The Holland Blog

Citizens Rally Against Herbicide Use in Hamilton Reservoir Amidst Multiple Delays.

Concerned citizens of Holland are raising their voices against the proposed herbicide treatment of Hamilton Reservoir, fearing potential contamination of their drinking water wells.

The debate has intensified following a series of starts and stops, reflecting the community’s persistent fight to protect their water resources. The Water Commissioner, Board of Health (BOH), Lake Oversight Committee (LOC), and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) have been at the forefront of this issue.
read more »

INFO; Lake Treatment Postponed again

Watch this video to get informed, thank you! (Please be patient while the video downloads, 1 minute, 29 seconds.)

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It Is Not Trump Who Ruins This Country, It Is Greed, Stupidity, And A Lack Of Concern.

Twelve years ago we lost Aaron Swartz, and nothing got better, just worse.

“Real education is about genuine understanding and the ability to figure things out on your own; not about making sure every 7th grader has memorized all the facts some bureaucrats have put in the 7th grade curriculum.”

A movie worth watching and helpful to understand why this country has no chance to stay on top, or even survive. — Aaron Swartz

Unofficial Election Results

In case you want to know, here the results. There was really only one contested position, the position for Water Commissioner which was decided in faovor of Kyle Merolla.
Please click on the image to download a larger image!
Jennifer Mott did not really stand a chance to get back to the town hall in an elected position after her “performance” as town clerk. As incumbent, she failed miserably and lost to Valerie Lundin, the individual which was her assistant at the time. Valerie beat her as a write in candidate in 2023.

William Robertson, chairman of the Planning Board, “I have checked all the versions of the Bylaws that I have and I could not find any of the language there ... ”

The language Robertson refers to is the definition of “Special Conservancy.” This utterance by Robertson proves that he never consulted the version of the Zoning Bylaws the Board goes by; the version which is posted on the town’s website, the “BIBLE” for everything we do. According to Robertson, he was at the Planning Board office since 2 or 3 PM before the meeting and could not find anything!
The meeting was slated to begin at 6 PM; by that time he was already at the town hall for three hours. What Robertson and the other three members present were unable to find was the definition of “Special Conservancy.” Eventually they called Andrew Harhay (at 30:50) who owned one of the properties zoned “Special Conservancy.” read more »

Notes to the Panning Board Meeting of January 24, 2024, and my New Role on the Planning Board.

I said it before, I’m not a member of the Planning Board to look for new friends or out of the need to “belong”; I serve on the Board to ensure that applicants who are entitled to a benefit will get it, and applicants with applications outside the law will not get their way, regardless whether they are popular in Town or not. If I make friends doing this, I would like that, but I will not compromise my integrity just to please others or to “belong.”
My role or function on the Board will be from now on more that of an advocate for the applicant if his/her application is in conformance with MGL and the Town’s bylaws, or that of an adversary if an application is outside the laws.

Going forward, I will also focus on providing information to the public as minutes of the Board are only sparingly provided, and if provided, they are none descriptive.
William Robertson failed to produce minutes for his entire time he served as the secretary; there are no minutes for the entire year of 2022 and 2023. The only minutes posted for the year 2023, I wrote; the minutes to the meetings of May 23, 2022, and June 7, 2023. I did so because William Robertson was absent.
I just checked the website and there is still nothing posted with his signature for the entire year of 2022 and 2023; a clear violation of the Open Meeting Law.
I will also post the videos of every meeting so interested parties are able to see what is going on. The Board voted twice to request the password of the town’s website to clean up the Planning Board’s part of the website, and to be able to post agendas, minutes, videos, and provide other information without te help of Stacey.
Stacy Stout, the town administrator, refused to give the Board the password. I’m also done with that effort.

Back to making friends ... lately the climate got frosty and two of the other members of the Board are very angry and hostile towards me. What happened?
CannaMoumtain”s Special Permit application for Site Plan approval only, was to much for these two members to bear, William Robertson and Robert Perron. While Robertson is ignorant about the procedure involved and the laws, Perron feels that I “shoved the decision down his throat,” and worse; read more »

The CannaMountain Project; is William Robertson, Chair of the Planning Board, up to the Task?

CannaMountain LLC applied for site plan approval on a project on the scale the town probably never faced before.
It is obvious that a multi million Dollar project presents different issues as an application for a Special Permit for a double garage on a private parcel as an accessory building to a private dwelling.
Not everybody knows everything all the time. Sometimes it is necessary to listen.
Robertson has a hard time with that reality and created a big mess; to a reporter he stated, “the bylaw process is not clear.”
The issue of approving CannaMountain’s application for a Special Permit for site plan approval involves reading up on the bylaw which he obviously failed to do. You can lead a horse to the water, but ...
To bring light and edification to Robertson, and others who like to know what is going on, please read this memo and comment; read more>>

Kate Landers for Select Board

Kate Landers has my full support. There is really no other choice. Vote Kate Landers!

Please don't forget to vote!
Peter Frei

Register Here For The MVP Workshop!

To register for the Municipality Vunerability Workshop at the Holland Community Center, at 40 Brimfield Road, Holland, MA 01511, on September 10, from 9:00Am till 5:00Pm, click here! click here!
Breakfast and Lunch will be provided.

Our community Has a Once In a Lifetime Opportunity To Fix The Problems The Causeway Presents Without Spending Any Taxpayer's Money.

What ever your interest may be, whether you live in one of the dwellings on the south-basin of Hamilton Reservoir which was flooded during the flood of 2005, whether you realize that both causeways could be flooded and impassable during another extrem weather situation again, or whether you simply would like to have an opportunity to cruse from one basin to the other side of the cause-way with your boat or canoe, all this could be accomplished if the community gets behind a proposal unanimously endorsed by the Planning Board.
And again ... no funding by the town is necessary to achieve all this!
To read this extensive proposal explaining everything, click here!
As part of the MVP grant process, the community is mandated to hold a workshop in conformance to the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program Core Principles. Paragraph 5. provides:
Conducting robust community engagement:
All Action Grant projects are required to submit a Public Involvement and Community Engagement Plan as part of the application. More guidance on these requirements can be found here. Tips for conducting virtual and remote engagement can be found here. The Town already received a Planning Grant to work towards the Action Grant. This process requires a workshop with community involvement.

This workshop will be taking place on Saturday September 10, (*) at 9:00 AM at the Community Center at 40 Brimfield Rd, Holland MA.
PLEASE ATTEND !

*Originally the workshop was scheduled for August 13th but the date was changed and I was not informed by the town administrator Stacy Stout even so I´m one of the “core members” of this program. Stacy Stout was also suppose to get a “landing-website” up on the town´s website beginning of July as discussed during the last meeting on June 29th by the core members informing the people. As of now (August 5.) there is nothing up on the town´s website ... Serving on the Planning Board for more than two years by now, I do get insight of the horrendous disfunction at the town hall. The worst town official in recent history, Jennifer Mott, the former twon clerk, is gone, thank god! And with her Bettina Schmidt, one of the former member's of the Board of Selectmen, I thank good here too! I will write more about my experience being part of the town administration from now on ...

There will be individuals who do not see that having safe shelter without the constant fear of being flooded is an imperative. Compashion is running lower and lower in our society. I heard voices calling for more sand-traps/catch-basins around the reservoir; the once we already have just need to be emptied once they are filled up and more would not be needed. If there are locations where there are none, the town (Highway Department) should be able to take care of that need.
Fixing the causeway needs to be a priority.

Shelter, a Basic Human Need; the Flood of 2005.
Holland Homes and Business´s Taken and Flooded by the Government; the Flood of 1955.

Wales Fish & Game Club 2016 Annual Pork Roast.

Once again as every fall, the Wales Fish & Game Club celebrated the beginning of fall with their annual Pork Roast.

An already perfect event is getting even better each year, read more»

Hamilton Reservoir Residents Pay Tribute to 9-11

Some folks living on South Basin of Hamilton Reservoir in Holland, MA got together on Sunday 9/11 to pay tribute to those lives lost on 9/11 .. 15 years ago.
Although the weather was iffy and the winds were high, they decorated their boats and paraded around the lake to the causeway on Mashapaug Rd where they released Red, White & Blue balloons into the sky, with a moment of silence ...
remembering those lost and families left behind ... Some kids on the shore line waved their flags and others stood up to salute our American Flag. “Never forget and remember USA Free and Home of the Brave“ read more»

We do have a new Member of the Board of Selectmen

After the tie vote between the incumbent member of the Board of Selectmen Andrew Harhay and challenger Bettina Schmidt during the annual town election of June 13th, Bettina Schmidt requested timely a re-count.
This re-count took place last night at the town hall and the re-count was in favor of Bettina Schmidt who won by one vote!

Not so fast, says Andrew Harhay; the final vote count shows a TIE!

Tonight, June 14th, at 18:30 hours, the Board of Selectmen conducted an emergency meeting. The reason, we failed to elect a new member for the Board of Selectmen.
Attending the emergency meeting was Larry Mandel, chairman of the Board of Selectmen (“BOS”), Andrew Harhay, incumbent member of the BOS, Bettina Schmidt, who was announced as the winner of the election for the seat on the BOS last night by two votes, and Sharon Ashleigh, the town clerk.
During the emergency meeting, Sharon Ashleigh explained how it came to be that there is now a tie where there was a winner last might. Sharon explained that five individuals voted on a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are created by individuals who's name does not appear on the cross-off list (list of all the registered voters) but which insist that they are registered voters. Such provisional ballots are not run thorough the voting machine as their claim to be registered voter first needs to be verified by the town clerk. Hence, these votes were not included in the count published last night.
Sharon, “Paula wanted to set up tables and I needed to get out of there (the Community Center) last night,” and, “at eight o´clock I had other things on my mind and forgot about the provisional votes..”
Early today, Sharon checked the five individuals voting status and determined that one was not a registered voter, two had registered too late, and the last two were registered voters but had moved within the town. This the reason why the two names were missing on the list of registered voters. She apologized for this oversight to the two candidates.
The question was then what to do about the tie. There are not many options:

Either candidate or both could ask for a recount;
either one could withdraw their candidacy; or
the town will have to organize another caucus followed by a special election.

Either candidate has 10 days to request a recount. Depending on the outcome, the recount will establish a winner, or, the town will organize a special election.
Peter Frei.

2016 Annual Town Election Results, Congratulations Mrs. Bettina Schmidt!

A total of 311 voters made the annual trip to the Holland Community Center to exercise their constitutional right to participate in forming the government of their community. (Last year the count was 465.)
The annual town election took place at the Community Center for the second time, read more�

2016 Annual Town Election Results

I was going to publish the results here as usual...
Sharon Ashley, our town clerk, refused to give me a print-out and added, The results will be published on the town's website.
How about those people who do not have a computer? It seems to me that they don't want you, the reader of the Holland Blog to have it first. I tried, sorry! Ask your self the question, how much of an effort would it be to tape a print-out of the results at the door to the town hall as they always did?
So much I heard from an informed source, Bill Hardy will keep the job he had for years, moderator (thank god! Steven Anderstrom did not get his way.) Harhey did not make it either (he lost by two votes!) Bettina Schmidt is our new member of the Board of Selectmen, congratulations! Scotty defeated Richard Polverari.
Peter Frei

Say Yes to Public Health Protection and NO to RECALL.

At the time I prepared my campaign signs in June of 2014, I had no idea that serving the community with integrity would lead to me being recalled based on lies by a small group of corrupt disgruntled town officials, read more»

Speak out Holland! (no.34)

There is a lot going on in our community, do you feel like sharing any with the readers of the Holland Blog?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Comment about anything that is amusing you or about anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

LAKE NEWS Important

1. Pancake Breakfast - Sunday June 14 - this Sunday from 8 am 11 am at Holland Community Center, come and support the Lake Preservation Fund and socialize with your friends around Town. Tell your neighbors, bring your family and friends. Call Janice Brigham for advance tickets ... 413 626 5216

2. MILFOIL TREATMENT on MA part of lake ... Wed June 17th ... PLEASE stay off the lake on the day and night of the treatment, by doing this the treatment will be more effective. This year we will be treating the little pond on South Basin off Forest Dr./Mashpaug. Thank you for extra donations that will fund this extra treatment. Notices will be posted around town. DO NOT USE THE WATER FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES until date noted:
Drinking & Cooking 6/21, boating. fishing & swimming 6/18, watering of livestock 6/18 and irrigation 6/23/15
Connecticut will be treated at a future date and will let you know in advance. Thanks for your cooperation ... please stay off the lake for the day/night of treatment.

3. Save the Date: July 13 for the Public House Buffet .. Call Bev 413 221 3156 for tickets ... this is a great fund raiser for Lake Preservation and the food is great too.
Thanks,
Christine McCooe, (cell 508 361 3216)

2015 Annual Town Election Results, Congratulations Mr. Gillen!

A total of 465 voters made the annual trip to the Holland Community Center to exercise their constitutional right to participate in forming the government of their community. (Last year the count was 437.)
The annual town election took place at the Community Center for the first time, read more�

Town elections this comming Monday, June 8

Please make the time to vote, for the first time the elections will take place at the Community Center by the cemetery.
It is important that those who don't really care get out there because the selfserving individuals who profit from corruption for sure will make the effort.
A special message to Kristin LaPlante; your notion that informatative election fliers based on facts are hate mail is missconceived and shows an utter disrespect of the democratic process on your part. This is the reason why you and those close to you are a danger in any position you are holding in our community.
We go back a long time; not many remember town clerk Robert Ford which you replaced in 2004. I remember Kristin Grant, your maiden name, as an innocent single women with a strong need to belong. You do belong now and there is not much we still have in common.
As always, I make up my own mind about a newcomer. Sharon Ashleigh was a newcomer. However, lately I was forced to realize that she already belongs too... she belongs to the point where she is unable to do her job. If the town clerk refuses to comply with Public Information Requests and witholds the information for more than 40 days when the law mandates her to comply with such a request within 10 days, she becomes a danger to our community as well. The information I requested will be useless by then.. The right to file Public Information Requests is one of the strong pillars a free society is based on. Public Information Requests are enabeling and ensuring public involvement and participation by providing a mechanism for holding governmental actors accountable for their decisions and actions.
Kristin, you obviously are a strong leader and mentor and had a chance to intorduce Sharon into the many responsibilities a town clerk has. Unfortunatelly that strong lead was pointing in the wrong direction!
Experience in the hands of a person with a strong moral compass is a good thing; in the wrong hands, it will spell disaster (unnecessary costly lawsuits.) Sharon Ashleigh seems to have that experience already (pushing the limits to see with what she can get away with, and in this town it seems to be endless), at least that is what she is claiming on her campaign signs.

Please attend the Annual Town Meeting next Tuesday, May 26, at 7:00 pm at the Holland Elementary School

It is a good idea to read the warrant before hand. For your convenience, I have it posted here. To read the warrant, click here!

ALL RESIDENTS, Lets be part of this Community

First time ever, there will be a Holland Town Forum - Saturday May 2nd, 2015.- Complimentary Coffee and Donuts 9 am to 12 pm, at the Holland Elementary School Gymnasium. Sponsored by Government Study Committee. ALL RESIDENTS - OUR TOWN NEEDS US! Opening the lines of communication with our Town Hall regarding;

Town Hall Culture
Town Governance
Town Services
Town Vision

May 5, 2015, Public Hearing - regarding the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget (to be voted on by registered voters during the annual town meeting) at 7:30 in the Community Room at the Town Hall. ALL RESIDENTS - let's be a part of it. Our Town needs us.We will see, discuss and ask questions regarding the Fiscal 16 Budget to be voted on (by us) May 26 at the Annual Town Meeting. The Proposed budget in progress (not due until the Public Hearing) is available now for your review from the Executive Secretary to the Holland Select Board- 413-245-7108 ex 101. Budget will be completed and copies will be available for us at the Public Hearing .Please attend.
May 26, 2015, annual Town Meeting at the Holland Elementary School at 7:00 pm.
June 8, 2015, annual Town Elections at the Community Center from 10:00 am till 8:00 pm.
Kimberly Hermanson

Consider the Source!

It seems to be unclear whom to believe, Dana Manning or Brian Johnson, read more�

The Plot deepens, Selectman Michael Kennedy resigns.

The Holland Blog just learned that member of the Board of Selectmen, Michael Kennedy, in a surprise move resigned from his position.
Is this a tactical move to help his buddy James Wettlaufer to get back into the race?
Will the voters at the caucus next Tuesday, now nominate two candidates to serve on the Board of Selectmen?
There will be no meeting tonight for lack of a quorum. Larry Mandell is unable to attend for personal reasons.

Zoning Board of Appeals lack of integrity indirectly responsible for recall initiated by David Kowalski, Brian Johnson, and James Wettlaufer

In their mailer David Kowalski, Brian Johnson, and James Wettlaufer sent to all registered voters, they claim, “read the full story of their alleged abuse of power and attempt to deprive a Holland Resident of fair treatment by the Zoning Board of Appeals.” The “resident” who “allegedly” was “deprived” is no other then Brian Johnson, our elected Highway Surveyor! I hope that I do not have to explain the definition of the word “deprived,” nothing could be further from the truth.
The Johnson family has a history of illegal land conveyance and illegal land-use and Dana did what the members of the ZBA where unwilling to do; end the preferential treatment of the Johnson's and others and ensure that everybody is treated the same. Dana Manning was informed by the ZBA in the course of “ official business” as required by M.G.L. and local bylaws of an attempt by Brian Johnson to procure another permit which is outside the law. In her answer, as a member of the BOH, Ms. Manning did not “attempt to deprive” Johnson of a permit; she made the ZBA aware of the fact that issuing the permit would be illegal! Ms. Manning just did the right thing, nothing more or less. Manning serves the community with integrity by following the law and by ensuring that everybody stays within the law; including members of the Johnson clan.
Many corrupt individuals (including members of the ZBA) are not willing to change, hence, Dana Manning, one of the very few town officials who serves with integrity had to be smeared and a recall effort based on deception and lies had to be launched.
Kowalski, who owed property taxes and has a hard time paying his taxes over the last years in a timely fashion, to this day, refuses to turn over his personal flash-drive (a digital memory attached to his personal computer) to the Board of Health so all members of the board would have access to the official record and would have an opportunity to engage in healthy “checks and balances” and check what kind of moneys Kowalski collected for permits he issued or which permits he not issued over the last 12 years. Thousands of Dollars in revenue to the town were not collected over many years or are missing! Ference and Manning have no way of knowing what was collected and what was not. An utter lack of leadership allowed this situation to go on for more than a decade! Repeated requests to the Board of Selectmen, the Holland Police, the State Police, the Attorney General's office, and the Secretary of State did not resolve this serious issue. To read Dana Manning's letter to the Secretary of State click here! Access to town counsel was also not allowed and the request to the Secretary of State only persuaded Kowalski to quietly deposit hard copies of minutes at the BOH office, and still retained private control over electronic copies of minutes and all the rest of the record. Dave Kowalski's action holding all the records hostage is unlawful; what does Kowalski have to hide? What does he lose with Ference and Manning on the BOH?
For the last decade Kowalski was running a “one man show” without any possible checks and balances. Why is nobody forcing him to turn over the flash drive? And Kenneth Ference and Dana Manning are the ones that are recalled?? Sometimes I do get the impression that most town officials are afraid to do the right thing as they risk of getting exposed themselves if they do by other town officials.
The ZBA's unwillingness to follow the law and to refuse to grant preferential treatment to Brian Johnson is indirectly responsible for the situation, read more�

Rebuttal to Dave Kowalski's recall by Board of Health chairman Kenneth Ference.

Please read the account of events that forced Kenneth Ference to take over as the chair person and angered Dave Kowalski to the point where Kowalski, together with former chairman of the Board of Selectmen and angry Brian Johnson teamed up and fabricated a libelous recall affidavit to mislead the community into supporting the baseless effort, read more�

Johnson, Kowalski, Wettlaufer recall; please don't be fooled!

Two disgruntled former chairmen, James Wettlaufer and Dave Kowalski, joined angry Brian Johnson, to put Kenneth Ference, member and chair of the Board of Health (“BOH”), and Dana Manning, member of the BOH, into their place.
The two members of the BOH voted for a change by ending Dave Kowalski´s “one man show” by approving a motion to elect Kenneth Ference to the position of the chair.
Kenneth Ference and Dana Manning had no other choice, as the Board of Health was dysfunctional to the point were conducting official business became impossible.
Shortly thereafter, Brian Johnson walked into a public meeting by the BOH and was not very happy when he, instead as the usual sign-off by the “god ol' boys” system, had to answer some questions.
The exemplary conduct by the two members, Ference and Manning, who refused to engage in the preferential treatment Brian Johnson expected, was answered with a frivolous open meeting law complaint by Johnson against Manning.
Despite a letter from the Attorney General's office that the case is dismissed without finding any open meting law violation on the side of Dana Manning, the disgruntled trio Johnson Kowalski and Wettlaufer started a recall against Ference and Manning.
The recall is based on lies, Kenneth Ference's and Dana Manning's conduct towards the three men, all weathered members of the “god ol' boys” network in town, was not “official misconduct,” it was threatening their self-serving corrupt ways. The recall of the two members of the BOH is an affront on our community and in particular, on every resident of our town who believes in a free civilized society, read more�

Speak out Holland! (no.33)

We have not done this for a long time... everybody is invited to go of topic here. I will soon re-activate the Holland Blog, just in time for the annual elections to give the community an opportunity to voice their opinion anonymous and also to inform the community about what is going on behind the scene.
Also, do you have any questions or suggestions? Comment about anything that is amusing you or about anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

Happy Holidays to All of You from New York's Finest...

The video is about an Ellen DeGeneres dare to dance behind people and how that went down with the NYPD's finest:

If you run a LINUX platform, the video is at: http://youtu.be/6sbCzXQsVoQ

Holland / Brimfield Trail Ride, Lake Siog Pass and Grand Trunk Trail, Sat., Oct 18th, 10:00 am

(Rain or shine!)
Meet at the Canoe launch on Pond Bridge Rd.
A Bike Mechanic from Bicycle Concepts, Sturbridge, will be at the trail head at 9:30 to do FREE safety checks & minor adjustments.
The ride is from 10:00 - 12:00 and is 10 miles on flat terrain with options for a shorter ride. It is mostly on trails, though a small part is on little-traveled public roads. Helmets required
Great event for the whole family!
Find us online at:
http://town.holland.ma.us/Pages/HollandMA_Trail
or
http://www.facebook.com/HollandTrailsCommittee
Sponsored by the Holland Trails Committee, The Brimfield Trail Association, and The Last Green Valley.

Your Input is Needed;
Holland Open Space & Recreation Committee

A public meeting for all Holland residents will be held on Saturday, October 18th from 10:00am - Noon at the Community Center located at 40 Brimfield Road. The Town of Holland is writing an Open Space and Recreation Plan and we are looking for input from residents of the town. The last plan was written in 2004. With a current plan Holland would be able to receive funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to purchase land for trails, recreational areas and open space.

This meeting will help identify the needs of the community and input from all residents is sought to create a comprehensive plan that addresses the kinds of open space and recreation opportunities the people of Holland would like.

Residents are also invited to fill out an online survey; to do the survey, click here!

The survey asks questions regarding the kinds of recreation people participate in, the special “sights” of Holland and what kinds of family activities people are interested in such as enjoying the lake, taking a walk, playing baseball, hunting, etc... Take the survey to help create the plan. Paper copies are available at the town hall, library and community center.

Volunteers are also needed to help write the plan. Howie Fife and Jennifer Ohop, Holland Residents are spearheading this effort.

For more information, please call Howie at 413-245-2124 or email hollandosrp@gmail.com

2014 Annual Town Election Results, Congratulations Mr. Mandell!

A total of 437 voters made the annual trip to the town hall to exercise their constitutional right to participate in forming the government of their community.
The big surprise this year is the failed attempt by incumbent chairman of the Board of Selectmen, James Wettlaufer, to keep his seat on the Board of Selectmen. Wettlaufer was defeated by a large margin by newcomer Larry Mandell, read more�

James & Heather Wettlaufer, not true!

I learned that Heather and James Wettlaufer attended (for the first time) the annual pan cake breakfast organized by the Hamilton Reservoir Association. The Wettlaufer's showed a picture they carried on their cell phones to everybody who would listen and claimed that it would involve me or the Holland Blog. The picture shows Earl Johnson's gravestone right next to one of James Wettlaufer's campaign signs. The Wettlaufer's downloaded the picture from the facebook page with the name 01521.com. I have neither anything to do with that facebook page, neither do I have anything to do with the picture. As far as I know, the facebook page was created and is maintained by James LaMountain. I also learned today that someone allegedly pored gasoline over Earl Johnson's gravestone. I denounce actions like that in the strongest terms. The fact that a jury found Brian Johnson's behavior to be, “extreme and outrageous and beyond the bounds of decency and intolerable in a civilized society,” does not give anybody the right to behave the same way towards the Johnson's. Heather and James Wettlaufer, I assume, didn't know any better and are excused as they must be under a lot of stress right now (and desperate).

Please Vote Today, Monday June 9!

This is an important Election, we need every vote! Wettlaufer and his supporters who have a financial interest in him being re-elected will go to the polls guaranteed!
Please do the right thing for a better future, for a better Holland.
Peter Frei

Wettlaufer's Board of Selectmen wasted $68,540.48 on unnecessary lawsuits and counting.

The Holland Blog obtained invoices in the amount of $68,540.48 Wettlaufer's BOS paid to attorney Sapirstein for unnecessary frivolous lawsuits, private lawsuits, appeals, and also defending Brian Johnson against a Criminal Harassment Prevention Order sought against him.
Picture: Annual town meeting, May 27, 2014. James Wettlaufer, chairman of the Board of Selectmen sitting on the left; William Hardy, moderator, standing on the right.

The invoices can be viewed by the reader, read more�

COME ON OUT FOR TWO GREAT TRAIL EVENTS!
A TRAIL RIDE & A CANOE/KAYAK PADDLE

Choose one, or do both!
SATURDAY, JUNE 14th
10:00 Trail Ride:
The Holland Trails Committee & Brimfield Trail Committee will be leading a Trail Ride (rain or shine).�Meet at the kayak/canoe launch by the bridge at 20 Pond Bridge Road in Holland. 9:00-10:00 safety check & minor adjustments by a mechanic from Bicycle Concepts Ride: 10:00 - 12:00. About 10 miles (options for a shorter ride) mostly on trails, though a small part will be on little-traveled public roads. Conditions: flat terrain; a few rough or sandy spots, but generally very good.
Helmets required.
For info: 413 245-7745
1:00 Canoe/Kayak Paddle:
The Army Corps of Engineers will be leading a scenic paddle through wildlife habitat on the Quinebaug River. There is little current, and no portage.�
Meet at the kayak/canoe launch by the bridge at 20 Pond Bridge Road in Holland. Guided paddle: 1:00-3:00.
Boats are not provided, so you must bring your own canoe or kayak.
PDFs, personal floatation devices, are required.
Preregistration is requested by calling the Army Corps office at 508 347-3705.

Annual Town Meeting of 2014

Don�t forget the Annual Town Meeting next Tuesday, May 27, at 7:00 p.m. sharp at the Elementary School!
There is a lot on the Warrant (click on �Warrant� to open and read the Warrant. If you see a word in bold/italic in the main section on this blog it is always a link you can click on to see the document etc.)
This might be of interest to some of you:
ARTICLE #16 proposes to raise or borrow an unspecified amount of money to yet purchase another new dump truck for the highway department;
ARTICLE #25 proposes to borrow up to $600,000 to repair the dam;
ARTICLE #34 is in response to Wettlaufer's proposed, �Vehicle Use Policy,� which would allow the Highway Surveyor Brian Johnson the use of a pickup truck to take home in the same way as the fire and police chief are allowed to do;
Article #35 proposes a change to the General Bylaws which would force the Board of Selectmen to answer to the community. Longtime residents may remember that a long time ago residents were able to call-in at the end of televised meetings of the Board of Selectmen. After I published Johnson Landgate here on the Holland Blog, Earl Johnson, at that time one of the members of the Board of Selectmen, had difficulties to find the right answers to questions in connection with Johnson Landgate, and the Board decided to scratch the call-ins and get rid of the �nuisance.� If the majority of the voters who attend the annual town meeting feel that it is time to reinstate the call-ins they have an opportunity to vote in favor of article #35 and it will no longer be a discretionary matter and will instead be a mandate.
The Annual Town Election will take place on Monday June 9, 2014, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the town hall.
Peter Frei

Speak out Holland! (no.32)

We have not done this for a long time... everybody is invited to go of topic here. I will soon re-activate the Holland Blog and inform the community about ongoings this community has a right to know.
Check back soon, you will be shocked; learn about the recent embarassing improprieties of James Wettlaufer, Brian Johnson, and others. As always backed up with court documents, letters, and transcripts, to rule out misinformation.
Also, do you have any questions or suggestions? Comment about anything that is amusing you or about anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

To be..... or not to be..... INFORMED! Thoughts about the Special Town meeting of Wednesday November 20, 2013.

There is a Special Town Meeting for the voters of Holland on November 20th at 7:00 PM at the Elementary School. The warrant for this Special Town Meeting is 28 pages long! I hope people aren’t thinking there will be time to read each article before it is voted on. First, there is way too much information in some of these articles to be able to do that, and second, don’t lose sight of the fact that Special Town Meetings are all too often used by the town officials to slide things past the voters. It is easy to do when attendance is low, the audience is stacked, and no one has taken the requisite time to read and understand what they are actually being asked to vote on. Read more�

Holland Trails Committee Activities.

Meet at 8:30 at the canoe launch / trail head on Pond Bridge Road. The portion of the trail we will be working on has been scraped, the pavement pulverized, and grading completed. We will be applying the final surface of half inch process, basically a mix of stone dust and gravel. We need volunteers with tractors and dump trucks to do this work. Our next task is maintaining the existing trail with brush clearing, weed removal, etc.
Tools needed: a few shovel, rakes, loppers, trowels, and work gloves. Pizza will be provided!
Our next trail ride on October 19th. It is part of the Walktober celebration sponsored by The Last Green Valley. We will meet at the trail head on Pond Bridge Road. At 9:30 there will be a safety check & minor adjustments by a mechanic from Bicycle Concepts. The ride is from 10:00 - 12:00 with options for a shorter ride. It is mostly on trails, though a small part is on little-traveled public roads. Helmets are required. This is a great family activity!
Thanks,
Richard Haller Chairman Holland Trails Committee
hallerr@cox.net 413 245-7745

2013 Annual Town Election Results, Congratulations Mr. Kennedy!

A total of 572 voters made the annual trip to the town hall to exercise their constitutional right to participate in forming the government of their community. Re-elected Town Clerk Kristin LaPlante is the most popular town official with 484 votes this year; Dori-Anne Ference is the most unpopular elected town official this year with 396 votes. Only the two positions where there was an actual contest attracted less votes because the votes were divided among the opposing candidates. read more�

Liars, Tigers, and Malfeasance Oh My!

Don�t bother trying to serve the community unless you are part of the �in�-crowd, read more�

Who is the better candidate, incumbent Michael Kennedy or real estate dealer Lawrence Mandell?

Michael Kennedy defeated Raymond Korny in the race for the seat vacated by former member of the select board, Earl Johnson. During the last three years, residents of Holland had an opportunity to get to know Michael Kennedy. Selectman Kennedy showed the community that he is a man with integrity, common sense, and, most important, free of any personal agenda.
I admit, I had my reservations about Mr. Kennedy, but what I saw over the last three years proved my reservations to be unfounded. Even three years ago, I noticed Mr. Kennedy�s fiscal responsibility when he, as a member of the Tantasqua Regional Highschool committee, opposed a wage increase for their teachers. (I wrote about it in the piece, Tantasqua Teachers receive wage increase.)
I do not really know Mr. Mandell other than the few Planning Board (PB) meetings I attended while he served on that Board.
Today, someone emailed me a copy of a campaign flyer Mr. Mandell circulates through town. His flyer made me pause... The flyer summarizes five �specific matters which I [Mr. Mandell] plan to stridently advocate for.� (Mandell uses big words, I had to look up �strident;� it means, loud, harsh, grating, or shrill; discordant; the first example which came up on the web was; �the cheap clock ticked stridently.�)

In the first paragraph, Mandell voices his interest in, �open meetings with the participation of all interested residents,� in developing an updated master plan for our town. Under the second paragraph, Mandell promises to, �Implement Managerial Best Practices:� and claims, �implement state of the art managerial practices will lead to greater efficiency and better service to residents. �As clerk of the Planning Board, Mr. Mandell could have shown over the last four years with actions what he is all about. I don�t see any of it! The most basic service he as the clerk of the PB could provide, is to post PB meeting minutes on the town�s official website. There are no minutes posted, NONE! To see for yourself, click here! (screen shot taken today, June 15, 2013).

The third paragraph outlines the intention to �Implement Hiring Best Practices:� Mandell describes the policy he and other members of the �Government Study Committee� developed and which he intents to implement to, �insulate the process from individual political and personal agendas.� It is never a good idea if a committee developing policies consists of the same members as the board which applies said policies. It is imperative for any democratic society that the mechanisms of checks and balances work; this is only the case if as many different individuals as possible participate in town government. To elect Mandell would concentrate power even more than it already is.
Mr. Mandell is already a member of the Holland School Committee, Tantasqua School Committee, Green Community Planning Committee, Government Studies Committee, and the Planning Board. He obviously has already a full plate and is very busy, to busy to provide the most basic services to the community (posting PB meeting minutes,) and now he would like to take on even more and be one of the three selectmen too.
If his wish will be granted by the majority of voters, we will have two members of the Board of Selectmen serving also on the Planning Board! The Building Inspector for instance has the last word in certain applications submitted to the PB, it is his final decision to either issue a building permit or not. The building Inspector decides whether an applicant needs to get first a permit from the Planning Board. If Mandell serves on the Board of Selectman, Lynn Arnold and Lawrence Mandell together form a quorum and have the power to either re-appoint the Building Inspector or not.

But lets analyze Mandell�s next strident avocation promised on his flyer, �Enhanced Communication and Coordination Between Elected and Appointed Town Officials:� Mandell suggests to have all town officials meet once a year to �outline issues and challenges that each department is currently dealing with.� And, �[t]his meeting would be open to town residents where community input would be solicited as well.� The fact that Mandell needed to mention that the meeting would be �open to town residents� made me pause again...
(BTW, Don�t we have already such a meeting? The annual town meeting? The meeting during which the moderator and other town officials cry �out of order� if anything is said which is controversial?)

