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$12 Million for Route 28 Debated


by S. Aaron Shamshoyan A plan to reconstruct most of Route


28 sparked debate among Selectmen Monday as part of the ten-year road program. The board recently voted to reduce


annual funding amounts to $4.65 million despite residents voting in favor of a plan close to $5.25 million at town meeting in March. The new plan, focused around


the $4.65 million, included plans to reconstruct Route 28 from Cluff Crossing north to Old Rockingham Road in 2017. Selectman Stephen Campbell questioned the plan saying the board had failed to previously discuss the project. “I’m not sure I would vote for this plan,” he said adding he wasn’t sure if the project was necessary. Campbell suggested the moneys could better serve other projects. While other roads would be reconstructed with cash, a price tag of $12 million for the project would force selectmen into a bond. “28 has always been in the plan,”


said Selectman Michael Lyons, the road stabilization committee representative. He said the project would span two years beginning in 2017 and reaching completion in 2018.


Campbell said more discussion


needed to happen around the Route 28 project. “It’s the most signifi cant decision in this ten-year forecast,” he said. Campbell questioned the necessity of the project in the near future.


Selectman Everett McBride said


the plan could be changed by future boards if necessary. “We can’t see more then one year,” he said. Lyons said an assessment would be


taken in 2017 to determine whether the project was still necessary. “This is the best information we have at the time,” he said. Town Engineer Robert Puff said


past maintenance efforts for the road was an only temporary repair. “Those roads were in failure,” he said adding the Department of Public Works conducted an overlay effort to keep the road passable. He said the overlay would not last 10 years. “We should be planning for that expenditure.” Chairman Patrick Hargreaves questioned the quality of mill and overlay work conducted on Route 28 this year. “Those were all done on pretty sound pavement,” said Puff. He said only overlay work constructed north of the depot was done on a failing foundation. He expected this year’s maintenance work to last up to twelve years. As to the depot, Puff was unsure on the lifespan of the pavement. “The depot frankly is anyone’s bet.” The $12 million project would


cover about two miles of roadway. “It has to be in the plan, we need a plan for it,” said McBride. “That section of 28 is really the worst section,” he said.


Selectman James Keller said reconstruction efforts for the depot intersection would need to be integrated in the project. Hargreaves suggested the town look into purchasing the former Sunoco station allowing an additional lane to be constructed. The board passed the plan 4-1 with selectman Campbell in opposition.


Salem Community Patriot Patriot T e stage, equipped with lights and speakers


by Taylor Thomas Good Mem’ries Big Band kicked off the free Summer Concert Series at the


Field of Dreams on July 12. The Summer Concert Series is an all ages concert event and free to the


public. It takes place at the Field of Dreams in Salem. A different band plays every Thursday night from July 12 to August 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There are a variety of genres from big band to cover bands, rock, country, jazz, and everything in between. Field of Dreams is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and the concert series started not long after the park opened. Field of Dreams is a 501c-3 Non-profi t, and based on a donation and funded basis. Enterprise Bank, Pentucket Bank, Salemhaven, Canobie Lake Park provide funding, among other local businesses. Ross Trecartin, the president of the Field of Dreams said, “Without their support we would not be able to have these free concerts.” Peach Tree Farm is the vendor at the summer concert series. They sell: food, slush, water, soda, popcorn, chips, and candy. Peachtree Farm, an ice-cream stand located on Campbell’s Scottish Highlands Golf Course in Salem. Bob Williams, the owner of Peach Tree Farm said they have been coming to the summer concert series for about 10 or 11 years now. “We do it to give back to the community, not for the money,” Williams said.


There are no rain dates for the summer concert series because it runs into


late August already. Those in attendance to enjoy the music brought lawn chairs, towels to sit on, or sat on the grass. About eight years ago the concert series almost died because of fi nancial


issues. The budget didn’t support the bigger bands it was having perform at the concert series. Now, Trecartin has fully revived the series by having bands that are in the budget. A lot of bands help out and donate their time as well, Trecartin said. Good Mem’ries Big Band from North Hampton was the fi rst band to play in the 2012 summer series. This was Good Mem’ries third year in a row at the Summer Concert Series. They played covers such as ”Damn Yankee,” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” along with many more. There were about 80 people enjoying the free concert with plenty of extra room and parking. The number of people usually depends on bands playing and weather, but 80 people is about average, Trecartin said. There is also a 50/50 raffl e at the summer concert series. Half the money from the raffl e goes towards maintenance of the park and the raffl e winner gets the other half of the money. Canobie Lake Park tickets are also raffl ed off.


