Chelmsford's In-Town Report:02-10-13

7/29/2019 Chelmsford's In-Town Report:02-10-13

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/chelmsfords-in-town-report02-10-13 1/40

Bartlett Park Photo by Scoop





SNOWMAGEDDONITR FACEBOOK CHATTER: 2-8-13

☆ 7:30 PM - BREAKING:

Governor fixes trafcproblem on ChelmsfordStreet in the Westlands.

Frances T. McDougall Deval for Senate!

Gail Thompson Laundry HAHA!! Good oneRoy!! That's one way to do it! Let it snow!!

Laurie Myers Good one!

Lynn Rasmussen Sullivan Ha! Wish you hadthe before from Thursday!

ITR Weather Report:2 feet of snow predictedfor the Farside of Chelmsford

Steve Conte How much for the Near side?

Roy Earley After these last few years I'vecome to realize that we all live on the Farside

Diane Heatley Earley Ain't that the truth!

https://www.facebook.com/frances.t.mcdougall

https://www.facebook.com/gail.thompsonlaundry

https://www.facebook.com/lauriemyers31

https://www.facebook.com/lynn.rasmussensullivan


https://www.facebook.com/steve.conte.52

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https://www.facebook.com/diane.earley































☆ Breaking News: Chelmsford DPW bringing out the heavy equipment

Jon Kurland Thank goodness Town Meeting voted to approve that capital expenditure. It wasn't unanimous.Three voted against it!

Peggy Dunn I'm so relieved to see they are using this equipment......thought it would just stay in the newgarage forever!

Sheila Pichette Thank you for the laugh, Roy . . . Ha!

Chuck Crannell No wonder we've had such massive cost overruns with Alpha Rd,! Even kneeling, that

requires a huge shed to shelter it.

Philip Stanway Also it clears the roads of trafc before july 4th parade.

Bill Askenburg No worries, as it will never make it past the power lines - cables and lines are kryptonitefor AT-ATs.

https://www.facebook.com/jon.kurland.1

https://www.facebook.com/peggy.dunn.58

https://www.facebook.com/spichette

https://www.facebook.com/crannell

https://www.facebook.com/philip.stanway

https://www.facebook.com/bill.askenburg



























Fundraising for Chelmsfordschool fields hauls in $15,000

By Grant Welker, [email protected]: 02/02/2013 06:36:06 AM EST

LOWELL SUNhttp://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_22505762/fundraising-chelmsford-school-fields-hauls-15-000

CHELMSFORD -- Fundraising for proposed turf fields at the McCarthy Middle School andhigh-school football fields got off to a fast start Sunday with an event at Princeton Station,hauling in more than $15,000.

"It went really well," said George Dixon, a selectman and member of the committee planningthe fields. "We had a lot of great people, a lot of people pledging their support."

"The whole town is getting behind us. We're blessed, really," he said.

The committee is hoping to raise through private funds $500,000 toward an estimated totalproject cost of $3.1 million.

Community Preservation Act funds from property-tax surcharges would cover $1.2 million, if approved, for aspects of the project that qualify, and $575,000 would come from the town'scapital budget already earmarked for the new McCarthy track. The remaining $825,000 wouldcome from a town bond that would be repaid through user fees, rentals and possible namingrights for the fields.

The committee hopes to receive Town Meeting approval in April for the public costs, with anaggressive timetable to have the fields completed for the fall sports season.

The fields would be used for football, soccer, field hockey and lacrosse.

Two more fundraising events have been scheduled, both comedy shows, on Feb. 28 andMarch 7. Both shows start at 7 p.m. at Princeton Station, 147 or the Town Manager's Office at978-250-5201.

Boston comedian Dave Russo will perform at both shows. Comedian Graig Murphy willperform at the Feb. 28 show, and Mark Riley and Pete Costello at the March 7 show.

Follow Grant Welker at Twitter.com/SunGrantWelker .

Photo by Scoop

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_22505762/fundraising-chelmsford-school-fields-hauls-15-000

http://twitter.com/SunGrantWelker









SEEN ON SCENE: Turf Field Kickoff FundraiserThe kickoff fundraiser for the turf fields at Simonian Alumni Stadium and McCarthy Field,

was held on Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Princeton Station.Jan 29, 2013 @ 09:36 AM

CHELMSFORD INDEPENDENThttp://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/photos/x766858030/SEEN-ON-SCENE-Turf-Field-Kickoff-Fundraiser





Turf Field Kickoff Fundraiser at Princeton Station photos:Emily Hornsby for Wicked Local

Photo by Scoop



CHELMSFORD ELECTION SEASON: Politics is the art of

looking for trouble,finding it everywhere,diagnosing it incorrectlyand applying the wrong

remedies.

- Groucho Marx

Chelmsford school-panel chairwoman

to run for selectmanBy Grant Welker, [email protected]: 02/05/2013 12:43:40 AM EST

LOWELL SUN

http://www.lowellsun.com/webextras/ci_22520266/chelmsford-school-panel-chairwoman-run-selectman

CHELMSFORD -- School Committee Chairwoman Janet Askenburg has taken out nomination forms to run for Board of Selectmen, adding to four other candidates for two selectmen seats.

Askenburg announced her candidacy Monday, and said she wants "to offer my experience as a business leader,community volunteer and advocate for fiscal responsibility to help maintain and improve the quality of life for allChelmsford residents."

Askenburg said she's enjoyed serving on the School Committee, including the last two years as chairwoman. Her three-year term on the School Committee is expiring this spring, along with the term of Evelyn Thoren. Thorenhas already taken out nomination forms for a re-election.

"There have been many changes implemented in our school system over the past three years, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished," Askenburg said. "I believe my years on the School Committeehave provided me with knowledge and experience that will be beneficial in dealing with issues we face asa town."

With days until the deadline to take out nomination forms, five candidates are in line for two Board of Selectmenseats.

Incumbent Matt Hanson has taken out paperwork for a second term and is the only selectmen candidate toreturn his paperwork, as of Monday.

