Needham firefighter promoted to captain

Needham - This July, Matthew Dooher was named Fire Captain at the Needham Fire Department. Dooher, who has been a firefighter for 11 years, said that he was very proud to receive the promotion.

“It’s a very meaningful promotion,” he said. “It’s taken a lot of hard-work.”

In order to get promoted in the fire department, you need to pass an exam, for which, Dooher said, he spent a lot of time studying. Fire Chief Paul Buckley, who introduced the new captain to the Board of Selectmen last Tuesday, said that it was people like Dooher that made the department successful.

“The department runs well because we have great coworkers like Matt,” he said.

Buckley said that having members like Dooher is reassuring because one day he would need to be replaced.

Selectmen Dan Matthews said at the meeting that he was very proud of the young captain because he was working hard to improve an important department in the town.

“In a lot of ways, you are more of a face for the town than we are,” he said.

Evan Koslof

8/24/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/news/x911399371/Needham-firefighter-promoted-to-captain#axzz1Vz8xCKrb

Sides state cases in ZBA cell tower hearing

Sharon - More than 30 residents gathered at Wednesday’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to express their concerns about a request for a new 120 ft. tall cell tower either near 411 East Foxboro St. or 8 Mohawk Road.

The zoning request for the Mohawk address was made in April 2010 by AT&T, to address a major service gap in central Sharon. Since that date, AT&T has been in constant negotiations with the town members and the zoning board of appeals. Due to the heavy resistance from the town at this location, the company has tried East Foxboro Street as an alternative.

The board did not make a decision and scheduled the next meeting for Oct. 12. Chairman Kevin McCarville said this meeting should be seen as a presentation of the facts, which citizens can use to form their ideas.

“This is how it goes,” he said. “He presents, you listen, you go home and do some homework, and then we come back.”

Edward D. Pare Jr., the attorney for the applicants, said he hoped the East Foxboro spot would be able to create an agreement because it would help provide wireless connection for the town. He said while East Foxboro Street provides less service than the Mohawk site, it would still increase the town’s connection.

“This site doesn’t work as well for us,” he said. “But it does work.”

David Shore, who spoke for nearly 20 minutes at the meeting, prepared a packet for the board, and spoke about why he thought the town needed more time before they came to a decision.

“My main concerns are that this needs to be an open, transparent and informed process for this town,” he said.

After the representatives for AT&T made their request, the board opened up the case to the audience, where people were very vocal. Before letting them speak, McCarville said he noticed a growing frustration in the room and warned the audience to not speak out angrily or aggressively to the applicant.

“I want to keep a lid on things,” he said.

In this public comment section, citizens brought up concerns with the potential unappealing sight of the towers. On Aug. 6, AT&T released a balloon 120 feet in the air, from the proposed tower site, to simulate visibility for neighboring homes and businesses. The results troubled many citizens who could see the balloon from their homes.

Others complained about the possible water contamination of the Canoe River Aquifer Watershed, which supplies drinking water to 50,000 people in Sharon. Others said they were worried about the dangers, involved with the tower falling.

McCarville said if the town does not accept a location for the tower, they would enter a litigation period. He said in this process, it was likely that AT&T would sue, and the town would lose, in which case they would be forced to place a tower where AT&T wishes.

Pare said this loss was probable because federal regulations allow for a company to create wireless connections where there are gaps in wireless service.

Robert Simons, who lives on Mohawk Road, said if they would be forced to choose a location, they should at least find the spot that would help the town the most.

For this reason, he said he believed the new address was far better than the original because it is on public property. The Mohawk address, which is on private land, cannot be taxed while the new one can bring in revenue to the town.

“I think it’s a better alternative,” he said.

Evan Koslof

8/18/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/sharon/town_info/government/x919540961/Sides-state-cases-in-ZBA-cell-tower-hearing#axzz1VjgaF1zy

East Elementary Principal pair poised for year

Sharon - For 23 years Judith Freedberg served as principal for the East Elementary School in Sharon. This year, following her retirement, the school year begins with new leadership.

Taking over as principal is former assistant principal Elizabeth Murphy and taking over the assistant principal job is former Norwood school administrator, Donna Brown.

Murphy, who has been at East Elementary for 28 years, started as a first grade teacher and rose up the ranks from teacher to curriculum coordinator to part time assistant principal and now to principal. She said she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

“It’s the perfect fit for me,” she said. “I’m so happy to be here.”

