FAST TAKES
MA NEWS
May 18, 2013
TORRO! TORRO!
Much like a bullfighter stepping aside as the bull comes charging, a Springfield police officer jumped out of the way when twenty-eight-year old Darrell Gibbons nearly ran him over. The officer stood in front of the car in an attempt to stop Gibbons from leaving a parking lot early this morning. The intoxicated driver fled, parked only two streets away, and turned off the headlights in an attempt to hide. He was quickly arrested and charged with drunk driving, assault and resisting arrest.
May 17, 2013
BEER TO BE BREWED TO HONOR
SLAIN OFFICER
To honor the memory of MIT police officer Sean Collier killed by the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, the Cambridge Brewing Company is creating Collier Stout, a dry Irish brew. According to the MIT police, the beer has been approved by the Collier family and the first batch should be ready by mid-June. Additionally, folks using the hobby shop at MIT are making special wooden taps featuring a police baton and badge. Friends of the slain officer say he had a passion for craft beer.
May 16, 2013
NANTUCKET WOMAN DECLARED
NOT GUILTY OF KILLING TODDLER
Dora Tejada was found not responsible for her 3-year-old’s murder yesterday in Nantucket Superior Court because of mental illness. Believing her toddler to be possessed by the devil, Tejada suffocated little Nicole Garcia in March 2011 because she was told to push a rose down the girl’s throat to vanquish the devil. She was ordered committed to a state mental health facility for six months for treatment and then re-evaluated and perhaps released.
May 15, 2013
NEW TRIAL GRANTED IN BACKYARD
TRAMPOLINE-POOL CASE
The highest court in Massachusetts granted a new trial to a man who lost a lawsuit after become paralyzed doing a flip from a trampoline into a two-foot wading pool at a duplex home he rented and shared with his half brother. In 2005, Cleber Coleta Dos Santos decided to entertain his young son by flipping from the trampoline his half-sibling put up next to an inflatable vinyl kiddie pool. He struck his head becoming permanently paralyzed from his upper chest down. He sued his half brother and lost. Timothy Kelleher, the attorney to filed an amicus brief supporting a new trial said “landowners have a duty to eliminate unsafe conditions”
May 13, 2013
DOG KILLS MINIATURE HORSE
On Saturday afternoon, an Old English bulldog killed one miniature horse and mauled another after jumping a four-foot fence at a residence on Martha’s Vineyard. The 50 lb. dog attacked both horses, ripping the jugular and head of the small horse that perished and leaving severe injuries to the head of the other. The dog has been quarantined. If the horses’ owner filed a written complaint, the Edgartown selectmen will determine the dog’s fate.
May 12, 2013
TERRORISM TAG AFFECTS BIZ
Boston businesses affected by the Boston Marathon bombings may have a difficult time getting reimbursed for losses after Boylston Street was declared a crime scene. If declared an “act of terrorism” businesses in the Back Bay without specific “terrorism” insurance coverage may not be able to get reimbursed for damages, lost business, lost wages, etc.
May 9, 2013
PETER SMOLA NOMINATED TO BRISTOL DISTRICT COURT
Yesterday, Governor Deval Patrick announced judicial nominations including that of attorney Peter Smola of New Bedford, currently a sole practitioner focusing on civil ligitation in Probate and Family Court, and Bristol County District Court. He is slated to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Prudence M. McGregor.
May 9, 2013
PROSECUTORS ASK FOR DEATH
While Gary Sampson was sentenced to death in 2003, a judge ordered a new sentencing trial in 2011 and now prosecutors have requested reinstatement of the death penalty sentence originally handed down. Sampson, who grew up in Abington, MA, was convicted of killing a 69-year-old Taunton man Philip McCloskey, 19-year-old Jonathan Rizzo of Kingston, and 58-year-old Robert Whitney of Concord, NH over the course of six days in 2001.
May 7, 2013
RI MAN DIES VISITING GLOUCESTER
David Machado, 48, of Providence died after slipping from a rock into the ocean while walking the coastline in Gloucester, MA with his 46-year-old wife Kristen Mayo-Machado, and friend Evelyn Howe, 46 of Gloucester. Howe jumped into the 50 degree water to rescue Machado. Mayo-Machado called 911 and rescuers recovered the two bodies about 40 minutes later.
LARGE CAT COLONY BEING RESCUED IN REHOBOTH
(Updated May 18, 2013) A cat rescue organization based in Plainville, MA is in the process of rescuing a large colony of cats from a residence in Rehoboth. According to Paws of Plainville, a friend of the property owner contacted them about up to cats and kittens living in or around a shed at an undisclosed location.
So far about half the animals, some sick, have been removed. They hope to find good homes for all the kittens and provide veterinary care and neutering for the felines. While eight kittens already have adoptive families, others are currently undergoing medical treatment. The organization has publicized an appeal for donations of cat food, funds to support medical care, and adoptive homes, particularly owners who would accept a kitten that is FIV positive. Click here for the organization’s website.
