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  

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?

Belmont Drug Take-Back Set For Saturday, April 30

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Photo: The Belmont Police will have a collection point Saturday, April 30.

The Belmont Police Department in conjunction with the Belmont Auxiliary Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency will be hosting a Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative to prevent the abuse and theft of old, unused and expired prescription drugs.

The Belmont Police will have a collection point set up at the DPW yard, 37C St., on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Unfortunately, these drugs are highly susceptible to misuse by family and friends. Also, they can be improperly disposed of and end up in our environment, posing a potential health hazard.

Old or unused prescription drugs – no liquids – may be dropped off for free with no questions asked. You won’t even have to get out of your car.

Please take some time to check your medicine cabinet and visit us on Saturday. Unfortunately, these drugs are highly susceptible to misuse by family and friends. Also, they can be improperly disposed of and end up in our environment, posing a potential health hazard.

For more information on the Rx Drug Take Back Initiative or a list of additional collection sites visit the DEA’s website. You may also contact Lt. Daley at kdaley@belmontpd.org. We also have a permanent Rx drug collection kiosk located in the lobby of the police station that is accessible 24/7.

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.

Two-Vehicle Accident Sends Five to Area Hospitals [VIDEO]

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Photo: Accident on Grove Street. 

A two-vehicle accident sent five people to area hospitals and closed down Grove Street to inbound traffic around noon on Sunday, March 6.

According to an initial police report, eyewitnesses and the driver of the second vehicle observed a white Nissan sedan with Delaware plates traveling on Grove Street away from Belmont Street when it made a “sudden and wild” turn onto Marion Road in an apparent attempt to make a U-turn to head back towards Belmont Street.

When the Nissan, carrying a driver and two passengers, crossed the roadway, it was hit board side by a silver Acura SUV on Grove Street.

The collision caused air bags to be deployed in both vehicles, sending the Nissan c into a driveway.

Belmont Fire arrived to stabilize the victims which included the three in the Nissan and a mother and her daughter in the SUV. They were all sent to area hospitals for observations. 

Belmont Police would not say if a citation will be given to either the Nissan or the Acura driver. 

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Cushing Square Municipal Lot Closing for Good in Fortnight

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Photo: The municipal lot in Cushing Square. 

A long-time landmark in parking scarce Cushing Square will soon disappear as Belmont Police announced Monday, Aug. 31, the closing of the municipal parking lot adjacent to Trapelo and Williston roads.

The lot, which serves neighborhood businesses, shoppers, overnight parking and commuters, will shut down in the next two weeks, said the release.

Police note that 50 underground spaces reserved for municipal use will be available to the public when the project nears completion in 18 months. 

The closure is due to the start of construction of the Cushing Village construction project, the long-delayed 167,000 sq.-ft. multi-use development that will occupy the lot, the location of the former S. S. Pierce store building at the intersection of Common Street and Trapelo Road and the former CVS site at Common and Belmont Street. 

After the lot is closed, area businesses that purchased town-issued monthly parking passes in the lot “will be allowed to park in the Cushing Square area free from time restrictions on parking with the exception of the following roads: Trapelo and Horne roads and Common Street. 

Belmont Police will work closely with businesses and residents to minimize the impact of an increase in vehicles in the surrounding neighborhoods. The department will rely on a similar plan in place during the reconstruction of the municipal lot in Waverley Square last year. 

Questions can be directed to Belmont Police Traffic Sgt. Ben Mailhot at 617-993-2538.  

Watertown Brothers Arrested in Belmont on Drug Charges

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Photo: Police arrest pair in Belmont.

Two Watertown brothers were arrested in Belmont this past Friday and charged with possession and distribution of a variety of drugs.

On Friday, Aug. 7, Belmont detectives assigned to the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 31 Thayer Rd. in Watertown, according to Belmont Police Asst. Chief James MacIsaac.

Immediately following the search at the address, the detectives arrested Daniel McDonough, 20, on Trapelo Road in Belmont. At the time of his arrest, McDonough, of 31 Thayer Road, was in the possession of an estimated three grams of heroin.

Also arrested was Daniel’s brother, Thomas J. McDonough, 24, of the same address. Both were charged with possession to distribute a variety of drugs including heroin,