Wrentham Times

Ross to Open Campaign HQ

State Representative Richard Ross is opening his Wrentham Campaign Headquarters for his State Senate run to replace Scott Brown. The grand opening is Monday night at 7 PM. The office, located at 29 Franklin Street, will house 20 phone banks and soon will be operating for calls and sign distribution. The public is welcome.

Running the Numbers: Wrentham's Unemployment Rate Goes Higher

The unemployment rate for Wrentham grew .6 % according to data released by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.  As of December 2009, Wrentham had a 7.7 % unemployment rate which represented an increase from 416 in November to 449 in December. It also represented an increase in the unemployment rate of 2% from December 2008. The story was similar in the towns surrounding Wrentham, all seeing their rate increase slightly from November and significantly since a year ago. Wrentham was still in better shape than most towns and cities in the Commonwealth which had an average unemployment rate of 9.1 %.

See Chart:

2010 Continues to be an Election Year

Several key elected positions are up for grabs this April. In fact, there will be two separate election days in April, followed by one in May. The first on April 5th is when the town elections will be held. Then on April 13th, there will be party primaries for the state senate seat vacated by Scott Brown’s election to U.S. Senate. The special election to fill the state senate seat will be held on May 11th.

The ballot for the town election is taking shape, but several positions are still lacking candidates. Currently, there are more open seats than candidates for Board of Selectmen, Constable, Fiske Library Trustee and King Philip School Committee (1 year position).

Candidates vying for the state senate race are currently democrats Peter Smulowitz and Lida Harkins both of Needham. At the present time, Ricard Ross is the only republican candidate to have entered the race.

The town ballot currently looks like this, but this may change since there is still time between now and the February 16th deadline for submitting papers.

Moderator: Keith S. Billian
Selectman: Joseph F. Botaish
Assessor: Joan Dooley
Assessor: Maggie E. Leavitt
Town Clerk: Carol A. Mollica
Planning Board: Thomas P. Wrynn
Planning Board: Bob J. Cohen
Constable: Stephen R. Hamlin
Constable: Richard J. Gillespie
Board of Health: Dr. Ravindra M. Nadkamrni
Housing Authority: Marjorie V. Hooper
Wrentham Sch. Eric A. Greenberg (3 yr)
Wrentham Sch. Kim E. Carr (1 yr)

Video of Swearing in Ceremony for Senator Brown

Ross Running for State Senate

Wrentham’s Richard Ross made his run for the State Senate official Wednesday night before a packed room of supporters, friends, and family. In the community room within the North Attleboro Police Station, State Representative Ross ended speculation on a possible run to replace current State Senator, and now Washington D.C. bound, U.S. Senator Elect Scott Brown.

 

“This opportunity is far too great to pass," Ross said. "So I am here tonight to proudly announce that I am running to be your next senator.” He referred to the encouragement Brown gave him six years ago to run for State Representative and promised "to make myself available. To always be accessible. To do the best possible job for the Commonwealth and my constituents."

Ross explained that his perspective as a business owner gives him a unique "camera shot" to address the issues facing the Commonwealth. The biggest challenges he feels are jobs, the economy, and health care. Furthermore, he stated that the state's business model has to change to generate revenue and it is necessary to find a way to encourage businesses to stay in the state. He said the health care program Massachusetts currently operates is a good model for other states, but work has to be done to lower its cost.

 

Ross is a Wrentham native and has been the 9th Norfolk District Representative since 2004. He has served in various positions within the town government including Board of Selectman, Historical Commission, the Public School Building Commission, and Wrentham Board of Health. He’s also the president of the RJ Ross Funeral Home. You can usually catch him walking his dog on South Street, and he too drives a truck but it only has just over 99,000 miles.

 

Ross becomes the first republican to toss his hat in the ring for the state senate seat. State Rep. Lida Harkins, a Democrat from Needham, has said she is running. Other names being mentioned include Sherborn Selectman Paul DeRensis, Peter Smulowtiz, an emergency room physician, and Plainville Selectman Robert Fennessy, all Democrats.

Boston Globe's coverage here.

Sun Chronicle's coverage here.

Truck Driver Wins Senate Seat

Tuesday night, standing on a stage before thousands, Wrentham’s most famous truck owner delivered his victory speech as the next U.S. senator from Massachusetts. State senator Scott Brown defeated attorney general Martha Coakley in an election that attracted the attention of the nation as Massachusetts elected its first republican senator since 1972.  Amongst the members of the celebratory crowd were celebrities, more than 112 reporters, supporters from across the state, volunteers from around the country and a heavy contingent of Wrentham residents including 85 that rode two school buses into Boston to be part of the historic night.