Selectman Lorraine Botts, who acts as animal control liaison, said the town’s animal control officer Jane Foster is fully informed and “keeping an eye on the situation.” Foster said she welcomed help from the Plainville organization “as they have the means” to perform a rescue of so many cats and obtain vet care for them.
“It costs one hundred dollars per cat for neutering,” Foster explained. “The cats being removed from the property are mostly kittens,” she added. She noted that “all it takes is five mother cats to have six or eight kittens each” and a small group grows quickly.
Botts has fought to get an animal abuse town bylaw passed after consulting on wording with town legal counsel and SPCA authorities. The other selectmen opposed her attempt to get the bylaw put into the town warrant at the annual spring town meeting. She plans to revisit the issue again and with public support get an animal abuse bylaw on the warrant for the fall town meeting.
REHOBOTH MAN ARRESTED FOR SECOND OUI
(May 17, 2013) Yesterday afternoon Rehoboth police arrested a local man on several charges included a second operating under the influence offense. Officer Paul McGovern was monitoring traffic at the intersection of Kingsley Way and Davis Street when he observed a Gray Volvo sedan run the stop sign and flashing red light at the intersection. Randal Phillips, age 49 of Mason Street was taken into custody charged with drunk driving, an open container of alcohol, running a stop sign and negligent operation. According to police, he was held at the New Bedford House of Correction on $300 Cash Bail and will appear today in Taunton District Court for arraignment.
REHOBOTH LOSES TWO SUMMER TRADITIONS
(May 15, 2013) Two time-honored Rehoboth summer events will not take place this year, the Rehoboth Agricultural Fair and the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society’s annual summer clambake.
The fair, held at the Taunton dog track until the mid-1990s, was without a home for for years until Richard and Robert Pray offered the family farm on the corner of Almeida Road and Wheaton Avenue. Last year the multi-day fair and carnival was not held due to lease issues.
The clambake, although very popular, will not be held this year due to a collection of concerns including rising costs. Dating back to the antiquarian society’s earliest days, the first clambake was held in 1884. It was a community tradition for decades until an absence of 35 years following World War II, then revived by the society in 1984. According to organizers, last year’s ticket price of $35 per person barely covered the cost of an event , one intended to be a fundraiser for the RSA that operates both the Carpenter Museum and the Blanding Library/Goff Memorial Hall.
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR AWARD RECIPIENTS
(May 15, 2013) The Rehoboth Lions Club presented their 13th Annual Citizens Recognition Awards last week at a dinner ceremony held at Hillside Country Club. Award recipients this year included: Gary Kloss, Sr. who was awarded the Randall P. Silveira Public Safety Award. Virginia Fisher was named Senior Citizen of the Year. Robert Materne received the Environmental Stewardship Award. The Outstanding Achievement award was presented to Craig Warish, and the James Muri of the Rehoboth Planning Board received the Community Service Award. The Good Neighbor Award was given to Steve Brasier and Outstanding Youth Award was presented to both Keara Enos and Tyler Cardin. Robert Ashton of the Rehoboth Board of Health received the Public Servant Award. This year three people received the Educator of the Year Award - Elise Dubois, Timothy Tichacek, and Amanda Cimbron. The Joseph Deroche Outstanding Service Award was presented to Susan Pimental, chair of the Rehoboth Board of Selectmen.
REHOBOTH RESIDENTS TO DECIDE FUTURE DIRECTIONS
(May 13, 2013) Rehoboth residents will vote tonight on a full warrant of issues relating to municipal government at the Special Town Meeting and Annual Town Meeting to begin at 7 PM tonight at the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School auditorium. A paper version of the meeting warrant was mailed to residents for review prior to the meeting and a online version is available on the town website.
Town meeting is Rehoboth’s traditional form of municipal government dating back to the community’s earliest days. Most all residents traveled by foot or horse to the meeting house twice a year to democratically make decisions affecting the entire settlement. Attendance at contemporary town meetings is statistically low with only a couple hundred voting residents from a population of well over 11,000 deciding the future direction of town government.
Among the decisions to be made at tonight’s special town meeting segment: FY13 budget adjustments; capital improvement stabilization fund; and snow and ice removal deficit funding. The annual town meeting warrant addresses some of the following issues:FY14 budget; spending $25K to hire professionals to review and update the town’s zoning bylaws; zoning bylaws related to medical marijuana facilities; an agreement with Citizens Energy for a proposed solar farm on private property; accepting a land gift adjacent to historic Anawan Rock; and several issues related to the Community Preservation Committee including a grant to repair and restore the famous gravestone of the Honorable Simeon Martin at Burial Hill Place.
Don’t forget: Boy Scout Troop 13 is sponsoring a donation collection for Helping Hands Food Pantry. Please bring a non-perishable food or paper good donation (remember to check expiration dates!). Thank you!
