Groveland and West Newbury Mosquito Traps Test Negative for EEE

pentucketporta on September 17, 2019

WEST NEWBURY — West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer, West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny and Groveland Finance and Personnel Director Denise Dembkoski report that the mosquito traps in both towns tested negative for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) this week.

Groveland and West Newbury’s risk for EEE remains “moderate,” according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH).

Groveland and West Newbury officials continue to encourage residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes this fall, including wearing bug repellent and limiting time spent outdoors after dusk.

The towns of Groveland and West Newbury are part of the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control District, a state agency that provides mosquito control activities to 36 communities in the region. Each town works collaboratively with the Mosquito Control District to identify response plans.

As always, Groveland and West Newbury officials urge all residents to read and follow these important safety tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Be aware of peak mosquito hours: The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellent.
  • Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied directly to your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

  • Drain standing water: Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
  • Install or repair window and door screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website here.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the EEE virus is a rare cause of brain infections or encephalitis. Very few human cases are reported across the U.S. each year, but EEE can be fatal or leave victims with serious complications and neurological problems.

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Portions of Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury to Undergo Truck-Based Mosquito Spraying Today

pentucketporta on September 9, 2019

WEST NEWBURY — West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer, West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny, Newbury Police Chief and Emergency Management Director Michael Reilly and Groveland Finance and Personnel Director Denise Dembkoski report that the Towns of Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury have been informed by the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District that portions of each community will undergo truck-based mosquito spraying tonight. 

Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury Town Officials Alert Communities to Positive EEE Tests

pentucketporta on September 6, 2019

WEST NEWBURY — West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer, West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny, Newbury Police Chief and Emergency Management Director Michael Reilly and Groveland Finance and Personnel Director Denise Dembkoski seek to provide residents with information and safety reminders after mosquitoes in West Newbury tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). 

West Newbury Police Dispatcher Running Yankee Homecoming Race to Benefit Children’s Hospital

pentucketporta on July 12, 2018

Kelsey Grenham is running the Yankee Homecoming 10 Mile Race to raise money for Boston Children’s Hospital. (Courtesy Photo)

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed is pleased to announce that one of West Newbury’s public safety dispatchers is continuing her efforts to raise money for Boston Children’s Hospital through a road race later this month.

On Tuesday, July 31, Dispatcher Kelsey Grenham will be running the Yankee Homecoming 10 Mile Race in Newburyport. The race will be Grenham’s third run on behalf of Children’s Hospital’s Miles for Miracles program, which she’s supported since running the New York City Marathon in 2016.

“Kelsey is an inspiration to the entire department, and we’re all proud of her dedication to this amazing cause,” Chief Reed said. “We’re glad to continue to support her and Children’s Hospital to ensure that kids and families have access to the resources they need.”

Grenham also ran last year’s Falmouth Road Race to benefit the program, which uses fundraising dollars to support better quality of care for children and families, including free housing for families, free parking, language interpreters, research, birthday and holiday celebrations and more.

“I want to thank everyone, including my colleagues at the West Newbury Police Department and the Lt. Kenneth Fowler Foundation, who have been extremely supportive of Children’s Hospital through their continued generosity over the last few years,” Grenham said.

To donate to Grenham’s fundraising efforts, click here.

West Newbury Police Officer Receives Letter of Recognition

pentucketporta on May 17, 2018

West Newbury Police Officer Danielle Burrill received a Letter of Recognition for her display of professionalism during an incident earlier this month.

While on patrol on May 4, Officer Burrill observed a known suspect with an active arrest warrant operating a vehicle that she knew had a revoked registration. She was also aware that the operator’s license had been suspended.

After a short pursuit, Officer Burrill stopped the vehicle in the driveway of the suspect’s residence. While trying to arrest the suspect, who was uncooperative and attempting to flee, there was a male family member making threats to shoot and kill Officer Burrill.

Officer Burrill was able to quickly arrest and detain the suspect, and was then able to calm the family member down to avoid further arrests or injuries.

As a result of her quick actions and recognizing that the family member may be suffering from a mental health condition, she was able to peacefully resolve the situation.

“I would like to commend Officer Burrill for her commitment to keeping our West Newbury residents safe at all times,” Chief Reed said. “She displayed an incredible level of professionalism while handling this incident and for that she absolutely deserves this recognition.”

Officer Burrill was honored during a small ceremony at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, May 14.

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West Newbury Police Staff Member To Participate In Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk

pentucketporta on August 22, 2017

Susan Curry and her daughter-in-law, Sarah Curry, have participated in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk together in recent years. (Courtesy Photo)

West Newbury Police Administrative Assistant Susan Curry will be walking in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk next month for the 29th straight year.

Curry has participated in the walk along the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon course each year since its inception in 1989. According to the Jimmy Fund, Curry is motivated by a desire to fight back after her mother succumbed to breast cancer in 1981 and will join an expected 9,500 fellow walkers in the nation’s most successful single-day fundraising walk on Sunday, Sept. 24.

Curry’s mom, Thelma Perry, passed away in 1981 and since then both Curry’s sister and husband have fought their own battles against different types of cancer.

“I don’t know of a single person who can say cancer has not affected their life in some way,” Curry said. “I am so grateful to all of my family members, friends and co-workers who have supported me this year and in years past.”

Members of the community can help Curry reach her $2,500 fundraising goal by clicking here.

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West Newbury Assistant Fire Chief Joins International Efforts to Battle Canadian Wildfires

pentucketporta on August 7, 2017

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Michael Dwyer announces that Assistant Fire Chief Ben Jennell is one of 16 Massachusetts firefighters who traveled to British Columbia, Canada to battle fires that have spread across more than a million acres of land.

Assistant Chief Jennell left on Aug. 3 for a two-week assignment through the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Bureau of Forestry and Fire Control and Department of Fish and Game. He joins an international crew of wildland firefighters involved in the effort.

More than 110 fires have spread throughout the region, causing thousands to evacuate their homes. Throughout their time in Canada, crews will focus on securing perimeters, protecting vital structures, working on the fire line, building fire breaks and containing fires.

On Aug. 6, Assistant Chief Jennell and the Massachusetts fire crew began their first assignment on Elephant Hill where 275,000 acres are actively burning.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Assistant Chief Jennell for using his expertise to help aid a neighboring country in its time of need,” Chief Dwyer said. “Crews have done an excellent job so far, working around the clock to help suppress the large-scale wildfires affecting British Columbia. I wish them good luck as they progress through this assignment.”

Assistant Chief Jennell has been a member of the DCR since 2010 and a longtime member of the West Newbury Fire Department.

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