Other candidates are Town Meeting representative Roland Van Liew, Planning Board member and former Selectman Robert Joyce and Permanent Building Committee member Patrick Maloney.

Selectmen Chairman Jon Kurland, whose term is expiring this spring,said last week he will not run for a second term. Louis Marino, aLittleton Road resident, decided against a run after taking out papersJan. 9.

For the School Committee, Barbara Skaar, president of the Council of Chelmsford Schools, has also taken out nomination forms. So far, theonly other competitive race besides Board of Selectmen is for aPlanning Board associate-member seat. Incumbent Nancy Araway isbeing challenged by Jeff Apostolakes.

The deadline to take out papers is Feb. 8. The paperwork must bereturned with signatures from at least 50 certified voters by Feb. 12. For Town Meeting representative candidates, paperwork must be returnedwith 25 signatures from the precinct the candidate is running torepresent.

The election is April 2.

Follow Grant Welker at Twitter.com/SunGrantWelker .












Matt Hanson'sBoard of Selectmen Campaign Kicko Partywill be held on March 3rd at Princeton Station4:00pm until 7:00pm.

Please feel free to invite your family and friendsto this event. Also, please bring your ideas aboutwhat you would like to see accomplished intown during the next few years and share themwith Matt!

This event will feature appetizers and a cashbar.

Princeton Station147 Princeton StreetNorth Chelmsford, MA 01863

Thank you for your consideration.We look forward to seeing you on March 3rd!

~Committee to Elect Matt Hanson

Pat Maloney for SelectmanCampaign Kickoff Fundraiser at theChelmsford Lodge of Elks3/10/20132 PM - 5 PM

“I love this Town and wouldlike nothing more than tocontinue to serve the residentswith purpose, reason anddedication.”

- Patrick J. Maloney

On what appeared to be the last day to take out nomination papers

Friday 2-8-13 JACK WANG pulled nomination papers for School Committee.

Jack has until Tuesday Feb. 12th at 5 pm to return hisnomination papers with the required amount of signatures.

Unless the BOS votes Monday night 2/11 to move the TownElection from April 2nd to April 30th to coincide with thespecial State primary for Senator.

Then the due dates may change on town election related

materials.



Next ITR:

The annual Selectmen Candidate ̓ s Q&A begins

and continues over the next few issues of the ITR

leading up to the town election in April.

We will read their opinions on Taxes,the new Fire

Station, Oak Hill, Solar Farming on the Swain Road

Landfill, the Town Managerʼs performance,Turf Fields,letting grocery and convenient stores sell beer and wine

and other subjects.

A little heads up for the Selectmen Candidatesand a preview of the first round of questions.

1. Why do you want to (put yourself through this and ) run for Selectman?

2. With State aid drying up more and more each year whatwould you suggest to keep our taxes in control?

3. Tax Classification/Split Tax Rate: It’s been almost a decadesince the last time the town studied classification, do youthink we should form a study committee to give another lookat classification? Why or why not?

4. What is your opinion on the new fire station and it’s location(connected to the town offices on Billerica Road)?

Note to Selectmen Candidates: You get a

head start on the Q&A IF you actually readthrough the In-Town Report

Candidates will receive the official Q&Arequest by email this coming week.

When you have your answers ready to printin the next ITR send them to

[email protected]

I don't make jokes. I just

watch the government

and report the facts.

- Will Rogers


http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/willrogers100045.html
















Chelmsford's budget could rise by $2.6M

By Grant Welker, [email protected]

Updated: 01/29/2013 07:17:33 AM ESTLOWELL SUNhttp://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_22471778/chelmsfords-budget-could-rise-by-2-6m

CHELMSFORD -- The town's budget would rise by more than $2.6 million, or about 2.45percent, in fiscal 2014 under a proposal unveiled Monday by Town Manager Paul Cohen.

Spending would increase by only enough to maintain current service levels, Cohen said, andthere will be no increase in staffing on the municipal side of town government. Schoolspending would rise by about $1.4 million, or 3 percent.

Also at Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting, board Chairman Jon Kurland announced hewill not run for a second term this spring. Reading from a prepared statement, he said notrunning for re-election was "a deeply personal decision" but said he will continue beingactive in town, including running for a new term as a Town Meeting representative.

Kurland, a lawyer in town, lauded Cohen and his fellow board members as well as "caringcitizens" across the community, giving as an example aid given to victims of the Jan. 5 fire atWoodcrest Condominiums, in which two people died.

"In the end, I have reluctantly decided that I must close this chapter in the book that ismy life and not run for re-election," Kurland said. "It has nothing to do with the other candidates or anyone serving in any leadership capacity. It is simply a deeply personal decision. Rest assured that I will not go gently into that good night."

So far, nomination forms for the board have been taken out by incumbent Matt Hanson andresidents Robert Joyce, Patrick Maloney and Roland Van Liew.

Cohen, in his budget presentation, predicted an increase in state aid in the coming fiscal year of $227,000, or 1.5 percent. He was careful, he said, not to rely heavily on budget figuresfrom Gov. Deval Patrick's proposed tax increases, which may have difficulty finding enoughsupport in the Legislature.

Despite the projected state aid increase from the current year, state aid would make up asmaller portion of Chelmsford's revenues in fiscal 2014 than five years ago, Cohen said.Revenue from local meals taxes, motor-vehicle excise taxes and other fees would rise by anestimated $225,000, or 2.8 percent, but would also make up a smaller share of revenue.

Spending on schools, by far the largest component of the budget, would rise slightly greater than the overall budget, reflecting the town's high priority on education, Cohen said. Thepolice budget would rise by $131,000, or 2.2 percent, and the fire budget by about $123,000,

or 2.6 percent.

School Superintendent Frank Tiano has not yet unveiled proposed fiscal 2014 budgetspecifics.