Here Mandell�s last (political) promise, verbatim: �Integrate Board and Committee Reviews when Appropriate: As issues arise that need to be reviewed by more than one board, procedures should be established so that the issue could be presented at a single integrated meeting involving all interested parties. Eliminating the situation where a resident must present their issue separately to various boards and committees would result in a much friendlier interface with town officials.�
It struck me as odd that this kind of review �would result in a much friendlier interface� when I read this paragraph. I think that more professionalism and independent minds are needed at the town hall; applications should be processed fair and equal, regardless who submitted them, and not as popularity contests. If board members would understand their obligations based on applicable regulations, laws and bylaws, and would apply them based on the facts and not based on popularity of the applicant, individuals who dare to question town officials would not feel that they are on the way to a colonoscopy each time they go to a board meeting to apply for a permit.

Lawrence Mandell�s campaign flyer is lacking sound sense and argument. Mandell�s attempt to replace Kennedy is a step in the wrong direction. Kennedy has proven that he deserves the trust of the community. To have less and less individuals involved instead of more is not conducive to a healthy town government. Mandell, in his campaign flyer, reveals that he is the president of the Sturbridge Rotary Club; let's do the right thing and prevent the town hall from turning into another Rotary Club.

June 15, 2013, Peter Frei

Trail Ride on Saturday, June 8th. 2013.

The Holland Trails Committee & Brimfield Trail Committee will be leading a Trail Ride on Saturday, June 8th (rain or shine). Meet at the kayak/canoe launch by the bridge on Pond Bridge Road in Holland.
9:30 safety & check & minor adjustments by a mechanic from Bicycle Concepts.
Ride: 10:00 - 12:00. About 10 miles (options for a shorter ride) mostly on trails, though a small part will be on little-traveled public roads.
Conditions: a few rough or sandy spots, but generally good. Helmets required. This is the 3rd ride we have sponsored. Come out and see what's been accomplished!
Thanks,
Richard Haller, Chairman Holland Trails Committee, hallerr@cox.net 413 245-7745

Saturday, May 11, 2013

The Holland Trails Committee is sponsoring a workday from 8:30 to 12:00 on Saturday, May 11th. Meet at the trailhead parking lot for Lake Siog Pass (20 Pond Bridge Road). Volunteers will spread gravel to complete the final surfacing of the trail. Meet at the trailhead parking lot for Lake Siog Pass (20 Pond Bridge Road). Spring is here, so let�s get the trail ready for the first ride of the year!
Thanks,
Richard Haller, Chairman Holland Trails Committee, 74 Sturbridge Road, Holland, MA 01521, hallerr@cox.net 413 245-7745

Saturday, April 13, 2013

The Holland Trails Committee is sponsoring a workday from 8:30 to 12:00 on Saturday, April 13th. Meet at the trailhead parking lot for Lake Siog Pass (20 Pond Bridge Road). Volunteers will spread gravel to complete the final surfacing of the trail. Signs will also be installed to welcome and guide the public.
Meet at the trailhead parking lot for Lake Siog Pass (20 Pond Bridge Road). Pizza will be provided.
The section of Lake Siog Pass shown in the picture was completed last fall.
For additional information, contact Richard Haller at 413 245-7745.

Winter Storm Saturn.

Here some pictures submitted by readers of the Holland Blog:
This is what our buses are driving on???
Vicky D.

Click on any picture to download large image! Do you want to see your picture here? Just email it to me...

Speak out Holland! (no.31)

We have not done this for a long time... everybody is invited to go of topic here. Do you have any questions or suggestions? Comment about anything that is amusing you or about anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

Top Nail should be called TOP FAIL

Want the Worst Nail Experience EVER? Then go to Top Nails in Sturbridge next to Teddy G's and Winebuyers outlet. As a walk in I don't mind a little wait. I was told a half an hour..... and waited just about a half an hour. While waiting another walk in came in behind me and she too was told a half hour. We were both set up for pedicures at the same time..... but while her pedicure was started I sat for 43 minutes with my feet in water that was too cold ( I asked for warmer but she still didn't get it right) and no massage running. It was known that the woman who came in after me cut me..... when the manicurist started her feet instead of mine she looked right at me and said someone would be “right with me.” NOT FOR 43 MINUTES was someone right with me. I would have dried my feet and walked out at about the 20 minute mark but they left me with no towels. The “cutter” got soaked, trimmed, filed, massaged painted and was COMPLETED before anyone came to even start my pedicure which by right should have been ahead of hers. When someone did come I asked for a pedi “on the house” they said no. I explained that they took someone ahead of me, which is poor service. They LIED and said she had an appointment.... yet I watched her walk in 8 minutes AFTER me. I heard her ask if they had time for a pedicure, JUST AS I HAD DONE MINUTES BEFORE HER! The woman running the floor had even come over to me during my 43 minute cold water wait to “thank me for my patience” at which time I also told her it was poor practice and lousy service. I think for my patience along with being cut in line costing me almost an hour of my time while the cutter was already out the door I should have been offered a complimentary pedicure or at least the full service option at the basic service price. REAL SHITTY SERVICE! Top Nail is TOP FAIL!!! I went down the street to the nail salon by BT smokehouse. They took me immediately, the water was warm, the massager was on, they had the same color polish, they can paint better flowers on your nail, AND.... AND, it was even LESS EXPENSIVE! GUEST WRITER

Explore Holland Trails.

The Holland Trails Committee will be leading a Trail Ride on Saturday, October 6th (rain or shine). Meet at the kayak/canoe launch by the bridge on Pond Bridge Road in Holland at 9:30 for a safety check & minor adjustments by a mechanic from Bicycle Concepts. The ride is 10:00 - 12:00 and about 10 miles (options for a shorter ride), mostly on trails, though a small part will be on little-traveled public roads. Conditions: a few rough or sandy spots, but generally good. Helmets required.
For info: 413 245-7745
HR

425,000 Page Views!

Time to celebrate.....
The Holland Blog went online for the first time at 13:30 hours on Saturday February 14, 2009. Today, at 21.51 hours, the Holland Blog was viewed 425,000 times (page views or hits). Back on January 30, 2011, I reported 400,000 hits. Shortly after that, I realized that the counter I included in the PERL script was counting in discriminatorily, the counter counted also hits from spammers and web-crawlers. I then disabled the counter. The 425,000 is the number from Google Analytics and shows actual hits from individual computers.
As always, I would like to share an interesting YouTube video with the readers of the Holland Blog to celebrate this special occasion. The video is about an encounter between a well-to-do kid and a few of NYPD's finest:

If you run LINUX, the video is at: http://youtu.be/3lKwkn6JT74

FBI Looking into Officer Scott E Haley's Role in Illegal Raid of the Bunn Residence back in 2003

David Bunn's struggle to get justice continues; according to David Bunn, the FBI is finally looking into the, according to David Bunn, perjured testimony by agent / sergant Scott E Haley and former Chief of Police of Holland, Kevin Gleason, read more�

Police Chief and Selectboard no longer recognize volunteer Patrol of Reservoir.

Good afternoon,
I hope this note finds you well.
I have news, which although we may not like, does communicate the town�s position with respect the Volunteer Boat Patrol (formerly Harbormaster).
To the point, the town does not recognize, nor support, a volunteer patrol of the reservoir. The Police Chief will not allow the appointment of a citizen appointee, as has been done in the past. The Board of Selectmen concurs with the Chief, as follows.
The Police Department has designated a reserve officer whose duty it will be to patrol the reservoir, providing law enforcement and public awareness information. Therefore, there is no longer the need for a volunteer patrol, especially with the liabilities exposed in today�s litigious society.
This is a departure from the past and our expectations. I ask for your patience as we move forward with this new role within the Police Department. If so moved, you may express your concerns in one of a few ways. You may contact me via phone or e-mail, the Board of Selectmen, the Chief of Police, or the Lake Oversight Committee.
Please continue to be the caring and vigilant neighbors that you are. For those of you who have volunteered, thank you for your service and your willingness to serve. Certainly, the reservoir has been safer because of you.
Cheers!
Jim (President of the Hamilton Reservoir Association)

Costly Appeal initiated by the Holland Selectboard under James Wettlaufer against the LaMountain�s adjudicated.

The town�s repeated attempt to deny the LaMountain�s, farmer status failed for the third time when Honorable Justice Cornelius Mortiarty II rejected the town�s request again back on April 21, 2010.

You would think that the Board of Selectmen under James Wettlaufer got the message after the third time, but they didn�t. Wettlaufer and the rest of the selectboard appealed the ruling of Justice Mortiarty to the Appeals Court of the Commonwealth which issued its ruling in the matter on June 26, 2012,
read more�

Speak out Holland! (no.30)

As every 6th of the month everybody is invited to go of topic here. Do you have any questions or suggestions? Comment about anything that is amusing you or about anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

Senior Workoff Program

Seniors, over 60, interested in the property tax work-off program need to apply or re-apply for jobs available after July 1. Forms are available at the Senior Center or the Selectmen's office. Click here, to read the list of the jobs available. (Those who have worked in the program before must apply again.)

Tornado Alley Relay to benefit Tornado victims.

On Saturday June 2nd 2012 Back of The Pack Productions (www.botpp.org) will host the first annual Tornado Alley Relay from Monson Ma to Charlton Ma, following the path of June 1st 201 Tornado. Teams of 6 runners will rotate running the 7 mile course to benefit communities devastated by the tornado. All race proceeds will be equally divided among the affected towns. For more information, or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Deb Williams, BOTPP President and Race Director: dwilliams@botpp.org or call 413-427-1492.
Friday June 1, 2012, Back of The Pack is hosting a pasta dinner at Sturbridge Coffee House form 5-7pm for $5.00. All proceeds will be added to the Tornado Relay proceeds.
Deb

CJ Bunn on the THC Show.

CJ Bunn a guest on the THC Show on UNregularradio.com discusses the Easthampton Drug Task Force raids and Town of Holland, MA, harassment of his family as well the corruption related to local police and Police Confidential Informant and convicted pedophile, Gerald Battistoni, who is the chief suspect in the murders of Molly Bish and Holly Kristen Piirainen.

Listen to �A heinous injustice against Bunn family by Easthampton Drug Task Force, Massachusetts.�

C.J. Bunn

TOWN OFFICIALS ARE UP TO NO GOOD!!!!!

The Planning Board is holding a hearing for bylaw changes on Tuesday February 28th at 7pm. A notice was mailed to everyone in Holland. Sending out a postcard of the meeting is all the town officials are required by law to do. If you want to know what the proposed bylaw changes are, you have to go to the town hall and ask for them. It is about 20 pages....OF VERY SCARY CHANGES THEY WANT TO MAKE!!! Many of the proposed changes GO AGAINST MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAW!!!! For example, the Planning Board wants to extend the time they have to make a decision about permits.... in short, they have created a way to delay making a decision by keeping their time clock from ticking down simply be keeping the meeting on a topic open (tabling it until next month... then the month after that....and the month after that too....) MGL says 60 days, and the clock starts ticking when YOU (the taxpayer) files your request! DON'T LET THEM CHANGE THIS!! There is a change they want to make about the requirement to list abutters.... In some cases they want to WAVE the requirement to list all the abutters! WHAT? And keep secrets? Or keep thing HUSH HUSH for your friends??? Come on.... the law needs to apply to EVERYONE, not everyone EXCEPT YOUR FRIENDS! Another proposed change is to make MANY of the currently ELECTED positions into APPOINTED POSITIONS!!! YOU MUST BE KIDDING ME!!??? If people don't show up for this meeting the town government that you have, which is SUPPOSED to be a DEMOCRACY is going to become a DICTATORSHIP overnight!! It doesn't even make sense to change elected positions into appointed positions, all that does is give the Select Board ABSOLUTE POWER. What if the Select Board is CORRUPT? We as voters SHOULD NOT, under any circumstances< give up our power to choose as many officials as we can!!! In addition there is also a bylaw change that wants to make it even easier for the same people to serve on multiple boards. BAD IDEA!!! Nepotism is rampant enough here in Holland. This idea is a DISASTER! Let me say that again... A DISASTER!!!! You would be eliminating the little bit of of a oversight that exists!! If the tax collector is on the assessors board too..... think about how easy it would be to send yourself a tax bill for a mere $100.... and then you pay (to yourself, because you are tax collector too) your mere $100. Really..... there are a myriad of horrors that the Planning Board is trying to PULL on this community.... WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY! PLEASE COME TO THE MEETING ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28th at 7pm IN THE TOWN HALL AND VOTE!!! ASK QUESTIONS AND VOTE!!!!! DON'T LET THIS TOWN TAKE EQUITY AWAY AND BULLDOZE YOUR RIGHTS!!
Guest Writer

Speak out Holland! (no.29)

FY2012 TAX BILLS REMAILED

THE FISCAL YEAR 2012 TAX RATE IS $15.18 PER THOUSAND DOLLARS IN VALUATION. Fiscal Year 2012 tax bills will be reprinted and mailed to all taxpayers. The bills are calculated correctly, but there is a typo in the Tax Rate reported on the bills.

What was YOUR best Christmas Present ever?

Did you ever get a Christmas present that you still remember to this day? Please share your experience here with our community; folks would just love to read about it...
Read more�

Holland Grinch Day.

Today, Holland�s residents observe �Holland Grinch Day� to remember an event that took place 31 years ago.
Peter Frei

Special Town Meeting

There will be a special town meeting January 9, 2012, at 7.00 P.M.

Town hall closing over Holidays

The town hall will be closed from Thursday December 22 until January 3rd 2012 (Tuesday).

BREAK INS!

Mr. Frei-
Please post this urgent message:

There has recently been a series of break ins in Sturbridge and Brimfield. In Brimfield chain saws were taken from a residence on 5 Bridges Road during the day. Also in Brimfield 5 chainsaws were taken from a locked shed on the Freeman Farm. Only the good ones were taken... And this theft likely occurred at night. Other area homes have also had items stolen. The thieves seem to target snow blowers generators and chain saws, however I heard of at least one person who had expensive jewelry stolen. Please if anyone has seen anything contact the police! Keep your eyes open and report any suspicious cars in your neighborhood. Secure your belongings.... Although they travel with bolt cutters.... So it is important to be diligent and keep your eyes open. This economy is tough enough. No one wants to have to replace large ticket items. Let's catch these thieves!

Eastern Hampton County Narcotics Task Force uses a Serial Child Rapist & Killer as Confidential Informant C.I. #62;
2003 Raid of Captain Joint's residence in Holland Mass. Exposed.

On March 27, 2003 the property on 90 Maybrook Road was raided by the Holland Police, then headed up by Chief Kevin P. Gleason.
He was working with a Special Agent Scott E. Haley and the Eastern Hampton County Narcotics Task Force out of Palmer Mass.
Scott E. Haley signed off on an affidavit that stated I, David Bunn, sold marijuana from my home on three occasions to a Confident Informant (C.I.) #62.
The C.I.#62 is now a person of interest in the murder of Molly Bish, read more�

PIZZA! PIZZA!

Holland Pizza isn't Holland Pizza anymore! I heard Mike the Greek is now leasing the business. We went there tonight for dinner. It was FANTASTIC!!! The pizza was thin crust, and REALLY GOOD! one of my kids ordered a cheeseburger and was given a choice of mashed with gravy or french fries, the clam chowder was superb and came out steaming. It is restaurant style so they come to your table to wait on you. It looks different inside with all the tablecloths and vases on the tables. We even treated ourselves to homemade cheesecake for dessert! I highly recommend checking out the new pizza in town, it's excellent! (my kids even got a charge out of watching them toss the dough to make our pizza!) -DMK

Earl Johnson dead.

Former selectman, member of the Board of Assessors, former member of the Planning Board, passed away last night.

Brush Cleanup.

The Town has contracted for a company to pick up storm related debris. Storm related debris may be put on the side of the road until SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 at 4:00 pm. The schedule of pickup for any particular street is not available. Please complete your cleanup this weekend, or you will be responsible for taking the debris to the brush dump.
There are job openings for monitors with the cleanup company. You may call the Days' Inn in Chicopee at 413-739-7311 and ask for O'Brien's HR office.

Nancy Curving falsely accused of selling drugs.

Back on June 21, 2011, an anonymous individual commenting under the pseudonym �the pushed upon� left a libelous comment on this Blog accusing Nancy Curving of soliciting drugs. While I can see the need to publish anonymously on issues involving town officials for fear of retaliation, (they all just hate me for being exposed and criticized), I can�t justify any longer anonymous comments directed towards private individuals of our community.
The commenter �the pushed upon� is a coward and will hopefully be found and held responsible in the realm of an ongoing libel suit in Superior Court. I, Peter Frei, as the owner of the Holland Blog, personally offer my deepest apologies to Nancy Curving for the emotional distress these false accusations by the anonymous commenter �the pushed upon� must have caused her and her family. To avoid such anonymous unjustified attacks towards individuals of our community, I will delete any and all anonymous comments accusing any private individuals of our community of wrong doing in the future.
October 26, 2011, Peter Frei

Frustrated

Hi Peter, I am a resident of Holland and prefer not to use my name. If you need to use, Jane. I am hoping that you might be able to post this message on your blog, as this week has been a nightmare. If you want to change some of the wording around please do. Sunday morning�my husband and a neighbor walked down our street and cut up branches,�that they could safely cut. They also tried to help one of the guys on another street near our house cut up trees that were blocking him in. The guy they tried to help was plowing and they asked him to come and plow our end of the road and he did NOT! So much for neighborly help. And the town or tree company or someone, guarded trees and wires that were down (the wires still are) but did not do anything to the trees until Wednesday evening. And the town never came down our road to plow. not that it matters much now.� Holland has so many private, tucked away roads and I would think that the Holland police would do drive bys and wellness checks, but as far as I know, at least on my street, no one has come by. Thank you Peter!

Lawyer Ed Neal from Sturbridge Reprimanded for Handling of Account.

Local lawyer Edmond A. Neal III was recently issued a public reprimand by the Supreme Judicial Court�s Board of Bar Overseers in Boston for his handling of an account with money owed to his client�s ex-wife.
The board said Mr. Neal signed and filed inaccurate financial statements with the probate court while he was representing his client in contempt complaints his client�s ex-wife had filed.
The board said Mr. Neal failed to perform regular three-way reconciliations on his Interest on Lawyers� Trust Account, through which the client made payments for child support and reconciliation of the couple�s formerly shared home.
Such accounts are part of a Supreme Judicial Court program requiring lawyers to establish interest-bearing accounts for client deposits.
The board, which also ordered Mr. Neal to attend trust account training, said Mr. Neal�s actions broke state law by failing to provide competent representation and interfered with the administration of justice.
The unnamed complainant and Mr. Neal agreed to waive a hearing and requested that the reprimand serve as the resolution, the board said.
Worcester Telegram, October 19, 2011

Speak out Holland! (no.28)

Wales Fish & Game Club 2011 Annual Pork Roast.

The Wales Fish & Game Club had its Annual Pork Roast yesterday. We got there around half past noon. First I helped with the fire which needed help; all the rain left the wood wet and hard to burn. The rain at least stayed away for the entire afternoon. There was more food than attendees could ever eat; Leon Givner started the long process of roasting the pork the evening before and stayed up all night to have it ready by noon yesterday; no wonder that he was tired..

The buffet included besides the pork roast, tossed salad, cole slaw, baked potatoes, baked beans, corn on the cop, applesauce, and drinks. For desserts, attendees were treated with apple pie, fudge, and brownies.
The club also sold tickets for a raffle; among the many prizes was a beautiful necklace with matching ear rings made and donated by Julie� Jewels� Elizabeth Johnson. Elizabeth is not only crafting her own jewelry, she is also a seamstress and will sew anything from custom dresses to curtains. She can be reached at 413-315-3110.

About 35 adults and kids enjoyed the scenic setting which features two ponds in front of the club house. Thanks Leon for your efforts in organizing this enjoyable event. It is disappointing not to see more people attending this event.

By the time the fire was burning hot it was time to go home and the fire had to be extinguished. Some of the friends I made a year ago were back again and it is just amazing what happens to time� it felt like I was just there a few weeks ago.

Peter Frei

Wales Fish & Game Club 2010 Annual Pork Roast.

Beware of the potholes on Brimfield Road.

Driving to Brimfield today, I hit a pot hole and thought that I would lose a wheel.

One pothole is so large and deep that it has the potential to ruin your rims if you have wheels with low profile tires. Be careful..

The pothole I�m talking about is located in the middle of the straight driving towards Brimfield before the last curve to the right before the Brimfield/ Holland line.
Peter Frei

Brian, what is it what you accomplished in the last ten years?

A message from TANTASQUA SR HIGH SCHOOL.

Back to School Night is tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Parents can receive their student�s schedule in the main foyer from 6:15-6:30 p.m. The program will start promptly at 6:40 p.m.

Tantasqua Weekly News (TWN) recently submitted a :20 second �good morning shout out� video to a contest at WCVB Channel 5.The video was posted on their website along with several other school entries with the theme �Good Morning.� Channel 5 selected our video to air on the EyeOpener tomorrow morning (Friday) at 5:10am and 6:10am. Spread the word! The link below is the Tantasqua video as posted on the channel 5 EyeOpener website. Click here to view the video.

Pontoon Boat Parade in Memory of 9-11 Victims.

Christine McCooe organized a pontoon boat parade to commemorate the victims of 9-11.
Around 10:45 AM, about eight boat carrying flags and balloons started cruising north towards the causeway.

It is hard to believe that ten years have already passed since that day.
In some way or another, September 11, 2001 changed the lives of all of us.

Peter Frei

Wales Fish & Game Club 2011 Annual Pork Roast.

As every year, the Wales Fish & Game Club will hold its annual Pork Roast on Saturday, September 24.
I attended last year�s event and the meal was excellent. Tickets are $15.00 each at the door, $12.00 until Thursday September 22, by calling, 413 813 5593. Children 10 years of age and under are free.
The meal will be served starting at 1PM. There will be a camp fire, games, and a raffle. Come and join us for a fun afternoon. You got to eat, right? Make new friends and enjoy the beautiful setting.
Peter Frei Wales Fish & Game Club Annual Pork Roast.

Warning.

The dam has been opened in anticipation of the coming storm with perhaps 10 inches of rain. It is recommended that if you have a boat in the lake, that you pull it out at this time. Beginning Thursday afternoon in accordance with the state declaration, we [town officials] are putting into effect emergency management procedures.
Shelter, a Basic Human Need; the Flood of 2005.

Another Break-in at the Holland Market.

I just learned that the Holland Market was again the target of a Break-In. The police is there right now to investigate. The Holland Blog reported about the previous break-in on March 8, 2009 under the heading: Holland Market burglarized twice.

Break-in on 246 Stafford Road, Witnesses Sought.

Mr. Frei-
I'm writing in hopes you can post this or some form of it on the blog... today (august 10th) my house @ 246 stafford rd was broken into. Whoever did this had the nerve to kick my front door, steal my Toshiba laptop and an 80lb safe containing some sports collectibles and other personal items. They did this in broad daylight between the time of 10am and 3pm. By all indications just a completely random act. If anyone happened to be driving by and saw something or hears of anyone trying to pawn off a Toshiba laptop. Please contact me or the HPD. Greatly appreciate any help!
Bryan Teasdale, reach me at: Bteasdale24@hotmail.com

Another Day in Court, Brian Johnson�s Lawyer Tani Sapirstein Filed Motion to Dismiss.

The grueling hearing to determine whether Brian Johnson is criminally harassing me and whether the issuance of a �Criminal Harassment Prevention Order� for my protection is nessessary and justified, was on the docket again today in Palmer District Court, read more�

Speak out Holland! (no.27)

Bald Eagle Sighting On Hamilton Reservoir.

It was a beautiful day on the lake, about 11:00 AM, before all the powerboats come out. Bald Eagle spotted looking out over the old public beach area. High up in a well guarded pine tree, he looked out over the lake. Incredible bird!
View is from the water as he was eye balling us as we floated on by.
Picture and text, Kevin Murphy

CHEFS sought for Rib Festival Fundraiser.

My name is Deborah Williams, resident of Holland Ma, and President of a the new non-profit organization, the BACK OF THE PACK Productions, (www.botpp.org). I am hosting a Rib Festival Fundraiser August 14th 3-5pm in Wales Ma at OakHaven Campground. I am in serious need of chefs to cook ribs. I was thinking posting an article on this Blog may jump-start some help?
I attempted to contact the fire departments in the 13 towns our by-laws cover as well to donate their time to be �chefs� with no luck. Any suggestions!
Deb Williams 413-427-1492

Relief from the Heat.

For those who need relief from the heat, the Senior Center, on Brimfield Road, will be open today, Thursday until 8:00 pm. The Senior Center will also be open 10:00 - 5:00 tomorrow, Friday.

Johnson�s �Entitlement Mentality� At Its Best.

During the still ongoing hearing on my request to the Palmer District Court to issue a �Criminal Harassment Prevention Order� for my protection against Brian Johnson, Brain�s �Super Liar� Tani Sapirstein failed with her request to suppress my audio-recording form going into evidence.
Together with upcoming testimony by Officer Jeffrey Forcier from the HPD, the recording will prove to the Court that Brian Johnson did not only lie to the police to stay out of trouble, he falsely accused me of having made a death threat towards him (a crime in Massachusetts)!
Just three days after honorable Justice Patricia Poehler heard the audio recording, Sapirstein filed a civil suit on behalf of Brian Johnson, claiming that Johnson suffered (unspecified) damages. In the process, Sapirstein, for the second time, tried to dupe the court and did so with an outright lie. She even wants ME to pay for her efforts. On July 15, 2011, I filed a request in Palmer District Court to have Tani Sapirstein sanctioned for violating her attorney's oath, read more�

Palmer District Court Found Probable Cause to Issue Criminal Complaint.

Brian Johnson�s close friend and neighbor, hired by Brian Johnson to operate the town�s heavy front loader, lawyered up for his show cause hearing in Palmer District Court last Thursday, July 8, 2011, read more�

Brimfield�s Holland Road Relief Open Air Concert at �One Stop.�

Dave Bell, owner and operator of �One Stop Towing,� organized an open air concert for tomorrow, Sunday July 9, 2011, at noon.
Dave Bell is an avid drummer and plays with Sara Ashleigh (vocal), Marc Gravelin (sax and keyboard), Rich Hyatt and Richard Burns (guitars) in the �Push the Blues Band.�
Other performers which will attend the once in a lifetime concert right here in Brimfield (Woodstock without the rain), Doug Bell, Nicole Coogan, Michael Douglas, Billy Goodspeed, Ironstein, Power Play, DJ Rini, DJ Soup, 48 Miles. Many more guest appearances to be announced during the show!!!
Parking will be in the fields along Holland Road south of the woods at the Holland / Brimfield town line. Hay Rides to �One Stop� will be offered for attendees.
Bring your own food and beverages and don�t forget to bring some green to help with a donation. Proceeds will go to Holland Road residents and business owners who�s properties were destroyed during the Tornado of June 1, 2011.
Performances will begin at around noon time and will continue until 10pm.
Peter Frei

Tree Removal Legal Notice.

Town of Holland Tree Warden Notice of Tree Removal Hearing.
The Tree Warden will hold a public hearing pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 87, Sec. 3 and 4, on Thursday July 14, 2011 at 7:30 PM in the community room of the Town Hall, 27 Sturbridge Road, to consider the removal of the following trees, all of which are located on Sturbridge Road:
5 Hemlock Trees; ranging from 4 to 10 inches in diameter.
18 Oak Trees; ranging from 4 to 28 inches in diameter.
6 White Birch Trees; ranging from 3 to 10 inches in diameter.
28 Pine Trees; ranging from 4 to 40 inches in diameter.
3 Maple Trees; ranging from 4 to 12 inches in diameter.
2 Cherry Trees; ranging from 4 to 10 inches in diameter.
6 Beechnut Tree; ranging from 3 to 20 inches in diameter.
Brian Johnson, Tree Warden Town of Holland.

Former Circle H Ranch burned to the ground.

A place some old-timers have fond memories about, burned to the ground. The blaze destroyed the main building of Rascal�s Powersports Plus, what used to be the Circle H Ranch, read more�

Sturbridge Road Work

Work will be beginning, the first week of July, on Sturbridge Road from Sand Hill Rd to Leno Rd. Expect detours and/or delays.

Its Official Now; Brian Haughey New Chief of Police.

Our community has a five year window of opportunity to establish and support a police force that ultimately will serve our community with integrity, and not their superiors in ex-change for job security, read more�

Bad Turn on Over the Top Road

Appears Acura driver had trouble turning around in a driveway at about #46 Over The Top Road last night in the heavy downpour. Got stuck on the edge of a steep hill heading towards the lake.

Holland FD rescued early Sunday morning.

Kevin Murphy

School's out for the Summer.

We all remember that song as we sing a different tune as our kids begin their summer vacation.
�No more school...what a bummer....I can�t wait till the end of summer.�
The children are home from school as they begin their summer break here on serene Lake Hamilton.
As we all know that means a time when injuries, bumps, and bruises are on the rise as we found out on the first day of our summer vacation 2011. If your Child is injured..., before making that emergency 911 call for help, please take the time to read the following story. Read more�

Burgess PTO Press Release.

Attached please find the following press releases for immediate publication, distribution display in public areas, and on web sites:

Click on any link above (writing in bold/italic) to read the Press Release!
We would ask that any and all newspapers and web sites publish this information as soon as possible. Public Offices, entities and Businesses please post this information in a public location or on your public web sites. Neighbors please share this information with neighbors and friends to get the word out. If anyone has creative ideas to make this information available to residents via facebook or other networking sites please do. Thank you to all who have and continue to disseminate this important information to the public.

Speak out Holland! (no.26)

Tornado of June 1st 2011.

Pictured on the right:
Foundation of house on Page Hill Road in Brimfield. In the far upper corner is a pile of rubble to see, the remains of a former house on Wales Road near a pond.
Click on image to enlarge!
An unprecedented Tornado devastated along his 39 mile path of destruction communities between Westfield and Charlton, read more�

Brian Johnson�s (former) �Super Lawyer� Tani Sapirstein tried to dupe the Court.

Tani Sapirstein of Sapirstein & Sapirstein, P.C., Attorneys at Law, is a familiar name since the last attempt by James Wettlaufer to prove that the Lamountain�s are not involved in farming failed miserably and the taxpayer had to pickup the tab for Wettlaufer�s personal vendetta against the LaMountain's.
Sapirstein is now representing defendant Brian Johnson, our elected Highway Surveyor, in an attempt to keep Brian�s criminal record untarnished. Honorable Justice Poehler from the Palmer District Court will decide at the end of the hearing whether a �Criminal Harassment Prevention Order� should issue against Brian Johnson, read more�

25th Anniversary of Chernobyl.

�The solution to pollution is dilution�, may not work anylonger someday.
The rate humans generate pollution with substances which have half-life times of thousands of years is rapidly increasing and the thing with dilution eventually will not work any longer and will become everybody�s problem, read more�

Spring time; watch out for Motorcycles!

It is that time of the year when Motorcycle enthusiasts take their two wheels out of the garage. It happens once in a while that some car driver just overlooks a motorcycle as it happened today at Exit 2 of I 84. A driver in a silver colored four door sedan was taking a left turn onto Haynes Road at the intersection with River Road in Sturbridge. It is the intersection where the Hebert Candies store was years ago. The driver had two passengers in his car and was on his way to the Public House to meet with his sister who was waiting there for him. The heavy touring motorcycle tried to avoid the collision but couldn�t and crashed into the silver colored sedan around 13:48 hours. The driver of the motorcycle had some injuries to his shoulder and his passenger was more seriously hurt.
Pictured above: EMTs called from Sturbridge attending the injured passenger of the motorcycle.
Peter Frei

What's in your Water?

Well water information here seems reliable, click here!
Guest-writer

Selectboard Meeting of July 8, 2009.

Don�t Forget the Special Town Meeting this Tuesday, April 19!

There are two articles about bylaw changes which do not need to be on the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting slated for next Tuesday, April 19.
There is a third article, Article #7, nicely hidden in-between others, and I bet you don't know about it! Is there a reason why they are not on the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting?
Also, read about interesting history and facts in connection with two (hypocritical ?) individuals roaming our Town Hall...
Read more�

Police Report about the Felony Vandalism to my Car now Available.

The official Police Report confirms that another friend and employee of Brian's HWD had not the proper license to operate the heavy equipment and needed a trainer sitting right next to him in order to legaly operate the equipment, read more�

Accident at the Four Corners.

Today, around 14:15 hours, a white Lincoln Sedan was traveling eastbound on Stafford Road. The black Honda CRV was traveling on Mashapaug Road towards Brimfield. It is not clear whether the white Lincoln failed to stop at the stop sign or if he stopped and thought that there is a fourway stop at the intersection and expected the other driver to stop.
Brimfield Ambulance, the Holland Fire Department, and the State Police were at the scene.
Peter Frei

And You Think You Have It Bad.

Please click on Bill to view (and read) Bill!

I thought some of the readers of the Holland Blog might enjoying seeing what their tax bill in Holland might have looked like back in 1880, (a 131 years ago), since our present tax bills were recently mailed out to us.
The tax rate was actually higher than it is now, $17.00 per thousand as opposed to our present rate of $14.58.
This is the real estate tax bill for Elisha Washington Marcy's property, he was the son of David Marcy who built the Holland Inn at the corner of Brimfield and Stafford Road in 1812. Below is familiar picture of the Inn to many of our Holland residents.
Gerry Germain

Speak out Holland! (no.25)

SCARY... the real BRIAN JOHNSON.

On February 19, 2011, Brian Johnson�s attempts to harass and intimidate me reached a new low. Together with a gang of at least six men, he and his gang harassed, threatened, assaulted, and battered me.

I became the target of his rage after exposing illegal land deals by his family, involving the construction of two dwellings in violation of Mass. G.L. and local bylaws, his bad judgment in hiring untrained and unlicensed friends as drivers for heavy town equipment, repeated violations of the Wetlands Protection Act, lying to police officers in order to criminalize his critics, using town resources for personal gain, and quietly running a roofing company while on the payroll of the Holland Taxpayers.

