News
Eagle Tribune footage of the cresting Spicket
February 27, 2010 by Common · Please Comment
Noah Bombard shot some footage yesterday of the Spicket and interview Mayor Manzi about potential flooding.
from the Eagle Tribune February 27, 2010
Cresting Merrimack River poses flood threat
After the wind died down, there was a new threat to watch for in the Merrimack Valley — flooding. Almost 3 inches of rain fell with Thursday’s storm in the Merrimack Valley, forcing the Spicket River in Methuen and Lawrence and the Shawsheen in Andover to top their crests, at 8.5 feet and 34 feet, respectively.
The Merrimack River was expected to hit a height of 15 feet in Haverhill between 9 a.m. and noon today, according to the National Weather Service. In Lowell, the river was expected to crest by noon at 51.6 feet. The Valley and Southern New Hampshire would have been buried in snow this week had the temperatures dipped below freezing, according to weather officials.
“Had it been cold enough for snow, you would have received between six and eight inches per every inch of rainfall,” said meteorologist Rebecca Gould at the Weather Service Bureau in Taunton. “You would have received well over a foot had it snowed,” she said, referring to Thursday’s torrential rains.
Based on her calculations, the 5 inches of rainfall could have dumped up 40 inches of snow over the week — more than 3 feet of wet, slushy snow. And the storm still has a few more punches to throw.
Rain and occasional snow flurries are forecast for today and tomorrow, but may not amount to more than an inch of snow. High temperatures should reach 38 degrees today, with a low of around 30 tonight. Tomorrow, a high of 45 degrees is expected during the day with a low of around 29 at night. On Monday, an ocean storm could mean more snow for the region. Area communities were bracing themselves for potential flooding yesterday in the aftermath of Thursday’s storm.
In Methuen, a park bench behind the Espaillat Mills was already partially submerged by the Spicket River when Mayor William Manzi called city Emergency Management Director John Santoro on his cell phone yesterday morning.
“How are we with sandbags?” asked Manzi. “What did we use the last time? Did we use 2,000?”
The last time Manzi was referring to was the 2006 flood that submerged the entire back parking lot of the business complex, located at 225 Broadway just a short distance from the heart of downtown. City officials expected flood water to rise an additional foot yesterday before cresting overnight. Manzi said Methuen would be taking no chances.
“We want to be ready and work with emergency management to make sure we get all the aid and assistance we can,” he said. Manzi toured flooding trouble spots in the city, including sections of Lowell Street on Route 110, where Jackson’s Restaurant was left without power and remained closed for breakfast and lunch.
News
NH DOT commissioner committed to I-93 toll
February 21, 2010 by Common · Please Comment
From the Eagle Tribune February 21, 2010
NH DOT commissioner committed to I-93 toll
Corridor towns resisting as state moving ahead
By Terry Date
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation plans to apply for federal approval in April to locate a free-flowing toll system on Interstate 93 southbound at the Massachusetts border.
DOT Commissioner George Campbell is moving ahead with the plan — despite heavy opposition from businesses, politicians and commuters in I-93 corridor towns, who object to the cost and in-town congestion they say a toll would generate.
A toll would raise an estimated $46 million a year, money that would go toward the $260 million shortfall to complete the $780 million I-93 widening, as well as pay the highway’s $11 million annual operating cost, and projected bonding expensesfor the project, Campbell said.
He said the widening is critical for travelers’ safety, and a toll is a fair and sustainable way to widen and maintain the now congested 19.8-mile corridor between Salem and Manchester.
News
Methuen Community Television uploads new video clips
January 18, 2010 by Common · Please Comment
• Mayor William Manzi’s Inaugural Address 15:00
See the complete 2010 Inaugural Address from Mayor William Manzi.
• Methuen Inaugural Ceremony 2010 2:30
A look inside Methuen’s Inaugural Ceremony.
• Federal Funding for Methuen Rotary 2:30
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas delivers federal funding to jump-start the 110/113 Rotary Plan.
• VFW Patiot Pen 3:00
Methuen middle-school students share writings about military service at the VFW.
• 2009 in Review 7:00
We take a look back at some of the biggest stories we’ve covered on Methuen Now throughout 2009!
• What’s Ahead with Linda Dean Campbell – Part 1 4:00
A look at the upcoming legislative year on Beacon Hill with State Representative Linda Dean Campbell. Part 1 of 2.
• What’s Ahead with Linda Dean Campbell – Part 2 4:00
A look at the upcoming legislative year on Beacon Hill with State Representative Linda Dean Campbell. Part 2 of 2.
