New Winter Parking Rules Will Be Monitored for Effectiveness

Changes to the winter parking ban are ready to officially be put in place on Jan. 1.

Town officials said on Wednesday they are ready to go with the town's new trial rules for the winter parking ban. A complete description of the program issued by the town government is attached to this story and also posted on the Danvers town website. "We have been working to prepare for the implementation of our new (trial) winter parking ban which will become effective on January 1, 2013," Town Manager Wayne Marquis said in a memo to several town officials this week in both the Department of Public Works, Police Department and other town offices. The changes to the wintertime overnight parking rules in Danvers were approved by the Board of Selectmen on a trial basis through the end of the winter. The board unanimously backed the trial …

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Long Time, Promoted Town Employees Honored

Dozens of Danvers town employees were honored at the annual employee service awards last week.

Two of the town's longest serving employees - plus the newest hires and those that have been promoted in the past year - were all honored at an event at Town Hall last week. The annual employee service awards were handed out on the morning of Nov. 26 in the Daniel J. Toomey Room at Town Hall. Employees were recognized for 5, 10 and 15 years of service with the town, according to Town Manager Wayne Marquis. "We had two 40 year recipients, Assistant Town Clerk Kathleen Woytovich and Town Archivist Richard Trask," Marquis said in a written announcement. Employees that were hired during the past year and others who have been promoted during the same time period were also introduced. In all, 88 town employees were recognized for their service …

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Friends, Family, Colleagues Recall the friendly 'Fred at the Other End of the Phone'

Hundreds gathered on Thursday night to celebrate outgoing state Senate Majority leader Fred Berry's work.

Unique, masterful, loyal, hilarious, inspirational, compassionate, admirable, generous, committed and "the Berry best" were just some of the words used to describe outgoing state Sen. Fred Berry at a celebratory night in his honor Thursday at the Danversport Yacht Club.  Led by Master of Ceremonies Nelson Benton, a longtime former editor at the Salem News, Berry's praises were sung by Gov. Deval Patrick and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, alongside hundreds of state and local officials, friends and family members. They all remembered Berry's 30 years on Beacon Hill, represeting the Second Essex District, which includes Danvers plus, currently, Beverly, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield. In a video presentation, members of the community expressed their …

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Patch Facts

5 Things To Know Today in Danvers: Aug. 15

A great way to start the day with a quick look at the events and happenings in town.

Welcome to “5 Things,” your daily resource for community events, happenings in town and other little tidbits of information. Here are five things you need to know on Wednesday, Aug. 15. 1. Cooler and Cloudy: After two nearly picture-perfect summer days to start the workweek, the forecast shifts slightly on Wednesday. The skies are expected to be overcast and temperatures won’t get much above 80 degrees. There’s also a chance of a shower and a thunderstorm. 2. Powerball: Wow, the Powerball jackpot has really grown – now over $300 million. While it still falls short of the record-breaking Megamillions jackpot earlier this year, there sure is a lot you can do with the estimated $320 million jackpot up for grabs in Wednesday night’s drawing. …

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Pennimpede: Danvers Square Flag Wasn't Lowered for Aurora Victims

President Obama issued an order that flags be lowered for the victims of the acts of violence that occurred in Aurora, Colo. on July 20.

Former Danvers selectman Joseph Pennimpede was concerned that the flag in Danvers Square was not lowered for the Aurora, Colo. shooting victims last month. He brought his concerns to the Board of Selectmen at last week's meeting.   "Due to an apparent misinterpretation of the President's Order, the Flag was not lowered in Danvers Square," Pennimpede said to the board. "It is unfortunate that it ocurred, and hopefully steps will be taken to correct it from happening again in the future." Pennimpede's comments were made before Sunday's shooting at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin that killed six people. Pennimpede said he would appreciate it if the selectmen look into this issue, and "hopefully an apology will be forthcoming, to all citizens of …

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Marquis Hopes To See Route 128 Improvements Before School's Start

The $21 million project, funded by Mass Department of Transportation, is currently ahead of schedule.

Town Manager Wayne Marquis said once the Route 128 interchanges are paved and the lines are painted, he expects to see a significant difference in traffic flow. "There is confusion right now," he said. "The street needs to be paved and then they come in and put the lines in. That's certainly contributing to the problem." Marquis said he views the opening of school as an important milestone, and hopes Mass DOT implements the changes before then.  Students go back to school on Wednesday, Sept. 5.  "From my perspective, having the lines painted and roads paved before school opens would be very desirable," he said. "We don't want parents and school buses contributing to the problem." According to a poll in early June, 90 percent of voters said…

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