News from the Billerica Minuteman

Following the last two major fires in town, the Billerica Fire Department concluded that it was caused by careless disposal of smoking materials outdoors. Deputy Fire Chief Tom Ferraro shared some information and safety tips about the best means to dispose of smoking materials, especially outdoors.

After a slow start for the first night of town meeting, department heads and representatives got in full gear, moving more rapidly through the budget, thanks to Moderator Gil Moreira. Instead of reviewing the budget line item by line item, he presented the budget, broken down by departments, which seemed to move things along at a quicker clip.

Can you imagine taking part in an Iron Man Triathlon, swimming 2.4 miles, bicycling 112 miles, and running a full 26-mile marathon?  How about doing that with a 125-pound weight to carry? Meet 71-year-old Dick Hoyt. He’s done this six times and his 125-pound weight was his 50-year-old quadriplegic son, Rick.

On April 25, Team Hoyt, the world renowned marathon and triathlon father-son team who run the Boston Marathon each year, spoke at the Ditson School, promoting their message, “Yes, you can!” through telling the inspiring story of Rick and Dick Hoyt.

Knowing he would face the greatest liability, Wade Holtzman of Still River Winery assured Selectmen he would be responsible in his sampling of the dessert wine he will sell at this year’s Farmer’s Market.  Starting June 25, Holtzman’s Still River Winery will be a new vendor at the outdoor market, located on the Council on Aging lawn.

In observance of National Older Americans month, the Billerica Council on Aging (COA) held its annual awards banquet May 4, recognizing senior volunteers and awarding one the title of Senior of the Year. Following acknowledgement of prior award winners, COA Director Donna Popkin called the three out of five nominees present to the podium.  She thanked them all and announced this year’s winner was Paul Hogman.

On a 3-2 split, Selectmen voted April 30 to allow for rezoning of mixed-use to go forward to Town Meeting. Warrant Articles 31 and 32 would create a new overlay district in the center of town for parcels to apply for a mixed-use permit, blending residential and commercial.

Michael and Stella Billiri, owners of 5 Andover Road, represented by their attorney Stephen J. Lentine. Lentine, presented the articles to the selectmen, was explained Article 31 would create this new overlay in the center of town, allowing for property owners to apply for a mixed-use permits, while Article 32 is the request put forth by the Billiri’s to access this permit, should Article 31 pass.

On April 27, Billerica Memorial High School (BMHS) seniors gathered during E Pluribus Unum Day to face their fears about violence and drug abuse, and by the end of the afternoon, they learned:

1.       They have rights.

2.       They have choices.

3.       They have a responsibility.

4.       They have help.

Join burn survivors, supporters and firefighters from across New England on Saturday, May 19 for the annual New England Walk for Burn Awareness. The walk, to be held on at Castle Island in South Boston, is a fundraising event to help support burn-injury victims. Billerica teams are planning to attend.

Billerica’s spring Town Meeting  began with passing the first three articles on the warrant which includes transferring funds from 2012 budget line items  as well as a couple of housekeeping formalities.

The 2012 fiscal year is anticipated to end with a balanced budget now that Town Meeting members approved Article 3 to transfer funds from line items with surpluses to supplement those with deficits.

Middlesex Turnpike at Micozzi Beach got a fresh coat of paint on its crosswalks on April 25, in an effort to make this stretch of road safer for the pedestrians entering the beach and playground. This project, which will be completed following signage this spring, was done following an accident on March 22 which left a fifth-grade Vining student injured.

When Kirsten Corbin and her mom, Denise Button remember Karyn Button, they both describe her as full of life. When Karyn Button entered a room, everyone knew it.  She was vibrant and confident, and loved the limelight. Her positive energy made her the life of the party people were drawn to. This Billerica native was always impeccably dressed in the latest fashions and took care of her appearance.

       "She was beautiful, inside and out," said Corbin, Karyn's older sister.

At 1:25 p.m. on April 25, the 911 call came from Eric Aubrey. He was driving by his neighbors home at 30 Oak Street when he saw flames coming from their garage. He noted that the fire started by the garage in a 10 foot by 10 foot section of the breezeway/foyer and was spreading, so he knocked at the door.

Firefighters are at the scene of a two-alarm fire at 30 Oak Street. When police arrived on the scene at 1:40 p.m., flames were coming from the home.

The Billerica Council on Aging will be a bit quieter after April 27.  That’s when the COA’s reigning queen calls it quits and closes the chapter on her 18-year career – for now. 

Carol Wood will step down as Director Donna Popkin’s right hand woman (technically classified as Senior Clerk) in order to enjoy summers in Maine at an RV resort familiarly named Pinehurst.

Bill Brimer has  a dream of seeing a colonial minuteman on Billerica’s common. He is reminded of this dream every time he puts on his Revolutionary war uniform. Brimer is presently the Captain of the Billerica Colonial Minutemen (BCMM), an eighteenth century re-enacting organization who are usually seen participating in town parades and celebrations. Brimer is also the President of the Billerica Minuteman Statue Association and is working toward bringing Billerica’s Minuteman to town permanently.

What started as conversation during hallway duty resulted in interactive classroom tools that are aiding in developing communication skills with young students.

Christine Donoghue, technology teacher at the Hajjar Elementary School and April Goss-Baker, speech and language pathologist, were discussing how the verb “to be” is difficult to teach.

In keeping with their annual tradition, Billerica CARES will host E Pluribus Unum day at Billerica Memorial High School (BMHS) on April 27. Billerica CARES, the community diversity education group consisting of business leaders, educators, and public safety personnel, chose the theme of this year’s event, as  “Building healthy relationships, Making health choices.”

EMD Serono’s Jean Merrill is a woman to watch.  Mass High Tech uses this designation to recognize women in technology and life sciences who are go-getters, hardworking, inspirational and motivational to their peers.