Town of Groveland Awarded $435,000 State Grant to Install Traffic Signal

GROVELAND – The Town of Groveland is pleased to share that it will receive a state grant to install a new traffic signal to increase pedestrian and commuter safety and improve traffic flow.

The MassWorks Infrastructure Program has awarded the town $435,000 to install the signal at the intersection of Salem Street, School Street, and Groveland Village driveway. MassWorks is a competitive grant program that provides the largest and most flexible source of capital funds to municipalities and other eligible public entities primarily for public infrastructure projects.

The improved signaling will include pedestrian countdown signals, and vibratory/audible push buttons to increase pedestrian safety.

Signaling will be timed to improve traffic flow at peak travel times. Overhead signals will help drivers turn more safely.

“These roads are vital to the town and connect our residents to Georgetown and Haverhill, but safety has become an increasing concern,” said Rebecca Oldham, Director of the Economic Development, Planning and Conservation Department. “This MassWorks grant will help the Town address the issue, and make the intersection safer for all. Thank you to the Baker-Polito Administration for once again supporting the needs of small communities.”

Groveland’s was one of 56 public infrastructure projects awarded funding through the MassWorks program. For more information about the awards, visit here.

Spots Still Available for Tomorrow’s Chesterton COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in Groveland

GROVELAND — The Town of Groveland and A.W. Chesterton remind residents that spots are still available for a COVID-19 vaccine clinic tomorrow.

The clinic will be held at A.W. Chesterton, 860 Salem St., on Thursday, Sept. 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The clinic will provide the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The clinic is free and open to the public.

Pre-registration is required and can be completed here: https://curative.com/sites/29178

Town of Groveland Announces Finalists for Town Administrator

GROVELAND – The Board of Selectmen wishes to announce the names of the finalists to be interviewed for the position of Town Administrator next week.

The finalists are:

  • Christine Lindberg, Human Resources Director for the Town of Dracut. Lindberg has worked as Assistant to the Town Manager in the Town of Hamilton, and as Chief Aide to the Town Manager of Salisbury. She also has served three terms as a Select Board member in Middleton.
  • James Ryan, Chief Aide to the Town Manager of Salisbury. He previously worked as a Budget and Finance Analyst for the Town of Wellesley.

The Board of Selectmen will interview the finalists on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at Town Hall. Lindberg will be interviewed starting at 5:45 p.m., and Ryan will be interviewed starting at 6:45 p.m.

In May, Town Meeting authorized the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Town Administrator. The Administrator will be responsible for day-to-day town operations and financial matters, under the direction of the Board majority. Currently, operational duties are performed by the five selectmen; financial issues are managed by the Finance Director.

Town Meeting also approved the dissolution of the current Finance Director system, allowing Selectmen to reorganize municipal operations around a financial team led by the Town Administrator.

The Board of Selectmen appointed a Town Administrator Search Committee, which reviewed resumes from 18 applicants. The Search Committee was guided by Community Paradigm Associates of Plymouth, which specializes in municipal hiring.

The Search Committee interviewed four candidates, and voted to forward three names to the Board of Selectmen for public interviews. One of the three finalists withdrew from consideration.

The incoming Town Administrator will serve for a period of one year, and then may be appointed to recurring three-year terms.

Groveland Urges Residents to Take Precautions After West Nile Virus Case Reported in Essex County

GROVELAND – The Town of Groveland wishes to share that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced a case of West Nile virus in Essex County, and offer the following tips to keep residents safe.

No case of WNV has been reported in the Town of Groveland.

Mosquitoes are most prevalent from May to August, but remain active until the first time temperatures fall below freezing. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, mosquito bites in the state typically result in skin irritation and itching. However, serious diseases including West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are also spread by mosquitoes in rare instances. These viruses can cause illness ranging from a mild fever to more serious disease like encephalitis or meningitis.

EEE was first detected in the state in 1938. The most recent outbreak, which began in 2019, included 12 cases with six fatalities, and the outbreak continued into 2020 with five cases resulting in one fatality.

