BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has issued an $11,647 penalty to 123 Central Ave. Realty Corp., the owner of a former metal plating facility in Ayer, for failing to notify MassDEP within the timelines established under the Commonwealth’s hazardous waste site cleanup regulations of a release of hazardous materials. The […]
By Anne Knowles – August, 2013 Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier. What does this mean to Andover today? Well, going back to the early settlers of Andover and Essex County, Martha, a citizen of Andover was hanged as a witch; a result of the craze that swept this area […]
Acted as attorney for clients in two lawsuits in which the Town of Chelmsford was a party The Massachusetts Ethics Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that former Chelmsford Planning Board member Richard McClure violated section 17(c) of Massachusetts General Law c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by representing clients in two separate […]
Manzi: It was Zanni’s Call to Spend Reserves But Prior Council was Calling the Shots OTHER METHUEN STORIES In an Exclusive interview with the Valley Patriot, Methuen Mayor Steve Zanni discussed the downgrade of Methuen’s bond rating by Moody’s Investment Services. The report cited specifically: “The downgrade to A2 reflects the city’s negative financial position which […]
Councilor Kannan Says Methuen Needs Mayor who will Stabilize Methuen’s Finances (OTHER METHUEN STORIES) Moody’s Investors Services, one of the nation’s top bond-rating agencies, has downgraded Methuen’s bond rating, citing the city’s dependence on state aid, a lack of new revenues, and having too little cash in its reserves. The report cited specifically “The downgrade to A2 reflects the […]
By: Kathy Runge – August, 2013 Anyone familiar with the city of Lawrence is aware of the lax record keeping and controls in various city departments, i.e. city garages and Inspectional Services to name two. Does anyone believe it’s any better in the Elections Department? Let me share my findings. I’ve been writing programs to […]
OTHER METHUEN STORIES By: Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon August 5, 2013 In light of the recent news stories surrounding the increase of heroin use in the Merrimack Valley, (which is a continuation of The Valley Patriot’s ongoing coverage of drugs in Methuen), Chief Solomon wanted to communicate to residents and business owners the efforts […]
By: Tom Duggan – July 26, 2013 Billerica DPW director Abdul Alkhatib says there are no shenanigans going on with his town’s public bid to purchase fire hydrants. He told the Valley Patriot that the public bids requests by the town were not tailored to favor (a) certain large American company, but a Valley Patriot […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives BOSTON – Following a press conference that Senate President Therese Murray held Monday morning, the Senate is due to take up a comprehensive welfare reform bill on Thursday aimed at making state assistance transitional. The bill addresses cyclical issues that prevent recipients from transitioning off of welfare as well as […]
As a former zookeeper and environmental educator, I understand the delicate balance required to sustain any ecosystem. The story of the rat-like nutria, Myocastor coypus, and its invasion of New Orleans, is a perfect example of how humans, convinced they know better, can make a major mess of things. A mere 20 of these 12-pound […]
By: Cheryl Hajjar – June 2013 As the end of the school year approaches and families are making their summer vacation plans, both the seasoned and budding entrepreneur are most likely thinking of ways to gear their businesses up for the fall. If you are a business owner, you are well aware of the […]
We don’t know. Truth be told, we were stunned by the latest spate of TV commercials Markey and his advocates are running, which are highly insulting to women. Especially given that the media and the Democrat party have preached for three decades that Republicans represent “rich, old, white, men,” while Democrats represent young, energetic minorities […]
By: Tom Duggan – June 5, 2013 An Essex County Grand Jury has refused to indict Carmen D’Ambrosio on state terrorism charges after the 18 year old Methuen High School Student posted what police say, were threatening messages in texts and on Facebook. The teen was released early Thursday. D’Ambrosio was being charged under Massachusetts […]
By D.J. Deeb – May, 2013 After 10 hours of debate on the evening of Monday, April 8, 2013, the Massachusetts State House of Representatives voted 97-55 to increase the current 21-cent-per-gallon state gas tax by 3-cents to 24-cents-per-gallon in 2015 and further indexing it to inflation each year following resulting in further gas […]
Springfield City Councilor Timothy Rooke has agreed to pay $5,000 to the state’s general fund for campaign finance violations that include using campaign funds for personal purposes, failing to keep records, and not disclosing certain financial activity, according to a disposition agreement between Rooke and OCPF. Rooke paid $2,000 to the state when the […]