pickup and drop off solutions. They were asked by the ZBA to work with schools and get their ok on this. They didn't. They were also asked by town engineer Ben Feehan for an analysis of the groundwater. They didn't. ZBA member Herb Mussman looked right at Bennett and said, "I know you don't have to abide by our bylaws because our legislature has made you above them." Attorney Eduardo Gonzalez of Adler, Pollock & Sheehan in Boston, said he represented Commerce Property Group at 75 Mill Street. "We are against this development." John Stagnone of the Planning Board added, "The Planning Board had recommended denial. With 530 apartments previously approved by the ZBA, Stoughton has met our housing need for this type of housing, apartments as outlined in our Housing Plan." ZBA's Bob O'Regan recommended that the town hire a company---at Kennedy's expense--to "have our own experts study the groundwater issue raised by residents, engineering and the planning board." After the town's own counsel (who sounds more and more like she represents the developers) tried to change O'Regan's motion, citing previous work done, Feehan stepped up and said, "You need a hydrogeologist to investigate the groundwater issue." The motion passed. Bennett indicated his client may not pay for the study, since they had done much related work already. Resident Leo Mellyn said, "If they allow this change to mostly two bedroom apartments, we're going to get the welfare cases from Brockton and elsewhere. The fire and police departments are on Buckley Road (Quail Run) all the time. The ZBA gives away too many variances." In addition, according to ads placed in the Stoughton Journal by the Treasurer's office, Thomas Kennedy is not up to date with his taxes, either.

Snyder's Stoughton opinion on the Woodbridge Crossing application: Kennedy doesn't pay his taxes on time. Kennedy sued the town when he was denied the right to build this project. He WON in court, and was allowed to build 192 condos. The condo market is slow in this economy, and apartment housing is doing better. So, he wants to change. If the ZBA says no, he will probably sue again. Nevertheless, the ZBA SHOULD SAY NO. The traffic issue alone is enough to kill it. The issue of schoolchildren across from an apartment complex is a safety issue. Who will be living in that apartment? Some nice families with children, and an assortment that could include many who skirt the law. Quail Run and Stone Ends are exhibit A. Although there are some wonderful people living in both complexes, there has been a LOT of police calls, including one for a murder in Stone Ends. Bennett said that the studies they cite would have 17 students living there. School Committee member Dr. Erdem Ural, in his own study based on the most recent apartments comparable in size, estimated 100 or more students could live in this Woodbridge Crossing, costing the town $900,000 to 1.6 million dollars to educate. We simply can't afford it. The Parking, the Traffic, The Groundwater. Each is enough to deny this project. The ZBA SHOULD VOTE NO. It is the only vote that is actually good for the town. Kennedy is welcome to build that condo development. Residents would OWN their property, PAY TAXES, and BE INVESTED in the town. Renters simply don't have that same connection. A look at Stoughton's boards, finds many condo and home owners on the list. There were no renters on the list that I saw, based on the addresses listed. The Woodbridge Crossing hearing was continued to July 16, 2009 at 7 p.m. for status only.

Is Stonegate back? A hearing on West Street Group LLC's Chapter 40B proposal to build 80 residential condominium units on the Cushing property at West & Plains Streets, on 35.5 acres, is scheduled for the July 16 ZBA meeting at 8 p.m.. Stonegate Redux?? The plan is to build all these condos on 15.1 acres of this tract. This is a parcel from the original Stonegate development proposal, which was rejected by the ZBA. West Street Group, LLC, and James Marathis had previously announced a $7 million dollar lawsuit against the town over that decision. (Public Notice)

The Brickstone Project in Sharon WILL impact Stoughton residents in a negative way. It will add heavy additional traffic to our streets, and tax our already-strained public safety budget. And, it could impact the wells of Stoughton homeowners, as pharmaceutical waste from the senior facililty could possibly leech into our water. A Brickstone Advisory Committee, with people from Stoughton, Easton and Sharon has been appointed by the Stoughton Board of Selectmen. Follow there activities here.

The Sharon Board of Selectmen is threatening to sue the Town of Stoughton to get us to put in a temporary fix of Bay Road. Sharon Selectmen Richard Powell and Walter “Joe” Roach came to the Stoughton Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday night (6/23) asking that the town put in a 2 by 2 foot culvert as a temporary fix, and offering to pay money towards it “if it gets done in this construction year.” Powell said, “It’s cavalier to let it keep going. The town of Sharon has offered to contribute to the solution. It needs to be responded to in an urgent matter.” Powell and Roach, missing their Chairman Bill Heitin, had plenty of company, including Sharon’s police chief, fire captain, DPW director, Town Engineer, and Town Counsel (who travels these days without their lawyers, anyway?) .

Stoughton Board Chairman Steve Anastos went through the time line of the town’s efforts to fix the Bay Road culvert, which collapsed at Walter’s Way on April 17, 2008. The Stoughton Delegation of Sen. Brian Joyce, Rep. Bill Galvin and Rep. Lou Kafka filed for emergency funds from the state. The funds were eventually inserted into a Transportation Bond Bill that is DOA on Governor Patrick’s desk. Still, the town has spent money on studies, and hired an engineering firm that recommended a 5 by 9 foot culvert at a cost of $500,000. Town Meeting turned it down, 45-74, and they were back at square one. The town has explored putting a bridge there, or a temporary fix, and all their engineers and their DPW director agree—put in the bigger culvert---do it once and do it right.

Now, the people on Castle Drive in Sharon---they of the million dollars houses (before the recession), don’t like the additional traffic sent by the Bay Road closure their way. Of course, neither do the people on West Street in Stoughton. But, Jeff Johnston, a resident of West Street, said, “even though there is much more traffic, I’d rather put up with it to have it fixed once, the right way.” But, it seems the Sharon contingent doesn’t care if it’s done the right way---any way is good enough for them, as long as they don’t have those cretins from others towns brushing their tires on their beautiful streets. “the Town of Sharon has been very patient,” Powell explained, “They have been gracious in their complaints. We’re all hoping for a resolution. There doesn’t seem to be the ability to raise funds for the bigger solution. The other solution needs to be on the table.” (Translation: Listen, we make twice what you people make. It’s your part of the road. We don’t care what you do; we want to travel to Crescent Ridge for ice cream without having this dead end in the way. We have to travel five blocks out of our way. Just fix it, even if it lasts a week. But if it does, we’ll threaten to sue you again so you can put another temporary fix on it.) Of course, Roach said that “we’re not here to tell you how to fix your road. We’ve heard complaints from people in Taunton. I have relatives that come from Easton. But, it affects our residents mostly. We’ll come up with money for the temporary fix, if it’s done soon. We’re asking you to consider it, that’s all.” Hey Joe (in the words of Jimi Hendrix), I think we DID consider it, and it was rejected by the professionals we paid to consult on it.

Sharon Town Administrator Ben Puritz added sardonically, “In all candor, we proposed advancing the interim solution at a meeting. But, the Mass Highway engineer took the words out of my mouth. He said if it was a state road, they’d have maintained traffic flow. We’re appreciative of the efforts, Stoughton made in good faith. Unfortunately, we hit a stop point at Stoughton Town Meeting. We need to come up with a solution that resolves this issue during the current construction season.” What’s with all the talk of construction, and “this construction season”----could it be so that Brickstone can get off the ground, and the construction vehicles can clog Stoughton’s streets, and leave the lovely ‘hoods in Sharon pristine? Am I being too cynical? I think not.

I actually asked Puritz and Powell if the Stoughton Town Meeting vote was so important to the safety of Sharon residents, why didn’t they come and present their case, make an offer to financially help, and convince the voters to support it? That’s what I would have done, if I represented Sharon. But, I digress. Puritz just gave me a dirty look. But, Powell said “I thought that your town meeting members would vote in the best interests of Stoughton.” I told Powell, “They did!”

Selectwoman Cynthia Walsh read from a letter by Sharon’s Superintendent of the D.P.W. Eric Hooper, that he had said that the 2 by 2 foot culvert was too small for the problem. Yet, he was before the Stoughton selectmen asking for it. She said, “It makes no sense for me to buy a size 8 dress, when I can’t get my rear end into it.” Hooper replied, “If you’re naked, you’d squeeze into a size 8 instead of a 24.”

Selectman Joe Mokrisky had this thing right. “I can’t see why we should do a quick fix. We need to do it the first time the right way. The people that represent both towns (Kafka and Galvin) have a meeting about Bay Road tell the Chairs of both Selectmen boards they are not invited to the meeting. It’s disgusting. I’d like to get it done. We have to spend our money wisely.” Selectman John Anzivino warned of a situation on Rt. 139 in Stoughton that could result in the road collapsing, or natural gas being cut off to the area. Already, telephone poles in the area resemble the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

It seems clear to this writer that Stoughton has done due diligence in trying to address this Bay Road situation. Mass Highway, the State and the Federal government don’t consider it an emergency. Our state officials have not treated it as a priority. The engineering firm we paid a lot of money to gave us the best solution-- that should last another 100 years, if implemented. We WILL get the money eventually, and do it the right way.

Meanwhile, our neighbors in Sharon have slapped us in the face. First, by proposing a monstrous project to be built in our backyards, that could contaminate our wells, jam up our streets, and sap money from our public safety budget. Then, by threatening to sue us, they just reinforced their “us vs. them” mindset.

State Senator Brian Joyce (D-Milton) to Snyder's Stoughton this morning (6/20) that the Massachusetts State Senate's 2010 budget includes an increase of the meals tax. "We've raised it from 5% to 6.25%. We also have a povision that allows local towns to actually institute a 7% tax, and to keep the .75% difference for their general funds." Joyce said that they had cut what they could, but that they have found that the revenues are at least a billion dollars in the hole from the proposed budgets of the Governor and House. "We really have no choice if people want to maintain services." With the meals tax increase added to the sales tax increase (25%, from 5 to 6.5%), Massachusetts residents will be paying through the nose. Joyce says that the extra meals tax money will be used exlusively for Chapter 70, which aids local communities. He also said that they have made a change in taxes for land used by utilities. "The electric company has been paying for years, but the phone companies have never had to do it, because of an old law. So, we changed that. Stoughton could see an additional $150,000 from the change." Of course, that $150,000 will be passed on to phone users (US!) and the additional money for sales taxes and meals taxes will come out of OUR pockets. Joyce was a speaker, and was honored this morning for his work on behalf of Trailside Museum in Canton. Among the faces in the crowd, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the historic learning center, was John Linehan, CEO of Zoo New England, and a Stoughton resident. The environmental education center at Trailside was renamed for legendary director Norman Smith.

House Minority Whip Says "Republicans Will Vote Unanimously Against the 2010 Budget"

State Rep. Bradford Hill (R-Ipswich) told the Stoughton Republican Town Committee Wednesday night (6/17) that "people who are down and out were told by the House and Senate leadership to lobby at community meetings for the 6.25% tax, and were told that more money would be given to their causes. The leadership is kicking these people with this budget. They didn't get hardly any of the money raised with the 25% sales tax increase. Pennies on the dollar went to those truly in need." Hill said that the Republicans worked out over a billion dollars in savings through reforms, but they didn't adopt most of them." Republicans fought hard to eliminate what Howie Carr terms the twin "hack holidays", Bunker Hill Day and Evacuation Day. Despite their being outnumbered 16-160 in the House, the amendment failed 78-78. In the Senate, where Republicans hold only 5 seats, the amendment was narrowly defeated, 21-17. He said, "The Republican party IS being heard. The media is showing up for our press conferences, and they are asking for our opinions." Hill said he was opposed to the added sales tax, which directly hurts the businesses he serves in his district. "Ipswich is 10 minutes to Seabrook, NH. We've lost 30 businesses in my six communities. Raising taxes costs jobs in my district. They simply go to New Hampshire."

"Reforms before Revenues" was the mantra spoken by Senate President Therese Murray, but according to Hill, it was a Republican idea. "We came up with a billion dollars in savings through reforms. If we had implemented Mitt Romney's transportation reforms years ago, we'd have saved hundreds of millions of dollars,. But the leadership flatly rejected his ideas. Now, the same plan, in the leadership's hand, is a great idea." Hill said that Republicans have changed their strategy. "We used to go along to get along. That's not working," He, and the Republican leadership team, are looking to follow the Democratic model of getting a "minor league" team of people running for local office, and ready to move into the rep and senate slots. "We need to be looking at the local level, selectman and school committee, to help potential future candidates for higher office." Attorney Barry Crimmins suggested that people in the crowd answer the call of selectmen to fill positions on local committees. "This is what Rep. Hill is talking about. There are a lot of open volunteer positions."

New Hampshire Representatives collect $100 stipend a year as part time legislators. Hill said that they do as many bills as the "full time" Massachusetts legislature. "The majority of Republicans works full time on Beacon Hill. If you get full time pay, you should be working full time hours. We should be in session a lot more. We have 5,000 bills and we're lucky if we cover 150 in a session." Hill came in to substitute for State Senator Scott Brown, who canceled with SRTC Chairman Arnold Smith last minute. The two dozen people who came to Stoughton Public Library and heard him seemed to enjoy Hill.

We need to stop them. Watch this IMPORTANT presentation from Lou Gitto (here)
For SCR info sent by Lou to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & Mass EOEEA (here)

Important New Letters Regarding Trains (1) (2)
LOU GITTO'S ENF Comments (Here)

4 Year Old Dies in Crosswalk Accident: Driver Charged; Action Needed on Beacon Hill

A four year old Stoughton girl, Diya Patel, died Sunday as a result of bring hit in a crosswalk between Friendlys and Rockland Trust yesterday morning (6/13). State Police were on the seen investigating, and the driver, Ilse Horn---who was taken to Milton Hospital with shock--was cited Monday afternoon by the Stoughton Police Department with Motor Vehicle Homocide by Negligent Operation (to wit, failure to yield to a pedestrian in a cross walk). Horn will turn 89 on August 9. When Horn receives the Stoughton Police Citation, she has the right to appeal the citation in a hearing before a Clerk Magistrate of the Stoughton District Court if she so chooses, or to proceed directly to arraignment on that charge in the coming weeks. The youngster was on a scooter with her grandfather, Govind Patel, in the crosswalk. One car had stopped for her. Horn, a resident of Orchard Cove in Canton, just kept on going in her Toyota Camry, plowing into the youngster, and sending her over 60 feet away from her scooter. An off duty fire department employee, Lt. Bill Carreiro, and another bystander, nurse Jennifer Cundall, revived the girl, and she was medflighted to Tufts Medical Center in Boston. She died from her injuries this morning (6/14). Make calls to your State Reps and Senators to support the bill for mandatory testing of elderly drivers 85 and over, which is being spearheaded by State Senator Brian Joyce. Joyce spoke to Snyder's Stoughton on Sunday afternoon, and was deeply saddened by Diya's death. "It's preposterous. It's a shame it takes tragedies---including one in my own district--to take dangerous driver's off the road. Two years ago, I testified before the Committee on Transportation and the Chair felt that my bill was age discrimination. But, the problem is only getting worse as the society's population ages. Drivers over 85 have diminished skills and are 4 times more likely to be in an accident than a teenager. We made changes to teenager driving two years ago, adding education and making restrictions, and teen deaths have dropped. We need to make changes to seniors, as well. Why have they not been made? Because seniors vote. Some seniors are excellent drivers. This bill is intended to weed out those whose afflictions have made them dangerous on the roads." I join in supporting Senator Joyce with this bill. I also give my heartfelt condolences to the Patel family.

On Monday, June 15, 2009, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles announced they were revoking Ilse Horn's drivers license, terming her an "immediate threat." And, the legislature needs to get off their collective butts and act on Joyce's bill (I'd recommend the age of 80 to start re-testing). The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles statistics reveal over 180,000 licensed drivers in the State are over 80 years of age. Danger lurks around every corner.

State Rep. Brad Hill (R-Ipswich), the Republican House Whip, told Snyder's Stoughton Wednesday night (6/17) that "something needs to be done. There have been too many tragedies lately. But, interestingly enough, I spoke at two Council on Aging facilities in Ipswich and Bradford, and the majority believed those 85 and over should be tested. A 90-year old said she'd take the test tomorrow, and if she failed, she'd give her license back. The real question is what age? 75? 80? 85? That's what the Committee process is for. Senator Bruce Tarr and myself have sponsored a letter requesting to put together a committee for hearings across the state with Senators, Reps, public safety officials, RMV officials, and citizens." Hill said he was the author of the new junior operating laws, which have reduced speeding and fatalities in teens. "We knew it needed to be addressed in a thoughtful manner. This is the same thing needed with this issue of elderly drivers."

The arraignment following indictment in the matter of Commonwealth v. Ilse Horn has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 in Norfolk Superior Court. .

Commonwealth v. Horn involves the alleged Motor Vehicle Homicide by Negligent Operation of Diya Patel, age 4, in Stoughton on June 13, 2009.

It has happened all over the State, including nearby in Holbrook, and more recently in Wellesley. Crooks call in a bomb threat, and while police are responding to the threat, they rob a nearby bank. But, it didn't work Monday morning, June 8th in Stoughton. The detective divison of the Stoughton Police Department, under the watchful eye of Detective Tony Bickerton, was waiting for the culprits when they showed up to rob Webster Bank, after calling in a bomb threat at the high school. One individual, with a note and plastic gun, was taken into custody by Stoughton Police. Acting Police Chief Tom Murphy gave all the credit to his detective division. "This was a lot of work, and a job well done."

Detective Bickerton got a tip last night (6/7) that there would be a bomb scare and bank robbery. "I knew which bank was targeted, and about the fake bomb scare. I informed Chief Murphy and Lt. Devine and they told me to go ahead and work on it." When asked how someone ended up calling him, Bickerton replied, "You develop relationships with the community, and sometimes people want to be good citizens." Bickerton then put together a task force, utilizing police personnel from a number of communities. "A plan was put into place to stop the threat of the bank robbery, and to minimize the fears at the high school. We also notified Webster Bank. We caught the bad guys, and minimized the danger to students and bank staff and customers," Bickerton told Snyder's Stougton. When asked the response of the would-be robbers when they were caught red-handed, Bickerton simply said, "Surprised." Arrested was Stoughton native Aaron Dimillio, currently of Brockton, who had a fake handgun in his waistband, and a note for the teller. He was arrested at the scene and charged with armed robbery, conspiracy, and more. The other suspect has not been arrested, at this time. Bickerton gave credit to Sgt. Wren of the Norwood Police Department, who put together the various police departments for the task force. He also singled out officer Roger Hardy for his work in evacuating the school; Lt. Bob Devine for supervising the operation; Detectives Eric Feist, Jimmy O'Connor, and Sandra Barrett; and Sgt. Bob Welch who coordinated the uniformed response.

(Additional information obtained from court records: The driver of the vehicle was identified as "Pete", and is reportedly the source who called Bickerton with the information on the bomb scare/robbery. "Pete" has not been charged in the crime.)

Brickstone becoming "Sharon Hills"....excerpts from 4/14/09 Sharon Board of Selectmen Minutes---Is Stoughton working with Sharon on this? Let's hope the answer is NO---no water; no traffic; no pollution; NO Bay Road use for this!

