Why is it that whenever the town manager or BOS are questioned they become so defensive? I thought we lived in a Democratic form of government. It seems they like to "gang up" on anyone who thinks differently or who they think "threatens them" . Just my thoughts!

Well said Maria!

Barbara no one has "ganged up" on someone who thinks differently, but when you have people spreading misinformation and lies, at some point you need to clarify the actual truth and facts. Otherwise the lies continue to spread.

Would you like someone to accuse you of stealing from your employer? Would you not want to respond?

I would rather see the fire department on Route 110 amongst the businesses and the girls softball field moved to behind the Town Hall. The plot of land at the softball field is flat and would need a lot less structural work than the land next to the Town Hall. This would also place the girls field in a safer location.

Maria,
Where there is smoke, you need to check to make sure there isn't a fire. (insert fire station joke here)
Bob, thank you for providing an alternate view and ensuring the open meeting laws are followed. For those who don’t think the law applies here, what is your concern with the request that Bob has made? Where is the malice?
Mark Dolat

Hi all: Just a general reminder to please keep conversation on topic here and not personal. Thanks.

Maria, I agree with you ! Politics is rough and if they can't take what people say without getting mean and defensive they should find another job! I have lived in Chelmsford for 44 years and have never seen our elected officials act like middle school students until recently. We need to get back to business and stop the nonsense!

I am inclined to agree with Kathleen and Bob on moving the location back to 110, as you would disturb no residents (It's abusiness area), there would be less structural work (like a high foundation behind the parking lot) and the traffic stuation is less problematic. The only thing I would insist upon is a square foot per square foot exchange of land for the ballfield and station. Considering the latest proposal is 19,000 square feet minus out 4,500 square feet for renovated offices in the town hall, I would expect additional savings.

Would it not be possible for some of the offices for the fire department to still be located in the Town Hall if the station was on route 110?

There is another informational session at town hall this evening, People with questions can stop by and get their answers directly from the fire chief and the permanent building committee

time?

From Chelmsford Patch facebook page
Everyone: There is a public information session at 7 tonight on the fire station in room 204 at town hall. It will be broadcast live on Chelmsford Telemedia. Town Manager Paul Cohen is hosting the meeting and he will be joined by Permanent Building Committee chairman Pat Maloney, Fire Chief Mike Curran, and Jeff Alberti, the Weston & Sampson engineer.

Thanks Jeff!

Let me invoke some Spock logic since it was just recently his birthday " The needs of the many must outweigh the needs of the few" this town has over 30,000 people in it. I know I will sound completly insensitive to the surrounding residents, but we can not weigh the much needed firestation against the few residents on Billerica rd. The town has put a great presentation together, as far as I am concerned my daughter plays softball in those fields so should I say you are inconveinancing (SP) the girls. I guarantee there are more girls that play softball than there are abbutters to the proposed fire station. People it has to go somewhere. Have you polled the buisnesses on RT110 they are abbutters they should then have a say, or how about the seniors. This will now affect them more with the firestation on Wilson st. There are more residents at Wilson ST than there are abbutters to the proposed new fire station. You can not please every one all the time, someone is going to be upset, it is not a perfect world. let's just stop procrastinating, sueing, and outright just being nit picky and get this done. "IN MY OWN OPINION"

Thanks for the info on the meeting tonight. I'll also post a reminder on the "Chelmsford Resp & Residents" group page on Facebook now.

@Andrew, I am not completely against the fire station on Billerica Rd. I am questioning the actual costs having to build the structure on a large hill. I was suggesting a field for the girls too. I have children too and would be very against the girls not having a field. I am looking for solutions to SAVE the town money and still have a new station.

Andrew, I'll bet there are more girls that play softball on the field than there is abutters. One big difference, the abutters PAY TAXES and the baseball teams pay nothing. And don't tell me about improvements to the field. It was neglected for years by those who used it until there was a threat that the Fire Station would be built there. Now they are pouring $$$ into so no one will want to take it for another use.
I will be at the meeting tonight, let's see how they treat me tonight !

Excuse me Bob, I pay taxes and every parent of a girl that plays Softball pays taxes, so your point is invalid. For many years Ken dews has upkept those fields for the use of girls softball so another mute point. As for how they treat you, grow up and welcome to the world of politics. you brought this upon yourself by jumping in the water before putting your bathing suit on and not investigating further. You had 30 days to put questions forth to the town manager and the selectman before bringing forth your legal action. This is one problem in this town, Sue, litigate, bring action. The old adage it's my ball and if you don't play by my rules I am taking my ball home. "IN MY OWN OPINION"

Andrew, I think to play fair what you say must be on both sides of the aisle. It seems to me that the BOS and the town manager have filed their share of law suits, instead of trying to correct anything that was false by taking 30 days to discuss!

It is my understanding that the BOS and town manager have only filed lawsuits in response to legal action that was brought against them.

Christina, Even if your statement is true, why would they have to countersue? If I had a lawsuit against me and it wasn't true I wouldn't counter sue I would go to court and state my case. Maybe it doesn't work that way I 'm not into law.

It's possible I've missed something, but I'm not aware of any countersuits filed by current Selectmen, and certainly not by the Town Manager. Does someone have specifics to the contrary? I was aware that town officials had filed paperwork with the court in response to various litigation, including such actions as a motion to dismiss - but I wouldn't have considered such actions to be "countersuits." I think what they have done is, in fact, to do as Barbara suggests she would do, which is to go to court and state their case. Please help me out here if I've mis-stated the facts?

Brad, the Board of Selectmen/Town of Chelmsford has not filed any lawsuits/litigation. As you noted we have defended claims against the Town.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Paul, thanks for clarifying. I guess the point I was making was that you and the BOS did not initiate any lawsuits. I knew that anything you did was to defend yourself and the town.

I wanted to mention that I watched the public input session on the Fire station last night and I thought you and Pat did a great job. It was very informative and I thought you addressed the questions well and in a thoughtful manner.