Spraying Postponed to Monday, September 13

Riverside, Mystic Wellington, Winter Hill Yacht Clubs to Close for Day

The herbicidal treatment of overgrown aquatic vegetation at the three area yacht clubs originally scheduled for August 30 has been postponed until Monday, September 13.

On that day, Groundwork Somerville will oversee the spraying of selected patches of water lilies that have begun to impede safe navigation on the Lower Mystic River around the Riverside Yacht Club and the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club in Medford, and the Winter Hill Yacht Club in Somerville. The application will be conducted by Aquatic Control Technologies, which specializes in the removal and management of aquatic plant species.

The spraying project was rescheduled for after Labor Day, when recreational boating activity will be significantly reduced.

For the treatment to be effective, there must be little to no water-surface disturbance near the application sites, allowing ample time for the herbicide to be absorbed into the plant tissue and then into the roots of the water lilies.

In support of the project goals, the three area yacht clubs have agreed to remain closed September 13. The DCR public boat launch adjacent to the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club will also remain closed on that day.

Groundwork Somerville is urging all recreational boaters to refrain from any boating on the Lower Mystic River on September 13. If this is not possible, boaters should maintain a “no-wake” speed limit near the three yacht clubs. Boaters’ cooperation will be crucial to the success of the herbicidal treatment.

A rain date of Tuesday, September 14, has been set for the application.

The herbicidal treatment is part of Groundwork Somerville’s Mystic Invasives Removal Project, a multiyear effort to eradicate invasive water chestnut plants for the Lower Mystic River, and to address overgrowth of the native water lily around area yacht and boat clubs.

Funded largely through a Massachusetts Environmental Trust grant, the project is made possible through an ongoing collaboration with the Mystic River Watershed Association, the Friends of the Mystic River, the Riveside, Mystic Wellington, and Winter Hill Yachts Clubs, and the Medford Boat Club, as well as countless community volunteers.

All aspects of the herbicidal treatment have been approved by the City of Medford and the City of Somerville, as well as state authorities, namely the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

For more information, contact Brad Arndt, Mystic River Projects Manager, at (617) 455-1127 or brad@groundworksomerville.org.

- Information from Groundwork Somerville

Chris Toppi, 28, during his arraignment in Somerville District Court on Monday for the murder of a Weymouth man in Medford on Saturday. Photo courtesy Medford Daily Mercury.

DA Says Victim Beaten to Death

- Allison Goldsberry

A Cambridge man has been arraigned on murder charges in connection with the death of a Weymouth man in Medford early Saturday morning.

According to information released by Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, Christopher Toppi, 28, was arraigned Monday in Somerville District Court on one count of murder. Toppi pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail. He is due back in court on September 20 for a probable cause hearing.

Toppi is accused of beating to death 28-year-old Brian Fahy of Weymouth at a Medford home early Saturday morning.

“We allege that the defendant beat the victim to death,” District Attorney Leone said. “This is another tragic example of a defendant resorting to violence, causing lasting and tragic circumstances for the victim and his loved ones.”

Toppi turned himself into authorities Saturday night after police issued a warrant for his arrest that afternoon.

Fahy was found unresponsive around 3:30AM Saturday morning at a 382 Salem Street home. When EMS found the victim he was bleeding from his head and nose and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say Toppi started a fight with Fahy and then beat him to death. An autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death homicide.

Medford Police and State Police worked together on the investigation.

After more than three years of community organizing and fundraising, the Medford Field of Dreams project has finally been completed.

The project includes two artificial turf fields behind Medford High School that can be used for soccer, lacrosse, and football games as well as for baseball and softball practice; a running/walking track; full lighting; two scoreboards; and handicapped parking.

According to Bill Carr, Jr., one of the Field of Dreams organizers, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Sunday, September 12 at 10:15AM. The ribbon-cutting will take place at 11:00AM and the girls soccer team will play a game on the new field at 12:30PM.

The event is free and open to everyone. Coaches, student athletes, staff, family, friends, and community members are all welcome to attend. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided by Kelly’s Roast Beef immediately following the ceremony.

- InsideMedford.com

Newton All-Stars Finally Earn Trophy After 12 Years

After twelve years participating in the Medford Invitational Tournament, the Newton All-Star team finally took home the trophy. Coach Jerry Sack’s team defeated Medford in the playoffs and blanked Tewksbury, 16-0, on Saturday in the championship game.

