Another trooper indicted in overtime fraud probe

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A former lieutenant in the Massachusetts State Police was indicted Wednesday for collecting more than $12,000 in overtime pay for shifts he did not work as part of the ongoing investigation into overtime abuses at the law enforcement agency.

Former Lt. David Wilson, 57, of Charlton, was indicted in federal court on one charge of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. He had previously been arrested and charged by a criminal complaint on June 27.

Wilson was a member of the State Police's Troop E enforcing traffic laws along the Massachusetts Turnpike, and served as the officer-in-charge of several overtime shifts, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Troopers also patrol state property in Hull, such as the Nantasket Reservation and Fort Revere. 

In 2016, Wilson earned approximately $230,000 and worked 170 overtime shifts for the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort program, which targeted vehicles speeding on the turnpike, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors allege that Wilson took home $12,450 for overtime shifts he either didn't work, or left early, concealing the fraud by submitting citations that were either never issued or were issued during hours outside the overtime shifts.

No date for Wilson's arraignment has been scheduled. Six troopers thus far have been charged by the U.S. Attorney in connection with the overtime abuse scandal. Trooper Gregory Raftery, 47, of Westwood, has already pleaded guilty, and suspended Trooper Kevin Sweeney, 40, of Braintree, has agreed to plead guilty, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling's office said.

 

 

State raises West Nile Virus alert to 'moderate'

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State public health officials have raised the statewide risk level for West Nile Virus from low to moderate and are urging everyone to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

According to the Department of Public Health, it's only the second time that officials have raised the risk level statewide.

Officials said there have not been any human West Nile cases reported, but noted that the recent hot and humid weather, combined with frequent rainfall, have provided "perfect conditions for mosquito species carrying West Nile Virus to breed," according to Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel.

According to the state, West Nile can infect people of all ages, but people over age 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, state officials say, and while most people infected with the virus will have no symptoms, they may include fever and flu-like illness.

"I strongly encourage everyone to keep using insect repellant and to be especially aware of mosquito activity at dusk and dawn, when the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes is greatest. Move indoors if you are getting bitten," said Bharel. 

 

SAMOSET AREA WILL LOSE WATER SERVICE TODAY AS SYSTEM REPAIRS ARE DONE

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Here is the updated Aquarion memo about today's anticipated service interruption, courtesy of Hull DPW's ace administrative aide, MaryEllen White.

Aquarion Water Company will be replacing two gate valves, one at the intersection of Samoset Avenue and Lewis Street, the other at the intersection of Samoset and Adams, on Aug. 9 (today).

This infrastructure improvement is necessary and is being done to help resolve the discoloration issue which some homes experienced earlier this week.

In order to do the work, water will be off to the following customers between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

125-199 Samoset Ave., all of Hadassah Way, 18 Adams St., 5 - 20 Lewis St., all of Weston Street.

The following fire hydrants will be out of service during the construction: 649, 786, 787, and 745.

The water company also sent out a second CODE RED message to the following streets to alert residents of potential low pressure and potential discoloration during the construction:

All of Manomet Avenue,  200-225 Samoset Ave., 1- 124 Samoset Ave., 560-652 Nantasket Ave.

Customers with questions or issues may call 800-928-3734.

Hull teen accused of driving more than 100 mph in New Hampshire

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The Boston Globe reports that a Hull teenager was cited for reckless driving after he clocked in at 116 miles per hour on Interstate 95 in New Hampshire Saturday morning.

Cullen Gaudette, 18, told New Hampshire State Police he was trying to get to a camping outing early, police said in a statement. He allegedly was driving in a 65-mph speed zone in Greenland, N.H. when an officer observed him “traveling at an extremely high rate of speed” at approximately 6:37 a.m. 

Gaudette is scheduled to appear at Portsmouth Circuit Court on Sept. 10 at 8 a.m.

Hull marks Independence Day with a trio of events

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There are three events worth your time today:

HAMPTON CIRCLE PARADE. The whole town is welcome to don red, white, and blue and head to Hampton Circle for a neighborhood “parade” that features face-painting for kids, lots of flag bearing, raising, and waving, and picture-perfect small-town patriotism. Face painting begins at 9, the march around Hampton Circle begins at 10 a.m. The annual group photo will be taken just prior to the parade. [Don’t forget your flags.] 

SAY HULL-O TO THE TROLLEY. Join the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce and local dignitaries as they inaugurate trolley service along the peninsula that will run from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends this summer. The trolley debuts at 12:15 p.m. in front of the Bernie King Pavilion at Nantasket Beach. Don't leave afterwards, because the Bernie King is also the venue for the...

INDEPENDENCE DAY CONCERT. It’s a Hull tradition for Four Guys in Tuxes to perform the kickoff and season finale concerts at the bandstand on Nantasket Beach. The Independence Day concert begins at 2 p.m. This free event is part of the Leonard Hersch Memorial Band Concert Series and is sponsored by the town of Hull, the state Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, local merchants, and private donations. To make a contribution, send a check payable to the Town of Hull/Band Concerts to Town Hall, 253 Atlantic Ave., Hull, MA 02045. 

So, sally forth and have a Happy 4th!

Nantasket Avenue fire displaces 6 families

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Chief John Dunn reports that the Hull Police Department responded to an apartment fire on Nantasket Avenue Friday afternoon. The Kenberma fire displaced six families. Its cause is being investigated.
At approximately 4 p.m., Hull Police were notified about a fire alarm at 527 Nantasket Ave., a multi-family apartment building.
When officers arrived, a male tenant was uncooperative and would not leave the unit, despite the blaze. Multiple officers had to go inside the building in order to get the man out safely. 
He was placed in protective custody and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
Three police officers suffered minor smoke inhalation and were transported to the hospital out of an abundance of caution.
The rest of the residents were able to make it out of the building safely and no other injuries were reported.
Firefighters from the Hull Fire Department quickly extinguished the flames. The unit where the fire occurred sustained significant damage and other units had smoke and water damage. Utilities in the building have been temporarily shut off.
Six families living in the building were all displaced and most were being assisted by the American Red Cross.
Investigators from the State Fire Marshal's office have been called to the scene. The initial investigation indicates that the fire originated in the kitchen. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Town will spray for ticks and mosquitoes Thursday

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Jim Dow, director of the town's public works department, posted the following on his department's blog today:

Just a reminder that the Hull DPW has hired a company to come to a couple of locations tomorrow to spray for ticks in an attempt to minimize any tick-borne illnesses that may occur if these areas are not treated. This treatment will also address mosquitoes. 

Please be advised that the following locations will be CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC until after 2 p.m. Thursday, June 14: the Dust Bowl, Village Playground, Hampton Circle Park, and Menice Field.

The application being put down is EPA-approved and is harmless to children and animals after it dries. The drying time is approximately 90 minutes, To be safe, these areas will remain closed for a few hours after spraying. 

Please stay out of these areas until after 2 p.m. Thank you for your cooperation.

Summer Hoops registration underway

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Hull Park & Rec’s Summer Hoops program runs from June 24 to Aug. 12 on Sunday evenings, at the basketball court at the Kenberma playground. 
The program is for girls and boys in grades 5 to 8. Cost is $120; a jersey and participation in a pizza party at the end of the season is included in the fee. 
To register, visit town.hull.ma.us and click on Hull Recreation, then Park and Rec online payment, Summer Hoops. 
Those with questions should contact program coordinator Christine Sampson at Sampson1528@gmail.com.