Billerica Police | MA

Town Manager, John Curran, has scheduled a series of neighborhood meetings to update area residents’ on a range of Town Projects and initiatives. The purpose of these meetings is to promote meaningful and thoughtful dialogue on issues of concern to Town residents. As well as, to answer the questions and concerns of our resident we will have available all of the Town Department Heads. They will be updating the residents on new and ongoing issues as well as answering any questions and concerns.

Billerica Residents are encouraged to attend and participate in conversations about neighborhood issues and concerns as well as Town wide concerns.

There will be three meetings all at a different location. Please feel free to attend the most convenient location that suites you; or you can attend all three.

Town Manager, John Curran commented: “I would like to see all of the Town residents attend at least one meeting as this will provide not only the residents with helpful information on the Town’s side but we will also learn of concerns of the Town residents.”

In addition to the Neighborhood Meetings we will be holding a meeting on June 9, 2014 to do an informational session on Town finances. This session will be different from the Neighborhood Meetings in that we will be discussing financial issues exclusively and to answer any questions you may have about the Town’s financial condition. Curran said, “Being informed about the Town finances is important as every resident has a stake in the financial future of the Town of Billerica.”

If you have a particular issue you would like addressed at these meetings, please email them prior to the meeting date to: codea@town.billerica.ma.us

Town Finance Meeting:

• Monday – June 9, 2014 @ 7:00pm at the Town Hall Auditorium – 365 Boston Road

Neighborhood Meetings:

• Tuesday – June 10, 2014 @ 7:00pm at the Parker School – 52 River Street
• Wednesday – June 11, 2014 @ 7:00pm at the MSD Training Academy – 793 Boston Road
• Thursday – June 12, 2014 @ 7:00pm at the Hajjar School – 59 Rogers Street

Any questions should be forwarded to Assistant Town Manager Cathy O’Dea at 978-671-0942 or codea@town.billerica.ma.us

National Grid will begin the visual inspection program for All Transmission lines in New England starting Wednesday May 21th 2014 which includes Billerica.

These helicopter flights will be conducted over a fifteen to twenty working day period plus any additional days added for weather cancellations.

The helicopters are Bell Jet Rangers and the majority are blue and yellow as shown below.  There is no need to call the PD to notify us of these flyovers.

The Police Department has already seen reports of Tree Service Scammers in the area, including Billerica.  Here’s some helpful information to ensure you are not victimized by unsavory people looking to make a quick pay day.

• Don’t pay upfront.  Be very wary of any request to pay deposits or other fees for tree work in advance.  Out-of-state tree cutters have been known to collect deposits and then disappear without performing any work.  Only pay when the work is done and you are satisfied.

• Avoid fly-by-night companies and illegal solicitation.  Tree services that knock on your door or that just arrived in town from another state (often Maine) may not stick around to finish the job.  Or, even worse, may attempt to distract you outside so a partner can enter your home and steal property.  Choose local companies with good reputations for the best results.  Door to door solicitation is illegal in Billerica without a license. Call BPD if you are solicited and they don’t have a visible license. If they are not listed here then police should be called.

• Check out the company.  Contact the MA Attorney Generals Office and the Better Business Bureau to see if they have complaints against the company.  Ask the company for local references, and look online for reviews of its work.

• Make sure the company is insured.  If a tree removal service claims to have insurance, don’t just take their word for it. Contact the insurer directly and ask them to send you a copy of the tree removal service’s certificate of insurance.

• Find out a fair price. Be skeptical of any price that seems unusually high or low. To find out the going rate for tree removal, get written estimates from more than one company.  Check with friends who’ve had tree work done recently to see what they paid and who they would recommend.

• Don’t let anyone rush you. If an offer is only good “now or never,” find someone else to do the job.  And if the tree isn’t on your house or blocking your driveway, you may be better off waiting a few days or weeks to have it removed.

Please call the PD if you suspect your neighborhood is being canvassed by unlicensed solicitors.