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Winter Storm

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Attleboro Under Winter Storm Warning, Wind Advisory

Snow is expected to last through Friday.

You are waking up to some snow this morning, and there is more to come, according to the National Weather Service. Attleboro is under a winter storm warning and wind advisory through Friday at 1 p.m. (storm) and 7 a.m. (wind). The following NWS forecast is in store for the city as of Thursday morning: Thursday Daytime: Rain before 7 a.m., then snow. High near 34. Breezy, with a north wind traveling 18 mph to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Thursday Nighttime: Snow. Low around 31. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Friday Daytime…

Steve Hopkins

4:35 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013

They can look outside, or 'turn to 10 or channel 12 or 6! LOL It's New England, it's a little bit of snow, your thermometer outside your window tells you exactly how cold it is at your house. Sit back and enjoy the quietness & peacefulness of a snow storm (event)..   more ›

Friday, February 22, 2013

Wintery Weekend Predicted for Attleboro

Here's a look at what's happening in Attleboro.

1. Yes, there will be snow this weekend. No, it will not be a foot of snow as some forecasters had predicted earlier this week. Accuweather's website says Attleboro should expect three to six inches of snow accumulation by Sunday afternoon. Here is a look at the National Weather Service's weekend forecast as of early Friday morning: 2. The city's Winter Night Festival will take place Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Downtown Attleboro. The event will feature lots of activities, entertainment and items for sale. Go here for more details. 3. The festive Jewish holiday Purim begins Saturday at sundown. Congregation Agudas Achim will celebrate with two events taking place at the synagogue, which is located at 901 North Main St. A vegetarian …

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Attleboro Stories of the Week

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…

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 ›

Friday, February 15, 2013

'Calm Down,' School Committee Chair Tells Snow Removal Critics

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 …

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Jerry Chase

12:53 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Gretchen, Does the dissent of a minority on a given board cause dysfunction by definition? Did the phenomenon of "turmoil" exist on the SC ten years ago, fifteen years ago? If not, then it is a latter-day thing. It's fair to ask why. Is it possible that any of it does not eminate from within the set of nine members? If so, then where could it be coming from?   more ›

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Ward 4 Didn't Fare As Well As Others in Storm

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 …

Jerry Chase

3:38 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013

Jonathan Weydt's performance is professional and top-notch, as I would expect from a classy guy, with a successful business. He is a great credit to the City. He does the job for Ward Four like very few other councilors that I've ever witnessed.   more ›

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Councilor Rips City's Handling of Storm Recovery

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…

Gretchen Robinson

8:19 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013

I don't know the incident you are alluding to. But my general opinon as a member of Ward 3B is that this ward needs a new City Councilor and a new State Rep. Both Frank Cook, and especially Betty Poirier, are entrenched. New blood is needed.   more ›

Attleboro's Cost for Storm Cleanup at Least $311K

Mayor Kevin Dumas and councilors say they hope at least some of the cost will be reimbursed by the state.

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.

Steven Scott

4:51 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013

311K for what? should of saved the money and just waited 1 or 2 more days and the weather would of caught up to the DPW. Not cutting down ANY of the workers, but sure seems like a management problem to me. Could blame it on the size of the storm,but other towns seemed to fair MUCH better.   more ›

Monday, February 11, 2013

Attleboro Public Schools to Remain Closed Tuesday

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

8:15 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013

I am not in the habit of taking credit for something political; but the City's computer person did agree that since the City Charter was available on its website, then the Book of Revised Ordinances should be, too. Frankly, I was surprised that it wasn't "yanked", given the attitude(s) and practice(s) of a few local elected political leaders, who, in the past, routinely flouted or ignored City …   more ›

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Mayor Dumas' Sunday Evening Storm Update

Attleboro Public Schools will be closed. The library and zoo will be open.

The following press release was submitted by Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas: ►Attleboro Public Schools are closed tomorrow.  Central Office staff will report to work. ►Rubbish and Recycling pick-up is delayed by one day all week. ►City Hall and Government Center will be open tomorrow at 8:30 am.  All employees are to car pool or be dropped off to work due to parking restrictions until further notice. ►Library & Zoo facilities will be open tomorrow. ►Senior Center will be open for essential employees only - all programs and activities have been cancelled tomorrow.  No meals will be served. ►Meals on Wheels are cancelled tomorrow but will resume on Tuesday. ►Parking Ban will remain in effect until further notice. We are asking for your help!  …

Attleboro Public Schools Closed for Monday

The closure is due to the aftermath of the winter storm.

The Attleboro Public Schools will be closed Monday, Mayor Kevin Dumas says. Bishop Feehan High School will also be closed, according to several sources. We will provide information on other closures as soon as we learn about them. If you know of any closures, please post them in the comments section below or contact us at attleboro@patch.com.

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