West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999. Since the majority of those exposed to West Nile virus have no symptoms, it’s difficult to identify exactly how many people have been infected. Only those who develop severe illnesses with West Nile virus are often reported.

The Board of Health encourages residents to follow these tips provided by the DPH:

  • Use insect repellent with DEET any time you are outdoors. Be sure to follow the application directions on the label.
  • Be aware of peak mosquito hours, which are generally from dusk to dawn. Residents who are ages 50 and older, or those who are immunocompromised, should limit outdoor activities from dusk to dawn.
  • Wear protective clothing when outdoors during peak mosquito hours such as long sleeves, long pants, high socks, hats with netting to cover the face, and any other clothing that will cover exposed skin.
  • Use mosquito netting around baby carriages or child playpens when your baby is outdoors.
  • Make sure screens are repaired and are tightly attached to doors and windows.
  • Remove standing water from places such as puddles, ditches, bird baths and gutters, which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

The Board of Health also wishes to share the following tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • Apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
  • Do not apply insect repellent on the skin beneath clothing. 
  • Consider buying permethrin-treated clothing and gear, or using permethrin to treat your clothing and gear. Do not use permethrin products directly on skin.
  • Use an indoor insect fogger or indoor insect spray to kill mosquitoes and treat areas where they rest. Always follow label instructions.
  • To prevent mosquito bites when traveling overseas, choose a hotel or lodging with air conditioning or screens on windows and doors, or sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are outside or in a room that does not have screens

Parents, guardians and caregivers of babies and children are advised:

  • Dress children in long layers to cover their arms and legs.
  • Use mosquito netting to cover strollers and baby carriers outdoors.
  • When using insect repellent on a child, follow instructions on the label and never use products that contain oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children under 3 years old. 
  • NEVER apply insect repellent on a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin. To apply insect repellent to a child’s face, carefully spray it onto your hands and apply it to the skin.

Massachusetts DPH risk maps may be found here.

More CDC prevention tips may be found here.

Groveland, Merrimac & West Newbury Police and Fire Departments Partner with Pentucket to Share Safe Driving Tips for Teens

 

With school out and the summer season in full swing, Groveland Fire Chief Robert Valentine, Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen, Merrimac Fire Chief Larry Fisher, Merrimac Police Chief Eric Shears, West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer, Police Chief Jeffrey Durand and Pentucket Superintendent Dr. Justin Bartholomew wish to share safe driving tips with teens.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens age 15 to 18 in the United States.

In 2018, there were 2,121 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver, of which 719 deaths were the teen driver. During that time, there were an estimated 88,000 teen drivers injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and an estimated 256,000 people injured in crashes involving a teen driver, accounting for almost 10% of all those injured that year.

“Teen drivers are still learning the ways of the road, and it is crucial for them to be cautious and to take the proper steps to ensure safety on the road,” said Superintendent Bartholomew. “Parents, please talk to your young drivers about the following safety tips. Something as simple as buckling up could save a life.”

The public safety departments that comprise the Pentucket district recommend that parents discuss the following safety tips from safekids.org with their teen driver to help keep them safe:

  • Buckle up for every trip, every time, no matter what. This applies for anyone traveling in the front or back seat. More than half of teens killed in crashes were not wearing a seatbelt.
  • Texting or using a phone while driving can cause teens to become distracted and is prohibited in Massachusetts. On average, texting while driving takes a driver’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
  • Limit the number of passengers in the vehicle to help prevent young drivers from becoming distracted. The risk of a fatal crash can double, or even triple when two or more teens ride in a vehicle together.
  • Driving under the influence of any impairing substance — including alcohol, illicit or prescription drugs, or over-the-counter medication — could have deadly consequences.
  • Teens should only drive when it is dark after extra practice. At night, the risk of a fatal crash is three times more likely for teens than adults.
  • Always drive within the speed limit. Road conditions can change in an instant and speed limits help to ensure that drivers have enough time to react.
  • If a driver is driving dangerously, speak up.

