[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
 |
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
|
|
|
12.28.2001 10:40
Thumbs down for water, K-9 patrol in Scituate
By DOUGLAS STEINKE
Journal Staff Writer
SCITUATE
-- The year that was in this quiet suburb began with talk about tapping into the town's eponymous reservoir and ended with residents quashing a proposal to do just that.
Town officials in February discussed creating the North Scituate Water District, which would have provided water to just over 1,000 people in the northeastern corner of town using existing pipelines in neighboring towns that pump water from the Scituate Reservoir. Although the reservoir has occupied more than half the town for more than 75 years, most residents still rely on groundwater wells.
But by last month, residents of the proposed water district had heard enough about the plan. They voted against the proposal in a 145-to-122 vote, marking the third time in 25 years that residents voted against a plan to bring water from the Scituate Reservoir to their faucets.
Some of the most successful local initiatives this year involved land deals.
In March, town officials agreed to buy the former Chopmist Hill Inn for $280,000. The inn, which sits on 40 acres, was originally a pit stop for stagecoaches travelling between Providence and Hartford. Hundreds of people attended clambakes and wedding banquets there during the 1950s, former owner George A. Rivard said.
Last month, residents gave the town the green light to purchase the development rights to 125 acres, part of the Broad Oak Farm on Tunk Hill Road.
The town got socked with two major lawsuits over the course of the year.
One was filed by Brian S. Sedgley, a police K-9 officer. Sedgley sought retroactive overtime pay for taking care of the police dog, a German shepherd named Kiva. The town settled, paying Sedgley $24,000. But in October the Town Council voted to end the program, entrusting Sedgley's family with the dog while he served with the U.S. Special Forces overseas.
And, in September, the Global Waste Recycling Corp. sued the Towns of Scituate and Coventry. The dispute traces back to May, when the Scituate Town Council decided to enact a "no-through trucking" zone on Hope Furnace Road.
Global Waste argued that the measure hampered its business activities, but a U.S. District Court judge recently declined to order officials in Scituate to reopen the road. The case will march on next year.
Also this year, a series of alleged pencil stabbings at Clayville Elementary School in March galvanized parents to hire a lawyer to present their concerns to the School Committee. The school's principal, Judith Costa, resigned two months later and was replaced by Brenda Ratcliff.
Also in March, 11 sixth graders were suspended from the middle school after they allegedly sold or traded prescription drugs with each other. But in October, students and teachers alike had reason to be proud. David Neves, the high school's band director, was named the state's teacher of the year.
Parents and students can expect to see a police officer in the schools for the first time next year. The Town Council in April voted to give Police Chief William F. Mack the green light to apply for a grant to pay for the program. He applied, and the town received the grant. Sgt. Steven Bremges will move into an office at the Scituate High School on Jan. 7.
The events of Sept. 11 changed the lives of Americans across the country, and those in Scituate were not immune to change. Shortly after the terrorist attacks, the Providence Water Supply Board closed a popular trail near the Scituate Reservoir for security reasons.
And finally, in the animal kingdom, a pit bull attack on Central Pike in May left Linda Saucier's Thoroughbred horse injured. Fortunately for the horse, neighbor John Rotondo was around to wrestle the dog to the ground.
And in February, apparently bored by the winter snow, a pair of emus decided to take a tour of Bungy Road. Animal Control Officer Patricia Howarth came to the rescue, herding up the large birds and directing them back toward their homes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
Printer-Friendly Version
