Canton residents will have options with new Reverse 911 system

A Reverse 911 message was due to be sent to nearly 8,500 residences and businesses yesterday afternoon as the town tests a new state-of-the-art emergency notification system. The test message was sent to those homes and businesses that have a traditional landline phone service.

Selectmen are encouraging all residents or business owners who would like to have emergency messages left on a cell phone, work line, via text message, or on a TTY hearing impaired line to sign up for the service through a link on the town’s website (Emergency Notification Signup) or by calling 339-502-5710.

Residents with landline service can also choose to have a second notification sent to any of the aforementioned destinations and can opt to receive non-emergency messages as well.

The new updated messaging system came about when a Mass. Water Resources Authority (MWRA) pipe broke last spring, triggering a state of emergency and a temporary boil water order in dozens of greater Boston communities, including Canton.

In other news, Town Administrator Bill Friel reported on Tuesday that the town is currently in negotiations with Southern Sky Renewable Energy (SSRE) to develop a solar farm that could generate as much as $20,000 per acre (almost 13 acres) annually. Friel said the project would substantially cut down on the town’s electrical costs, which are currently around $800,000 per year.

Essentially, SSRE would install more than 24,000 solar panels on about half of the Pine Street landfill and sell the generated electricity to NSTAR. Friel said SSRE is ready to spend $25 million on the project, aided by federal tax incentives.

Meanwhile, the town is hoping to finalize a contract with SSRE by October 26 and begin the permitting process shortly thereafter. Friel said if all goes well the facility could be operational by July 1, making Canton one of the first communities in the region to have a project of this size and scope.

SSRE is being represented locally by attorney Dick Staiti, who agreed with Friel that the project is a “win-win for everyone, financially and environmentally.” The solar panels would be fenced in and would pose no environmental impact. The current landfill and Recreation Department storage facility would remain on the property.

In other news:

* Selectman John Connolly expressed concern that a recent story about the ribbon cutting of the expanded Organogenesis headquarters, submitted by state Senator Brian Joyce and published last week in the Canton Citizen, did not mention many of the Canton officials who worked behind the scenes to spur the expansion. Among those who Connolly felt deserved recognition were Gene Manning of the Economic Development Commission, the Board of Assessors, Friel, Selectmen Chairman Victor Del Vecchio and the rest of the BOS, and state Rep. Bill Galvin.

* Connolly also expressed concern over the lack of public boating access at the Earl Newhouse Memorial Waterfront area behind the Williams Estate Recreation Building. Apparently, the area is roped off. Connolly asked Friel to notify the Recreation Commission and the Conservation Commission of the problem.

* Selectmen appointed Bridget Wade to the Recreation Commission to fill the term of Tim Brooks, who recently resigned. Selectmen are also seeking a candidate to fill another position on the board vacated by the recent passing of Joe Uliano.

* The milling and paving of Bolivar Street, Crane Street, and Bolivar Court should be completed this week, weather permitting. But with limited Chapter 90 roadway funds, selectmen said drainage and sidewalk work cannot be completed at this time. Selectmen plan to ask the fire and police chiefs to submit letters to Verizon and other utility companies noting that there are currently safety concerns regarding utility poles on the street and asking them not to charge the town for relocating the poles.

* Police Chief Ken Berkowitz said detours around Elm Street have begun and may continue for a few more weeks as work continues on the Green Lodge Sewer Project.

* Selectmen approved the appointment of Karen Welch to the position of water and sewer office administrator effective November 1 to fill the vacancy left by Larraine Redquest and the appointment of William Walsh as the new highway administrator to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Peter Berteletti, effective December 2.

* Selectmen voted to spend $2,262 out of the Stoughton Mitigation Account in order to match a state grant for emergency vehicle operation training.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Oct 14 2010. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.