Murphy, who is already in the school preparing for the kids to start on Wednesday, Aug. 31, said her goals included maintaining academic excellence, creating a climate of respect, creating a common core curriculum, and initiating an anti-bullying curriculum. She said she felt energized by the promotion.

“I feel like they’ve given me a fresh start,” she said.

Brown, who has been working for the Norwood public schools for more than 25 years, also said she was excited for the upcoming year. 

“The school system’s reputation is phenomenal,” she said. “I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

She began as a speech pathologist and rose up the ladder at Cleveland Elementary School in Norwood until she was head teacher, a role similar to assistant principal. She said so far, she has been well received by the school community.

“I was overwhelmed by just how happy they were to see me,” she said.

A committee of approximately 15 teachers and parents were responsible for picking both Murphy and Brown. Both agreed that the process was thorough, but that it was a reassuring thing.

“It really told me a lot about their commitment to the kids,” Brown said.

The two new principals spoke very highly of each other. Murphy said she thinks Brown’s enthusiasm and outside experience with curriculum planning will help improve the school even more.

“She’s going to be a fabulous addition to the East family,” she said.

Brown said she hoped to learn from Murphy, who she said has been such an important person in the Sharon community.

“Liz is an exceptional educator,” she said. “I think she’s going to be a tremendous mentor.”

Evan Koslof

8/18/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/sharon/news/x386666819/East-Elementary-Principal-pair-poised-for-year#axzz1VjgaF1zy

Needham selectmen approve 1000-gallon propane tanks in two Needham backyards

Needham - Plans of two Needham developers to install underground flammable 1,000 gallon propane tanks created heated discussion Tuesday as many citizens in the surrounding neighborhoods came to discuss the issue at a public hearing at the Board of Selectmen meeting.

At the meeting, the tanks were unanimously approved at the two locations, 126 Jarvis Cr. and 31 Grasmere Rd., by the five-person board. Mark Heavner, the developer for the first home and Joe Centola, the developer for the second, told the board and public about the safety procedures, and reassured them that the homes would be safe.

“This is a completely protected system,” Heavner said at the meeting.

At the meeting, the Needham citizens spoke about concerns of the tanks bursting underground and creating an explosion that could put them at danger. Many said they feared that due to its underground location, inspection would be difficult.

Steven Dawyskiba, who for 38 years has been working as a representative for the propane company that would install the tank, said that an explosion was very unlikely due to the technological practices that have developed. He said these processes made it possible to monitor tank damage without having to pull the tanks out from the ground.

Under Needham law, the tanks would be inspected once every year, the selectmen said.

Fire Chief Paul Buckley also reassured the public that the practice was safe because it followed federal regulations. He also said that Needham’s rules are even stricter than the federal ones, due to changes made earlier in the decade.

Federal regulations allow for up to 2,000-gallon tanks to be buried without consent of town officials, but Needham just allows 500 gallons.

 “Guidelines are made to protect citizens,” he said. “And we follow them.”

Selectmen Jim Healy said that while the propane tanks didn’t seem dangerous, it was important that the board had such a dialogue.

“For me, the whole key is safety,” he said.

Evan Koslof

8/17/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/news/x386663966/Needham-selectmen-approve-1000-gallon-propane-tanks-in-two-Needham-backyards#axzz1VDLQGyZ1

Police: Man pointed knife at West Roxbury girlfriend

West Roxbury - The police are on the lookout for a man who allegedly pointed a black steak knife at his ex-girlfriend’s friend in a “menacing” way before running from the apartment at 3 Petrel St. in West Roxbury, police said.

The victim said that her ex-boyfriend of two years had shown up at her home at 12:10 a.m. on Aug. 13, and began pushing her and slapping her in the face, before running from the apartment in a Toyota Corolla, police said.

The boyfriend, a pizza shop owner who had previously lived in an apartment with the woman, showed up at the woman’s house and banged on the door, police said. When the ex-girlfriend’s brother answered the door, the boyfriend “brushed” by him, and went to the bedroom where he found his ex-girlfriend, police said.

The woman called her friend for assistance, and police said this is when the boyfriend pointed the knife.

The police are still looking for the suspect.

Evan Koslof

8/17/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/roslindale/news/x1837743350/Police-Man-pointed-knife-at-West-Roxbury-girlfriend#axzz1VDLQGyZ1

Cops: Woman punched Roslindale neighbor

Roslindale - After an argument between Roslindale neighbors at Seymour Street escalated, a woman “charged” over to the next-door porch and punched her neighbor in the face, police said.