For more information on safe driving information for teens, please click here.

Groveland Will Adopt Town Administrator Form of Government

GROVELAND – The Town of Groveland announces that it will adopt a town administrator form of government, bringing a new level of professionalism to local municipal operations.

On Monday, May 24, Town Meeting approved Article 5 by a vote of 79-21, a vote that authorizes the Board of Selectmen to appoint a town administrator. The administrator will be responsible for day-to-day town operations and financial matters, under the direction of the Board majority. Currently, operational duties are performed by the five selectmen; financial issues are managed by the Finance Director.

In a separate voice vote, Town Meeting also approved the dissolution of the current Finance Director system, allowing Selectmen to reorganize municipal operations around a financial team led by the Town Administrator.

The Finance Board and Government Study Committee supported the articles. The Board of Selectmen recommended “favorable action” in a 4-1 vote.

“Operating a town is growing in complexity. We’re a volunteer Board of Selectmen, and many issues can’t wait for us to meet every other week,” Board Vice Chair Kathleen Kastrinelis said. “We want to have a professional operation so that our fantastic employees will have support, and our residents will receive a high level of service.”

The Board of Selectmen next will review and post a job description for the administrator. The Board also will appoint a Town Administrator Search Committee, which will be charged with reviewing applications and recommending candidates to be interviewed by Selectmen. No Selectman may serve on the Search Committee.

The incoming Town Administrator will serve for a period of one year, and then may be appointed to recurring three-year terms.

Town of Groveland Invites Residents to Vaccine Clinic on June 7

GROVELAND — The Town of Groveland wishes to invite residents on behalf of A.W. Chesterton to a vaccine clinic in early June.

The clinic will be held at A.W. Chesterton, 860 Salem St., on Monday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The clinic is open to anyone 18 and over, and will provide the one-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. There is no charge to be vaccinated.

Those who obtain a vaccine at the clinic will be fully vaccinated.

Preregistration is required, and can be completed here.

“While signs are trending positive, increasing the number of vaccinated residents increases the chance of community immunity,” said Selectman Bill O’Neil. “A.W. Chesterton is to be commended for their willingness to hold a clinic and open it to the public.”

After 26,987 Doses, Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative Ceases Weekend Operations

Fully-vaccinated leaders, organizers and volunteers pose for their first group photo in more than a year at the end of the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative's final weekend COVID-19 on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Nearly 30,000 doses of the vaccines were administered by the dedicated group. (Photo courtesy Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative)

Fully-vaccinated leaders, organizers and volunteers pose for their first group photo in more than a year at the end of the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative’s final weekend COVID-19 on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Nearly 30,000 doses of the vaccines were administered by the dedicated group. (Photo courtesy Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative)

NEWBURYPORT — Thanks in no small part to an extremely dedicated group of municipal managers, fire chiefs, public health directors, nurses and a corps of volunteers from the community, the “new normal” will feel a bit more like the pre-COVID “old normal.” 

After five months, multiple locations and nearly 27,000 shots in arms, the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative officially shuttered weekend operations on May 22 with final remarks, parting gifts and citations issued from mayors and select boards in the region, honoring those who used their time, energy and skills to help bring one region closer to the end of the horrific COVID-19 pandemic.

With scattered, smaller clinics remaining for teenagers and those unable to leave home, the clinic’s operations will continue at least through June. Saturday’s clinic represented the last time the collaborative’s core group of leaders and volunteers will gather to operate a full-size clinic.

“COVID-19 has taken so much from us, but one thing I will always take away from this pandemic is the feeling closeness shared by the clinic staff,” said Amesbury Fire Chief and Health Director Ken Berkenbush. “It really has become like a family. Combined with knowing we are preventing our neighbors from getting sick, it certainly has made all the long nights and weekends well-worth it.”

The Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative has contributed to its member communities having among the highest vaccination rates in Massachusetts. In Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury, more than 91.5 percent of all residents over the age of 65 have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Overall, more than 65 percent of all residents age 12 and older in the nine communities have received at least one vaccination dose. The vaccination rate is even higher when those ages 12-15 are factored out, because that age group has been eligible for vaccine for only a few weeks. 