After the assault of February 19, true to his character, Brian Johnson not only lied to the police to save his ass, he cowardly accused ME of wrong doing.
According to the official police report, Brian Johnson claimed that I was harassing him and his gang, and Brian accused me of having made a death-threat towards HIM, and that I did so in front of his loyal gang members who obviously were willing to lie for Brian.

Brian Johnson went as far as claiming to the two police officers, that he was in fear of his life!

What he didn�t know is, that my girlfriend was witnessing the attack and that we recorded the entire incidence. Hence, I�m able to expose his cowardly lies and criminal conduct to the community. Read more�

Public Hearing of March 22, 2011, on the proposed amendment of the Zoning Bylaw, and the proposed amendment to the General Bylaws to adopt the �Stretch Code.�

Lynn Arnold, the chair person of the Planning Board, gave a presentation about the four proposed amendments to the Holland Zoning Bylaws.
Two of the proposed bylaws amendments are needed in order to qualify as a �Green Community,� and to get grants awarded to �Green Communities.� Leaders were sleeping on the job and missed the boat last year when it was easier and more lucrative to get a sizeable piece of the pie.

Two of the bylaw changes, the two which are mandatory in order to comply with requirements to qualify as �Green Community,� will create a monopoly for one of Wettlaufer�s close friends and his business partner. These two particular individuals are the ones who control all the property located in the commercial district, the only district in which any of the solar energy generating, manufacturing, or research facilities can be built �as of right.�

For the third bylaw, the state recommends in its �Model Bylaw for Accessory Dwelling Units,� to allow such accessory dwelling units to be built within a home �as of right.�
Despite this recommendation by the Commonwealth, the Planning Board is trying to usurp control against the Commonwealth�s recommendation.

The bylaw as it is proposed by the Holland Planning Board will require a special permit to build any accessory dwelling and the Planning Board can deny applications on a whim.
The proposed accessory dwelling unit bylaw will make it more expensive for everybody who does not supplement their income by becoming a landlord.
Did you know that our chairman of the Board of Selectmen, James Wettlaufer, already has an (illegal) �in-law� apartment?? (See image of Wettlaufer�s Property Record Card pictured above)

Lynn Arnold proved again that she either has no clue — or she deliberately lied — claiming that it would be �illegal� to record a public hearing... Read more�

Proposed Zoning Bylaw Changes.

This coming Tuesday, March 22, a public hearing will take place to discuss the proposed bylaw changes.
The changes will be good news for many! It will become possible to have an apartment or even a separate accessory dwelling on one’s property which can be rented out..
Holland voters will vote on the proposed changes during the special town meeting planned to take place April 19, 2011.
Read more�

Holland has a new Executive Secretary; meet Amy Bishop.

Kristin LaPlante left the position and the Board of Selectmen replaced Kristin with Amy, an impressing young lady who has a lot of accomplishments to show for despite her young age, read more�

Town Clerk Kristin LaPlante�s New Schedule.

The Holland Blog received the following message with the heading,
�News and Announcements:�
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Town Clerk will now be available every Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 and Saturday mornings from 8:00 am to noon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kristin LaPlante found other employment and changed her hours at the beginning of this month. She also resigned from the position of executive secretary as of the end of February.
However, Kristin LaPlante�s hours as �Town Clerk� are still posted on the town�s official website as:
Tuesdays: 5:30-8:30 pm; Saturday morning 8:00-12:00
Peter Frei

Wales Resident is Calling on State Officials for Help.

Wales resident Elizabeth Dickinson is raising questions about the legality of Valanzolas� decision to relocate the police station to the senior citizen center. Elizabeth�s husband Douglas Dickinson is one of three sons of the late Samuel Dickinson, a WWII Veteran and recipient of the Clustered Purple Heart. read more�

A �Whole Bunch of Letters...�

The Holland Blog is assisting chairman of the Board of Selectman to improve the Highway Departments image, read more�

Jeff Vannais is Firing Back...

More emails pertaining to the ongoing �blame-game� between the members of the Board of Selectmen in Wales, read more�

Wales Selectman �Thinks� Rest of the Board �Should Resign.�

An anonymous sender e-mailed a copy of a letter addressed to Mike Valanzola and Jeff Vannais written by Richard J. Learned to the Holland Blog, read more�

Is it Bad Luck or Incompetence? You be the Judge!

It just lasted about six month, read more�

Selectboard Meeting of March 1, 2011.

Last Tuesday the selectboard met the first time this month, read more�

Speak out Holland! (no.24)

Town Hall Trouble in Wales continue.

After an Inspector from the State condemed the second story of the Town Hall in Wales, town officials are pressed to find a solution, read more�

Nancy A. Talbot leaving the sinking ship?

I learned from Kimberly Counter, Personnel Assistant of Jeanette Berrios, Personnel Administrator of the Personnel Department of the City of Holyoke, that Nancy Talbot is being interviewed on March 7, 2011, at 18:45 hours for the position of tax collector for the City of Holyoke.
Peter Frei Kennedy, Johnson, and Talbot won!
Nancy Talbot running for reelection for the tax collector position to hold four hour seminar at the senior center.
Holland Blog filed complaint with State Ethics Commission against Nancy Talbot, tax collector of Holland.

Brian Johnson�s Unlicensed Friend & Neighbor Alexander Haney faced a District Judge Today.

Brian Johnson�s close friend and neighbor who was hired by Brian Johnson to operate the town�s heavy front loader faced reality today in Palmer District Court, read more�

Holly�s FFF Derby...

Keith Herman and Holly Lawrence organized and participated in the second part of the Holland Rod and Gun Club�s annual fishing derby. Holly, Keith�s fianc�e of 25 years, was also running the administrative part of the first half, which took place last Saturday.
Keith Herman was elected Vice President of the Holland Rod and Gun Club just this past Sunday.
He is a lucky man; Holly is about the sweetest woman I know. Holly intends to have the Friendly Family Fishing Derby (FFFD) once a year because she had so much fun today (her daughter Nicole and her family were also present).
Among their many friends on the ice was newly elected member of the HRGC Board of Directors Scott Cable.
In the picture from the left to the right: Holly Lawrence, Keith Herman, and grandson.
Peter Frei

Selectboard Meeting of February 15, 2011.

Last Tuesday the selectboard met the second time this month. Read about an upcoming special town meeting, the missed opportunity for at least $125,000 of easy grant money, what the �Stretch Code� is all about, and more�

Birds of a Feather....

Brass knuckles are not all Brian Johnson�s hired workers, close friends, and neighbors according to police reports possess; how about hand guns without a license?

The one closest to Brian allegedly was repeatedly stealing money from his own mother??
Read more�

Brian Johnson Organized a Day of Harassment Which Ended in Assault.

Who is the thug pictured below? Do you know this punk?? If so, please contact the Holland Police Department.
There were comments left on this blog claiming that I would be stalking Brian Johnson. It is the other way around! Yesterday Brian Johnson and his mob of about 6 men surrounded my house, culminating in assault as I was walking back from my mailbox, read more� Read more�

Goose Bumps.. What’s Up at the DA’s Office?

The Holland Blog is a local Blog and it will stay that way. What�s up with the Camel then??

And what does the DA�s office have to do with the Camel, the Holland Blog??

Forget about the scale of things and it�s just the same, read more�

Roof Collapse at the Holland Rod & Gun Club.

Today, shortly after 2 p.m., an I-Reporter of the Holland blog discovered the collapsed roof of one of the two pavilions at the Holland Rod & Gun Club (HRGC) at the end of Wales Road.
I called Stu Perry, nominee for the 2011 President position of the HRGC at the upcoming elections next Sunday, February 20, 2011. Stu had no idea about the collapsed roof and was surprised. Read more�

Speak out Holland! (no.23)

More Bad News About The Unlicensed Operator Of The Town�s $200,000 Front Loader Hired By Brian Johnson.

Alexander Haney and his family is keeping the Holland Police Department and the Palmer District Court busy, multiple cases are on record and/or are filed against him.

There is one case where the Holland Police answered three calls in one day... read more�

Cable Committee Members Can't Be Bothered..

In case you tried to watch the televised selectboard meeting and there was none, there was actually a selectboard meeting but it was a NO SHOW for the members of the Cable Commission due to the weather! I just called the town hall and got the news form the town clerk, Kristin LaPlante.
Peter Frei

400,000 Page Views!

Time to celebrate.....
The Holland Blog went online for the first time at 13:30 hours on Saturday February 14, 2009. Today, at 21.51 hours, the Holland Blog was viewed 400,000 times (page views or hits).
I would like to share an interesting YouTube video with the readers of the Holland Blog to celebrate this special occasion. The video is about the Bugatti Veyron, the fastest production car in the world:

Do You Recognize the House Which is Plowed-out Here?

YES, you are right, the house is Earl's house on 10 Hisgen Road.
Unless the Johnson�s bought their own 21,000lb front loader, this looks like town equipment the Johnson�s use to do chores around the house...
Brian Johnson, our elected Highway Surveyor, will tell you that he filled the tank on his dime and that his father�s driveway is basically �town property.�
I wonder if he gets paid overtime because it is Saturday...
The picture was taken before noon today and per MMS transmitted to the HollandBlog by an anonymous I-Reporter.
Thanks! Keep sending them! (Click on image to enlarge!)
Peter Frei

Somebody�s Darling

Peter,
I have had much on my mind lately about the American soldiers who continue to perish in Afghanistan and Iraq. I imagine that most people don't realize that already in 2011 between January 1 and January 20th twenty-five soldiers made that ultimate sacrifice. I believe that whether or not we philosophically support the wars, we can agree that the casualties should not be hidden.
I have produced a simple video that I hope you will consider using on your web site. I have taken an old classic American historic song about the sadness of the loss of our youth and with just a few pictures of a cemetery and soldiers' caskets I have included the names of those who have perished thus far in 2011.
You will find this non-political, and I did not include my name or my website in the video. Please look at it and consider if you would embed it on your site. I am hoping that if others find it worthy, they will consider passing a link on to others. Thanks, Peter.
Brent

Is our elected Highway Surveyor Brian Johnson losing it?

I had never any accidents with my car and in all my travels the car never needed any body work.
Now, at the speedometer reading of more than 140,000 miles, the car has a dent, read more�

Impressive 43¾� Catch at the 2011 Union Fishing Derby.

Just off the wire from a Holland Blog I-reporter; the proud owner shows his impressive 43-3/4 inch catch..

The Northern Pike is estimated to weigh in at 23lbs. For more and final details and list of winners
click here�

Brian Johnson Hires Neighbor who doesn�t have a License, to operate the town�s heavy Front Loader.

It is a scary proposition that someone would drive a piece of machinery weighing 21,585 lb with speeds up to 25 mph through the narrow snow covered streets and around the Elementary School of Holland without training and proper license, read more�

The Mystery of Property Tax Assessment.

Have you visited the Mystery House in San Jose, CA? I bet this house is a nightmare to any assessor!

On an other note, I gathered more information for the readers to bring some light into another Mystery,
read more�

ATT I-phone Customer Rip-Off

By coincident I discovered that TheNewsUcanUse.com charged me $9.99 for a subscription I never even heard of.
I called ATT and after a lengthy conversation with one of their customer reps I found out that third party vendors have �tricky� ways to get you to subscribe to their services. After more questioning of the rep, I found out that it is up to the customer to check his bill.
This website had charged me already for the third month.
ATT�s request for a refund went through right away. I found out that an instant refund is equal to admittance by the third party vendor that the charges are and were unjustified.
You may ask why ATT let this happen. ATT gets a commission from third party vendors. ATT only intervenes when there are too many complaints. How about that? The charges would be listed on your bill under �Mobil Purchases & Downloads: Communication Charges, Monthly Subscriptions.�
I checked into the service; you subscribe by choosing your cell phone carrier on their website, you enter your phone number and you then get a four digit number per MMS which you return. You then get 5 alerts per month. The �alerts� are �general news and news for sports, health, celebrity gossip and more...� and you get charged $9.99!!
Does that sound like any sane person would subscribe to such a service?? Be aware and check your cell phone bill! Please leave a comment if you are a victim too.
Peter Frei

The BIG DIGG.

If you venture out today, take pictures with your cell phone and email them to me to peterfrei@cox.net or SSM them to 413 245 4660 and I will post them here. Make a note whether you want your name with the picture or not. Thanks! Peter Frei
Click on any picture to enlarge!

Kristin LaPlante: �I�M SO EXITED..�

Town clerk Kristin LaPlante�s efforts paid out. She tirelessly submitted repeatedly grant applications for different programs to save the town some money. Last year she received a grant for the recently installed security light in front of the Holland Elementary School.
Today she got the good news; the Patrick-Murray Administration Announced that Holland will receive $500,000.00 in Grant money. �I�m really glad that I was able to save the taxpayers so much money,� said Kristin LaPlante. The funds will be used to improve Sturbridge Road at the intersection of East Brimfield Road and Sand Hill Road.
Holland and Ashby are the two only towns in Massachusetts who got a $500,000.00 grant.
To read the Press Release issued by the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development, click here! (588KB)
Peter Frei

Just one of Earl Johnson�s corrupt actions will cost the community $21,870 every year, indefinitely!

The quotation �The power to tax is the power to destroy,� comes from the words of DANIEL WEBSTER and those of JOHN MARSHALL, Justice of the Supreme Court.
In the landmark case, McCulloch v. Maryland, Justice Marshall opined: �An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy.�
This is what Earl Johnson is trying to do; the Board of Assessors under Earl Johnson increased my taxes from $6,828.99 (FY2009) to $11,532.34 (FY2010)! What would you do in my situation? Unfortunately, I�m not the only one who looses, read more�

Speak out Holland! (no.22)

Wales Town Hall; 2 Main Street New Address?

Town of Wales plans to move their Town Hall to Main Street location; lack of parking, no access for the disabled and many more short comings of the current location is forcing the change, read more�

Nightly Search from the Sky.

Around 21:30 hours tonight, two residents called 911 and reported screams and the sound of breaking ice coming from the frozen lake down by the dam. First on the scene was a state Trooper followed by several members of the Holland Volunteer Fire Rescue Department only minutes later. Brimfield Ambulance and Holland Police followed.
The response time for all the emergency personnel that were called-in was impressive, and is actually all the time very short!
If someone would fall through the ice, seconds could make the difference between life and death. Immediately after their arrival, the mostly young men and women ventured out on the ice into the darkness in an attempt to locate the person(s) in need. However, nobody was found.
About half an hour later, a helicopter — I believe stationed in Westfield — arrived and scanned the north end of Hamilton Reservoir near the dam with its powerfull search light. As far is I could tell, nothing was found and the possibility that someone could have pretended to be in a life threatening situation was an upsetting thought.

Just three days ago, the emergency personnel were called to rescue a large dog.
Peter Frei

Taxed Enough??

Is money tight in your household? Are you paying more than your fair share?
Sick of financing James Wettlaufer�s and Earl Johnson�s frivolous law suits?
Are you thinking about filing for Abatement?

If so, I have useful information for you,
read more�

Holland�s Ice Not Safe Right Now.

Above normal temperatures and rain is making the ice cover of our lakes unsafe.
Today, shortly after noon, a large Bullmastiff dog fell through the ice on Lake Siog, also called Holland Pond.
Holland Police and Holland Fire Rescue were called. The dog and his owner are fine.

Peter Frei

James Wettlaufer threatened me:
�Keep doing what you are doing and you could get hurt..!�
A Reflection of 2010 and Award.

Yes, a reflection, a reflection on James Wettlaufer�s conduct and performance in the past year, and YES, an award too, read more�

What was YOUR best Christmas Present ever?

Did you ever get a Christmas present that you still rememer to this day?
Read more�

Holland's most Lavish Christmas Decorations of Private Residences.

Do you know where the most spectacular displays are located here in Holland? Find out�

Holland Grinch-Day.

Today
(December 22, 2010)
is the thirtieth anniversary of the event that formed the legacy of one of Holland�s former �leaders.�

December 22 is since known as

�Holland
Grinch
Day,�

in memory of this event.

Read more�

The Price Our Community Pays to Have Earl Johnson in Office.

Nobody knows the full extent of the damage Earl Johnson has caused to our community through his corrupt actions.

Just one of his blunders will cost our community $21,870.00 every year and will do so indefinitely, even after he is gone!

Read more�

Gossip.

I recently visited Switzerland and caught-up with old friends and family.
What do you do these days?, was a common question. As this blog takes up a lot of my spare time, I mentioned it as one of my activities. The next question was, why do you have a blog??
It forced me to think about it and to come up with an answer. Pondering over the reason of the Holland Blog's existence, I realized that blogs are a substitute for healthy gossip.
In the past the grapevine branched out through almost every social group and it functioned, in part, to keep politicians and people from straying too far outside of the community's rules, written and unwritten.
We lost that healthy gossip with our increasingly isolated way of living. The majority lost the connection to the community; they are no longer in the loop. Hence, our politicians can pursue their self-serving agendas and get away with their lies.

Studies show that lack of gossip puts a community at risk. �Gossip appears to be a very sophisticated, multifunctional interaction which is important in policing behaviors in a group and defining group membership,� said David Sloan Wilson, a professor of biology and anthropology at the State University of New York at Binghamton and the author of �Darwin's Cathedral,� a book on evolution and group behavior.
Today�s newspapers and some of the judges sitting on the bench these days are not of any help either.
The Holland Blog changed that in little ways by creating awareness about issues affecting everybody. There is an interest in getting the latest information; daily traffic to the Holland Blog proves it.
Be part of it, email me your story, or gossip, by leaving comments; I�m sure many out there have something to say...
Peter Frei

Medical emergency on 10 Hisgen Road.

Today, around 14:35 hours a medical emergency call originating from 10 Hisgen Road in Holland was received at the dispatch office. The residence is the Johnson residence where ailing former selectman Earl Johnson lives.
Pictured on the left, the Brimfield Ambulance at 14:44 hours rushing towards Exit 74 of I84 to proceed eastwards on I84 towards Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge where the Ambulance arrived at 14:59 hours.
Peter Frei

Speak out Holland! (no.21)

The Holland Sports Marina Auctioned Off Today.

You may have noticed the sign announcing a public auction by Aaron Posnik & Co., Inc., at the former Holland Marina off Mashapaug Road.

The auction took place today and gives testimony of what is going on in the real estate market,
read more�

A Wonderful Accompaniment To Your Holiday Turkey

Instead of opening a can of cranberry sauce this year, try this quick (15 minutes!) and easy cranberry recipe which is a wonderful accompaniment to your holiday turkey. It can be made several days ahead��just stir it up before serving. Happy Thanksgiving! From The Innkeeper @ Hisgen House Bed & Breakfast & the Holland Blog Classic Cranberry Sauce 1 � cups sugar � cup orange juice � tsp cinnamon � tsp ginger Dash of ground cloves 1 (12-ounce) package of fresh cranberries 1 tablespoon grated orange rind Combine first 6 ingredients in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cook 12 minutes or until cranberries pop. Remove from heat and stir in rind. Cool completely. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Hisgen House Bed & Breakfast 78 Hisgen Road Holland, Massachusetts 01521 Email: HisgenHouse@aol.com www.hisgenhouse.com

Got Propane?

Are you heating your home with Propane? There is a local company that is little known but offers the lowest prices, read more�

Deer got lucky, Pickup Truck Driver hit Tree.

Around 8:30 this morning, Ted Beckner was driving towards the dam on Sturbridge Road with his pickup truck. A deer jumped out of the woods in front of Ted�s pickup truck. Ted�s maneuver to avoid the deer got out of control and he ended up against a tree. Ted fortunately avoided an utility pole just by inches.
The State Police was on the scene directing traffic. The Holland Fire Department was assisting the recovery operation as well.
Fortunately nobody was hurt and Ted is carrying collision insurance on his truck.
Peter Frei

Speak out Holland! (no.20)

Hunting Accident in Wales.

This afternoon around 18:00 hours, a hunter allegedly shot a man with his bow and arrow. The victim allegedly bled heavily when the called ambulance arrived on the scene.
The accident happened near Mt Hitchcock Road on the Wales-Munson town line. The Life Flight Helicopter stationed at UMass-Worcester was unable to assist with the transport of the victim to the trauma center at UMass Worcester due to bad weather. The victim was transported by Ambulance to Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge instead.
The shooter allegedly fled the scene in a blue pickup truck. An arrest warrant was allegedly issued for his arrest. The name of the shooter must have been known to the police. The State Police is still investigating.
Peter Frei

Notice of Tax Taking.

An increasing number of property owner's struggle to pay the taxes on their properties. In the spring of 2008 twenty-five properties made the list, now there are fourty-five properties listed. To read the Legal Notice, click here�
Peter Frei

Town of Holland Election Results of November 2, 2010.

To read the results in PDF form, click here!

Shelter, a Basic Human Need; the Flood of 2005.

It happened this day five years ago. Lack of leadership continiues to threaten the safety of dozens of members of our community, read more�

Announcement

The Town Hall will be closed on Wednesday October 13, 2010 so that the employees may attend a funeral. The Town Clerks Office will be open from 2-4 PM and 7-8PM for voter registration. Wednesday the 13th is the LAST day to register to vote for the November 2, 2010 election.

Sheldon Snieder, or how he was known to his friends, Shelly Snieder, died.

I got a phone call this morning with the worst kind of news you can get, my neighbor Sheldon Snieder, or �Shelly� as everybody called him, passed away totally unexpected yesterday morning at his home in Longmeadow.
We became neighbors when Shelly bought the house in March of 2007. It is the house on 3 Pine Tree Drive, directly on Hamilton Reservoir, the house where Kenny Jones and earlier his father Sonny and even earlier Kenny�s grandfather lived.
It was Shelly�s second home. Shelly and his wife Dianne just moved their primary residence from Enfield to Longmeadow so they would be closer to their three grandchildren. Shelly loved to be in his lake house where he spent much of his time improving his house. He also loved to fish and to practice target shooting with bow and arrow.
Picture was taken on July 25, 2010, at 7:59 am.

Just last year, he added a large screened porch to his house. He traveled all over the country on business and his car would have as many miles on the speedometer after one year as mine would have after 15 years.
Shelly was a good guy, always ready to lend a hand. Shelly, I will miss you and I�m still in disbelief...
Shelly was born in Winthrop MA, in 1944, he then moved to Revere. Shelly was the owner and managing partner of both Shelly Snieder Marketing and Shelly Snieder Rugs. He was an avid bass fisherman. Shelly was the glue of the extended Snieder family. He is survived by his wife Dianne (Barr) Snieder, his daughters Samantha Snieder and Bari (Anthony) DeMichele, his three grandchildren William, Benjamin, and Elizabeth, his brother Steven (Edna) Snieder, his sister Barbara (Leonard) Green, his six nephews Eric, Lee, David, Michael, Ricky, and Steven, his sister-in-law Jayne (Geoff) Berman, and his best friend Gene Rosenberg. Shelly's funeral will be Tuesday October 12th at 12:00 Noon at Sinai Temple at 1100 Dickinson St. Springfield, with burial in Sinai Memorial Park. Shiva will be at 135 Pinewood Dr. in Longmeadow with evening services Tuesday and Wednesday. Memorial contributions can be made to USO.org or to the charity of your choice. To visit the Guest Book, click here!
Peter Frei

Update, read the extensive State Police Reports!

Last Friday, October 8, 2010, the five arsonist suspects, three of which were appointed to serve on our Fire Department by James Wettlaufer, Earl Johnson, and Christian Petersen, appeared before a judge in the Hall of Justice on 50 State Street in Springfield.
A pre trial hearing was scheduled and the five suspects will soon face a grand jury.
The embarrassing names of the five alleged arsonists were removed from Holland�s and Brimfield�s web page of the Fire Departments.
The Holland Blog obtained the Arrest Reports from the State Police for its readers.
And, there are still unanswered questions, read more�

300,000 Page Views!

Time to celebrate.....
The Holland Blog went online for the first time at 13:30 hours on Saturday February 14, 2009. This past Monday, the Holland Blog was viewed 300,000 times (page views or hits).
I would like to share an amazing YouTube video with the readers of the Holland Blog to celebrate this special occasion:
This video was viewed over 56,000.000 times.

Speak out Holland! (no.19)

Holland Homes and Business’s Taken and Flooded by the Government; the Flood of 1955.

Can you imagine in 2010 the government submerging your home, your business, & your way of life???
That’s what happened to a number of Holland residents after the 1955 Flood in the “Lake Siog” section of Holland.
Questions remain to this day as to why it happened here in Holland. Today’s tropical rain is a reminder of what took place after the 55 Flood, read more�

Tom Kenney; not just another Party Boat!

Tom Kenney is a leader, he is not a talker, he is doing what most people just talk about, read more�

Update.

I received anonymous mail In connection with the brush dump debacle which I'm publishing here for the readers of the Holland Blog. Read more�

Wales Fish & Game Club Annual Pork Roast.

Pictured on the right:
Fire where the potatoes were backed.

This afternoon, members and guests of the Wales Fish & Game Club met at their facility they call their own since 1949 for one of their annual events, read more�

Triple Flip on Leadmine Road.

Just around 5:30 PM, when it started to rain, the driver of this car driving down Leadmine Road lost control and flipped three times. The occupants of the car refused Medical Treatment and were lucky to be able to walk away.
Peter Frei

Nine Year Old Child Rescued in the Woods of Holland.

Any parents worse nightmare was averted today after their 9 year old child became lost entering the deep woods of Holland near Amber Brook.
Rescue personal including an ambulance and the Holland Fire and Police Department used the recently maintained access road on the Huguenot Farm to drive almost a half a mile into the forest where the child was discovered and rescued . Officer Forcier of the Holland Police was on scene and stated he was glad the road was there or he did not think they would have located the missing child so quickly.
The town has been denying the farm legal access to use the road for over 3 years in bitter court battles. The road can be found on a map in the book titled �The History of Holland,� from the early 1900's. Today many Holland rescue vehicles were able to drive to the location of the missing child located near the road in the woods that the town says does not even exist. My heart smiles to witness such events.
Jim LaMountain, Huguenot Farmer.

30th Anniversary of the Annual Pow Wow of the Nipmuck Indian Council of Chaubunagungamaug this weekend.

As every year for the past 29, the event is organized to take place this weekend September 11 and 12 for the 30th time at Lake Siog Park from 11:00 AM � 6:00 PM.
Peter Frei

Read also:

2009 Nipmuck Pow Wow.
Nipmuck POW WOW.

No lake access this Thursday!

During the selectboard meeting last night, the Board informed the viewers that another chemical treatment will take place this Thursday, September 9th. The chemicals used this time will attack the aquatic plants on the water surface and the operation of power boats is not allowed for this reason. Swimming, irrigation of plants, and letting pets drinking lake water should be avoided for 48 hours. Who is going to inform our wildlife?

Who is to blame?

William M. Bennett, District Attorney for the Hampden County, called the case of the five alleged arsonists as �outrageous,� and stated,

�It is a very sad day when people pledged to serve the public become a serious danger to the public.�

Bennett himself is culpable for the situation our community faces In my opinion, read more�

Speak out Holland! (no.18)

Swat Team Arrests Five Local Firefighters for Alleged Arson.

Five suspects, all Firefighters, including three from the Holland Fire Department (HFD), were arrested in connection with the recent Series of Arson Fires,
read more�

Upside Down Show Special this Friday, September 4th.

Hello all,
this Friday´s show is on live, Channel 5 Charter Communications, Cable TV, 3 Sept. 7 - 11PM, We should be all set up by 6pm, even if it rains, we will set up in the school auditorium. Keep an eye on the weather for hurricanes. The school is located in the center of Wales MA 01081. On Main St. (US Rt.19) there is no other school in Wales, easy to find. There will be free food and drinks for you and a place to put your equipment and dress if needed.We are a “last minute production” studio and will remain true to our name. Please come a little earlier then your show time. This should be a very good time. Bring lots of business cards to give out. Parking is in front of the school. Don´t forget to invite your friends and family. The below schedule times are not accurate, but a close proximity. There will be no rain date, this is it. If we get the hurricane here, we cancel and plan for a different date. If you need more time let me know. I will keep in touch by email with any changes.

Line up for The Upside Down Show, 3 Sept. 7PM-11:00 More like 10:30
7:00 Lynne Serrenho & Carole Walbert
7:05 Maggie the Clown (is on for the eveing)
7:15 Will Naylor
7:30 Hunter Foote
7:45 Jeremy Turgan & Raffle
8:00 David Worth (Upside Down) with Maggie the Clown
8:15 David Dupree & Jane (cameo appearance) Bowden & Raffle
8:30 Knock-a-Noodle Head Sisters & Raffle
9:00 Betr Without & Raffle
9:30 Raffle and close out songs Carole Walbert and guest.
All times may be adjusted.
Thanks again, and looking forward to seeing you. Leon, Kathy, Lynne, Wendy and David Worth

Read also:

Worth�s Upside Down Show and the PEG channels in Wales.
Chief Arvol Looking Horse on Upside Down Show.

Analysis of Wettlaufer�s August 17th Stunt.

Wettlaufer gave one of his �performances� during the last meeting of the Board of Selectmen. His elaborate scheme to attack his opponent Raymond Korny is disingenuous at best. Wettlaufer did what he does best, misinform the community in an attempt to further his own agenda, read more�

Enjoy!

Making the Dean�s List, a party to be remembered!

A twentyfour year old local young man of a well known family made the Dean�s list and was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for obtaining the highest honors at ITT Boston, read more�

Raymond Korny resigned from the Board of Health.

As of 10 am today August 18, 2010, Ray Korny is no longer a member of the Holland Board of Health.
Ray Korny resigned because the Board of Selectmen refused to issue an exemption which would allow Ray Korny to run the brush dump while serving on the Board of Health. Such exemptions were issued in the past on a regular basis but James Wettlaufer as chairman of the Board of Selectmen refused to issue such an exemption in Ray Korny�s case.
According to Ray, Chairman James Wettlaufer, in a very unprofessional manner, called Korny a liar and an idiot during a phone conversation.
Ray Korny was seeking to be elected for the position of selectman during this years election and will run against James Wettlaufer who�s term will come up next year.
Peter Frei

Another costly stunt by our re-elected Highway Surveyor Brian Johnson.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) fined the Highway Department $12,000.00 for a Wetland Protection Act violation, read more�

News and Announcements.

August 28th, 2010:
Town wide tag sale starting at 8AM,
Library Book Sale Starting at 9AM,
Electronic Waste Collection at the School from 9AM to 2PM, and
Little League Car wash also at the school from 9AM to 2PM!
Hope to see you there!

Gregory Grenier died.

This afternoon, 49 year old Gregory J Grenier was found dead at his home, at 35 Heritage Drive here in Holland. He was a builder and died on a self inflicted gunshot wound.
Peter Frei

Part II of the May 3rd, 1957 Blaze.

Gerry Germaine�s second part of his piece about the Blaze that destroyed the Holland Inn back in 1957. His piece features photographs never publishe before! Read more�

Speak out Holland! (no.17)

Voters of Holland, HOW DO YOU FIND THEM?

Lynn Arnold and Fred Beaulieu above the law?? Read more�

Some Old-Timers remember the Blaze of May 3rd, 1957.

Gerald Germaine will write a series about historic events, places, and structures here in our beloved town. Gerald and Leslie Germaine are the owners of the historic Hisgen Farm. Leslie presently operates Hisgen House Bed & Breakfast, which is located on 78 Hisgen Road here in Holland.
Gerald, most call him Gerry, grew up here in Holland and left the town in 1971 to pursue his career as a real estate agent. Gerry was the Vice President of Relocation and Asset Management of Better Homes and Gardens Trust of New England. In 2005 he bought the historic Hisgen Farm and returned to the place he calls home.
The Hisgen House has a rich history and carries the name of a man, Thomas Louis Hisgen, who made a run for the White House back in 1908. Gerry is an avid historian and will share some of his knowledge and rare photographs of his collection with the readers of the Holland Blog.
His first piece is about one of the biggest fires ever that attacked a historic structure in Holland when Gerry was just five years old, read more�
Peter Frei

Make your party special!

Paul Minkley just bought his third Gyro Gym. Mounted on trailers, he will move one (or up to three) to your place to make your party special. If you live within 50 miles of Holland, Paul will spin you and your guests for 3-1/2 hours and all that for only $250 (for one Gyro Gym). Paul carries insurance if anything unexpected should happen (nothing did so far, but he is required by law to carry insurance).
Paul can be reached to schedule a date by email at paulsgyrogym@aol.com or by phone at (413) 668-7109.
Peter Frei

Live streaming video showing BP�s work on the bottom of the ocean in the Mexican Gulf.

Even so the BP oil spill is not local news, it will sooner or later affect us all. The scale of the catastrophic oil spill in the Mexican Gulf is beyond anybody�s comprehension.

Live video link from the ROVs monitoring the work 5,200 feet below the ocean.
Enterprise ROV2 (showing the leak between the 19” riser and the top hat cap, the best capture rate with this setup is about 17% at best): Please be aware, these are live streams and may freeze or are unavailable from time to time.
Peter Frei

Welcome Back!

Herb Duggan is back! During tonight’s meeting of the Board of Selectmen, acting chief of the Holland Police Department Brian Haughey made a request to have Herb Duggan appointed to serve on the force as part time Police Officer.
Herb Duggan served the HPD before but unfortunately resigned last year to take a full time position serving the Police Department of West Brookfield. The selectboard of West Brookfield appointed Herb Duggan back on June 15, 2009 to serve on the West Brookfield Police Department.

I'm glad you are back in Holland, welcome back Officer Duggan.

Peter Frei

Nightly Blaze on Valley Drive.

It was not a Friday the 13th, nevertheless it happened on a 13th.

Today, July 13, around 3 a.m. a house on the south end of Valley Drive and north of Chandler Street caught on fire.

Valley Drive is the short private road to the left if you drive up Davidson Road on the north side of the parking lot to Team Hoyt�s Drive-in Restaurant. The fire rescue vehicles shown in the picture above are on Chandler Street.

The fire fighters were only able to prevent the fire from spreading, the house was a total loss.

Peter Frei

250,000 Page Views!

Time to celebrate.....
The Holland Blog went online for the first time at 13:30 hours on Saturday February 14, 2009. By today, the Holland Blog was viewed 250,000 times (page views or hits).
I would like to share one of my favorite YouTube videos with the readers of the Holland Blog to celebrate this special occasion:
The amazing Lyrebird of Australia. This viedeo is not a joke, it is real. There are many other videos on YouTube featuring this amazing bird.

