Man About Canton: Snakes Alive!

Did you know …

A recent interesting article in the Boston Globe mentioned that the state plans to breed and raise 150 venomous timber rattlesnakes and then turn them loose on protected land on a small island in the middle of the Quabbin Reservoir, which, by the way, provides drinking water to Boston and many surrounding towns, including Canton. The small island, which was once part of New Salem — one of the towns that were partially covered when the Quabbin was constructed — will become only the second area in Massachusetts to be a rattlesnake habitation. The other is the Blue Hills here in Canton and Milton. The state Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, where the plan was hatched, offered assurances that a small island full of rattlesnakes would pose no threat.

Selectmen recently voted to increase the rate of pay for town election workers from $9 to $10 an hour per the increase in the state’s minimum wage.

A zoning change has been proposed by Attorney Paul Schneiders for the 2016 town meeting that would amend the zoning map of the town by changing the designation of four parcels of land located on Bolivar Street from industrial to general residence. The eight-acre site abuts the railroad tracks and includes the old Canton chicken factory property. There is enough land to build many condos there, although this latest proposed zoning change is expected to be withdrawn on town meeting floor.

The town of Canton is hiring school crossing guards at a starting pay of $15.71 per hour. Those interested can apply at the Human Resources Department at Town Hall or go to www.town.canton.ma.us.

In July 2008, gasoline prices hit their all-time high in Massachusetts at an average of $4.09 per gallon. As of February 15, 2016, the average has dropped to $1.89 per gallon in Massachusetts.

The 130-acre University Station mixed-use development on the Westwood/Canton town line recently received a $10 million tax-exempt bond to improve roads and utilities near the intersection of routes 95 and 93 and the Route 138 train station.

Beacon Hill lawmakers, along with the blessing of Governor Charlie Baker, are in the process of lifting the state cap on full liquor licenses for cities and towns in Massachusetts. The new law, when passed, will allow communities more flexibility in granting permits for alcohol. The present state law limits how many alcohol licenses cities and towns can offer. In order for a town to go over its cap, there must be (1) a petition drive; (2) votes and approval by the annual town meeting; and (3) the approval of the state legislature. There are currently 6,374 all-alcohol and 1,302 beer and wine licenses in Massachusetts communities, excluding Boston.

Meanwhile, in related news, the town of Canton recently secured state approval for five additional liquor licenses and two additional package store licenses that it had requested via a home rule petition. The measure, which was adopted by voters at last year’s town meeting, was approved by the House and Senate on March 7 and is headed to the governor’s desk for his signature.

Bernadette Lenehan recently retired after 30 years of service at the Canton Public Library.

Oliver Ames High School girls basketball coach Laney Clement-Holbrook recently set the record for most career wins among women coaches in Massachusetts when she coached her 634th victory.

Finally, MAC sends birthday greetings to Sarah Grace Rawding, who turns 97 years young on St. Patrick’s Day (today). Sarah is the widow of the late Russ Rawding and is a longtime Canton resident.

When you stop chasing the wrong things, you give the right things a chance to catch you.

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

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

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Posted by Joe DeFelice on Mar 18 2016. Filed under Featured Content, Man About Canton, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.