Chairman Powell said that the Sharon Hills developer will be providing a status update including modifications to the project. He said that he hopes after the presentation that we will have a better understanding of why we are revisiting these issues and why we will be going to a third Town Meeting to discuss the project. Chairman Powell also asked that the developer address the continuing viability of the project. Marty Spagat of Brickstone Properties, spoke on behalf of the developer, and said that they are very committed to the project. He believes that when the economic turn occurs, and people can sell their houses, the demand will be even greater. During the lull they are trying to redesign the project to lower costs. The main change, which will require Town Meeting approval, is the elimination of one of the six story buildings. He explained that the decision to go with five residential building won’t raise the actual elevation but will result in two of the buildings containing 10 stories. The number of units will remain the same and the nursing home is being moved to where the sixth building originally stood. The nursing home will be four stories and will contain 150 beds. He said that he is working with the Fire Chief on the details of the substation. Mr. Spagat said that in order to protect the 40B plan Brickstone will move ahead with filings, but the intent is to move forward with Sharon Hills as it is proposed. Attorney Twohig, representing Brickstone, said that the changes in zoning are fairly minor. He said that the plan is to move the Nursing Home off Mountain Street and to adjust the amount of stories.Mr. Spagat said that because of the new design the project will be built in one phase, which should take about three years, as opposed to two separate phases. Attorney Twohig said that Brickstone will be proposing a Finance District for the high pressure water system and other improvements which would impact only their property. The purpose of this is to allow the developer to pay off the improvements through a bond. Chairman Powell asked about the progress of bringing water to the neighborhood homes. Attorney Twohig said that there are two alternatives: Bay Road Alternative and the Cross Country Alternative. He said that there preference is to run the water line down Bay Road if they obtain the rights. He said that they would do the work themselves and that 22 additional households would benefit with this alternative. Marty Spagat said that they have met with the Town of Stoughton and hope that they are making progress. Chairman Powell introduced Easton Selectman Colleen Corona who was in the audience. He also said that the Board will have forums in the coming months to provide information to the public. There was further discussion about the Finance District. Town Counsel Gelerman explained that the process is done through special legislation, which would require a Town Meeting vote to petition the legislature to create a special district to create bonds to finance the water system and other improvements. Chairman Powell reiterated that the district would consist only of the overlay district. Chairman Powell said that the changes to the Brickstone agreement would be voted on at the November Town Meeting. A resident of Mountain Street asked why the developer is permitted to make changes to the agreement. Chairman Powell said that if the Town continues to believe that the project is beneficial to the Town then the Selectmen need to continue to engage in the process.Leslie Koval said she is concerned about the age restricted component because several projects that have started off as age qualified have dropped this designation. Town Counsel Gelerman that there is a deed restriction in place and any changes would have to go to Town Meeting. Ivars Apse asked that a visual rendition of the property be provided.

Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton) has re-filed legislation this legislative session that would pass simple age-based reforms for older residents seeking to renew their license. An Act to Promote Safe Driving would require that individuals renewing their license pass a vision and road test every five years after their 85^th birthday. Current law requires only a vision test every ten years for those renewing their license; in other words, an 85-year-old driver can renew his or her license without any further testing until age 95, at which time the driver would only have to pass a vision test. Since originally filing this legislation, several accidents have occurred around the Commonwealth, all caused by elderly drivers, and have often resulted in fatalities.

“While I recognize the sensitive nature of this bill, and that no senior wants to lose his or her ability to drive, my bill is aimed at protecting seniors from becoming victims of their own driving and from endangering the lives of others, said Senator Joyce. “I consider this bill common sense legislation, and similar to the recent reforms surrounding teenage driving laws, this bill is a step in the right direction to ensure greater public safety for all Massachusetts residents.”

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers over the age of 80 hit more pedestrians per 100,000 people than drivers in any other age group, and older drivers have higher crash death rates per mile driven than any group except teen drivers. By 2025, drivers 65 and older will represent 25 percent of the driving population, compared to 15 percent in 2001. Massachusetts is currently one of only three states that does not have any type of safe driving legislation geared towards older populations. Senator Joyce’s bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Transportation at the beginning of the 09-10 legislative session.

Stoughton Fire Department Lt. Jackson Macomber is being deployed to Iraq on June 11, 2009, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to Fire Chief David Jardin. Macomber, the son of former Avon Fire Chief Jackson G. Macomber, joined the Stoughton Fire Department in September of 1995. He was promoted to Lieutenant in September of 2000, and is currently the Senior Lieutenant of Group #2. In the military, Macomber is a Major in the Army National Guard Engineering Division. The last time the Fire Department had a man go to Iraq, it was Captain Doug Campbell early in 2008. A disagreement between the Town of Stoughton and the Local 1512 resulted in the Robert McCarthy, president of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts coming to the Stoughton VFW, and calling the town "The Most Unpatriotic Town in America." But, Peter Denneno, president of Stoughton Firefighters Local 1512, says that's all in the past. ""Everything is going quite smoothly. I don't foresee any problems. There are no issues this time around." Denneno said the situation is different. "The rate of pay is one difference. The other is that Captain Campbell had three children, and he was a solo provider. Lt. Macomber has one child, and his wife Sherri is able to work. We are checking to see what needs to be done, in terms of shifts, to keep his pension active. But, it's clearly not the situation we had last year." When asked the difficulties of having someone from the department deployed, Fire Chief Jardin said "We end up with an empty slot. The salary that we are not paying Lt. Macomber will make up for that slot. We won't have to dip into the overtime budget. His military pay is greater than his pay for the fire department. I have named a temporary lieutentant to fill in while Jackson is away. Tim Carroll will fill that temporary slot." Repeated calls to Lt. Macomber were not returned. Messages were left with his wife, and his answering machine. Lt. Macomber has a son, also named Jackson.

Let’s hope that the $300,000 appropriated by town meeting is enough to get the Fire Station on Central Street back in business. The people in West Stoughton really need that station for its access to their condos, apartments, and homes. With the railroad crossing cutting off Central Street on the other side of the station, it’s really imperative that it get fixed. It’s disgusting that the town spent 2.5 million dollars to build it, and has paid an additional half a million dollars in debt service on the building—during the three years it has been closed. The town needs to be MUCH more vigilant when building. The police station is another “sick” building. Look to the school department for leadership—they have done additions and other major construction successfully---and UNDER budget.

Town meeting is spending $35,000 to try to get the Police Station’s HVAC system straightened out. This despite local plumber Bill Horan’s comment, “In my professional opinion, any further money spent on this building would be a waste.” Let’s hope that station can also be into a state that is healthy for those working inside, and protects the paperwork and files that need to be kept in pristine condition.

The poor folks living in the vicinity of Red Wing Brook got $7000 from Town Meeting for a “scoping study” to try to help them from the overflowing body of water next to them. Resident and Town Meeting member Ed Finn said that the brook behind him used to be five feet wide. “Now, it’s 40 feet wide and overflowing. We’re prohibited from using our own backyards.” It started with the Stop & Shop Plaza. Then, NSTAR was supposed to help alleviate those problems on their end of the brook, according to their agreement with the town. They haven’t complied, according to town meeting member Nancy Munroe. Shocked? Neither am I. Their Occupancy Permit should be placed in the deepest end of the brook. Let them fish it out.

In a night of difficult decisions, Town Meeting, Night Six, Wednesday night (5/20) passed a budget exceeding 64 Million dollars that resulted in the loss of 18 positions and six individuals on the municipal side of town government. The schools have not yet announced how many positions they will be cutting, since Town Meeting votes a bottom line figure for their budget. The total school budget passed (excluding the $945,780 for Southeastern Regional Technical High School) was $34,310,422, a cut of close to 2% from the 2009 budget. Town Meeting member Elliot Hansen made a motion to further cut the education budget another 5%, but it was handily defeated.

A large number of senior citizens attended the meeting, led by interim COA Chairperson Sharon Farrell. They were there to support the director of the council on aging, whose position was eliminated. The Youth Commission director Karen Hall will now spend half her time running the senior center. Whether that arrangement will work out remains to be seen, but all current programs offered at the Senior Center will be continued, according to Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz. And, all programs of the Youth Commission would also be retained.

Town Meeting, on the recommendation of Finance Committee Chair Holly Boykin, removed $220,000 from the hospitalization insurance account, and will, hopefully, place the funds in the bare-to-the-bones stabilization fund. More lawsuits, collective bargaining agreements, and other items could end up gobbling that money at a later date from the fund. But, it would be nice to have it there.

A motion to take $51,523 from that $220,000 to restore the secretary of the building department (made by the secretary of the building department) was defeated 35-71.

Best Quote of the Night: During a discussion of the DPW's snow removal budget, Town Meeting member/Attorney Barry Crimmins went to the mike to speak. Moderator Howard Hansen remarked, "We're talking about snow removal, not snow jobs" to the roar of members in the audience.

The first step in saving the Stoughton Cinema was taken Tuesday night (5/19) by the Board of Selectmen. An agreement, worked out through the efforts of Selectman Joe Mokrisky and Town Planner Joseph Laydon, would give developer Steven Vo thirty spaces of municipal parking behind his building reserved for his customers, in exchange for him saving and restoring the cinema, and maintaining the parking lot. The license agreement would not require any funding from the town. Vo had originally intended to demolish the cinema building to provide sixty parking spaces for customers of his buildings downtown. He has remodeled the buildings, and has produced some beautiful office and retail space overlooking the square. Vo's wife told selectmen that "it is difficult to attract good tenants to the space without parking." Laydon said, "This agreement will help Mr. Vo to preserve the historic theatre and allow parking for his businesses. With this licensing agreement, we'll be working on a redevelopment plan for the downtown." Selectman John Anderson said that Vo, "comes across as a visionary. This is a big step." As someone who enjoyed going to the Stoughton Cinema for a movie and dinner, I am excited about the possibility of it re-opening. In addition, for the many theatre groups in town, the Cinema was an important performance arts center. And, for the dozens of nonprofits looking to raise funds, that venue has always been among the most effective in Town. This licensing agreement sounds like a win-win situation. Kudos to those who have worked to see it through. The parking spaces currently are used, with no remuneration to the town, for commuters taking the train. Vo will be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to remodel the building, and to install all the necessary fire protection equipment currently required by law, including the installation of sprinklers.

It has been a tradition, dating back to the days of former Selectman Chairman Dennis Johnson, to award a decorative town chair to those after their terms expired. But, this time around, when former Chairman Scott Carrara was defeated for re-election, it became an issue when Selectman Joe Mokrisky purchased the chair, and there wasn't any money in the selectmen's awards account, necessitating a transfer through the finance committee. Some are complaining because former selectman Joe Pascarelli didn't get a chair. But, he was never a chairman. As far as I know, every former Chair of the Board of Selectman has gotten this chair, since Johnson, including John Kowalczyk. In hindsight, it wasn't smart to buy a chair without money in the account, but I don't believe this was an intentional act. I can foresee members of the Finance Committee having a problem with this. "Unforseen emergency" doesn't seem to come to mind. Perhaps the entire tradition needs to be looked at, with the dire economic straights everyone---including the municipal government---is in. But, let's not make this another political issue. We've got so many more important issues to focus on! (A Selectmen request to transfer the $400+ for the chair from the Finance Committee was narrowly defeated, 4-3 (with two abstentions) Wednesday night (5/20). FinCom member Ed DeFelice told Snyder's Stoughton, "There's really no policy set on who gets a chair. It's really an issue if fairness." Boykin added, "The policy is to come to FinCom before you buy the item. They could have come before the election and asked."

Former Selectman and current town meeting member Richard Fitzgerald called and told Snyder's Stoughton, "Diane Suave and myself were the first to get chairs, when Joe Mokrisky was Chairman. They are very nice chairs. I was chairman for two years. Diane was not a Chair, but she got a chair. Actually, I got a chair and Diane got a rocker, Mr. Mokrisky's intentions are well intended. You're doing a job on a volunteer basis, and it shows a little appreciation from the town," Former Selectman Chairman Dick Levine did NOT get a chair. He wrote Snyder's Stoughton, "Just for the record I never received a rocking chair as a 'parting gift' from the Board of Selectmen. In 2004, I was presented with a golf club at Town Meeting."

Mokrisky said that a private citizen has paid the company that made the chair the entire amount. Should selectmen get a departing gift after serving? Write snydersstoughton@aol.com with your opinion!

Stoughton PD Lt. Michael Blount Sues Three Fellow SPD Officers: Who will pay for the defense?

Stoughton Police Detective Sgt. Daniel McGowan and Police Officers Lino Azul and John "Jay" Owens face a defamation suit from Lt. Michael Blount, looking for monetary damages of over $100,000. The question of who is going to pay for their defense in the case is something that is in the air at the moment. Were they working for the town, or on their own time, when they were allegedly videotaping Lt. Blount's cruiser at his Canton home, while he was on duty for the Stoughton Police? Were they doing so under orders from superiors, or independently? Neither former Acting Police Chief Chris Ciampa, nor current Acting Chief Tom Murpmay has publicly acknowledged any orders, official or unofficial, to the three. Grand Jury notes confirm that at least two of the officers felt Blount was “getting away with things” and may have wanted to document them. The town's insurance carrier must decide if the officers are covered under the town's policy. If the insurance company declines coverage, the selectmen could choose to provide it. The legal costs could prove to be a real problem for these young officers. Town Manager Mark Stankiewciz didn't want to discuss the subject, but he did tell Snyder's Stoughton, "This issue ultimately rests with the Board of Selectmen. I will say that there has been a formal request for indemnification, but no action has been taken yet." One source in the police department, who wished to remain anonymous, said that “all three of those cited do an excellent job for the town, and are entitled to the full protection that indemnification offers.” Now, it looks like this may end up in the laps of our new Selectmen board, and ultimately, the taxpayers of Stoughton.

Town Meeting, Night Five, on May 18 opened with a presentation from Selectman Chairman Steve Anastos and Town Accountant Bill Rowe, regarding the total debt in town, and where it stands historically. I thought the information was useful, if a bit slanted toward encouraging more borrowing. But, this Board of Selectmen is much more transparent than previous boards, and Anastos and company seem to be presenting a great deal more information. But, others disagreed with that assessment. After the presentation of charts on Power Point projected on a screen in the front of the auditorium, Town Meeting member Bob Levitz remarked, "This is the kind of accounting that got Wall Street in trouble." TM member Dori Frankel also concurred, adding, "That chart is extremely misleading." But Anastos replied, "These are actual figures. They are not meant to mislead. We wanted to let you make enlightened decisions. We will continue to give you accurate information. You will decide." TM member John Morton agreed, saying, "This is the kind of forward thinking we've sorely needed. Even if we supported all the borrowing proposed, we'd still have paid off more debt than we borrowed this year." Figures projected had 5.2% of the budget in debt service in 2008, 5.0% in 2009, and 4.8% projected in 2010, if the finance committee recommendations are followed. Of course, unstated was that the budgets increased each year, meaning a static borrowing would show a downward spiral as a percentage of the total budget for debt service.

Town Meeting also unanimously passed an Article that re-defined the meaning of "Drive-In Establishments", which included eating establishments, banks, dry cleaners, pharmacies, photo shops, service stations, and the like.

They also passed, 119-11, an article that corrected a previous oversight, and allowed a parcel at 55 Monk Street to be added to the Stoughton Center Mixed Use District Overlay adopted in 2007. The property is adjacent to 49 Monk Street (current home of Paris Cabaret), which is already in the overlay district.

TM passed 110-8 an article appropriating $15,000 to the Stoughton Fire Department for a Radio Repeaters System and Portable Radios for Shift Commanders. Fire Chief David Jardin said that the items would allow the fire, police, dpw and school departments to communicate, and coordinate in the event of an emergency. It would also allow the Stoughton Fire Department to communicate with other towns and cities, like Brockton.

Sources within Town Hall tell Snyder's Stoughton that Marie Crimmins, who was Acting Town Clerk for the town since Marie Chiofolo left Town Hall, is back and helping out the new Town Clerk Cheryl Mooney, as she hit town hall running on May 4. When Chiofolo took over, retired Town Clerk Jeanne Fleming was helping to train her for nearly a year and a half (much of that on her own time, off the clock), while getting paid an hourly consulting fee. Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz said that this situation for Johnson is unique. "We lost our Town Clerk and our Assistant Town Clerk at the same time. They are trying to put things on track in the office. Don't forget, town meeting started at the same time as Cheryl. It takes some time to orient a person to a new office. We like Cheryl and we'd like to keep her. She's going to be a very good town clerk. So, anything we can do to make the transition smoother for her, we'll do." Crimmins, the retired town clerk from Foxboro, is being paid on an hourly basis, according to Stankiewicz. Mooney came to Stoughton from Reading. The money to pay Crimmins is coming from the '09 budget's money targeted for the assistant town clerk, a position which has remained unfilled, and is eliminated in the 2010 budget.

Council on Aging "Acting Chair" sends out misleading info to seniors @ taxpayer expense!

Letter from "Acting C.O.A." Sharon Farrell To Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz (HERE)

(Snyder's Stoughton Prediction: Selectmen won't re-appoint Farrell to the COA. Her activities did NOT serve the town's senior population. Publishing FACTS, not supposition, may have helped her case, and the seniors as a whole. Publishing and Promoting falsehoods--that the senior center could close--at taxpayer expense, no less, is unforgivable. And, cantankerous as Mr. West can be, I believe he has the best intentions for the seniors he represents. Do I agree with having the Youth Commission director running the Senior Center? No. Combining both doesn't make much sense, especially in view of HIPAA requirements for the youth. But, I'll wait for the complete PLAN on town meeting floor. In the meantime, I hope they find the money to restore these positions, but I fear even more cutting will be necessary.)

Woodbridge Crossing Now Looking For MORE Two Bedroom Units---75% of the total!

In 2003, Everett-based developer Tom Kennedy proposed building a Chapter 40B condo development called Woodbridge Crossing on Mill and Central Streets, where an old plaza has stood, that once housed a gym, boxing ring, and a wallpaper store. The Zoning Board of Appeals rejected his request, after a number of hearings. In 2006, after an appeal by Kennedy Development Group was successful in housing court, a settlement allowing the building of 192 condos at the site was approved. This settlement also stipulated that Kennedy would not be able to attend any future hearings.

Now, Kennedy’s company is before the ZBA again, with their latest request to change from the 192 condos instead to 208 apartments--- 156 two-bedroom units, and 52 one-bedroom units. This is actually the third change. Previously, last year, they had asked for a different configuration of apartments, with more one-bedroom units. Despite the massive public opposition to this project---with its huge strain on the schools, public safety, traffic, etc.---Kennedy says the town MUST approve it. “The way I read the settlement, they have to approve apartments. They can’t pull out the 10% card. This was all part of a settlement through a court order.” When I asked specifically if the court settlement ordered the town to allow apartments in lieu of condos, Kennedy replied, “I’ll say it until you understand it. We were approved for 192 condos. It said I can re-apply for apartments and they can’t stop it due to the 10% rule. I question if they can stop it.”

Stoughton Town Planner Joseph Laydon didn’t agree. He wrote for the Planning Board, in a letter to the ZBA, “It is the Planning Board’s opinion that the above noted comments and concerns are driven by the density and scale of the project and that the number of units should be reduced. In support of this conclusion, the Planning Board points to the Applicant’s list of requested exemptions from ordinances, regulations, and bylaws of the Town of Stoughton. The Application states numerous requests for exceptions from dimensional requirements pertaining to parking, building setbacks, vegetated buffer strips, distance to wetlands, and grading. The Planning Board requests the ZBA and the Applicant to revise the project to reduce the total number of units and minimize the need for the litany of requested exceptions so that a plan can be presented to the Town that can be supported. The Planning Board also believes that the Town has fulfilled the public need for rental housing and that since the Applicant has an approval for a previous project, that the ZBA not approve the project and require that previous ownership proposal be constructed.”

Kennedy, represented by attorney Richard Bennett, had dangled a carrot before the ZBA. James E. Winn, a project manager for Transportation/Environmental for Greenman-Pederson, Inc. of Nashua, N.H., (who was supposed to be presenting a traffic study) instead offered the town, on behalf of the developer, $100,000 towards traffic solutions for the area; $50,000 for a drop-off and pickup study at the Hansen Elementary School; and $5000 toward costs for the engineering department. Dr. Erdem Ural of the Stoughton School Committee had estimated the project would bring in enough students to cost the School Department $900.000 a year---and that was BEFORE the demand for more two bedroom apartments.

Kennedy told Snyder’s Stoughton, “I’d prefer not to develop in the Town of Stoughton after this. This town is too difficult to deal with.” I told him that most citizens would be happy with that decision. We’ve had enough 40B developers come through this town, looking to make a profit in the name of affordable housing. He grunted.

Kennedy has his permit for condos. Let him build those. At these the occupants will pay real estate taxes, and have a connection to the town, rather than being transients. It is not this town’s job to help Mr. Kennedy weather through a tough real estate market, and support him by letting him build apartments that this town does not need. SAY NO!

Meanwhile, the site he wishes to develop has a dangerous building, with a caved in roof and walls. When I asked Stoughton Building Inspector David Tonis why it was still standing—and he hadn’t ordered it demolished—he said that Kennedy was exploring the building’s historic significance. In fact, Kennedy---who told me that he is in constant contact with Tonis—just heard back from Jonathan K. Patton, an archeologist from Massachusetts Historical Commission. He wrote, “The former French and Ward Lower Mill at 1779 Central Street…portions have collapsed. Reviews of photographs determined that the mill building has undergone multiple renovations and additions that are dissimilar in size, scale, massing, and materials. The mill building no longer retains architectural integrity, and therefore does not meet the Criteria of Eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.”