Speak out Holland! (no.16)

I missed the 6th of the month, a reader pointed this out to me today; sorry!
Everybody is invited to go of topic here. Do you have any questions or suggestions? Comment about anything that is amusing you or about anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

Octagonal Turret

I�m sorry that there are no new posts for so long.
If you cruise up and down the south side of Hamilton Reservoir you may noticed, I�m building an octagonal turret on my castle. I�m in a race against time as I want to close the roof before the next rain. The turret has two unusual features; can you figure out what they are? It is a challenge and it took me much longer than I expected. There are posts in the work and will be posted soon.
Peter Frei

New Open Meeting Law Takes Effect July First.

Changes to the Open Meeting Law Effective July 1, 2010:

New requirements for certifications and other documentation to keep on file. (These requirements will likely pertain to the Town Clerk�s Office.)
48 hour notice � still required, but now cannot count Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. (Example: Monday night meeting must be posted before Thursday night.)
Notices must (1) include a list of topics the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed (i.e., agenda), and (2) be posted in or on a municipal building to be visible to public at all hours. (Having meetings posted on the Town Website does NOT bring officials into compliance. Town Officials must have a posting board attached to the OUTSIDE of Town Hall!)
Emails are expressly included in definition of �deliberation� (must be in open session), but discussion of agendas, scheduling information or reports to be discussed at next meeting is permitted.
Attendance by a quorum at a location will not constitute a �meeting� if it is not the intention of the board/commission to conduct business and no deliberations occur. (For example, attending a conference, social event or a meeting of another municipal board is acceptable, as long as no discussions ensue regarding board/committee issues.)
Minutes must contain more detailed information in addition to �date, place, time and matters discussed,� they shall include summaries of matters discussed, and a list of documents used, all decisions made/votes taken.
�Minutes� shall also include �documents and other exhibits, such as photographs, recordings or maps used by the body at an open or executive session and along with the minutes, be part of the official record of the session.�
Remote participation (conference call, audio or video conferencing) will likely be allowed by regulation or letter ruling of the Attorney General. (However, a quorum of the body will have to be present and the meeting cannot be chaired via audio or video conferencing).
All persons serving on a public body must receive a copy of the Open Meeting Law and related regulations and must submit receipt of same to the Town Clerk within two weeks of appointment.
Citizens making complaints of Open Meeting Law violations must file written complaints with the governmental body first. The governmental body then submits a reply to the complainant and the Attorney General�s Office.

Peter Frei

Read also:

Open and accountable Government.
Record Keeping at the Planning Board.

A Big Change

After 15 years in business Sullivan and Wallace is closing its doors. I have already moved on to join Keller Williams who are opening a new office on Rt 131 in Sturbridge. I am excited about this move, it is a great company with a lot to offer, I will now be able to devote all my time doing what I love, working with people to help them make the huge decisions of buying and selling Real Estate.

I can still be reached on the same cell # and email address, I look forward to hearing from you and working with you in the future.

Karen Wallace
KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
Brimfield. MA 01010
413 531 2181

www.KarenWallaceRealtor.com

Hungry ?

If you never had a grinder from the Holland Market, you are missing out! The grinders are made fresh according to your likings.
On the top to the right is one of my favorites; Genoa Salami with Provolone cheese, onions, lettuce, pickles and mayonnaise.
On the bottom to the right is a Turkey grinder with mayonnaise, onions, lettuce, tomato and provolone cheese.
You can create your own grinder for about 50 cents per inch; that�s correct! The shown 12 inch grinders are only $6.05 a piece and worth every penny.
Peter Frei

Chief Arvol Looking Horse on Upside Down Show.

Last night, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, his family, and Troy W. Phillips, state Commissioner for Indian Affairs, were on Dave Worth’s Upside Down Show on the Wales Community Channel.

Chief Looking Horse is the Chief of the First Nation, the Lakota Dakota Nakota Oyate, the great Sioux Nation, and the keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe in the 19th Generation.

To learn more about this remarkable man and where you can meet him during the next two days click here�

NOTIFICATION OF AQUATIC TREATMENT HAMILTON RESERVOIR

Both the MA and CT portions of Hamilton Reservoir will be chemically treated on Thursday, June 17th. The entire lake will be closed to all uses (including, swimming, fishing and boating) on the day of treatment only. Use of the lake water for irrigation, watering livestock (ie; cattle, horses, etc) and drinking/ cooking purposes is prohibited for five days, commencing on the day of treatment. The work is being performed for the Hamilton Reservoir Association under contract to Aquatic Control Technology, Inc., of Sutton, MA., and pursuant to permits from MA and CT DEP�s and the Holland Conservation Commission.

Speak out Holland! (no.15)

This time I missed the 6th of the month because of the elections. However, everybody is invited to go of topic here a few days too late. Do you have any questions or suggestions? Comment about anything that is amusing you or about anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

Holland’s Mrs. Goodhall.

This is a reminder that the burial with military honors for John Goodhall who passed away February 18th at the age of 84 will be at the Holland Cemetery, Holland, Massachusetts on the June 12th. It is at 1:00 PM and then there will be a gathering with refreshments at the Senior Center immediately following the service.
Corinne Goodhall, his wife of 62 years, along with Ruth his daughter and his son Jack will be in attendance at the service as well as friends and relatives to pay their respect to a man who was a Veteran and Sergant of World War II and was decorated with the purple heart for his injuries prior to the Battle of the Bulge.
Anyone who grew up in the 50’s and 60’s in Holland remember Mrs. Goodhall, John’s wife, (my mother would be upset if I didn’t address her properly), as the second and 3rd grade teacher at the Holland Elementary School for many years..
Mrs. Goodhall graduated from Willimantic State Teachers College in 1947 and John & Corinne married that December 6th. She started teaching in Holland in 1961 and had been teaching in CT prior to that. She retired in 1980 when she and John moved to Breezy Knoll in West Dennis to run their cottage business.
Mrs. Goodhall was an exceptional teacher and put her students first. I use to help my dad after school was out cleaning the rooms and Mrs. Goodhall was one of the few teachers who was always there into dinner time correcting papers, and planning her lessons for the next day for her students. When you walked into her classroom you could see an immediate difference from most of the rooms, hers was full of projects and activities her students were involved in. If there was a holiday it was evident by all the decorations her students made for the classroom. Times were different then. Mrs. Goodhall wasn’t just a teacher to the kids who went through her class but a second parent to Holland’s children as well. She looked after us whether we were in school or not.
Her daughter Ruth told me the other day that between her mom teaching in Holland and her dad having the bus business that transported all the kids to school it was difficult for us to get into trouble. As Ruth said all the town’s folks looked out for the kids back then, but the difference with Mrs. Goodhall was that she knew each and everyone of us by name and took a personal interest in our well being. It was second nature to her.
We can never repay Mrs. Goodhall for the countless hours she put into her teaching and I hope the people of Holland who know and love her will attend the memorial service for her beloved husband John on Saturday, and will also take this rare opportunity to attend to pay their respects and honor this woman who helped mold a generation of Holland’s children. None of us will ever forget Holland’s Mrs. Goodhall.

Gerry Germaine
Hisgen House Bed & Breakfast
78 Hisgen Road
Holland, MA 01521

Peace, Love, and Understanding.

Back in the mid 90�s, I found Michael Judge�s cartoons stupid, today I realize that Judge�s cartoons were simply ahead of their time.

�Peace, Love, and Understanding,� is an epitome of American Culture and meant as comic-relief for those readers who share my disappointment about the outcome of Monday�s election.
Peter Frei

Accident on Mashapaug Road near Holland Market.

There is little known, the accident has nothing to do with the Holland Market or traffic to or from the Holland Market according to the owner.
The accident happened around 8:40 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8, 2010. State Police, Brimfield Ambulance and Holland Police and Fire Department were called. The road was closed in both directions for a short period of time.
R.J., thanks for emailing me the picture!
Peter Frei

Kennedy, Johnson, and Talbot won!

The majority of Holland voters voted for corruption;

Michael P. Kennedy 282; Ray Korny 231,
Brian Johnson 359; George Carling 175,
Nancy Talbot 278; Lynn Arnold 235.

I think nobody can help Holland,
GOOD LUCK!!

Peter Frei

Please don�t forget to vote today, it is important!

I predict that Raymond Korny will defeat Michael Kennedy and that George Carling will defeat Brian Johnson by a narrow margin.

A re-election of Brian Johnson would allow the roadways of Holland to fall further into disrepair.
Brian Johnson�s lack of knowledge how to proper maintain roads will eventually have a devastating effect to the transportation infrastructure of the town.

An interview published in the Southbridge Evening News brought to light that Brian Johnson has nothing to show for other than good intentions for the future.
Do you remember smelling hot tar around town during the summer months more than ten years ago? What happened? Why do we not smell that anymore? Read more�

Brian Johnson is wasting at least $100,000 the town does not have and needs to borrow.

According to an investigation by the Holland Blog, the Dump Truck Brian Johnson intends to replace has only one serious problem, the back of the dump body is rusted out due to a lack of proper maintenance. The truck has only 60K miles and could serve the town just fine for another 10 years if alternative solutions would be considered.

Instead, Brian Johnson wants to spend $172,525 on a new dump truck, read more�

Riddle (no.4)

We have not done a riddle in a long time.
This riddle is trying to solve the mystery of Brian Johnson�s way of setting his priorities, read more�

Meet the two candidates for the seat on the Board of Selectmen.

In case you missed the debate between the two candidates, Michael P. Kennedy and Rayomnd Korny, the Holland Blog was there and offers its readers the video of the most interesting debate; the first one ever in our town�s history as far as I know.

Kennedy surprised with his answer to the question whether he favors or opposes the proposed truck stop, read more�

Memorial Day Celebration 2010.

A picture perfect day and superb organization made another Memorial Day Celebration special, read more�

Remembering our heros who served our country.

As every year around this time, last boat docks are installed along the shores of Hamilton Reservoir and boats get launched, campaign signs are scattered around town, the smell of barbecue is in the air, and the flags are back adorning Brimfield, Mashapaug, and Sturbridge Road.
If you assume that the Town of Holland is installing the flags along Brimfield Road and Sturbridge Road, you are mistaken.
If you like to know who is doing it for all to enjoy, click here!
The yearly parade will start at 10:00 a.m. at the monument by the Elementary School. Be there earlier as the procession forms around 9:45 a.m.
The parade will go to the cemetery for a ceremony. After the ceremony, paticipants then walk over to the Senior Citizen Center for refreshments. Everybody is encouraged to participate and bring (store-bought) refreshments.
Peter Frei

Read also

Holland Honored Their Fallen Warriors
One Who Served Our Country.

Truck on fire at Exit 74 of I 84.

Around 9:20 this morning, a Ford pickup truck cought on fire and burned out of control.

A state trooper was there only 5 minutes later. At the time I left, the truck was still on fire. An explosion blew a smal fireball to the left of the truck while I was taking pictures.

The fire departments of Holland and Sturbridge were called.

Peter Frei

Nancy Talbot running for reelection for the tax collector position to hold four hour seminar at the senior center.

If re-elected, Nancy Talbot will show her gratitude for the voters trust by conducting a four hour seminar at the Senior Citizen Center.
The seminar is planned for Wednesday June 16, 2010, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. The date was chosen to honor Earl Johnson�s birthday, Earl is a close friend of her. Earl will assist Nancy in answering tricky questions if his health will allow him to attend.
Nancy Talbot was accused by a resident of Holland to have been involved in a questionable land-deal.
In a recent interview with Christopher Tanguay from the Southbridge Evening News, Nancy realized that there are some lingering questions in the community stemming from the incident and decided to be proactive and root-out all suspicions. �The land my son purchased was not in tax title,� Nancy said to Tanguay and further stated, �Not only was it not in tax title, it was not even delinquent and it wasn�t going into tax title.�
Actions are louder than words; To clear her name once and for all, she will have the opportunity to show (and teach others) how her son was able to buy the building lot at the peak of the real estate boom for only $100!
The conveyance recorded in book 17,317 on page 311, carrying the number 35,509 took place on May 29, 2008. Deric�s deed is recorded at the Registry of Deeds on 50 State Street in Springfield in book 17317, page 311. To view the deed, click here!
Once Nancy is reelected I will ask her and Earl whether they are interested and will then organize the seminar. Place will be limited, please reserve your space by emailing me, thanks!
I hope she and her mentor are as thrilled as I am, I can�t wait...
Peter Frei

Annual Town Meeting of 2010.

Earl Johnson attended the last annual town meeting as selectboard member; James Wettlaufer is not credible any longer; and Christian Petersen joined his two colleagues in their quest to promote a project that would have violated not less than 16 provisions under the bylaws or other rules and regulations.
However, the voters of Holland used sound judgment and dared not to follow the advice of their �leaders,� and do it right. The disabled and seniors deserve it, read more�

Don't miss the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING tonight, Tuesday May 25, at 7:00 p.m. sharp!

Throughout the day, I will gather information and will post it here and add as the day progresses, so check back if you can. If you don't like the way our town is run, be there tonight and voice your opinion! Certain articles on the town warrant need your attention, here is what I gathered so far:

Article #3, #4, and #5 seek authorization by the voters to authorize the Board of Selectmen to grant easments and to enter into a lease agreement to lease the 2 acre town owned property to HAP, Inc. in order to acommodate the proposed low income housing project for seniors.
The voters have a last chance to force HAP and the town government to find a better solution for the project.
If the voters vote YES on article #5, the project will be built, if the voters vote NO, the project can not be built at the proposed site.
YES Votes on article #3 and #4 will just make it easier to realize the project but are not necessary for the project to go forward.
There has been strong opposition by several residents towards the project's realization on the proposed side as the 2 acre parcel does not allow the construction of the Project,
To read more about article #3, #4, and #5 click here!�

Peter Frei

A new name with familiar faces; Jean and Karen go separate ways.

Rumors that Jean Sullivan and Karen Wallace went separate ways first made the round about three weeks ago.

Now it is official, Jean Sullivan launched her new company, SULLIVAN & COMPANY, REAL ESTATE. Read more�

Some pictures of yesterday�s 5k race.

There is always something going on in Holland, read more�

Team HOYT�s opening for the season, book signing, and more!

Dick Hoyt and his son are a busy duo, tomorrow, Sunday May 23, Team Hoyt will participate on the Holland Elementary School�s 5K race starting at 10:00 a.m. There will also be a kids 50 yard dash as well!
Hoyt's drive in restaurant on 154 Mashapaug Road will open next Friday, May 28. On Saturday, May 29, Rick & Dick Hoyt will sign their two new books at their Team Hoyt�s Finish Line Restaurant from 1:30 � 3:30 p.m.
Dick Hoyt will celebrate his seventieth birthday on Tuesday June 1! But he is not slowing down, the father son duo recently published two new books - their first is �Rick's Story - The Story of Rick Hoyt� - written by Sherrie Ninteau. This is the inspiring and touching story of Rick Hoyt, written for children, to teach them about disability awareness. Their second book is �Devoted - The Story of a Father's Love for His Son� - written by Dick Hoyt with Don Yaeger. The story, told through the eyes, voice, and feelings of Dick Hoyt, shares in detail the events which created the inseparable bond between him and his son Rick.
Peter Frei

Read also:

Grand Opening, June 12th!

Wales not to be bullied by James Wettlaufer.

Wales residents sent a clear message to the �leaders� of Holland; the rejection of the proposed regionalization of Wales� and Holland�s Elementary Schools came as no surprise for many. Read more�

Wales voted NO!

I�m attending the Wales annual town meeting. The voters of Wales just voted on article 12. Article 12 is the question on the warrant whether the voters of Wales are in favor of regionalizing their elementary school with the one of the town of Holland. The vote count is:
54 votes in favor, 101 against the regionalization of the elementary school. More when I'm back home!
Peter Frei

Brian Johnson, where are you?

I got a phone call from an upset resident who is living on Maybrook Road. He allegedly called the Highway Department several times in an attempt to report a big hole in the road caused by a tree that got blown over during the recent windy days we had. His phone calls were ignored, allegedly nobody answered the phone and at least one message was left with the request to be called back.

I know that you, Brian Johnson, are only �working� a four day week and that there is nobody at the Highway Department on Friday's.
Brian Johnson founded and incorporated his own Construction Company back on November 18, 2008. Brian Johnson is the President of J&G Construction Inc., J&G stands for Johnson&Gendreau. Scott Gendreau is one of the Highway employees and is listed as the vice president of the Company who's business is officially �GENERAL CARPENTRY AND ROOFING.� Kyle Rutkowski, another Higway Department employee is also involved in the cosy company as the director. The Holland Blog reported about Brian's busines in the piece Office or residence?

The large hole in the road is not marked or secured and is a potential safety hazard, especially at night. Maybrook Road is very narrow at the spot where the hole is and something needs to be done before somebody gets hurt!
I called the HPD and informed the dispatcher of the situation.
Peter Frei

Candidates Night Tomorrow Night, Tuesday May 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the town hall.

The Holland Blog received this notice:
When:
May 18th at 7:30PM directly following Selectmen�s Meeting, it will be televised!
Where:
Town Hall Community Room.

Questions will be allowed, and must be in written format, SIGNED and addressed to the Moderator, Dora Metrelis. Questions must be directed to both candidates for an office, not a particular candidate, because both candidates will have the opportunity to answer. Questions will not be allowed if they are personal in nature, obvious attacks or in any way deemed inappropriate by the moderator.
The Candidates Night is organized by Kristin LaPlante, our town clerk.

The Holland Blog initiated the idea in the piece, We need a debate between candidates.
I will submit the questions that I received so far without revealing the name of the individuals that emailed me the question(s). If I see individuals that I know and that emailed me a question(s) in the audience, I will not submit the question and leave it up to the individual whether to ask his/her question.

Selectboard Meeting of May 4, 2010.

Tuesday. May 4, the selectboard met the first time this month. The three selectmen don't really inform the viewers about the on-goings; the televised meetings are more of a platform abused to misinform voters.
Following Paul Harvey's spirit, the Holland Blog brings you �The Rest of the Story.� Read more�

Brimfield.

In case you missed it, there is still time to stroll around the fields and make some bargains at Brimfield�s Antique Show.

The spectacle will close at 5 p.m. tomorrow, read more�

John H. Goodhall passes away at age 83.

John Hindle Goodhall Sr. WEST DENNIS � John Hindle Goodhall Sr. of West Dennis peacefully passed away Feb. 18, 2010, at the age of 84.
Mr. Goodhall was born in Stafford Springs, Conn., and raised in Eastford, Conn.
He was the son of the late Wallace I. Goodhall and Ruth Fenlon Goodhall. John proudly and valiantly served his country by enlisting in the Army. He served in the Italian and French theaters and was injured prior to the Battle of the Bulge, thereby earning his Purple Heart. He had the rank of sergeant when he was discharged. After returning home he met and married his wife Corinne Hulburt. John and Corinne formerly resided in Holland Mass. where he held the position of town selectman, police chief, fire chief and highway superintendent; served as Commander of the local American Legion; owned his own construction business and school bus operation and joined the Masons and Melha Temple in Springfield, Mass. He and his wife owned a seasonal cottage colony in West Dennis where they retired to in 1980.
He lovingly leaves Corinne, his wife of 62 years, his daughter Ruth C. Goodhall of Dennisport, his son John H. Goodhall, Jr and daughter-in-law, Patricia of Grafton, Mass. and grandchildren, Maura of Bridgewater and Eric, of New Bedford. He leaves a sister, brother, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Dennis Community Church, P.O. Box 487, W. Dennis, MA 02670.
Burial with military honors will be at the Holland Cemetery, Holland, Massachusetts on the June 12th. It is at 1:00 and then there will be a gathering with refreshments at the Senior Center right after.
Posted with permission of the Goodhall family by Gerry Germaine Hisgen House Bed & Breakfast Holland, MA 01521 HisgenHouse.com

Ray Korny, Holland's New Beginning.

I've lived in Holland for my entire childhood till I was 21 years old. I moved permanently back to town in 2005.
Since that time we've lost a lot of our old timers who helped build this town and make it what it's become.
People like Tom Mulrain, our police chief, John Goodhall who ran the Holland Fire Dept. for many years,
Fred Henke who served us as Selectman/Police Officer along with many other positions, my dad, Gerry Germaine, who took care of the Holland School as janitor for many years and more recently Walter Woods who made sure we could always get home in a storm running our Highway Dept., All people who took care of US by taking care of our beloved town . They did it on a shoestring and dedicated countless hours of their own personal time and money and often times with great sacrifice to their own families with no reward.

I moved back to Holland only to find the town immersed in political strife that can only be rivaled by the Hatfield and McCoys.

The upcoming election will prove to be an opportunity for the people of Holland to make a change away from the direction of past politics. We have such a person here in Holland who I believe holds the ideals and dedication of some of his past predecessors who can help implement some much needed changes here in town. I believe Ray Korny who's running for Selectman has the character, honesty, and integrity needed for Holland to go forward to a new beginning. You only have to talk to Ray Korny a few minutes to find out he's articulate, well read, educated, and detail oriented and that he isn't afraid to speak up for what he feels is right or WRONG. You only have to drive by his property or go to his web site for his and his wife Barbara's bed and breakfast (restfulpaws.com) to see how dedicated and detail oriented he is to a project. I believe he will be just as dedicated to the Town of Holland. He has served in a number of capacities for the town already, and he's here in town almost 24 hours a day 7 days a week. As such he is familiar with the interaction of our existing officials.
Holland has a rare opportunity right now for that New Beginning. I hope the people of Holland will throw all their support behind Ray on election day and do what's necessary by voting for him. It's rare that a town has the opportunity and willingness of an individual like Ray Korny to serve it's people. It may be a long time before we have another chance at such a quality individual. Let's not miss this one!.

Gerry Germaine
Hisgen Farm
Hisgen House
Bed & Breakfast
78 Hisgen Road
Holland, MA

There will be more, Mr. Wettlaufer!

For the first time in more than a century there are once again cattle at the former Blodgett Farm on Mashapaug Road.
Northeast Concepts/ Huguenot Farm recently constructed a cattle barn on their hillside property and today brought two of their Polled Hereford Cattle from their Oxford Farm to the Holland Farm.
We now have a source of prime beef growing here in Holland. Finally..
James P. LaMountain

Cypripedium acaule, or the pink lady�s slipper.

Just 50 feet from my house is this pink lady�s slipper, one of two orchid species that grow right next to my house. I took this picture yesterday.
The cypripedium acaule is native to our region but you will not find any on your lawn. Keeping your surrounding s natural produces this wonder of nature�s beauty and splendor and keeps the lake clean.

Even if you do not live on a lake, you can help keep it clean. One of the easiest ways is to use lake-friendly, phosphorus-free fertilizer for your turfgrass. Hamilton Reservoir and Lake Siog and all other downstream water bodies will appreciate it.
When too much phosphorus enters the lake, algae and weed growth become uncontrollable. Using a lake-friendly, phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer will help protect the lake and will not compromise your lawn�s appearance.
Peter Frei

Read also: Lake Siog and the cyanobacteria.

Public Hearing on Budget (Draft) for Fiscal Year 2O11.

This year�s public hearing with the Finance Committee was held on April 20, 2010. Thomas Dubrey, chairman of the Committee, together with Anthony Roman and Andrew Harhay presented the draft of the budget for FY2011 and explained how they will keep the town fiscally afloat during these economic hard times. Dubrey had an unexpected clear answer to tax collector Nancy Talbot�s request for more funds. Read more and watch the video�

Speak out Holland! (no.14)

As every 6th of the month, everybody is invited to go of topic here. Do you have any questions or suggestions? Comment about anything that is amusing you or about anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

Janice Vera Swenson

You may don�t know her name but you know her friendly face; she was one of the two ladies at the table where you would check-in and get a paddle at the town caucus and other town meetings. She also gave a helping hand to Kristin LaPlant in the town clerk's office. Janice past away last Sunday May 2, 2010.
Residents living around the lake are familiar with the daily boat rides she took with her long time friend of 50 years, Mary B vandenBerg. The couple lived together on 27 Hamilton Drive.
The picture on the right shows the couple all bundled up on their last boat ride for the year 2009 on December 12.
Peter Frei

Janice Vera Swenson born October 2, 1925 in Maplewood, New Jersey to Robert M. Swenson, Sr. and Vera (Thulander) Swenson, died Sunday (May 2, 2010) at home in Holland, Massachusetts. She is survived by her long time friend of 50 years, Mary B. vandenBerg; her nephew Ralph M. Swenson III, of Burlington, Vermont; her niece, Siri S. Marshall of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and her sister in law Margaret Swenson of Barrington, Rhode Island. Dr. Swenson earned the bachelor of arts degree from Douglass College, the Master's of Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Connecticut. She served as the Executive Director of the Connecticut Valley Council of Girl Scouts, then became Professor of Sociology at Southern Connecticut State University. Following retirement from SCSU she worked seasonally for the U. S. Department of the Treasury in income tax preparation. After moving permanently to Holland, MA, Janice served the community as Registrar of Voters and as a member of the Holland Finance Committee. Jan enjoyed daily boat rides on the Hamilton Reservoir, adventure van travel from the Panama Canal to the North Slope of Alaska and many places in between. She always provided a loving and safe home to rescue dogs, and was renown for her quick wit and snappy lines. She has donated her body for study to the Medical School of Tufts University. Anyone wishing to make a memorial donation in her honor is invited to make a contribution to the charity of the donor's choice. To leave an online condolence, click here!

Brian Johnson�s sign at the four corners not too large after all!

My aquisations were incorrect, it was not intentional and here is how it happened: The town zoning bylaws clearly restrict political signs to 288 square inches, see paragraph (i), and (d) of subsection 7.11:

7.1 SIGNS

7.11 General Restrictions and Allowances:
Any exterior sign or advertising device hereafter erected or maintained shall, except as expressly provided, conform to the following restrictions:

No sign shall be so located that it will cause danger to traffic by obscuring the view of a public way.
Flashing, blinking, revolving signs and similar displays are not permitted except by special permit by the Board of Appeals.
No sign shall be place on or project over town property or be placed on utility poles which are located on town property.
Nothing in this bylaw shall forbid property owners from erecting on their own property signs not more than two square feet in area containing the words �No Dumping�, �No Trespassing�, �Private Property�, �Beware of Dog�, �Blind Driveway� or other customary signs of similar import.
One sign for each family residing on the premises indicating the name of the owner or occupant or pertaining to a permitted accessory use provided, however, that said sign shall not exceed two square feet in area, or twelve feet in the aggregate.
One sign not over nine square feet in area pertaining to permitted buildings, structures and uses of the premises, other than dwellings, and their accessory buildings.
Temporary signs aggregating not over twelve square feet in area pertaining to the sale or lease of the premises on which said signs are located, provided that said signs shall be permitted for a period not exceeding one year.
Directional signs not exceeding two square feet in area pertaining to churches, schools, institutions and other non profit uses, or to the location of businesses, places of accommodation and professional offices.
Political signs shall be allowed as a matter of right, but shall not be greater in either area or in the aggregate, than that allowed for non political signs.

To make sure that no other rules apply to political signs erected on parcels in the business district, I started to read subsection 7.13.
Under paragraph (a), I read �Signs shall pertain only to a use or business conducted on the premises on which they are located and must conform to the height regulations in the appropriate district.� This sentence is unambiguous and restricts permitted signs to signs that �pertain only to a use or business conducted on the premises on which they are located...� There is nothing that would indicate that there are exceptions, there is no language such as �except,� there is also no restriction on the term �signs.� It does not read, �business signs...� it just reads �signs shall pertain only to a use or business conducted on the premises on which they are located...� There was no need to read any further, political signs are not allowed at all according to the meaning of paragraph (a) of subsection 7.13.

However, I just read the entire subsection 7.13, and to my surprise political signs are mentioned under paragraph (f). Not only are they allowed, they can measure up to �200 square feet in the aggregate.� A political sign could be as large as 10 feet by 20 feet if erected on a parcel in the business district.
The word �aggregate� is a term used to describe the one-dimensional property of a group of items and not the two-dimensional or three-dimensional properties. The word is correctly used to describe the length or height of an item (sign) and not the surface in square foot. I do apoligize for jumping to a conclusion. Anybody familiar with our bylaws will agree with me that our bylaws are a mess and need to be rewritten to avoid ambigiuous interpretations and situations like this one.
Here is subsection 7.13 in its entirity:

7.13 Business Districts
In all business districts the following signs and no other are permitted:

Signs shall pertain only to a use or business conducted on the premises on which they are located and must conform to the height regulations in the appropriate district.
The total surface area of no one exterior sign on any one property shall not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of street frontage; however, in no instance shall the total surface area of all exterior signs combined on one premises be more than 200 square feet in area.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this bylaw, religious and public institutions shall be permitted to erect signs in the aggregate of not more than fifteen square feet, and only on property belonging to same.
Illuminated signs shall be located twenty five feet or more from a residential district boundary line.
No sign shall extend over public property.
Political signs not exceeding 200 square feet in the aggregate.

Peter Frei

We need a debate between candidates.

The Holland Blog has an average of 125 visitors a day and this number will rise in the days before the annual town meeting (May 25) and the annual town election (June 7.) Many people, including myself, do not know all the candidates. A debate between the candidates would be ideal, the Holland Blog can offer you the next best thing. I will make an attempt to post here on the blog two one-hour audio recordings of two question-answer sessions with the two candidates running for the three year term on the Board of Selectmen.
You, the readers of the Holland Blog, are encouraged to email me questions to be asked during the recorded question-answer sessions. Please email me your questions to peterfrei@cox.net.
I will then setup a time and place and will read the questions to the candidate. The candidate then has 3 minutes to answer the question. I will limit the number of questions to twenty. Once I have both sessions recorded, I will then post the audio files on the blog for everybody to listen to.
If either of the candidates, Michael P. Kennedy or Raymond P. Korny chooses not to participate, I will post the audio recording of the candidate that chooses to participate.
If there is interest in such question-answer sessions to get a debate going, I will send a formal letter inviting the two candidates to participate in the question-answer session.
Peter Frei

Selectboard Meeting of April 20, 2010.

Last Tuesday, April 20, the selectboard met the second time this month.

Earl Johnson did what he and other members of the Johnson clan do best, disseminating fictional �information.�

Watch the video of the meeting or, read more�

200,000 Page Views!

Time to celebrate.....
The Holland Blog went online for the first time at 13:30 hours on Saturday February 14, 2009. Last Monday night, the Holland Blog was viewed 200,000 times (page views or hits).
I would like to share one of my favorite YouTube videos with the readers of the Holland Blog to celebrate this special occasion:
A tribute to our founding fathers produced by Soomo Publishing.

James P. LaMountain exonerated again, this time by Justice Moriarty II.

The Selectboard, represented by Super Lawyer Tani Sapirstein, didn�t get their way in Court.
Superior Court Justice Honorable Cornelius J. Moriarty II, denied the town�s request for a permanent injunction to enjoin the LaMountains� from open burning of brush and issued his ruling the following day.
Justice Moriarty�s ruling was again - for the third time on this question - in favor of the LaMountains�, and once again the three men holding the highest office in our town were the ones on the wrong side of the law. What do they care, the majority doesn't seem to mind paying for it all...

The Ruling by the Superior Court is another embarrassing defeat to our �leaders.�
Read more�

Earl & Brian Johnson, "Keep the team together!"

Some of you may remember the Johnsons' campaign slogan, "Keep the team together." My hope for a positive change was dashed at the caucus when Brian Johnson's nomination for the highway surveyor went unopposed. There was a rumor in town that a most (more) qualified long time resident would be willing to serve the community and challenge Brian Johnson for the highway surveyor position. Kristin LaPlante confirmed today that 52 year old George Carling filed his nomination papers yesterday, Kristin LaPlante: "I have not had the time to certify the signatures yet, but it seems that he has more then he needs." George Carling who previously worked for the highway department for one year under Woods wants to end the deterioration of Holland's roadways (something Brian Johnson is not currently doing) and make a difference. While Brian Johnson founded J & G Construction in 2008 while holding his office, George Carling sold his business recently to devote his undivided attention to better the roads and ways of our town. The community, after all, will get the opportunity to "keep the [Johnson] team together," this time outside the town hall..
Peter Frei

Selectboard Meeting of April 6, 2010

On April 6, the selectboard met the first time this month, read more�

Last chance today; Census Forms, IBM and Hollerith.

If you have not mailed in your 2010 census form, today is your last chance to do so (I�m sure that they will still take it if you mail it tomorrow).
The task of processing the huge amount of census-data has an interesting story.
Back in 1890 the census data was first counted and analyzed utilizing �modern� data processing. Ten years earlier, Herman Hollerith worked on the 1880 US census to make a few dollars. He just received a degree in Mine Engineering and could not find employment in his line of work. The counting of the date was a laborious and error-prone operation that cried out for mechanization.
For the next 10 years, Hollerith worked on his invention and won the competition for best machine to process the census-data to be collected in 1890. His machine utilized punch cards, measuring 3.25 by 7.375 inches, the same size as the dollar bills at the time. (US banknotes were reduced in 1929 to their present size.)
This was the first wholly successful information processing system to replace pen and paper, and reduced a seven-year job to three months. Yes, that�s how long it took in 1880, and for 1890 it was projected to take 13 years!
Hollerith is considered the father of digital data collecting and processing. Hollerith�s machine saved the 1890 taxpayers five million dollars, and earned him an 1890 Columbia PhD.
Hollerith started his own business in 1896, the Tabulating Machine Company, which was also in charge of tabulating the date for the 1900 census. In 1900 Hollerith�s automatic mechanism to feed the cards allowed an even faster processing of the data. In 1911 the Tabulating Machine Company merged with three other companies and formed the Computing Tabulating Recording Corporation, or CTR. In 1924, CTR was renamed and became International Business Machines, or our familiar IBM.
Hollerith can also be looked at the founder of IBM.
Peter Frei

Congratulations, Geri-Jean and Michael!

Geri-Jean Twining and Michael LaMountain became mother and father of a healthy 6 pounds and 1 once baby boy. They already have a name for the newborn; they call him Michael James LaMountain Jr.

Little Michael James measures already 18 inches and was born yesterday April 13, at 5:08 p.m.

The couple had a good reason not to be at the caucus last night.

Peter Frei

2010 Town Caucus Report

Last night, app. 56 voters attended the 2010 town caucus at the Holland Elementary School. Candidates for a total of 15 positions were proposed to be put on the ballot for the annual town elections to be held Monday June 7, 2010, from 10:00 hours to 20:00 hours, read more�

Senior Housing Hearing postponed.

