Follow Up: Cambridge Man Arrested on Drug Charges in Trapelo Haz Mat Incident

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Photo: The incident on Trapelo.

A Cambridge resident was arrested on multiple drug charges on Sunday, May 22, after he ran his vehicle into one of the new raised traffic islands on Trapelo Road, resulting in the busy thoroughfare being closed for nearly five hours due to possible hazardous material found in the car.

Jonathan Ottinger, 26, of 172r Harvard St., Cambridge, was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, possession of a Class D substance with intent to distribute, three counts of possession of Class E drugs and a marked lane violation. 

The incident continues to be under investigation by Belmont Police. 

A Belmont Police officer on patrol “looked up after hearing Ottinger’s 2003 VW Passet hit the island at 12:12 p.m.  When he arrived at the scene, he found the vehicle’s driver-side tires flat by the collision adjacent to the CVS/Pharmacy at 264 Trapelo Rd. 

After a short investigation, Ottinger was placed in custody. Soon afterwards, Belmont Fire was called to the scene – the incident took place 100 feet from Belmont Fire headquarters – and it was determined that the scene warrented a visit by a regional Haz Mat team. 

Trapelo Road was closed until just after 5 p.m. 

The one Class D drug under Massachusetts law is marijuana. A person convicted of possession of a Class D substance with intent to distribute can be sentenced up to two years in county jail and fined between $500 to $5,000. 

A Class E controlled substance includes lighter doses of prescription drugs that contain Codeine, Morphine and opium. Conviction could see a person sentenced to up to nine months in jail and fined between $250 to $2,500.

Belmont’s Second Gun Buy Back Set for June 11

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Photo: A gun buy back in Florida.

There is a perception that gun buyback programs should be concentrated in high crime areas, Belmont Assistant Police Chief James MacIsaac told the Belmont Board of Selectmen at its meeting Monday, May 23. 

“So it was bit surprising two years ago that we discovered there was a real need for this event in Belmont,” MacIsaac told the Belmontonian after the meeting. 

After a total of 62 guns were brought in 2014, Belmont Police Department and private religious groups have once again joined together to hold a second gun buyback event, this time in coordination with neighboring police departments.

The regional event will occur on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Belmont DPW Yard, 37 C Street. 

Belmont Police is partnering with their colleagues in Arlington, Cambridge, Somerville, Watertown, the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, the Belmont Religious Council and individual houses of worship including co-sponsors:

  • All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 
  • Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church,
  • Beth El Temple,
  • First Baptist Church of Belmont,
  • First Church Belmont, Unitarian Universalists,
  • Plymouth Congregational Church, and
  • New Roads Catholic Community.

The buy back allows residents a safe way to dispose of unwanted firearms and ammunition, no questions asked. All firearms turned in at the gun buyback were turned over to the Massachusetts State Police to be destroyed.

During the inaugural purchase in 2014, a variety of firearms were accepted including, rifles, shotguns, pistols and a sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun.

MacIsaac said in addition to peace of mind, safer house and community, participants will receive gift cards to local grocery stores – purchased by the religious organizations – when they drop off their unwanted firearms. The Belmont Police ask that firearms be transported inside vehicle trunks unloaded, safety engaged, inside a box, bag or case. There is no limit to the number of firearms that can be turned in. 

Belmont Police is asking that firearms be transported inside vehicle trunks unloaded, safety engaged, inside a box, bag or case. There is no limit to the number of firearms that can be turned in. Belmont police has set up the following special phone line to receive questions and/or requests for assistance in safely transporting firearms: 617-993-2529

The Belmont Police Department and Middlesex Sherriff’s Office will provide on-duty officers at the event to receive weapons for the safe storage, followed by destruction in accordance with state law. 
For more information go to www.belmontgunbuyback.org 

To make a tax-deductible donation, please make the check payable to: Belmont Religious Council (Belmont Gun Buy Back in the Memo line) and mail to 

BRC c/o David Alper

One Oak Avenue

Belmont, MA 02478  

Breaking: Trapelo Road Closed Until 5 PM Due To Haz Mat Concerns

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Photo: The vehicle in front of the CVS.

A man was arrested, and a portion of Trapelo Road has been shut down by Belmont Police due to a potential hazardous material incident that occurred at approximately 1 p.m.

The arrested man has not be identified by Belmont Police nor has the charges against him. 

Belmont Police stated on social media the main thoroughfare in Belmont will be closed from Slade to Walnut streets until 5 p.m. as state Hazardous Material personnel examine the late model sedan which came to rest in front of the CVS/Pharmacy at 264 Trapelo Rd. 