Tonis, says that he’s ready to order demolition. “Yes, I could send him notification. It would be in his and the town’s best interests to demolish the building.” Kennedy said he already told Tonis after he got the letter from Mass Historical Society, that he’d “hire someone to take care of it.” But, interestingly, when I asked him if he planned to demolish the building, he said, “No.” “I had applied to tear the building down. But, there is only one small portion where the roof collapsed. 80% of the building is secured. I have had a couple of people come by looking to buy it. It’s never been unoccupied. It still has tenants.” After hearing this shocked writer gasping for oxygen, he told me that the tenants were there before he bought the building. “It’s a gymnasium for youth boxing. I don’t charge them rent. I do it as a community contribution. The collapsed roof is at least 100 yards away, on the other side of the building.”

Fire Chief David Jardin tells Snyder’s Stoughton that “There should be no one in there. There are no life safety devices inside. There are no sprinklers and no alarms. We red-exed it. That means, in the event of fire, we don’t go in. We need to take down that part of the building that collapsed. It’s not stable.”

As it stands now, if the building caught on fire, the fire department would not go inside. The boxers practicing inside would certainly be down for the count. It’s time to take down that fire trap, before someone is killed and the town is sued over it. Mr. Kennedy's last words to me were, "I want to make it clear, I am in constant toucch with the Building Inspector and we'll take care of the problem immediately."

If Kennedy is given permits to build those apartments, he has a couple of willing buyers for the development deal. So, he’ll make out. But, of course, the town will lose millions of dollars, sucked away by the vacuum cleaner known as Chapter 40B. Resist people: RESIST! If he wants to build condos, the best to him. At least those living there will be INVESTED in their community.

Selectmen changed their previous recommendation that the Stoughton Youth Commission save rent money by relocating to the Senior Center in the next fiscal year. Selectmen Steve Anastos announced at the Board's May 12 meeting that the Youth Commission will remain in their current Pleasant Street digs. Snyder's Stoughton has been writing since the original announcement that the joint situation would not work, mostly due to the privacy requirements of the HIPAA laws. Anastos wrote, "The youth services budget will be reduced because half of the director salary will be allocated to COA. This reduction allows them to remain at Pleasant St. temporarily while the two boards (COA and Youth Commission) and the director formulate a plan. The anticipated youth services budget for FY10 is $212K which is down from $260K in FY09. The COA budget will actually go from $431k in FY09 to about $411k in FY10 which also includes the restoration of the outreach coordinator position. We believe this has the least impact on services while still saving money. Of course these are just our recommendations, town meeting members make the decision." The decision makes sense, in this writer's opinion. If the Community Preservation Committee can find the money to purchase the adjacent property to the senior center, then down the road the possibility exists to expand the Senior Center, or build a Youth Community Center on that other property.

Stoughton's Building Inspector, and the head of the building and zoning department David Tonis tells Snyder's Stoughton he's very concerned about the cuts selectmen, the town manager, and the Finance Committee made to his department. "We have the same workload as last year, and if they take my building secretary, I don't plan on typing up permits myself." Tonis thinks the whole situation is retribution, more than a budgetary move. "This whole thing stems from the town manager trying to make the plumbing inspectors and wiring inspectors salary higher. I objected to the increase, and the town manager objected to my objection. I appointed another inspector, at less salary (hours). But, the other inspector wasn't properly certified. So, Mark (Stankiewicz) put the old one back in and got him up to 19 hours a week. I asked for a reduction in his salary, to match the electrical inspector, and to get a copy machine for the department, with the difference." So, Tonis says that after this battle with the town manager, his building secretary Mary Martin got cut out of the 2010 budget. "It is the most destructive and cruel thing to do to someone so dedicated to her job as Mary is. She doesn't even take coffee breaks. She could be the most dedicated employee in town hall." He cautions, "There's no one to do the building department work. I'd close down the zoning office, and move Stephanie there and train her."

Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz said it's nothing personal. "Mr. Tonis has spoken at public meetings for two years about his workload going down. He can't have it both ways. In times of economic downturn, you need to look where to save money. Building and construction has definitely gone down. People at the COA, Police, Fire, DPW are not happy about cuts either. It's a shame he's taking it personally. When you have less revenue, you have to make cuts. The town treasurer's department brings in exceedingly more money than the department requires, but we had to lose personnel there, too. And, as far as eliminating zoning, if he's going to eliminate services that would not be his call.

Town Meeting began with a boost for bargain hunters. An article, which would have capped the number of yard sales at any address to 4 per year, and would have imposed a fee to hold one---and police notification--ended up in the garbage heap, like the full-priced retailers in America. The move, petitioned by Town Meeting member Arnold Smith, was aimed at one of his neighbors. "Yard sales are getting out of hand. They are becoming a business. A neighbor of mine sells every weekend. New merchandise, not belonging to them, is sold. They are hurting retail merchants, who are losing sales," he told Town Meeting. He may be right, but the article really hurts all the people (and charities) who enjoy doing yard sales. His neighbor may already be breaking laws, and could be reported to the I.R.S. Attorney and Town Meeting member David Asaak spoke for the majority when he said, "Regulating yard sales is Anti-American. Why would you limit people to four yards sales a year? As a member of the conservation commission, I can say yard sales are the best way to recycle. How can police enforce this?" It was heavily defeated. Then, T.J. Recupero was honored for 20 years of public service to the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority.

Town Meeting then unanimously passed an article submitted by Town Meeting member Albert E. Lipkind, which outlined the composition and the establishment of a Community Preservation Committee, which would be tasked with spending all the funds that will accumulate under the Community Preservation Act. Let's hope that Committee looks at the property adjacent to the Senior Center. Let's buy it before another Chapter 40B tries to develop it!

Town Meeting then spent better than an hour debating the merits of an article submitted by Stoughton Historical Commission president Dwight MacKerron. This article, which would have prevented any home or business location 75 years old or more to undergo a series of steps (that could consume up to a year) before they could be demolished. It was a well-intended article, by a man I have a lot of respect for. But, it was riddled with problems. First, as we saw with Codex at the Prowse Farm---in which historic buildings were bulldozed in the dead of night--developers don't care about fines. A $300 fine is not going to stop anyone from demolishing a home, when they stand to make a handsome profit. In addition, a two year freeze on building at the site would only punish the neighbors, who would have to live next to a virtual dump for two years. Most importantly, over 2000 homes currently in Stoughton are 75 years old. In 25 years, that number would at least double. So, parameters needed to be better defined. As it is, only those properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the Massachusetts State Register of Historic Places would be covered by the article that finally passed, 97-29. Town Meeting member Lou Gitto's amendement removed the 75 year requirement. So, Town Meeting thought they did good, but they passed a toothless law that applies to nothing.

(I raised my hand at the beginning of this debate, and Stephanie Carrara handed my name to Town Moderator Howard Hansen, but he chose instead 15 people who raised their hands AFTER I did. Indeed, Carrara said she submitted my name a second time, in case Hansen had misplaced it. This has been typical for Hansen, and resulted in someone challenging him in an election. The TM after that election, Hansen improved and was much fairer to all. Now, he's back to picking on the same dozen people on every question. It seems clear that if Hansen can't be trusted to call on people in the order they raise their hands--AND HE CAN'T---then microphones should be set up in both aisles and people should be able to get up and line up to speak. This solves the problem. I had some information that directly affected this demolition article and was not allowed to speak. Town Meeting is supposed to be open to ALL ELECTED MEMBERS, not the few who Hansen thinks should be able to speak. It's a DISGRACE and he should publicly apologize for this egregious behavior. I think minds may have been changed on that article if people had heard the FACTS, including the latest information on another proposed historic place, detailed above. He has silenced many people at Town Meeting. This member cannot be silenced outside the auditorium.)

Someone in Zoning screwed up at some point years ago and requested the Dunkin' Donuts on Rt. 139 to relocate to the center of a proposed strip mall area, not far away from their old location. The owner built a brand new Dunks, and it was business as usual. A bank was built in front of it. However, the other Dunks was never demolished and remains a short distance away. So, an article to limit 1 drive through per 10 acre site was written to allow him to continue his business, while making sure the other place never re-opened. After much back and forth (and again the SAME people speaking), town meeting defeated this article. I voted for it. Because the Dunks owner was ASKED BY THE TOWN TO RELOCATE---and this move virtually shuts him down--I opted to oppose the town spending MORE money for litigation. But, no one heard too many opposing opinions (I wonder why, Howie?), and it went down in flames. Now, theoretically, the former drive thru might be able to reopen in that location (although town boards would probably stop them.)

It was a LONG meeting, getting out after 11 O'Clock! Members deserve a lot of credit for their attention at all hours of the night. And, in defense of the previous Dunks vote, even if it had gone the way I wanted, it STILL probably would have ended in litigation from the property owner. So, I do not fault the TM body. They did what they thought was best for the people they represent, and that's their job. And, they do it well!

May 6, 2009 at 7:50 p.m., night two of Town Meeting got underway with a sober message from Town Treasurer Tom Rorrie. During a discussion of a request from Fire Chief David Jardin to borrow $525,000 for a new Fire Department Engine to replace #4, Rorrie told the Town Meeting members that the town's bond rating has dropped from A1 to A3 in two years. "We were put on a watch list by Moody's. And, last June they downgraded us from A1 to A2. This week, Moody's called again and downgraded our long term bond rating to A3. The recent short term issue of a 2.7 million dollar bond was still at a good rate, 1.25%. Reserves are well below state medians. We have been taking all our free cash and spending it, with nothing put in the stabilization fund. We should have 1-2 million dollars in reserve. We have nothing (about $300,000). We simply don't have funds to pay for our long term borrowing." Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz said, "Many other communities are being downgraded. Our debt service has been consistent." Chief Jardin told members that "Engine #4 doesn't meet today's standards. Fixing it is throwing good money after bad." and "We're aware of the town's financial situation, but when people call for help, we need the apparatus." Even a plea from Stankiewicz that "this is one of the three top priorities we identified" didn't sway members. They turned down the request 84-41.

After that, a number of requests from schools, the fire department, the police, and building/zoning were dismissed. A request by Acting Police Chief Tom Murphy for three new cruisers and a detective vehicle was soundly defeated, 95-29. An attempt by Murphy to get $35,000 to design and construct an HVAC system for the police station (to correct a number of problems there) was tabled. Town meeting did vote to borrow $15,000 to purchase a Life Pak 15 for the Fire Department, 121-1, and to borrow $168,000 to replace a 1976 Ford Dump Truck at the DPW (103-20).

Annual Town Meeting opened on May 4, 2009 at 8:20 p.m. and immediately voted to tackle the Special Town Meeting within the Annual. Nine minutes later, after STM was predominently dismissed, the members began handling the Annual Town Meeting articles with the Ambulance Budget. TM member Bob Cohn had some questions on the 1.2 million dollar budget. "It has always been a profitable business. We may have to re-look at this down the road. This is starting to cost the town money." Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz said that the costs have actually remained the same. "You have to look at the entire picture. Do you want this level of service? We could contract out and get a reduction in the level of service, and the time it takes for ambulances to arrive at homes." Town Accountant Bill Rowe said that "the General Fund has subsidized the Ambulance account by $557,000." But, Finance Committee Chairwoman Holly Boykin said "the subsidy is actually $219,000." TM member Fran Stetson said it was worth it. "We have the best responses, and the best paramedics in the State." Selectwoman Cynthia Walsh also defended the fire ambulance costs. "My mother died in a Stoughton ambulance," she began. At this point, Fire Chief David Jardin said, "You're not helping." Walsh continued, "It was comforting that she was surrounded in that ambulance by people she knew." Town Meeting members unanimously approved the Ambulance budget.

The also passed the Cedar Hill Golf Course Enterpise Budget, the Stoughton Public Health Enterprise budget (which has a two MILLION dollar retained earnings surplus), The Water Enterprise Fund, and the Sewer Enterprise Fund. An article to approve all revolving accounts was tabled until the end of town meeting, for lack of all needed information. Then, it was time to attack the town's budget. But, Finance Committee Chair Boykin asked for a postponement of the budget. "Instead of making more chaos in an already chaotic budget, I'd like to table this until May 26, when we should have heard something from the State Senate regarding their numbers. The budget must be passed before June 17." Her motion passed, and the budget will be considered on May 26, unless the numbers come in sooner from the Senate.

Town Meeting also voted to spend up to $100,000 for Design and Bid Documents for a new Jones School roof (98-10), $90,000 to rebuild a Sewer Department camera truck (101-7), and $120,000 for an updated phone system for the schools, which Dr. Larry Gray said would pay for itself over eight years (94-18). Town Meeting meets again Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Stoughton High School auditorium.

The proposal to build a Chapter 40B project for the elderly, adjacent to the Stoughton Senior Center has been withdrawn by B'Nai Brith. The development, presented in brief form by Attorney Barry Crimmins and the lead developer, at Tuesday's selectmen's meeting, didn't receive rave reviews from the Board. The developers wanted to build only if the town wanted it, which was a refreshing change from the bullies we've seen invading our town previously. When it was indicated that it wasn't exactly welcome, it was withdrawn, according to sources in Town Hall. Now, if our Board of Selectmen is on the ball (and I'm very hopeful), perhaps they can tap into the Community Preservation Act money and purchase the property, at a future town meeting. If the town TRULY wants to have a Community Center there--to serve youth and seniors--they need to expand the Senior Center building, and this would be an ideal situation. Perhaps there is some grant money out there for the building of it. You don't know until it's researched. Maybe the Town Planner can look into it.

Adds Crimmins, "As indicated in Ms. Gittlelman's letter to the board, although this now concludes B'nai B'rith Housing New England's attempt to provide affordable housing at this location, due to the Selectmen's lack of support for their proposal, they 'would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the town to create affordable housing in the future.' Hopefully this will come to pass, because there is still a need in this community to provide affordable rental housing for our seniors, which is a need that is not currently being met."

The Friends for Seniors group does a lot on a voluntary basis to help seniors in Stoughton. For instance, they are running a dinner on May 2, that includes a full chicken breast dinner, with great company, good food, and lots of fun! And, it’s only FIVE BUCKS! The dinner will be at Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton Street, and is limited to only 200 seniors. Interestingly enough, when Friends for Seniors volunteer Mike Sammarco (who helps prepare the meal) went to the Senior Center with a flier for this event, he says he was told by Council on Aging Director Christine Quinn, "We cannot post this. It will have to go before the Council On Aging Board for approval. They need to vote on it. " Sammarco tells Snyder's Stoughton that COA Vice Chair Sharon Farrell told him that "it's a state regulation that you can't put the flier up in a government building." You may recall that Farrell's phone number was attached to a flier that went out warning that the senior center could be shut down. What it actually did was get a crowd of 100 angry and anxious seniors to town hall at a Finance Committee meeting. The Town Manager recommended and selectmen and finance committee voted for a budget that eliminates Quinn's position, while giving her responsibilities to Karen Hall, director of the Youth Commission, which would be sharing space with the seniors. There are NO plans to shut down the senior center. I'm not sure how any of this proposed plan to combine youth and seniors will actually work. Due to privacy needs of children, I don't think that there is adequate space to uphold the HIPA laws, as the building is currently configured. But, that is a problem for Town Meeting to look into, when they go over the budget. As noted in rumblings, yet nearly $450,000 more needs to be cut from the Town's 2010 budget, including almost $150,000 from the municipal side.

Quinn, reached Tuesday morning, said that she had no idea who Sammarco was. "I had to ask him. He never told me he was with Friends for Seniors. It was right before closing, and he never told me what it was about. We've put things up for Friends for Seniors many times. They do a lot of good work."

According to Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz, no programs were cut in the senior center. But, is the senior center doing ALL it can for its seniors? If they are not working with the Friends for Seniors, then the answer would seem to be "no." Former COA Chairman, and current Selectman John Anderson, has a different take on the matter. "Anything that benefits seniors is fine with me. But, this has been an ongoing battle. As far as Friends for Seniors, there's always been a misnomer about who they are and what they are. I got a foursome together for their golf tournament. I thought it was to benefit the Council on Aging. Friends for Seniors is not affiliated with the town or COA. I believe it is under the auspices of the Stoughton Clergy Association. They do a dinner and a golf tournament each year. The Council on Aging serves seniors every day of the year. But, I'd like to bury the hatchet. I'd like to see them become a real 'friend' group for the seniors, where all the money they raise goes to the Council on Aging. Other towns do that. As of now, they are a splinter group that is on their own."

Lorraine McCarthy of Friends for Seniors wants only to help the elderly in Stoughton. "But Sharon Farrell called to tell me that posting our fliers could cause the town, the COA--and even the State---a liability. She also said they can't post too much at the senior center, because it is 'too much for them to read." Town Manager Stankiewicz didn't think that was a very good reason to prohibit the posting of signs at the senior center. "I don't buy the liability issue. We have things all over town hall for many organizations. If the sign fell down and hit someone we could be liable. But, If liability is the only reason , they're misinformed. The Friends for Seniors are a real asset working with the senior population. There's got to be a way to have them work together with the COA for the best interests of the community. It's a shame that the center is not being utilized to its full potential .The Friends group would utilize it, too." Quinn said that she knows nothing about a liability issue, adding, "I have not spoken to Sharon about this."

Quinn said she if she was aware that the flyer was advertising the senior's dinner, she'd have called the Chair of COA and requested they post it. "Generally, if there's anything that doesn't pertain to the senior center, we'd vote about it at our next meeting. People post things all the time, but they are mostly educational or about health issues." But Sharon Farrell, in a call to Snyder's Stoughton Tuesday evening said she stands by her decision. "I was there when Chris was at a conference. I told Mike that it could not be posted. They may be a nice group, the friends for the elderly (sic), but they are a recreation group. They can't come into a government building and post flyers. It's a liability. We don't post signs that say 50 cents off at Joe Smith's. The center doesn't get any money from this group. And, the director needs to approve any signs." Quinn also said that, "I could have addressed this directly. No one left me any messages, because I'd have returned them. I wonder why they had to call you about it." It should be noted that no one called me, but around town two people told me about the situation, and I made numerous calls to find out what was really going on.

Council on Aging board member Warren West told Snyder's Stoughton a frightening story. "I walked into the Senior Center yesterday (Tuesday) and Sharon Farrell was handing out fliers. I asked her who is paying for them? Christine Quinn came out, grabbed it out of my hand, and called the police on me. Every time I ask questions, they call the cops. I'm on the COA board, just like Sharon! One COA van driver told me that a 92 year old woman was crying because she was told that the senior center is closing. They are telling people this, scaring them. It's terrible. I feel so bad." Quinn told Snyder's Stoughton she never called the police on West. However, Stoughton Police sources DID confirm officers were sent. Someone from the Center called and requested the police.

It seems to this writer that partisanship should not enter into this. I have attended these Friends for Seniors dinners, and the seniors just love them. The food is great, there is a warmth to the place, Father Joe and Immaculate Conception Church are great hosts. I have also attended numerous functions of the COA at the senior center and was equally impressed with their effort. Their lunches, fitness and travel programs, and large variety of offerings through the Council on Aging also deserve newspaper space. It seems a shame that both organizations can't work hand in hand. So much more could be accomplished for our elderly population if both groups were running in the same direction. I think the COA should open the dialogue by putting up these flyers. It's a start! And--who is actually IN CHARGE of this? The Director? The COA Board? A group of VOLUNTEERS, like the Friends for Seniors, should NOT be turned away from the SENIOR CENTER, which was built by taxpayers for ALL the elderly in town. It is clear that a PORTION of our elderly population is NOT being served, for whatever reason. I'm sure this article won't be landing on the bulletin board any time soon, either.

This FLYER was distributed at the senior center, was on the transport buses, and may have been included in the COA mailing (SCAN). Circle did not appear in original flyer, it was handed to me in that condition.

LETTER FROM "ACTING COA CHAIR" SHARON FARRELL To Town Manager Stankiewicz (HERE)

1. Form a sub-committee to study the problem.
2. Don't Involve Neighboring Towns Residents
3. Don't Recruit Neighboring Town's Selectmen
4. Don't Involve Neighboring Town's State Reps or Senators
5. Make speeches at your own selectmen's meetings
6. Invite your own town reps and senators to discuss trains
7. Don't DEMAND the assistance of your U.S. Rep and Senators
8. Have two differing motions on the floor, with neither one really making any REAL impact.
9. Have two activists who have worked for the town make an alarming report on your prior board's inaction and See # 1

When this RESIDENT raised his hand to speak regarding this limp action, it was ignored. What the town NEEDS to do is form an effective coalition with neighboring towns and their representatives on Beacon Hill, make a LOUD push in the press (maybe some type of community action at a train crossing or the train station, or another high impact location, with hundreds of residents, and reps and senators <drawn in by camera crews and photographers> present, holding signs and making a lot of noise), and AT MINUMUM, get adequate mitigation for public safety and other sectors that will be adversely affected by this plan to build a 2 billion dollar train to New Bedford/Fall River---directly through this town. As I have written here before, it would be cheaper for the state to DRIVE ALL New Bedford and Fall River commuters by LIMO, than to do this ill-advised waste of taxpayer's hard earned dollars. People need to make a lot of noise. While the State Reps and Senators work at fleecing more money out of our pockets through higher taxes in a recession, Stoughton residents are left again to pay the bills (in this case for a needless train.) It's thoroughly disgusting.