THE SENIOR HOUSING HEARING WILL BE ON APRIL 21, 2010 AT 7:30pm AT THE TOWN HALL. THE ORIGINAL DATE WAS APRIL 6, 2010.
Peter Frei

Speak out Holland! (no.13)

Earl Johnson must be laughing his head off..

When I started fighting corruption at the town hall, I had this idea that it would be difficult to find my way through the maze of all the different rules and laws, there are so many; local bylaws, Mass. General Law, United States Code, the Constitution of the USA, the Constitution of the Commonwealth, rules of civil procedure, court Rules, Rules of appeallate procedure, rules of evidence, standing orders, etc, etc..
I thought it would be difficult but I thought if I really try hard I could get justice. I thought that judges would know the law, read complaints and other pleadings, and at the end would get it right and serve justice. After all, that is what they do, right? They are judges..
I was wrong, very wrong.. If you think that this great nation is still following the rule of law, think again, or better; read my latest court document, my petition for a rehearing of the Johnson Landgate case.
I mailed this petition today to the Appeals Court and also a copy to the three law firms that represent the defendants in this case.
The next step will be the petition for further appellate review (FAR) to the Supreme Judicial Court..

Click here, to read the petition.

Read also:

Holland Selectman Earl Johnson and Family Profit from Illegal Land Use.
Appeals Court affirmed Superior Court Judge's dismissial in the Johsnon-LandGate case.
Earl Johnson, Mr. Grinch or Santa Clause?
Peter Frei filed Notice of Appeal.
Superior Court Judge Dismisses Johnson LandGate Suit.
Homes built by the Johnson's, illegal!
Peter Frei

The Town Clerk just released the NOTICE OF CAUCUS.

To read the notice, click here!
Peter Frei

Iraq war in it�s 8th year.

In case you missed these photos in the NY Times Sunday Magazine... That�s the results of seven years of madness. The Iraq War began its 8th year this weekend.
Peter Frei

Appeals Court affirmed Superior Court Judge's dismissial in the Johsnon-LandGate case.

More frustrating incompetence by the judiciary.. Read more�

Selectboard Meeting of March 16, 2010.

Last Tuesday the selectboard met the second time this month, read more�

Community uproar about the proposed low-income senior housing project.

Selectmen Earl Johnson seemed to be surprised about the turnout and resistance of concerned residents at the March 9th public hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeals. HAP�s request for 16 exemptions of the zoning bylaws was heard by the ZBA and residents recognized the dim-witted nature of Earl Johnson�s idea to jam the proposed structure into the tight spot right next to the senior citizens center.
Towards the end of the hearing, Johnson even insinuated that he believed that HAP was not required to obey the town�s zoning bylaws.
The Holland Blog is offering its readers the complete audio recording of the hearing during which HAP Inc. presented its preliminary plans for the $5,280,000.00 senior low income housing project, read more�

Selectboard Meeting of March 2, 2010.

This was the first meeting this month; to read more or watch the video at your convenience, click here�

Speak out Holland! (no.12)

Choral Showcase Concert at Tantasqua Reg. H.S.

If you don't have any plans for tonight, Tantasqua Fine Arts presents the Choral Showcase Concert at 7 p.m. at the Tantasqua Regional Highschool.
Click on picture to enlarge for easier reading.

The Holland Blog celebrates its First Anniversary.

The Holland Blog is celebrating its first Anniversary and reflects on a very successful first year.
Read about how this Blog works, who the readers are, which piece was read the most, the Blog�s achievements, and what the goals for the future are.
For the first time, the Holland Blog shares Google�s Analytical Reports about the traffic to the blog; it will surprise you who among the readers are! Read more�

A good or bad idea in the long run?

The proposed chapter 40B �Senior Housing� (or is it a �Low-income Housing?�) project is going to be before the Zoning Board of Appeals on March 9. No less then 16 exemptions are being requested, read more�

Crash on icy Leno Road at Town Line between Holland and Sturbridge.

Around 6:15 p.m. this evening, Friday 26, 2010, a black pickup truck was driving towards Holland on Leno Road just at the town line coming from Sturbridge. In a slight left curve the driver lost control and crashed into the telephone pole. The telephone pole broke in half on impact and the power lines and the transformer crashed to the ground. The telephone pole ended up on top of the pickup truck.
Read more�

Former Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly scolded Holland selectboard for by-law change restricting farm activities.

A lot of the taxpayer�s money is spent in an attempt to prove what chairman of the Board of Selectman James Wettlaufer can�t let go of; that James LaMountain after all is just a farmer.

A letter mailed from the Attorney General�s Office sheds new light on the controversy, the former Attorney General scolded town officials for their proposed by-laws which are �inconsistent with State Law,� if necessary special permits would be denied to applicants!

What's up with that steam powered saw?

What else does the letter from the GA�s office say?

Click here and find out�

Wettlaufer in �DAMAGE CONTROL� mode.

The reason for James Wettlaufer�s and Earl Johnson�s ability to hold on to their office is because some people STILL believe what they say.

According to Wettaufer�s logic, the removal of one of several equal restrictions creates a right to do what is still not allowed by the remaining restrictions. Confused?

My appearance on Dave Worth�s Upside Down Show informed some viewers in Wales and Brimfield about the Johnson�s scheme to create illegally three building lots and to build three homes without the required frontage. Two of the three planned homes are already built.

Attempts by the Board of Selectmen of Holland to bully Wales officials into censoring the show failed.

Instead of attending a future Show and rebut my accusations, Wettlaufer and Johnson are hiding behind the familiar excuse, �Our attorney�s have advised us not to comment..�

However, Wettlaufer could not avoid doing some �Damage Control� and provided Dave Worth with a statement and other documents. The logic he employed is shown in the picture above.
Dave read Wettlaufer�s statement at the end of his show and presented Wettlaufer�s argument. Read more�

Fatal crash on I84 in Sturbridge.

Yesterday, February 19, at approximately 21:30 hours, Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Sturbridge responded to a two-vehicle crash on I84 in Sturbridge.
The two vehicles collided and the SUV rolled over several times. Some passengers got ejected from the SUV shown in the picture.
According to preliminary information from the State Police Office of Media Relations, the accident caused one fatality and seven individuals were injured. Two Medflight helicopters landed on I84 to transport a fatally injured 25 year old woman and an eight year old critically injured to the Trauma Center at UMass Memorial in Worcester. The 25 year old pregnant woman died at UMass Memorial.
The SUV was traveling eastbound on I84. The crash happened app. 500 yards northeast of exit 1. Interstate 84 was blocked for about 2 hours. The traffic was detoured off exit 2, over the bridge onto RT 15 south, and back onto I84 at exit 1. The picture shows the SUV on a flatbed tow truck from Sturbridge Service Center Inc.
Around 23:30hours emergency workers finished the clean-up of I84 and the eastbound lane was reopened. (Click on image to enlarge!)

The State Police Office of Media Relations released a statement, click here, to read the statement!
Peter Frei

Another suicide attempt in Holland.

Today, around 11:35 hours, a 33 year old man called 911 and stated that he had just overdosed and would not have much longer to live and that they should hurry..
The Brimfield Ambulance, Holland Fire Department, Holland Police, and State Police were dispatched to the intersection of Leno Road and Kimball Hill Road. The man was walking along Leno Road. Leon Road was blocked for about 10 minutes while acting Chief of Police Brian Haughey and the EMT�s were inside the ambulance attending to the man. I left before the State Police arrived on the scene.
Suicide is a public health problem and is preventable, to read the Massachusetts Strategic Plan For Suicide Prevention Executive Summary, click here!
To read the Massachusetts Strategic Plan For Suicide Prevention, click here!
Peter Frei

BOS meeting postponed again.

THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN THAT WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, FEB. 16TH AT 7pm, WHICH WAS POSTPONED UNTIL FEBRUARY 17TH AT 6:30PM, HAS BEEN POSTPONED AGAIN UNTIL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD AT 6:30 PM IN THE TOWN HALL. SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.

Worth�s Upside Down Show and the PEG channels in Wales.

Little do residents of Holland know how much better the political climate and sense of community in the neighboring town of Wales is.

Wales has a public access channel, Channel 5. Everybody has the right to request airtime on Channel 5, the Public Access Channel of the PEG Channels. Requests are granted on a �first come first serve� basis. The Holland Blog was on Dave Worth�s Upside Down Show on February 5, 2010.

Find out how the Board of Selectmen tried to censor the show and why Holland does not have a Public Access Channel, or watch the unedited video of the entire Show, read more�

Selectboard Meeting of February 2, 2010.

Sorry for not putting up this post earlier. On February 2, the selectboard met for the first time this month, read more�

Earl and the Crow.

Video is 15.362MB and runs 3:42 minutes.
Your browser does not support the video tag. Please click Please click here to view the video with an old browser»

Earl Johnson is true to himself and clings to familiar lie in his final hour.

Earl Johnson broke the good news late yesterday.
However, he fell short again of taking responsibility like a man,

read more�

Members of the Holland selectboard tried to bully members of the selectboard of Wales.

Different people informed me that members of the Holland Board of Selectmen tried to bully the selectboard of Wales into censoring Dave Worth�s Upside Down Show.
I introduced the Holland Blog to the viewers of the Upside Down Show last Friday and talked about Johnson Landgate and other dark secrets about members of the Holland selectboard.
Dave�s show is repeated three times every day on the Charter cable network in Wales and Brimfield until tonight when Dave will air his new show.
Surprised about the numerous call-ins, Dave Worth announced that he would invite me back to be a guest again soon. Dave�s announcement must have scared some officials in Holland.
I will post the show here on the Holland Blog. I need to solve a technical problem first which has to do with installing a streaming server that can handle a video that is 110 minutes long. I intend to post the video in its un-edited entire length.
According to Google Analytics, Johnson Landgate is drawing a lot of attention, just yesterdeay the report about Johnson Landgate has been viewed 13 times by 12 unique visitors. Every visitor spent an average of 16:34 minutes reading the report! (See line number 6 in the Google report). The report shows partial URL�s; for instance on line 70 you will find:
/cgi-bin/pplog.pl?viewDetailed=00054
The complete URL would read like this:
http://www.01521.com/cgi-bin/pplog.pl?viewDetailed=00054
This is the URL for the piece, �Homes built by the Johnson's, illegal!�
Yesterday 172 readers viewed 462 pages and spent a total of 19 hours and 7 minutes reading the Holland Blog.
Click here, to read part of the extensive report Google provides about the traffic to the Holland Blog every day.
Peter Frei

Speak out Holland! (no.11)

As every 6th of the month, everybody is invited to go of topic here. Do you have any questions, suggestions? Comment about anything that is amusing you or anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

Is there Blood in Stones?

The answer is a clear �YES� if you believe Wettlaufer�s logic.
Today, exactly two years ago, February 5, 2008, the voters of Holland came out in droves to overwhelmingly defeat the selectboard�s proposal for a tax levy override. Disappointed Wettlaufer stated in an interview with John Appleton from the Republican:
�You can't get blood out of a stone. We have to make reductions in services.�
I have not noticed any reductions in services but witnessed more frivolous litigation initiated by the selectboard. It seems to me that the Board has still too much money; enough to still waste tens of thousands.
After losing the argument that �laMountain is not a farmer� in Housing Court the town recently filed another lawsuit against LaMountain with a different twist; they now claim fires on the LaMountain farm would jeopardize public safety. James LaMountain may not win a popularity contest in town; under the law however he has equal rights to be protected.
Wettlaufer seem to share Karen Raymond�s fear her house could go up in flames and hired Super Lawyer Tani Sapirstein to seek an injunction to enjoin LaMountain from conducting any burns.
Later today, the honorable Cornelius J. Moriarty, Superior Court Judge, will convene for the third time to proceed with the evidentiary hearing in the matter.
Is it a waste of money or is it worth it? Please watch the video and decide for your self:

Selectmen are not all made equal; for some it is never enough and they will push for higher taxes to be able to spend freely. Others spend money wisely, spend it as it would be their own.
On a rare occasion, it had only happened three times before 2008 in the entire state of Massachusetts, a town lowered its levy limit. The Board of Selectmen during Jim Foley�s tenure was one of the only three town governments doing so. In 1998, the Board of Selectmen proposed a $200,000 underride that was welcomed by the voters.
To show their gratitude, the voters of Holland recalled Foley twice...
Peter Frei

Annual Town Meeting and Election Calendar 2010.

The town clerk of Holland just released the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING AND ELECTION CALENDAR 2010, to read the document, Click here!
Peter Frei

What is going on at Lake Siog?

Did you notice the big piles of logs and wondered what is going on at Pond Bridge Road? Read more�

Wettlaufer�s BIG GUN pleads �Public Safety.�

Last Thursday, January 28, 2010, the three members of the Board of Selectmen, James Wettlaufer, Earl Johnson, and Christian Petersen, did what they do best; wasting money by litigating void cases.
Bully Wettlaufer hired �Big Gun� Super Lawyer Tani Sapirstein to replace Super Lawyer Nancy Pelletier. Super Lawyer Nancy Pelletier lost her last case for the town of Holland in the Appeals Court of the Commonwealth. Super Lawyers have typically an hourly rate of $350.00- to $650.00. What happened to our town counsel Vincent McCaughey? Not good enough? The showdown against the LaMountain family and Northeast Concepts Inc. will continue in Superior Court today, Monday February 1, 2010. Read more�

Stay Home!

If you don�t need to go anywhere urgent tonight, stay home!

This is a picture taken at 18:28 hours from the bridge that goes over Interstate 84 at Exit 74 looking westbound towards Hartford, CT.

Notice that there is hardly any traffic going westbound...

Peter Frei

Ice fishing (drinking) accident on Hamilton Reservoir.

Howard Crow, Norm Butler, Dennis Bonetti, and Glenn Tracy were ice fishing and drinking all day.

The fun day with fishing and drinking on the ice around the fire ended tragically.
Read more�

Holland Blog filed complaint with State Ethics Commission against Nancy Talbot, tax collector of Holland.

According to official documents, Nancy Talbot�s son Deric bought a buildable parcel of land for $100 plus back taxes for one year.
His mother Nancy Talbot arranged the deal according to a sworn affidavit. The parcel was about to be taken through the tax-title procedure. Read more�

Holland Special Election Results for the Senate seat.

Total count is 938

Scott Brown with 631 votes;
Martha Coakley with 299 votes;
Joseph Kennedy with 8 votes;
one writ-in
Exit polls show a two digit lead for Brown!

Upside-down icicles? Winter at Tantiusques.

Another fun thing to do if you like the outdors! Learn about a natural spectacle; upside-down icicles! Read more�

Open and accountable Government.

Openness and Accountability of our town government is what the Holland Blog is trying to improve.
The current Board of Selectmen�s effort is pointing the other direction.
First they stopped the �call-in� session at the end of meetings, then they stopped recording meetings, and Earl Johnson tried to keep the door to the town hall looked for another day every week in an attempt to cut access to the town hall down to three days. What will be next? Read more�

Selectboard Meeting of January 5, 2010.

The first meeting this month was also the first meeting off the New Year. One department asked already for permission to �deficit spend,� read more�

Michael S. Jovan admits to receiving stolen property and was sentenced to one year probation in Palmer District Court.

Michael Scott Jovan, also know as Mike Jovan, living at 41 Craig Road, Holland MA, 01521 avoided a jury trial today, Monday December 11, 2010, by entering a �NoloContendere� statement in Palmer District Court. �Nolo Contendere,� statements are not really plea bargains, it is a deal between the accused, Mike Jovan, and the DA in which the accused (the defendant) will not contend the (lesser) charge or maintain a defense against it and instead signs a statement to that effect.
Mike Jovan was sentenced to one year probation. The case involves the theft of two heavy duty Husqvarna chainsaws and other tools and equipment stolen form Mike LaMountain co-owner of the hillside property off Mashapaug Road, also know as part of the Huguenot Farm.
The string of thefts started on Labor Day of 2008. To read the whole story written by the victim himself, click here�

Today�s 8th Anniversary of Guantanamo.

Dear Peter,

One year ago, we were made a promise. We thought we�d finally be celebrating the closure of the Guantanamo detention facility and ending one of the most disgraceful abuses of power witnessed in recent American history.
Instead, today, January 11th we�ll mark the 8 year anniversary of Guantanamo�s opening. And the following week, our disappointment will deepen as we watch the administration�s original January 22nd deadline to close the prison come and go with no results.
During this time, all eyes will be on President Obama to see if he still stands firm in his commitment given these most recent setbacks.
The power of the press can help us send our message loud and clear � the Obama administration must follow through on its pledge to uphold justice in the face of terror.
When a man attempted to blow up a plane on Christmas Day, it took us down a familiar path that will surely test the Obama administration�s commitment and whether we�ve learned anything at all since 9/11.
After evidence surfaced linking the would-be bomber to Yemen, President Obama gave in to formal calls from senior members of Congress to indefinitely detain all Yemenis in Guantanamo, including those already screened and cleared for release.
This violation illustrates why Guantanamo is now being seen as a primary recruiting tool for terrorist organizations � its existence only fuels the use of terror and torture, and does not prevent it.
Sadly, this has not been the only indication that we�re failing to learn from misguided strategies of the past.
A poll recently surfaced that shows a majority of Americans actually favor the use of torture on the would-be Christmas Day bomber to extract information. Once again, we�re being asked to make that false choice between feeling safer and doing what�s right � and far too many are taking the bait!
It is critical that we push back now to sway the court of public opinion. Reverting to flawed tactics and disrupting our normal course of justice only takes us further away from the values that we�re fighting so hard to protect.
The cycle of torture and terror must end here now. We�ve come too far to fall back on failed policies that have only endangered our civil liberties and if anything, increased the risk to our national security.
Over the next several weeks, we�ll particularly be watching the administration like hawks and you�ll hear exactly what we think of their plans to get Guantanamo�s closure back on track. After a year in office, we�ve yet to see the Obama administration lay down any strong consequences for those most responsible for enabling and carrying out the acts of torture that Guantanamo was built upon. We expect that to change.
We need you, now more than ever, to be a voice of conscience � to help light the way back to the promise we had one year ago, because you understand that torture ends when justice and accountability begin.
Thank you for standing with us,

Njambi Good Director, Counter Terror With Justice Campaign

Attempted Suicide on 28 Overlook Road

Around 20:45 hours tonight, the State Police and the tri-town Ambulance were called after Tim Squire made allegedly an attempt to end his life.
Tim Squire is Sally Blais�s brother�s son and around 25 years of age.
Sally Blais lives together with her husband Dave on 28 Overlook Road.
Suicide is a public health problem and is preventable, to read the Massachusetts Strategic Plan For Suicide Prevention Executive Summary, click here!
To read the Massachusetts Strategic Plan For Suicide Prevention, click here!
Peter Frei

Tri-Town Meeting of Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

Do you need a personal �bailout�? All you need to do is fill out this form and mail it in! However, there is a waiting list, but you might just get lucky! Read a statement from Paul Bracciotti, senior Planner and Community Development Specialist of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), or read the �FY 2010 Town of Holland Community Development Strategy� report. There will be a public hearing at 19:00 hours on February 3, 2010, to discuss the priorities mentioned in the report. Get involved and read more�

Blood Drive in Holland

The Holland Blog got a copy of this flyer here from Valerie Ebersold who is always out there doing good deeds for our town. The Blood NewEnglandBlood.org which is affilated with the American Red Cross. Please mark your calendar and do the right thing.

Peter Frei

Speak out Holland! (no.10)

Organic Beef, YUMMY...

What will be reality for many in Holland is already a reality for a few including Dana and myself.
Dana (on the right) is enjoying a Hamburger cooked with organic beef from one of LaMountain�s cattles that was part of his prize Hereford herd that grazes on the green hills of the Huguenot Farm in Oxford; it is the best Beef you can eat..
Peter Frei

Car crashed down embankment towards Hamilton Reservoir.

Around 10:20 this morning, a car driving on Mashapaug Road, read more�

Happy New Year 2010!

The Holland Blog wishes everybody a Happy New Year. Read about the most disappointing event in 2009 and what the �Holland Blog� is hoping for in the New Year, read more�

What was YOUR best Christmas Present ever?

Did you ever get a Christmas present that you still rememer to this day? Read more�

Update; Truck Stop in Holland still uncertain.

Yesterday one year ago, Flying J filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Back on July 14, 2009, Flying J released a Press Release announcing a merger with Pilot Travel Center LLC.
According to Mike Miller, operations manager at Flying J Property Development Group, everything is still on hold, �nobody knows what is going to happen, I can�t tell you which projects will be built and which aren�t, everything is on hold.�
Mr. Miller: �We are still waiting for the approval of the merger by the �FTC.�
If you hear rumors in town that the Flying J truck stop was not going to be built, don�t believe it! For the time being, it is just on hold. There is still time to collect the rest of the needed signatures to get that zoning bylaw change to prevent the truck stop.
Peter Frei

Earl Johnson, Mr. Grinch or Santa Clause?

Christmas shopping the Johnsons' way, read more�

Budweiser Clydesdales in Sturbridge.

In case you missed it, the Budweiser Clydesdales had a Christmas Parade this afternoon in Sturbridge; click here, to read the �Old Sturbridge Village� Press Release.

The event was part of the �Twelve Nights of Christmas celebration� organized by the Old Sturbridge Village.
Enjoy the video..

Peter Frei

Huguenot Farmers bring renewable energy and organic food to Holland.

We at Northeast Concepts/Huguenot Farms are pleased to announce we have entered into a Lease agreement with GTS Wind Energy, affiliates of AeroNautica Windppower, to produce green sustainable wind and solar energy on our two farms located off Mashapaug Road in Holland and Huguenot Road in Oxford.
We are excited to be able to offer not only organic vegetables, beef, pork, eggs and more in the future, but also renewable green energy.
On December 4, 2009, I signed a lease agreement with GTS Wind Energy as a first step to have two windmills built on our hillside property off Mashapaug Road. The agreement is the first one of its kind signed here in Holland and the two windmills will produce two mega watts of electric power each, enough to power at least 500 households. The combination of windmills and grazing cattle and fields with crops at the base of these majestic machines is the future we subscribe to.
At the cost of more then $4,000,000.00 each, the windmills will exceed the property tax increase to the town the proposed truck stop would produce without the negative impact the Grossi/Wettlaufer project will have. The two windmills will also not burden any services/departments of the town, such as the Police, Highway Department, and others.
This project will also allow us to preserve our farm in Oxford and expand our agricultural operations here in Holland. We plan to increase the number of cattle in our prize herd of Hereford Cattle in Oxford to bring them to the pastures we are in the process of creating here in Holland. The Town of Holland and its residents will be able to buy electric energy produced by the windmills at a discount.
A wind Energy appraisal (4.09MB) was conducted by AeroNautica Corporation who provided favorable preliminary data for the project. (Any information
printed in bold/italic is a link you can click on.)
To familiarize yourself with the project, read the extensive wind Energy appraisal report, or feel free to contact me if you require any additional information.
Mike LaMountain, at 508 735 7072

Wettlaufer, Johnson, and Foster defeated again; when will they stop wasting money?

Several town officials and town employees together with DEP officials spent the last two days in Palmer District Court and Hampden Superior Court. Super lawyer Tani Sapirstein was also present in Superior Court, all paid for by the taxpayers of Holland.
The DEP officials had nothing, absolutely nothing to substantiate their allegations of criminal missconduct! Another case against LaMountain was dismissed without LaMountain having to rebut any allegations or calling any of his own witnesses! Read more�

A Christmas card from James LaMountain and family

The repeated unjustified lawsuits the LaMountains� face, are not leaving the family and LaMountain unaffected. The default judgment, issued due to the tragic death of a paralegal working for one of LaMountain�s attorneys, and the ensuing two $75,000 fines is just the latest injustice the LaMountains� face. The systematic destruction of LaMountain�s reputation and the denial of his constitutional right to be a farmer are effectuated by repeated lies, such as, �he is a child molester,� and that he is not a farmer and does not pursue farming on the hillside property. Read more�

Newly discovered document raises question of Culpability.

In a letter obtained by the Holland Blog, the Board of Selectmen discarded concerns voiced by former member of the Board of selectman, Carolyn Reardon, about excessive firearms purchases by former Police Chief Kevin Gleason.
The letter dated May 24, 2005 and signed by selectman James Wettlaufer, clearly shows that early signs of irregularities were ignored and dismissed:
Wettlaufer:
�Some of the purchase orders you [Carolyn Reardon] copied were either cancelled prior to delivery or returned.�
Mr. Wettlaufer, is this normal procedure? A chief randomly orders firearms just to be cancelled? Some firearms that were ordered and delivered were returned? If there was no need for the delivered firearms, why were they ordered in the first place? This behavior by Gleason did not raise red flags in your mind?
Mr. Wettlaufer, What did you mean with your statement:
�I have looked into the matter with Chief Gleason, and I am with the accounting of the weapons inventory and other equipment.�

This statement is confusing, do you agree Mr. Wettlaufer? It seems to me that you were confused yourself but ignored even your own confusion.
I personally expect more responsibility from individuals who carry the highest office in our community. In my opinion are you, together with Johnson, culpable for the Gleason debacle. This is nothing new; this letter just reaffirms my conclusion.
The word in town is that it was Petersen who finally took action to bring Gleason down. The Word is also that Johnson tried hard to undermine Petersen�s efforts and tried to prevent the inevitable. Click here to view the letter signed by Wettlaufer.
Peter Frei

These are difficult times, need a tax-break?

I have some information how one of our assessors keeps his property taxes down; the information might help you too getting a break.

All you need is a few lose tiles,
read more�

Selectboard meeting of December 1, 2009.

The first meeting this month by the Board of Selectmen was funny at times, but also ugly at other times. Johnson compared someone of our community with Dr.Goebbels, Adolf Hitler's propaganda minister during the second World War, read more�

James LaMountain filed his next lawsuit.

On the heels of Superior Court Judge Ford's $150,000.00 fine due to a default judgment, LaMountain filed his next lawsuit in Federal Court alleging violations of his civil rights. James Wettlaufer and two DEP officials are named as defendants. Read more�

Results of the Primary to fill Kennedy�s Senate seat.

A total of 177 voters made it to the town hall this past Tuesday. Out of the 177 voters, 115 were Democrats, 61 Republicans, and 1 Libertarian. Holland voters voted as follows:
Democrats: Capuano Michael E. 11 votes; Coakley Martha 72 votes; Khazei Alan 10 votes; Pagliuca Stephen 22 votes.
Republicans: Brown P. Scott 47 votes; Robinson Jack E. 14 votes.

Martha Coakley, Attorney General since her sweeping victory back in 2006 for that position, won the primary for the Democrats with 47 percent of the votes cast by the Democrats. On the Republican site Scott P. Brown, a lawyer and state senator, won the race with 89 percent of the Republican votes.
Peter Frei

Daycare-Center at the Highway Department?

Is our Highway Surveyor, Brian Johnson, now also running a daycare center or just babysitting his children while on the clock for the Highway Department? Read more�

This picture was taken at 11:30 AM on Monday, December 7, 2009.

Who is this man?

Launch in external player to see a larger picture!

The Holland Blog needs your help! Can somebody identify this suspect?

The video surveillance is showing the suspect as he trespasses the LaMountain Farm. The rest of the video will be released once the suspect who is accused of vandalizing farm property is identified. The suspect is probably living on Amber Road or somewhere close to Amber Brook.
Please call James LaMountain at 413 245 4502 or Holland Police at 413 245 0117 with any information.

Peter Frei

Speak out Holland! (no.9)

Missing Your Tax Bill?

Fiscal Year 2010 Tax Bills were mailed on November 5th and are due December 7th. A number of tax bills have been returned to the Town Hall. Some are marked “NO MAIL RECEPTICLE.” If you have not recieved your bill, Please call the Assessors’ office 413 245-7108, extension 106.

Burglary in Holland

Shortly after 6 am this morning, the house of 65 year old Richard Talbot on 6 Cove Road in Holland was burglarized. Mr. Talbot returned home to find a window broken and his door kicked-in. Mr. Talbot occasionally helps Dave at the Holland Market to carry newspapers into the building early Sunday mornings and has his morning coffee there at the Holland Market. A large sum of money was missing after the burglary. The door was damaged to the point that it broke the hinges of the door. The State Police are investigating.
Peter Frei

What really happened...

One of Mark Twain's most remembered aphorisms is,
�If you don�t read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed.�
It takes time to research a story, and it takes time to read a story and not just the headlines.
The Holland Blog offers you the real story and backs up its claims with original documents and photographs.
A newspaper can�t offer you links to original documents to back up a story.
If you take a few minutes, you will learn what really happened and who the real bad guys are. Don�t believe headlines, see for yourself and trust Mark Twain... read more�

Sparky found a canoe

Sparky found this canoe floating in the lake. If it is your canoe, you can pick it up at 109 Sandy Beach Road in Holland. The canoe is a Gazette Canoe and was spotted this morning floating in the cove opposite Sparky�s house.
Peter Frei

He is too a farmer

Peter-
I was doing some research and I stumbled upon this �DEFINITION OF A FARMER� from our own Massachusetts General Laws. I thought you should post it on your blog.
DEFINITION OF FARMER

M.G.L. Chapter 90 �1:

�Farmer�, a person substantially engaged in the occupation of farming which shall include, but not be limited to, farming in all its branches, the cultivation and tillage of the soil, dairying, the production, cultivation, growing and harvesting of any agricultural, aquacultural, floricultural or horticultural commodities, the growing and harvesting of forest products upon forest land, the raising of livestock including horses, the keeping of horses as a commercial enterprise, the keeping and raising of poultry, swine, cattle and other domesticated animals used for food purposes, bees, fur-bearing animals, and any forestry or lumbering operations, performed by a farmer engaged in agriculture or farming as herein defined, or on a farm as an incident to or in conjunction with such farming operations including, but not limited to, preparations for market, delivery to storage or to market or to carriers for transportation to market.

So� forestry is considered a farming activity! Why do certain members of the Select Board think (in error) that it is not? Why do they try to insist that Mr. LaMountain is not a farmer? Unless you are a moron, you can clearly see by this definition that James LaMountain does indeed meet the definition of a farmer. If it LOOKS like farming� if it SMELLS like farming�by Gosh�it MUST BE FARMING!!

The LaMountains sell cord wood, they raise chickens, pigs and cows, they also sell organic meat ( I assume the chickens pigs and cows they raise�.) The LaMountain�s raise these animals while maintaining healthy living environments for them. This is not how the meat you buy at the grocery store gets treated before being wrapped in plastic with a freshness CO2 absorber to keep the meat looking red and fresh. Those farmers are guilty of overcrowding and frequent e-coli contamination.

I will say it again, with emphasis: If it looks like farming�. If it smells like farming� it doesn�t matter if it is large scale (overcrowding and e-coli contamination) or small scale (self sufficient, organic, open space and healthy to the animals) IT IS STILL FARMING!

S.D. (name withheld by the Holland Blog)

Selectboard Meeting of November 3, 2009

Read about the latest chapter in the feud between Wettlaufer and LaMountain, the new law requiring town officials and town employees to take an ethics test every two years, more fallout about the Gleason blunder and more�

Chimney Fire on Lake Drive

For one house owner Friday the 13th, the third and final one this year, brought bad luck. Around 13:35 hours the chimney in the grey house shown in the picture cut on fire and members of the Holland and Brimfield Fire Department prevented the worst.

Beside the fire engine shown, three fire fighters arrived on the scene in their private cars equipped with emergency lights.
Peter Frei

New Rule

Earlier today a commenter accused a town official of breaking the law without specifying what law the accused official allegedly broke or is breaking. From now on comments accusing anybody of breaking the law without specifying M.G.L. chapter and section, or MCR section, will be moved to the trash bin. If a commenter is launching such a serious allegation he better knows what he is talking about and is able to specify the alleged violation. The Holland Blog only requests from commenters the same standards as it applies to itself.
Peter Frei

Speak out Holland! (no.8)

As every 6th of the month, everybody is invited to go of topic here. Comment about anything that you like about our community, or comment about anything going on in town that is bothering you. With a simple comment you can initiate a discussion and find out what other members in our community think. Please do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

Society�s obsession with sex.

I did get an anonymous phone call after I posted the comment defending Lamountain about having consensual sex with a teenager two weeks short of her 16th birthday. The (female?) caller seems to be upset that In my opinion LaMountain�s five year jail sentence didn�t fit the crime. The caller said that I�m as bad as James LaMountain. I can live with that, I prefer to be as bad as James LaMountain, I would object to being compared with individuals like Earl Johnson, James Wettlaufer, or many other town officials as James LaMountain doesn�t steal and/or lie, (remember Kevin Gleason?, or �Johnson-Landgate?�).

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the left, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the right.

Not many people do know that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the United States Supreme Court suggested in her report �Sex Bias in the U.S. Code,� to lower the age of consent from 16 years to 12, and did so 32 years ago! If I look at some of the 16 year old teenagers, they don�t look like children in need of protection to me. To me they seem to know what they want and are old enough to decide for themselves.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg made the suggestion to lower the age of consent to 12 years on page 102 in her report to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. As always, the Holland Blog backs up its claims, just click on �report� or �page 102� to read Justice Ginsburg�s statement. Click on any other word written in bold/italic to follow the links!
Peter Frei

Record Keeping at the Planning Board

M.G.L., c.39, s.23B provides in part: �A governmental body shall maintain accurate records of its meetings, setting forth the date, time, place, members present or absent and action taken at each meeting, including executive sessions.� c.66, s.5A further prescribes the Board�s obligation to keep records of meetings. The picture on the left shows an image of the actual draft of the minutes to the Planning Board meeting held on the 13th of October. The Draft does not mention any actions taken besides the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting. What is going on with the Planning Board and how did I end up with this draft?
Read more to find out�

Teenage Girl kidnapped and assaulted on Amber Road.

The Holland Blog received another report about domestic violence in our community. The young lady in the picture was allegedly victimized by her own boyfriend and his father, read more�

Bernard Baran

What kind of a man would possess the indifference to send an innocent human being to jail for 22 years to further his own career? Since James LaMountain�s press release about his encounter with �Judge� Daniel Ford in Superior Court, I did a lot of reading about the atrocity perpetrated against Bernard Baran in which �Judge� Daniel A. Ford was instrumental as a prosecutor at that time. I wish that a lot of people would take the time and read about the Baran case and show their support for Bernard
Baran. It is also important that as many individuals as possible manifest their outrage about the fact that this sinister individual Daniel Ford is still a judge, a judge that was appointed by Michael Dukakis back in April of 1989. Thank you Mr. Dukakis!