Follow Grant Welker at Twitter.com/Sun-GrantWelker .


http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_22471778/chelmsfords-budget-could-rise-by-2-6m

http://twitter.com/Sun-GrantWelker









ITR●2-2-13

☆ ITR QUESTION FOR THE DAY:

● Should Chelmsford consider and inquireabout moving it's Town Elections from April2nd to April 30th? To coincide with thespecial state senate primary April 30th andsave the town the extra costs of an extra

town wide election.

ITR FACEBOOK CHATTER:

Tom Gilroy This is a good idea, but if the ballots ( state and local) are not the same consistency the votingmachines have trouble accepting them.

Peggy Dunn Don't know whether we can legally do that and how complicated it would be to change ourdate one time......if easily done, not a problem and save about $20K I think.

Stefani Bush I would be for it if we could do it - especially if it reduces costs to the taxpayer.

Patricia Jamros YES>

Eric D. Stansfield If it saves funds why not?

Ann McGuigan If it can be done, I'm all for it.

Laurie Myers absolutely!

Gail Coleman Kruglak It makes financial sense, I don't see any downside. Yes!

Elizabeth Twombly I'm all for it. Anything to save some town funds.

Maria Castro Karafelis Sounds good. If we can make it work and we save money too, let's do it.

https://www.facebook.com/tom.gilroy.39


https://www.facebook.com/hoperisingmusic

https://www.facebook.com/patricia.jamros

https://www.facebook.com/eric.d.stansfield

https://www.facebook.com/ann.mcguigan.79


https://www.facebook.com/gail.kruglak

https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.twombly.9

https://www.facebook.com/maria.castrokarafelis











































Jon Kurland The town by-law reads: "§ 154-1. Annual election.The annual election shall be held on the first Tuesday of April." Such a change would require a by-lawamendment at Town Meeting as I see it. Town Meeting occurs after the scheduled April 2 election. Moreoverwe would need two ballots, 1 state for the primary and 1 local for the election and, of course, there wouldbe two di erent ballots for the state primary, 1 for Republicans and 1 for Democrats.

1

Elizabeth Twombly Jon: Thanks for the information, that puts a new light on the subject.

Maria Castro Karafelis Well, now didn't that bubble just get burst!! Jon, thanks for the reality check.

Jon Kurland Roy - You didn't post this because you want me to serve another month, did you?

Stefani Bush Worth a thought though, right?

Peggy Dunn Thank you, Jon......thought the by-law would not be easy to change at short notice.

Roy Earley Which is cheaper a special town meeting to request a temporary change to the by-law or a extratown wide election?

Paul Cohen A bill has been filed in the state legislature to allow towns to hold annual town elections jointlywith the April 30 primary

Paul Cohen Or the June 25 special election. The Board of Selectmen would make the decisionnotwithstanding what is contained in the by laws or town charter. Onorina and I are monitoring what actionif any the state legislature may take.

Susan Julian Gates If this is possible, yes. One Town, One Voting Day!

Jon Kurland Roy - That means that the new BOS coming in has no recommendation about the town budgetor any of the Warrant Articles for the coming year since the current BOS would still be in ofce for TownMeeting. Also the BOS would change during Town Meeting since the first night of TM is April 29 and thesecond night would be the following Thursday after the election of a new BOS. That would mean that youwould have one BOS for the first session and a di erent BOS for the second session. Not a good idea frommy perspective.








https://www.facebook.com/paul.cohen.75


https://www.facebook.com/susan.j.gates
















































Peggy Dunn I knew it, I knew it.......these things are never easy to do!!!!!

Joyce Aulenback Johnson sounds good to me, we need to save some place after spending all we have onstupid lawsuits....

Paul Cohen It appears that Governor Patrick signed House Bill 53 into law yesterday. This appears to beChapter 2 of the Acts of 2013. The Board of Selectmen would need to decide whether to consolidate theAnnual Town Election with the April 30th special senate primary election by its February 25th meeting.

Maria Castro Karafelis Very nice.

Barb Costello Belanger YES, anything we can do to save money is a great thing.

Peggy Dunn How will we handle the people whose terms have expired but new people have not yet beenelected......for instance, town meeting reps?

Bruce Mandel Definitely

Jon Kurland Great question, Peggy. I have the very same concerns.

Jon Kurland Everyone - The Board of Selectmen will have to vote on this matter probably at our nextmeeting. We will want to hear from you. The issue to consider is that if we put the election o , there will beone BOS and slate of Town Meeting Reps to start Town Meeting and a di erent one to finish it. Also, theBOS who votes to recommend or approve the warrant articles may not be the same BOS who will have toaddress those issues during that year. Please consider your priorities and let us know.

The discussion continues on Chelmsford’s In-Town Report Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/intownreport/

MONDAY NIGHT FEB 11th BOARD OF SELECTMEN AGENDAScheduled Business

• Town Clerk Onorina Maloney- Rescheduling the Annual Town Election

and Spring Annual Town Meeting


https://www.facebook.com/joyce.a.johnson.52



https://www.facebook.com/barbbel


https://www.facebook.com/bruce.mandel.1



https://www.facebook.com/groups/intownreport/













































Oak Hill Study Committee Makes FinalRecommendations to BOS

The committee made numerous recommendations including conservation space, more public access,and a ban on hunting in the area.

By Jay OzaJanuary 29, 2013

CHELMSFORD PATCHhttp://chelmsford.patch.com/articles/oak-hill-study-committee-makes-final-recommendations-to-bos

Susan Carter, chairperson of the Oak Hill Study Committee, presented her

committee’s final recommendations to the Chelmsford Board of Selectmen on

Monday night.

“ I just want to thank all the committee members,” Carter began. “We were a

diverse crowd with different backgrounds and different opinions and everyone managed to work together to form a compromise,” she informed the

board and the meeting’s audience.

“ Everyone got to see the fruits of their labor,” she gleamed.

Carter was proud to point out that the final recommendations were voted on

unanimously, something that Board of Selectmen chairman Jon Kurland thought

was worth pointing out.

