Rebecca Oldham Appointed Groveland Town Planner

pentucketporta on September 4, 2018

GROVELAND — Finance and Personnel Director Denise Dembkoski is pleased to announce that Rebecca Oldham stepped into the role of Groveland town planner today.

In the newly created full-time position, Oldham will work directly with the Planning Board to oversee and direct Groveland’s land use, conservation efforts and activities to advance the economic well-being of the town. She will lead cross-departmental projects, research and apply to grants and manage all funded projects.

Oldham previously served as the senior planner for Methuen, where she has been involved with the construction of the city’s rail trail, obtaining a Green Communities Designation and the development of a Complete Streets policy. She previously served as the community development program coordinator for Methuen and staff planner for North Andover.

“We’re extremely excited that this much needed position came to fruition and that Rebecca will collaborate with the town’s Planning Board and Board of Selectmen to further expand on opportunities for development in town,” Dembkoski said. “Her experience will be greatly beneficial to Groveland and the residents we serve.”

Oldham holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration, state and local government. Both degrees are from Suffolk University.

Residents can find Oldham in the Planning/Conservation office at Town Hall. She can be reached at 978-556-7215 or via email at roldham@grovelandma.com.

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Georgetown, Groveland and Newbury Fire Departments Awarded Regional FEMA Grant to Purchase New Safety Equipment

pentucketporta on August 29, 2018

GEORGETOWN — Georgetown Chief Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Groveland Interim Fire Chief Richard York and Newbury Fire Chief Douglas Janvrin are pleased to announce that a regional Assistance to Firefighters Grant will allow all three departments to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), SCBA masks, air tank cylinders and Pak-Trackers.

The $629,254 regional grant will provide each department with lifesaving devices to replace their aging equipment.

“Obtaining this grant is part of a regional effort between our departments to work closer to increase safety for all three communities,” Chief Mitchell said. “This award enables us to better protect firefighters responding to an incident and the residents we serve every day.”

FEMA awarded a total of 101 SCBAs, 101 SCBA masks and 202 air pack cylinders to the three departments to replace their current equipment. All ladder and engine trucks will now have SCBAs and cylinders for every person on board.

Georgetown Fire Department: 30 SCBAs, 30 SCBA masks and 60 cylinders

Groveland Fire Department: 32 SCBAs, 32 SCBA masks and 62 cylinders

Newbury Fire Department: 39 SCBAs, 39 SCBA masks and 69 cylinders

Georgetown, Groveland and Newbury will also receive one Pak-Tracker each, which syncs to SCBAs’ GPS systems to pinpoint firefighters’ exact locations while inside a building.

“These Pak-Trackers will allow us to quickly locate and respond in the event that a firefighter becomes injured or trapped,” Chief Janvrin said. “We are now better prepared to respond to an emergency situation and save lives.”

In order to receive the grant, Georgetown, Groveland and Newbury committed to paying 10 percent of the total cost of the equipment. The three communities will split the $62,925 cost, with each allocating approximately $20,000.

Recognizing the need for new equipment, the three departments, under the leadership of Chief Mitchell, Chief Janvrin and retired Groveland Chief Robert Lay, worked cooperatively to complete the FEMA grant application. Georgetown Firefighter Taylor Balletto wrote the grant with assistance from Newbury Capt. Rob Serino, which was then submitted in February. The fire departments received notification of the grant award in July.

“We are extremely pleased to have been awarded the Assistance to Firefighters Grant to improve our access to lifesaving equipment,” Chief York said. “We hope to continue this regional partnership for future endeavors and projects that will directly benefit our residents.”

Administered through FEMA, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant works to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, grant allocations have helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

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Bagnall Elementary School Holds Successful Arts Social Event

pentucketporta on May 25, 2018

GROVELAND — Principal Emily Puteri is pleased to announce that Bagnall Elementary School hosted a successful Arts Social, where students participated in creative workshops, displayed their artwork and enjoyed ice cream.

At the interactive Arts Social on Wednesday, May 16, professional artists, teachers and museum representatives held workshops for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The PTA sponsored the Arts Social to raise money for cultural enrichment programs and to reduce the cost of art projects that students and families incur. 

More than 500 people attended the event, which featured a display of student paintings, drawings and sculptures throughout the hallways. Several students also presented their passion projects, which they completed independently over the course of the school year by voluntarily giving up time at lunch or recess.

The passion projects included an electronic self-scrubbing cleaning brush, an outdoor sink made from recycled parts, videos, 3-D printed objects and wood-burned signs.