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Volume 6 Number 2 July 20, 2012 12 Pages


Free Summer Concert Series at Field of Dreams Every Thursday Night


Local Offi cial Arrested When Wife Made Emergency Call


by S. Aaron Shamshoyan An elected offi cial has been arrested resulting from a confrontation with emergency responders after his wife called 911.


Zoning Board and Budget Committee member


Patrick McDougall, 37, was arrested Wednesday when he turned himself in to police on an active warrant. Salem Police say an incident, occurring at the McDougall residence on Tiffany Road in late June, brought the charges after McDougall’s wife Jane dialed 911 for health reasons. “Upon arrival Offi cers noted that Jane McDougall was in obvious distress, sweating profusely, crying, holding an ice pack on her head, and repeatedly complaining of the pain she was in,” said Deputy Police Chief Shawn Patten. Unaware of the emergency called made by his wife just after midnight, McDougall met fi re and rescue personnel with resistance. “Mr. McDougall became very agitated and argumentative, and told the Paramedics he did not want her transported and that as her spouse had the right to refuse treatment for her,” said Patten. Paramedics explained to McDougall he


didn’t have the right to refuse treatment for his wife, but McDougall didn’t back down. He accused paramedics of trying to get $800 from him for the transportation to the hospital. This caused emergency responders to call for the fi re department supervisor and police to respond out of safety concerns, said Patten. McDougall’s wife made a second emergency


call. “At this time Jane McDougall made a second 911 call pleading several times to help her and that her husband was arguing with the


turned himself into police on July 11 after learning of the charges. He is being charged with Obstruction Government Administration, a class B misdemeanor, and faces up to a $1,200 fi ne. He will be arraigned in 10th Circuit Court on July 30.


McDougall has a history of confrontations with


town employees. Around 2009, McDougall was told by Windham Police not to visit the Windham Community Television station after spending time there. Personnel running the station felt uncomfortable with his presence, and asked police for help. He was not charged from the instance.


In his prior town of Methuen, MA, McDougall


Zoning Board and Budget Committee member Patrick McDougall was arrested on chargers of Obstructing Government Administration when


paramedics responded to his residence after his wife Jane dialed 911 for health reasons


fi remen and refusing to let her be transported,” said Patten. Offi cers asked Jane if she wanted transport to a hospital and she said yes. McDougall continued to argue with authorities saying she did not need to go and that she was exaggerating. “Police and Fire offi cials escorted Ms. McDougall out of her residence while Mr. McDougall angrily requested it be documented that they were taking her against his will,” said Patten.


After more arguing, authorities decided McDougall could bring his wife to the hospital to avoid the ambulance fee. Patten said


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McDougall’s confrontation with


authorities delayed his wife’s transportation close to an hour.


McDougall


faced charges of wiretapping after allegedly carrying a concealed recording device in 2005. McDougall was said to have recorded conversations with former mayor Sharon Pollard, along with the police captain and other town offi cials. He faced fi ve felony wiretapping charges from the incident. The judge gave McDougall a six-month continuance in 2005 telling him to stay away form city hall and Methuen Community Television, his former employer, during the time.


McDougall is also a candidate for state representative. Running as a republican, McDougall says he has no plans to discontinue his campaign and also plans to remain on the Zoning Board where his term will end in 2013 and Budget Committee with a term ending in 2014.


McDougall marks the second arrest of a Zoning Board member in 2012. In January, then chairman Ron “Tony” Giordano was arrested for allegedly possessing and selling Oxycodone. He faces felony drug charges from the incident. Giordano had a previously served time in


Massachusetts’s prisons, under the name Ronald Gordon, for other crimes.


A Salem Planning Board member Jeffery Gray


was arrested in March 2011 at his Windham home after allegedly kidnapping and raping a New York women after she responded to a Craig’s List advertisement Gray had posted looking for a roommate. He was convicted on simple assault and aggravated felonious assault in June. Gray refused to leave his seat at the board, but members voted to remove him from the board after his arrest.


Staff photo by Taylor Thomas


Photo courtesy of Salem Police Department


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