“ I know it was a daunting task, maybe even more challenging by the fact that there were so many people with diverse interests and perspectives,” Kurland

said.

“The fact that the committee has come up with a unanimous vote, to be quite

frank, I’m pleasantly surprised ,” he admitted.

Carter presented six specific recommendations, as follows:

First, Oak Hill should be officially recognized as Open Space Conservation land.

Second, the control over the Oak Hill area should be transferred to the

Conservation Commission within three years.

“ If one board was coordinating the effort it would be a much more cohesive

process and we felt that three years was enough time,” Carter said.

Kurland responded and indicated that this change in control was unlikely.

“ I would like to remind people that it’s been under the control of the Board of

the Selectmen since the town took control of the property,” Kurland said.The third recommendation suggested that another committee be put in place to

monitor important decisions regarding parking, fencing, a bridge to cross a stream,

wildlife signs, and historical granite quarry signs.

Fourth, a Conservation Restriction be drafted under a thirty year term. This thirty

year term, Carter explained, would be to allow for future governments to add

legislation regarding new types of recreation.

http://chelmsford.patch.com/users/jay-oza

http://chelmsford.patch.com/articles/oak-hill-study-committee-makes-final-recommendations-to-bos

http://ma-chelmsford.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=342









Fifth, the Committee recommended the land for the following uses: historical

preservation, public access, recreation, and camping.

During the fifth recommendation, Carter also pointed out that the following activities

and items should not be allowed at Oak Hill: residential, commercial and industrial

construction, billboards, hunting, and the removal of trees and granite.

Finally, the committee recommended that the Board of Selectmen not infringe onthe property of abutters, most of which were warm to the idea of using the land for

conservation.

The board filed a motion to accept these recommendations.

In lieu of Roland Van Liew’s accusation of Oak Hill Study Committee member Philip

Stanway potentially working to get the town to engage in logging at Oak Hill, Carter

explained the difference between logging and forestry management upon the

request of board chairman Jon Kurland.

“ Forestry management is about keeping your forest healthy,” Carter explained.

“ It’s not clear cutting, it’s not strip cutting, it’s doing what’s needed to keep

the trees healthy.”

The Oak Hill Study Committee will meet once more to finalize its recommendations. CORRECTION: Van Liew claimed that Stanway was working to get logging for the town, notStanway's personal benefit.

http://betterchelmsford.com/phil-stanway.html & http://betterchelmsford.com/parlor-game.html

http://www.slideshare.net/re007hq/public-statement-re-rvl-accusations-against-phil-stanway&

http://www.slideshare.net/re007hq/second-public-statement-re-rvl-accusations

http://www.slideshare.net/re007hq/statement-from-oak-hill-study-committee-chairman-11413

http://betterchelmsford.com/phil-stanway.html

http://betterchelmsford.com/parlor-game.html

http://www.slideshare.net/re007hq/public-statement-re-rvl-accusations-against-phil-stanway














Golden Cove Truck Exclusion UnlikelyThe town will seek alternate traffic solutions with help from the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments.

By Jay OzaJanuary 30, 2013

CHELMSFORD PATCHhttp://chelmsford.patch.com/articles/golden-cove-truck-exclusion-unlikely

An exclusion on heavy trucks on Golden Cove Road is unlikely thanks to advice given to the

Chelmsford Board of Selectmen received from the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments.

The board’s Vice Chairman Matthew Hanson updated the town on the status of the potentialexclusion after discussing its feasibility with NMCOG.

The potential truck exclusion gained no traction with NMCOG.

“The state would most likely only grant that [truck exclusion] in extremely serious situations

where there were a number of serious truck incidents recorded on that road,” Hansonexplained.

“We discussed this for probably about an hour with them; they shared some of the sameconcerns as the whole board has expressed already.

“They thought that they might be able to tweak some of the traffic lights there a little to help reduce some of the traffic on the roads and help it flow a little bit easier.

“They’re going to get back to the town with anything they come up with as far as new ideas

to help resolve the traffic issues on the road ,” Hanson said.

A time frame for recommendations from NMCOG may not be as extended as residents wouldassume.

“Within the next two months I imagine we’ll hear back from them after they do some of the

new counts and figure out if there’s anything else they can do,” Hanson said.

Board Chairman Jon Kurland added his thoughts to quell the concerns of the worried residents onGolden Cove and surrounding roads.

“The truck problem is a big problem, I realize, but if I were living on Golden Cove or one of those side streets it’s the 11,000 cars per day that would have me concerned and if we could

do some things to divert traffic maybe some of the trucks would go that way as well,”Kurland said.

Kurland was also quick to praise the work of NMCOG and its ability to help Chelmsford in thissituation.

“They do this work for municipalities,” he confirmed. “This is something that they have a fair amount of expertise in doing; we’re hoping that they can look at the entire area and make

some suggestions.”

Kurland reiterated the notion that approaching the state with a request for a truck exclusion couldbe a waste of time.

“We’re just barely at halfway as far as the truck exclusion would go. In other words, they want five per cent [heavy truck traffic] and we’re at

about 2.5 per cent so what we’re trying to do is investigate it in another way to address the problem.

“We want to leave as many doors open as possible before we submit something to the state

and get involved with that ,” Kurland concluded.

The discussion has been tabled although it ispossible that the topic arises again during opensession at the next Board of Selectmen meeting.


http://chelmsford.patch.com/articles/board-of-selectmen-tables-golden-cove-exclusion-discussion

http://www.nmcog.org/









Cohen Tells Finance Committeeto Expect Uncertainty

As Town Meeting approaches, Chelmsford Town Manager Paul Cohen told the Finance Committee on Thursday thathe recommends a level serviced budget for all non-school departments in Chelmsford due to looming uncertainty in

Washington and Beacon Hill.By Andrew SylviaFebruary 1, 2013

CHELMSFORD PATCHhttp://chelmsford.patch.com/articles/cohen-tells-finance-committee-to-expect-uncertainty

Although Town Manager Paul Cohen told the Chelmsford Finance Committee in apresentation on Thursday night that there’s now more certainty than there was earlier thismonth in the town’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget, there’s plenty of uncertainty left.

