Town Talk: No search for new water-plant head and other short items of interest

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July 22, 2010

Water plant: No search to replace Pollano yet

As of this week, the town has not begun a search to replace water treatment plant Superintendent John Pollano, said Human Resources Director Candace Hall.

The town, police and the district attorney's office continue to investigate alleged misconduct by one or more employees at the water treatment plant.

Last week, Town Manager Buzz Stapczynski said Pollano had retired effective June 30, but he would not comment further on the investigation or say whether there was a connection between the investigation and Pollano's retirement.

Stapczynski is on vacation this week, and Assistant Town Manager Steve Bucuzzo said July 20 that he could not release any additional information on the investigation. Police Chief Brian Pattullo also declined comment.

- Bethany Bray

No beach bums

If you can't stand the heat, get out of Andover's state senate race.

Barry Finegold, a Democratic candidate for state senator of the 2nd Essex and Middlesex district, e-mailed a video message to supporters last week, urging them to "forget the beach" and help him reach a goal of knocking on 1,000 doors last weekend.

Supporters, clad in Finegold campaign T-shirts, spread out with the intent of knocking on 1,000 doors in Tewksbury July 17 and 18. They plan to knock on 1,000 doors in Andover this weekend, July 24 and 25.

Finegold is giving up his seat as state representative of the 17th Essex district to run for the senate seat soon to be vacated by Sue Tucker. He faces a field thick with six other candidates.

State primaries will be Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Thanks for stopping

A New Hampshire couple who broke down on Interstate 93 during another scorching day, is searching for the Andover man who pulled over and helped them keep cool during a long wait for a tow truck. Donna Grier of Kingston, N.H., said they want to say a proper thank you, as they failed to do so once the tow truck arrived.

"Friday, July 16, our SUV broke down on Route 93 in Andover. You came to our rescue. We feel that you exemplified all the good that people can do for one another. Given today's society, it is so rare that a person would go out of their way to help another person," wrote Grier. "It was a brutally hot day and you insisted that we wait in your air-conditioned vehicle, while we waited for a tow truck to arrive. Given the stress of the situation, we neglected to get your last name or your card. During our conversation, we remembered that you told us that you are a nuclear physicist engineer. We are hoping that either you or someone that knows you will see this article and get in touch with you. If not, God bless you and your family for what you did for us."

Grier left her e-mail address as supsteel@comcast.net.

Brooklyn gig with Andover ties

If summer plans have you in Brooklyn, N.Y. this Monday, you can get a taste of Andover at a jazz concert. Andover native Anita Brown and her Jazz Orchestra, will perform at The Tea Lounge, 837 Union St., Brooklyn, N.Y. on Monday, July 26, with sets at 9 and 10:30 p.m. The guest artist is Ted Brown, Tenor Sax, a.k.a. Anita's dad.

"I'm very happy to announce that my father, a recorded jazz artist and an original member of The Lennie Tristano School, will, for the first time, sit in on my arrangements of his own compositions," Anita wrote in an email.

Anita Brown is a 1977 Andover High School graduate. The composer/arranger/conductor is now an adjunct staff member of the faculties at Sarah Lawrence College and New Jersey City University in Jazz Composition & Arranging. The Brown family lived on Gemini Circle in town.

- Judy Wakefield

Old School Intramurals

Old school intramurals is the Andover Youth Services way to let kids just get outside and play.

Each Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. kids can go out with Neal Callahan, Summer Recreation Coordinator, to play basketball, flag football, mat ball, street hockey, speed ball, wiffleball, capture the flag and more. Old school intramurals run from through Aug. 12 and will be meeting at 37-39 Pearson St., the new home to AYS. Participants can sign up for each individual class, based on your summer schedule. We will travel to different places around Andover just to play, whether we walk or ride bikes (bikes will be provided in this case). Call 978-623-8241 or stop by 37-39 Pearson St.