SELECTMEN AND FINCOM TO MEETING BEFORE TOWN MEETING
(May 13, 2013) Tonight prior to the start of town meeting, the Rehoboth Board of Selectmen will meet for approximately thirty minutes in the high school auditorium with an agenda to approve reserve fund transfers of $5,100 and $7,500 for the Rehoboth Fire Department. They will also continue a discussion about a pilot program involving Citizens Energy’s plans to construct a solar energy farm on private property located on Tremont Street.
The Finance Committee has also posted a meeting notice for 6:30 PM in the auditorium to address reserve fund transfers, and review special town meeting/annual town meeting warrants as needed prior to those meetings.
VETERANS MEMORIAL STILL HAS FAR TO GO
(May 13, 2013) The fundraising status thermometer on the Rehoboth Veterans Memorial informational website was updated last week. As of May 8, the committee has received donations or pledges in the amount of nearly $28,000 of the $150,000 needed to construct a memorial park area on the Redway Plain that includes a large, multi-use gazebo and memorial walkways. Donations can now be made easily online using PayPal that securely processed donations to the memorial through the Town of Rehoboth.
The website offers detailed information about purchasing memorial paver bricks for $100 to be set into the veterans walkway (any U.S. veteran of any war or conflict) or non-veterans walkway to recognized a friend, family member, business or supporter.
MOTORCYCLE-SUV ACCIDENT SENDS TWO TO HOSPITALS
(May 6, 2013) Yesterday afternoon close to 2 PM, Rehoboth Police responded to an accident in the area of 38 Plain Street in Rehoboth. A motorcycle operated by Robert Rego Jr., age 43 of Dighton, collided with a large SUV operated by Daniel Daluz, age 60 of Seekonk who was transported to Miriam Hospital with minor injuries. Rego was transported to RI Hospital with a severe left leg injury. The accident is currently under investigation by the Rehoboth Police Department.
SELECTMEN TO DISCUSS POLICY ON ANONYMOUS LETTERS
(May 6, 2013) The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen will meet tonight at the senior center beginning at 7 PM with a lengthy agenda including a town policy on anonymous letters. They will also have a discussion with Town Moderator Bill Cute on next Monday’s special town meeting/annual town meeting; vote to accept the resignation of Maureen Brawley from the COA board; and discuss the appointment of Kelly Hamilton-Welzel to the finance committee. The selectmen’s agenda also includes a discussion of an unspecified “pilot program.”
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER LEAVES DOOR OPEN, POLICE MAKE ARREST
(May 4, 2013) After finding the front door of a Rehoboth music studio left open early Thursday evening, Rehoboth police patrolman Craig Forget entered the business located at 51 Winthrop Street and discovered what appeared to be marijuana left out on a table.
Two more Rehoboth police officers, Lt. Bruce Dube and patrolman Ryan Brule, arrived on the scene soon after 5 pm to assist. Business owner Michael A. Fernandes, age 27, returned to his business and was immediately taken into custody in the parking lot while Rehoboth police waited for a search warrant. Additional RPD officers Paul McGovern, Nicole Eastwood and detective Brian Ramos arrived to assist in the search and seizure of an undisclosed amount of suspected marijuana and cocaine. They also seized cell phones, flash drives, computers, currency and scales. Bristol County Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy Chris Medeiros was also called to the scene.
Fernandes, a Taunton native, opened the recording studio in August 2012 and launched an internet hip-hop station. He was the subject of two business stories in the Taunton Gazette about his rise in the music industry and work with Lil Chuckee, a teen artist on Lil Wayne’s record label who has performed at schools in a Stop the Bullying Tour. Fernandes has hosted events for Lil Chuckee’s Save Our Community’s Kids Foundation that gives away backpacks stocked with school supplies.
According to Rehoboth police, they charged Fernandes with intent to distribute marijuana, a Class D substance, and possession of cocaine, a Class B substance, as well as committing a drug crime near a school zone. He was released Thursday night after posting $1,000 bail.
After arraignment yesterday in Taunton District Court, the charges against Fernandes were reduced to simple possession of Class B and D drugs. The court scheduled a pre-trial hearing of May 23 for the drug charges with a separate probation violation hearing for driving on a suspended license charge from 2012.
RESIDENTS ALERTED TO PHONE SOLICITATION SCAM
(May 2, 2013) According to Adam Latham, president of the non-profit Rehoboth Land Trust, someone has been making phone calls falsely claiming to represent the trust seeking “donations and/or memberships” and asking for a credit card number. Anyone receiving such a call should report it to the police; and they should not give their credit card number out over the phone to anyone claiming to be calling on behalf of the Rehoboth Land Trust.
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER REPORTS MISSING MONEY; EMPLOYEE ARRESTED
(May 2, 2013) Yesterday afternoon Rehoboth Police were called to New England Tire and Battery on Fall River Avenue to investigate alleged theft of approximately $1000 over the past month.