Challenger Division Game in 4th Year

For the fourth year in a row, the all-star baseball players took a break from the action for a special game on Saturday, August 28.

MIT athletes and volunteers helped children with physical and mental disabilities play some ball. There is no score, no strike count, and no outs. Everyone has a chance at bat, to run the bases, and to come home. Both athletes and volunteers alike have a great time and have come together for the sole purpose of having fun while enjoying America’s favorite pastime.

Below is a video slideshow of the Challenger Game put together by tournament president Ron Giovino:

- Information from www.mitbaseball.com. Courtesy photo and video.

Story Updated 3:24PM Sunday, August 29, 2010

A man was found murdered at 382 Salem Street (gray house) early Saturday morning. Police were still on-scene late Saturday afternoon.

Investigators collect evidence from a pickup truck with flat tires parked near the crime scene.

- Allison Goldsberry

A Cambridge man wanted in connection with the murder of a Weymouth man at 382 Salem Street in Medford on Saturday has turned himself into police.

According to information released from Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone, Christopher Toppi, 28, of Cambridge, turned himself into authorities on Saturday and has been arrested and charged with the murder of Brian Fahy, 28, of Weymouth.

Toppi is being held pending his arraignment in Somerville District Court on Monday morning.

Fahy was found unresponsive around 3:30AM Saturday morning at a 382 Salem Street home. When EMS found the victim he was displaying “obvious signs of trauma” and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the death. They say the incident was not random, that the men were known to each other, and the death “appears to be the result of a confrontation.”

An autopsy will be conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (ME) to determine the cause and manner of Fahy’s death.

Investigators were still on scene late Saturday afternoon and appeared to be collecting evidence from a pickup truck with flat tires that was parked in front of the home.

Medford City Hall. Photo by Paul Rapatano.

Both the Medford City Council and School Committee will hold meetings on Tuesday, August 31.

The Council will meet at City Hall. A Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss a proposed parking garage on Governors Avenue in Medford Square is taking place at 6:00PM in Room 207. The Council’s regular meeting will take place in the chambers at 7:00PM and will be broadcast live on Channel 16. Click here to see the meeting agenda.

The School Committee is meeting at 7:00PM at Medford High School (489 Winthrop Street). The meeting will take place in the library and will be broadcast live on Channel 15. Click here to see the School Committee’s meeting agenda.

- Information from City Clerk Ed Finn and www.medfordpublicschools.org

Fall Basketball at Medford High School for Boys & Girls grades 1 through 8.

This will be an 8 week Saturday program to teach the fundamentals of basketball.

Start date: Saturday September 25, 2010

Program Outline:
(Times subject to change depending on sign-ups)

- 1st & 2nd Grade, 8:30am -10:00am Co-ed, 40 minutes of fundamentals and skills followed by a game each week. (Kindergarten children allowed if parent volunteers to coach)

- 3rd & 4th Grade, 10:00am -11:30am Co-ed, 30 minute practice followed by a game each week.

- 5th & 6th Grade Boys, 12pm-1:30pm – 15 minute practice followed by a game each week, with play-offs at the end of the program.

- 5th & 6th Grade Girls, 12pm-1:30pm– 15 minute practice followed by a game each week, with play-offs at the end of the program.

- 7th & 8th Grade Boys, 1:30pm-3:30pm -15 minute practice with a game each week, with play-offs at the end of the program.

- 7th & 8th Grade Girls, 1:30pm-3:30pm – 15 minute practice with a game each week, with play-offs at the end of the program.

Cost: $50.00 per player.

Cost includes:
- 8 week program
- Uniform T-Shirt
- Player ID good for free admission into all Medford High School Basketball home games.

Sign up Dates:
- Saturday, September 11th 9:00am – 11:00am @ Medford High School, Pool Entrance.
- Monday September 13th 5:30pm-7:00pm @ Medford High School, Pool Entrance.
- Wednesday September 15th 5:30pm – 7:00pm @ Medford High School, Pool Entrance.

Medford Basketball Committee
Bob Maloney, Gerry Martin, Anthony Faradie, Bob McCarthy, Leo Burke, Tim Southwick, Bob Barrile

Parent coaches and volunteers welcome and needed!

For more information call Bob Mccarthy 781-488-3835.

