Obituary: Dan Pergamo, Retired Acting Belmont Police Chief

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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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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,

Phone Scammers Using Belmont Light to Fleece Customers

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Photo: Phone scammers using Belmont Light to fleece customers.

The caller says he is phoning from Belmont Light’s billing and collection service.

He says your account is overdue and unless the bill is settled immediately – he advises making the payment over the phone – your electrical service will be terminated. 

If you receive this call, Belmont Police is telling residents to hang up immediately as it is part of an ongoing scam targeting the utility’s customers.

According to police, “legitimate billing inquiries from Belmont Light come directly from their customer service department and Belmont Light does not take telephone payments or ask for payments via immediate money orders.”

In addition, customers should never give out their financial and banking information over the phone unless they themselves initiated the call to Belmont Light.

To verify a billing inquiry or to alert Belmont Light of a suspicious phone call, please call Belmont Light Customer Service at 617-993-2800.

Three New Police Officers Sworn In By Town Clerk, Two Others Promoted

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Photo: The new hires: (from left) Officers Michael Santoro Jr., William Watkins  Jr., and Marco D ’Andrea.

Marco D ’Andrea, Michael Santoro Jr. and William Watkins Jr. were sworn in today, Thursday, June 18, by Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman as the the most recent police officers to join the ranks of the Belmont Police Department. 

The officers attended the distinguished and stringent six-month Boston Police Academy and graduated on June 17, along with 64 of their classmates, according to Belmont Police Chief Richard McLaughlin. 

Forty-one of the new officers will join the ranks of the Boston Police Department and 23 are headed to cities and towns in Massachusetts.  Boston’s Mayor Walsh and Police Commissioner William Evans addressed the graduating class.  

“We are very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to send our recruits to the nationally recognized Boston Police Academy,” said McLaughlin.

In addition to Belmont Police personnel, the swearing in was attended by Belmont  Town Administrator David Kale, Assistant Town Administrator Phyllis Marshall and family and friends of the officers.

In addition to the swearing in of the three new officers, Belmont recognized recently promoted Mark Hurley and Marc Pugliese. Hurley was promoted to the rank of lieutenant from sergeant and  Pugliese was promoted from patrol officer to sergeant.

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Pictured: L-R Sgt. Marc Pugliese, Lt. Mark Hurley, Asst. Chief James MacIsaac, Chief Richard McLaughlin, Officer Michael Santoro Jr., Officer William Watkins Jr., Officer Marco D ’Andrea.

Big Pot Bust By Belmont Cops on Watertown Line

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Photo: The pot and cash seized by Belmont Police after a traffic stop on the Watertown line. 

Editor’s note: The article comes from a press release from the Belmont Police Department.

On Tuesday, June 16, just before 12:30 p.m., Officer Matthew Benoit of the Belmont Police Traffic Division was conducting traffic enforcement at the intersection of Belmont Street and School Street on the Watertown line.  Benoit observed a Honda Civic with an expired registration sticker drive past him. Benoit stopped the Honda and was able to confirm that the registration was expired.  

Benoit described the operator of the vehicle, Peter Primes, 43, of Sycamore Street, Watertown, as “visibly shaking and very nervous.” Benoit issued Primes a citation and informed him the Honda would be towed from the roadway. 

In accordance with department policy, Benoit conducted an inventory search of the vehicle prior to towing.  Benoit’s search of the vehicle turned up four one pound vacuum sealed bags of marijuana, seven bags containing 11 ounces of marijuana and eight bags containing 130 grams each of marijuana. In addition to the drugs, Benoit discovered $116,453 in cash inside the vehicle. 

Benoit arrested Primes and charged him with possession to distribute a class D drug and diving an unregistered Motor Vehicle. 

Fore! PGA Tour Brings Street Closure, Parking Restrictions Beginning Tuesday

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The Belmont Country Club is hosting the PGA TOUR Constellation Senior Players Championship beginning Tuesday, June 9.

Working with state and other municipalities, the Belmont Police Department has developed a traffic plan that will help keep traffic delays and parking issues to a minimum during the 

Road and exit closures:

The most prominent feature of the plan is that Winter Street in Belmont will be CLOSED to traffic on the following dates and times. These times are subject to change. 

  • Tuesday, June 9: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 10: 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 11: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, June 12: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 13: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 14: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

In addition, the state will close the Exit 56 ramp from Route 2 East (onto Winter Street) during the event hours.

The detour for motorists who use Exit 56 will direct them to use Exit 55 onto Pleasant Street in Lexington, so residents may anticipate that much of the traffic that usually would be on Winter Street will shift to Concord Avenue between Pleasant Street in Lexington and the intersection with Winter Street in Belmont. The reverse detour will bring motorists on Concord Avenue west to Pleasant Street in Lexington, where a right turn will bring vehicles to an entrance to Route 2 West.

Marsh Street will be closed for motorists intent on getting to Winter Street, Route 2, Lexington, or Waltham. Motorists headed for Belmont Center, Concord Avenue, or Mill Street may find it quicker to gain access via Route 60/Pleasant Street. Residents will be able to enter Marsh Street from Concord Avenue and proceed north on Marsh Street.

Robinwood Road will be posted as “do not enter” at Concord Avenue, since Robinwood Road will be used to send some event traffic away from the country club.

Residents of Hough Road and Robinwood Road will be asked to come on to Marsh Street from Concord Avenue. Hough Road residents may turn left onto Hough Road. Robinwood Road residents will turn left onto Winter Street and then turn left onto Robinwood Road.

To improve traffic flow with all of the detours, Mill Street will be diverted into a T style intersection at Concord Avenue. Motorists westbound on Concord Avenue will not be permitted to turn left onto Mill Street. Motorists driving east on Concord Avenue will be permitted to turn right onto Mill Street or continue on Concord Avenue in the normal manner.

Residents of the area:

All residents near the Winter Street Road closure will be able to get to and from their homes by motor vehicle at all times during the event. Some brief delays in doing so and parking restrictions on their streets should be anticipated.

For residents on the streets listed on the reverse, your driver’s license with the street address will be sufficient to allow you through any road closure to get to your home. In addition, for visitors you authorize, the Police Department will have a printed pass system available. To prevent improper use, there will be a limit to the number of passes each address will be permitted. This pass will not authorize on street parking. Passes for resident visitors will be available starting June 1 by visiting the police station.

Parking:

There will be temporary “no parking” restrictions on the streets listed below. Some of these parking restrictions are needed because of the detoured traffic flow. Other restrictions are intended to discourage event parking that might cause problems for emergency vehicles, add unsafe pedestrian trips to the event, and be inconvenient for residents:                                               

  • Rayburn Road                                
  • Country Club Lane
  • Dundonald Road                               
  • Grey Birch Park
  • Partridge Lane                                  
  • Greybirch Circle
  • Winter Street                                    
  • Greensbrook Way                              
  • Robinwood Road                                
  • Concord Avenue        
  • Hough Road                                      
  • Marsh Street (between Concord Avenue and Country Club Lane)

In addition, there will be no private parking available for purchase at or near the event at Belmont Country Club and no public or on street parking at or near the location. 

For more information about the event from the PGA TOUR:

http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/constellation-senior-players-championship.html 

or  cspgolf.com  or  781-205-2040