After speaking with the business owner, Officer Keith Perry conducted a investigation and determined that employee Kyle Quijano of North Smithfield, Rhode Island was a suspect. Quijano was arrested and taken into custody at the business charged with breaking into a depository and larceny. He was also charged with possession of cocaine. He was later released on $40 cash bail and scheduled for arraignment today in Taunton District Court.
BECOME A FRESH AIR HOST FAMILY THIS SUMMER
(May 2, 2013) Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided more than 1.7 million inner-city children with the opportunity to enjoy these simple pleasures. This summer, share the beauty of your community with a child: volunteer for The Fresh Air Fund and host an inner-city child. You will join thousands of volunteer host families throughout 13 Northeastern states and Canada who open their hearts and homes to New York City children from low-income communities.
“Hosting our Fresh Air child the past three summers has given my children the opportunity to appreciate the things they take for granted,” said one host parent. Activities like fishing, visiting a farm, and having barbecues are novelties to many city children. Imagine summertime without swimming in a pool, playing in the backyard or gazing at the stars. For more information on how you can make summer special for a Fresh Air child, contact Claire Duckmanton at 401-301-4090 or The Fresh Air Fund at (800) 367-0003. You can also learn more about the Friendly Town program by visiting The Fund’s website at freshair.org.
RFD WARNS RESIDENTS OF FINE FOR OPEN BURNING
(May 2, 2013) Open burning season in Massachusetts has officially ended and the Rehoboth Fire Department warns that “any outdoor burning that takes place from this point on is illegal without the expressed consent of the Fire Chief.” Rehoboth residents will be fined up to $50 for the first offense. Please contact RFD with any questions at 508-252-3725.
REHOBOTH FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES FEDERAL GRANT
(April 29, 2013) After three years of persistently applying for a Federal Assistance to Firefighters grant, the Rehoboth Fire Department has received congratulatory messages from the offices of both Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Joseph Kennedy, III.
The grant program, in existence since the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, is funded by the federal government and distributes close to 300 million dollars a year. A grant of $103,313 for the RFD was awarded for personal protective equipment (PPE). The town only needs to match $5,000 to qualify for the grant, one pursued relentlessly by Fire Chief Bob Pray in an effort to protect the department’s seventy on-call firefighters.
The National Fire Protection Association requires replacement of PPE every eight years regardless of use. Currently the RFD has firefighters wearing PPE over ten-years-old. The cost to outfit a firefighter with full PPE is $2,000 and the grant will allow the department to purchase fifty sets.
BOS MEETS TONIGHT WITH PUBLIC HEARING ON ROADS
(April 29, 2013) The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen will meet tonight at the senior center beginning at 7 PM with a regular public session. Topics on the agenda include a public hearing on layout of public ways including Talbot Drive, Harvest Road, Jameson Drive and Abbey Lane.
Selectmen will also review draft motions for the upcoming town meetings; vote to accept a $5000 gift to the Council on Aging; approve budget amendments for fire, BOS, the highway department; and vote to authorize the signing of a FEMA contract relating to Hurricane Sandy damage. The board will also vote to approve a Chapter 90 final report for engineering and design services for Elm, Pleasant and Wheeler streets; and vote to approve the MassCop Local 208 contract for fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Other business will include an update from Bill Saunders of Veterans Services on several issues including the upcoming Memorial Day parade, Valor Act participation, and fundraising for the new Veterans Memorial on the Redway Plain.
REPAC VICE PRESIDENT ARRAIGNED ON EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES
(April 24, 2013) District Attorney Sam Sutter announced yesterday afternoon that 77-year-old Edward Schagrin, vice president of the non-profit Rehoboth Public Access Corp. (RePAC), was arraigned earlier that day in Fall River Superior Court after being indicted last month by a Bristol County Grand Jury on two counts of embezzlement and two counts of larceny over $250.
After pleading not guilty on all counts, Schagrin was ordered by Judge Raymond Veary held on $5,000 cash bail. According to his attorney Kenneth Fredette of Fall River, Schagrin was bailed out without being taken into custody and is due back in court on May 29 for a pretrial hearing. Additionally he was ordered by the judge not to transfer any money or property from REPAC accounts during the pendency of this case.
While Schagrin maintains his innocence, prosecutors claim he “embezzled more than $110,000, as well as video recording/editing equipment from RePAC and the Town of Rehoboth.” Schagrin feels the money was compensation for work performed and the equipment belonged to the RePAC.
The press release send from DA Sutter’s office described Schagrin’s activities as a scheme that was “ongoing for several years” and that accounting for his work hours is “contradicted by annual state public charity financial reports and tax filings from the years in question.”
Assistant District Attorney Patrick O. Bomberg handled the arraignment and assisted in a six-month investigation by Detective Brian Ramos of the Rehoboth Police Department and State Police Detectives assigned to the DA’s office. While Schagrin was formally charged, the investigation “remains active and ongoing” according to prosecutors.