While Brown now represents the whole Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and will be serving his constituents in Washington, D.C., he took time to thank his hometown in a speech that showed passion, determination, humor and the easy delivery that he demonstrated throughout the four month campaign. Brown said, “On a night like this, when so many people mark your name on a statewide ballot, you think back to the first people who gave you a chance and believed. For the trust they placed in me, and for all they have taught me, I thank my neighbors and friends in my Senate district and especially my hometown of Wrentham. The cause and victory that all America has seen tonight started right there with all of you.”

Brown’s campaign grew in strength and numbers over the four months leading up to the election. Almost immediately after the announcement of his candidacy on September 12, volunteers swarmed the local ballfields and in town youth games seeking the signatures needed to ensure a place on the ballot. In a little over a month he had over 17,000 names. But with just two months left in the short campaign, Coakley lead Brown by as much as 19 %. Through tenacious campaigning, a near ubiquitous presence on radio, tv and eventually home phones, Brown surged to a 5 point victory. Seventy-one percent of Wrentham voters casted their ballot for Brown.

 

Bus driver Jim O'Reilly shuttled Brown across the state in a tireless campaign. "[Brown] is a very pleasant fellow, down to earth."

The crowd at the Omni Park Plaze first learned the news of his victory at 9:20 when daughter Ayla, in between songs she was performing with The James Montogomery Band announced, “Martha Coakley just conceded race.” But the overall tone of the party was one of celebration almost from the start. Brown’s supporters tracked the results on PDAs and phones and confidence grew as "victory pins" were distributed. The pins were of a similar style to the ones Brown and his daughter Arianna made with Wrentham children on the town common at a recent Wrentham Day.

 

As Brown closed his speech he stumbled slightly on his famous campaign line but ultimately delivered it proudly, “I’m Scott Brown, I'm from Wrentham, I drive a truck, and I am nobody’s senator but yours.”

It is safe to say Wrentham which in recent years has been known for its Outlets is now known for being the home of the junior senator from Massachusetts.

 
To read the full text of Brown speech after winning the election click here.

Related News

The Boston Globe covered Brown's connection to Wrentham. The piece mentions Nicky's, Town Pizza, Cataldo's Paint and Hardware, and Commodities Market. To read the article click here.

The Boston Herald spoke to Brown's neighbors and mentioned Nicky's and Regional Tire. To read the article click here.

The Sun Chronicle also offers another look at Brown's relationship with his hometown. Read the article here.

Winter Storms Hurting Budgets

The Sun Chronicle highlights the budget impact of the recent winter storms. According to the report, Wrentham will only have $10,000 for the remainder of the winter. Last year, Wrentham reportedly overspent by approximately $329,000. This is allowable under Massachusetts law. Wrentham Public Works Superintendent Irving Priest is quoted, "When the police call and tell us the roads are getting slippery, we have to act," he says. "We can't put ourselves in the position of putting the public at risk." Read more here.

Town Meeting Updates

WickedLocal's coverage of the November 9th town meeting. The proposal to rezone an area for adult entertainment has been postponed while town voters approved an increase in a meals tax increase from 6.25 percent to 7 percent. More to follow.

The Sun Chronicle's coverage of the meeting.

Auction Property Goes to Highest Bidder

All 12 pieces of property, the Town of Wrentham, put up for auction were sold Thursday night. Twenty buyers registered to bid on the property with all parcels going for a combined sale price of $342,500. The 234 Green Street lot had the honor of going for the highest price. The nearly 2 acre lot sold for $170,000. Two smaller lots went for just $500 each. The real benefit to the auction, in addition to the revenue generated by the auction, is having the land generate taxes. Here is the breakdown from the auction:

• 234 Green Street, 1.65 acres, sold for $170,000
• 55 Beach Street, 2.04 acres, sold for $22,000
• 0 Kayshaw Road, 7,550 sq. ft., sold for $4,000
• 0 Kayshaw Road, 5,500 sq. ft., sold for $5,500
• 0 Madison Street, sold for $500
• 0 Taunton Street, .07 acres, sold for $500
• 25 Sumner Perry Drive, 1 acre, sold for $36,000
• 0 Hancock Street, 6.6 acres, sold for $6,000
• 0 Forest Grove Avenue, 7 acres, sold for $5,000
• 0 Beach Street, .968 acre, sold for $7,000
• 50 Forest Grove Avenue, 8,000 sq. ft., sold for $65,000
• 591 Forest Grove Avenue, .12 acres, sold for $22,000

Food Pantry Needs Support

The Wrentham Food Pantry is in need of more food or money donations. The organization is receiving twice as many requests for assistance but donations have remained level.
"Gently used toys" are accepted for Christmas too. The Sun Chronicle details the needs here.

The Wrentham Food Pantry can be reached at (508) 384-3110.