“They came in and told us we have to leave,” said one CVS employee who wondered if she would be able to go back to the store before her shift ended at 3 p.m.

The store was evacuated soon after the accident and arrest.

According to Belmont Fire Chief David L. Frizzell, apparently the vehicle hit a newly-installed island that now runs along Trapelo Road, blowing out both driver side tires. As police officers arrived, they arrested the driver. They soon discovered a stash of chemicals in the back seat of the car.  

Soon after Belmont Fire arrived – the incident occurred 100 feet from the fire department’s headquarters on Trapelo Road – the department called for state Haz Mat team to examine the vehicle. 

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It Is Friday the 13th: Vehicle Climbs To New Heights During Morning Commute

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Photo: Up in the air (by permission Lucas Tragos)

It’s bad enough getting into an accident, but to do it in such a unique and spectacular fashion as one driver did in Belmont on Friday, the 13th; now that’s seriously bad luck. 

Thankfully, the driver of this late model sedan was not injuried in this single car crash on Hittinger Street that caused traffic delays in the area of Belmont High School. 

While there is nothing amusing about a collision with a pole, some of the comments on the Belmont Police Department’s Facebook page are rather astute.

Jeff Levy Oh yea….The old “stuck on a utility pole while popping a rear lighty” happens all the time to me.

William Brimmer Nice driving skills. Wish I could park my car sideways at that angle without shattering the windshield or the laws of physics.

Dave Osterberg an electric car desperate for more juice????? BHS’ new parking plan???? Drivers ed snap quiz on parallel oops sorry perpendicular parking????

And my favorite:

Tom Griffiths Viral marketing campaign for the all-new 2017 Chevy Wallenda?

Obituary: Dan Pergamo, Retired Acting Belmont Police Chief

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Photo: 

Daniel Patrick Pergamo, who served in the Belmont Police Department for more than four decades retiring as its acting Police Chief, died Saturday morning, April 9, 2016.

He was 80 years old.

Pergamo was born in the Kerry Corner neighborhood of Cambridge which once stretched along the Charles River and Putnam Avenue. After serving in the Navy on a submarine, he joined the Belmont Police Department where he spent 33 years on the force, moving up the ranks to end his career as the acting police chief. He attended school nights to earn his undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and then his master’s degree in Criminal Science from Anna Maria College in Paxton.

When asked what he did before he retired, he would say “I worked for municipal government.”

Daniel and his wife, Helen – with whom he raised four children – loved to dance and would spend Saturday nights either at the Canadian American Club in Watertown, the Irish American Club in Arlington, or Hibernian Club in Watertown with their many friends dancing the nights away.

Daniel leaves his wife of 57 years, Helen (Poirier), and his children; Carole Sceppa and her husband Joseph of Burlington, Patti Naylor and her husband Michael of Billerica, James and his wife Susan of Belmont and Joanne Shortell and her husband John of Burlington. He is the grandfather of Michelle Proehl, Daniel Naylor, Kristen and Nicole Sceppa, Michael and David  Pergamo, and Brendan and Erin Shortell and great-grandfather of Matthew Proehl.  He was predeceased by his siblings; Joseph Pergamo, Mary Mercer, and John Pergamo.

Visitation will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home (which supplied the information for the obituary) in Burlington (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) this morning, Tuesday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at noon Tuesday. Burial will be private.

Instead of flowers, memorials in Daniel’s name may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org

Police: Allegation of Anti-Freeze Placed at PQ Park Proven Untrue

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Photo:

The Belmont Police has closed their investigation of allegations a person was spreading automotive anti-freeze in Pequosette Park off Maple Street after the person who witnesses reported was making the warning recanted what he told the residents.

In a press release released Thursday, April 7, Belmont Police Assistant Chief James MacIsaac said the police department received information on April 4 from two residents who told police they were informed that a person had “spread antifreeze” in the park.

“The Belmont Police investigated the allegations and on April 4, 2016, police spoke to the person who had reportedly witnessed the incident,” said MacIsaac.

“That person told police he had not seen anything.  This person further stated that he believed there was no antifreeze spread at the park and that the park was safe for dogs,” reported MacIsaac.

During its investigation, BPD could not find any evidence that antifreeze was placed in Pequossete Park. 

“Pending any forthcoming information, the Belmont Police consider this investigation closed,” said MacIsaac.