Due to pending concerns over pending sequestration cascading from Washington down tothe local level and a lack of confidence over Governor Patrick’s recent budget requestremaining intact through the legislature, he recommended a level serviced town budget,with an expected three percent increase for Chelmsford Public Schools and slightly higherfigures in obligatory costs such as health insurance and veterans benefits

Cohen also told the board that there may be additional uncertainty in some parts of thebudget such as the School Department, citing that the School Committee’s budget processis still in its preliminary stages and that the teachers’ contract would expire on June 30.

Ultimately, one of the few certainties Cohen provided during his testimony was the fact thatChelmsford students will make up the largest part of the student body at Nashoba Techand that costs continue to rise at a standard rate in ways that cannot be controlled in a fewkey areas like the School Department and the Police and Fire Departments.

Cohen also noted that he had little confidence in particular in Patrick’s local aid figuresexpected for Chelmsford, noting changes in the Governor’s mentioning of 9c cuts recentlyas well as other issues, such as downshifting costs onto communities.

“The Governor continues to say that education funding continues to grow to the

highest levels in the history of the Commonwealth,” said Cohen. “ But it’s a bit disingenuous to tout education funding when

you’re not telling the rest

of the story.”

Cohen also noted thatproposed budget figure of$111,298,003 on Thursdaynight would be $500,000below the projectedamount where a Prop 2 ½ override would be required.

Paul Cohen Credit Andrew Sylvia

http://chelmsford.patch.com/users/andrew-sylvia

http://chelmsford.patch.com/articles/cohen-tells-finance-committee-to-expect-uncertainty

http://www.townofchelmsford.us/DocumentCenter/View/2757


http://chelmsford.patch.com/articles/teachers-contract-available-to-view
















Nashoba Valley Techpanel votes for

$650G hike

in FY 14 budgetBy Pierre Comtois, CorrespondentUpdated: 01/30/2013 12:25:20 AM EST

LOWELL SUNhttp://www.lowellsun.com/webextras/ci_22477987/nashoba-valley-tech-panel-votes-650g-hike-fy

GROTON -- Given six scenarios for their operating budget

for fiscal 2014, the Nashoba Valley Technical School Committee voted for the one that raisedspending by $650,000 over the previous year.

About half that would be covered with an increase in the minimum contribution district townsare required to pay, by the state.

The decision was made following spirited discussion at a special meeting Tuesday at whichSuperintendent of Schools Judith Klimkiewicz summed up elements that went into the budgetformulation process and concluded by presenting committee members with a choice fromamong different scenarios featuring increases in spending that ranged from $100,000 to$745,351.

The scenario chosen by the School Committee ends up with an estimated budget of $11,572,242, a slight increase over fiscal 2013 of $10,894,089.

The new figure included an increase of $300,000 over the minimum contribution alreadyexpected of the district's eight member towns including Chelmsford, Groton, Littleton,Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend, Westford and latest member Ayer.

The district has not increased spending over the last two years and has only asked for increases over the minimum contribution five times since Klimkiewicz has been in charge.

She told committee members that the school could no longer solve its cost problems bytaking more money out of the budget.

Klimkiewicz said she had already made savings everywhere in the budget she could and thatthere was no choice but to increase the district's request from its member towns.

"I think that a lot of savings have been achieved," said committee vice chairman Jennifer Rhodes.

Member Samuel Poulton advised that the district refrain from seeking an increase next year and wait until 2015 for the request.

"I believe this is a very unique year and the wrong time," said Poulton, pointing out thatwith the admission of Ayer to the district, a new stream of funds would be available in 2014, afact sure to be noticed by local Finance Committees.

Poulton advised that the district take advantage of the breathing spell to work with FinanceCommittees convincing them that "the wall has been hit " and that this would be the last year in which the line could be held.

http://www.lowellsun.com/webextras/ci_22477987/nashoba-valley-tech-panel-votes-650g-hike-fy





" After this year, the subject will be moot (but) I don't think this is the year that will do usharm," concluded the Chelmsford representative. "We need to save our ammunition for thereal fight next year."

"I don't want to wait a year," insisted Littleton representative Charles Ellis. "I want to do it now. Our job is to advocate for the kids."

Fellow committee member Sheldon Chapman of Townsend agreed saying that postponing the

action for another year might not be the right thing to do.

"It doesn't make any fiscal sense to me," said Chapman, saying that if nothing was done for 2014, the amount needed would only grown in 2015.

"We can't be afraid of the wackos (at Town Meeting)," said Westford Rep. Ray Riddick,insisting that the School Committee face up to the "malcontents" in their towns and supportan increase.

Ellis agreed. "If that means hurt feelings, then so be it."

At that point, committee members agreed to have the district cover half the $650,000 increaseand throw in another $50,000 from its stabilization fund, leaving $300,000 as the towns' share.

The district has shown that it has been fiscally responsible for years, said Ellis, and theamount being asked of the towns amounted to "chicken feed."

At that point, convinced by the arguments on the other side, Poulton changed his position and joined committee members in their vote to ask the towns for a $300,000 increase in their

minimum contribution.

Should the numbers in the chosen scenario hold, Ayer, with 53 students to attend Nashoba

Valley in fiscal 2014 would be assessed at $600,928; Chelmsford with 154 studentswould be assessed at $2,187,180; Groton with 33 students would be assessed at$468,592; Littleton with 51 students would be assessed at $689,712; Pepperell with 116students would be assessed at $1,140,639; Shirley with 71 students, would be assessed at$715,441; Townsend with 102 students would be assessed at $703,202; and Westford with 57students would be assessed at $703,202.

The fiscal 2014 budget will also be aided by contributions from the state for an estimated$422,903 based on Gov. Deval Patrick's recently submitted budget.