According to police reports, the fight, which allegedly occurred at 4:31 p.m. on Aug. 13, occurred in plain view outside.

The victim said that after her neighbor hit her several times, she drove off from the house in her father’s car.

Police responded to the incident the next day at 10:43 p.m. and have suggested that the victim take the matter up in court.

Evan Koslof

8/17/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/roslindale/news/x1321495074/Cops-Woman-punched-Roslindale-neighbor#axzz1VDLQGyZ1

Cops: Man beat woman with her purse in Roslindale

Roslindale - A Dorchester man was arrested and charged with assault and battery after police said they saw him hit his girlfriend on her head repeatedly with her purse.

According to the report, police heard the woman screaming on Florence Street in Roslindale on Aug. 5 after she was allegedly shoved and hit by her boyfriend of one year, Eric Roderick Bratton.

The woman told police that Bratton had grabbed her purse and started to “shove” it “into the back of her head” multiple times.

The fighting continued until police said they pulled the two of them apart.

Bratton, of 8 Boyd St. in Dorchester, was arrested for assault and battery and was booked shortly afterward at the E5 station.

Evan Koslof

8/11/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/roslindale/news/x142922455/Cops-Man-beat-woman-with-her-purse-in-Roslindale#axzz1VDLQGyZ1

Police: Boyfriend punched, scratched Roslindale girlfriend on face

Roslindale - A Roslindale woman living on Archdale Road was allegedly punched in the face and scratched repeatedly by her boyfriend after an argument at approximately 1 a.m. on Aug. 6, police said.

The woman, who spoke little English, had swelling around her eye and bruises on her head and neck area, police said. She told police that her boyfriend was angry because he was jealous of her speaking with another man, according to the police report.

Police said that after he beat his girlfriend, the man stole her cell phone and left the house. The woman said that she thought her boyfriend left for his cousin’s house in South Boston, police said. 

The woman was sent to Faulkner Hospital for further evaluation, according to the police report. 

Evan Koslof

8/10/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/roslindale/news/x919521634/Police-Boyfriend-punched-scratched-Roslindale-girlfriend-on-face#axzz1VDLQGyZ1

Sherborn Personnel Board members resigns

Sherborn - Earlier this month, the Sherborn Board of Selectmen decided to not reappoint Personnel Board member Grace Sheppard after six years of service. In response to this decision, Sheppard led the entire board to resign from their positions at the selectmen meeting on Aug. 11.

At the meeting, Sheppard read a five-page speech to the board, and then announced that fellow board members Ron Arigo and Judi Miller would be joining her in resigning in the upcoming year.

Sheppard said the resignation occurred because they all felt disrespected by the selectmen.

“I feel like the other members felt undervalued,” she said.

Chairman for the Board of Selectmen Thomas Twining said that Sheppard was removed because the personnel board was ineffective and didn’t communicate well. He said the decision to remove Sheppard was based on performance and not personal reasons.

“This isn’t about the people involved,” he said. “It is about the efficient running of our town government.”

Twining said that Sherborn is facing many sexual harassment suits and a fire department audit, and so they would need a strong communicative personnel board to aid them.

Bruce Jamerson has already been pegged to lead the personnel board, but the other members have not yet been selected due to the unexpected resignation of the board.

“Jamerson’s sitting by himself because I didn’t anticipate Grace getting the whole board to resign,” Twining said.

Twining said that a second member has been selected as well, but until the paperwork is finalized, the name will not be released. He also said that he hoped to expand the group to a five-person body.

“We’ve done things in a particular way in Sherborn,” he said. “And it’s hard to change, but we need to.”

Sheppard, who was a former selectmen for the town, said that she was disappointed by the selectmen’s actions, but that she would still work to help Sherborn.

“I love the town and I’ve served the town for many years,” she said. “An now, I hope to find other ways to continue doing so.”

The Sherborn Board of Selectmen will meet again at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18.

Evan Koslof

8/16/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/sherborn/features/x27452866/Sherborn-Personnel-Board-members-resigns#axzz1VDLQGyZ1

Volante Farms to rebuild farm stand

Needham - In 1917 Peter and Caterina Volante bought a farm in Newton. In 1962, the second generation brought the farm to the corner of Forest Street and Central Avenue in Needham. In 1981, the third generation built the well-known Volante farm stand.

Now, more than 30 years later, the fourth generation is taking down the historic farm stand to build a new one. 

The Volante children and owners Teri, Dave and Steve said that the change is going to make the Volante farm even better. Teri Volante Boardman said that while she would be sad to see the farm stand go, it would help the farm grow.

