What's Up With Those Low-Flying Helicopters?

Curious why there were helicopters buzzing around the area Monday and flying pretty low?

If you notice a low-flying helicopter buzzing around town, it's most likely just National Grid inspecting its transmission lines in the area. The company's maintenance division started its first visual inspection program by air for New England on Monday -- a helicopter did fly through the area of the Northshore Mall and Liberty Tree Mall around noon. National Grid says it is utilizing blue and yellow Bell Jet-Ranger helicopters from JBI Helicopters out of New Hampshire. Local police departments have been notified and National Grid says these flights will be conducted over 15-20 working days, but may require additional days depending on the weather. If you have any questions, contact the Commonwealth Fusion Center at 978-451-3700 or fusion@…

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Why is There a Danvers Ladder Truck Stationed in Salem?

No, it's not because Danvers has any historical roots in the Witch City. The truck is actually on loan to the Salem Fire Department.

One of Danvers' fire engines has been on duty rolling through the streets of Salem for the past two weeks and is stationed at Salem's Fire Headquarters on Lafayette Street. Why? It's because the ladder truck is actually on loan to the Salem Fire Department while Salem's ladder truck is in the shop. Danvers Fire Chief Kevin Farrell said Engine 5 is one of two older apparatus his department has on hand as reserve engines. This one is a 1997 75-foot ladder truck -- the other reserve engine is a pumper. Danvers does have a newer 100-foot quint in active service. "We have a spare one so I let them have it," he said, describing the loan as a courtesy between departments. "He [Chief Dave Cody] can have it as long as I don't need it," Farrell said…

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Town Begins Flushing Hydrants Monday

The DPW will be flushing the town's distribution system over a period of four weeks. You may notice your tap water turn brown during that time -- don't be alarmed.

The town will begin flushing the pipes on Monday. The Water Division of the Department of Public Works flushes the distribution system each year via fire hydrants to remove sediment that has collected in the system. "We expect flushing to take approximately four weeks to complete. A combination of work day hours and night time hours will be used to complete the program," says Water & Sewer Supervisor Aaron Cilluffo. The program will begin in the northern part of town at the Middleton line and progress in a southeasterly direction toward Danversport. The distribution system is divided into six sections and the first area, between routes 62 and 114 from the town line to I-95, should take about three days to complete, according to Cilluffo. "…

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How Much Money Has Danvers Spent on Snow Removal?

The town has used up 96 percent of its snow and ice budget this winter. No more snow would be appreciated.

Barring anymore surprise snowstorms, Danvers will squeak in just under budget for snow and ice removal this winter. The latest report from Public Works Director of Operations Bob Lee shows the town has spent $667,883 to clean up 61 inches of snow that has fallen in Danvers between Nov. 7 and March 20. That leaves just $27,306 remaining in the budget. The most expensive storm this winter was the February blizzard, which dropped 24 inches and cost the town $156,062 in one day (Feb. 8). The second most expensive storm was March 7-8 at $114,524. In the event the town did have to spend more than its snow and ice budget, which happened two years ago, the state does allow cities and towns to deficit spend on that particular item and roll the …

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Newest Engine Still At Home During Driveway Work

The town of Danvers' newest fire truck is still able to be housed in its station while driveway work in conducted.

For the past several weeks, the front driveway at Danvers Fire Department’s Station 2 has been torn up. A Danvers Patch user asked whether that meant the engine typically stationed there has to remain outside or be housed at a different station. The station, on Maple Street across from Supino's, is the department’s second station, in addition to the headquarters downtown on High Street. Station 2 is home to department’s newest engine, Engine 2, which went into service earlier this summer. The KME-made engine is dedicated to Firefighter Matthew Smith, 45, who passed away in March after a two year fight against melanoma. The driveway on Station 2 is being repaved as part of a larger set of repaving projects all across town. And while the …

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What Are Dog License Fees Used For?

We tackled this question for You Ask, Patch Answers.

Last week's discussion about dogs and cats receiving different treatment on the licensing front brought on mixed opinions from readers.  As a follow up, we received the following question: What is the dog license fee used for? We went back to Danvers Health Director Peter Mirandi for the answer.  Mirandi said the cost for dog licenses ($20 annual fee), offsets the cost of providing the services for residents of Danvers.  "Public Health and the Town Clerk’s office share duties of licensing and managing dogs," Mirandi said. "These duties include, but are not limited to the following," For more information about obtaining a dog license and Chapter 140, Section 137 of the General Laws, click here.  Have a question you'd like us to tackle? …

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M. M.

6:59 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013

The rail-trail has become a doggy-dump-site, watch out or you'll step in it....   more ›

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You Ask, Patch Answers: Do Cats Need Licenses?

You asked, Patch found the answer.

We received the following question from a Danvers resident: I know dogs have to be licensed and updated on shots in Danvers….Do cats?? We spoke with Danvers Public Health Director Peter Mirandi for this week's edition of You Ask, Patch Answers.  Mirandi said state law requires cats to be immunized against rabies, but they do not need to be licensed in Danvers or Massachusetts. "The Town’s leash law applies only to dogs as well," Mirandi said.  The reader raised another point: "Just seems that dogs can't run loose anymore but cats can, and do, so they are more of a health threat now." What do you think? Let us know in the comments. 

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Is Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt Coming to Danvers?

The "America's Yogurt" chain is expanding with several new franchises in Massachusetts...is Danvers one of the new locations coming 'spoon?'

Questions have been popping up on Twitter, each with one question in mind: is Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt coming to Danvers? Orange Leaf, an Oklahoma-based frozen yogurt chain that recently opened new locations in Salem and Marblehead, has announced on its official website that a new shop in Danvers is 'Coming Spoon.'  The yogurt bar will be located at 2 High Street, the former Anthony's Italian Deli. Danvers is one of 85 new locations Orange Leaf is opening, 11 of which are located in Massachusetts.  Back in March, we asked readers what should go in the former Anthony's Italian Deli. Although Orange Leaf wasn't on the list, readers on Twitter have expressed excitement about the new decision to open in Danvers. Have you joined in on the …

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Was Mark Ruffalo at Danvers' Comfort Inn This Week?

The Avengers star was heard to be at Danvers' Comfort Inn this week.

Was Avengers star Mark Ruffalo checked in at the Comfort Inn in Danvers this week?  It turns out, he was!  Comfort Inn employee Ben Mitchell said Ruffalo, known for roles in Shutter Island, Zodiac, and most recently The Avengers, was on a trip with his children's school.  "They went into Boston, did a whale watch," Mitchell said. "He's a really involved father." He said Ruffalo told the staff he had a great time with his family.  Check out Mitchell's photo with Ruffalo, posted here and on the Comfort Inn North Shore Facebook page. 

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Are Danvers' New Smart Meters Safe?

The Department of Public Works addresses residents concerns about the new smart meters.

Danvers residents have been calling the Department of Public Works, asking about the safety of smart meters.  The DPW has sent out the following information to address residents concerns:  Danvers is in the middle of its meter replacement program.  Customers will benefit from more accurate readings, elimination of estimates and improved customer service. As of May 1, 2012, Danvers has installed 6,680 electric meters and 883 water meters.  The anticipated completion date will be next January.  As meters continue to be installed, a question that was raised is: “Are These Safe?”  Danvers has performed due diligence as required by the Smart Grid Investment Funding we received for the meter replacement program, as well as for customer safety …

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Janet

10:53 am on Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Yes, I noticed this as well. It's not the first time I've seen this in their Annual Report.   more ›