Driving the spending increases being asked by the district include improved technology,payroll (a 3 percent pay raise for some contractual employees), instructional materials, a newbussing contract, a new school-resource officer and maintenance.

Also costly is the hiring of a number of administrators, including a new assistantsuperintendent.

Klimkiewicz is expected to finalize proposed spending for formal presentation of theadministration's recommended budget for FY14 to be made at a future meeting.



Chelmsford school committeehears special education update

By Molly Loughman/Wicked Local staff writer Wicked Local Chelmsford

Posted Feb 01, 2013 @ 12:45 PMCHELMSFORD INDEPENDENT

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x846052050/Chelmsford-school-committee-hears-special-education-update#axzz2JlyhwcjL

Chelmsford —Chelmsford’s Director of Student Services since Ju1y 1, Brad Brooks, provided the schoolcommittee with an update on the district’s special education.

“One of the things that really enticed me about possibly coming to Chelmsford was the high-quality programs. Chelmsford has always been synonymous with having strong specialeducation programs across all of our buildings in the district,” said Brooks, crediting hispredecessor, Carol Fredette for maintaining and establishing programs for disabled students.

The special education administrator addressed SPED statistics for students ages 3 through 22.In total there are currently 831 students in Chelmsford with disabilities, with 744 in-districtand 87 out-of-district. The total is equivalent to 14.9 percent of the district’s total population,

which is below the state average of 16.1 percent.

The district’s special education population breakdown indicated students often have more thanone disability.

“One of the things that impressed me very much when I first came to the district is we havedoctor-level clinical psychologists in every one of our buildings… This substantially cuts downon costs for outside independent evaluations… that’s a pretty distinct need,” said Brooks, whoalso noted cost-effective contributions from the district’s four chairpersons and its homeschool facilitators.

Next, he recognized Chelmsford’s Parents as Partners participation at 98 percent, along withthe large multitude of in-district support.

“We can do a pretty good job at being proactive in the school year, but some unforeseen thingscould happen and often all of these things have come up throughout the year,” said Brooksreferring to the change in educational status, new students ‘move in’ to the district, teamrecommendations midyear, special education transportation and student hospitalization.

CHIPs, Chelmsford’s Integrated Pre-school Program, is presently growing, according to

Brooks. There are nine half-day classrooms and one full-day intensive special needs classroom,totaling 135 students. Trends for this program include a long waiting list for general educationstudents; early intervention, head star, parents and private daycare referral. There is has beena nationwide trend of more students being classified on the autism spectrum.

“I think it’s important to note that, because that’s the base for our programs moving into ourelementary schools and that’s the base for our programs moving up to our middle and highschools,” said Brooks, who is beginning to meet with principals to discuss current SPEDprograms.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford





Brooks also plans to review programs handling students with intensive social/emotionalimpairments, experienced past trauma, court involved, or involved with the Department of Children and Families/ Department of Mental Health. More students in the middle schoolshave been identified as “at risk,” said Brooks, calling it a nationwide trend. He stressed theimportance of maintaining well-trained staff and programs to work with students, if thepopulation continues to trickle up.

Brooks then touched briefly on the Public Consulting Group recommendation completed inFebruary 2012 and the spring 2012 Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationCoordinated Program Review. The first of three highlighted recommendations: develop a costcontainment strategy for special education programs. Second, evaluate policies andprocedures related to offering transportation to in-district special education students toidentify cost savings. And lastly, to perform a district-wide facilities audit to locate classroomspace to be used in retrieval of students from out-of-district placements.

“Talking about this circuit breaker reimbursement, the foundation crept up a little bit last yearand we’re at about 39,000. We don’t know yet what the foundation will be like for next year,”said Brooks. The district’s reimbursement at 49-percent is under the state’s requirement of 70-percent.

Toward the end of his presentation, Brooks went over district grants. This includes the largestof the three, allocation grants, using money from the state for contract service providers. Early childhood grant is used for ages 3 through 5, to offset the cost for consultants, IPSP andprofessional support staff salaries. The staff development grant is used to bring in trainers in,an increasingly useful recourse, said Brooks.

After his update, the special education administrator welcomed questions from committeemembers. Inquiries addressed, dealt with behaviorists for strategies to control costs, Medicaidreimbursements, summer school program review, kids transferring out of IEP, district-widespace audit, technology updates and teacher training.

“First and foremost, I want to make sure we have programs to meet the needs of all of ourstudents starting in September,” said Brooks, who is in the process of referring students tosummer school programs. Brooks plans to focus on emotional impairment programs.

“I think being creative with alternative educational programs and programs starting at ourmiddle schools and moving to our high schools, identifying these kids early on and makingsure these students are having seamless transitions… is key right now.”

For more information visit chelmsford.k12.ma.us.

Copyright 2013 Chelmsford Independent. Some rights reserved

http://www.gatehousemedia.com/terms_of_use





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Words of Thanks from the

Staten Island Families and

Schools

I just wanted to thank all of you for

fulfilling our list of donations. Not only

that, but they were also wrapped putting us

in more of a Holiday mood. It was so

thoughtful of you to do this for us and muchneeded. Wish more organizations on Staten

Island would be as generous as you were.

Again, thank you for the beautiful donations

and God Bless you all. –Joanne

Thank you so much for all of your generous

donations to our students and staff who lost

so much due to the storm! It is so greatly

appreciated! -Liz,Guidance

CounselorIS2

While, my home is still standing, my

downstairs got over 10 feet of water. I am 3

years out of a brain injury. I am bed

bound and can’t walk, so I literally lost

everything. Thank you for the gift cards, I

got a new comforter to stay warm. I commend

you for doing such a compassionate thing.

–Tiffany

We were devastated on Oct 29th by Hurricane

Sandy and I had to swim out my front door.

We are not living in the house as it still

needs heat and floors and furniture etc.