Selectman Chairman Steve Anastos thinks they are moving in the right direction. "I agree with much of your asssessment. This board is prepared to take action. We are sending out letters reaching out to neighboring selectmen; requesting our reps and senator to appear before us on this, and formed an advisory team. We are doing something. Does the town want to hire attorneys, lobbyists and consultants to fight this? It's a political battle. I'd be willing to fight it. But, the costs to the community is significant, like cutting more personnel and services to fund it. In the meantime, we're using the town planner to form a comprehensive redevelopment plan around the train station. The town just received the plan from the South Coast Rail Project."

Snyder's Stoughton has learned that the Town was informed by the State that the estimated revenue is down, and that the 2010 budget will require an additional $441,000 in cuts. This means that the School Department will need to trim almost another $300,000 from its upcoming budget, while the municipal side will need to find nearly $150,000 more in cuts. Selectman Chairman Steve Anastos said Tuesday night, "In February 2009, the Board of Selectmen had asked the town's unions to consider taking a wage freeze in the 2010 fiscal year. They had said they wanted more information from the state and federal government before making any decisions. We like the union reps to get together and contemplate a wage freeze for Fiscal 2010, as well as some type of insurance reform (i.e. G.I.C.) to help us put back some positions."

No word from the Town Manager or the Supt. of Schools if this new state fiscal information will result in additional layoffs. At the moment, one union (the Town Hall Employees Association) has agreed to a "wage freeze". Officials had estimated that if all unions took a wage freeze, and if all union personel joined the state insurance pool, savings could amount to over a million dollars. Due to the timing, even if the unions chose to do so, they could not join the GIC immediately, since enrollment is open a limited time of the year. With gazzilions in federal handouts, our U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, and our Senators Kennedy and Kerry have left Stoughton, and many other local communities, out to lunch. Can we get more state money? Ask Reps. Galvin & Kafka, and Senator Joyce.

U.S. District Court Judge Patti Saris made her final decision late last week, and decided to re-instate Stoughton Police Sgt. Robert Welch back to his previous rank of Detective Sgt., and in addition, she ordered the Town of Stoughton to put Det. Sgt. Welch back to the position of Supervisor of Detectives. Also, she ordered the town---and former acting police chief Chris Ciampa---to pay Welch a total of $165,000.

Stoughton Media Access Corporation, (S.M.A.C.) should be on its way to choosing an executive director and a location to begin the construction of Stoughton’s long awaited local access TV studio. The original incorporators are Stoughton School Committee member Allan Mills, Cable Advisory Vice Chairman John Stagnone, and Selectmen appointees David Berteletti and Stephen Bates. Mills is a real estate agent, and Stagnone also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Cable Advisory Committee, and is a Pricing Analyst. Berteletti is an accountant and business man, with extensive experience in the media business. Bates owns a construction and remodeling company. Another “at large” director will be selected from “members” who join S.M.A.C. The SMAC Board's first meeting was held on April 22nd, and the board organized. John Stagnone was elected President. David Berteletti was elected Treasurer, and Stephen Bates was elected Clerk. Their names will be submitted by the Board of Selectmen to the Secretary of State's office for official recognition. It was voted to allow Stagnone and Berteletti sign off on the S.M.A.C. checking account. As soon as the town's attorney William Hewig, consultant Nancy Richard, and Selectman Joe Mokrisky get Comcast's renewal negotiated and signed, and the Board of Selectmen approve it, then S.M.A.C. will be off to the races. They will be hiring a paid Executive Director (at a salary of between 45-55,000 dollars) and negotiating a lease for the chosen location for a studio. Although the Cable Advisory Committee will narrow the location searches to a selected few, the S.M.A.C Board could choose one of those locations, or another one not seen by the Cable Advisory Committee. So far, it looks like the current aerobics studio at Elite Fitness (57 French St.), the former Backyard Jams on Tosca Drive, and the spot next to Planet Fitness are the finals for the Cable Advisory Committee, pending a long overdue review of the wiring costs from Comcast. In addition, the nonprofit will also look at the vacant carpet store downtown, which is owned by Irving Parsons & Co. Insurance. There's a lot on the plate of these four directors----finalizing budgets, personnel, location, and every small detail of running an independent media company. Good luck to all!

(THE OPINION EXPRESSED HERE IS MINE AND NOT THAT OF THE STOUGHTON CABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE that I CHAIR! )

Change is the buzzword across America. And, change has arrived in Stoughton. Four of the five members of the Board of Selectmen were not at the big table three years ago. In something we haven’t seen recently, both leadership positions will be occupied by sophomore members of the Board. In another rare show of unanimity, local businessman Steve Anastos was elected unanimously as Chairman of the Board. Then, National Grid employee John Anzivino took the Vice Chairman’s spot on another unanimous vote. Both are just starting their second year on the Board. Joining in the joyful togetherness were rookie selectmen Cynthia Walsh and John Anderson, and seasoned “veteran” Joe Mokrisky (entering the third year of his latest term.) In an interesting twist, Walsh and Anderson were sworn in by Town Moderator Howard Hansen. Hansen, who was filling in for Acting Town Clerk Marie Crimmins (who was unavailable due to a family situation), said it was the first time in about 80 years that a moderator swore in selectmen. He’s not that old, is he?

Moderator Howard Hansen (c) swore in John Anderson & Cynthia Walsh
(Mary Beth Anderson photo)

Selectmen also heard from Paul Cleary and Paul Sullivan of MSC Development LLC (known for their excellent work downtown with Stoughton Junction, and their controversial proposal for the Stonegate project) regarding 26-28 Porter Street. That address, which used to house the Porter Street Restaurant, is the site of a proposed “Junction Pub”, which would occupy a first floor in a multi-use building, similar to the Stoughton Junctions. It was also reported that the 19 Rose Street property, which has housed a foundation and sand pit for two years, finally got new financing, and will become a 1700 square foot single use office building, that could bring 40 potential employees to Stoughton’s downtown area. The property, before the housing and financing downturn, was going to be made into 12 residential condos, or a combo of residential and commercial.

As far as the 26-28 Porter Street property, Cleary and Sullivan were there to try to keep the liquor license that was located at that site. Cleary said that MSC Development had entered into a 2 part transaction for the property in December of 2006, but had not planned to develop it until the Rose Street property was developed. “The Porter Street property was Phase Three, and Rose Street Phase Two. So, we were waiting for Phase Two. Now that we have a commitment for Phase Two, we’re looking forward to the next one. Both were hand in hand. The residential condo market changed significantly. The financing dried up.”

Selectman Joe Mokrisky pointed out that the liquor license was no longer part of the property, it belonged to the town. “The liquor license renewal was not approved by the ABCC. We have to take another approach, The town possesses this license.”

Others cautioned that the property (which evidently houses two families upstairs) was a danger. Building Inspector David Tonis, who never pulls punches, stated, “It’s an unsafe building. Egress doors have been locked. We’re concerned about people staying there. It should be vacant and vacated until rehabilitated.”

Fire Chief David Jardin agreed. “I told them if the building was empty and secured, it was no problem. But people are living there, and heating two apartments with portable heaters. It’s dangerous. The building is non compliant for fire and sprinkler codes.”

Selectwoman Cynthia Walsh added, “It sounds like a death trap. That building should be secured.”

Cachopa's Lawyer to Stoughton:
Pay his $549,000 legal bill & $56,000 Additional Vacation/Sick pay!

Cachopa's Attorney Threatens Suit against Stoughton to collect the $549,000 (story)

Exclusive: The Paperwork
Cachopa's Letter of Demand for Legal Re-Imbursement (here)
Town's Response from Legal Counsel (here)
Cachopa's Letter of Demand for Vacation & Sick Leave (here)
Town's Reponse from Legal Counsel on that (here)

Cynthia Walsh, after a 27-year hiatus, was overwhelmingly returned to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday. Walsh received 1946 votes to trounce the competition. The retired schoolteacher will also retire her front row seat, when she moves to the big table. “It’s been a long time coming,” she told me. “My first motion will be to put a commemorative plaque on my seat.” Walsh said she looks forward to reviewing the revenue figures. “I haven’t seen them at the FinCom meetings. I’d like to know how firm they are. State and federal officials are always sending press about all the money coming here. I’ll believe it when I see the check. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me, held a sign, and contributed to the campaign. Special thanks to Mike and the gang at Sons of Italy.”

Also winning a seat on the Board of Selectmen was Council on Aging Chairman John Anderson, with 1169 votes. As he celebrated at his home, he told Snyder’s Stoughton, “I’m very pleased with the outcome. This was a good clean campaign from all five candidates. I was happy my message resounded with the voters. I had a cautious optimism, but it was another low voter turnout. I got my supporters out, worked hard, and I’m elated. Now, the focus is building a consensus on the Board. We need positive press, not newsmakers.” (Anderson Statement.)

Finishing out of the money was incumbent Scott Carrara (999) and Stoughton Fire Dept. Lt. Jim Curtin (961). Carrara was unavailable for comment. Curtin was disappointed, but proud of the campaign. “The voters have spoken. It’s been an educational experience. I appreciate your show, and your fairness. I hope people understood my point about conflicts of interest. Anyone who serves the town, as an employee or on a board is a municipal employee. We ran a clean campaign, on the issues. I’m disappointed that less than 20% of the people showed up. But, I wholeheartedly support both people that were elected.”

Less than 17% of eligible voters went to the polls, according to our acting Town Clerk Marie Crimmins, late on Tuesday night.. Putting it another way, 83% of the people here don’t give a damn enough to spend five minutes to vote. It’s disgusting! On my street, four people voted—and half of that was my wife and I. It’s pathetic, and I don’t want to hear any complaining!

Curt Stankiewicz, the son of our town manager, and a local college student, began his political campaign with a write-in victory for a Redevelopment Authority seat. Stankiewicz garnered 85 write ins, enough to defeat his closest write-in rivals, Lou Gitto (50) and Arlene Cachopa (14).

Stoughton's Acting Police Chief Tom Murphy wanted residents to know about a scam that was perpetrated yesterday (3/31) in Stoughton. According to a narrative from Stoughton Police Officer Joseph DeSousa, a Portuguese-speaking household in town answered the door @ 6:22 p.m. and was told it was a person from the Stoughton Water Department. The individual spent the entire time in the house on his cell phone, putting on faucets. Meanwhile, outside, according to the report, there was two other parties outside the home. When the man inside was done, he pulled a crinkled hundred dollar bill out of his pocket, saying he was going to pay for water used, and wanted $50 change. "When the victim took too long to make change the party grabbed the hundred dollar bill back and left in an unknown direction. The victim believe the $100 was fake U.S. currency." After questioning the victim, DeSousa discovered that a full prescription bottle of Vicodin from Medical Pharmacy was missing. DeSousa says the three suspects were (1) tall, medium build, and wearing a green work shirt (2) heavy set wearing baseball cap, goatee beard, and ear ring. He spoke Portuguese. (3) was short. If you have any information on the perpetrators, call Stoughton Police @ 781-344-2424.

Meanwhile, DO NOT FALL VICTIM TO THIS SCAM. Assistant Supervisor of the Water Department Bill Hammel tells Snyder's Stoughton that all employees can be easily identified. "Years ago, they tried this scheme. At that time, we issued photo ID's. Now, ALL water employees wear uniforms, with a left sleeve town insignia, and a photo ID on the right side of their uniforms. Also, Mark, it should be noted that we are open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No employees will be at houses after 3 p.m."

Remember, don't open the door to ANYONE you don't know. If you have any questions about someone's identity, call the police BEFORE you open the door!

The former selectman passed away in Florida Friday Night (3/27). The funeral was this morning at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Brockton. The town named a meeting room on the third floor after the energetic businessman, who became an author in his later years. He will be missed by those whose lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the The Charles F. Yaitanes Memorial Fund, c/o Randolph Saviings Bank, 15 Pleasant Street, Stoughton, MA 02072, to be disbursed to 3 charities.

Senior citizens worried about cuts to the Council On Aging budget attended Wednesday night's (3/25) Finance Committee meeting at Town Hall in droves. The place was packed, as seniors worried about the proposed cuts presented by Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz last week, and approved by the Board of Selectmen. A flyer has been distributed around town, with phone contacts for Janet Ames and Sharon Farrell saying, "We need to gather in force to let this town know how important it is to keep our senior center open. With funds being cut, staff being cut, the senior center could be cut. We need the town to allocate more money to the senior center." Ames told Snyder's Stoughton that, "Our feeling when we put this thing together was, once they start cutting, they'll keep on cutting. We think the senior center at some point could be closed. I live in Canton, but I spend a lot of time there." She also defended COA Director Christine Quinn, whose position was cut by Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz in the Selectmen's 2010 budget. "Christine runs from morning to night. She doesn't even eat. She has helped me with my position." Ames said she is "Entertainment Coordinator for the COA. I get paid, but I am not a town employee."

Selectmen Joe Mokrisky, reacting to the flyer, wrote, "I am appalled, but not surprised, that there are people who will go to the extreme of intentionally misleading and scaring senior citizens. I have been contacted by several seniors who said they were told at the Senior Center it was closing. IT'S NOT!! The town is facing a 1.4 million dollar deficit and unfortunately meeting that deficit is not attainable without personnel cuts. I can't speak for all of the Selectmen, but I think it's safe to say that we all want to provide essential services and keep our town in the best shape possible. There are many people at the Senior Center, both employees and volunteers who do an outstanding job every day. I am confident that they will continue to do so whatever the outcome. Don't diminish their hard work and dedication by spreading rumors and misleading people."

The meeting before the Finance Committee was tense, with FinCom Chair Holly Boykin utilizing the gavel on a few occasions to control a crowd, that at times was rude to the Chair. The line was long in speaking to defend the Senior Center, the Council on Aging, and Director Quinn. As for Benilde Lourenco, the COA's Bilingual Outreach Coordinator, she is intending ro retire, and her position won't be filled. Quinn offered to do the outreach work herself, in addition to the Director's job. Lines of people spoke against the budget plan. One man, Rene Savoie, credited Quinn and the COA with saving his life. "I had nowhere to go. I attempted suicide. I had no job. I don't go out of my house after 4 p.m. When the mailman comes, I scream and cry. But, the Senior Center took me in, and they're my family," he said in tearful testimony.

Harvey Spack told the FinCom, "It's not all about bingo and transportation. It's counseling people and helping them through the bad times." Quinn said the COA delivered over 20,000 meals on wheels to homebound seniors, and served 2500 meals at the Center. But with a senior population of 6000 in town, around 80-100 seniors served each day, and a Council on Aging budget proposed at around $440,000, something has to give. Diane Tynan, director of the Canton Council on Aging, and a Stoughton resident, said, "both position cuts would directly affect services to Stoughton's senior population. I don't think people understand what the COA offers, unless they have the situation of needing its services. Seniors are what has made Stoughton what it is." (Canton's COA budget is $200,000, with $14,000 additional from a "friends" group contribution.) Rita Kalcos, director of the Dedham Council on Aging, added, "You people don't have a clue to what we provide and the knowledge the director has. What does the Youth Commission director know about Senior Intervention?"

Boykin said that the Veteran's budget has increased 300% over the past five years. "We are mandated by law to fund it. When you look at it, other human services have to be cut because of it. You need to be aware of it. But the soldiers earned what they got with their time served." When she asked those in the crowd who was a veteran--or spouse of one--many in the audience raised their hands. She concluded, "The seniors in town are getting $800,000 a year, when you add the COA contributions and the Veteran's contributions. The Youth Commission is getting $168,000 a year."

Boykin had opened the COA budget discussion by saying that she has spent the day talking to a dozen COA directors around the State. "On your behalf, a couple of COA directors had contacted me," she told Quinn. "They all said they'd choose an outreach worker over an executive director, when asked who had the most impact to seniors. You offer more services than any other COA I contacted." The implication was iu these difficult financial times, can Stoughton afford to offer more than any other town?

After a ton of discussion from the audience, and a sprinkling of questions from the Finance Committee members, the FinCom took a break, and then tackled the next budget to review. They will formally vote on this budget in the near future. But, it will be changed before--or at-- town meeting, you can bet on that.

1). I appreciate the comment that you thought the audience was rude to the Chair on a couple of occasions. However, I don't think they were rude but impassioned which leads sometimes to a few outbursts. I did not take it personally and completely understood that it was pent up frustration because we were the first group that they had an opportunity to give comment to on the recommendation. A better process would have allowed the opportunity for them to speak to the Board of Selectmen prior to the Finance Committee.

2). Your linkage of the Veteran's Budget and it's relationship to Council of Aging Budget was not necessarily what I meant when talking about the Veteran's Budget. First and foremost not all Veteran's are elderly and so there is not direct link. However, my point is that as the Finance Committee ,we need to think globally about the impact of State and Federal Mandates on our budget especially in tough economic times.

3). The Council of Aging offers a tremendous amount of high-quality services! However, when I received letters of support from various Council of Aging groups across the State, I felt that I needed to gather some background information on various programs so if we did make adjustments to the budget that it was based on economic factors and on data from comparable Council of Aging groups throughout the State rather than political pressure. I was actually very surprised by the facts that came out of my phone calls and internet research.

4). Although, I did not make a comment last night about the alternative budget presented by Ms. Quinn, the Finance Committee will be unable to act on it. Due to contract provisions, the Finance Committee cannot recommend reducing union positions in half without allowing the opportunity for the Union and the Town to open up bargaining. Furthermore, if allowed to be half-time, that position will be allotted full Town benefits. It was also a bit perplexing to see that the position being cut was the dispatcher when probably the most utilized service of the Council of Aging is the transportation program.

5). Ms. Quinn mentioned that there are more than 5,000 seniors in Stoughton and on an average day about 100 seniors utilize the Council of Aging's Programs and Services. Therefore, on an average day the Council of Aging is reaching less than 5% of Stoughton Seniors. How are the other 95% of Seniors obtaining their support services on a daily basis? Therefore, an ethical question comes to play for me - in my role as Finance Committee Chair should I think about what is best for all of the Seniors in Stoughton or only the 5% who attend the Senior Center on an average day.

6). For your information there are also another 2 Departments in Town which as submitted by the Board of Selectmen would require their merger, Building and Engineering, if funding is not restored for an administrative position.

The worst thing that the Finance Committee could do is not take an objective role in the budget process. We must recommend town budgets that are representative of the available funds and global community needs. If for no other reason than it represents one great part of our democratic process of checks and balances.

I am very happy that some members of the Stoughton Senior population had an opportunity to state their opinions to the Finance Committee and also understood why many of them left just as frustrated as when they arrived. I would also welcome any individual to provide us with their thoughts on various budgets and opportunities to increase our revenue to avoid possible cuts.

As I promised last night, the Finance Commitee will continue to try and identify additional funds to help restore various positions and services."

Apathy can be a devastating thing. When nine out of ten people don’t show up at the polls, it makes people who take the time to take out papers, get signatures, and run campaigns a bit disappointed. Of course, the louder the complainer, the less likely he or she has actually taken the time to vote. Which brings me to another sore spot--Town Meeting participation. There seems to be less and less candidates taking out papers and running for a seat as a town meeting member. Because of this, Town Moderator Howard Hansen helped change the rules last year, cutting the number of required signatures in half, making it easier to run. Yet, still there are numerous openings, as this is written. Readers cannot get on the ballot, but they can still run. All you need is 12 write in votes to qualify. So tell your friends and neighbors to give you a vote, and you could be on your way. Even if you don’t get the 12, you still might be able to squeak in. There will be caucuses held at O’Donnell Middle School on April 14. Each precinct at caucus will choose their new reps for any vacant seats from those receiving 3-11 votes. Write in candidates will need to sign acceptance forms that night. It’s that simple!

