LEAVES, GRASS AND YARD WASTE will be picked up at the curb on your regular rubbish collection day during the following weeks in Fall 2005:

• OCTOBER 17 - 21
• OCTOBER 31 – NOVEMBER 4
• NOVEMBER 14 – 18
• NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 2

Yard waste must be in the 30 gallon paper bags and lined up within 2 ft. of the curb by 7:00 A.M. Bags must be 40 lbs. or less.

The drop-off site at the Highway Garage closed for the season on October 1, 2005.

September 28, 2005

SHREWSBURY - The Fire Station Building Committee released their report to Town Meeting Members today. The report deals with a fire facilities project that involves a new Fire Headquarters and renovation of Station Number 2.

• Click Here to Download FSBC Report in PDF Format
  
  

October 17, 2005

SHREWSBURY - Police have released a composite sketch of the woman wanted in connection with the unarmed robbery of a 92 year old resident last Tuesday night. She is described as a white or Hispanic female, 5’-8”, short brown hair, with a round face. The woman entered the victim’s residence posing as a nurse.

Once inside, the victim became suspicious of the female and told her to leave or he would trip his medical alert alarm. The woman then ripped the alarm and its chain off the victim’s neck, and stole his pants which were lying on a nearby chair. The pants contained the victim’s wallet and a sentimental picture from WWII.

The victim is a World War II veteran. Anyone with information on the suspect or who can assist in the recovery of the photo is asked to contact the Shrewsbury Police Department Crime Tip Hotline at (508) 841-8420. The Shrewsbury Police are offering a reward for the identification of the suspect or recovery of the photo.

October 13, 2005

SHREWSBURY - A 92 year old Shrewsbury resident was robbed of his wallet Tuesday night after a woman posing as a nurse manipulated her way into his home.

The Harrington Ave. resident, who police declined to identify, responded to a knock at his door at approximately 10 p.m. When he looked outside, there was a woman dressed like a nurse including a lanyard with id tags on it. The woman had specific information about the man, which led him to open the door to speak with the woman.

The woman was then able to get into the house and manipulate her way into another room. The resident became suspicious of the woman and indicated to her that he was going to press his medical alert button if she did not leave the house. At this point the woman reached over and tore the medical button off the man, who was wearing it around his neck.

The woman then grabbed a pair of pants from the back of a chair, which contained the man’s wallet, and ran from the house. A vehicle was heard leaving the scene at a high rate of speed. The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic female approximately 30 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a round face. Anyone who has information about who is responsible for this unarmed robbery is asked to call the Shrewsbury Police Department’s Crime Tip Hotline at (508) 841-8420. All calls are confidential.

SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION - NOVEMBER 8, 2005

Last day to register to vote is Wednesday, October 19, until 8:00 P.M. at the Town Clerk's office, 100 Maple Ave.

Mail-in registration forms must be postmarked by October 19.

TOWN CLERK (508)841-8507

The following is a listing of streets to be resurfaced or reclaimed during the month of September and continuing into October. Schedule subject to weather and contractor availability:

FULL DEPTH RECLAMATION

• STANLEY ROAD
• ROFLE AVENUE
• FAIRLAWN CIRCLE

RESURFACING TYPE I

• KEYES HOUSE ROAD
• CARTER ROAD
• SPAG’S ALLEY
• RICE STREET
• BONNIE DELL LANE

September 19 , 2005

SHREWSBURY – The Shrewsbury Adult Education Program is a self-supporting branch of the Shrewsbury Public Schools. It was created in 2003 as a response to the growing need for a program that provides quality educational and enrichment opportunities for residents of Shrewsbury and the surrounding environs.

The program relies on income from course tuition and is governed by the Shrewsbury Adult Education Committee, which includes input from the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Anthony Bent, two program co-coordinators, and members of the Shrewsbury School Committee. Please join us while we continue to grow and provide our community with quality educational experiences for a reasonable investment of time and money.

• View the Fall 2005 Course Catalog
  
  

October 11, 2005

PEACE OF MIND PROTECTION with NORTON AntiVirus Software Just $0.49 per month!

SELCO TownISP is now offering an inexpensive, high-quality option for customers who want to reduce the risk of viruses corrupting their computers. The Norton AntiVirus package from Symantec provides real-time protection against these virus threats.

This high-value, low-cost product is backed by Symantec Security Response, the
world’s leading Internet security and support organization.

SELCO is pleased to offer you this valuable option. Call 508-841-8500 or email helpdesk@townisp.com with any questions you might have. Thanks for letting us serve you.

Click Here to Order Norton AntiVirus

October 13, 2005

FRAMINGHAM – The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has issued a number of safety tips to assist residents of the Commonwealth for dealing with the floodwaters resulting from the week's storms.

• DO NOT WALK THROUGH FLOWING WATER - Drowning is the number one causeof flood deaths. Most of these drownings occur during flash floods. Flash flood waters move at very fast speeds and can roll boulders, sweek away cars, tear out trees, destroy buildings, and obliterate bridges. Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off of your feet. If you must walk through a flooded area, use a pole or stick to ensure the ground is still there and solid, even where the water is not flowing.
  
• HEED EVACUATION REQUESTS - Follow recommended evacuation routes, shortcuts may be blocked or dangerous.
  
• DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH A FLOODED AREA - More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Cars can be swept away in just 2 feet of moving water. Do not drive around road barriers. They are there for a reason. The road or bridge may be washed out or structurally unsound. If you car becomes trapped in floodwaters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.
  
• AVOID POWER LINES AND ELECTRICAL WIRES - Electrocution is also a major killer in floods. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to your utility company or local emergency manger.
  
• WATCH FOR ANIMALS, ESPECIALLY SNAKES - small wild animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn items over and scare away small creatures.
  
• LOOK BEFORE YOU STEP - After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris, including broken bottles and nails. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery.
  
• BE ALERT FOR GAS LEAKS - Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Do not smoke or use candles, lanterns or open flames unless you are sure that the gas has been turned off and the area has been aired out.
  
• CARBON MONOXIDE EXHAUST KILLS - Only use camping stoves, generators or other gasoline-powered machines OUTDOORS. Fumes from charcoal are especially deadly, so only use outdoors.
  
• CELAN EVERYTHING THAT GETS WET - Floodwaters have probably picked up sewage and chemicals from roads, farms and factories. Spoiled food and flooded medicens and cosmetics are health hazards. When in doubt, throw them away.
  
• BE PREPARED FOR A ROUGH TIME - Recovering from a flood is a big job. It is rough on the body and the spirit. The afttereffects of this type of disaster on you and your family may last a long time. Consult a health professional on how to recognize and care for anxiety, stress and fatigue.

MEMA officals also remind residents who have experience flood damage to take photographs as soon as possible. Those who have a flood insurance policy should contact the insurance company or agent who wrote the policy as soon as possible in order to file a claim. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA). The NFIP makes flood insurance available in communities that adopt and enforce ordinances to reduce flood damage.

MEMA is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary, and private resources during emergencies and disasters in Massachusetts. Visit www.mass.gov/mema for more information.

October 20, 2005

SHREWSBURY - Various Town Department received calls from residents over the weekend regarding water damage to their basements. The Town of Shrewsbury has met with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to discuss this matter. At this stage, FEMA is gathering information from each region of the State pertaining to damage to public and private property. It has yet to be determined whether any type of assistance will be available from the Federal Government. If you would like to complete the attached form and submit it to the Town Manager’s office, it will be forwarded to FEMA should any type of assistance become available

• Flood Report Form
  

October 17, 2005

SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury Police Chief A. Wayne Sampson who is the Chairman of the Lake Quinsigamond Commission announced today that the Lake Quinsigamond Commission has taken the following action due to the unusually high water level on the lake caused by the recent rain:

• Boat ramps on Lake Quinsigamond are restricted to being used for the removal of boats only. The ramps are closed for launching boats onto the lake.
• The speed limit on the entire lake has been reduced to headway speed only.

The Lake Quinsigamond Commission anticipates that these restrictions will remain in effect until the level of the lake lowers. The Commission estimates this will take until at least mid week. The commission took this action in response to reports of loose and partially submerged boats, submerged docks creating hazards and the concern that boat wakes may further damage the shoreline and property along the lake.

Additionally the North Quinsigamond Ave. boat ramp wharfs in Shrewsbury have been partially knocked out of position. Anyone with a concern involving Lake Quinsigamond can contact the Shrewsbury Police Department at (508) 841-8577.

October 13, 2005

SHREWSBURY – Police have received numerous inquiries about an e-mail which is circulating about muggings at the Christmas Tree Plaza. The e-mail states that there have been four muggings in the last 48 hours resulting in injuries and that one victim who was brought to the hospital was told about the other victims.

According to Det./Lt. James Hurley, the Shrewsbury Police Department has not received any reports of this type of activity occurring. The police are confident that if four mugging victims with injuries showed up at the same area hospital in a 48 hour period one of them would have called the police. At this time no reports have been made.

Additionally, Lt. Hurley indicated that the wording of the e-mail raised some concerns as to its reliability. The author of the e-mail refers to the location of the muggings as Christmas Tree Plaza it is actually known as Old Shrewsbury Village. The author of the e-mail also did not identify themselves which also is a red flag.

A representative from the Christmas Tree Shop also brought the police a copy of the e-mail and indicated that they have not received any reports of muggings in the lot. This e-mail is being treated as a hoax as the Shrewsbury Police do not have any information or evidence to indicate it is true. Hurley went on to indicate that the public should be cautious of information received via e-mails especially anonymous or unsolicited e-mails.

• View a Copy of the Email Hoax

September 26, 2005

SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury Electric will raise electric rates for all rate classes by 4.8% for bills issued after October 1, 2005. This will be the first Electric rate increase since July 2001. The increase is necessary due to increased costs of fuel oil and natural gas needed to produce electric energy.

“The rate change was planned for in SELCO’s 2005 budget process when there were signs that fuel costs would necessitate an increase,” said Thomas R. Josie, SELCO General Manager. “SELCO will be using cash reserves to lessen the impact of the increase on customers.”

Josie said Shrewsbury Electric is keeping rates as low as possible but that they have no control over the
impact of increased fuel oil and natural gas costs which may force another rate increase. The good news is that SELCO customers pay lower rates than customers in neighboring systems.

“Even after this increase, SELCO’s rates for a typical Shrewsbury Electric customer will be 37.3% less than those of neighboring electric systems,” Josie said. “The monthly bill for a 500 kWh residential customer will increase $2.30 per month, from $48.60 to $50.90.”