There are so many things we need and I can't

possibly do it all alone. As a father it

is a very difficult thing to have to ask for

help from total strangers, but I have to get

help where ever it can come from. I wanted

to say thank you again for traveling so far

to make us smile. God Bless.

- Alex

It is nice to see so many people come

together for this cause. They really will

touch many hearts. Thank you again for

working so hard to coordinate and manage

this drive in your town. Please do share

our thanks with your whole community. We are

very grateful.

-Nancy,Assistant

PrincipalPS38

I just wanted to send you a few images of

the smiles you put on our students' faces

this holiday with your board game drive!

Thank you for your hard work in organizing

this grand donation effort!

-Kasandra,

AssistantPrincipalPS39



Community rallying for victims of Chelmsford blaze

More than $40G raised to help those who lost homesBy Grant Welker, [email protected]

Updated: 02/06/2013 12:07:57 PM ESTLOWELL SUN

http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_22530362/community-rallying-victims-chelmsford-blaze

CHELMSFORD -- A month after a fire at the Woodcrest Condominiums killed a marriedcouple, fundraising for those whose homes were destroyed has topped $40,000, withanother fundraiser set for Feb. 15.

Of the 21 families or individuals in each of the building's units, all but two have receivedfinancial aid from the Chelmsford Housing Authority's nonprofit arm. Some are living with

family or friends, others have found temporary housing and others have settled intopermanent homes, said David Hedison, the authority director.

"We've met the immediate needs, and now it's more long-term," Hedison said,describing how some may need help buying, for instance, a mattress while others arelooking for help paying rent. "Everyone has had different needs."

The fire, which hit late on the night of Jan. 5, was caused by an extension cord runningunder a fold-out couch in the condo unit where a couple, Susan Astle and Paul DesLauriers,were killed, an investigation found. The building was later demolished, and the only

remains, the concrete shell of the basement, sit surrounded by a chain-link fence and no-trespassing signs.

The building, part of a complex built between 1979 and 1983, did not have sprinklersbecause it was grandfathered into existing fire-code regulations at the time. Similar buildings now are required to have sprinklers.

The community responded by donating piles of clothes, food and other goods, along with thousandsof dollars in cash and gift cards. Woodcrest Fire

Relief, a fundraising effort led by resident StefaniBush, has one more fundraiser scheduled, for Friday, Feb. 15. It will be held at 7 p.m. at the ElksClub at 300 Littleton Road. Tickets are $25 and canbe purchased at the door.

A Chelmsford-based band, Attik, will perform, as willBush herself. It will also include a cash bar,appetizers, and live and silent auctions of items

including photography, hotel stays, and sportsmemorabilia and sporting event tickets. Planners arealso seeking donations of auction items or food for the event, Bush said.

Anyone interested in donating may [email protected] or call 978-710-9558.

Stefani Bush









Hedison, the Housing Authority director, credited Woodcrest Fire Relief, which started onlyhours after the fire, with jumpstarting community aid for the victims.

"This is all the result of some grass-roots efforts from concerned citizens," he said.Donations have ranged from $5 to a $10,000 gift from a Boston foundation.

The authority's nonprofit arm, Chelmsford Housing Opportunities for Intergenerational andCommunity Endeavors, or CHOICE, has managed funds donated for those who were left

homeless. Two families declined aid, and residents of the remaining 19 units were helped insome way, Hedison said.

One Woodcrest resident, Paula Telesco, who lived on the third floor, said she's grateful for allthose who've helped out, including her hairdresser, dentist and dance teacher, as well as theRed Cross, which checked back with her a few days ago to see how things were going. Amongthe only belongings she was able to salvage were a computer and some items from a filingcabinet.

One family who watched her on a TV news report just after the fire offered her a unit they werepreparing to rent in another Woodcrest building.

"I continue to be amazed and overwhelmed at the support," said Telesco, a musicprofessor at UMass Lowell. "I've really seen, truly, the best of people during all of this."

CHOICE is sending letters to displaced Woodcrest residents to gauge their needs at this point,with a plan to distribute more aid after a Feb. 12 deadline for residents to respond. Thefundraising effort through CHOICE is expected to end at that point, Hedison said.

Follow Grant Welker on Twitter @sungrantwelker.



with

DennisReadyand

Mary

Gregoire

WN Lk

TOPICS:Selectmen Candidate

Chelmsford Open Space Stewards Fundraiser

Oak Hill Selective Logging

Zoning Board: Appointed or Elected/

Citizenʼs Town Meeting Article Petition

News around Town with Molly

CLICK HERE for Show

http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T01497&video=142298









Politically

Incorrect With Tom Christiano

GUESTS: Henry Parlee (Planning Bd. Candidate),

Roland Van Liew (Selectman & TM Rep Candidate),

Pat Magnell (TM Rep Candidate, Pr. 8),

Chris Garrahan (TM Rep Candidate Pr. 8).

Sal Lupoli, the owner of Sal's Pizza & Enterprises,also stopped by the talk for a few minutes about the

Synthetic Fields proposal.

Topics: Turf Fields,Selective Logging on Oak Hill,Conservation and Open SpaceTown Meeting WarrantsThe New Fire Station

CLICK HERE for show

http://www.facebook.com/chris.garrahan.7?group_id=0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JatrOJgNpc0&feature=youtu.be









with

Dennis

Readyand

Mary

Gregoire

WN Lk

TOPICS:Planning Board Candidate

School Committee Candidate

Moving the date of the Town

Election and Town Meeting

Taxes: Fact & Fiction

Conspiracy theories

News around Town with Molly

CLICK

HERE for Show













Campbell's Comedy Corner Host Bill Campbell

© Chelmsford TeleMedia 75 Graniteville Road Chelmsford MA 01824 Phone:978-251-5143

Fax: 978-251-5173Email: [email protected]

CLICK

HERE for Laughs

CLICK

HERE for Laughs


























EXTRA

EXTRAS:

For Chelmsford friends and family: to join the ITR email list, write to

[email protected]. And if you would like to read all of thearticles in thisnewsletter and more asthey happen, please join the

ITR Facebookpage which is

linked here…

CHELMSFORD’S

IN-TOWN

REPORT

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆


















Coming Attractions at the Chelmsford

Center for the Arts…FEBRUARY

Sun., Feb. 10, 4 pm - Healing with Laughter for Caregivers with Lisa Wessan, LICSW, CLL, RM. During this workshop, youare going to experience healing with laughter using the tools of laughter yoga, laughter meditation and laughter therapy exercises, brought to you by a certified laughter therapist. Wear comfortable clothes, and bring water. (Yoga mats are notneeded, but if you're more comfortable on the floor, feel free to

bring your mat.) $15 per person at the door.