The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen terminated the RePAC contract set to expire in 2014. They subsequently took over operation of public access (Comcast channels 9, 15 and 98) via the town’s cable advisory committee. In response, RePAC officials removed video and audio equipment used to record meetings at the town office, high school and senior center. Until compelled by law, RePAC officials refused to return any equipment for a period of several months. Selectmen claim they did not return all the equipment and the materials they did return were either broken or too outdated to use.
Just last week, selectmen voted to approve using cable access funds provided through Comcast subscriber fees to pay a $33,952 bill from the law firm of Kopelman and Paige. Removed as town legal counsel in 2012, Kopelman and Paige represented the town in the RePAC lawsuits. During FY12, the was paid $67,878 for RePAC vs. BOS with an additional $5,515 for fees related to cable access.
In the past four years, the town has spent considerable funds related to RePAC lawsuits, or cases involving either Schagrin or Roger Breault, president of RePAC. In 2009/10, the town paid more than $6000 to handle a lawsuit, Schagrin vs. Brady. In 2010/11 the town spent $7,446 on a TOR vs. RePAC lawsuit, and over $14,000 on Breault vs.TOR.
REHOBOTH MINUTEMEN CELEBRATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY
(April 22, 2013) Formed during Rehoboth’s 350th celebration, the Rehoboth Minutemen (13th Continental Regiment) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and will participate in several events in May
Along with marching in multiple Memorial Day parades, the company will appear on May 11 at Rehoboth Community Covenant Church and give presentations at the Fall River Public Library on May 13 and the Attleboro Public Library on May 15. They will also be visiting local schools.
The historic reenactment group consists of members representing the original 210 patriots from Old Rehoboth (Seekonk, East Providence and Pawtucket) and Attleboro who answered the call to service on April 19, 1775. About 15 percent of the group have ancestors who were living in the country at the time of the American Revolution.
The group has joined reenactments from the Plains of Abraham in Canada to the field of Yorktown in Virginia. Twice they have been invited to set up their white wedge tents at Mount Vernon in George Washington’s yard.
“We have come a long away, and have done and learned so much,” said Cathy Potter, one of the group’s founders. They welcome new members into the unit which includes musicians age 12 and over.
The militia is open to men and women, at least 16 years of age. Drummers and musicians can be anyone age 12 or older. The unit has three colonial drums to use and five Brown Bess muskets to loan to new members. Families are welcome to participate as support members for the troops.
If you would like to learn more and be able to participate in upcoming events, please attend the next meeting of the Minutemen on Tuesday, May 21 at 7 PM at Palmer River Elementary School. Or you can call Capt. Al Soucey at 508-226-2551; Ensign John Carr at 508-252-3194; or Cathy Potter at 508-252-3682.
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POLICE ARREST REHOBOTH MAN ON MULTIPLE CHARGES
(April 22, 2013) Shortly after midnight on Sunday morning, off-duty local police detective Brian Ramos reported a SUV against a rock wall at a property on Plain Street.
Patrolmen Tim Bartucca and Jake Miranda responded to investigate and interview the operator of the 1997 GMC Suburban. The driver, Jason, Dearborn, age 39 of Rehoboth, told officers he had pulled into the wrong driveway on his way home and struck the rock wall trying to back out.
Dearborn was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, negligent operation, unlicensed operation, and destruction of property. He was due to appear in Taunton District Court this morning for arraignment.
REHOBOTH MAN ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING AND ASSAULT
(April 20, 2013) Rehoboth police have charged Lawrence A. Aubin of Brook Street in Rehoboth on an assortment of charges including kidnapping and assault.
Yesterday evening around 6:40 PM, police received a 911 call from a female who said she was being held against her will in a motor vehicle driving on Barney Avenue in Rehoboth heading towards Seekonk. She stated her son, age 48, would not let her out of his vehicle.
Seekonk Police were notified and located the vehicle traveling west on Route 6. A chase ensued and the vehicle was finally stopped on the Wampanoag Trail in East Providence, RI. Aubin, who was driving, was taken into custody after a brief struggle. He had outstanding arrest warrants in Rhode Island and was being held by EP police as a fugitive from justice.
Aubin has been charged by RPD with kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60, driving with a suspended license, and operating to endanger.
BERKLEY MAN ARRESTED FOR DRIVING WITH NO LICENSE
(April 19, 2013) Yesterday in the early evening, Officer Paul McGovern of the Rehoboth Police Department stopped a motor vehicle on Tremont Street for speeding. Jason Ducharme, 28 of Berkley, MA was taken into custody and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. He was booked and later released on $240 bail. He is due today for arraignment in Taunton District Court.
REHOBOTH POLICE CHARGE RI MAN WITH DUMP TRUCK DRUNK DRIVING
(April 18, 2013) After receiving a call reporting a hit and run accident yesterday evening, Rehoboth police arrested an East Providence man on multiple charges including operating under the influence of alcohol.