A total of 26,987 doses of all three approved vaccines have been administered by the clinic.  

Data as of May 24, 2021, showing vaccination rates in the nine communities that comprise the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative. (Courtesy Illustration/JGPR)

Data as of May 24, 2021, showing vaccination rates in the nine communities that comprise the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative. (Courtesy Illustration/JGPR)

“We have shown in practice that a municipally-driven, community-centered approach to a public health crisis can overcome many hurdles including vaccine hesitancy, immobility, manpower and logistics,” said West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny. “We are extremely proud of the results so far as we look to return to normal life.”

“It is with the deepest gratitude I offer my thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who helped make the LMRVC a huge success,” said Newburyport Mayor Donna D. Holaday. “Each of our partner communities took on leadership roles and managed a very complex operation from site work, acquiring the vaccines, registering thousands of people, coordinating volunteers and medical personnel and  completing the data required by the state.  It is because of this impressive work in vaccinating so many people in conjunction with a dramatic drop in cases, that we are able to begin fully opening our communities. ”

The Collaborative plans to distribute hundreds more Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson Janssen doses at smaller clinics during the next few weeks. As a reminder, the Janssen vaccine is available to those ages 18 and up and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is now available for those ages 12 and up.

The Collaborative has a Janssen clinic with open appointments on Wednesday, May 26, from 4-6 p.m. at the West Newbury Annex, 381 Main St., West Newbury. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE JANSSEN CLINIC

Three additional second-dose Pfizer-BioNTech clinics are scheduled for June 8, 9, and 10 at the West Newbury Annex. At this time, June 10 is scheduled to be the final Collaborative clinic.

A new collaborative of Cape Ann communities is also hosting a Pfizer-BioNTech clinic on May 27, from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative comprises Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury. 

JGPR is providing communications services to this effort on a pro bono basis.

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Newburyport Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire, West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny, and Amesbury Fire Chief/Health Director Ken Berkenbush give remarks thanking volunteers at the last large-scale COVID-19 vaccine clinic held by the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative on May 22. (Courtesy Photo)

Newburyport Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire, West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny, and Amesbury Fire Chief/Health Director Ken Berkenbush give remarks thanking volunteers at the last large-scale COVID-19 vaccine clinic held by the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative on May 22. (Courtesy Photo)

Pentucket Regional High School DECA Finds Success at State Conference

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew is pleased to share Pentucket Regional High School DECA ‘s recent success at the State Career Development Conference.

DECA, a nonprofit business and marketing student organization, works with high schools and colleges to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

This year’s conference was held over two weeks during which 15 Pentucket students competed remotely. Competitions test students on their knowledge and expertise in business, marketing and entrepreneurial subjects.

Junior Hannah Linehan of Merrimac placed second among 11 competitors in the Financial Consulting event and qualified for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).

Junior Ava Spencer of Groveland placed seventh in the Professional Selling event among 26 competitors.

Pentucket’s Quiz Bowl team – Juniors Henry Endyke and Ryan Plinski, both of West Newbury, and freshman Michael Inger of Groveland – won their first-round match in quadruple overtime but lost in the second round by just two points.

“I’m proud of how well our students did this year, under especially trying conditions,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “Every one of our students will take away valuable skills that will help them be successful in their life path.”

“The competition was fierce, but every student represented Pentucket well and gave their best effort,” said Advisor Madison Estes, who founded the school’s DECA chapter in the 2018-2019 school year. “We had two junior students place in the top 10, which is an incredible honor. We can’t wait to see what next year brings.”

Students prepared for the competition after school through activities to hone their business, leadership and entrepreneurial knowledge. This year’s competition asked students to complete a 60-minute cluster exam at home and record a role play or presentation to be judged.

Estes wishes to thank the Pentucket community for its support of the DECA chapter and invites those interested in learning more about DECA to contact her at mestes@prsd.org.