Hansen said that it’s really an important position. “All spending decisions go through Town Meeting. Don’t bitch about jobs being cut, or your tax bill if you don’t show up and take an interest,” he told Snyder’s Stoughton. Precincts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 have many open positions. Precinct 8 has nine open slots, and only ONE name on the ballot (Elizabeth Ventresco.) If you’d like to know how to run a sticker campaign, or have any specific questions regarding Town Meeting, call Moderator Hansen at 781-344-4282. As a long-time town meeting member, I’ll tell you the truth. Sometimes, it gets long, and goes on way too long. But, think of all the money I’ve saved on sleeping pills. But, seriously, if you want to have a voice in this town, get involved at town meeting. You have to start somewhere!

Norfolk County District Attorney
William Keating presents citation to VFW Commander Amory Murray

Town of Stoughton presented a proclamation to FVW Post 1645. Pictured (l to r): Past Commander Fred Varner
Selectman Chairman John Kowalczyk, VFW Commander Amory Murray & Selectman John Anzivino.

Resident Robert Germain made an impassioned plea to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night to help fight the proposed monstrosity in Sharon from Brickstone Sharon LLC known as "Sharon Hills." They are proposing to build six eight-story luxury high-rises, with 624 living units, a 150-bed nursing home, restaurants, a dry cleaner, and more. With over 1300 residents and employees, the project will put a ton of extra traffic on the overly-burdened historical scenic Bay Road, and through Poskus, Plain and other adjacent Stoughton streets. Residents in the immediate vicinity of this project could have their private wells polluted, at some point, from the hundreds of thousands of gallons of discharged water. And, with the adjacent nursing home, pharmaceuticals and personal hair products (PPCPs) could enter the ground stream. The Stop Brickstone group says that although Brickstone claims it will comply with existing state and federal drinking water standards, they warn that current standards do not include limits for PPCPs. "Sharon sold its soul for financial profit." Germain said. "It will flow into Stoughton traffic and potential pollutants, and will flow out Stoughton taxpayer dollars." Germain warns that, "They want to add traffic lights at the main entrance, plus at Plain and Bay and Chemung street. This would be paid by Stoughton Taxpayers. People don't realize the financial impact this will have on the entire town and the strain this will have on our resources."

Germain recommended five steps to the Board of Selectmen: That the town request Norfolk County to survey that section of Bay Road. That Town Counsel should be charged with studying potential street cuts, widening and traffic on Bay Road and present any legal recourse. That a Brickstone Advisory Committee be formed. That a public hearing be conducted so residents can have an opportunity to share their views, and a united voice can be formed. That selectman put Brickstone on the agenda the first meeting in June.

A packed Town Hall gave Germain a standing ovation for his work, and selectmen soon joined the chorus of support. Outgoing Chairman John Kowalczyk said, "I don't think you've asked for something that's unreasonable.I can tell you for sure, Sharon has not put the welcome mat out for us." Selectman Joe Mokrisky said that "I see nothing that Brickstone adds to the Town of Stoughton. If they offered me a million dollars, I'd turn it down. I will use all my authority as a selectman to Stop Brickstone. Selectman John Anzivino thanked Germain, and added, "I had the displeasure of attending some Sharon meetings. I was a face in the crowd. They don't care anything about this town. There is no benefit to us. They are determined to put all the bad effects of this project towards Stoughton. We all live in Stoughton and have the same concerns regarding this project, and you have our support going forward." Anzivino also told Snyder's Stoughton after the meeting, "I was appalled by the disdain they showed for this town at their meetings. I was at three different meetings. It was brutal. There was no ambiguity. It was 'keep it out of here and send it their way' " Selectman Steve Anastos echoed the thoughts, adding, "I will do all I can to help fight it." Vice Chairman Scott Carrara said, "I will give Brickstone nothing--no water or sewer. We don't need this on our roads. Let them go out Mountain Road. I will support the Stop Brickstone group."

Ira Miller of the Sharon Finance Committee at first refused to comment to this writer. But when asked to explain Anzivino's reaction, he said, "I can understand that perception. Some people in the town do not want Brickstone. But the majority at (Sharon) town meeting did vote to support it. We have a warrant article for this year's town meeting to allow construction equipment to use Mountain Street. The ZBA is studying the layout of alternate roads. Building will necessitate the use of Mountain Road. The impact was never defined at the previous town meeting. It is hoped that they will have recommendations by this year's town meeting."

Germain was pleased with the turnout, but wants to see the momentum continue. He tells Snyder's Stoughton, "It is important that the whole Board is united to stand by its residents. The five suggestions I made need to be followed through. It will help formulate a proactive defense to this threat. I hope to see the Board take each suggestion and see that they happen. The most important is the Advisory Committee. I'd like to see that endorsed as soon as possible.There are plenty of residents ready to step in and get involved."

The Stop Brickstone movement is gaining speed in Stoughton. For more information, go to http://www.NADDGROUP.ORG.

Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz, showing a fearlessness we haven't seen on display before, announced Wednesday night massive spending cuts to help alleviate the 3.5 million dollar town deficit in the 2010 budget. Stankiewicz said the schools were ready to cut 2.1 million dollars from their budget. The Board of Selectmen passed the proposed cuts unanimously, with Scott Carrara not voting. Selectman Steve Anastos said, "I want to express my support for the decisions that have been made. Perhaps with a wage freeze, or an opportunity for health care savings, it won't be an end, but a beginning." Chairman John Kowalczyk said, "We sent a joint letter several weeks ago outlining wage freezes that would save an estimated $550,000. We can't guarantee no layoffs, but it would have alleviated most layoffs. It's pretty grim. The wage freeze is still on the table, but time is running out." Joe Mokrisky put it succinctly: "$742,000 of the 1.4 million in cuts is personnel. With a wage freeze approved by all unions, the total personnel cut would be $192,000. But, we've had no response from the unions yet." The unions have until March 23rd to respond, according the letter sent to all bargaining units by the Board of Selectman and School Committee. After the meeting, Selectman John Anzivino said he'd be inclined to favor unions that endorse a wage freeze, when he considers layoffs.

If the proposed budget cuts stand, it will literally change the face of some departments. For instance, the budget ices the current director of the Council on Aging, as well as her Outreach Coordinator. It places the Senior Center and the Council on Aging under the auspices of the Youth Commission. Council on Aging Committee Chairman John Anderson (also a selectman candidate) said, "the senior center outreach coordinator helps seniors with health care coverage and many other needs. Who's going to do it? The Youth Commission can't do it. The thing that bothers me is the town manager made these changes, but doesn't seem to have a plan to continue services." Karen Hall, the Director of the Youth Commission, who would also be running the Senior Center and the Council on Aging, told Snyder's Stoughton, "We have worked collaboratively and we'll continue to work together," but she added, "I don't really know anything about seniors." Police and Fire would each lose four employees. Positions lost on the municipal side include the Assistant Town Clerk, A Custodian, Human Resources Director, Clerk in Treasurer/Collectors office, Ass't Animal Control Officer, A Secretary in the building department, the Assistant Town Engineer, 2 people in DPW (1/4 of the total force), A summer employee in recreation, the Assistant Library Director, and half the part-timers who work there. Library hours will have to be cut. Also lost: Hazardous Waste Day and 400 Street Lights, which will be darkened.

Many employees sat at Town Hall in silence. They had heard rumors about the cuts, but the reality was painful. The COA director left without comment. Union officials wanted assurances that if they did support the wage freeze, that their departments would be spared. No guarantees were made, but comments like Anzivino's helped assure them of some consideration. It truly is a sad time for the town. These employees are much more than positions in a budget--they are people, with families who depend on them, who have served the town well. It is hoped in this corner that the unions can iron out some time of agreement, and save most of the people who would be lost. Some positions, like Assistant Town Clerk, and Assistant Town Engineer will be vacant going into next fiscal year. Perhaps, with a wage freeze, the $192,000 can be absorbed by empty positions. We can only hope. The Finance Committee will be looking at this Selectmen's Budget. They could make changes to it. Then, it's up to the Annual Town Meeting to actually approve it. It could change significantly from now to then.

Lester Schindel, who has served as President and CEO of N.E. Sinai Hospital and Rehabilitation Center for the past four years, is stepping down from the position on May 4, 2009. He will be taking the reins as CEO and President of Caritas Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. Schindel wrote to his Board of Directors, "It was a difficult decision, but I feel it is a wise one for me and my family. The new position offers many challenges, allowing me to pursue my career as an acute care hospital administrator, and providing me a chance to make a difference in the Greater Boston healthcare arena." The Sinai has garnered headlines for its creative ideas for care, from Sim Man to the Simulated Living Center (both profiled below if you scroll). Schindel has been highly visible in the community, contributing his time to numerous charitable causes, and serving on the Board of Directors of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce. He will be sorely missed.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Terry Schneider, wrote this about Schindel: "Hospitals are inherently scary places for people, certainly an acute care hospital can be even more intimidating. But, through reaching out to folks, like me, along with Chambers of Commerce and other civic organizations, and revealing all the good that goes on and the good people that take part in a place like this, he managed to refocus that fear into something manageable and real. Like a child whose scared of the monsters in his closet at night, he has been a parent to us all, opening the door so that we can see that our demons are mere coat hangers and nothing to be scared of. "

Zeke Tamarkin, Elias Tamarkin, Connor Hay and Gavin Hay attended merit badge university through Minute Man Council Saturday, March 15th. The classes were held in Harvard classrooms and some were even taught by Harvard professors. Merit Badge University is an anual event sponsored by BSA Councils that allow motivated Scouts to earn three merit badges within a brief period of time. Troop 88 also has members who attend the Merit Badge University sponsored by our own Old Colony Council at a facility within the Council area. Troop 88 offers outdoor programs throughout the summer to help Scouts earn rank requirements as well as other merit badges. The Troop meets at Trinity Episcopal Parish at 414 Sumner Street Sunday nights at 7pm. For further information call Scoutmaster John Walsh at (781) 975-2585.

Cynthia Walsh, a life-long Stoughton resident and retired school teacher, trounced the competition in the preliminary election on Tuesday (March 10). Walsh, who had four signs throughout the entire town, and spent only $134, was pleased when Snyder's Stoughton caught up to her at Town Hall Tuesday night. "I'm very pleased and honored by the results. I was a little bit surprised. I'm not being backed by an current member of the Board of Selectmen, or any groups in town. The other candidates all seemed to have built-in constituencies." Walsh, who has attended every Selectmen's meeting except for one in the past 33 years, added, "Regular Joes and Janes came out to support me." She received 1023 votes. Walsh served as a Selectmen when the Board consisted of seven members in the early 1980's.

Finishing runnerup to Walsh with 681 votes was Council on Aging Chairman John Anderson. He told Snyder's Stoughton, "I'm very pleased and what pleases me most is that people heard my message. The voters spoke, even with a small turnout. But, this is not the election. April 7 is a different race. We need to get working. I have a committee in my home ready to go on to the next phase of the campaign."

Finishing in the third spot, with 612 votes, was Stoughton Firefighter Jim Curtin. "I'm feeling good," he told me Tuesday night, "I'm happy to have made it through. There's four good candidates, and I have to fight to get this job. We're going to have to be a bit more aggressive," When asked if it hurt or helped to be a town employee working for the fire department, Curtin replied, "I think it hurts more than helps. People think I have an agenda. But, a strong town means a strong fire department. I've been living here 18 years, and only 12 on the department. I'll be here for many years, even after I retire. This town offers great services, and I want them to continue.

Fourth place finisher incumbent Scott Carrara (563 votes), finished just 16 votes ahead of the eliminated candidate, John Stagnone. Carrara did not return calls at press time.

Stagnone, who is not "well known" among residents, is one of the more active individuals in town. He is chairman of the housing policy committee (counting affordable housing), is vice-chairman of the cable committee, and serves on the planning board. He was also recently elected to serve as one of the Directors of Stoughton's Cable Non-Profit Board. Stagnone was disappointed, but said he had much to keep him busy. "I've still got plenty to do. The result of the election is that it frees me up to do more stuff. It's really disgusting how few people turned out." He said he will speak with all the candidates, before deciding who, if anyone, to support in the election.

For those who complain about what has been happening in this town, and didn't get off their sofas to vote, do me a favor. Don't complain anymore. 90% of the residents of this town didn't think it was worth going to the polls and doing their civic duty. It is a disgrace! On April 7, let's have a MAJORITY of the people of this town take an active part in the town's future by filling out a ballot. It only takes five minutes, but the results can last for years.

Selectman Jim Curtin had a "meet the candidate" breakfast at the VFW Post 1645 on Sunday (March 8). Curtin told the crowd "it's time for a change in Stoughton. We can't dwell in the past, we have to move forward. We need a Board of Selectmen with one direction, not five different ones," Faces In the Crowd: Former Selectman and FinCom member Ed DeFelice, FinCom member Steve Mitchell, past selectman candidate Phil Yaitanes, Fire Chief David Jardin, former Selectman Richard Fitzgerald, Selectman Steve Anastos, and Selectman Candidate John Anderson. Curtin, a Stoughton Firefighter, told Snyder's Stoughton that if they truly want to get employees to join GIC (a State insurance program that could save the town a LOT of money), they are doing in the wrong way. "If something is that good, you shouldn't have to force people to join it. If the GIC were opened up, and all their offerings were served--health insurance, dental, optical, life and disability, then there might be some interest. But, when the only part opened up to employees is the health component, it's more difficult. They could open up negotiations with the unions, by expanding the GIC offerings to all those types of insurances." Curtin's website is www.curtincares.com.

Selectman Candidate John Anderson hosted a "meet and greet" Sunday afternoon (March 1) at San John Filarmonica Society. Faces in the crowd: Former Town Manager/Town Clerk Jeanne Fleming, Selectman Steve Anastos, Dr. Erdem Ural of the School Committee, Jay & Barbara Farley of Farley Funeral Home; former Southeastern Regional Technical High School School Committee member David Nankin; and ubiquitous attorney Barry Crimmins. Anderson told the crowd, "I'm serious about this candidacy. My main thrust is to analyze, prioritize and deliver. Through my experience on the school committee and council on aging, I've become a consensus builder. I will bring that to the Board of Selectmen." Anderson has added some new information to his web site, located at: http://www.andersonstoughton.com.

Did you miss the CANDIDATE'S NIGHT at Town Hall?
It will be replayed TONIGHT (march 9) @ 10 p.m. on Comcast Channel 9, and Tuesday (march 10) @ 2 p.m.

All candidates for contested offices are invited to send campaign information and event listings to snydersstoughton@aol.com.

One of my favorite human beings in Stoughton has passed away. Sumner Tapper, a long time journalism teacher at Stoughton High School, and a community activist on many levels, has died. He was a past president of Ahavath Torah Congregation, and a co-founder of their religious school. He was Chairman of the English Department at one time at Stoughton High. Rabbi Jonathan Hausman said Tapper was "one of the fixtures in town, highly regarded in everything he undertook. " Sumner will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched.

Breaking News: Another Shooting in Stoughton

Stoughton has just had its second shooting in the past ten days. There were gunshots fired this afternoon (3/5), sending a victim to the hospital. Stoughton Police Executive Officer Robert Devine said that the victim is a 42 year-old Stoughton resident, Jose Hernandez. He was transported to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the abdomen, and is currently in surgery. The shooting took place in the Bennett Drive apartment complex, behind Cumberland Farms on Rt. 138 in Stoughton. Lt. Devine said that local police, with help from Massachusetts State Police, are on the scene investigating the circumstances of the shooting. It has not been determined if it was a domestic situation, or who the shooter was, according to Devine.

The proposal to change the approval of Woodbridge Crossing condo project on Central Street into a 208 unit apartment complex continued tonight (4/5) before the Zoning Board of Appeals. It was the seventh public session for a case which began on July 17, 2008. Richard Bennett, the attorney for Woodbridge Crossing said that his group had addressed all concerns from the last public session of January 15, 2009. But, ZBA member Jerry Savage disagreed. "This is the second meeting in a row that you have not come prepared," he told Bennett. Bennett replied, There's been very little changes made since the original submission, and even less since the last meeting. I don't see any necessity for further extensions." Bennett said that April 13 is the deadline to close the hearings, and that the ZBA would have to make a decision 40 days from that date. James E. Winn, a Project Manager of Transportation/Environmental for Greenman-Pederson, Inc. of Nashua, NH, who was representing Woodbridge Crossing (and was supposed to present a traffic study, from what I could tell) offered to the Town, on behalf of the developer, $100,000 towards traffic solutions for the area; $50,000 for a drop-off and pickup study at Hansen Elementary School; and $5000 towards costs for the Engineering Department. Town Engineer Ben Fehen, who wrote a strong letter on October 30, 2008 regarding the project, seemed to sign off on it tonight, seeking only further clarification on the water issue (with nearby Knollsbrook wells). Dr. Erdem Ural of the School Committee has already estimated that those units would produce enough students to produce an additional $900,000 in expenses for the school system.

It is the continued opinion of Snyder's Stoughton that the ZBA SHOULD UNANIMOUSLY VOTE NO ON THIS PROPOSAL. We don't need MORE apartments in Stoughton. With the 240 that Conroy is building behind the Courtyard Marriott, we have MORE THAN ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING! JUST SAY NO! If Woodbridge Crossing's developer wants to build condos in this market, they have the permit in hand. If not, they should walk away. And, the town's building inspector--with the support of selectmen and town manager--should force the current land owner to raze the caved in buildings on the site. They are an accident waiting to happen!
NEXT PUBLIC HEARING: May 7

WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS KENNEDY PROPERTY?
WHEN SOMEONE DIES INSIDE?

A fast-sweeping fire destroyed 145 and 147 Wheeler Circle in the Stone Ends Apartment Complex on Central Street, resulting in 23 families becoming homeless. One woman was seriously injured jumping out of the flames. (She remains in critical condition at press time with life-threatening injuries.) In addition, two firefighters, a police officer, and a resident of the building were also injured. The apartment complex owners, along with the Red Cross, put some families up at the Courtyard by Marriott in Stoughton. David Barron, who has lived there for 14 years with his sons Dan and Jeff, stayed at a friend's house last night, and his sons stayed at another home. "They told us that those who didn't go to the Marriott last night can't go there tonight. So, basically, I am homeless." The Red Cross gave families $95 cards for food, and said they would set up a shelter in the gym of the O'Donnell Middle School. But, with school back in session tomorrow, that's not going to help anyone. Barron is looking for a two bedroom unit to house his children and him. If you are a landlord, or have room and can help, call Dave on his cell phone @ 508-559-4696. If you are from one of the other families, let me know. Let's see if this community can come together and help our own! Fire Chief David Jardin said the fire was called in at 11:22 p.m. last night (3/1), and was contained by 5:02 a.m. this morning (3/2). The Three Alarm plus Special Call fire was contained through the help of a number of neighboring departments. In addition to the great work from the Stoughton Fire Department, Chief Jardin also cited the help of Randolph, Canton, Avon, Sharon, Brockton, Holbrook, Easton, Norwood, Medfield, and Foxboro. Also arriving to help was the Providence Fire Canteen, I.S.U. from the State Fire Marshall's office, and Commonwealth R.E.A.C.T. Jardin says that early indications are that the fire was caused by someone on the second floor smoking in bed. He estimated damage at $500,000. We called the Stone Ends office to ask about accomodations for displaced residents. Debbie, who answered the phone said, "I can't answer any questions." When I asked who could, she replied, "Everyone is on the phone." However, according to their website, there were five one-bedroom and five two-bedroom units available for rent. Renting those units to displaced individuals could house almost half of those currently homeless. One victim of the fire could use donations to help pay for the security deposit on a new place to live. If you can help, send your donations made out to David Barron, c/o pmpnetwork, Box 639, Randolph, MA 02368, and I will get them to him ASAP. Any veterans who were victims of the fire could be eligible for assistance. For information on that, call Veteran's Agent Mike Pazyra at Town Hall (781-341-1300 x220). Patty LaCivita of the O'Donnell Middle School is collecting to help some fire victims who attend that school. If you'd like to help, contact Patty @ 781-344-7002.