According to police, the caller reported a hit and run accident in the area of 75 Pleasant Street. The driver of a small dump truck allegedly struck a large stone, drove across a residential lawn and then fled the scene still dragging the stone.
Officer Paul McGovern followed these gauge marks for approximately half a mile before locating the vehicle parked off the roadway in a driveway. Manuel Lobao, age 62 of East Providence, was arrested and charged with drunk driving, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and operating to endanger. He was scheduled to be arraigned in Taunton District Court today.
GOVERNOR ORDERS FLAGS TO BE LOWERED TO HALF-STAFF
(April 17, 2013) Rehoboth Veteran’s Services shared the announcement that Governor Deval L. Patrick has ordered the United States flag and the Commonwealth flag to be lowered to half-staff immediately through sunset on Saturday, April 20 in honor of the victims of the “acts of violence perpetrated in Boston on Monday, April 15, 2013.”
This gubernatorial order applies to state buildings, public institutions and military installations, but private citizens may also follow the recommendation.
SELECTMEN TO DISCUSS POLICE BUDGET AND CONTRACT
(April 16, 2013) Police department issues are on the agenda for today’s Rehoboth Board of Selectmen’s meeting to be held at the senior center beginning at 6 PM with an executive session followed by regular session at 7 PM.
The BOS will vote to approve police budget amendments for $1,511 and $31,060 along with voting for a reserve fund transfer of $681. Selectmen will also vote to approve the Masscop Local 208 SOA contract for FY2009.
Other items on tonight’s agenda include approving a Chapter 90 project request for $10,300; deficit spending for snow and ice removal; and a discussion of local cable access legal bills. Selectmen will also vote to approve and sign the warrants for the May 13 special town meeting and annual town meeting.
POLICE IDENTIFY CRASH VICTIMS, LOOK FOR WITNESSES
(April 13, 2013) The Rehoboth Police Department has released the names of two young women seriously injured in a head-on motor vehicle accident that occurred on Route 44 Thursday afternoon.
Nichole Fontaine, age 28, of Dighton was the operator of one vehicle, and Elisabeth Amedee of Harrisville, RI, also age 28, was the other driver. Rehoboth firefighters used the Jaws of Life to remove the victims from their vehicles and both were transported to Rhode Island Hospital. Traffic on Route 44 was closed for around 90 minutes.
Police, currently investigating the crash, are interested in speaking with anyone who may have witnessed the accident. Please contact Patrolman Craig Warish at 508-252-3722.
TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED IN CRASH ON ROUTE 44
(April 12, 2013) Rehoboth Police are continuing their investigation of a head-on motor vehicle crash yesterday afternoon on Route 44 where both drivers sustained serious injuries.
After receiving several 911 calls to report an accident in the area of 289 Winthrop Street (Route 44), police arrived at the scene to find two vehicles with extreme front end damage. The drivers had to be extricated by the Rehoboth Fire Department using the Jaws of Life. They were both transported to Rhode Island Hospital with significant injuries. As of publication, information on the drivers had not been released by police.
Due to the expansive nature of the crash site, Route 44 remained closed for approximately 90 minutes while emergency crews worked to clear the crash.
CANCELLATION OF BROADCAST TOPIC AT SELECTMEN’S MEETING
(April 9, 2013) During the open public forum segment of last night’s Rehoboth Board of Selectmen’s meeting, Bob MckIm, a member of the cable advisory committee, expressed his opinion that public meetings, especially if advertised, should be broadcast.
He said it was “pretty close to being a form of censorship” and he doesn’t want to see things to back to the way they were” (with RePAC before their contract was terminated).
“We should let people see them (meetings) and make their own decisions,” said Mckim. “I know how you were trying to keep a situation from getting out of hand,” added Mckim who then expressed his confidence both BOS and FInCom chairs would be able to control any situation that may occur during a meeting that is televised.
Chairman Pimental acknowledged the criticism and said she did not want to be accused of censorship, but noted the town doesn’t have enough resources to film “every single meeting for every single board.” She said the BOS plans on work on a policy that will be presented it to the public.
Mckim noted that Richard Barrett of the cable advisory committee was there ready to film last Thursday night’s FinCom meeting before being asked not to. “We are ready to film everything and we are pretty much capable of doing that,” Mckim said of the cable access committee. Pimental responded by saying various committees meet at the same time and not all in places with studio facilities. “And some have never been televised,” she added.
“Going forward I think we should have a policy on what gets recorded and televised,” she said.
Selectmen Tito said he agreed with Mckim “that meeting probably should have been televised.” He said he was pleased that Pimental will pursue creating a policy of which meetings get broadcast or not, barring technical difficulties.
FinCom chairman Michael Deignan then apologized to “Mr. Mckim and to anybody watching on television” who may have been looking for the finance committee last week. “There has been a lot written and a lot has been bantered about that is not entirely accurate,” he said.