“It was so exciting to see our students present their passion projects and have our whole school community come together to celebrate the huge impact the arts have on kids,” said Bagnall STEAM Coordinator Brooke Welch. “Sharing student successes is a critical part of our work and is essential to their growth.”

Professional sculpture artist Ryan Kelley hosted a workshop on wire-bending and 3-D sculpture making, while fourth grade teacher Sarah Cassavaugh held a “paint night” themed workshop, where students created a tropical sunset with acrylic paints on canvas.

Representatives from the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire hosted a workshop on the ancient Japanese art of fish printing, “Gyotaku,” where students created their own fabric fish print to take home.

Museum of Fine Arts representatives hosted an interactive workshop and craft making session based on Egyptian hieroglyphics. The students learned about Japanese and Egyptian culture while creating their artwork.

“It is wonderful that our Bagnall students have the chance to explore learning in different ways and then share their knowledge and inspire others,” School Nurse Amanda Durand said.

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Groveland Firefighter Brian Belfiore Awarded for Saving the Life of Haverhill Man

pentucketporta on May 24, 2018

(Left-to-right: Groveland Fire Lieutenant Daniel Briscoe, Firefighter Brian Belfiore, and Interim Fire Chief Kurt Ruchala, at the Steward Health Care "EMS Stewards of the Community" awards night in Quincy on Tuesday, March 22. (Groveland Fire Department/Courtesy Photo)

(Left-to-right: Groveland Fire Lieutenant Daniel Briscoe, Firefighter Brian Belfiore, and Interim Fire Chief Kurt Ruchala, at the Steward Health Care “EMS Stewards of the Community” awards night in Quincy on Tuesday, March 22. (Groveland Fire Department/Courtesy Photo)

Firefighter Brian Belfiore was presented with the EMS Stewards of the Community Award from Steward Health Care for his quick thinking in saving the life of a man who suffered a heart attack while shoveling snow during one of last winter’s major storms.

On Jan. 4, during the “bomb cyclone” that occurred during the January 2018 North American blizzard, Firefighter Belfiore was operating a plow truck in the City of Haverhill when he heard on his fire department radio that a man had gone into cardiac arrest only a block away while shoveling snow.

Firefighter Belfiore took immediate action and arrived on scene seconds later, along with Haverhill Fire Chief William Laliberty, who is a neighbor of the victim. Together, and in low-visibility conditions the two trained emergency medical technicians performed CPR on the man until the arrival of a Trinity EMS ambulance. The victim was taken to Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, and he has since made a full recovery.

“Firefighter Belfiore’s actions in January represent the best of our profession. He relied on his training and skills when every moment counted, and he saved a life,” Chief Ruchala said.

Firefighter Belfiore is a 13-year veteran of the Groveland Fire Department. He serves as the department’s EMS Officer and is responsible not only for managing the operations of emergency medical services in Groveland but for also ensuring that other firefighters are properly-trained and that the department’s medical supply inventory is fully-stocked.

The awards were given on Tuesday, May 22 during a ceremony at The Tirrell Room in Quincy. A total of 24 professionals received awards, including Firefighter Belfiore and Chief Laliberty and two Trinity EMS paramedics who responded to the incident, recognizing each as “a leader and EMS Steward of the Community” according to the award inscription.

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Groveland Police Supervisor Presented With Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s Biggest Heart Award

pentucketporta on April 6, 2018

Detective Sgt. Heather Riley (right) earned a Biggest Heart Award from Merrimack Valley Credit Union. (Courtesy Photo).

GROVELAND — Chief Jeffrey Gillen is pleased to announce that Groveland Police Detective Sgt. Heather Riley received a Biggest Heart award from the Merrimack Valley Credit Union at a ceremony earlier this week.

Detective Sgt. Riley was honored as MVCU’s First Responder with the Biggest Heart, in recognition of her dedication to her community and her compassion in the wake of a personal tragedy.

Following the passing of a lifelong friend after a lengthy battle with cancer, Detective Sgt. Riley did not hesitate before taking in her late friend’s teenage son, who was left without any family of his own after his mother’s death. In doing so, she committed to raising him just as his mother had, with strength and courage.

“The public expects our first responders to be selfless and dedicated to the community while they are at work,” said Groveland Police Dispatcher Catelyn Trudell in her nomination. “Heather is an example of someone who lives her entire life by that standard.”

Detective Sgt. Riley is an 11-year member of the Groveland Police Department. She became the first female supervisor in the department’s history last summer following her promotion to that rank.