On March 17, the face of the Department of Public Works will be changing. It's Larry Barrett's last official day. After over 42 years as an employee of Stoughton, Barrett is saying, "goodbye." He'll be replaced on an acting basis on the 17th by John Batchelder, who has been with the Town of Stoughton for 39 years himself. Barrett became Superintendent of Public Works in 1993, the same year Batchelder became Assistant Superintendent. Batchelder will then become Superintendent of Public Works after Barrett's contract expires at the end of the fiscal year. Asked what he'll miss about the job, Barrett told Snyder's Stoughton, "I have mixed emotions about retiring, but I believe it's time to move on. The Town of Stoughton has been a great place to work and live. It has truly been a pleasure to work with the dedicated people who presently and previously work for the Town and with the Town. I have seen so many residents donate so much time to the Town whether it be on a committee, an event, or a Town Meeting--people who are really interested in the Town and what they can do to make it a better place to live. These people are truly commendable. The men and women of the Stoughton Public Works Department will always be on my mind, as they have been a part of my life for over 42 years. I shall miss them all."

When asked what he won't be missing, he said, "Retirement will be the relief from the responsibility of road conditions, safe water, pumping stations, water main breaks, sewer back-ups, sewer stations, street lights out, snow ice conditions, trash contracts, tree hazards, budgets, water bills, sewer bills, trash bills, equipment failure, purchasing equipment, replacing equipment, bid specs, just to name a few." But he added, "Just think, I actually loved this job and I will miss it." As for Batchelder, Barrett says he has all the qualifications to be the new Superintendent. "After all, he put up with me for 16 years as my assistant, and that was not an easy task," he quipped.

Batchelder, for his part, is really going to miss Barrett. “Larry and I have been friends for fifty years. He’s a great guy, intelligent, and can sell ice to the Eskimos. He has just an enormous pair of shoes to fill.” Batchelder is wary of the budget woes, as well. “It’s going to be challenging with all the cuts we’ll need to make. I’m just hoping to keep the ship afloat.” Retirement is also in the sights for Batchelder. “I’ll be here until December of 2011, when I retire. Many upper management people at the DPW are 3-5 years from retirement. So, in addition to the difficult 2010 budget, my other big challenge is training people for future management positions.”

Watch Larry on Snyder's Stoughton TV Show on March 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 @ 7 p.m. ONLY ON COMCAST CHANNEL 9

Former Stoughton Police Chief Manny Cachopa was sentenced to three years probation and 1000 hours of community service by Judge Janet Sanders in Norfolk District Court on February 26. Meanwhile, last week Cachapo had requested $94,000 in vacation pay, sick days, and other negotiated benefits from the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen. According to sources, the town settled with Cachopa and gave him a check for nearly $29,000 in full settlement of all monies owed.

Algonquin Gas Company, citing the economic situation in the country and the state, has cancelled its plans to build a gas pipeline that would cut through Stoughton. Hundreds of people had come to Town Hall to protest the building of the pipe, from the very beginning. But, through the efforts of Selectman Steve Anastos and The Algonquin Advisory Committee, the town had arranged to have Algonquin purchase the Glen Echo property to be given to the town for recreation. The parcel remains one of the top targets of the Open Space Committee. Anastos, who has been working tirelessly on this project, as well as trying to save money on the town's health care costs, said that, "Residents didn't want this project in the first place. Then, they got to like it more when we arranged to get those 93 acres, and moved the pipeline location away from a school and hospital. But, the project is indefinitely suspended because financing was withdrawn. Their suppliers were paying for the bulk of this project. Their permits will expire, and so will their FERC approval. Their option on the land will also expire, and they don't intend on renewing it."

38 Year Old Pennsylvania Man Takes
15 year old Stoughton Girl to Braintree Hotel
(story here)

Two people were shot early yesterday morning (2/22) outside the Portuguese National Club at 21 Railroad Ave., spilling onto Wyman Street. According to Stoughton Police Sgt. Paul McCallum, a 20 year old female, and a 21 year old man were taken with non life-threatening injuries to a local hospital just after midnight. No motive for the shooting is known to police. Arrested this morning (2/23) for the shooting was 27-year old Stoughton resident, Claudino Correia of 103 Myrtle Street. He will be charged in Stoughton District court on charges stemming from the shooting. The female victim, who was shot in the abdomen, was found across the street from the PNC on Wyman Street. The male, who was shot in the thigh and buttocks, was found on the steps of the Club. The suspect is a male in his early 20's. He fled the scene. State Police and the Norfolk County District Attorney's office are aiding the Stoughton Police Detective division in the investigation. Bobby Reis of the PNC told Snyder's Stoughton that the hall was rented by a member of the club. "The shooter was not a member, and the male victim was the nephew of a member," he said.

Dr. Aqeel Siddiqui, MD, Medical Director of the Hyperbaric Center at Sinai and member of the Signature Healthcare Bridgewater Goddard Park Medical Associates; Lawrence Hotes, MD, Sinai Chief Medical Officer; Deb Wilson, Signature Healthcare Senior VP for Ambulatory Care and Physician Network; Lester P. Schindel, Sinai President and CEO; Kim Walsh, RN, Signature Healthcare VP for Patient Services, recently cut the ribbon to officially open the Hyperbaric Center.

The Board of Selectmen met Friday, February 11th in Town Hall's Yaitanes Room to discuss the status of Police Chief Manny Cachopa. Cachopa's attorney, Robert George, along with Town Counsel Joseph S. Fair discussed the charges in front of the Board. According to what is previously known, Cachopa's attorney was asking for a continuance during the appeal process, but the Board---absent of Chairman John Kowalczyk who was not there--voted unanimously to terminate the contract between the Town and Cachopa. Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz also attended the meeting. No one would speak on the record, but indications are that there was a heavy tension in the room. If, as the defense contends, Cachopa's conviction is tossed on sentencing day--February 26--then the town could face a wrongful termination suit. So, despite what town counsel advised the Board, it might have made more sense to wait until February 26 for this termination action. But, if Cachopa is sentenced that day, then the Board can then work on selecting a permanent Police Chief. And, with all that has gone on since this case began in 2005, bringing someone in--with no ties to the Town--makes some sense. As of now, Acting Chief Tom Murphy is in charge. His experienced presence gives the Board time to search for a new chief. Or, the Board could decide to make Murphy their permanent selection.

Norfolk District Attorney William R. Keating said he was “pleased and relieved for the Andrade family,” today, after the Commonwealth’s highest court rejected the appeal of the woman who helped kill him.

“We felt that police had put together a strong case and that the jury had it right,” District Attorney Keating said. “By affirming the conviction and rejecting the petitions for a new trial or a reduced verdict in one stroke, the SJC has given Mr. Andrade’s survivors much to be relieved about today.”

Mr. Andrade, then 49, had just sold his cleaning business and was living in a Stoughton condominium in January 2002, preparing to move to Florida with his family. That day, Zeno Williams and Jamaal Lee Haith, the father of her children, tricked Mr. Andrade into opening his door by claiming a need to enter to make repairs. Andrade was strangled, beaten, stabbed and robbed.

Haith and Williams then fled Massachusetts. Haith was apprehended by U.S Marshalls in Fayetteville, North Carolina Feb. 11, 2002 and Williams was found in Medford several days later after she circled back to Massachusetts.

Haith was found guilty following a trial in September 2004 and Williams following a separate trial in March 2005.

A Car Went Off The Road on Pleasant Street on Thursday (2/12). The driver was uninjured, according to the Stoughton Fire Dept. (Photo by Snyder's Stoughton)

Five Candidates turned in papers for selectmen by the February 3rd deadline. Incumbent Selectman Scott Carrara faces challenge from John Anderson, John Stagnone, Cynthia Walsh, and Jim Curtin. Information on each candidate can be found by scrolling. The preliminary election on March 10 will narrow the field to four. The final election is April 7. Be an EDUCATED voter. Attend the Sharon-Stoughton League of Women Voters/Stoughton Chamber of Commerce CANDIDATES NIGHT on February 25 @ Town Hall's Great Hall. Then, Snyder's Stoughton will be having a TV debate (scheduled for March 4, and to be broadcast on Comcast Channel 9 @ 7 p.m. on 3/6, 3/7. 3/8.), as well as questionaires in the column and online.

Monday night, February 2, the Stoughton Police Department got a phone call from the Judge Rotenberg Center, located on Kevin Clancy Way (off Bay Road). According to Stoughton Police Executive Officer Robert Devine, "The staff called and said that the occupants had taken control of the house. Our officers arrived to find the counselors trying to calm down the kids there. One of the occupants, after being compliant with officers, began punching walls, when officers went into another room. The 16 year old ended up punching a hole in the wall, and was charged with malicious destruction of property." One neighbor tells Snyder's Stoughton that initially the center worked with the neighbors. She wrote, "For a long time after that house was occupied by the JRC, we had a neighborhood group that Dick Levine helped get together. We would meet with the JRC once a month at the house to meet new 'students' and keep up to date on anything that had been going on. After a while, Joe and Annmarie asked that we change our meetings to the main center in Canton, as the 'students' were staying there later. Then, our meetings got fewer and far between as they kept coming up with reasons why a particular night wasn't good for them." Lt. Devine echoed a sentiment of lack of cooperation. "We're the last ones they want to call. They call us only when they lose control. A while ago, they waited a half hour after a kid escaped before they called us. They only called when they spent time looking and couldn't find him." There are two of these JRC centers in Stoughton. Ernie Corrigan, spokesperson for the Rotenberg Center, wanted to know why I was calling. "It's a school for emotionally-disturbed kids. So, when they become emotionally disturbed, why is that news?" When told that neighbors are concerned---and have a right to be after the police were not notified for a half hour with one of their students "missing," he replied, "I'd like to hear about the neighbor's concerns, directed to us, and not to the media." Corrigan added, "Parents are grateful for our facility. They are at the end of their ropes when their children come into the program. The young man who was arrested was at the JRC because he needs the control we provide. He's doing measurably better under our care." One neighbor said she has contacted JRC with her concerns, and they just tell me "how important their mission is for these kids. I understand that, but I don't need them 'out of control' next door to our neighborhood. I don't trust the management team there. They promised to alert us if any of these kids escaped. They didn't when it happened, until a delay. We have young children! Don't they care about our kids?" Corrigan says that stories like this "re-victimize these kids. We need public support and understanding. Society doesn't appreciate how tough these kids have it."

1. Library Parking Lot $200,000 Sent to State 1/6/09
2. Hawes Way Sewer $550,000 Sent to State 1/6/09
3. South Stoughton Sewer $2,500,000 Sent to State 1/6/09
4. York Street Drainage $1,000,000 Sent to State 1/6/09
5. Bay Road Culvert $1,000,000 Sent to State 1/5/09
6. Traffic lights at School St. $800,000 Sent to State 1/7/09
7. Water Main Replacement. $3,700,000 Sent to State 1/8/09
8. Central Street Water Main $220,000 Sent to State 1/8/09
9. Satellite Well No.3 $342,000 Sent to State 1/8/09
10. Sewer Rehabilitation $581,521 Sent to State 1/8/09
11. Remodel Fire Station No. 1 $400,000 Sent to State 1/9/09
12. Rehab. Fire Station No. 2 $800,000 Sent to State 1/9/09
TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED: You do the math! Over TEN MILLION DOLLARS!

Will we still get the money? State Senator Brian Joyce will serve on a separate Special Standing Committee on Federal Stimulus Oversight. The establishment of this 18-person committee, announced Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo, will oversee state spending of federal stimulus money and make recommendations on its use. In addition, the Committee will analyze strategies for securing the maximum amount of federal dollars for Massachusetts that will come from the highly-publicized federal economic stimulus plan. Let's see how much bacon Joyce--and State Reps Lou Kafka and Bill Galvin--bring to Stoughton. If it's anything like the past, the plate will be near empty. Let's hope Sen. Joyce can use this committee to deliver a decent portion of the money for the above projects to Town.

CHIEF CACHOPA FOUND GUILTY ON ONE COUNT
Sentencing on February 26

JOYCE FILES SEX OFFENDER NOTIFICATION BILL

State Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton) is re-filing a bill for the 2009-1010 legislative session that would increase community notification of sex offenders. If passed, the bill would require local police to inform property owners if a level 2 sex offender moves into a property directly abutting their residence. Federal law requires that all states register sex offenders against children, but leaves the amount of information dispersed up to the state’s discretion. In Massachusetts, sex offenders are divided into three classes based on their risk of re-offense. Level 1 sex offenders are classified as low risk, level 2 are considered moderate and level 3 are high risk. Currently, no information is available for level 1 sex offenders, and information regarding level 2 offenders is difficult to obtain. For level 3 offenders, photos and addresses are available online.

Senator Joyce decided to file this bill after he was contacted by a constituent with two small children who found out through word of mouth that her neighbor was a level 2 sex offender (convicted of three offenses of statutory rape on a child under 16). “Arizona has already implemented this plan of making offender’s whereabouts public. It is time that we take this step to ensure the safety of our children,” said Senator Joyce. The classification of sex offenders is based on a wide variety of factors. A level 2 sex offender may have committed the same exact crime as a level 3 sex offender, but may have had different circumstances surrounding their case. As of right now, to obtain information on Level 2 and 3 sex offenders, you can visit your local city or town police station, and after presenting proper identification, fill out a sex offender request form.

Child Rapist Level III Offender---found naked in mall.
He had been convicted of raping a 13 year old girl, and multiple gross lewdness charges.

What judge released him to the public? (Check here) You might remember her name.

NEW JCC?? -Full Story in Friday's (1/23) Snyder's Stoughton column in the Journal!

The Save Striar J.C.C. group met at the office of Dr. David Starr on Sunday, January 18 and announced the creation of their new website, created by David Shore . The group is no longer trying to stop the sale of the Striar J.C.C. to the Old Colony YMCA. Starr says the focus remains to assure the South Shore Jewish community continues to get the programs promised by JCC of Greater Boston and the CJP. "We have done a polling of the hundreds of supporters on our email lists to see which programs they'd like to preserve. Unfortunately, we had requested to poll current members via email, but the JCC of Greater Boston, along with CJP, would not allow us to email members. JCC of Greater Boston V.P. Fiona Epstein, who I dealt with, was rigid and arrogant in terms of her reception to our request to send emails center-wide." Frank Edward Romero, a lead of Save Striar JCC group, said that one thing the group may do in the near future is to begin fundraising to secure a new building to replace the Striar JCC. Romero, a Christian, said that even in these difficult times there are financiars who support projects like this. In a conversation with Dr. Starr, Martin Abromowitz, who is working for CJP on the after-Striar JCC service to the Jewish Community on the South Shore, said that the closing of the JCC would "Stengthen the Jewish Community south of Boston." Sure it will, Martin. You and your co-horts need to get a clue! To his credit, however, Abromowitz is meeting next Sunday with reps from Save Striar JCC. The next meeting of the group is Sunday, January 25 @ 10 a.m. at Dr. Starr's office, 529 Pearl St., Stoughton.

As for the building, Vinnie Marturano, CEO of the Old Colony YMCA, said that many programs---in addition to many employees--will be kept at the new Y on Central Street. And Jeff Russell, COO of the Old Colony YMCA, announced some new additions to the Center, when Old Colony takes over on March 1. "We have been listening to many members of the JCC and the community, and have responded," he told Snyder's Stoughton. The "Y" will be adding Free Child Watch (babysitting), Saturday morning youth basketball leagues, expanded swim classes, Ellis Certification for lifeguards, enhanced camping for youth, Friday Kids Night Out, Healthy Kids Day Special Event, more affordable outdoor pool prices, and new fitness equipment. Coming in Fall, 2009, according to Marturano, will be an expanded swim team, arts and humanities (theatre, art, dance), gymnastics for school age children, and activities for pre-school kids (including arts and play, mini movers, and pee wee challange.)

Marturano and Russell will be guests on Snyder's Stoughton TV Show later in January.

The hearing for Woodbridge Crossing (for details on the project scroll to story below) was continued to March 5 @ 7:30 p.m. by the Zoning Board of Appeals tonight (1/15). The continuance was granted at the request of Attorney Richard Bennett, who is the counsel for the project's developer. The project's engineers said that the towns independent traffic study--which was approved at the December meeting of the ZBA--was never done because the vendor never got the paper work for the town until this week. "A further extension is necessary for substantive discussion of the traffic study," Bennett said. The developer extended the 180 day requirements by sixty days, thereby allowed the delay. ZBA Chairman Sherm Epro asked for a motion on the continuance, and it was made by Jerry Savage. The vote was unanimous. About 60 people attended the meeting. Many, who had no clue of the delay, left disappointed.

The race for the Board of Selectmen is heating up. Two seats, currently held by Scott Carrara and John Kowalczyk, are available, and candidates are lining up to fill them. Carrara, vice chairman of the Board, has already taken out papers for re-election. Carrara, who has served nine consecutive years, said, "I feel I've served the residents well. I treat everyone fairly and honestly, and when I make decisions, it's for 28,000 people, not five. The other selectmen turn to me on issues like water and sewer. I can read and understand design plans. The bridge on Bay Road is a farce. It's costing way too much. It got out of hand." Carrara said, "My goals are to maintain the departments--municipal and schools--and to continue to deliver excellent services. I was striving to have the town manager to get the town a priority list, to see where we stood before the gloom and doom hit. He didn't do it. I was hoping he would. I have served through tumultuous times, and we've had to make a lot of tough decisions. We acquired the Glen Echo property--a highly coveted piece of open space--for no cost to the town. We hired people like Bill Rowe, an excellent accountant. We hired Paul Dawson, who went on to become a town manager elsewhere. I think experience is more important than screaming for change. Change is not necessarily a good thing. I have nine years working on budgets, and understanding that business budgets and municipal ones are two different things. Sometimes the business approach doesn't work. But, you learn that from experience."

But, a number of "new faces" are also in the running. For instance, John Stagnone, who has served on the planning board the past seven years, is interested in running. Stagnone, a 20-year town resident, is vice chairman of the town's Cable Advisory Committee, and chairman of the town's Housing Policy Committee. Stagnone told Snyder's Stoughton , "I am running for Selectman because I feel that the Town is lacking in long range planning initiatives, which could position us to be more financially stable, maintain, or even increase residential and business property values, attract new businesses and jobs to town, and strengthen our schools." Stagnone, a Precinct 1 Town Meeting member, added, "In my second year as a town meeting member, I presented my first article--petitioning funding for the installation of sidewalks along Cushing Street, in front of the Middle School. Despite its failure three times earlier, I was successful in getting town meeting approval and our kids are now safer when walking to school. If anyone would like to volunteer on my campaign, please call me at 341-0153 or e-mail stagnone2009@yahoo.com."

Also taking out papers in Warren West, who owns a company called "Power Wash". West is a Korean War veteran, who tells Snyder's Stoughton that he volunteers "seven days a week, I use my own car, and I pay for my own gas. I pickup food from Roche Brothers and take it to seniors, battered women shelters and food pantries." West said he's running because, "I think there should be some changes at the Senior Center. They should expand their hours. I'd like to stop them from closing the days before and after holidays. I really like working with older people, and want to see them better represented." Veteran's Agent Mike Pazyra confirmed West's claims, saying, "Warren has donated over $100,000 in pastries, breads and other products, which he distributes to nursing homes He's retired. He could sit around, but he has a deep abiding concern for veterans issues. He's not afraid to express himself, either. You know where he stands."

John D. Anderson, chairman of the Stoughton Council on Aging is running for selectman. Christine Quinn, Director of the Council on Aging, voiced strong support for him. "He's been great. He's been helpful and supportive and puts in a lot of time. He's gone over policies and procedures, and updated them. He's very professional. He's been supportive to me and available to everyone on the board. He'd make an excellent selectmen. He's had no agenda, just making this Council a better place, and gives 110% of himself to the cause." Anderson, who was elected to the school committee on a recall, and after another elected term, removed in another recall (regarding the middle school years ago), said he has advocated for children and seniors, and thought that running for selectmen would help him serve everyone. "I have a lot to offer the town, and no conflicts of interest. I'd never have to recuse myself from a vote. I'm retired and have the time. I'm also familiar with contract negotiations and budgets. I try to make a difference."

And, the latest entry into the race is a familiar face to those who attend selectmen's meetings. Precinct two town meeting member Cynthia Walsh was the latest to take out papers. Walsh serves on the municipal regulations committee, Cedar Hill Golf Course committee, and was a selectmen in the early 1980's, when it was a seven person board. When asked why it took 26 years for her to run again, Walsh replied, "People have been asking me to run for years. There's only one incumbent running, so there's an open seat." Walsh touted her vast experience. "I have extensive backgrond knowledge about the town and the budget. You get elected in April, you go to Town Meeting in June to discuss the budget. Unless you go to selectmen's and finance committee budget meetings in January and February, you're at a disadvantage. It's hard to defend a budget that really is not your own." Walsh taught thirty years in the Jones Elementary School, including 29 as a fifth grade teacher. She added, "I don't think any living person in Stoughton has my excperience. I've attended every legally posted selectmen's meeting from February 1976, except one. If it's been discussed in open session, I know about it. The learning curve for selectmen is very long. I come in prepared."