On the left, picture of Bernard Baran before he met prosecutor Daniel Ford; on the right after he spent 22 years as an innocent man in jail.
Peter Frei

Special Town Meeting of October 21, 2009

If you could not make it to the meeting, The Holland Blog was there and wrote a short report, read more�

James LaMountain PRESS RELEASE

The Holland Blog received a Press Release about a trial that ended today in Superior Court, read more�

Untitled (2)

The Holland Blog received another anonymous letter with two pictures (only one is shown as they are almost identical) by mail about irregularities in the Highway Department of our town. Brian Johnson is our elected Highway Superintendent and son of one of our elected selectmen, Earl Johnson. The Department is under the control of Brian Johnson. The Holland Blog has not altered the text or the picture, to read the letter and view the picture, click here�

Any information is welcomed and will be posted! All sources are kept strictly confidential.

Holland Dog Pound has a Blog!

Ray Korny, the dog officer of Holland, created a blog for the dog pound. He is also reporting about the dog pound and is looking for a home for Henry, read more�

Pickup truck crash went unnoticed!

It happened more than a year ago on East Brimfield Road. A light blue pickup truck lost both front wheels and ended up against a tree, read more�

100,000 Page Views!

Time to celebrate.....
The Holland Blog went online for the first time at 13:30 hours on Saturday February 14, 2009. Today, the Holland Blog was viewed 100,000 times (page views or hits). The page view count 100,000 originated at IP number 72.200.170.131, which is an IP number signed up with ISP Cox Communications that uses Cable/DSL connections out of Stafford Springs.
I would like to share one of my favorite YouTube videos with the readers of the Holland Blog to celebrate this special occasion:
David Elsewhere performing in 2001. He was born in 1979 and grew up in Santa Ana, CA, and is considered one of the best breakdancers.

The �Twining� Burn of April 26, 2008.

As the fires on the North East Concept owned hillside property do get a lot of attention, here are pictures of the permitted fire that took place on April 26, 2008, and my observations, read more�

Insanity

Karen Raymond, abutter of the hillside property owned by North East Concepsts Inc. and farmed by James LaMountain. seems to be the only individual catering to chairman of the Board of Selectmen James Wettlaufer's personal vendetta towards James LaMountain. To read about the latest chapter in the ongoing insanity financed by the taxpayer, click here�

Brimfield Antique Auto Show

Despite the questionable whether forecast, the organizers of the show give it a go for this Saturday, October 10, 2009. The show will start at 10 AM and will end at 4 PM. Admission is $5 and free for seniors over 60, children under 13, and Military & Veterans for the show which will take place in the Heart-O-The-Mart Antique Show Grounds, Rt.20, Brimfield, MA. DJ Bruce Marshall of Oldies 1250 will provide the acoustic background, there will be food and other entertainment.

Cars will enter in 25 categories to compete for 75 trophies and 3 Best In Show. Tickets are available at all Country Banks branches and proceeds benefit the Brimfield Senior Center. For Info call 413 544 1644 (for exhibitor), 413 531 0843 (for general info).
Peter Frei

Speak out Holland! (no.7)

As every 6th of the month, everybody is invited to go of topic here. Comment about anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

Our elected Highway Superintendent a liar?

There is a pattern evolving that is most unflattering for one of our elected officials, Brian Johnson, son of selectman Earl Johnson. He needs to lie to keep his scheme going, read more�

Office or residence?

Despite the fact that you don�t see much of Earl Johnson's son Brian Johnson on the roads of Holland, he is a busy man; he also calls himself a president of a corporation, read more�

Untitled

The Holland Blog received an anonymous letter with two pictures by mail about irregularities in the Highway Department of our town. Brian Johnson is our elected Highway Superintendent and son of one of our elected selectmen, Earl Johnson. The Department is under the control of Brian Johnson. The Holland Blog has not altered the text or the pictures, to read the letter and view the pictures, click here�

Any information is welcomed and will be posted! All sources are kept strictly confidential.

Jack Keough not reappointed in Brimfield!

At tonight�s selectboard meeting in Brimfield, the selectboard unanimously appointed Harold Patrick Leaming to the position of building inspector for the town of Brimfield. Last year, Mr. Leaming, known as Pat, was appointed in the town of Wales for the same position also to replace Jack Keough.
Peter Frei

Gleason a free man for another three days!

Today�s hearing during which Superior Court Judge Peter Velis was suppose to take ex police chief Kevin Gleason into custody and have him transferred to the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow was postponed to Friday October 1st, as assistant District Attorney James C. Orenstein celebrated Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday. Earl Johnson will have a last chance to have breakfast at HooYas with his buddy Kevin Friday morning. However, the duo won�t be riding in the sharp Dodge cruiser of the HPD with the tinted windows.
Peter Frei

Holland resident arrested for car theft.

Crystal Campbell, living at 2 Sunset Lane in Holland was arrested last Tuesday at Wells State Park in Sturbridge for car theft. She was born on March 19 1986. OnStar was instrumental in locating the cars stolen form Diamond Chevrolet on Washington Street in Auburn and Herb Chambers Toyota also in Auburn. Motorcycles were stolen from private residences in Spencer. OnStar is a built in system available in some GM models. Campbell was charged with four counts of receiving a stolen vehicle, conspiracy and number plates violations. She was released on her own recognizance and needs to be back in Court for a pre-trial hearing Wednesday October 15 with her partner in crime William Ebersold, 34 of Worcester.

Howard Fife throws in the towel and resigns as all board agent.

Last Tuesday, September 22, 2009, Howard Five handed Kristin LaPlante his letter of resignation. His resignation comes amid Howard�s frustration over Jack Keough�s (building inspector and zoning officer) refusal or lack of effort to enforce the zoning bylaws in Holland.
As part of the ongoing feud between James LaMountain and some of the town officials are allegations that some individuals live in a trailer on the hillside property. Howard Fife is also a member of the Conservation Commission who has ongoing issues with James LaMountain.
Jack Keough recently voiced his wish to be no longer zoning enforcing officer. Just last Tuesday, the selectboard appointed Nelson Burlingame from Charlton as the new Zoning enforcing Officer. Burlingame is also chairman of the Charlton Board of Health.
Nelson Burlingame is the president of NBC Construction Co. Inc. The company was incorporated in 2004 and constructs residential buildings with a staff of approximately six. The company is located on 184 Burlingame Rd in Charlton.

Earl Johnson�s chosen one, Kevin Gleason, sentenced to jail.

During a hearing before Superior Court Judge Peter A. Velis, former chief of police Kevin Gleason was sentenced to two years in prison. The jail sentence will be followed by three years of probation.

Earl Johnson�s buddy Kevin Gleason admitted to three crimes; all three were larcenies over $250, one of which was by scheme. Gleason took more than $2,000.00 of cash that had been seized during drug raids and collected $1,600.00 as reimbursement for training he never attended or paid for.
Photo by Dan Gould, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

His guilty plea and the form of the hearing are consistent with the procedure whereby an accused accepts a deal offered by the prosecutor. There was no trial.

Earl Johnson�s buddy will have to report to the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow on Monday September 28. Part of the plea was also that Kevin P. Gleason will pay $9,934.00 in restitution to the town.

According to assistant District Attorney James C. Orenstein, Earl Johnson�s companion Kevin Gleason admitted the following crimes:

Gleason purchased firearms with taxpayers money and sold some of them and the ones he replaced with the new guns to licensed dealers and individuals. The funds he kept for himself. The Holland Blog reported about this exclusively in the piece, Ex Police Chief Gleason before Federal Grand Jury?

His second crime he admitted to is a larceny of $650.00. The taxpayer of Holland paid for a conference that took place in Saybrook, CT. Gleason cancelled and kept the refund.

His third crime was the theft of $2,190.00 from the evidence locker for which Gleason had the only key. The funds were seized by another Holland police officer in a drug arrest. The Holland Blog was informed about the incident by an anonymous reader and filed a public information request under the freedom of information act to obtain a copy of the report. After an initial refusal to produce the requested information, the Holland Blog appealed the decision to William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Public Records Division. On August 4, 2009, Alan N.Cote affirmed the decision not to produce a copy of the report stating, �According, to the records responsive to your request are part of an ongoing case, the disclosure of which would jeopardize said case, this office will consider your administrative appeal closed.� Click here to read the letter.

Judge Velis punished Gleason with the maximum sentence of two years (if the $9,934.00 is a fine). Without a monetary fine, the maximum sentence would be five years. The question is whether the $9,934.00 is technically a fine or not, see M.G.L. c.266, s.30.
Other posts on the Holland Blog about Kevin Gleason and the town officials which protected him for many years, click on any link:
Ex Police Chief Gleason before Federal Grand Jury?
Ex Chief Gleason investigated
Officials still cover Chief Kevin Gleason
Police Chief Kevin Gleason resigned under duress.
Riddle (no.2) A true tale that shows how close Earl Johnson and Kevin Gleason were...
Riddle (no.1)
The Victory claimed by Gleason & Wettlaufer comes at a hefty Price for the Taxpayer
Oops !!
Police Chief of Holland, Kevin Gleason, arrested for OUI
Peter Frei

2009 Nipmuck Pow Wow.

The twenty-ninth Nipmuck Indian Pow Wow attracted a large crowd, read more�

Nipmuck POW WOW

The Nipmuck Indian Council of Chaubunagungamaug is presenting the annual POW WOW for the 29th time this coming weekend. Click here to read the flyer with the info. Here is a video from last years celebration:

Speak out Holland! (no.6)

As every 6th of the month, everybody is invited to go off topic here. Comment about anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will trash obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

TO: UNKNOWN

Unknown- You tried to send me a fax shortly after noon time today. I do not have a fax. Please send me an e-mail. Snail mail is not helpful if you have time sensitive material. I do not need to know who you are and I do not share your identity with anyone even if it comes through on e-mail. You are welcome to drop something at my house in person. I will not ask for your name. -Peter Frei

Judge scolds Selectboard and DEP officials.

Yesterday morning, officers of the Environmental Police assisted by the State Police arrested James LaMountain.

The arrest came on the heels of another embarrassing defeat for our Board of Selectmen and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in court.
Read more�

Vintage Plane crash-lands in Holland.

Last night around 17:25 hours, a Second World War vintage single engine Piper J5A airplane made a crash landing in a field owned by Walter Bradway near the four corners of Union Road and Stafford Road in the south westerly corner of Holland. The vintage plane was piloted by its owner Mark E. Horan who was flying with his daughter Katelynn from 3B0 (Southbridge Municipal Airport) to 7B6 (Warehouse Point, Skylark Airport) when the engine started to sputter. Read more�

When will the selectboard inform the public?

Today, one year ago, the Superior Court issued a new judgment, the judgment was in Peter Frei�s favor after the Appeal�s Court of the Commonwealth ruled to vacate the erroneous Superior Court judgment that had been issued (erroneously) in favor of the Planning Board of Holland. This is proof that the Town of Holland, specifically the Planning Board, denied Peter Frei his rights!

Peter Frei filed his complaint back in October of 2002 after Earl Johnson, as the dominating member of the Planning Board, refused to endorse Frei�s Approval Not Required (ANR) plan for the second time, despite Frei�s entitlement to the endorsement; (ANR's simply require a signature, there is nothing to debate, there is nothing to deny, there is nothing to actually even “approve” hence the name ANR--APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED!) to view this finding and read the rescript issued by the Appeals Court, click here.
Frei�s ANR plan divides his peninsula off of Maybrook Road into three buildable lots. Doing this falls under ANR guidelines because Mr. Frei has both the acreage, AND the frontage to allow the ANR division.
The selectboard repeatedly claimed during televised selectboard meetings between October 2002 and August 2008 that Frei�s suit was frivolous and without merit.
An Appeals Court does not grant an appeal if the case has no merit!
The selectboard has yet to inform the public of Holland that they lost the Appeal.
Why? Don't you want the residents of Holland to know that Mr. Frei�s lawsuit WAS NOT frivolous?
Wettlaufer does not have a problem pointing out that the town of Holland spent in excess of $100,000 in legal fees defending against this and other lawsuits filed by Frei. In fact, Wettlaufer did just that the last time he had an interview on this topic with the Southbridge Evening News published on February 4, 2009. Still, Wettlaufer failed to take responsibility for the wasteful expenditure of taxpayer�s money (all caused by trying to deny Frei his legal rights.) To this day, Wettlaufer has never admitted publicly that the town LOST, for the 3rd time, a completely legitimate lawsuit filed by Peter K. Frei. As a matter of fact, the town has yet to win a case!

Dana Manning

Other posts on this subject:
Planning Board of Holland denied resident right to divide his property.

Ignorance by the taxpayer will be costly.

According to AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners), the statewide average is 0.7 pupils per household. The education of 0.7 pupils is costing the Holland property owner an average of $6381.00 in property taxes in the current fiscal year.
To understand and better the approach needed to disperse the cost of education even more favorable among the taxpayers, it is imperative to crunch some numbers and get familiar with some facts. Furthermore, it is necessary to analyze and question some of the actions and connections by certain members of our selectboard, read more�

Lake Siog open again.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the two latest samples taken from lake Siog, also called Holland Pond, tested negative and the end of the blue-green algae bloom caused by the cyanobacteria. The beaches will be open to the public immediately. The park will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Peter Frei

Holland Aqua Riders Show Team & Ski Club annual Show.

This Saturday, August 15, the Club will hold his annual Show so many are training for and practice countless hours. The weather will be perfect, hot and sunny. There will be a raffle with prizes. If you want to buy tickets, all members of the Holland Aqua Riders Show Team & Ski Club are selling raffle tickets. Cash prizes will be $200 for 1st, $150 for 2nd, and 3rd prize will be $75. The show will be as usual across from PJ�s and will start at 10 a.m. Picture by Chad Brigham,
text Peter Frei

Rod & Gun Club Pork Barbecue

The Holland Rod and Gun Club can expect another beautiful day for their Pork Barbecue this Saturday, August 15. Day time temperatures will reach 90. There will be live music from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Tickets can be bought for $15 at the Holland Market or at the Club on Saturday. Participation by non members of the Club is encouraged. Peter Frei

LaMountain Bros. Racing at the Thompson Speedway.

Those of you who happen to be motor-sports fans or more specifically NASCAR fans may want to visit the Thompson Speedway on a Thursday night. Thompson Speedway is a paved 5/8 mile high bank race track and is the oldest paved NASCAR track in the USA. One of Holland's own, James LaMountain, toghether with his brothers, fields a Super Late Model on Thursday's throughout the summer. Last week, the LaMountain Bros racing team made the victory lane with its number 15 car. Read more�

Selectboard Meeting of August 4, 2009.

Last Tuesday the selectboard met the first time this month, read more�

AGWAY in Palmer destroyed by Blaze.

Early this morning, the AGWAY store on Rt. 20 in Palmer is suspected to have been set ablaze, read more�

Lake Siog sick ?

What causes it will surprise you, read more�

Speak out Holland! (no.5)

If you build it they will come...

Another Black Bear sighting reported by a reader of the Holland Blog, read more�

Black Bear sighting in Holland!

A
Black
Bear
in
Holland?

Read more�

Our County�s Law Library has a Newsletter.

Fighting and exposing the corruption at our town hall, I made countless trips to the Hampden Law Library at 50 State Street in Springfield. Not only is everybody as friendly as can be there, they are helpful beyond their duty. Besides updated books and treatises covering the fast spectrum of law, it is a place that offers free �Lexis� and �Westlaw� access to do research.
Lexis and Westlaw are corporate organizations which do collect published as well as unpublished opinions for their huge online databases. Subscribers to their services utilize these huge databases to find cases they use to support their legal argument. Powerful search engines provided by Lexis and Westlaw are helpful to find that case to the point needed to win an argument.
Law firms pay thousands of dollars every month for their subscriptions. Whether their attorneys practice in state, federal, or Supreme Court, the service is imperative to write complaints, motions, briefs, or prepare oral arguments.
If you do want to be taken serious, you can�t do without, believe me! At the Hampden Law Library you get this service for free... To make the best use of the time at the library, cases of interest can be e-mailed to your home to be read in the privacy of your home at your convenience.
What ever your legal needs are; you may want to fight an unjustified citation, you are going through divorce, you want to file a patent for your million dollar idea, or you have an issue with your landlord; you will be amazed what you can do if you just believe in yourself. The folks at the law library will help you along the jorney. The latest service the Hampden Law Library offers is a free online newsletter. Click here to read the first edition, to subscribe to the newsletter, click on the link included in their newsletter.
Peter Frei

Lake Siog closed

The rain over the weekend washed out many septic systems and as a cause the bacteria count performed on lake Siog (often called Holland Pond) was to high. The Board of Health closed the lake �Until Further Notice.� The little sign at the public beach located on Pond-Bridge-Road went unnoticed. At the time I took the picture shown here, four individuals were swimming at the public beach and only realized that the beach was closed when I told them. They immediately came to shore and voiced their concern about the size of the sign.
Peter Frei

500 Club Roast Beef Diner

Fifteen bucks is little money for a healthy delicious meal, pitching horseshoes, other fun games, and a chance to win the big prize of $1200. . . read more�

Erosion biggest threat to our Lake!

Studies show that erosion is the biggest threat to our lake, it takes vision and awareness to address the problem. Both seem to be absent at the town hall, read more�

500 Club Roast Beef Diner

Fortunately, the weather will cooperate with the planned �500 Club Roast Beef Diner� organized every year by the Holland Rod and Gun club. The event that will take place tomorrow, Saturday July 25, is the biggest event organized by the club every year. There will be country music played by the Stone Canyon Band, a band that made it into the Country Hall of Fame. The band will play from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. The dinner will be served at 1 p.m., half an hour earlier than last year.
As every year, the club will sell 500 tickets for $15.00.
The drawing will be at 4 p.m. The first prize will be $1200, 2nd prize $600, 3rd prize $300, 4th prize $200, 5th Prize $175, 6th prize $150, 7th prize $100, and 8th prize $50.
There will also be drawings of attendance prizes of $25 each. The times of the drawings will be: 2.30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3.30 p.m., and 4 p.m.
There will be horseshoe pitching and time to catch-up on local gossip at the bar inside. I was there last year and had fun meeting new people. You don�t need to be a member to attend.
Peter Frei

Selectboard Meeting of July 21, 2009.

On Tuesday the selectboard met the second time this month, read more�

How Peter Frei came to shake hands with Neil Armstrong.

There are always surprises when listening to Peter�s many stories. Yesterday was one of these days Peter reflected on the past telling me another story of his eventful life. If you like to know how Peter came to shake Neil Armstrong�s hand, click here!

Amnesty International local Group at the Sturbridge Coffee House

The local Amnesty International Group is organizing a “night of music & information” at the Sturbridge Coffee House this coming Saturday July 25 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be live music and members of the local group will give information about Amnesty and speak a little bit about what the group is doing. The group typically meets every third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Booklover's Gourmet in Webster, MA. The work of Amnesty International is very important and satisfying. I am a member myself; I can�t attend the monthly meetings as I cover the selectboard meetings which, unfortunately, are held at the same time.
Peter Frei

Mountain Biking at Quinebaug Woods

Most people don't realize that two hours of fun is just a stone-throw away.

Right in your backyard is Quinebaug Woods.

Pack your picnic baskets, grab your mountain bikes, and head for the trails!

Read more�

Key Found

This car-key was found at the parking lot of Quinebaug Woods Reservations. The key has a Moulton Insurance Agency Inc. 50 year anniversary key ring. The key can be claimed at the Holland Police station.

Petition against Truck Stop, take two.

The organizers of the petition against the truck stop encountered two legal bumps; first, a large number of signatures turned out to be from individuals which are not registered voters; second, the text of the petition did not clearly request a specific action to be taken if accepted by the voters.
To read the new petition, click here for page one, and, click here for page two.
Anybody who wants to sign the petition can printout page one, turn the paper and print page two on the backside of page one. Ask your neighbor or anybody else who might be interested in signing the petition.
Mail the signed form to: The Bousquet�s, 9 Lakeridge Drive, Holland MA, 01521.
Holland is one of the 35 towns located in the Last Green Valley formed by the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers. The area of the Last Green Valley is relatively undeveloped and forms an island in the midst of the most urbanized region in the nation. Its 300�000 inhabitants reside only 2-1/2 hours from 25 million people. The Congress recognized the importance on a local, regional and national level and designated �The Last Green Valley, Quinebaug and Shetucket Heritage Corridor� in 1994. In 1999 the corridor, which is one of 37 declared �heritage corridors� in the country, was enlarged to include the town of Holland. The Last Green Valley, Quinebaug and Shetucket Heritage Corridor, is authorized to receive up to $1 million in grants each year from the federal government. The management entity for the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor is maintaining a webpage with more information. There is a link on the left under �Local Links.�

Under the pretence of a promised increase of tax revenues which would lower the tax burden of everybody, the voters of Holland favored rezoning the locus to accommodate the proposed Flying J truck stop, following the recommendation of the two selectmen Earl Johnson and James Wettlaufer.
However, the promised increase of tax revenues is a myth; the truck stop will bring higher taxes for everybody and not lower taxes as outlined in the piece Sturbridge Voters Not As Smart As Holland Voters? The truck stop would also have very negative impacts on the Environment, the Economy, the social fabric of the community, and on Traffic, as outlined in this piece, A Truck Stop in our Community?
Watch the video posted in the piece Petition against proposed Truck Stop.
Peter Frei

Selectboard Meeting of July 8, 2009.

Tonight the selectboard met the first time this month. Learn about three concerned citizens, concerned members of our community that raise questions in connection with the storage of hazardous waste containers right next to wettlands here in Holland. Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, James Wettlaufer, was quick to classify the three concerned residents as �trouble makers,� read more�

Who is counting?

One of James LaMountain�s attorneys is in the process of filing another lawsuit in connection with the hillside property off Mashapaug Road. I lost track and don�t know how many frivolous lawsuits the town filed against the owner�s of the hillside property and how many lawsuits the owners had to file against the town to protect their rights.
Brian Johnson denied James LaMountain a driveway permit even so LaMountain filed all the necessary documents and has a legitimate claim of entitlement in the permit. The denial of the driveway permit is part of the Johnson/Wettlaufer scheme to harass the owners of the hillside property, Northeast Concepts, Chad Brigham, Mike LaMountain and his father James LaMountain, with repeated litigation (paid for by the taxpayers).
The driveway issue is not the only matter that will be adjudicated; the complaint also accuses the town for dumping sediments onto their beachside property. This is an allegation that was originally brought up by the town against the owners of the hillside property.
James P. LaMountain�s attorney in this matter is Edward M. Pikula, Esqire. Attorney Pikula is not just another attorney, Mr. Pikula is the town solicitor of the town of Springfield, Massachusetts. Pikula argued the case Springfield v. Kibbe, 480 U.S. 257 (1987) before the Supreme Court of the United States. Certiorari was granted in this case to resolve the question whether, consistently with the decision in Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Services, 436 U. S. 658, a municipality can be held liable under 42 U.S.C. � 1983 for inadequate training of its employees. The Supreme Court ruled against the town of Springfield in a five to four decision. To read the complaint Pikula is filing on behalf of James LaMountain, click here!
The complaint is in part based on an investigation conducted by Milone & MacBroom, Inc., a consulting firm providing services in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Water Resource Engineering & Environmental Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Surveying & Construction Management. A true copy of the Milone & MacBroom intestigative report is attached to the complaint as Exhibit F.
To read the report, click here! The report about the investigation conducted by Milone & MacBroom, Inc., proves that what the town accused the plaintiffs of doing (dumping sediments into the lake), is actually the town�s own doing! The pictures shown on page 25 and following pages in the report tell the story and prove the allegations made by the town officials as lies.
Peter Frei

Screening of the movie �The Great Match�

If you don�t have any plans for tomorrow evening July 9, and you like a good flick, I might just have the right tip for you... Library Box Office presents independent and foreign film series at the Jacob Edwards Library. The screenings start at 18:00 hours in the Pioppi room at 236 Main Street in Southbridge once a month and are free of charge!

This film [adult] tells the adventurous story of three heroes, none of whom have ever met, but who nevertheless have two things in common: firstly, they all live in the farthest-flung corners of the planet and, secondly, they are all three determined to see on TV the final in Japan of the 2002 World Cup between Germany and Brazil. The protagonists in this 'global' comedy are: a family of Mongolian nomads, a camel caravan of Tuareg in the Sahara, and a group of Indios in the Amazon. They all live about 500 kilometres away from the next town � and the next television � making their task a particularly daunting one. Nevertheless, these inventive people possess the resourcefulness and the willpower to achieve their goal.
The movie is in Kazajo (Mongolia), Tamashek (Niger), Tupi (Brasil), with subtitles in English. Running time is 91 minutes. For more information about this movie Click here!
Peter Frei

Speak out Holland! (no.4)

As every 6th of the month, everybody is invited to go off topic here. Comment about anything that is bothering you, but do it in a civilized manner! I will delete obvious lies and offensive comments. To read previous comments under this category, click on �Speak Out Holland� on the left of this blog under the heading �Categories.�
Peter Frei

Joan O�Brien worst person of the month!

I think most of the readers would agree that government is failing all around us. The Holland Blog will single out officials who don�t do their job and declare them the �worst person� of the month/year. Both the state and federal government have adopted �Right to Know� laws to enable the public to acquire information about the operation of their government. As noted on bulletins from the Massachusetts Public Records Division, �access to public records ensures public involvement, and participation and provides a mechanism for holding government accountable for their decisions and actions.� The federal Right-to-Know law is called the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The state Right-to-Know law is called the Massachusetts Public Records Laws. Federal agencies only have to comply with the provisions of the FOIA. State, municipal, and county governments only have to comply with the provisions of the Massachusetts Public Records Laws. When the Holland Blog initiated a request to get a copy of a report about an investigation by the state police into a larceny implicating Kevin Gleason, Gleason was still our Chief of Police. As the readers know, Gleason resigned back on May 4, 2009. However, the Holland Blog is still pursuing the request (it falls under Right-to-Know Laws) despite Gleason�s resignation. Currently Joan O�Brien, Associate Chief Legal Counsel for the State Police, has arbitrarily refused to grant the request of the Holland Blog to provide this public record. In her initial answer letter to the public record request O�Brien stated that the request was to vague about the time when the investigation took place implying that her Department would have the right to �charge for the costs associated with researching, copying, and assembling the required information.� The law is quite clear on this matter. She cannot charge any fees associated with researching copying and assembling the requested information. She can charge $1.00 per page, as the Holland Blog informed her in its second letter. Joan O�Brien, then changed her tactic in her second letter and altogether denied the request for the public record by now claiming an exemption.
Her claim to the exemption mentioned in her second letter justifying her denial of the request is equally misconceived as her first evasive maneuver.

What is wrong with these officials?

She must be a lawyer doing the same routine all day long and does not know? As a lawyer, she is charged with �knowing the law,� and then there is also the oath of office she took�.
The Holland Blog filed an appeal to Alan Cote, Supervisor of Public Records Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
The Holland Blog declares herewith Joan O�Brien, Associate Chief Legal Counsel of the Office of the Chief Legal Counsel, Department of the State Police, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to the worst person of the month of June. To read any of the documents, click on any term printed in bold italic. Every term printed in bold italic in the main section of the Holland Blog is a link!
Peter Frei

Wanted, Lake Siog Photos.

I am a Park Ranger, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, looking for old photos (pre-1960s) of the Holland Pond- Lake Siog Area for an exhibit to be created this summer at our park. Photos could be scanned and returned. Thank you,

Glenna Vitello
Park Ranger
East Brimfield Lake
24 Riverview Ave
Fiskdale, MA 01518-1243
Tel. 978-318-8412

Happy Birthday to You!

It seems too early to be thinking about fall, but the truth is the days are already getting shorter. Before we know it that crisp smell will fill the air and the leaves will dazzle us again with an amazing color display that is one of New England�s attractions. It is the time when some of us mistakenly assume that someone left the lights on upstairs at the town hall. The empty parking lot seems to indicate that carelessness by the last one to leave the town hall is costing the taxpayer unnecessarily, as nobody seems to be inside. Who ever thinks that way is wrong, very wrong. Someone is actually still inside, someone who is also celebrating a birthday today; find out who it is, read more�

Who is ditching who?

Early afternoon last Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen had another meeting nobody knew about, read more�

NOTIFICATION OF AQUATIC TREATMENT HAMILTON RESERVOIR

Both the MA and CT portions of Hamilton Reservoir will be chemically treated on Tuesday, June 23rd. The entire lake will be closed to all uses (including, swimming, fishing and boating) on the day of treatment only. Use of the lake water for irrigation, watering livestock (ie; cattle, horses, etc) and drinking/ cooking purposes is prohibited for five days, commencing on the day of treatment. The work is being performed for the Hamilton Reservoir Association under contract to Aquatic Control Technology, Inc., of Sutton, MA., and pursuant to permits from MA and CT DEP�s and the Holland Conservation Commission. June 19, 2009.

50,000 Page Views!

Time to celebrate.....
The Holland Blog went online for the first time at 13:30 hours on Saturday February 14, 2009. Today, at exactly 20:40 hours, the Holland Blog was viewed 50,000 times (page views or hits).
The Holland Blog has on an average day more visitors than the Worcester Telegram has subscriptions in Holland (90), and also more than the Southbridge Evening News (32) has subscriptions. The record so far was 410 viewers on Sunday May 10, 2009. The minimum over the last 45 days was 63 visitors on Saturday June 13, 2009.
The page view count 50,000 originated at IP number 68.1.171.59, which is an IP number signed up with ISP Cox Communications that uses Cable/DSL connections out of Stafford Springs.
I would like to share one of my favorite YouTube videos with the readers of the Holland Blog to celebrate this special occasion:
Elena Lev performing with Hula Hoops in Alegria, Cirque du Soleil. Singers are Francesca Gagnon and Eve Montpetit. What you see, I call PERFECTION!

Thanks to everybody participating on the Holland Blog and thereby improving the quality of life in our community!
Peter Frei

Continuation of the 2009 Annual Town Meeting.

An estimated 60 voters attended the continuation of the annual town meeting that had begun back on May 26, 2009. All budget questions and one article were on the agenda as well as an introduction on the Senior Housing Project, read more�

Selectboard Meeting of June 16, 2009.

Last night the selectboard met the second time this month, read more�

Ex Police Chief Gleason before Federal Grand Jury?

According to information obtained by the Holland Blog, Kevin Gleason, Former Chief of Police of the town of Holland, allegedly followed a subpoena to appear before a Federal Grand Jury. The Grand Jury allegedly convened last Tuesday, June 9, 2009, in the United States District court for the District of Massachusetts in Springfield.
Fed. R. Crim. P. 6(e) prohibits the government from revealing �a matter occurring before the grand jury.� This prohibition covers the content of Federal Grand Jury testimony. But it goes much further. The government cannot even reveal that a certain individual appeared before the Federal Grand Jury or that a certain individual had been subpoenaed or scheduled to appear. Gleason was a gun nut. On one occasion, Gleason proudly showed his license to carry a machine gun to a woman on their first date.
Kevin P. Gleason allegedly bought eight new hand guns, five of which were intended for the Holland Police Department. The remaining three hand guns he allegedly sold privately keeping the money for himself. It should be easy to indict and convict Gleason based on the alleged evidence. The former Chief allegedly carried the paperwork establishing proof of the illegal gun sale in his cruiser where it was allegedly secured into evidence during the execution of a seize and search warrant.
Besides state law violations, the selling of handguns without a dealer�s license is a Federal Crime under Title 26 U.S.C. carrying a prison sentence of up to 10 years and/or up to $10,000 in fines. See Title 26 U.S.C. s.5871.
Earl Johnson and James Wettlaufer promoted Gleason to the Chief position back in July 2002, and reappointed Gleason repeatedly despite his involvement in several lawsuits. Earl Johnson had a personal relationship with Gleason and was seen on a regular basis driving with Gleason in the Dodge Police Cruiser with the tinted windows to Hooyas in Brimfield for breakfast and lunch.
Other posts on the Holland Blog about Kevin Gleason and the town officials which protected him for many years, click on any link:
Ex Chief Gleason investigated
Officials still cover Chief Kevin Gleason
Police Chief Kevin Gleason resigned under duress.
Riddle (no.2)
Riddle (no.1)
The �Victory� claimed by Gleason & Wettlaufer comes at a hefty Price for the Taxpayer
Oops !!
Peter Frei

Petition against proposed Truck Stop

An increasing number of Holland residents realize the enormity of the possible negative impact a Truck Stop could have on our community. Scott Bousquet called the Holland Blog this morning with an update on the Petition against the Truck Stop.
Scott and his wife Lori collected signatures of residents that question the proposed Flying J Inc. Truck Stop. The Bosquet�s will present the Petition to the Board of Selectmen at the upcoming meeting next Tuesday June 16, at 19:00 hours at the town hall. Scott and Lori would like to invite everybody to attend the meeting to show their support for the cause.
Other posts on the Holland Blog on this subject:
A Truck Stop in our Community?
Sturbridge Voters Not As Smart As Holland Voters?
IT IS NEVER TO LATE!
Peter Frei

Screening of the movie �XXY�

If you don�t have any plans for tomorrow evening June 11, and you like a good flick, I might just have the right tip for you... Library Box Office presents independent and foreign film series at the Jacob Edwards Library. The screenings start at 18:00 hours in the Pioppi room at 236 Main Street in Southbridge once a month and are free of charge!

The Argentinean movie �XXY� [Adult], is the story about 15 year old Alex who confronts adolescence. Alex (Ines Efron,) does not just face the usual choices and life decisions, Alex's choices and decisions are monumental as she/he was born an intersex child. As Alex begins to explore her sexuality, her mother invites friends from Buenos Aires to come for a visit at their house on the gorgeous Uruguayan shore, along with their 16-year-old son �lvaro (Martin Piroyanski.) Alex is immediately attracted to the young man, which adds yet another level of complexity to her personal search for identity, and forces both families to face their worst fears.
The movie is in Spanish with subtitles in English and won 12 awards! Running time is 91 minutes. For more information about this movie click here!
Peter Frei

Public Hearing on June 23, 2009

Holland Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 8:45 pm in the Holland Town Hall, 27 Sturbridge Rd., Holland, MA. The purpose of the hearing is to consider a request from Mike Brady for a Special Permit according to Bylaw Sect. 7. Relief requested: Renovate first floor & Add a second story. Petitioner's property located at 3 Wall St. Parcel ID # R11-B-02
Sarto G. Caron, Chairperson Zoning Board of Appeals

2009 Annual Town Election Results

A total of 205 voters made the annual trip to the town hall to exercise their constitutional right to participate in forming the government of their community. Re-elected Library Trustee Janet Mullins is the most popular town official with 176 votes this year; Earl Johnson is the most unpopular elected town official this year. Only the two positions where there was an actual contest attracted less votes because the votes were divided among the opposing candidates. read more�

This day 173 months ago...