“I’ve got a kind of a sentimental optimism about it,” she said. “I’ll miss it, but it’s going to improve the farm so much.” 

The Volante family moved the farm stand operations to the neighboring greenhouse late Monday night, to open on Tuesday. In late August, they will take down the farm stand and start rebuilding. They estimate the project will be finished in April.

The new farm stand will include a deli, a bakery and a Crescent Ridge Dairy ice cream store. It will also sell produce all year round, something they hadn’t done in the past. Field manager Ryan Conroy said that winter squash, beets and carrots would help to extend the season and that the farm would likely sell greens grown in its greenhouse during the winter. Some vegetables, including asparagus would likely be available earlier in the year than ever before, Conroy said.

At the sixth annual Farm Field Day on Aug. 13, the Volante family invited Needham citizens to gather at the farm to commemorate the farm stand. At the event, tours were lead by fourth generation son Steve Volante to show the changes that would occur.

On these tours, he said that the new farm stand would maintain the same local feel that has existed since it’s founding.

“We want to keep it as business as usual,” he said. “We want to keep the rustic feel.”

 At the event, the Volante family held a very popular customer cooking contest, in which 16 people from the area entered dishes, from a salted corn dip to an assorted vegetable salad.

At the competition, Robert Desimone, the head chef at Spiga Restaurant, Vanessa Cortes, the head chef at Center Café and Dough Motchok, the 2010 winner were judges. Customer Laurie Cochran won the competition with her peach, tomato, corn and arugula salad with sweet red onion.

Desimone, who left the farm with a barrel full of produce, said that he loved coming to the farm to find ideas for new recipes. He said that he was excited for the new farm stand because it would open up the selling of produce all year long.

“It sounds like a great idea,” he said. “It’s moving the place forward”

Cochran said that the she kept coming back to the farm because she loved how it was family run.

“I love this place,” she said. “I can’t wait for the new one to open."

Evan Koslof

8/16/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/news/x919533829/Volante-Farms-to-rebuild-farm-stand#axzz1VDLQGyZ1

Sharon Square Jam brings community together

Sharon - Under the warm August weather and to the tune of upbeat blues jams, Sharon residents gathered Thursday, Aug. 4 at the 17th annual Square Jam.

As residents chowed down on free corn from Wards Farm, ice cream from Crescent Ridge Dairy and samples from Coriander restaurant, Roomful of Blues jammed away as a crowd of approximately 1,000 people watched, talked and even danced to the music.

The band, which has been nominated for five Grammy Awards, kept the energy of the event high. Their performance on the corner of Billings Street, North Main Street and South Main Street, was well received by the members of the community.

At the event, the fire department handed out more than 500 balloons and used a truck to create bubbles to entertain children. Booths were also set up, supporting various causes, from conservation, to public health to autism.

Selectmen Walter Joe Roach has been to all 17 Square Jams. He said that the event was always great because he got to meet the people he represents on a more personal basis.

“I get a chance to actually get to meet the people that make this town tick,” he said.

Town Administrator Benjamin Puritz said in an interview last week that the town puts a lot of energy in this event.

 “This is the event where we take off our socks and pick it up a notch,” he said.

Paul Spender, who sat at a table collecting money to fight autism, said he had been coming to Square Jam for years. A Sharon firefighter for many years, he introduced the autism table four years ago, after his granddaughter was diagnosed with autism. He said Square Jam helped unite the community.

 “It brings families together,” he said. It brings the community together in a good way.”

Sharon resident Amy Wagner said that it was this sense of community that made the event so pleasant.

“What’s most fun is running into your neighbors,” she said.

Her husband John Groulx agreed, saying that the event had a great atmosphere.

“The bands nice, the weathers beautiful,” he said. “It’s just great.”

Their young children Elizabeth and Lila weren’t so sure. They said the main appeal was neither the community nor the band.

“It’s the ice cream,” Elizabeth said.

Puritz, who was the primary planner of the event, said that he looked forward to the event all year.  Dressed in relaxed, summer clothing, Puritz nodded his head to the beat of the band’s music and explained his excitement for the event.

“It’s been a great time,” he said. “It just keeps building every year.”

The festival was funded by donations from the Wilber School Apartments, NSTAR, Comcast, Eastern Bank and the Rotary Club of Sharon. 

Evan Koslof

8/10/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/sharon/news/x919521777/Sharon-Square-Jam-brings-community-together#axzz1VDLQGyZ1