Thursday, March 7, 2013
Here is the latest information on the snowstorm.
Friday, 9:20 a.m. The Massachusets Department of Transportation is reporting 13.5 inches of snow has fallen in Attleboro from the storm. Friday, 5:40 a.m. Attleboro's public schools are delayed for two hours. The National Weather Service's wind advisory is no longer in effect, but the winter storm warning will remain through 1 p.m. Snow could continue to fall until 5 p.m., according to the NWS. One to two inches could accumulate. Thursday, 3 p.m. The public interview with Attleboro superintendent candidate Kenneth Sheehan has been postponed. A new date for the interview will be scheduled later, according to the district. 12:50 p.m. Attleboro is under a National Weather Service-issued winter storm warning and wind advisory until Friday at…
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Up to 10 inches of snow could fall on the city from late Wednesday night through Friday morning.
Heavy, wet snow and strong winds are in the forecast for Attleboro as well as the rest of Eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and portions of Connecticut and New Hampshire. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the area that will be in effect from late tonight through Friday morning. Accuweather reports Attleboro could receive six to 10 inches of snow by Friday morning. "Unfortunately there is still some uncertainty regarding exact snowfall amounts, but this storm will have a significant impact on Southern New England," the NWS' website states. The NWS says this will be a "long-duration storm" that could make traveling difficult, especially late Thursday into Friday morning. "Heavy" snow is expected to begin fall…
Friday, March 1, 2013
City Councilor Jonathan Weydt's colorful commentary on the city's response to the snowstorm in his ward tops the list.
The biggest story of February was the snowstorm that dropped more than two feet of snow on Attleboro. So, it is not surprising that six of the 10 most-viewed stories during the month involved the Blizzard of '13. Topping the list was the colorful commentary caught on video of City Councilor Jonathan Weydt. After Councilor Peter Blais thanked the city workers for their effort, an irate Weydt who believed commentary on the quality of the work—positive or negative—was not allowed spoke about the tale of the blizzard from the Ward 4 point of view. Others on the council tried to silence him. It was an intense situation. 1. Councilor Rips City's Handling of Storm Recovery, Feb. 13 2. Pedestrian Struck by Suspected Drunk Driver, Feb. 16 3. Woman …
Thursday, February 21, 2013
It's early, so precise details are uncertain.
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Thursday, February 21
It appears Attleboro residents should be bracing for another weekend of snowfall. How much snow and whether there will be rain in the mixture remains uncertain. The forecast is frequently changing. Mid-day Wednesday, the National Weather Service's website stated Attleboro should expect "heavy" snow. By Thursday morning, it no longer said that, and mentioned that rain and snow are "likely" Saturday night and that Sunday should include "rain and snow, becoming all snow after noon." Here is what the weekend forecast is as of Thursday at 6 a.m. Saturday - A chance of snow before 5 p.m., then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Light northeast wind becoming east 5 mph to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is …
Sunday, February 17, 2013
City Councilor Jonathan Weydt's colorful commentary about the city's handling of the blizzard in Ward 4 is the most-viewed story of Feb. 10-16.
Not surprisingly, Attleboro Patch readers were focused on stories about the aftermath of the blizzard this week. Four of the five most-viewed stories were about school closures and local leaders' reactions to the the storm. The other story in the top five was about the reported hit-and-run crash Friday afternoon on County Street that sent a New Hampshire senior citizen to the hospital with a serious injury. Although barred from being able to speak extensively by his colleagues on the council, Jonathan Weydt had several negative comments to say about his Ward 4's treatment during and after the storm. "I do feel there was some good work done, but we had a lot of problems in Ward 4 ...We had issues in Ward 4, a lot of issues," Weydt said. The…
Friday, February 15, 2013
Mike Tyler says it is an "injustice" to say city workers and contractors did an inadequate job during the cleanup.
For two full weekdays and two hours of a third day, Attleboro's public schools were closed as city workers and contractors removed snow on district property and the city's sidewalks in the aftermath of last week's blizzard. For many people, this was frustrating, and they expressed that frustration in emails to School Committee Chair Mike Tyler and by criticizing the recovery effort through various means, including on the comments section of Attleboro Patch and its Facebook page. Tyler, who had to work on the recovery effort in Rehoboth where he is the highway superintendent, gave advice to the critics during the closing minutes of the school committee meeting Wednesday: "Calm down a little bit." The school committee chair said he received …
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Not enough assets were sent to Ward 4. We needed more help than other parts of the city due to the power outage.
Ward 4 City Councilor Jonathan Weydt submitted the following to Attleboro Patch after the Tuesday council meeting. Go here to see a video of what Weydt said during the meeting. We had several issues in Ward 4 during and in the aftermath of the snowstorm. We didn't fare as well as others. There was a National Grid power outage from Friday at 9 p.m. to Sunday at 6 p.m. (70 hours). An evacuation of a senior couple took over 10 hours to coordinate. Streets remained unplowed into Saturday night. Among them were Chartley Brook Lane, Beverly Circle, Thayer Farm Road and Pocahontas Lane. My concern is that not enough assets were sent to Ward 4. We needed more help than other parts of the city due to the power outage. I think we should have been a …
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Jonathan Weydt says there were "so many issues" in his Ward 4. He fears a good discussion on these issues will never take place.
City Council President Frank Cook said near the beginning of the meeting Tuesday that "critique" of the city's handling of the snowstorm recovery would not be allowed, and, if needed, had to take place during a later meeting. Councilor Peter Blais believed that praise for city workers and contractors was allowed, and gave it at the end of the portion of the evening dedicated to his Committee on Public Works. "I know it was passed around today that I over-compliment, but I think in times like this, a compliment in public for those guys who worked out there is well-deserved," said Blais, who spoke about the workers giving what he called 150 percent effort. Other councilors agreed with Blais, but Jonathan Weydt was not interested in the topic…
Mayor Kevin Dumas and councilors say they hope at least some of the cost will be reimbursed by the state.
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Wednesday, February 13
Blizzards don't come cheap. The one that slammed the region this past weekend cost Attleboro at least $311,000, Mayor Kevin Dumas told the City Council Tuesday. The preliminary total includes $122,000 in overtime pay to city employees and $186,000 for the use of private snowplow workers. The final total will be higher, as Dumas said the amount presented to the council was "specifically for the things that we know that can be categorized." Dumas and city councilors said they hope the state will reimburse the city for the cost of the cleanup effort, or at least some of it. The request will be made, but Dumas said there is no guarantee it will be honored.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Mayor Kevin Dumas says opening the schools would be a public safety hazard.
Attleboro public school students will have another day off Tuesday. The district will remain closed "to allow for snow removal," according to the website. "It has been declared a public safety issue for students to walk to school due to the large amount of snow at intersections," said Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas, according to a press release. "The city will continue to perform the required work to clear sidewalks and lower snow piles appropriately." He continued, "Our students' safety is paramount and should be everyone's priority. These are the reasons for the closure at this time. I ask for your continued patience during the proper clean-up of Blizzard Nemo." Local students have not been to class since Thursday and they have next week …
Jerry Chase
5:42 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Upon what basis or Council Rule can president F. Cook or Councilor P. Blais legitimately stifle, or attempt to intimidate, other City councilors from speaking on municipal matters of genuine concern? According to the Municipal Council Rules of Procedure, a councilor which has the floor has the right to retain the floor until they are finished speaking. Thus, committee chair P. Blais broke Council… more ›