There are only two days left until the annual town election this coming Monday. Whoopi Goldberg said once:
�You've got to vote for someone. It's a shame, but it's got to be done.� Read more�

Speak out Holland! (no.3)

Grand Opening, June 12th!

Dick and Rick Hoyt are a legend in their own right. Watching videos and reading about the �Team Hoyt,� I had teary eyes more than once. Dick, Richard E. Hoyt, bought a summer cottage on 241 Mashapaug Road back in 1983. He is a retired Lt. Colonel, having served the country in the Air National Guard for 37 years. Dick is not just a father, he is a truly remarkable man. To learn what his latest plans are and what the Grand Opening is all about, click here!�

Selectboard Meeting of June 2, 2009

The skateboard park you see in the banner-picture above with the title �Welcome to the Holland Blog,� may be history soon. Fenders will open soon under surprising new ownership. Many other topics were discussed at last night�s selectboard meeting, read more�

Public Hearings on June, 9, 2009

Conservation Commission will hold two public hearings, the Zoning Board of appeals will hold two public hearings, read more�

Earl Johnson resigned, the D.D.111 Scandal

Another exclusive report based on research conducted by the Holland Blog, read more�

IT IS NEVER TO LATE!

There is a growing number of residents that start to realize the tragic consequences a truck stop would bring to our community. I just received the following email minutes ago:

Subject: Petition for Truck Stop
Hi Peter, Not sure if you have received this petition or not, but thought it worthy of passing on to you. We need 250 signatures by June 1st please see what you can do and mail what you collect to: Chris McCooe, 13 Lake Ridge Rd, Holland, Ma. 01521
Thank you Peter-
Mary Sears, 12 Roberts Park Rd., Holland, MA. 01521
Attached is a petition to get a town vote on Truck Stop that is being proposed to the Town of Holland for the land on Mashapaug Rd., near Union, CT. We feel the voters should have a say. Please print out the attachment - we need at least 250 names, signatures in order to get a special town ballot. Please return to me by June 1st �

To view or print the Petition, click here!

To read more about the proposed truck stop, click on �Truck Stop � under �Main Menu� on the left. Read also:
A Truck Stop in our Community?
Sturbridge Voters Not As Smart As Holland Voters?
Peter Frei

Annual Town Meeting Report of 2009

Last night the voters of Holland had an opportunity to participate in making town policy. There were no surprises, just a few unanswered questions, read more�
Peter Frei

Holland Honored Their Fallen Warriors

If you missed the Memorial Day celebrations here in Holland yesterday, the Holland Blog took some pictures for your enjoyment, to view the pictures click here�

One Who Served Our Country

In the midst of our community is a WWII veteran who gives back to the community by going into classrooms and talking about history.

Jack Normand shares his wartime memories of the time when he was in the Navy and stationed on the USS Zeilin, read more�

Tree fell through roof of dwelling!

View pictures of the house and read what happened today around 16:10 hours on Mashapaug Road, click here to read more�

The Flags are back!

Gregoire's Flags decorating Sturbridge Road.
Shortly after 9/11 there was a shortage of �Stars and Stripes.� Everybody in the flag business did overtime to bridge the gap between supply and demand. The difficulties on the demand side did not deter the Gregoire family that resides on 60 Wales Road to express their patriotism during those days we remember all to well.
The Gregoire�s, retired for many years, went out and managed somehow to get their hands on not less than 26 flags.
We all notice and appreciate the flags that decorate Sturbridge Road and Brimfield Road from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but what you may not know is who is responsible for putting them up.

For the last eight years, 74 year old Leo Gregoire and his wife Dorothy are the ones who put up the flags.

Mr. Gregoire climbs his wooden ladder no less than 52 times while Mrs. Gregoire assists from the car by keeping supplies handy. When asked about the reason for his generosity, his response was:
�It is just something our family does,� Mr. Gregoire said, while climbing the ladder leaned against a telephone pole with his power drill.
A heart felt thank you from the Holland Blog to the Gregoire family for their patriotic gesture.

Dana Manning & Peter Frei

Increadible performance by Sara Ashleigh and the �Push the Blues Band�

Six local amateur artists gave a most unexpected, stunning performance last night. It�s hard to impress me� so I was not only surprised but genuinely impressed with the talent of these six local musicians. Sara Ashleigh and the Push the Blues Band are a �must see.� Read more�

Annual Town Meeting of 2009

Don�t forget the Annual Town Meeting next Tuesday, May 26 at the Elementary School!
There is not much exiting stuff on the Warrant (click on �Warrant� to open and read the Warrant. If you see a word in bold/italic in the main section on this blog it is always a link you can click on to see the document ect.)
This might be of interest to some of you:
ARTICLE #25 To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into an option to lease and enter into a subsequent lease for nominal consideration, the land adjacent to the Senior Center for Senior Housing, or act anything thereto.
The Annual Town Election will take place on Monday June 8, 2009, form 10:00 -20:00 hours at the town hall.
Peter Frei

Tantasqua Teachers receive wage increase

During yesterday�s Tantasqua School committee meeting, a majority of the committee voted in favor of raising teacher�s salaries four percent over the next three years. In favor of the raise despite the uncertain economic future was Tantasqua representative for the town of Holland Howard Fife. The other of the two Holland representatives, Michael Kennedy, opposed the salary increase.
The 10-5 vote accepted the proposed union contract for the years 2010-2012. Other roll call votes in favor were cast by Tantasqua School committee chairwoman Kathleen Neal, Sheila Noyes-Miller, William Haggerty, Steven Andstrom, Patricia Barnicle, Michelle Fitzgerald, Susan Hilker, Mary McGlynn and Elizabeth Tichy.
Other opposed voters were James Ehrhard, James Cooke, Brenda Tooley, and selectman representative Michael Valanzola of Wales who served on the contract negotiating subcommittee that voted 4-1 to present the contract to the School Committee. The following individuals abstained from the vote to prevent any conceivable conflict due to direct relations to people affected by the contract: Geoffrey Earls, Francis Simanski and Donald Faugno. Peter O�Connell was absent. The raise is designed to increase 1 percent the first year and 1 1/2 percent for the next two years, for a total raise of 4 percent. According to Boyd, Tantasqua may face a $250,000 shortfall in state reimbursement for their regional transportation.
Peter Frei

Selectboard Meeting of May 19, 2009.

Last night the selectboard met the second time this month, a different officer was appointed as interim Chief, read more�

Riddle solved! (no.3)

Is history destined to repeat itself? The Riddle is solved. Learn who has not changed and has not admitted any of his wrongs yet. Inform yourself to avoid another mistake and help end his carrier once and for all. It is time for a change, read more�

Holland Rod and Gun Club fishing derby

It was not the greatest day to attend a fishing derby, the ladies however beat the guys in numbers for a change.

To find out who the three individuals were that walked away as the prize winners at today's derby and to view more pictures, click here�

If it aint broke, don't fix it

From: Mr.fixit To: The Holland Blog
There is an old slogan that many new englanders have used for years. If it ain�t broke, don�t fix it. Well, it is broke, and it has to be fixed. What is broken is the trust in Holland�s government. There are too many obvious illegalities that have taken place over the years. Government is supposed to be �by the people for the people,� not �by some people for some people.� I have known Peter Frei for many years. Besides being extremely intelligent, Peter is exceedingly headstrong and very persistent. He is honest, aboveboard, and courageous. When Peter first bought the land he lives on in Holland, he had problems with town officials. He asked �how can they do these things to me?� �Do they have laws to protect me in this country?� I advised him to get a lawyer. Much to my surprise, Peter represented himself. After hours and hours of study by himself at the law library in Springfield, Peter was able to get his cases heard. Sure it cost the town of Holland some taxpayers money, but in the long run, Peter will be seen as the hero that saved the town. It is ironic that a Swiss man would save Holland. This man deserves more than thanks. He deserves a key to the town and a parade. He is a true American. Single handed, Peter started this movement. Now this blog has made him the Pied Piper of Holland.
Guess who started this blog? VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! Speak up! Clean up!

Riddle (no.3)

Is history destined to repeat itself? In this Riddle, the Holland Blog is looking for a name, the name of the individual that was sitting on a specific board 14 years ago, sits on the same board now, and wants to be reelected despite his sinister history and the unequivocally clear recommendation by Department of Revenue in their last report not to do so! To read more about this riddle and participate, click here!�

Board of selectmen met with members of the HPD

Last night, the three members of the selectboard met with three members of the Holland Police Department to discuss the transition period and how to fill the vacant Chief position after Kevin Gleason's resignation, read more�

Wettlaufer�s documented Lie No.1

The Holland Blog is starting a LIE-Counter; this lie-counter will start at zero and will increase by one increment with each documented past or new significant lie by one of our selectmen.
I know, the word �LIE� has an extreme negative connotation; I do not use it lightly. To allege that a selectman is lying is a serious allegation as the act of lying by any town official is an outrageous act. Some of what you will read here is ugly; most of you will only read about it, a few of us actually have to live with Wettlaufer�s and Earl Johnsons�s lies on a daily basis. While some slanderous lies only affect certain individuals, other lies affect the entire community in a most harmful way and will only be realized by unassuming trusting individuals when it is too late. The truck stop is a prime example of a development where nepotism and cronyism rule over commonsense and the entire community will suffer the consequences.
The first lie the Holland Blog is documenting here is a lie perpetrated during an interview by James Wettlaufer that he gave to the Southbridge Evening News just days before the election back in 2007. The evidence the Holland Blog provides to expose Wettlaufer�s lie could not be more credible. The evidence is a court document, the MEMORANDUM OF DECISION AND ORDER ON THE DEFENDANT�S MOTION TO DISMISS, HAMPDEN SUPRIOR COURT CIVIL ACTION NO. 2006-00651.
What the Holland Blog here does is not slandering the chairman of the selectboard James Wettlaufer, the Holland Blog here proves that Wettlaufer is slandering one of the residents of Holland. To read Wettlaufer�s LIE, click here!�
Peter Frei

Screening of the movie �The Violin�

If you don�t have any plans for Thursday evening May 14, and you like a good flick, I might just have the right tip for you... Library Box Office presents independent and foreign film series at the Jacob Edwards Library. The screenings start at 18:00 hours in the Pioppi room at 236 Main Street in Southbridge once a month and are free of charge!

�The Violin [Adult],� is a story about Don Plutarco, his son Genaro and his grandson Lucio who live a double life: on one hand they are musicians and humble farmers, on the other they support the campesina peasant guerilla movement's armed efforts against the oppressive government. When the military seizes the village, the rebels flee to the sierra hills, forced to leave behind their stock of ammunition. While the guerillas organize a counter-attack, old Plutarco executes his own plan. He plays up his appearance as a harmless violin player, in order to get into the village and recover the ammunition hidden in his corn field. His violin playing charms the army captain, who orders Plutarco to come back daily. Arms and music play a tenuous game of cat-and-mouse which ultimately results in painful betrayal.
The movie is in Spanish with subtitles in English and won 13 awards!
Peter Frei

Ex Chief Gleason investigated

The Holland Blog was informed by a reliable source at the town hall that Kevin Gleason was the �town official� that gave cause to the executive sessions held by the board of selectman during the last two regular official Board meetings. In a letter sent on or around May 5, 2009, chairman of the board of selectmen, James Wettlaufer, �empowered� first Assistant District Attorney James Orenstein, Hampden County Bureau, to move forward with an investigation to determine if any wrongdoing took place. The recent resignation of Police Chief Kevin Gleason caused the selectboard to change all the locks and security codes and claimed that this would be �normal procedure.� Gleason cited medical reasons for his resignation a week ago and Wettlaufer has yet to admit to the residents of Holland that Gleason�s resignation brought �certain irregularities� to light.
Peter Frei

Christine McCooe accused of stealing campaign signs

The organizers of the Write-In Campaign set up campaign signs for the first time yesterday. This morning most of them were gone. One of the readers of the Holland Blog, Holland resident Francis Reilly, attended a party last night at 7 Roberts Road. It just happened that Christine McCooe and her boyfriend (husband?) John attended the party as guests too. According to Frank (Francis Reilly), Christine McCooe moved one of the campaign signs from the front to the back seat. Frank then asked her where she got the sign. She tried to diffuse the situation by making fun of it. Frank would not let lose and finally got the one sign back she had in her hands. According to Frank Christine and her boyfriend had a whole stack in the back of the car they were driving. Frank reported the incident at the barracks of the State Police. Trooper True took notes and called the McCooe residence. Christine denied knowing anything about the signs. It will be up to the owner of the signs, James LaMountain to press charges. If he chooses to do so, McCooe may have to explain how her fingerprints ended up on the recovered sign.
Peter Frei

Write-In Campaign Info

James LaMountain is organizing a �WRITE-IN� campaign to replace some of the most notorious and corrupt town officials at the annual town election. The corruption is systemic at the town hall in Holland. Instead of checking each other they cover each other. The ousted Chief of Police Kevin Gleason is just a manifestation of the Problem. Spend some time reading posts on the Holland Blog and it will be an eye-0pener! Start with the post about the Johnson Landgate. Then read about the proposed Flying J truck stop and its devastating impact on our community and the myth that it will increase the tax base.
Instead of moving out, we fight back. Holland is a beautiful place already, lets unleash its full potential instead of letting a few ruining it. Click here to read more�

Tantasqua Prom ended in car crash.

The Holland Blog learned that last night a limousine carrying at least four seniors of the class of 2009 attending Tantasqua Regional High School was involved in a traffic accident on Stafford Road in Holland. A drunk driver crashed head-on into the limousine carrying the teenagers. Two of the teenagers suffered injuries. The driver�s name is Zach Bilodeau from Sturbridge. He was arrested on the scene. The Limousine was on its way back from the Prom that took place at La Renaissance at 53 Prospect Hill Road, East Windsor, CT 06088. The Prom started at 18:00 hours and ended at 22:30 hours. Bilodeau played football and is on the list of TANTASQUA WARRIORS SOUTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY LEAGUE ALL-STARS of the season 2004-2005.
Peter Frei

Officials still cover Chief Kevin Gleason

Every word in bold italic on the entire Holland Blog is a link, click on any to read the original document.
I do have knowledge that the State Police conducted an investigation about a larceny, implicating Kevin Gleason, around the time our Board of Selectmen, Earl Johnson, James Wettlaufer, and Christian Peterson promoted Kevin Gleason and trusted him with the safety of our community. I sent a letter and requested a copy of the report on the investigation under the �Freedom of Information Act.�
The answer letter written by Joan O�Brian from the Office of the Chief Legal Counsel, 470 Worcester Road, Farmington Ma 01702, is telling. The answer was written at a time Kevin Gleason was still the Chief in Holland. The letter insinuates that there is no limit to the cost that such a request could potentially incur. This of course is BS. Under the law, they have to supply me with copies at a cost of $1 per page. If they can�t find the report because they have a mess and are not organized it is their problem. Officials instead of checking each other they cover each other, it is a phenomena I witnessed throughout government, including all three branches. Our selectboard had many opportunities to oust Gleason. It is telling that it did not!
I try to find humor in everything; I could not do what I do otherwise. My answer letter to Joan O�Brian needs to be read with this in mind to be appreciated.
Some day I will have a copy of the report, I promise! I will thereafter add a piece about Kevin P. Gleason under his name to the �Who Is Who� section of the Holland Blog to bring closure to the Gleason saga. If you have knowledge of criminal conduct by Kevin Gleason, you can file a report with the FBI, click here to get to the website where you can file a tip!
Peter Frei

One of Gleason's ex-girlfriends is moving on.

Sara Ashleigh, aka Sara Meier, one of ex-Police Chief Kevin Gleason�s ex-girlfriends and mother of Gleason�s youngest daughter has an impressive drive! Sara manages the �Children's Crossing� store located at 479 Main Street, (Rt.20), Fiskdale MA, in the same building as the Sturbridge Coffee House, is a real estate agent for Sullivan & Wallace, a full time mom to her daughter, and still finds the time to do concerts� I am truly impressed ... Sara Ashleigh is on Facebook.com under Sara E. Ashleigh.
Dave Bell, drums, is another individual with a busy schedule. Dave is the owner of 1-Stop Towing on Holland Road in Brimfield.
I hope a lot of people will attend the concert on May 22 in Palmer.
(Click on image to enlarge image!)

Peter Frei

UPS deliveries will never be the same.

We all know him, just a few are aware that �Ron,� the nice guy who delivered our packages with his brown UPS truck died a sudden unexpected death this past Sunday. �Ron,� Rinaldo A. Corrieri, 50, of Farm St. in Blackstone was the husband of Elaine (Mellen) Corrieri and was born in Woonsocket as son of Stella (Godin) Corrieri, and the late Rinaldo Corrieri.
For the last 33 years Ron worked as a truck driver for United Parcel Service out of Shewsbury, MA. Ron was also Union Stewart for UPS.
He always had time for a chat and will be dearly missed. Ron I hope you found peace, it was a privilege to know you personally. Ron enjoyed yard work and gardening and spending time with his family. He also donated his time delivering non perishable foods to the Homeless Shelters in Worcester, MA.
He is survived by one son Anthony R. Corrieri, of Blackstone, MA. and One daughter Gina M. Corrieri, of Blackstone, MA. One Step-daughter, Kimberly Wilkenson, and her husband Joseph, of Metheun, MA. One sister Christine Forcier and her husband Russell, of Bellingham, MA. and his nephew, Scott Corrieri and his wife Laura, of Douglas, MA. The Holland blog learned that his wife filed for divorce recently. His funeral will be held Friday May 8, 2009 at 9 A. M. from the S. DiPardo Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1583 Diamond Hill Rd., Woonsocket, with a Mass at 10 A.M. in St. Theresa Church, Rathbun St., Blackstone, MA. Burial will be in St. Jean the Baptist Cemetery, Bellingham. Relatives and friends are invited. Calling hours are Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M.
Peter Frei

What is Holland thinking?

The first piece with this title posted a month ago created the most comments. Usually comments on the Holland Blog should relate to the topic of a piece. Going forward, the Holland Blog will post every 6th day of the month a post with this title to make it a tradition. �What is Holland thinking� offers everybody an opportunity to voice his/her opinion about any topic. I will change the title to �Speak out Holland� next month to match the title to the new categorie under �Categories� on the left and with the domain name www.speakoutholland.com.

What is on your mind? Just click on the comment link below and.... speak out Holland!
Peter Frei

The Holland Blog is working!

The Holland Blog subscribes to a service that analyzes traffic patterns.
Yesterday the Holland Blog set a new record with 190 visits total within 24 hours (midnight to midnight). The number of returning-visitors was 148; 42 visitors were new. New visitors are visitors that visited the Holland Blog for the first time ever. If an individual uses a different computer with a different IP he is counted as a new visitor.
The previous record was set on April 8 with 79 visits total, returning 73 and new 6 visitors. The total of page views yesterday was 1,119 pages. New visitors viewed 316 pages. The average time spent per visitor was 10:58 minutes; for new visitors it was 13:36 minutes. The average bounce rate was 20.63%; for new visitors it was an incredible 14.29%!
The Google search Chief Kevin Gleason resignation, produces the Holland Blog as 4th ranking result. The Holland Blog beats the Telegram & Gazette webpage which is 5th!! The top ranking and the second result actually quote the Holland Blog�s post about Gleason's resignation from the Southbridge PD about 10 years ago. In that sense the Holland Blog is not only the top ranking result for this search, the Holland Blog holds 3 out of the top four ranks! Out of fairness, the third ranking result is quoting the Telegram & Gazette piece written by Kim Ring about Gleason's resignation.
Thanks to everybody participating on the Holland Blog and thereby improving the quality of life in our community!
Peter Frei

Selectboard Meeting of May 5, 2009.

Tonight the selectboard met the first time this month and it was an interesting meeting, read more�

Police Chief Kevin Gleason resigned under duress.

The moral bankruptcy of our town government claimed its first victim in Gleason; criminal charges will allegedly follow, read more�

Sturbridge Voters Not As Smart As Holland Voters?

This is an intriguing question, find out for yourself by reading more�

Write-In Campaign Info

James LaMountain is organizing a �WRITE-IN� campaign to replace some of the most notorious and corrupt town officials at the annual town election, read more�

007 theme parody not done

From: Jake LaMountain To: The Holland Blog
Jake LaMountain is 13 years old and made this video featuring his brother Eric, their cousin Josiah, James LaMountain's dog Indy, and some of Jimmy's cows on the farm in Oxford. Most of the footing was shot up on the hill off of Mashapaug Road. Jake is the kid throwing the stone at the beginning of the video...

Riddle (no.2)

I just love riddles, here is another one based on a true story:
**************************************************************************

It was a couple of years ago,
there was no place he needed to go

he just got a pay raise and decided to buy a toy
one he did not need but intended to enjoy

a motorcycle seemed to be the right choice
he liked the looks and also the noise

he called his friend and wanted to meet
told him that he had only one seat

the perfect day to take a ride
the two showed their playful side

his friend in the car in front pushed the brakes
just for fun to see how much he could take

it went well and his friend increased the stakes
inexperienced he pushed again his brakes

still undecided who ends up being the fool
they just passed Holland Elementary School

as his friend pushed the brakes again going really fast
he could not help he was to close and crashed

the brand new motorcycle in shambles and his collarbone broken
an ambulance was called... and his friend, was he woken?

************************************************************************** What are the names of the two individuals?

As usual, who ever posts the first comment with the right answer will be treated to a pizza at Enrico�s in Sturbridge at my expense!!
Town officials are not allowed to participate, that would be too easy.....
Peter Frei

Holland resident severely burned

Around 9:30 hours this morning, 71 year old Andre Breton, living on 34 Kimball Hill Rd, was burning leaves when his clothes somehow cut on fire.

An ambulance from Brimfield transferred Mr. Breton to the Hitchcock field behind the town hall from where a U Mass Memorial LifeFlight helicopter flew Mr. Breton to U Mass Memorial Center in Worcester.

Around noon time, the nursing supervisor described Mr. Brenton�s condition as good. The Holland Blog wishes him well.
Peter Frei

For Singles Only Night A Success

Do you know the feeling of not wanting to miss any of the action, but not wanting to be the first one? I planed to be there at 7:15 PM, not to late; hoping to find people already there so attention would be spread among a crowd and not just the very few. Some just call it to be �fashionably� late.

Before I realized that I was actually inside, owner Pia Rogers engaged me already in small talk and made me feel at ease. She welcomed everybody and did not give the feeling of awkwardness a chance. Pia tagged everybody, which made it easier to communicate.

It was the first time Pia organized the �singles only night� and she did a perfect job. Te place was crowded in no time at all and I had interesting conversations about unexpected topics.

A buffet with chocolate dipped strawberries, veggies, crackers and other snacks were offered; some tables had small burners to grill marshmallows and all the ingredients to make smores.

It was nine o�clock to soon, but Pia did not strictly enforce the advertised end-time of the event. It was almost ten o�clock when I finally left the cozy Sturbridge Coffee House.

I will be back if Pia follows through with her intention to have a singles only night every third Friday of the month.
Peter Frei

�Speak Out Holland� Number One On Google and Yahoo

As the readers may know, the Holland Blog has one more domain name, www.speakoutholland.com in addition to www.01521.com. Both searches, the search 01521 and the search speak out Holland rank on top as number one on Google and Yahoo, chek it out!
Peter Frei

For Singles Only! (And more...)

Artwork like the beautiful calligraphy with poetry von Mary Shelley on the left and art photography, both by Yvonne Elizabeth Ashworth, will enhance the ambiance of the place the first Singles Night is being held this coming Friday night in Fiskdale.

My favorite aphorism of Mary Shelley:

It is justice, not charity, that is wanting in the world.

Mary Wollstonecroft Shelley wrote the novel �Frankenstein� in 1816 while on vacation in Switzerland.

The year 1816 was the year known as the year without a summer. Lord Byron, John William Polidori, and Mary Shelley stayed inside as it was to cold outside and competed in writing the scariest story. Mary Shelley beat the others with her �Frankenstein� story which became a world wide classic, read more�

Statistics

I�m always curious what the readers of the Holland Blog find most interesting. Most of the time, it is not what I expect; here a few facts. Over the past 30 days, the following posts were viewed the longest time on average:

19.38 minutes: Town Caucus.
13.53 minutes: The �Victory� claimed by Gleason & Wettlaufer comes at a hefty Price for the Taxpayer.
8.43 minutes: Soon it will be crunch Time in my case against the Planning Board
8.00 minutes: Department of Revenue officials visit town again.
7.48 minutes: �AFTER THE MAYFLOWER,� first episode in a series about Nipmuc Indians starting tonight on PBS.
7.42 minutes: James LaMountain
7.16 minutes: What is Holland thinking?
Click on any title to view the post. Every word in the main section on this blog written in bold italic is a link!
Peter Frei

Selectboard Meeting of April 21, 2009

Tonight the selectboard met the second time this month, read more�

Riddle (no.1)

I personally do not believe in drugs, never tried any, never needed any, and I�m glad it is that way. My drug of choice is work. I also do not have any tattoos either.

Drugs and tattoos, are the subjects this riddle is all about.

It is obvious that some people using drugs and like tattoos make a statement about their drug of choice with a tattoo.
The most obvious would be a cannabis leaf, but some like it more discrete I learned. (I have learned a lot since I launched the Holland Blog two month ago).

Here is the riddle: There is a town official who is carrying a tattoo on one of his legs, a tattoo of a joker.

I heard that some people carry a Joker tattoo as a subtle hint to reveal their drug of choice. (The Joker brand is the preferred rolling paper for cannabis users).

Here are the questions:

(1) Who is the town official that carries a joker tattoo on one of his legs?

(2) Is it a coincident that this official has allegedly smoked pot in the past?

Who ever posts the first comment with the right answer will be treated to a pizza at Enrico�s in Sturbridge at my expense!!

Town officials are not allowed to participate, that would be too easy.....

Peter Frei

SpeakOutHolland.com

Good News! The Holland Blog has an additional domain name,

www.SpeakOutHolland.com

in addition to, www.01521.com
Peter Frei

2009 Town Caucus Report

Last night, 44 voters attended the 2009 town caucus at the Holland Elementary School. Candidates for a total of 18 positions were proposed to be put on the ballot for the annual town elections to be held June 8, 2009, from 10:00 hours to 20:00 hours, read more�

Series on Nipmuc Indians starting tonight on PBS

If you have an interest in local history, you can't miss the first episode in a five part series with the title: �We shall remain.� The series looks into the history of the aboriginal inhabitants, the Nipmuc's that lived here a long time before Caucasians settled. Some of the Nipmucs taking part in the series are Nipmucs living today amongst us in our community. The first episode airs tonight at 21:00 hours, read more�

Town Caucus

Don�t forget the town caucus this coming Tuesday April 14 at 8:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Holland Elementary School. There is a total of 18 positions up for election. The most important position is the position for selectman. Christian Petersen�s term is ending this year. Click here to see the caucus notice. The file is a pdf file and not a doc file as posted on the official town web page. Do not attempt to open the file on the town�s official website as your computer will freeze-up! To post a doc file on a webpage is a NO-NO. The only option you have is to download the doc file posted on the official web site to your computer and then to open the downloaded file.
Peter Frei

Editorial on Tantasqua�s interim principal

As the readers of the Holland Blog may know, Tantasqua High School�s Superintendent Daniel G. Durgin hired a new interim principal, Michael P. Lucas. Lucas is replacing former principal Steven B. Bliss. Brent Abrahamson is following Daniel G. Durgin�s hiring of Lucas on his blog, click here to read his interesting editorial.
Peter Frei

Town officials read the Holland Blog

According to town clerk Kristin LaPlante, Linda Blodgett corrected the outdated meeting schedule that was posted on the town�s website. Thanks Linda for correcting the Meeting Schedule.
In the piece about the selectboard meeting of April 7, 2009, the Holland Blog pointed out that the meeting schedule gave the wrong days and times for selectboard meetings as posted. After less than 24 hours the wrong information was corrected.
Click here to see the page as it was before and click here to see it as it is now.
According to Kristin Laplant, the safety light in front of the Holland Elementary School will be fixed with grant money as soon as possible, see the piece �Broken Light Safety Issue� by guest writer �A Concerned Citizen.�
Peter Frei

Screening of the movie �Noise�

If you don�t have any plans for tomorrow evening and you like a good flick, I might just have the right tip for you... Library Box Office presents independent and foreign film series at the Jacob Edwards Library. The screenings start at 18:00 hours in the Pioppi room at 236 Main Street in Southbridge once a month and are free of charge! Last month the Library Box Office featured the Swiss movie �Fraulein.�

�Noise� is a story about the wrong person in the right place at the wrong time. Two heinous crimes have left a suburban town reeling. Police quickly connect them but are desperate for witnesses as the local community enfolds itself in a shroud of secrecy, borne from fear and an untrammeled mistrust of authority. A young police constable, Graham McGahan, suffers from a chronic hearing problem and applies for worker's compensation. To his chagrin, he is stationed at a police caravan near the crime scene. Living on the periphery of the investigation, McGahan crosses paths with the various people affected by the tragedies and uncovers an unraveling nightmare of guilt and suspicion.
Peter Frei

Selectboard Meeting of April 7, 2009

Tonight the selectboard met the first time this month, read more�

Legal Notice

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Town of Holland Nancy Talbot, Collector of Taxes Office of the Collector of Taxes Notice of Tax Taking To the owners of the hereinafter described land, read more�

Perry�s cousin back from war in Iraq

An unnamed hero serving in Iraq refused to go on his eagerly awaited leave back home so his buddy Travis Koslowski could pay his respects to his cousin Nicholas S. Perry who died in a car crash last Saturday morning.

Travis, his brother Matthew and sister Jessica Koslowski grew up together with Nicholas Perry. Koslowski�s and Perry�s mothers are sisters. Mr. Perry, a graduate of Southbridge High School of 2002, just moved from Holland to Southbridge with his girlfriend of six years. Perry was also living in Brimfield before.

Picture of Nicholas Perry

Peter Frei

What is Holland thinking?

Jack posted the following comment on 2 Apr 2009, 8:47: I'm civil. Admittingly my comment may have had a wise-ass tone. You kept referring to me as �you and other town officials� and �you would love to just dump your garbage here.� I do not have an agenda. When I came across the site. I thought, nice to have a place Holland residents can post comments and thoughts. I'm all for hearing other peoples point of view. Pro or con on different subjects. It will only make me an more informed resident and voter. If I can make a suggestion. Have a section like �What is Holland thinking,� where people could make comments about Holland. If it makes you feel any better I registered as an independent.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Here is your wish Jack, lets see what Holland's residents have on their minds.... I encourage everybody to comment on anything you like, just click on the �comment� link and leave a comment! (Please no name-calling)
Peter Frei

Holland Resident Nicholas Perry Died in head-on Collision on RT20 in Brimfield.

Nicholas Perry died this past Saturday morning around 5:30 AM on RT 20 near Little Alum Road on his way to work. Wales resident Kevin Smith, 48, crossed the yellow double line with his 2002 Ford pick-up truck and struck Nicholas Perry�s 1993 Geo prism sedan head-on. Nicholas Perry was pronounced dead on the scene. Kevin Smith is in serious condition and remains hospitalized at the UMass. Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Perry was 23 years old and was living on 15 Collette Drive in Holland together whit his two sisters Cayli and Amanda Branconnier and also Darlene Branconnier. Nicholas Perry was an employee of Lewis Tree Service, an employee owned company of more than 1500 employees.

The State Police is still investigating the cause of the accident. RT20 has a long history of head-on collisions. The Executive Office of Public Safety issued a press release.
Peter Frei

Holland PTO Charity Poker Tournament

The Heritage Country Club in Charlton hosted the charity poker tournament organized by the PTO of Holland. Find out who made the first prize and how the mystery man known as �Chicken Scratch,� faired. Read more�

Rambling Through Holland

From: Brent Abrahamson, To: Holland Blog.
Hi Peter,
I'm not sure if you would be interested, but I have placed some of my slide shows on YouTube. If you think your readers would be interested, or if you are, here is the code:

Thanks,
Brent Abrahamson

Holland�s officials still wasting money?

What is a routine act on behalf of residents which do not criticize the Johnson family for their illegal activities is unavailable for residents which dare to. James LaMountain intends to build a farm house on the hill owned by Northeast Concepts, Inc. off of Mashapaug Road. In order to do so, he followed the rules and applied for a driveway permit needed to get the required building permit. Brian Johnson, the Highway Surveyor and an elected town official refused to issue the permit despite James LaMountian�s claim that he submitted all required documents. LaMountain: �It is just another attempt to harass me, or maybe another attempt to provoke me to build a driveway without a permit so they can go after me again.� LaMountain claims that he had no other choice than to file another unnecessary lawsuit the voters of the town of Holland have to foot the bill for. �I feel bad for the taxpayer�s, but they [Earl and Brian Johnson and other town officials] just don�t change, they may never will. By the way, I�m a taxpayer myself..�
Today, James LaMountain filed his latest lawsuit in Superior Court. To read the complaint, click here! The complaint will be served to the defendants� tomorrow, to read the summons, click here, or on the word �summons� typed in bold italic. (Every word on this blog in bold italic is a link!)
Peter Frei

�01521� Number One on Google!