School Committee Chairman Allan Mills is running for re-election. He said that in difficult economic times, it's important to have someone experienced on the School Committee. "I've been serving for 18 years (6 terms) and my biggest concern is the budget. The magnitude of the possible State cuts concerns me and makes me want to stay on and help. The town's two new board members, and Eric coming back, have been a good mix the past couple of years. We've been keeping the system moving forward past the negative curves. We have optimized what we do as educators, providing leadership, without dictatorship. We provide unique services in our schools, and we've been well run. We have plans for the future, with some of the pieces in place. With all of our new administrators, the focus is positive."

Mills faces competition from Stacie Withington, a third grade teacher, who has worked for the Boston Public Schools the last 14 years. Withington told Snyder’s Stoughton that she feels the school committee has done a good job, but there’s room for improvement. “I’m an educator and a parent who is worried about the upcoming budget cuts. I want to make sure the Stoughton School system remains a good one, and that the cuts are made in the right places.” Withington has never attended a school committee meeting, but she watches them on TV. She has degrees in early childhood and special education. Withington adds, “I see things from the parents and teacher’s point of view. I’d like to help the community.” She has two children who attend the Dawe Elementary School.

William McNamara has taken out papers for re-election to the Housing Authority and Howard Hansen for re-election as Moderator. Calls have been made to candidates in all contested races. Debates will be scheduled on the TV show for those races. Another candidate for selectmen or school committee will mean a preliminary election before the Town Election in April.

ALL CANDIDATES are invited to submit biography information, photos, news (including campaign directors and treasurer's names) and announcements on fundraisers and events to snydersstoughton@aol.com.

18 days after the JCC of Greater Boston and Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) officially announced that the Striar JCC was being sold to the Old Colony YMCA, over 800 people had inquired about how to join the hastily-created “Save Striar JCC” group. But, in a meeting between representatives of Save Striar JCC and the leaders of JCC of Greater Boston and Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), it was made quite clear that the Striar JCC and the community that it contained, is being dispersed and is gone forever. Barry Shrage, the CEO of CJP said, “We have one shot to keep this building alive---the sale to the Old Colony YMCA. This is an extremely good deal.” When asked directly--- if millions could be raised-- could the building be saved from the sale, he responded that funds are needed elsewhere for Israel (with their war vs. Hamas) and throughout the Jewish community. Shrage put it this way: “If this sale is challenged by Save Striar JCC, it will cost money that could have gone to the Jewish community programs. We would shutter the building and put a fence around it. I take responsibility for the decision to sell. This is a done deal. Both boards have voted to support this sale.” Shrage went on to discuss the thought that went into it. “The JCC made the decision that this was not viable long term. It’s been losing money. What’s the purpose of the JCC-- the building and gym--or the service of the Jewish community?” He also said that, “We plan to expand services in the area.”

I had promised not to reveal any confidential information obtained from the meeting, after Shrage attempted to have me barred from the proceedings, despite the fact I was elected to speak by 100% of the Save Striar JCC group. But that became nil almost immediately, since no classified information of any kind (or even USEFUL information, of that matter) was ever revealed. When Canton attorney David Flashenburg, a Save Striar JCC member, asked to see the “books” so that it could be determined if the group could help keep the boat afloat through fundraising, or other means, he was told “no.” At that point, Flashenburg wanted to leave, since without knowing the actual numbers, there was nothing further to discuss. But group founder, Dr. David Starr, pressed on. He tried to extract something concrete from Shrage. I asked about the comparable losses of Striar JCC and Leventhal-Sidman JCC in Newton (according to Form 990 of the IRS in 2005, which I obtained online, their loss was nearly identical, at close to $800,000.) Why was Striar being sold and not the Newton location? Why weren’t members notified and allowed to help raise money, if needed, or at least know the truth BEFORE they spent big money on memberships? Mark Sokoll, president of the JCC of Greater Boston, said there was input, in the form of a committee that studied numerous options for a long period of time. Committee? How about the thousands of people who have spent thousands of dollars and become emotionally attached to the building, its programs and its people? What about asking them? And if you’re contemplating membership in Leventhal-Sidman, take heed in these words from Shrage: “Eventually, JCC’s are going to close. Once movement starts, it’s hard to stop.”

Shrage talked again about why the Save Striar JCC group should just work with them in serving the community: “We’ve been looking for partners. This is not the time to be raising additional money. We need to increase allocations to Israel. It’s not a good time for legal battles. We need to stay together. This is a JCC decision. I don’t regret the closing of the building. I’m sorry for the pain it has caused. But, there are no regrets. We’ll do what we can for the community.” Shrage further explained that “The Jewish community is aging and spreading. The JCC model is changing. People can use other health club facilities. There is more and more need for additional resources. We need to be able to service Jews who are spread out. We’re creating, in essence, a JCC without walls.” Yes, Barry--and without soul, community, or much else. Moving senior programs around Stoughton and Canton, and early childhood education to Sharon---how does THAT serve this community (which you claimed is moving to Mansfield, Franklin and the far reaches of Earth)? How does a new childhood learning center in Hingham (where Jews are almost extinct) help anyone? I took an unscientific poll of 40 current members of the Striar JCC: 13 said they’d consider re-joining the YMCA there, while three (who were all swimmers) said they would definitely join. That’s probably good news for Gold’s Gym and Elite Fitness & Health, who are both building new facilities.

But, Vincent Marturano, the President and CEO of Old Colony YMCA wrote that, “Members of the Striar JCC will be pleased to know that on March 1, 2009 their membership will be seamlessly converted into an Old Colony YMCA membership, which will not only cover services at the Stoughton location, but will also allow them to take advantage of services and programs offered at each of the Old Colony YMCA branches. The membership structure will remain the same, making the transition to the YMCA membership a simple process.” Of comfort to current JCC members, some familiar faces will remain through the transition to the “Y.” Joyce Dwyer, Ellen Greene, Serah Selmon, Rosie Carey, Jason Wheatley, Anthony Medico, Becky Braidman, “Johnny” Kerman, Michelle Jackson, and Joe Leaver all are staying on through the change. The YMCA is trying its best to retain current members by keeping things status quo, for now.. So, the SaveStriarJCC organization, under Starr, and with much help from Frank Edward Romero, seems to be steering more toward a course of trying to get the JCC of Greater Boston to take the money from the sale and to preserve many programs that already exist, from swim teams, to senior events, to lap swimming. Sokoll, Shrage, CJP VP Gil Preuss, and CJP Executive Martin Abramowitz all agreed that net income fromthe sale would be used to do just that. So the SaveStriarJCC group is polling its members to see what they want preserved. The CJP, JCC of Greater Boston, and YMCA would do well to work together to please as many members as possible. Sokoll said that a committee will be formed comprised of current Striar JCC members and including hand-picked Save Striar members (leaves me out, right?) to recommend expenditures with that money.

The next meeting of the Save Striar JCC group is on Sunday, January 11 at 9:30 a.m. at Dr. Starr’s office, 529 Pearl Street in Brockton. Anyone is invited to attend, or send their comments to SaveStriarJCC@aol.com. By then, some of the more active members could be part of Sokoll’s “committee.” Bottom line: the fight is probably over. When a tree falls in the forest and no one can hear it, it makes no sound. There’s nothing worse than the sounds of silence after the selling out of an entire slice of the population. But, if you’re a long-time member of Striar with a young family (according to Shrage and Sokoll--you’re practically extinct), and you live South of Boston, consider where you spend your camp money this summer. Camp Kingswood and Camp Grossman are BOTH owned by the JCC of Greater Boston. So, pending the confirmation of at least a million dollars (from the sale of the building) being pumped into this local community, send your money elsewhere. We’ll let you know when promises have been kept, and when they have not. We’ve been doing that in this space since November of 1998---over TEN YEARS! This week, I hope I presented the view of Sokoll, Shrage and other top dogs of the agencies that run things in Boston for the Jewish population. I know that I am emotionally upset by what they did. Both my children received their early education at the Striar JCC, and graduated from their kindergarten. They were both entrenched in the after school programs, and developed their early athletic skills there. So, I feel a close personal connection to the building. So do many thousands of others, who don’t want to see a “JCC without Walls.”

When The Laughter Stops: To those of us who knew Bob Lazarus, he was more than simply a comedian. We watched him with his loving wife Kathi, and with his young daughter Carly, who will be Bat Mitzvahed in May. Bob was a funny guy, who battled a very serious disease, leukemia, until the very end. Lazarus toured the country with comedian Steven Wright. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Bob was seen on Showtime and Comedy Central. He also appeared on stage with Robin Williams, Jay Leno, Denis Leary, Rob Schneider, Judy Tenuta, Ray Romano, Paula Poundstone, and Sinbad. Condolence messages began early on January 5, when word of his untimely death leaked out. His funeral was a standing room only event, filled with numerous comedians (including the afore-mentioned Wright), one of whom, Mike Donovan, got up on the bima (stage) at Stanetsky in Canton and quipped, “This is going to be a tough room.” Lazarus would have laughed with the rest of the audience throughout his “monologue.” Rabbi Jonathan Hausman might have put it best, when describing Lazarus as "a breath of optimism in a truculent world." Donations in Bob's memory can be made to Carly Lazarus College Fund, c/o ATC, 1179 Central Street, Stoughton, MA 02072 . R.I.P. Bob--you left to a standing ovation.

The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce gave out their 2009 Awards recently at New England Sinai Hospital. The ceremony, hosted by Judge Francis Crimmins, honored members of the community. Pictured (l to r) are Terry Schneider, Executive Director of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce; Business Person of the Year Steve Robbins, owner of Maxie's Deli; Mike Hamra, franchise owner of Business of the Year Panera Bread; Anne Havlin, director of St. Anthony's Free Market and Phil Yaitanes, owner of Yaitanes Landscaping, both Volunteers of the Year; and Rick Kaplan, Chairman of the Board of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce.

Stoughton's Assistant Town Clerk Bonnie Poore tendered her resignation, according to sources inside Town Hall. This follows the resignation, effective December 31, 2008, of Town Clerk Marie Chiofolo. Poore will be helping her daughter care for infant triplets. Selectmen Chairman John Kowalczyk tells Snyder's Stoughton, "We're a little surprised and disappointed. She's entitled to retire and spend time with her family. We'll replace her, as well. It makes things more difficult." Snyder's Stoughton has learned that the Board of Selectmen have appointed an Interim Town Clerk. Marie Crimmins, retired Town Clerk of Foxboro, will start for Stoughton on January 5, 2009. Kowalczyk says, "We have a new staff and they can be trained by Crimmins. We're lucky to have her. It's a critical time for the town with town meeting, warrants and elecrtions. She's experienced in all of that. She can train the new people in town hall. She's been a regional mentor for clerk's offices. So, it will be an orderly transition." Welcome Marie, and goodbye and thanks to Marie and Bonnie.

A group of activists, The Save The JCC Group, met December 21st at the office of Dr. David Starr in Brockton to discuss their opposition and plan of action to oppose the sale of the Striar Jewish Community Center in Stoughton to the Old Colony YMCA of Brockton. The Committee's spokesperson, marketing consultant Frank Edward Romero, said that the group "are all JCC members who want to deal with CJP (Combined Jewish Philanthopies) and JCC's of Greater Boston with dignity and respect." Romero, who is a Christian, said he enjoys the Striar JCC and didn't wish for it to change. The group recently met with Barry Shrage, the president of CJP; Mark Sokoll, the president of JCC's of Greater Boston; and Gil Preuss, vice president of CJP and was told it was a "done deal." It was also added that if the group succeeded in stopping the sale that CJP would "close the building and put a fence around it." The Save The JCC Group could try to block the sale through legal channels, or use other means to affect the CJP. Personally, I think every Jewish family South of Boston should keep their children from attending Camp Kingswood or Camp Grossman. Since the JCC's of Greater Boston and the CJP took THEIR INVESTMENT out of this area, we should DO THE SAME to THEIR investments. That is MY opinion, not that of the activist group. Interested in helping to fight the sale? You may write to SaveStriarJCC@aol.com. Next meeting of SaveStriarJCC is on Sunday, January 11 @ 9:30 a.m. in the office of Dr. David Starr, 529 Pearl Street in Brockton.

Just what is JCC's of Greater Boston president
Mark Sokoll trying to sell Metro South's Jewish population?

Verizon’s Daryl Crossman came to the Selectmen’s meeting looking to put two new poles on Sumner Street. He left with an Excedrin headache and the proverbial tail between the legs. Tom Pattavina, whose frontage was about to receive those poles, told selectmen that he had an initial meeting with Verizon’s engineers, but they never got back to him-- as promised-- after hearing his concerns. Crossman said there was really no choice. They’d studied all possibilities and this was the only option. Town Engineer Ben Fehen, who has been outstanding in really working for the town, suggested the request be tabled. “They were supposed to communicate with the homeowners. We’ve seen no documentation.” Selectman Joe Mokrisky added, “We always hear how they can’t do this and can’t do that. Are we supposed to say the heck with it, and approve it? I wouldn’t want those poles on my front lawn, either.” Crossman maintained it was a safety issue. “We don’t just throw up poles. There’s a lot of thought and we are cognizant of the aesthetics.” Selectman Scott Carrara added, “Why can’t you put the wires underground?” When Crossman said he could—but they’d charge the town—Carrara said perhaps the permit for the poles would be held until Verizon promised to pay for them to be put underground from pole to pole. With storms causing overhead wires to constantly be hit by trees and fail, it makes sense to go underground. The selectmen were right to table the petition. When Crossman said he “couldn’t reach” the abutters, I laughed. I thought he worked for the phone company. Ever hear of phones?

On December 18, the Michael Romanuck VFW Post 1645 held their annual award program for the winners of the VFW Voice of Democracy contest. First prize of $300 was awarded to Michelle Brauneis. Second prize of $200 went to Kellie Carmichael, and third prize of $100 was given to Rachel Rosen. All three students are juniors at Stoughton High School. A special presentation was made to John Gallivan, director of the Stoughton High School Social Studies department, who was named the Stoughton VFW Teacher of the Year, as part of the VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award Program. Mr Gallivan was presented a jacket by co-chairmen, Dave Sears and Joe DeVito. In attendance were officers and members of Post 1645, parents and families of the V.O.D. winners, Interim Supt of Schools Anthony L Sarno, Jr. and Assistant Supt, Dr. Marguerite Rizzi.

One of the benefits of living in a small town is the sense of community--people helping people. Another is the joy at seeing that community come together, for an event, an individual, or a fundraiser. This past weekend brought all the components together.

The Village Pub event was such an overwhelming success for Toys for Tots that the place had no seats available anywhere. Both upstairs and downstairs were packed to the rafters, with those donating toys and money, and partaking of the wonderful buffet. My mind was elsewhere that night (think office flood), but I brought some toys, had a quick bite, and went back to bailing out my house. Gerry Capozzoli said that $1,600 in cash and over $3,000 in toys was donated to the Marine’s Toys for Tots program. “It was a huge success. Everyone had a great time and people were very generous.”

Sunday, the Christmas Parade was simply amazing. DJ Sonny B played the most recognizable and beloved Christmas tunes, and kept the merriment on the upswing. Co-Chairs Rich Jasmin and Kevin Stetson and the other members of the amazing Stoughton Community Events Committee, should be quite proud. The SCEC is Chaired by Joe Mokrisky, and also includes David Sousa, Fran Stetson, Janet Jasmin, Reggie Medeiros-Kowalczykowski; Dennis, Carlene and Brian Walsh, Lynne McCormack, Nancy Paterson, Heidee Anastos, Sara Sullivan, Laurice Rubel, Bob Desmond, and Maria Faria. I think this may have been among the best Christmas Parades this town has ever seen! The Christmas Parade featured a Coast Guard helicopter flyer over (and it swung down just over the crowd), and the beautiful Hallamore Clydesdale Horse Team (as featured on the old Bud ads). Grand Marshall was Stoughton musical legend Ron Christianson, recently retired after 35 years leading the Stoughton School System's bands and choruses to award-winning success. Guest of honor wasJim Callanan, who chaired the first Stoughton Christmas Parade in 1986.

Others that participated in the Parade included: U.S.S. Constitution Honor Guard; Stoughton Police, Stoughton Fire, Stoughton DPW, Norfolk County Sheriff's Office, Army National Guard, Stoughton Boy Scouts, Civil War Re-enactors, Stoughton High Marching Band, East Bridgewater High Marching Band, Hot Tamale Brass Band, singer Michelle Romeiro, Stoughton Little Theatre, Paris Cabaret's Starline Room, West & South Elementary Schools, the Dawe School (where each student in the school made a snowflake that appeared on their float); Randolph Savings Bank, Elite Fitness, Jack Conway Real Estate, George Climo & Sons, Giovanni Hair Salon, Mario's Roofing, Keys for Hope, Ronald McDonald, Sherm's Race Car, Above All Limousine, the Cycling Murrays, and the U.S. Postal Service. At Faxon Park, Manny Viveiros provided the sound, and Santa and Mrs. Claus handed out gift bags to the youngsters, to their sometimes squealing delight!

2008 Float Winners:

Callanan Trophy
West School

Best Musical Performance
Michelle Romeiro

Most Christmas Spirit
George Climo & Sons

Best Float 1^st Place
George Climo & Sons

Best Float 2^nd Place
Giovann Hair Salon

After the Parade, the Stoughton Historical Society held an open house, where they honored their late president Alice Petruzzo. Host Dwight MacKerron hosted a well- attended event, which included her family and friends, to honor her. Town Meeting member Cynthia Walsh, and Town Moderator Howard Hansen were among the speakers there.

Then, it was the dedication of the David M. Benjamin Multi-Function room at the Council on Aging building. The Senior Center was filled with those who were touched by Benjamin, who was my precinct two Chairman at Town Meeting, and was a volunteer on numerous town committees.John Anderson, Chairman of the Council on Aging, did a nice job as emcee. Gyneth McGarvey introduced David's wife of 64 years, Edith, his daughters Ann and Meredith, and his lookalike sister, Nancy. Rev. Jean Lenk of First Congregational Church gave the invocation, and the Stoughton Senior Serenaders, led by Helen Hall, performed "Danny Boy", "Don't Fence Me In", and "Old Man River." State Reps Lou Kafka and Bill Galvin presented proclamations, along with Selectman Chairman John Kowalczyk. Christine Quinn, director of the Council on Aging, read the Plaque that will be on the room’s wall, along with the news that a portrait painted by David's son-in-law, will also be on that wall beside it.

Over 100 senior citizens gathered in the auditorium of the Striar Jewish Community Center on Tuesday (12/9) to learn more about the changeover to the Old Colony YMCA. JCC of Greater Boston CEO and President Mark Sokoll said, "I wanted to make sure you were informed, even though you may not be pleased." And, pleased they were not. Two dozen seniors had their hands raised for questions. Sokoll, and JCC of Newton's Fiona Epstein played dodge ball with residents on those questions. For instance, when asked (twice) what was going to happen to the multi-millions of dollars obtained from the sale of the Central Street building, Sokoll replied, "You'd have to ask CJP (Combined Jewish Philanthropies) for details. They sold the building." It could be assumed as a CEO of a partnered organization that Sokoll knows exactly where the money is going. But, in the interests of honesty and transparency, wouldn’t it have made sense to have a CJP rep available to answer those questions, if Sokoll didn’t have the answers? Sokoll mentioned a new Hingham-based JCC of Boston preschool. A woman next to me declared, "How is Hingham serving the residents in this area? They don't have a clue." But Sokol insists the JCC of Greater Boston will live up to the biblical promise of "don't cast us off in our old age." "We will live up to that tradition in a way responsible to community needs. We have spoken to Temples in Canton and Stoughton, and to Orchard Cove in Canton about hosting senior programs," said the ordained Rabbi. At this point, with dozens of hands up with questions, Epstein declared, "Put down your hands," and had the seniors fill out "surveys" to provide information to help the JCC of Greater Boston to provide service where needed. With seniors in a ball of confusion, they were asked to fill out paperwork, which amounted to asking the captive audience for assistance for future marketing efforts, and for notification of future senior events.