He said it was never his intention to have the meeting recorded because he had scheduled it to be held in the small conference room, but later moved to the larger room. He thought it would be a short meeting and felt it was not fiscally responsible to have a town employee spend the time to record the meeting.
Deignan also apologized to Derek Rousseau, who manages cable access, for putting him in the middle a position he had to “field some unfortunate comments from the folks who saw a black screen.”
He added that anyone is welcome to come to a meeting and record it and that he would not try to “stop them from doing that.”
REHOBOTH POLICE ARREST ATTLEBORO MAN FOR DRUNK DRIVING
(April 7, 2013) Rehoboth police received a cell phone call last night around 8 PM reporting an erratic driver. Sgt. James Medeiros responded to the call and caught up with a black pickup swerving down Anawan Street (Route 118) which was pulled over near Fairview Avenue.
Richard A Bouchard, age 62 of Attleboro was taken into custody and charged with a second drunk driving offense along with negligent operation and marked lanes violation. Cash bail was set at $240.00 and Bouchard is scheduled for arraignment in Taunton District Court on Monday. Patrolman Paul MaGovern assisted with the arrest.
OFFICIALS STOP BROADCAST OF FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
(April 6, 2013) Comcast cable subscribers looked at black screen on public access Channel 9 instead of the scheduled live broadcast of the Finance Committee’s meeting on Thursday night at the senior center, a meeting anticipated to be out of the ordinary.
According to an email sent by town employee Derek Rousseau of RehobothTV, also a member of the town’s Cable Advisory Committee, “we were requested by the Finance Committee chair not to film the meeting.” He added the request was “approved by two members of the BOS” and offered an apology for the black screen.
Michael Deignan, finance committee chair, confirmed he made the request not to record or broadcast the meeting, one attended by Christopher Morra who is protesting his ouster from FinCom earlier this week. While he was present at the meeting, Morra was not recognized as a member of the committee. Deignan said allowing Morra to participate would “invalidate the businesses and votes of the finance committee.”
“I see no reason to waste the town’s money to record meetings which are going to be short,” said Deignan, who added it was not the first time he’s told the public access committee it is unnecessary to record FinCom meetings. “I have no intention of having the April 11 meeting recorded either,” he said, adding that there is no requirement under Open Meeting Law that meetings be televised.”
Deignan asked, “why pay cable access employees for several hours of labor to record a 30-minute meeting.”
While most towns and cities in Massachusetts have independent mostly non-profit organizations operating cable access, Rehoboth’s public access, funded by Comcast subscriber fees, has been run by the town.
Given there is no legal requirement to record or broadcast public meetings, any committee including the board of selectmen, can decide to request their meetings not be filmed.
On Monday night, Selectman Dr. Joseph Tito, MD said one of the reasons he was compelled to run for the BOS was because the previous cable provider, RePAC, refused to broadcast planning board meetings. He felt those meetings were important enough to broadcast. He referred to RePAC's actions as "incredibly political and destructive."
In the last two years, RePAC’s refusal to broadcast finance committee meetings caused an uproar from officials and it was one of the reasons given for terminating their contract last year, precipitating civil litigation and costly legal expenses for the town.
Earlier this week Rehoboth police seized $167,467 located in various banks after the grand jury indictment of RePAC board member Ed Schagrin who will be charged with four counts of felony embezzlement.
Newly appointed BOS chairman Sue Pimental said on Monday night the "money seized tonight will be used for public access."
Both selectmen Pimental and Tito were asked to comment yesterday and did not reply.
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBER PROTESTS VACANCY NOTICE
(April 6, 2013) Finance Committee member Christopher Morra is protesting a notice he received three days ago from the town informing him he had lost his seat on the committee.
In a certified letter from Jeff Ritter, town administrator, Morra was told that “you vacated your seat on the Finance Committee effective on March 28, 2013” per notice of the committee’s chairperson Michael Deignan.
According to town bylaw, “any member of an appointed town committee not attending at least one-half that committee’s regular meetings in any six month period shall be deemed to have vacated that office . . .”
Deignan had sent a memo in the form of an email on March 28 to the board of selectmen, Ritter and Gerald Schwall of FinCom, advising them that Morra had missed more than fifty percent of the “regularly scheduled” FinCom meetings in the last six months. He included a list of seven meeting dates from October 4, 2012 to March 28, 2013, four of which were not attended by Morra.
For years the standard meeting time for FinCom meetings has been Thursdays at 7 PM at the senior center, a cable access broadcasting facility. In a letter of response to Ritter dated April 3, Morra contends three of the meetings he missed were not held at regular meeting times. One on Friday, March 8 was held at 11:30 AM at the town office. Another, which was cancelled, was scheduled to be held Monday, November 26 at 6:45 PM at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School.