“Detective Sgt. Riley is the embodiment of what it means to have a big heart, and I can’t imagine anyone who is more deserving of this honor than her,” Chief Gillen said. “I know her as a committed police officer and I have no doubt that she will fulfill her promise to take excellent care of this young man.”

With the award, MVCU presented a $500 donation to Cervivor — an organization that focuses its efforts on cervical cancer — on Detective Sgt. Riley’s behalf in honor of her late friend.

Groveland, Georgetown and Newburyport Police Recognized for Life Saving Actions

pentucketporta on February 13, 2018

GROVELAND– Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen, Georgetown Police Chief Donald C. Cudmore and Newburyport Marshal Mark Murray are pleased to announce that members of all three departments were recognized yesterday for saving a man’s life.

On Feb. 12, during two ceremonies — at 1 p.m. in Groveland during an informal open house and at 7:30 p.m. at a City Council meeting in Newburyport — officials recognized Groveland’s Sgt. Eric Gorski and Detective Steve Petrone, Georgetown Sgt. Kevin DeFeo and Newburyport Lt. Matthew Simons for their response after a Georgetown man crashed his car into a telephone pole and was left unconscious.

In Groveland, officers received citations from the Board of Selectmen, presented by Chairman Michael Wood and Personnel Director Denise Dembkoski. In Newburyport, Mayor Donna Holaday presented a citation to Lt Simons. He also received citations from state Sen. Kathleen O’Connor Ives and state Rep. James Kelcourse, along with a citation from Gov. Charlie Baker, which was presented by Rep. Kelcourse.

“This was a true collaborative effort between the Groveland, Georgetown and Newburyport Police Departments,” Chief Gillen said. “I want to commend these officers for their quick and efficient police work, which ultimately saved this man’s life.”

On Saturday, Jan. 27, Sgt. Gorski and Detective Petrone responded to a report of a single motor vehicle crash with personal injury on School Street and Salem Street, in the area of the Tea Garden in Groveland. Given the close proximity to Georgetown, Sgt. DeFeo also arrived on scene to assist.

Upon arrival, officers located Lt. Simons, who was off duty at the time, administering CPR to a 57-year-old Georgetown man. Detective Petrone and Sgt. DeFeo assisted with an AED and continued chest compressions until the man regained consciousness. He was transported to an area hospital, where he was treated and is expected to recover.

An investigation into the incident revealed that the Georgetown man was traveling north on School Street when he is believed to have suffered a medical event, causing his vehicle to cross over the southbound lane and travel up onto a curb before crashing head-on into a telephone pole.

Lt. Simons, who was driving on the southbound side of School Street noticed something off about the vehicle’s path of travel, and after looking in his rear-view mirror, saw the crash occur. He immediately turned around, pulled the unconscious victim from his car and began providing aid.

“This is a prime example of the fact that a police officer’s job does not stop when their shift ends,” Marshal Murray said. “Lt. Simons is a dedicated public servant whose keen observation skills allowed him to recognize the signs of a crash before it even took place. His dedication and professionalism to his job is a testament to his character.”

“These officers should be proud of themselves for their work that day,” Chief Cudmore said. “Our partnerships with neighboring police departments are vital in providing our residents with the best quality service, especially in emergency situations like what occurred during this motor vehicle crash.”

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Bagnall Elementary School Engages Whole Community With Design and Engineering Expo

pentucketporta on January 29, 2018

GROVELAND — At its first Design and Engineering Expo, Bagnall Elementary School united people of all ages from several communities around science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

“The close knit community of Groveland is one of my favorite things about being the principal of Bagnall,” Principal Emily Puteri said. “Seeing so many people in our community interested in what we’re doing was a really proud moment for all of us.” 

Approximately 200 students, parents and residents of surrounding towns participated in the Jan. 19 expo, which featured innovators, makers, artists and engineers who showcased their work and gave attendees a chance to explore a variety of STEAM projects. 

Some of the work on display included Pentucket Regional High School student Emily Stys’ project on animal prosthesis created with 3D printing, PRMS student Nicole Zahornasky’s hydraulic arm that she created, Bagnall sixth grader Colton Scally’s representation of a working record player and fifth grader Micheal Doucette’s working dirt bike. The expo also gave Bagnall students a chance to see how the school’s community garden is put to use by cafeteria staff who use the produce to prepare school lunches each day.