Sun., Feb. 10, 7 pm – Celebrate Mardi Gras with the Brazilian

jazz group O Pato. Tickets $10 at the door Sat., Feb. 16, 7:30 pm – Continue celebrating Valentine’s Day

with Chocolate, Wine and Jazz in the Cabaret Café with Wendee Glick and friends. Tickets available on line www.mktix.com/cca or at the CCA. Fri., Feb. 22 at 7:00 pm – Friday Acoustic Coffeehaus Open Mic hosted by Ruth Canonico with Feature. Bring thefamily to listen or play. $5 at the door

Sat., Feb. 23 at 7:00 pm – Jazz at the CCA continues with The Paul Combs Quintet playing the music of Tadd Dameron. $10 atthe door. Sun., Feb. 24 at 2:00 pm - As part the

Dynamic Digital program at the CCA,photographer Robert Moll will be lecturing on the intersection of fine art painting and

photography . For more details visit our website: www.chelmsfordarts.org and check back often for up to date information.

http://www.mktix.com/cca

http://www.chelmsfordarts.org/








Checkoutwhat’shappeningatChelmsfordCommunityCenter

atNorthTownHallthisFebruary!!

Seeourwebsiteformoredetailsandthefullcalendarwww.chelmsfordcommunitycenter.org

reachusat978-656-1853orbyemailatinfo@chelmsfordcommunitycenter.org

ScoshCountryFamilyDanceonthefirstFridayofthemonth,2/1and3/1from7-9pm.Dancelessons

anddancingforallages.TrysomethingnewthisNewYear!$3perperson,$10familymaximum.

B.RankinPresentseverySundayfrom3-4pm.Where

artsandsciencecollideforchildrenages7andup.

2/10MeltedCrayonArtand2/24SolarArt.

Costis$15perchildandparentsarefree!

ZentangleonMonday,2/18from7:15-9pm.CreaUng

artfromrepeUUvepaVernstorelax,unwindandcreate!

Thismonthssessionfeaturestanglingwithmandalas.

FundraiserforChelmsfordOpenSpaceonSaturday2/23.BeonthelookoutformoreinformaUonand

theopportunitytosupportagreatorganizaUoninourtown!

VarneyPlaygroundCommi7ee2/28 :PresentaUononproposalforarneyPlaygroundonThursday,

2/28at7pm.

FitnessClasses:

FitMamas:Akid-friendlycompletebodyworkoutjustformomsofyoungchildrenwithRachelRader,

PersonalTrainer.Tuesdays11:30–12:15am.

Ac1veKids:Afunfitnessclassforboysandgirlsages5-8withRachelRader,PersonalTrainer.

Wednesdays4:00–4:45pm.

GirlPower:Anage-appropriatecardioandstrengthtrainingclassforgirlsages9-12withRachelRader,

PersonalTrainer.Wednesdays5:00–5:45pm.

CircuitTraining:AgreatalternaUvetoyourtypicalaerobicsclasswithRachelRader,PersonalTrainer.

Forallfitnesslevels.Fridays11:30–12:30am.

YogaClasses:

Tuesdayeveningfrom6-7:15pmwithShakUWellnessYoga–agentle,moderateclass.

Wednesdaymorningfrom8-9amand9-10amOntheEdgeYoga.KripaluyogawithDonnaHarrington.

Wednesdayeveningfrom6:15-7:30pmYogaforitalityandIncreasedEnergy(moderatelevel,

beginnerswelcome)withCharloVeOV.

Thursdaymorningfrom9:45-11amwithShakUWellnessYoga–agentle,moderateclass.

http://www.chelmsfordcommunitycenter.org/








Save the Date:

Saturday, February 23 from6 – 10 p.m. will be the

second COSS fundraiser.

We haven’t hosted one since we roasted Phil when heturned 50 three years ago.

This event, also to be held atthe Chelmsford Community Center at North Town Hall, will be called Country Roads &Open Space, featuring pop-country local (and Nashville)recording artist Krista Angelucci who will perform anacoustic set with another artist, Skyler, then perform with

her full band. This will be followed by more music with a DJ and somecountry line dance instruction. For $25 you get to enjoy themusic and some food, a cash bar and a silent auction. Wealready have some great items coming in.

You can purchase tickets by contacting me at [email protected] or 978-273-1473.Tickets can also be purchased at the Town Manager’s office.

Probably won’t have a hard ticket so much as you can pay

and get your name on the list we’ll have at the door.






!isit our website for a listing of vendors

Photos by C. Christiano



TICKETS AVAILABLE

NOW



Laugh while

you can...



- Q u o t e s o f t h e w e e k -

“It’s Not theYears in YourLife That Count.

It’s the Life inYour Years"-Abraham Lincoln

"It's not

the years,honey -it's themileage."- Indiana Jones



In-Town ReportNews Links

LOWELL SUN

Chelmsfordindependent

chelmsford Patch

Chelmsford TeleMedia

ITR ONFACEBOOK LINK

If you have any comments or suggestions for

the In-Town Report write Roy at

[email protected]

Roy Earley

http://www.lowellsun.com/

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/


http://chelmsford.patch.com/

http://www.chelmsfordtv.org/





















Documents

Chelmsford's In-Town Report:02-10-13