News
MHS Counselor Gary Dionne dies suddenly
November 24, 2009 by Common · Please Comment
METHUEN — Popular Methuen High School guidance counselor Gary Dionne died suddenly last night, school officials said today. “Nobody knows for sure at this point what the cause of death was,” said Superintendent Jeanne Whitten. “There are a lot of assumptions, but I haven’t been told definitively.” Whitten said the entire school district is devastated.
Dionne, a Derry, N.H. resident, was in his early 60s and worked at Methuen High for his entire career. He was a special education guidance counselor, working with at-risk students, Whitten said. “He has done great work with so many kids,” Whitten said.
related links
from the Eagle Tribune, November 25, 2009
Methuen Mourns Death of Guidance Counselor
News
Grand Opening: Furniture Fixer 11/19
November 20, 2009 by Common · Please Comment
Furniture Fixer New England wants to share the news of their new shop opening.
Thursday November 19th, we celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at our location 5 Pelham Streeet.
We thank the Mayor, his office, the Rotary, and Chamber of Commerce for their support and are excited to be open to serve the Methuen community.
Hours: Tue – Friday 11:00am-4:00pm, Saturday 9:00am – 12pm
Call 978-590-0382 or visit www.furniturefixerne.com for more information.
News
Quinn to guest on next MCTV Politically Active 11/23
November 15, 2009 by Common · Please Comment
Check out the promo for Politically Active TV!
Politically Active, Jamie Atkinson and George Scione’s show about Methuen politics.
The next program airs Monday, November 23 at 7:30pm and Tuesday, November 24 at 9:30am. On MCTV channel 22 Comcast and Channel 33 Verizon.
City Council President Debbie Quinn will be guesting.
The Politically Active radio program airs Tuedays at 10am on WCCM am 1110.
News
Jammed voting machine misses six ballots
November 10, 2009 by Common · Please Comment
METHUEN — A voting machine jammed during last Tuesday’s election, resulting in six votes apparently going uncounted, City Clerk Christine Touma-Conway discovered yesterday.
This adds a new twist to the School Committee election saga, where incumbent Kenneth Henrick placed just five votes ahead of his friend and fellow incumbent George Kazanjian.
Eight people competed for six School Committee seats last week. Henrick placed sixth and Kazanjian placed seventh and lost his spot on the committee.
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“If we take the ballots and run them all through the machine again, it’s not going to cost anybody anything except the time it takes to do that,” Touma-Conway said. “Truth be told, I think the most accurate way to recount them is to put them back through the machine.”
Voting machines regularly become jammed temporarily, resulting in one or two votes not being counted, but that usually doesn’t affect an election because the votes usually aren’t as close as the result between Kazanjian and Henrick. Plus, it’s rare for as many as six votes to go uncounted, Touma-Conway said.
(read more)
News
NECN My School Forecast for Chapel Preschool 11/10
November 1, 2009 by Common · Please Comment
NECN Meteorologist Matt Noyes on Tuesday has the My School Forecast for Ella Barletta from Chapel Preschool in Methuen, Massachusetts.
Matt is calling for filtered sunshine through high altitude clouds.
Highs will be in the lower 60s for most with 50s in the north country and high terrain.
NECN – MY SCHOOL FORECAST REQUESTS
News
Methuen’s Politically Active debuts on WCCM 11/10
October 30, 2009 by Common · Please Comment
MCTV’s Politically Active hosts Jamie Atkinson and George Scione, along with The Eagle Tribune’s J.J. Huggins, will be hosting a new radio show about Methuen politics.
The trio will analyze and discuss Methuen politics, interview people in the know and take calls from listeners. Mayor William Manzi, will be the first guest.
Call 978-687-8005 or 978-687-8006 to join the discussion.
Tuesdays from 10-11am live at WCCM AM 1110 or streaming live online at 1110wccmam.com
Follow them and discuss the issues on Facebook
WCCM- AM1110
http://www.1110wccmam.com/
“The Voice of the Valley”
Costa-Eagle Radio 462 Merrimack St – Methuen, Ma 01844
Phone: (978) 683-7171 Fax: (978) 687-1180
News
Webster Greene Antiques Grand Opening 10/31
October 23, 2009 by Common · Please Comment
The public is invited to the grand opening for the new location of
Webster Greene Antiques
306 Broadway, Methuen
(diagonally across from Nevins Library)
Saturday, October 31~ 10am to 5pm
Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10am
Mayor William Manzi, will be officiating
Sunday, November 1 ~ 12pm to 5pm
*Gift Certificate Drawings
*Special 10% Discount
NO TRICKS … only Fall Treats Served throughout Grand Opening Weekend