After the surveys were passed in, Sokoll took more questions. Stoughton resident Gil Spack went right at the press coverage: "I have been reading in the papers about how you have been talking about the Jewish flight from Stoughton, Sharon, Canton, Easton and Randolph. The only town that is seeing that flight is Randolph. The other Jewish communities seemed to have remained strong." Sokoll responded, "Jewish families with young kids are moving farther away. We're seeing them move towards Franklin, Walpole and Foxboro." So, Spack followed up by asking if there were plans for a new JCC in that area to serve their now-swelling population of Jews. "We have two full service JCC's in the area, in Providence and Newton," Sokoll replied.

Seniors were concerned about their social needs and those programs that they love---asking about their card games, bingo, and Mah-Jonng. Sokoll said that some programs would be continued, through the JCC of Greater Boston, in locations in Canton, Stoughton, or Sharon. As for specifics, there were none. Epstein added, "We'll continue to provide if there's enough of a need at a location." Sokoll added, "If we can't honor senior social memberships after June, we'll have to address it. The Y will not have to honor it." When a woman named Ruth asked if the apparently-beloved Harvey Levensohn was continuing on to run senior activities, Sokoll said, " Harvey is continuing on as we intend to continue the programs at other locations." Too bad no one filled Levensohn in. When I asked him if he's contracted beyond the YMCA takeover date, he replied, "It has not been worked out how I will work for the JCC." Perhaps, when they read this, the central office will let him know.

Epstein insisted that things would be OK for the seniors. "We are promising to recreate the community in different places. The walls will be different." Sokoll also reassured seniors that Jewish items, from stained glass to embossed doors, will be removed. “The YMCA has been very respectful regarding Jewish items. They want to do what is required for us to keep our Jewish symbols with us."

Clara Trainor was upset about the secrecy of the deal. "Why was this so secretly done? Why didn't we get a heads up? Why weren't we warned in some way? We got letters after the fact." Sokoll replied, "There was a process that went on for a number of years. There were 25-30 people on the task force, working with CJP. The decision was then made." A woman named Edith replied, "You knew it before you sent the letter." Sokol said once the deal was completed, he had to tell his employees. "They were away for the Thanksgiving holidays. I have a responsibility to my employees, the members and community." He continued, "None of the criticism will stop me from talking to you. Even family members have disagreements." Sokoll doesn't seem to understand that most families might have disagreements, but the parents don't sell the house and leave the kids on the street behind. Trainor thought that Sokoll was not being very truthful, telling Snyder’s Stoughton. "He's full of hot air. He's blowing a lot of smoke."

Cindy Kaplan, who has been running the Perkins Gallery inside the J.C.C., found out about the sale of the J.C.C. at Shiva for her dad. "A friend came over and told me. I was shocked." She later learned that the exhibit "The Light over Centuries", featuring Lev Bogorov & Rachel Kanter, will be the last. (The exhibit runs from December 19-January 28, with the opening reception December 21 @ 4 p.m.). The Perkins Gallery, like numerous rooms in the Striar JCC, is named for generous benefactors. All are receiving a giant slap-in-the-face through the JCC sale.

Sokoll tried to assure the crowd that all would be ok. They were, in unison, not buying it. Of the 30 people I spoke with after (and during) the talk, none thought it was a good move for themselves or the Jewish community. Three seniors who are swimmers said they would stay at the YMCA because of the pool. One senior said that she thought the JCC of Greater Boston and CJP were "The Evil Empire." That's not the kind of PR they are looking for. Interestingly enough, the CJP's Jewish Boston Connected, "Strategic Plan for the Future", released in August of 2008, says this of one of its responsibilities: "Caring for Jews Locally: Provide support, warmth and connection to all Jews; and ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community can easily access the care and assistance they need." One of the co-authors of that plan is Myra Kraft, wife of Patriots CEO Bob Kraft. In terms Kraft can understand, there was a series of fumbles at this JCC, and the team took its ball and went home.

Bottom line is that the Jewish community is NOT dissipating in this area. Shaloh House in Stoughton had a major expansion. No synagogues have gone belly up. The CJP simply needed to raise funds and they sold the Striar JCC to do it. That's the "no spin" version. The Prophet Isaiah warned the Jews that those seeking their destruction would emerge out of their own midst. The comments of Mr. Sokoll regarding the Jewish population can only encourage the flight he so likes to verbalize.

The YMCA could turn out to be the best thing to ever happen to Stoughton. That is not the point of this column. The failure of the management team that took the diamond that the JCC was, and ground it down to coal is a crying shame, and the tears continue to fall on the faces of its innocent victims.

A group of very angry Striar J.C.C. members has formed to try to stop the sale of the building to the Old Colony Y.M.C.A They met last Sunday at a Temple in Brockton. According to sources within the organization, they may attempt to legally block the sale.

In a related matter: Those who feel (like I do) that the JCC of Greater Boston sold out the local Jewish community, CAN take action! If you live in this area, and have young children, DON’T send them to Camp Grossman next summer. The Camp is owned by the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston. Since the Jews are taking flight from this area (just ask JCC’s of Greater Boston’s Mark Sokoll), maybe we can make them feel it where it counts—in their wallet! Spread the word to young families with children: Find another Camp for your kids.

The ZBA voted Thursday night (12/4) to continue the hearing on the application of Woodbridge Crossing to January 15, 2009. The developer is requesting a change from condos to apartments. ZBA member Bob O'Regan motioned to request reports addressing traffic studies, wetlands delineation, and possible health issues be delivered to the ZBA and Conservation Commission by January 5, 2009. O'Regan wanted to give the ConCom time to review the wetland areas. David Asack of the ConCom told the 100 people gathered at Town Hall, "This application is incomplete. We are asking the applicant to refile so that we have proper time to review the submission." Added John Morton of the ConCom, "There needs to be a decision by mid-January. We have not begun the assessment of the wetlands on the site. It takes more than a month to properly delineate the wetlands. There's no complete plan filed." But Attorney Richard Bennett, who represents the developer, disagreed. "Do we need to go through the wetlands process before you issue a comprehensive permit? We are not going to file for delineation. We're comfortable with our current delineation. This site has been studied and engineered already. The accuracy of the permit application is what should be on the table tonight." Town Counsel Ilana Quirk said, "State statute prevents the ZBA wetland waivers decision from sending jurisdiction to the Conservation Commission. ConCom needs to specify what is missing in the application."

The developer is looking to turn their court win allowing them to build 192 condo units, into a new ZBA decision to allow them to build 208 apartments. I think Robert Mendillo, who lives near the proposed conflict, hit it on the nose in a letter he sent to the ZBA, Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, and others. Here's his conclusion: "As I see it, the only reason the developer wants to switch to condominiums is that he has developed cold feet. He has decided that this is a bad time for the condo market. For his own financial self-interest and for no other reason, he wants to make lots of money by flooding the market with cheap apartments. Stoughton does not need this flood."

And, on the Chapter 40B front, a "secret" hearing on changes to the Chapter 40B laws--giving more money to developers and taking even more control from local towns--was held on November 19. State Senator Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth) told the Boston Herald, "I would have liked to have known about it." Hedlund sits on the Legislature's Joint Committee on Housing. He had recommended changes in the law to make it unprofitable for builders to use the law to develop affordable housing. The Massachusetts State Senate rejected his proposal. He also put a proposal in limiting developer's profit to 10%, down from the current 20%. It was defeated on a voice vote. Senator Brian Joyce voted against Hedlund's proposals. Barbara Anzivino writes, "Brian Joyce is your Senator. We need to tell him, that 40B needs to change in the community's favor, not the developer's. Call Senator Joyce at 617-722-1643, or email him at Brian.A.Joyce@state.ma.us."

Sources inside Town Hall tell Snyder's Stoughton that Marie Chiofolo, Stoughton's Town Clerk, sent in a rather terse letter of resignation on Monday to the Board of Selectmen. Chiofolo came into town full of enthusiasm for the job, working tirelessly through a difficult election., Chiofolo also said, according to well-placed Town Hall sources, that she felt undermined from below and above. She said that in her almost thirty years of municipal service, she'd never seen such a negative environment. One source quotes her as writing, "There's no unity. No focus, No support, and no loyalty." She cited lack of effective leadership, while sending good wishes to her employees (citing in particular the great work of her assistant, Bonnie Poore) and to the Board of Selectmen ("who continue to work hard for the town.") She cited the lack of effective leadership, not naming names, but obviously referring to the Town Manager, Mark Stankiewicz.

Don't be surprised, if the resignation is accepted, to see former longtime Town Clerk Jeanne Fleming be invited to step into the position on an interim basis. Selectman Joe Mokrisky told Snyder's Stoughton, "I personally believe the resignation of Ms. Chiofolo is a loss to the Town. In the short time she was here, I found her to be well qualified, a hard worker and looked at her as a new direction for the town." Stankiewicz said, "I'm very surprised that the resignation came at this time. She's done a great job for the town. I wish her well in her new endeavors." When asked if he'd favor appointing Bonnie Poore, the assistant town clerk, or bringing back Fleming on an interim basis, Stankiewicz said, "It's not my call. The Board of Selectmen hire for that position." Selectman Chairman John Kowalczyk told Snyder's Stoughton, "I think Marie does a great job. I'd be unhappy if she were to leave." Selectman Steve Anastos echoed those sentiments, adding, "I'd hate to see us lose a good person. I hope she will stay." Selectman John Anzivino said, "I was very disappointed to hear of Marie's resignation. In the short time I have been in office, I always found Marie to be helpful and responsive to my questions about rules and regulations. I believe she has been a fine representative of the town who acts in a professional manner. I have already heard from some of the poll workers who simply loved working with her. I think it would be a shame for the town to lose a dedicated worker." Chiofolo told Snyder's Stoughton, when we caught up to her volunteering at the Friends for Seniors Holiday Dinner, that she has been surprised by all the show of support. "So many people have stopped by and called with words of support." Chiofolo was nothing but professional in all the interactions I had with her. In fact, I hated to write this story. I had hoped that cool heads would prevail. I can still hope that. The Board of Selectmen should INSIST she stay, and should lean on those who may be impeding her from completing her work for the Town. It's time the negative atmosphere is buried and EVERYONE WORKS TOGETHER.

Snyder's Stoughton has learned that the Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), owners of the Striar Jewish Community Center, have sold the 445 Central Street location to the Old Colony-area branch of the YMCA. Employees of the JCC have been informed of the decision. The changeover will occur on March 1, 2009. The Early Learning Center will close in June, 2009 and then "move to a new location in the community, with the same quality curriculum, leadership and staff," according to Mark Sokol of JCC of Greater Boston. The YMCA will honor JCC memberships, according to those same sources. However, one prominent member of the JCC told Snyder's Stoughton, "They have sold out the Jews in the area. The money will go to other JCC's, and to CJP. The Fireman Family (who donated the land), and the thousands of people who have supported the place, will be high and dry. With the Solomon Schector School moving to Norwood, and the JCC becoming a Young Men's Christian Association location, it's not good news for local Jewish residents." However, others not involved in the Jewish community, think this could be a good thing for Stoughton. "Their (YMCA) camps and outreach programs, and lower prices, could be a real good thing for the area," one resident told me. As one of the original members of the JCC, who has since moved on to Gold's Gym, and now Elite Fitness & Health, I can give you two reasons for this eventuality. First, the Center's membership fees were higher than the community could bear. And, when input from the Board of Directors was eliminated, the administration and staff were insulated from the members and lost touch. Plus, of course, the economy is spiraling downward, and costs have escalated to heat, cool and maintain the large Striar building. A business CEO, who had served on the JCC Board, told Snyder's Stoughton that the beginning of the end was the muffed negotiations with the Solomon Schechter School. "If that had been handled correctly, the School could have relocated to the JCC, and it would have been a perfect fit. The CJP officials overplayed their hand, and the Schechter left the area. When the CJP and local JCC Executives eliminated the Board, they committed their other suicidal move. They eliminated the business and civic community, that helped make the JCC the success it had been. It is a very disturbing development. I expect some of the Jewish population to relocate towards the Needham area. The net result for Stoughton could be a change like was scene in Randolph the past decade." The Old Colony Area Branch of the YMCA has properties in Brockton, Easton, East Bridgewater, Middleboro and Taunton. Another part of this equation, is the school run by the JCC. This could also affect the other gyms in town, including multi-million dollar complexes being built by Gold's Gym and Elite Fitness & Health. (first posted 11/30/08)

"The Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston (JCC) and the Old Colony YMCA today announced that the JCC will transition services and programming out of Striar JCC and to a new community-based service model. The Old Colony YMCA will acquire the Center and continue to provide fitness, aquatics and family-based services, beginning on March 1, 2009.

Demographic shifts in the South Area Jewish population have reduced the ability of a central facility in Stoughton to serve an increasingly dispersed Jewish community. The JCC has responded to the changing demographics of the South Area Jewish community by creating a new service model that will utilize other South Area community and Jewish venues to provide high quality programming and compelling services to reach even more of the South Area Jewish community.

Mark Sokoll, President and CEO of JCCGB said, “Change often brings opportunity, and our future plans are exciting and build upon successes we have already had in other communities. As we look to the future, the JCC is creating innovative new services and compelling programming for the next generations of Greater Boston Jews, in whatever communities they may live and however they wish to participate. We remain committed to providing exceptional Jewish programming, through partnerships with other local venues, which will allow us to be more convenient to emerging Jewish communities, more responsive to the changing needs of Jewish families, and more collaborative with Jewish communal partners. ”

Vincent Marturano, President and CEO of the Old Colony YMCA said, “We are excited about the opportunity to expand the Y’s services and programming in Stoughton. We share a common commitment with the JCC to serve the needs of the community. And we look forward to working with the JCC and the community through this transition period. I extend my personal welcome to the members and am confident that we will continue and build upon the great tradition of service that they have come to expect.”

Memberships will be seamlessly converted into an Old Colony YMCA membership, which will not only cover services at the Stoughton location, but will also allow members to take advantage of services and programs offered at each of the Old Colony YMCA branches. Old Colony YMCA staff will be available on-site to provide information and answer any questions members have during several scheduled open house events over the next few weeks.

The JCC-run preschool and afterschool programs will continue at Striar until June 2009; thereafter the preschool will move to a new location in the community.

For additional information on program transitions, membership services and Open House events, please visit www.striarjcc.org."

PROMISES, PROMISES!
NSTAR FAILS TO DELIVER:
HERE IS WHAT THEY PRESENTED TO THE TOWN
as to how it would appear in the future....

Is There ANY Resemblance??? Obviously, the trees would not have grown that much yet. But, most of those planted are dead. They DO NOT deserve an Occupancy Permit!

Julie-Leah Harding is awarded a Certificate of Appreciation
for her work as Secretary, Executive Board, and
Board of Directors member of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce.
Presenting it is Chamber Vice Chairman Mark Snyder.

New England Sinai Hospital President/CEO Lester P. Schindel has named Occupational Therapist Midge Hobbs, OTR/L (pictured above), Sinai’s December Employee of the Month. “Midge is a consummate professional who inspires and motivates our patients and is known for her high level of service and integrity at Sinai,” said Schindel. Hobbs came to Sinai in 2005.

A number of Stoughton Fire Department heroes were honored yesterday (12/3/08) for their actions in saving the life of a man crushed by a giant slab of concrete on Raymond Road, November 2, 2007. The following were presented the Meritous Group Award along with Citations from Senator Brian Joyce and Reps. Bill Galvin & Lou Kafka:

Goddard Health Foundation is suing activist Donna Ayers for millions of dollars. Goddard Health Services owned a tract of land, 99.31 acres, that it had sold to Oxford Development, LLC for 1.4 million dollars in October of 2001. Oxford Development planned a residential subdivision there, with Villages at Goddard Highlands Realty Trust becoming the real third buyer in the project. As a condition to the sale, Villages at Goddard Highlands Realty Trust was required to "use all necesarry efforts to obtain all requisite permits and approvals for development of the land as a residential subdivision," according to the suit. The Trust had applied on March 11, 2002 for comprehensive permits for the project with the Town of Stoughton. On July 30, 2003 the Stoughton ZBA granted a comprehensive permit for the project, subject to a reduction in the number of proposed units, from 112 to 90. Two weeks later, the Villages at Goddard Highlands Realty Trust appealed the ZBA reduction to the State's Housing Appeals Committee. The suit alleges that Ayers, a member of the Finance Committee and a folk hero to many in Town who oppose Chapter 40B developments, knew the land purchase was subject to all necessary approvals, and in September of 2003 began "what at present is a five year protracted effort to stall, delay, interfere, prevent, frustrate, and thwart the Villages at Goddard Highlands Realty Trust's efforts to obtain a comprehensive permit to satisfy its condition precedent to purchasing the land." The Housing Appeals Committee granted Ayers standing as an "interested person", including the right to present expert testimony at an evidentiary hearing. In December 2004, the Stoughton ZBA and Villages at Goddard Highlands Realty Trust settled the pending appeal, with a compromise housing unit density of 104 units. On December 28, 2004, the Housing Appeals Committee approved the settlement agreement and ordered a comprehensive permit be given for the 104 units.

However, the suit alleges, on January 28, 2005, Ayers, acting on her own and not as a member of any town committee, appealed the Housing Appeals Committee's decision in Norfolk County Superior Court. It adds, "consistent with her pattern of purposefully dilitory conduct, by filing her complain on that date, she took advantage of time standards and purposefully filed her complaint on the 30th (final) day to gain the maximum time delay advantage." The suit then alleges a number of other delaying tactics. On December 6, 2005, Judge Graziano allowed the Villages at Goddard Highlands Trust motion to dismiss Ayers' complain for "failure to prosecute." The Court noted that, "Ms. Ayers is a sophisticated pro se litigant, who received assistance from counsel, and had litigated similar issues against the Villages in multiple forums." Ayers filed a motion December 19, 2005 to amend or vacate the judgement of the Court.On January 11, 2006, the Court denied her motion to reconsider. On February 10, 2006, Ayers filed notice of appeal of the dismissal to the Appeals Court. On Janaury 16, 2007, Norfolk County Superior Court received a rescript from Massachusetts Appeals Court reversing the December 5, 2006 judgement.

The suit continues, "Although the rescript was received on January 16, 2007, Ms. Ayers had not filed a motion for judgement on the pleadings by May 2, 2007. On that date, Judge Fabricant of the Norfolk County Superior Court ordered that Ayers complaint be dismissed for her continued failure to prosecute her complaint in accordance with applicable procedures and time standards." On June 28, 2007, Ayers served motion for judgement on her pleadings. The matter came to a hearing on December 10, 2007, nearly three years after Ayers initiated litigation. Judge Brady of Norfolk County Superior Court issued an order dismissing Ayers' complaint. But a month later, January 18, 2008, Norfolk Superior Court dismissed that previous order to dismiss. After more back and forth, the suit claims that "Although docketed on June 30, 2008, Ayers did not file her brief until October 27, 2008, and has yet to serve opposing counsel with a copy of the administrative record."

the suit also alleges Ayers frustrated the proposed project through litigation in Land Court; interference within the Department of Environmental Protection; and with malicious intent. It seeks actual and punitive damages, which could amount to millions of dollars. The suit also mentions the Stoughton Neighborhood Coalition, and includes the names of John Morton and John Linehan, who are each members of the Open Space Committee and Conservation Commission.

Attorney Joseph Krowski, who represents the Goddard Trust, said that the damages are substantial. "Back when this was scheduled to be built, the land had greater worth, and the market for condos was healthy. Today, real estate values are depressed. My non-profit client lost a lot of money due to the delaying tactics of the defendent."

Ayers tells Snyder's Stoughton that she can't speak about pending litigation, but, "in general, it is not a delaying tactic. Abutters don't like things to drag out, either. It's not just the developers who see their time wasted. If a project doesn't follow the rules, then it shouldn't be permitted to get approval to the next stage. It just shouldn't be allowed to move forward. The laws just aren't there to protect the people from these projects."

In my opinion, Chapter 40B developers have shoved ill-advised projects down the throats of towns around the State, many in this town. Ayers has much support. There are many people in town who supported her efforts to stop the Goddard project, as there were that rallied to stop the Villages at Stonegate project more recently.

Important New Letters Regarding Trains (1) (2) LOU GITTO'S ENF Comments (Here)

CHIEF CACHOPA FOUND GUILTY ON ONE COUNT Sentencing on February 26

Important New Letters Regarding Trains (1) (2)
LOU GITTO'S ENF Comments (Here)

CHIEF CACHOPA FOUND GUILTY ON ONE COUNT
Sentencing on February 26