Morra says he did not attend meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 25th at 7 PM at the town office as a cancellation notice for that meeting was placed on the town website. When asked about that specific notice, Deignan said the meeting was actually held at 12 noon at the town office. “I cannot comment on the contents of the town website,” he said.
According to Morra, he considers the vacancy notice “to be another attempt to remove me from the finance committee based on erroneous information.” On December 19, 2011, the board of selectmen voted to dismiss Morra from FinCom, a decision they later rescinded after Morra filed Open Meeting Law violation complaints against selectmen Joseph Tito and Michael Costello, along with members of FinCom.
Decisions were handed down on those complaints by the Attorney General’s Office several weeks ago. The Division of Open Government Unit determined the BOS and FinCOM did not violate OML in those complaints, however they encouraged selectmen to “wait to discuss items not included in the meeting notice” and encouraged FinCOM to “include enough detail (in the minutes) so that a member of the public who was not present during the meeting could read the minutes and understand what occurred.”
Morra has informed town officials that he does not “intend to vacate my seat on the finance committee and will faithfully serve and protect the honest tax payers of Rehoboth” until his FinCom term is up on June 30th.
At last Monday night’s selectmen’s meeting, during open public forum, Deignan announced that a “certain committee member’s seat was vacated as of March 28.” Selectmen said they would vote to confirm the vacancy letter at their next meeting on Monday, April 8.
REPAC’s SCHAGRIN FACES EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES
(April 4, 2013) Rehoboth Police announced to selectmen on Monday night their continuing, one-year investigation has resulted in a four felony count indictment of RePAC board member Ed Schagrin, age 77 of Rehoboth.
According to police, Schagrin was served with the indictment for four courts of embezzlement of fiduciaries, each count carrying a maximum penalty of ten years in state prison. Police then seized $167,467 from various area banks, money allegedly embezzled by Schagrin from RePAC, the non-profit organization that had the town contract to operate cable access television on Comcast channels 9, 15 and 98. The contract with RePAC was terminated in 2012 and the town has subsequently been involved in civil legal action with the RePAC board.
The criminal action against Schagrin is being coordinated by Bristol County Assistant District Attorney Patrick Bomberg. No charges have been made against RePAC chairman Roger Breault but the case is considered an ongoing investigation.
“We have prepared a solid case that hopefully fill prevail in court,” said acting police chief Lt. James Trombetta to selectmen. He thanked Detective Brian Ramos for the “hundreds of hours” he has spent on the case.
Newly appointed BOS chair Sue Pimental said the seized money would be “used for public access.” BOS vice-chair Dr. Joseph Tito, MD said that RePac had been “incredibly political and destructive” and “up to no good” for the last two years.
Schagrin contacted RehobothNow last week saying RePAC was “still in business” but declined to elaborate with a statement other than to state RePAC was “still a public charity” and their mission was stated on their website. He declined to make an official statement from the organization or to be interviewed.
DOUBLE TROUBLE ACCIDENTS ON ROUTE 44
(April 4, 2013) Yesterday afternoon, Rehoboth Police, Fire and EMS responded to a motor vehicle accident in front of the post office on Route 44. While extricating victims from the first crash, another occurred a short distance away in front of Bristol County Savings Bank.
A total of nine people were evaluated and another three were transported to local hospitals for treatment. None of the injuries were life-threatening. An EMS crew from Seekonk assisted at the scene.
Because the accidents both happened during the 5 PM rush hour, traffic became a nightmare as Route 44 had to be shut down intermittently to allow ambulances to get out and vehicles to be removed.
SUE PIMENTAL NAMED BOS CHAIRPERSON
(April 4, 2013) On Monday night, Sue Pimental was voted by her four fellow Rehoboth selectmen to act as chair for the next year. Dr. Joseph Tito, MD will serve as vice-chair and Michael Costello will act as clerk. The board welcomed Frederick “Skip” Vadnais back to the board after an absence of a few years. This is his seventh term as a Rehoboth selectman.
BOS MEETS TONIGHT TO REORGANIZE
(April 2, 2013) Reorganizing leadership positions in on top of the agenda for tonight’s Rehoboth Board of Selectmen meeting to be held at the senior center beginning at 7:30 PM.
Selectmen will welcome back Frederick “Skip” Vadnais for his seventh term on the BOS during the past twenty-five years. A new chairman, vice chairman and clerk will be appointed. Of the sitting board members, Dr. Joseph Tito, MD and Michael Costello have both served as chair, leaving Sue Pimental (clerk), Lorraine Botts and Vadnais as options to serve as chair for the upcoming year.
Following reorganization, selectmen will conduct regular business including a discussion with police department leadership on budget transfer requests and a special town meeting warrant article. The board will also review the FY14 budget and warrants for both the town meeting and special town meeting to be held May 15. They will also vote on a reserve fund transfer of $2,500 for the RPD and approval to pay $2,782 for deficit snow and ice spending.
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