Child Restraint Technicians now able to serve community..

The Falmouth Fire Rescue department now has five nationally certified Child Restraint Installation Technicians. Lt. Scott Thrasher, and F/F’s Boyd DeMello, Scott Starbard, Mike Jusseaume, and Mike Mueller attended the four day certification class last week held at COMM fire headquarters. Previously, the town did not have any technicians and had to send interested parents to the town of Bourne or elsewhere when they wanted a child seat installed. Along with the fire department techs, the Falmouth Police Department now also has three technicians, with Patrolmen Rob Curtis also being certified last week.

This group hopes to start a community program and hold regular checkpoints throughout the year, as well as having the availability to install seats by appointment. Further details are being discussed, but they will be posted when finalized.

FFRD Hockey Retirements

The Falmouth Fire Rescue Hockey Team announced today the retirement of two veterans. Forward Boyd “Boydo” DeMello and Defenseman Richard “Doc” Henry have retired. Rich Henry has accepted the head coaching job for the team. Boyd DeMello has accepted a job with the PAL broadcast team.

Team Co- Captains Todd Taylor and Tim Smith announced the changes today. “Doc brings a leadership role to the team which has been lacking for a while” says Todd Taylor. Boyd retired to replace ESPN personality Wayne Soares who recently launched his own sports talk show on TV. Pal President K. C. Clarkson in a prepared statement believes that “Boydo’s insight and professionalism will bring a refreshing aspect to the game.”

#1

I hope the creator of this blog makes it safely home from his vacation to San Diego with some interesting stories to share

Good Job Mike.

Falmouth's Finest Heroes

The following is a letter to the editor of the Falmouth Enterprise on Friday, March 7, 2008:

As a longtime resident of Falmouth, since February 24, 1964, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting 12 of Falmouth's finest heroes, not that I wanted to under the circumstances.
You see, my house was on fire. As a three-time veteran with 31 years of service in the military and recently returned from Baghdad, truly I now what makes a hero. As I stood outside my home of 30 years one will never know what was going through my mind.
But as I watched these brave men answering the call, my adrenaline, anxiety, and stress level were clearly lowering to one of ease. These men clearly showed me how they fight fires on the front lines in America and our communities. You could definitely see how they go to work, leaving behind wives, husbands, or loved ones at home when duty calls, with no regard for themselves. They form a family and bond as brothers and sisters to fight fires, to protect lives and personal property, and sometimes give their own lives for our nation and communities while doing their job.
The whole time you could clearly see an orchestrated or Swiss-watch work team and wingman-to-wingman operation above and beyond the call of duty to save my home. As a result of their brave actions, my home was spared and no lives lost.
As they left, I thanked them from the bottom of my heart for saving my home. Their reply was, they were just doing their job and thank God no one was hurt. Truly, that is a hero's reply. I cannot thank you all enough times, but from the bottom of my heart once again, thank you for putting your lives on the line, for the jobs you men and women do in our nation and communities, and for saving my home.
As you all fight on the home front lines, we will continue abroad with deepest respect, admiration, and regards for all you do, Truly, you are all my heroes.

MSgt. Steven O. DeLeon USAFR and Katherine C. DeLeon
Seacoast Shores Boulevard
East Falmouth

Personally, I feel this is a very bold statement of gratitude coming from a three-time veteran with 31 years of service in the military.

3rd Time May be a Charm for Ballymeade Partners..

With Spring and Special Town Meeting right around the corner the Ballymeade Partners and CLSV development group have proposed a third and possibly a final option for the town to be able to have a say in what is developed on the 31 acre site on Nathan Ellis Hwy. The newest proposal will be attached to two articles on this years Special town meeting, one being to create a limited use Business 4 district for this project and the other would be to change the parcel of land from agricultural to the new zoning district. The parcel of land which the town has had right of first refusal on has been on the market for over ten years and the town has recently rejected two plans for development of the land. The first was housing, retail development, a conference center and a skating rink / pool facility. The second was to build a 175-unit Chapter 40B development on the property. Which the developers have moved forward with this plan and is currently awaiting approval from the state on this plan.
The newest plan if approved the articles pass town meeting will be to build a 200 unit senior housing facility with a supermarket and pharmacy on the land. This new development would consist of 3 large buildings and 8 smaller buildings to house all the units and the buildings would look similar to the new Wise Living facility on Dillingham Ave. However, these units would be monthly rentals opposed to being purchased by the occupants.
So I ask you to keep this in mind in the upcoming weeks and month, would you rather a 175 unit 40B development (25 units affordable) or a 200 unit senior facility that is relatively appealing to the eye with a large supermarket and pharmacy.
What will the neighbors think? Cavossa has certainly built his property up. The animal hospital isn't small anymore with the Doggy Daycare building soon to open. What will the impact be on traffic, the developers did a study saying not much, but can you really rely on them for a full and honest report? What will the impact be on the fire department? If passed, what about having the developers pay for a 5th ambulance or that garage door expansion at station 3? What about having them build a Hatchville fire station? Purchase one or more of the apparatus needed on the upcoming Debt Exclusion. What will the new supermarket do to the local stores in the area, Dean's, Superette, Jack & the Beanstalk, Village Pantry, Wild Harbor General Store, West Falmouth Market? Wouldn't the new pharmacy be the exact reason places like the North Falmouth Pharamcy go out of business? If the senior facility doesn't fly and a 175 unit housing facility goes in, what will this do to the North Falmouth Elementry school district?
It will certainly be interesting in the upcoming weeks to see what the outcome will be.
Information for the blog post from the Falmouth Enterprise.

Necessary (For Most) North Falmouth Landmark Reopens..

The Wild Harbor General store at the corner of Old Main Road and Wild Harbor Road has reopened with new owners and a new flair. Late last month Ray Rowitz of North Falmouth sold the landmark to two North Falmouth families, the Phares and the Brakes. According to the Falmouth Enterprise, the new owners would like to turn the store into a "year-round upscale gourmet market with a full service butcher shop and specialty breads and cheeses". For some time the general store and deli has been a staple in North Falmouth and very helpful to those serving the area at the North Falmouth fire station. Being right across the street, it is just a short walk with a portable radio to pickup anything from breakfast to lunch, to a late afternoon coffee and snack. However, a drawback with the previous owners was being closed on Sundays. With a call to the store this morning the employees there stated the the store will now be open from 12-6 on Sundays however, they do not believe the deli will be open. More information about the store can be found at: http://www.wildharborgeneralstore.com/index.htm. This website is from the previous owners but the will soon be updated. Good luck to the new owners.