- Information from Medford Basketball Committee

Attorney General Martha Coakley with her husband Tom and their Labrador Retrievers in front of their Medford home. Courtesy photo.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, a Medford resident, had the following to say about the 90th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the US Constitution, which granted women the right to vote:

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on the account of sex.”

It was with those powerful words of the 19th amendment, ratified into our Constitution on this day 90 years ago, that women in this country were granted the right to vote.

We have been great beneficiaries of all those who sacrificed to achieve this historic victory for civil rights. I know some of my most rewarding moments on the campaign trail are when I meet a young woman eager to cast her very first vote in an upcoming election.

Earlier today, I met with a group of women leaders from organizations across Massachusetts to commemorate this anniversary and to continue the important work of ensuring equality for all people.

I hope you too will take a moment to honor this historic day and that, together, we recommit ourselves to engaging in civic life.

Story Updated 3:30PM Sunday, August 29, 2010

Video by Boston.com

- Allison Goldsberry

MWRA officials say they have stabilized a small leak that opened up in a water pipeline at the agency’s Weston facility Thursday morning. The agency says the leak can be repaired without interrupting water service.

According to information posted on the MWRA website, the new leak is 220 feet from where a massive leak in May caused a disruption in water service to over 2 million in the Greater Boston area and resulted in a boil water order for three days.

The leak is apparently small and has not increased in volume, according to the MWRA. Governor Deval Patrick compared it to the “amount of water that would come out of a garden hose.”

“The leak in Weston remains stable and is not causing any service disruption. After further assessment, MWRA is optimistic that it can repair the leak while the pipe is in service. Repair efforts will begin once the repair plan is finalized and all necessary resources are on scene,” reads a statement on the MWRA’s website.

MWRA Executive Director Frederick Laskey, a Medford resident, said the new leak could possibly have something to do with the recent rainstorm.

“It may not be a coincidence that we had 5 ½ inches of rain. We don’t know how it happened, whether it’s been something that’s been leaking all along and didn’t surface until the rain, or whether the rain caused it. We don’t know,” Laskey told the Boston Globe in an interview on Thursday.

Collection of Trash, Recyclables to Change in November

- Heidi Walsh

By November 1st, trash day will be transformed in Medford. The city will launch a containerized and single-stream trash and recycling program, which Mayor Michael McGlynn and members of the Recycling and Trash Improvements Commission say will save taxpayer dollars and help the environment.

According to Mayor McGlynn, Medford has had a very unimpressive record of recycling, which has left the city with an expensive trash removal bill. McGlynn says the new program will save the city $600,000.

Two large, lidded barrels paid for by the city will be distributed to Medford homes in the weeks of October, one for recycling and one for trash. The sixty-four gallon barrel for trash will fit two trash bags while the ninety-six gallon barrel will be used for recycling.

So what happens if you have extra trash?

“If they have extra trash then they’ll be able to lease a second barrel for a fee. A fee will also be included for people throwing out furniture,” said Mayor McGlynn. “This will give people the incentive to recycle more.”

And for those who might considering dumping their trash elsewhere in the city or stealing a neighbor’s barrel (both actions are illegal, by the way)?

McGlynn says a serial number registered with each household will be on the barrels and cameras will be placed near illegal dumping “hot spots” around the city.

“Waste Management has provided insight in identifying where the main areas of dumping have taken place and a camera program similar to that of the high school will be installed in two to three hot spots,” said Mayor McGlynn.

Mayor McGlynn said over the course of the next few months the city plans to educate Medford citizens about the new trash and recycling program through phone messages, the city’s website, the local media, and direct mailings with frequently asked questions and answers.

Anecdotally, it appears some Medford residents are open to the idea of increased recycling, while others are wary of the new program and the potential of trash removal fees for those whose new barrels can’t accommodate all of their trash.

Interviewing a random sample of locals at the Medford Stop and Shop recently, many were surprised by the news of the new trash and recycling program and some were displeased by the change.

“It will be an experiment to see if it works or not,” said one Medford woman. “I don’t like how we’re suddenly limited to how much trash we can take out but, who knows maybe it’ll be enough.”

Despite some critical comments, Mayor McGlynn firmly believes in the program’s benefits to the city and the environment.

“This is a great program financially and environmentally and will bring uniformity to trash day,” said McGlynn.