“I decided that we needed an event that would inspire our students to become active and excited about their learning at Bagnall,” Bagnall STEAM Coordinator Brooke Welch said. “As a community, it is important to celebrate each other’s successes and failures, learn from one another and share experiences within our district and surrounding communities. The driving force behind the expo was to establish a maker community and to include the families of Bagnall in our shared vision.”

Principal Puteri said she only heard one complaint about the expo, which came from a second grade student who wished the Friday evening event could have lasted longer. 

“It was just so nice to see our teachers and students in a different light, and have parents and their kids being engaged together,” Principal Puteri said. “It was really nice for kids to be able to make real world connections to what they’re doing in school.” 

The expo included exhibitors from MIT, Code and Circuit and a group representing First Robotics. Also among the presenters were:

  • Allegro Microsystems: Christopher Carnie
  • Environmental Engineering: Paula Morse
  • Organic Farming: Doug Morse
  • Pottery: Chris Brennan and Lindsey Laudenslauger
  • Science on the Street: MIT Branch
  • The Whalemobile: Cydne McInnis
  • Squishy Circuits: Kelsey Hicks

Students, parents and even community members who don’t have a formal connection to Bagnall were also able to spend the evening making electrical circuits, creating flying devices and developing a stronger understanding of coding and robotics.

“My children were inspired, as they had face to face conversations with creative and innovative community members that volunteered at the event,” said Kim Dowling, president of the Bagnall Education Foundation (BEF). “It linked the STEAM curriculum that the students are learning with real world examples of how it can be applied.”

The expo was made possible by the generous support of BEF and the Bagnall PTA.

Welch and Puteri are looking forward to planning future Design and Engineering Expos, as well as additional events that will give the whole community a chance to participate and further their learning.

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Groveland Police Officer Completes First Day of D.A.R.E. After Program Reinstated

pentucketporta on January 11, 2018

Detective Josh Sindoni completed his first day of the D.A.R.E. program at Groveland’s Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall Elementary School, teaching this kindergarten class about when and why to dial 911. Students gave a thumbs up when they thought a proposed situation required a 911 call. (Courtesy Photo Groveland Police Department)

GROVELAND — After a 12-year hiatus, the Groveland Police Department has reinstated its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, and Detective Josh Sindoni completed his first class at the Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall Elementary School this week.

On Monday, Jan. 8, Detective Sindoni visited the school’s kindergarten classes as part of an eight-week curriculum centered on helping students make responsible decisions.

In October, Detective Sindoni completed two weeks of D.A.R.E. training with the New Hampshire Fire Academy in Concord and is certified to teach the D.A.R.E. curriculum, which addresses drug use, violence, bullying, internet safety and other issues that impact students’ lives.

During his first week with students, Detective Sindoni went over the procedure for dialing 911. Simulating different scenarios, kindergartners learned when they should and should not call 911 using a thumbs up or thumbs down. Detective Sindoni also stressed the importance of learning their home address, as it will be the first thing a dispatcher asks for on a 911 call.

“The first session went great,” Detective Sindoni said. “All the kids were excited about learning and were engaged in the activity.”

Over the next several weeks, Detective Sindoni will return to each of Bagnall Elementary School’s kindergarten classes, educating students on topics including stranger danger, prescription drugs, bullying and understanding street signs.

Detective Sindoni’s work at the elementary school marks the revival of Groveland’s D.A.R.E. program, which was in place from 1993 to 2006 under the leadership of Lt. Dwight McDonald until it was halted due to lack of funding.

“We’re excited to have D.A.R.E. up and running after more than 10 years without it,” Chief Jeffrey Gillen said. “Through this program we’re reaching students at a young age to not only educate them about the basics of keeping themselves and others safe, but to help them make responsible and positive decisions into their adult lives.”

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Groveland Police Present Cedardale with Appreciation Award

pentucketporta on June 7, 2017

GROVELAND — Chief Jeffrey Gillen is pleased to announce that the Groveland Police Department honored Cedardale Groveland this morning for its continued support and contributions to the Bagnall Elementary School’s sixth grade field day.

Groveland Police presented members of Cedardale with an appreciation award for their more than 25-year commitment to the community, particularly the Bagnall Elementary School, which hosts its annual field day at the Cedardale campus.

Organized by the Groveland Police Association, under the leadership of the Sgt. Dwight McDonald and Officer Joshua Sindoni, the sixth grade field day brings students to Cedardale for swimming, field games, sports and a cookout.

“This event wouldn’t be possible if not for the generosity of Cedardale and its manager Brian Sullivan,” Chief Gillen said. “We look forward to continuing this partnership to provide fun activities for students at a great facility for years to come.”

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