Bostik Settles for $600K Fine on 2011 Explosion

Bostik and federal safety officials have settled on $600,000 in fines for the explosion that rocked the Middleton adhesives plant in 2011.

Federal safety officials announced Thursday they had reached a settlement with Bostik for $600,000 in fines for the explosion that rocked the Middleton adhesives plant in March 2011 and injured four workers. The Boston Road plant is located right across from the end of Russell Street in West Peabody and right near the town lines on Main Street in Lynnfield and with North Reading -- the Sunday evening explosion rocked nearby houses and was heard and felt across the North Shore. Bostik was originally fined last fall for $917,000 after a six-month investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration found numerous safety violations, but that fine has now been reduced. OSHA cited Bostik for violations of federal safety …

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The Economic Case for Early Education

Send letters to the editor and Lynnfield-related opinion pieces to william.laforme@patch.com.

The following is an opinion piece from State Senator Katherine Clark: Last week I co-hosted a legislative briefing on the importance of early childhood education with Arthur Rolnick of the University of Minnesota’s Human Capital Research Collaborative and a former economist at the Federal Reserve.  Professor Rolnick’s research makes the economic case for early childhood education through new data and a comprehensive 40-year study.  Professor Rolnick and his colleagues have quantified the returns on investment in early education: boosting labor productivity, increasing tax revenue, and reducing by up to 50% costs associated with special education services and crime.  Their essential argument is that if children show up to Kindergarten ready…

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Police Chief Breen Talks Traffic, Public Safety With Town Residents

On Thursday, Lynnfield Police Chief David Breen joined Lynnfield Patch for the site's first live chat interview. Here's a look at the conversation.

During Thursday's live chat, town residents sent in their questions for Police Chief David Breen, with a general focus on local quality of life issues such as speeding and other safety matters. Below is a partial transcript with many of the questions that came in from readers, as well as the chief's replies. --------------------- Edward: With the growing number of families with young children on Forest Hill, what is to be done about speeding? Every day kids and adults alike use Forest Hill as a cut-through oftentimes exceeding 40-45mph. Not even the emergency vehicles go that fast. With kids peeling out at the intersection of Forest Hill and Summer, this has become a safety AND quality of life issue. Chief Breen: I have taken many steps to…

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You Asked, Patch Answers

Want To Help Out With The Fields Project?

Three new subcommittees will be formed to help with variety of tasks needed to help make the fields project a reality.

The committee spearheading the development of Lynnfield's fields complex is forming several subcommittees that town residents can get involved with. At their meeting on Thursday night, fields committee members announced the creation of three subcommittees that interested citizens can inquire about joining. One subcommittee would work on assessment, design and construction details of the project, assisting a consultant who will eventually be hired by the town to oversee these areas. For example, subcommittee members may help to document the use of the current town fields and to talk to the recreational groups and others about future field needs - or other ideas for passive recreation activities on the site, such as trails, boat launch, etc…

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Photo Of The Day

PHOTO: An Eel From Pillings Pond

Got a photo to share with the community? Email it to william.laforme@patch.com.

Thanks to Evelyn Noto of the Pillings Pond Association for sending in this photo a while back. The image shows an eel that local resident Brad Davidson caught from the pond and then later released. "This is proof that our Pond is thriving and teeming with all kinds of wildlife. We are very lucky to have such a resource right here in Town," wrote Noto.

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What's Going On In Lynnfield This Weekend

Geraniumfest on Saturday, Cystic Fibrosis Walk on Sunday. Tonight, a reception for the artists in the Lynnfield Art Guild show.

There’s a handful of different activities taking place in Lynnfield this weekend. Here’s a look at what’s going on: Breakfast At The Ninety-Nine: This one is somewhat time sensitive because if you want to attend this Saturday morning event, you need to get your tickets Friday for $5 at the Lynnfield Senior Center on Salem Street. The Friends of the Lynnfield Senior Center have their annual all-you-can eat pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Ninety-Nine Restaurant Saturday morning from 8 to 10 a.m. But again, tickets are not sold the day of the breakfast. Lynnfield Art Guild: On Friday evening, the public is also welcome to attend a reception at Centre Congregational Church for the artists in the Lynnfield Art Guild annual spring fine arts …

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Five Things You Need To Know: May 18

Got a yard sale coming up? Send the listing to Lynnfield Patch.

Today is Friday, May 18. Here are five things you need to know. Yard Sale Listings: With summer coming up, it’s a good time to remind everybody that you can also send your yard sale listings to Lynnfield Patch to be run on Fridays.  So with that, here’s the first of 2012 – there’s a street sale on Island Road this Sunday, May 20 from 7:30 a.m. to noon. No early birds please. Constituent Service: Rep. Brad Jones or a member of his staff will be on hand for a constituent service hour today from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at town hall. LHS Sports: Today on the LHS sports calendar, it’s tennis at 3:30 p.m., with the girls playing Manchester Essex at home and the boys playing that school on the road. At 4 p.m., the girls JV and varsity softball …

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