MAC: Tragic Accidents in Canton

Did you know …

As most of us know by now, in what can only be called tragic, freak accidents, two Cantonites both died during last week’s snowstorm. Kaleigh Kenyon, age 6, an adorable, red-headed kindergarten student at the Luce School, and Tommy Gunning, age 48, a husband and father of three sons who was well-known and loved by many in Canton, were struck by large pine tree limbs that fell 35 to 50 feet from the top of trees weighed down with heavy, wet snow. A GoFundMe page set up for Kaleigh’s family shortly after the tragedy had already raised almost $40,000 in four days. In addition, many Canton residents are spearheading a committee to adorn the town with pink and green bows as a show of support for both families. Both the Kenyon and the Gunning families are well-known and well-respected in the town of Canton. MAC asks that everyone keep both families in your thoughts and prayers.

Canton selectmen have started the search again to look for a new town administrator as contract negotiations with Mendon Town Administrator Kimberly Newman, who selectmen chose to fill the position, fell through. Selectmen Chairman John Connolly said, “We could not come to a contract agreement.” Connolly said the new search will begin immediately. The current town administrator, Bill Friel, who had planned to retire by January 31, has agreed to stay until March 31. However, finding a good town administrator will likely take longer than just two months.

It is interesting to note that Newman, just weeks after negotiations fell through with the town of Canton, received a large pay raise from the Mendon selectmen. Newman’s salary increased from $87,500 to over $117,000 — a 34 percent increase. A Mendon selectman reportedly told the Milford Daily News that Newman got the raise because she had received another job offer and they “did not want to lose her.”

Meanwhile, in addition to searching for a new town administrator, Canton selectmen and the planning board will also be looking for a new town planner as the current town planner, Tim Richard, submitted his letter of resignation as of January 29. Richard accepted a position that is “more suited to his skills and future career goals and objectives.”

Canton is not alone in looking for a new town administrator. Milton Town Administrator Annmarie Fagan announced her intention to retire on June 30, 2016.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation is in the process of accepting proposals for professional golf teaching services, fixed food concession, and snack bar concession at the newly renovated Ponkapoag Golf Course in Canton.

The town of Sharon is seeking a new recreation director as Amanda Levasseur recently left the position after eight years. She accepted a post at Massachusetts Bay Community College in Wellesley.

Canton police officer Donald Wolffe recently retired from the Canton Police Department after 28 years of service to the town.

The Blue Hills Ski Area, located at 4001 Washington Street (Route 138) in Canton, is now open for the season. Daily snow passes range from $29 to $45 depending on the hours and day of the week. For more information, visit www.bluehillsboston.com or call 781-828-5070.

The Simoni Foundation recently donated $10,000 to the Canton Fire Department; $7,500 to the Canton Police Department; and $1,500 to the Canton Senior Center.

According to Canton DPW Superintendent Mike Trotta, of the town’s 112-mile road system, 70 percent are in good to excellent shape, 12 percent are in fair condition, and 18 percent need work.

A bill sponsored by Canton state Rep. Bill Galvin calls for studying the possibility of requiring rooftop markers to dictate the locations of skylights. Last year, a snow-removal worker died after falling through a skylight in Canton.

The number of home foreclosures has risen significantly compared to a year ago, according to the real estate tracking firm the Warren Group. Lenders started 910 foreclosure petitions statewide in November 2015, a 41 percent increase over the 643 foreclosure actions filed in November 2014. In a Stoughton newspaper, six foreclosures were listed in one week, and in the Canton Citizen, four foreclosures were recently listed in one week.

In the first six months since the slots started ringing at the Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, the state has collected $30.8 million in taxes earmarked for local aid. The town of Plainville received $2.7 million and will receive that amount annually for the first five years. The casino also paid a $25 million upfront licensing fee, while Wynn Resorts and MGM International paid $85 million each. Plainridge employs 570 people. So far, gambling in Massachusetts seems to be paying off.

Talking about casinos, the Connecticut state legislature recently approved a bill allowing a new casino to open near the Massachusetts border along Interstate 91 to compete with the new MGM Resorts Casino planned in nearby Springfield, Massachusetts.

Canton’s Blue Ribbon Traffic Committee will include a warrant article for a design plan for the intersection of Washington and Randolph streets. The article will be discussed at Canton’s 2016 annual town meeting.

From MAC’s trivia file: Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable.

To be successful, you must accept all challenges that come your way. You can’t just accept the ones you like.

This is all for now folks; see you next week.

Joe DeFelice can be reached at manaboutcanton@aol.com.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=32432

Posted by Joe DeFelice on Feb 12 2016. Filed under Featured Content, Man About Canton, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.