Breaking: Bicyclist Hit by a Vehicle in Bike Lane at Concord and Bright, In Hospital

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Photo: The location of the accident.

A bicyclist was hit by a vehicle while riding in the dedicated bike lane at the intersection of Bright Road and Concord Avenue at approximately 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 3.

A preliminary police report said the bicyclist suffered non-life-threatening injuries but they were serious enough that required the cyclists to be transported to an area hospital, according to Belmont Police Lt. Christopher Donahue, the officer in charge.

The first report indicated witnesses said the vehicle was traveling on Concord Avenue eastbound towards Cambridge when it hit the cyclists in the bike lane, said Donahue. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were clear with the setting sun behind the driver and cyclists.

Bright Avenue was closed for close to two hours after the accident. 

A more detailed report is expected on Monday morning after a crash reconstruction team has completed its work, Donahue said.

New Phone Scam Targeting Belmont Light Customers

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Photo: Beware of the new way people are attempting to scam Belmont residents.

Belmont Light customers should be on guard against a telephone scam that involves callers impersonating Belmont Light staff. As part of the recent scam, several Belmont residents received a phone call with a pre-recorded message urging Belmont Light customers to schedule an appointment for a meter upgrade to help avoid increases in electric rates.

Ed Crisafi, Belmont Light operations manager, asks customers to be extra cautious when setting up meter-related appointments or granting anyone access to their homes. Crisafi confirmed that Belmont Light employees always carry identification when visiting customers in-person, so residents and business owners should not engage with anyone who cannot show credible identification.

The caller specifically mentions “Belmont Light customers,” but does not provide any identifying information, such as his or her name or employer information. The tone of the calls can be construed as pushy, or even threatening. This recent scam alert is separate from those issued by Belmont Light in 2014 and 2015 about scammers calling customers to demand payments and money orders. 

Residents or business owners who encounter a suspicious phone call should hang up and report the incident to Belmont Light at 617-993-2800 or customerservice@belmontlight.com

Customers should be aware that Belmont Light has spent the past few years upgrading all of its customers’ electric meters for its nearly complete Smart Grid Project. However, Belmont Light always provides written notice prior to performing meter work and will never utilize pre-recorded phone messages to arrange appointments with customers.

Any calls initiated by Belmont Light to customers will originate directly from Belmont Light’s customer service or meter departments, rather than from a blocked or “1-800” number. Belmont Light staff members also clearly identify themselves during phone calls. 

Regarding phone calls, Crisafi added that customers should not hesitate in ending calls if they feel suspicious.

“If you aren’t absolutely convinced that it is Belmont Light calling when you did not initiate the call yourself, please do not be afraid to hang up and dial us directly. We want our customers to be safe, and if it is actually Belmont Light calling because of a billing or meter-related matter, we will not be offended if you need to restart the call to feel comfortable,” he said.

Crisafi also explained that as Belmont Light has already replaced 99.8 percent of the meters in town, customers who have had their meters converted recently should be immediately tipped off that requests for additional meter work are probably fraudulent. 

Learn the Social Host Laws at BHS Presentation Wednesday Night

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Photo: Know the law.

Prom, graduation and warm spring nights are just around the corner. And with them will come requests from many teens to host a party. It is up to parents to know what’s legal and what isn’t when it comes to having a social event at your house.

Middlesex District Attorney (and Belmont resident) Marian Ryan, in conjunction with the Belmont Police Department and the Belmont Public Schools, is hosting a presentation for parents on the state’s strict Social Host Law on Wednesday, March 30. 

The goal of the presentation is to educate parents on the laws related to furnishing alcohol to minors as well as the effects that drugs and alcohol have on underage children. The event will take place in the Little Theatre at Belmont High School beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Belmont Man Murdered Outside Mt. Auburn Hospital Tuesday Night

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Photo: The location where a Belmont man was murdered Tuesday night.

A Belmont resident was murdered after being shot outside Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge late Tuesday night, March 22, according to Meghan Kelly, communications director of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

Armando Hernandez, Jr., 30, was one of two men who were hit by rounds fired by an unknown suspect at 9:57 p.m. last night on the 300 block of Mt. Auburn St. near the Lowell School Playground which is across the street from the hospital. Hernandez was transported to the Mt. Auburn Hospital emergency room where he was pronounced dead, according to Kelly.

The Belmont Town Clerk’s office said Hernandez is not in the town’s census. 

The other victim is in a Boston hospital with serious injuries, said Kelly in a communication. 

Cambridge Police Department spokesperson Jeremy Warnick said an investigation is ongoing.