The Holland Blog went online for the first time on February 14, 2009. After only five weeks, the Google query 01521 produces the Holland Blog as top ranking result out of a staggering number of 3,240,000 results.
Peter Frei

Opacum Land Trust Annual Meeting

Opacum Land Trust, Inc. is a regional, all volunteer organization formed in 2000 to protect natural and cultural resources in South Central Massachusetts. The Trust will hold its Annual Meeting this coming Thursday, March 26, 2009 6:30 - 8:00 pm at the Holland Senior Center at 40 Brimfield Road, Holland. The organizers, all volunteers, will offer pizza and inform members and friends about what�s going on. If you are interested in becoming more involved or becoming a member or just attending the meeting, call 508-347-9144 or email info@opacumlt.org.
Peter Frei

Broken Light Safety Issue

From: A Concerned Citizen
To: The Holland Blog

I�ve lived in Holland about 10 years and currently have a child attending Holland Elementary School. For app. 8 years the blinking light driving eastbound on Sturbridge Road near the school has not been working. This is a safety hazard for school children crossing the street nearby. Moreover, the lettering on the sign(s) is almost impossible to read. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen - especially if you, Mr. Blogger, forward my note to the �powers that be� in town and still nothing is done.
I notice that Mr. Selectman Johnson claims to be concerned with safety issues. I find this hard to believe, for it appears that there are other unrelated road issues that are getting attended to, but this sign (a mis-reading of which could cause the serious injury to or death of a child and a lawsuit against the town) should have been fixed years ago.
Mr Blogger, could you see what you can do?

Selectboard Meeting of March 17, 2009

Anthony Wonseski giving presentation on proposed Sturbridge Road project
Tonight's meeting was interrupted at 19:15 hours as Jack Keough, the building inspector and zoning officer, requested an executive session. The project to improve Sturbridge Road that entered the planning stage a year ago is taking on shape. The selectboard also announced extended Kindergarten hours beginning in 2010, read more�

Peter Frei filed Notice of Appeal

Brian O. Lees. the clerk of the Superior Court for the Hampden County issued a judgment on February 19, and an amended judgment on February 20, 2009, after judge Velis granted the defendants� motion to dismiss, see also my previous post, Superior Court Judge Dismisses Johnson LandGate Suit.
Yesterday, I filed plaintiff�s notice of appeal, appealing judge Velis�s decision. I also filed the required plaintiff�s notice pursuant Mass. R.A.P. rule 8. The case will now be scheduled to be heard by a panel of three judges of the Appeals Court of the Commonwealth. To read any documents, just click on the bold text in italic describing the document; this is consistent throughout this blog, any bold text in italic is a link! To read all the posts about the Johnson LandGate, click on the link Johnson LandGate which can be found under the heading Categories on the left in the Menu section.
Peter Frei

Post about William Medina Arrest top story

At this time, the story about the assault by William Medina was viewed 435 times, whereof 250 views were unique views. The total time this story was viewed is 15 hours, 26 minutes, and 44 seconds. This is an average of 2 minutes and 8 seconds per view.
Peter Frei

Holland Market burglarized twice

These are desperate times, the increase of burglaries does not only affect residences, Dave‘s store got burglirized twice within three days, read more�

Keough condemned Brimfield Town Hall

Brimfield town officials had called for an emergency meeting to be held this morning at 10:00 to find solutions to keep the town running outside the walls of the Town Hall as its roof is in danger of collapsing. Read more�

Five separate Schoolhouses in Holland ?

More then 100 years ago, Holland had no less than five separate schoolhouses. Public transportation was also available; no dependence on oil jeopardized our freedom and economy either. Travelers were able to board Electric Passenger cars in Brimfield after a short ride on the stage coach line to get there. Holland was a quaint little village and water troughs where spread throughout the village to water horses and other livestock, read more�

James LaMountain�s ad not approved

Although we share many believes about the corruption that goes on in the Townhall, we have strong disagreements how to bring change to Holland. I neither endorse nor approve James LaMountain�s half page ad that will appear in the Sturbridge Villager this week. I also did not pay for the ad either.
Peter Frei

Holland resident William Medina arrested for assault

Twenty-two year old Lisa Marques, a Holland resident, was hospitalized after a vicious attack by twenty-eight year old William Medina, also known as Will, a Holland native who attended Tantasqua Regional Vocational High School from 1995 to 1999, read more�

Why this Blog ?

�The greatest homage we can pay to truth is to use it.� Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882). Truth is a comprehensive term that in all of its nuances implies accuracy and honesty. Truth is that which is considered to be the supreme reality and to have the ultimate meaning and value of existence. Reality and truth in a perfect world are in harmony. Veracity is adherence to the truth: �Veracity is the heart of morality� Thomas H. Huxley (1825-1895). To advance self-serving goals corrupt individuals create their own reality, thus are immoral. As a corrupt individual�s reality is not in harmony with the truth, he is also a liar.
For any community; to flourish it is imperative to be governed by leaders that serve the community and not themselves, read more�

Johnson�s failed attempt to jail LaMountain

There is always more to a story than meets the eye. Brian Johnson is a good student of his father�s art to manipulate the public opinion and thereby divert attention away form the Johnson�s illegal activities. Unfortunately the Johnson�s are good at that. Not all is lost; we still have judges that are not �buying� everything what �innocent� town officials want them to believe. The table turned on Brian Johnson and wife Kristen as the judge learned of Brian�s dark side during a hearing in Palmer District Court this past Monday. Read court documents and more�

A Truck Stop in our Community?

Communities throughout the US faced with the prospect of having to live with a truck stop near their homes go to any length in finding ways to prevent such predatory developments. Not so in Holland. The proposed Flying J truck stop will be located in the midst of a sensitive watershed area and a tributary brook to the Hamilton Reservoir without the possibility to hook up to a sewer system. The selectboard and planning board supported the proposal, and the unassuming voters agreed and reversed the wise decision that once declared the locus as special conservancy district. The truck stop will not bring the expected increase of tax-revenue for the reasons outlined in this report. Instead, the facility will have very negative impacts on the Environment, the Economy, on the social fabric of the community, and Traffic. It is not too late to stop the project which will benefit a few and hurt the entire community. While Flying J is under chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the voters have a unique opportunity to correct this tragic mistake and change the bylaws to prevent any truck stops from ever being built at that very sensitive site. But we have to act now, read more�

Superior Court Judge Dismisses Johnson LandGate Suit

First of all, this is not the same case in which I had to sue the Planning Board of Holland (PBH) for failing to endorse my proposal to divide a parcel of land utilizing the Approval not Required procedure, or ANR. That case was decided in my favor by the Appeals Court of the Commonwealth who made a finding that the PBH denied me my right to divide my property. To read the decision of the Appeals Court of the Commonwealth in that case, click here!

Back in 2007, at the time I ran for the five year term on the Planning Board, an individual contacted me and informed me that selectman Earl Johnson illegally conveyed a town owned 12.41 acre landlocked parcel of land to his mother in law. With the help of engineers which fabricated a right of way and the help of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and the Planning Board of Holland (PBH) the Johnson familie illegally subdivided the parcel and turned the parcel with little value into three valuable building lots. This individual encouraged me to run for the five year term and said that it would be time that someone with integrity would stop the corruption. This individual provided me with the information that formed the basis for my research which result was a “press release” that I mailed to major newspapers in the area. The claims I made in the press release were so implausible that no newspaper was willing to touch the issue just days before the election back in 2007. I lost the election, Christine McCooe won, and only a few people ever learned about Earl Johnson ‘s illegal self-serving scheme that he set in motion more than 28 years ago. To read the press release about the Johnson land-gate case and view supporting documents, click here!

In 1998, I started building a garage or accessory building that you can see from the lake. As I was busy fighting the corrupt town officials, I had not the time to finish the building. For six years, 2002-2008, the PBH denied me my right to divide the parcel of land that forms the peninsula that jets into Hamilton reservoir off of Maybrook road. Once I had filed the appellant�s brief in the Appeals Court of the Commonwealth and also a separate appellant�s brief in my separate appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, I drew the plans for the superstructure that I was going to build on top of the foundation that I started 10 years ago. Our building inspector Jack Keough was reluctant to amend my building permit for no obvious reasons. He eventually admitted that Earl Johnson would pressure him not to issue the building permit. The position of the building inspector is an appointed position.

While Earl Johnson and the rest of the PBH denied me my “entitlement to an ANR endorsement” (opinion of the Appeals Court,) and I was fighting for my rights, Earl Johnson with the help of the rest of the PBH illegally divided the property he had illegally obtained back in 1980, and created three building lots one for each of his three sons, Carl, Eric, and Brian Johnson.

I don ‘t know what the reader would have done; I decided to inform the residents of Holland what kind of “leader” Earl Johnson is. The best way to do that in my opinion was to file a lawsuit that would expose his and his cronies ‘ illegal conduct.

First I had to exhaust administrative remedies pursuant to the zoning act, M.G.L. c.40A, s.15, by filing requests to enforce the zoning bylaws and the laws of the Commonwealth. I filed two separate requests for each of the illegally built homes for Earl Johnson ‘s son Carl and Eric. Brian Johnson is the owner of the third illegal building lot that is still undeveloped. Click here to read the request for Carl Johnson ‘s house, click here to read the request for Eric ‘s house.

Jack Keough then had to respond in writing to my requests, click on the names to read the response for Carl ‘s house, and for Eric ‘s house.

Then I had to appeal Jack Keough ‘s denial within 30 days to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), click on the names to read my appeal for Carl ‘s house, and Eric ‘s house; see also M.G.L., c.40A, s.15.

The ZBA was mandated to hold a public hearing within 65 days. Instead the ZBA mailed me a letter. I responded to the letter with my letter. The ZBA than had to file a written answer within 100 days and also file its answer with the town clerk. The ZBA failed to do that as well.

The public hearing the ZBA was mandated to hold would have been the appropriate time to question whether I have standing to bring this request to enforce the zoning bylaws and zoning laws of the Commonwealth. However, the ZBA mailed me another letter. The ZBA actually endorsed my check and did not send it back as stated in their letter. The town mailed me one of their checks 10 days later.

Chapter 40A, section 15 deems an appeal constructively granted in case the ZBA fails to act.

Kristin Laplante then had to issue a certificate to the effect that my appeal to the ZBA became constructively granted due to the ZBA ‘s failure to take action. She refused to do so following the advice of town counsel Vincent McCaughey. She instead asked me to file a written request which I refused to do in a letter.

I than had to inform in writing all interested parties of the constructive grant of my appeal and inform them that they can appeal the constructive grant if they are aggrieved by the constructive grant, M.G.L., C.40A, s.15. I did so with a certified letter.

Not one member of the selectboard, nor a member of the ZBA, nor a member of the PBH, nor any of Johnson ‘s sons, nor any of the selectboard members, nor any of the abutters appealed the constructive grant within the 20 day period.

By this time, the constructive grant of my request to demolish the two illegally built homes was a legal fact and this according to the law that is known as the zoning act, c.40A, s.1, in more specific terms, according to section 15 of the zoning act.

It was time now to file a petition for an order in mandamus with the Superior Court to seek a court order which would declare my appeal to the ZBA as constructively granted, declare the two homes illegal, and which would request the moving, dismantling, or demolishing of the two illegal dwellings. click here to read the complaint.

As expected, the sixteen defendants through their three attorneys filed a motion to dismiss, supported by a memorandum. I filed my opposition. These documents are interesting to read as they show clearly that the defendants ‘ lawyers misconceived the legal situation they found themselves in.

Judge Velis dismissed the case as I expected him to do. Click here to see the clerks notice. We, the town and I, found ourselves in the same situation as we were before in the case Peter Frei v. Planning Board of Holland, Town of Holland. This is the case that was adjudicated in my favor on Appeal, the second case the town lost despite the fact that the town wasted tens of thousands of dollars attempting to deny me my rights out of spite.

Once again the town has blundered themselves into a situation were they will lose on appeal as the statute is unambiguous. Once again the town will waste tax payers money, this time in an attempt to cover-up their self-serving acts. While normal people work hard to earn the money to buy a parcel of land to build a house, Earl Johnson helped himself and his family by conveying a parcel of town-owned property over to his mother in law instead of putting the parcel up for public auction.

The issue the Court of Appeals will have to decide is a very narrow one; the issue is whether I filed all the papers correctly. If I did do so, my appeal to the ZBA became constructively granted. The constructive grant pursuant to C.40A, s.15. is not pegged to any conditions other than procedural requirements. The constructive grant is not pegged to the condition whether I have standing or not. The language used by the legislator is unambiguous and mandates a constructive grant, see C.40A, s.15. Judge Velis argued in his decision that I would not have standing to bring this action before the court. In my opinion he is wrong for the reason I outlined above. Judge Bertha Josephson erred the same way in my case against the PBH; she did not apply the statute as the legislator wrote it too.

It is also important to notice that judge Velis ‘s decision does not deny that the two dwellings built by the Johnson ‘s are illegal.

There is no case law that even comes close to this case. Never before had a selectman so much help from different boards. The illegal permits were issued based on unanimous votes. Unanimous votes by the ZBA, and the PBH. The only official that did the right thing was Jack Keough. He denied the initial request by Eric Johnson for a building permit.

Everybody that will take the time to study this case will realize what kind of a man Earl Johnson really is.

The next step will be my notice of appeal as soon as a judgment is in place. I expect to have justice served and Earl Johnson and his corrupt cronies exposed.

Peter Frei

Homes built by the Johnson's, illegal!

(houses shown in the upper part of the image, click on image to enlarge!)

Earl Johnson, a selectman, a planning board member and one of the tax assessors of Holland, Mass., has a legacy of illegal land use transaction and abuse of power that dates back more than 25 years.

Over time, Johnson, along with members of his family and several associates, engaged in a scheme that entails the illegal acquisition of a 12-acre land-locked parcel of land, the illegal procurement of a right of way to the land-locked parcel, the illegal "replacement" of a non-existing structure with a two-story three-bedroom home, the illegal subdivision of the land, the illegal construction of another home, and the potential illegal construction of a third dwelling, read more�

Connecticut Prison Guard Fishing Derby on Hamilton Reservoir

Sturbridge resident Dennis Bonetti and his two fishing buddies Norm Butler and Glenn Tracy from Holland are upset and disappointed. After paying the $10 ticket price they feel �ripped off� by the organizer. Bonetti claims, �we where there on time, they took our money and ran!� Glenn Tracy claimed that after the organizer saw their catch the organizer decided that they were one minute too late to be considered.

The place to get the fish measured no later than 3 PM was simply described as P.J�s bar. Bonetti, Butler, and Tracy spent about five minutes just locating the measuring station that turned out to be in the back of a pick-up truck in the parking lot of PJ�s. There was no sign, Tracy stated. Bonetti was upset over the fact that the person in charge of determining the winner participated himself in the derby. �He should not have been allowed to participate,� Dennis Bonetti said. He proudly claims his bass was the third largest, �I should have made third prize in the category of largest fish.� Norm Butler claims he had the forth largest fish, also a bass. The three are buddies and have been ice-fishing together for many years and vowed never to participate in the Connecticut Prison Guard Derby again.
Glenn Tracy made this video and put it on YouTube:

Department of Revenue officials visit town again

If you follow town politics you knew all along that the select board, the guardians of your hard earned tax dollars, engage in wasteful spending. However, now it is official. The Department of Revenue (DOR) interviewed our town officials and published a report that is less than flattering. The DOR report clearly shows that what selectboard member James Wettlaufer says to the unassuming tax payers, and what he does are two different things. �officials [�] knowingly incur[ring] year-end deficits in order to defer costs until the following year,� the DOR report states. By dragging their feet, Earl Johnson and the rest of the board of assessors incurred unnecessary costs in interest payments which averaged $54,464 over the last two years.

Publicly, Wettlaufer's �beliefs� are different. He was quoted in the February 15, 2008 issue of the Villager as having said: �We have said all along since we began as a board together that we would always provide what we believe to be a balanced budget.�

What Wettlaufer says and does are two different things. The DOR report also points out that the practice of overspending is illegal, read more�

The �Victory� claimed by Gleason & Wettlaufer comes at a hefty Price for the Taxpayer

Unlike in the Quinones lawsuit, the town and police Chief Kevin Gleason got away in the Bunn case without paying the victim any money in form of a �business decision� as they referred to the $50,000 settlement they paid to Stacy Quinones back in 2006.

Despite Judge Ponsor�s grant of the town�s motion for summary judgment in favor of the town, the taxpayer is still paying a hefty price for the Bunn incident. Chief Gleason, together with a SWAT team of 15 officers kicked in the door of a harmless family still asleep. The raid did not produce any evidence of wrongdoing by the Bunn family despite a sworn affidavit documenting controlled drug buys by an undercover informant out of the Bunn residence. The sworn affidavit was necessary for the judge to authorize the raid of the dwelling on Maybrook Road. Read more�

Planning Board of Holland denied resident right to divide his property

During the public meeting this past Tuesday evening, the Planning Board finally signed Peter Frei�s ANR plan (approval not required plan). It was more than six years ago when Frei submitted his ANR plan for the first time to the Board. Instead of signing his plan as the law required the Planning Board to do, the Planning Board refused to sign the plan and Frei filed suit against the Board in Superior Court. Frei:

�It was Earl Johnson who called the shots during the planning board meetings back in 2002; the rest of the members just followed his lead.�

During the following six years, a total of 68 motions and other documents were filed, among them a petition to the single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. Frei:

�It was a simple matter. However, town counsel Vincent McCaughey misrepresented the law to the judge during the trial in order to win the case and Superior Court Judge Bertha Josephson obviously didn�t see the need to check his misleading statements. McCaughey after all, took an oath not to do what he did and I was just a layman representing myself.�

Frei who owns a 5 acre peninsula that jets into Hamilton Reservoir intended to divide the already subdivided parcel into three building lots in order to sell the lots. Frei had already a signed contract to sell one of the lots and couldn't because of the planning board's refusal to endorse his plan. Frei:

�All I wanted to do is dived the property and sell the lots. By now there would be three more houses on the peninsula, most likely weekend homes with a combined taxable value of at least $1�000�000.�

Weekend homes are a perfect source for property taxes as the children of families that spend weekends on the lake attend schools in other towns. Frei:

�Instead of following the law and do the right thing and in the process increase the tax revenues, the town choose to waste in my estimation in excess of $100�000 of tax payers money in legal fees over the past six years. It just doesn�t make any sense,�

Frei said. Frei who had to sue the town before and had justice served by the judiciary was forced to appeal the erroneous Superior Court judgment that was reached in his opinion as a result of town counsel�s misleading written closing argument. Frei:

�I was in contact with the New England Legal Foundation who offered to file an amicus brief on my behalf if necessary. Besides town counsel McCaughey, the selectboard hired one of the super lawyers of Massachusetts, attorney Nancy Frankel Pelletier from the law firm Robinson and Donovan out of Springfield.�

Despite the considerable effort to win the appeal at an enormous cost to the taxpayer, the Appeals Court of the Commonwealth vacated in its rescript the erroneous judgment issued by Superior Court Judge Bertha Josephson in favor of the Planning Board and ordered the court to issue a new judgment in favor of Frei. Frei is now allowed to sell the building lots created by his ANR plan.

Frei campaigned against Christine McCooe for a 5 year term on the Planning Board back in the spring of 2007 and lost. On several occasions the selectboard characterized Frei�s fight for his rights as frivolous, claimed that the town had no other choice than to spend taxpayers money and that the town could not get reimbursed for their expenses as the law would not allow it as long as Frei would represent himself.

The voters of Holland trusted Christine McCooe with their vote by electing her with 424 over 128 votes. Frei: McCooe wrote on her campaign flyer: �I have never gained my experience by suing the town.� Frei:

�The town enjoyed McCooe�s experience not for long, she showed her gratitude for the trust the voters gave her by attending three meetings out of her five year term she was elected for and resigned on August 7, 2007. Once again the selectboard appointed someone they saw fit thereafter. It is just town politics as usual.�

Guest Writer

Oops !!

Police Chief Kevin Gleason's favorit toy has a dent!

I guess it could be worse. I wonder if he was drunk again but nobody there to arrest him as back on November 23, 1999 when he rolled over his car and was arrested for OUI and speeding just yards away form his home. It happened in the middle of the night, shortly after he joined the Southbridge Police Department. No surprise that his carrier in Southbridge didn't last. You didn't know? You can't belive it? Click here to see the police citation of the arresting Police Officer and Court Documents.

Rumor has it that the Board of Selectmen took his favorite toy away from Gleason as he allegedly put on lots of miles while hardly spotted on Holland's roads. Gleason is driving the Police SUV for now.

I wonder how this happend, does somebody know? Give me a call if you do, 413 245 4660. The cruiser has since been fixed. I wonder who paid for it ....

I remember it well when Officer Hogan rolled over the Police SUV while horsing around in the woods near the Rod and Gun club on Union Road. The SUV was only three years old. This happened back on September 12, 2003. During an executive session attended by the selectboard and Chief Gleason, Hogen resigned. Officer Hogen was not reapointed in Brimfield where he served on the Police Department before. Guess who payed for the totalled police SUV...

Peter Frei

Police Chief of Holland, Kevin Gleason, arrested for OUI

Only in Holland, and only under Earl Johnson's watch! Where ever I turn, I stumble over the most unbelievable stuff!

A while back I heard the rumor that Holland Police Chief Kevin Gleason was forced to resign from the Southbridge Police Force as he was arrested by one of his peers after he rolled over the car he was driving while under the influence of liquor. Hard to believe you would say, right? We will get to that later.

It was yesterday, March 12, 2008, when I witnessed one more time how our town government with the help of our Chief who likes to drink one or two Martinis and red wine, and this according to his own account, frivolously soiled the reputation of a member of this community out of spite by charging him with a crime he did not commit. Aware that he had not done any wrong, he stood his ground and refused to accept a plea that would have allowed the town officials to save face. The prosecutor must have known that he had no case, and, as this member of our community did not take the bait of a plea, the prosecutor decided not to pursue the matter. Instead he dropped the frivolous charges brought forward by the town officials.

The incident brought me into that mood that is best mitigated by revenge. On my way home from the Palmer District Court, I decided to make a detour to the Dudley District Court and either conform the rumor of Gleason's arrest for OUI (Operating while Under the Influence of liquor), or lay it to rest once and for all.

I would not be honest if I would claim having been surprised; it was true! As I noted earlier, only in Holland! The criminal matter is filed under the docket number 9964CR003873 at the Dudley District Court. Interested readers click here to view and read the court documents. (Please Kevin, don't threaten me again with your lawyer and try to coerce me into removing this document from my web-page. The document is part of the public record, and the residents of Holland have the right to know!)

I wonder whether Earl Johnson knew about this when he decided to trust Kevin Gleason with the safety of this community, and later even promoted Gleason to chief of police. Kevin, did you tell him????

As far as I'm concerned, I would feel much safer if Chief Gleason wouldn't be around. He is about the only thing I perceive as an immediate threat to my freedom and safety.
Peter Frei

Soon it will be crunch time in my case against the Planning Board

The members of the Planning Board, Debra Benveniste, chair person of the planning board, Earl Johnson and others, town counsel McCaughey, and last but not least, Super Lawyer Nancy Pelletier, maneuvered themselves into a situation that is best described as dismal. Instead of endorsing my ANR plan back in 2002, they choose to deny me my fundamental rights of ownership. The endorsement of the plan proposed to created two additional lots on my peninsula and would have increased the town's tax base by approximately $ 1,000,000.00. Instead of obeying the law and endorse the ANR plan and thereby increase tax revenue, the town choose to engage into a legal battle that did cost the town and/or its liability insurance company tens of thousands of dollars, funds now missing to pay for the education of our children and other expenses. Earl Johnson, selectman and member of the Planning Board, suggested I should donate the property to the town so I would not have to pay property taxes any longer as he would not let me divide the property. In order to win the case, Debra Benveniste perjured herself, town counsel McCaughey knowingly misrepresented the law to the judge during the trial, and now, before the Appeals Court, Super lawyer Nancy Pelletier did risk it all and got herself and the town into trouble; read more�

Tax levy limit override vote

We are going through financial difficult times and it will just get worse from here on. Watching the selectboard meetings leading up to Super Tuesday, the Election Day on February 5, I realized that the selectboard tried to confuse the unassuming voters and that they would get their way as usual to the detriment of the majority. Earl Johnson made the following statement during the selectboard meeting of January 30, 2008: �You have up to now given us a lot of trust and you have ... basically when you go to town meetings you listen to us and you usually vote the way we ask you to vote.� The few people I talked to did not know about the upcoming vote about the tax levy override nor had a clue what it would do to their purse.

I knew that I needed to do something; I had to take it on myself to inform the community as our leaders had no interest to do so. I contacted former select man Jim Foley and we decided to mail a flyer to all registered voters that participated in the previous elections. We met on January 26, at 9 AM and discussed how we would put our plan into motion. Jim Foley would create the text, while I was responsible for the logistics. Did you ever stick 997 stickers onto 997 folded flyers so they can not unfold; then stick 997 stamps and finally 997 address labels onto flyers? It feels like it never ends. But first we had to create the text, print the flyer, fold the flyer, and organize the 997 address labels of the voters we were going to send a copy. Jim e-mailed me his draft of the flyer on Tuesday, January 29, and I forwarded it to a professional proof reader to streamline the content of the flyer. I finally changed a few things myself and emailed it back to Jim for his approval as the flyer would bear his name. By Wednesday morning after two more failed attempts to get a hold of Jim, I still had not heard back form him. I could not wait any longer and I was off to the printer. Wednesday evening Jim finally cut up with me and the rest of the group who helped putting the stamps and address labels onto the flyers. He was not happy with the final version of the flyer. Jim was not pleased with the fact that the final version did not contain the phrase: �To increase the tax levy limit and your property taxes vote YES on either amount.� Jim felt that we should have given the voters a choice and let them decide for themselves whether to vote YES or NO. I offered to change it and start form scratch or stop the whole project at all. Jim did not want to start all over again and agreed to mail it out as it was. We steamed ahead after eating take-out pizza for everybody. Thursday morning I drove to the United States Postal Service distribution center at 192 Main Street in Shrewsbury to drop of the 997 flyers.

That Thursday evening January 31, 2008, the selectboard had scheduled a special public meeting to discuss the upcoming tax levy override vote. A copy of the flyer got somehow into the hands of the selectboard the day before. Realizing that the flyer left no question unanswered and spelled out in plain English how it would affect the purses of Holland residents, James Wettlaufer and Earl Johnson addressed the flyer in a last ditch effort to rescue their plan with the flowing statement during the televised meeting:

�Don�t listen to the rumor mills; this Board has never misled you. I give this (the flyer) about all the time it�s due. There are two inaccuracies in this that are in violation of state law, and Kristin Grant, your town clerk and myself have both filed criminal complaints against the author of this paper. It is illegal to make misstatements of law and then pass it out when there is a ballot question on the ballot because what you are doing is deceiving the voter and defrauding the town. It is only a misdemeanor unfortunately but that�s o.k., we deal with that. They allude that ah.. in the final ahh� paragraph in the thing that they send out that the law fully allowed 2� % increase instead of the 7.8% proposed by the Board of Selectmen. There is no such law. Proposition 2� regulates the amount of levy-limit and capacity the town has. The town can spend 25% year over year if it had enough funding available that didn�t include the tax rate, it does not regulate that. And they [notice the plural form, he refers to Jim Foley and I, Peter Frei] also indicate that there�r plans to have the voter give the permission to raise the levy-limit as the selectman see fit. There is no such thing in the law that allows that nor does any regulation in this town or former government permit that. Only the town meeting sets how much money they wonna spend and where they wonna spend it. And that�s all the time we gone give this garbage.�

Wettlaufer was not telling the truth when he claimed �Kristin Grant, your town clerk and myself [Wettlaufer] have both filed criminal complaints against the author of this paper.� At that time he made that statement neither Kristin Grant nor James Wettlaufer had filed any complaints, neither did they at any time thereafter file any complaints. Grant is the maiden name of Kristin Laplante. We have a term in the English language for somebody that is not telling the truth, the term is �liar.� As a matter of fact, hypocrite Wettlaufer�s statements made in his �last ditch effort� were false statements, statements made to mislead the voters in order to manipulate the outcome of the vote. Wettlaufer�s own actions were criminal as they are in violation of provisions of the Election Laws under M.G.L., c.56, s.36, which provides: �No person in the service of the commonwealth or of any county, city or town shall use his official authority or influence to coerce the political action of any person or body, or to interfere with any election. Violation of any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred nor more than one thousand dollars.� As Wettlaufer had no way of knowing if the flyers had been mailed at that point in time, it is reasonable to assume that his statement was also a threat and/or intended to intimidate, a clear violation of M.G.L., c.265, s.37, which provides: �No person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate or interfere with, or attempt to injure, intimidate or interfere with, or oppress or threaten any other person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the constitution or laws of the commonwealth or by the constitution or laws of the United States. Any person convicted of violating this provision shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both; and if bodily injury results, shall be punished by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both.� It is clear that the flyer Jim Foley and I created and distributed is an expression protected under the 1st Amendmend to the U.S. Constitution.

There was nothing in the newspapers to inform the voters. What was in the newspapers was not really helpful; here is what the chairman of the Holland Finance Committee Patrick Lacaire offered in the Sturbridge Villager the following day, Friday February 1, 2008, as �an illustration [that] will help if this [tax levy override vote] is still unclear:�

�Suppose you have an 8-once glass of water filled to the brim, and three people need 3 ounces each to survive (I know, a little dramatic!). Well, you are 1 ounce short. But a 4-once override will get you to a 12-ounce glass. However, that glass will only need to be filled with 9 ounces. The extra 3 ounces are neither filled nor drunk. That empty space in the glass between the water and the glass brim is exess capacity. Now, based on projections, in three years you will need 15 ounces to quench the town�s thirst. Without the override in the first year, the annual 2 � % increase would only get you to about a 14-ounce glass, filled to the brim, by the third year. Someone has to go thirsty.�

It is obvious that parents of school-age children would support the tax levy override ballot questions on the ballot Considering the fact that the community carries a total expenditure of $ 9,755 per pupil (fiscal year 2007), it is obvious that any parent would vote in favor of the override. This seemed to be the right target group of people to be informed by town officials. The town handed each student a flyer with the following content:

************************************* ************************************

Holland PTO Inc.
28 Sturbridge Road
Holland, Massachusetts 01521

Informational meetings on 1/29 at 7:00PM at HES, and 1/31, at 7:00PM at Town Hall

Dear Parents:

As many of you are aware, our town is facing a Proposition 2 � override vote on February 5, 2008. Some of you may have reservations, which is to be expected.

The Holland PTO would like to give you as much information as possible, so that you may make your decision.

It seems that the biggest taxpayer's concern is that our property taxes will be raised if the over ride goes through. Our taxes getting raised are inevitable, as the assessment of our homes vary from year to year.

All of our home upkeep prices have gone up, and we have been forced to pay higher rates for our basic necessities, the Town of Holland is no exception to the growing cost of living.

If the proposition 2 � override is not voted in for the Town of Holland, we are at risk of losing the following important services:

Holland Elementary School
1. Transportation within 1.5 miles of our school. (this includes � of our day care providers)
2. Staff cuts/at least 1 classroom Teacher and Support Staff
3. Instrumental Music
4. Supplies/text books

Town of Holland
1. Police Department coverage
2. Fire Department coverage
3. Maintenance of our Private Roads. (more then 60% of Holland Roads are Private.)
4. Plowing/sanding of our public/private town roads

The majority of us taxpayers moved to Holland to better our quality of life, and to provide a better education for our children.

We hope the meetings this week will help you make the best decision you can for the integrity of our town.

Please attend the following meetings:1/29 @ 7:00 PM at HES; 1/31 @ 7:00PM at Town Hall

************************************** ***********************************

It is also a fact that most of the residents that spend the winters in Florida and other places with a warm climate had not returned by the time this important question was on the ballot.

The flyer Jim Foley and I mailed out worked; according to Kristin LaPlante the turnout was higher than she�s ever seen. �Roughly 50 percent (827) of our voters came out,� she said, �It�s unbelievable. I have never seen anything like it.� The $ 475,000 override was defeated by a vote of 578-237, and the $ 565,000 by a vote of 639-155.

The conduct of our selectboard shows a disconnect we all know just too well. As long as some of the town officials deny some of the members of this community their fundamental rights, and once the victims file suit, the town wastes tens of thousands of taxpayers dollars frivolously defending these legitimate lawsuits, I am not convinced that the town is in need of more funds.

Peter Frei

Police Chief of Holland, Kevin Gleason, arrested for OUI

Only in Holland, and only under Earl Johnson's watch! Where ever I turn, I stumble over the most unbelievable stuff!

I would not be honest if I would claim having been surprised; it was true! As I noted earlier, only in Holland! The criminal matter is filed under the docket number 9964CR003873 at the Dudley District Court. Interested readers click here, to view and read the court documents. (Please Kevin, don't threaten me again with your lawyer and try to coerce me into removing this document from my web-page. The document is part of the public record, and the residents of Holland have the right to know!)

I wonder whether Earl Johnson knew about this when he decided to trust Kevin Gleason with the safety of this community, and later even promoted Gleason to chief of police. Kevin, did you tell him????

As far as I'm concerned, I would feel much safer if Chief Gleason wouldn't be around. He is about the only thing I perceive as an immediate threat to my freedom and safety.
Peter Frei

Trash Bin

I think there are too many rules in this world and not enough common sense and responsibility. If there wouldn�t be any bad apples we wouldn�t need any rules. What is even worst is the fact that some of the bad apples are in a position that allows them to distort the rules and apply them discriminatorily to the good ones, while disobeying the rules themselves.
The first Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which gives every individual a right to freedom of speech is very important to a free society. Filing lawsuits to fight for your rights is one of the freedoms protected under the First Amendment.
For years the selectboard claimed I had filed several frivolous lawsuit all of which I lost when in fact the opposite is true. The town has yet to win a victory by final judgment yet. Every lawsuit I did not win in any lower court was won by me on Appeal. But the selectboard and other town officials do struggle with the rules and laws that characterize a civilized free society on other ways as well. Freedom of speech does not allow an individual to just say anything anywhere as some of the town officials believe.
Selectman James Wettlaufer�s distorted interpretation of �freedom of speech� is documented in a letter signed by him in his official capacity as chairman of the Board of selectman. The letter was in response to a complaint addressed to the Board of Selectmen in regards to a verbal attack by elected Highway Superintendent Brian Johnson directed towards my person for no obvious reason inside the town hall. The incident took place on Tuesday May 20, 2008, in front of town clerk Kristin LaPlante. To read my letter with the complaint, click here! To read the revealing response signed By James Wettlaufer click here!

I will not censor the Holland Blog by removing comments. However, if a comment is misplaced, off topic, an unqualified personal attack, a plain lie, or in other ways offensive, I will move (not remove) such comments to the right place, the �trash bin.�

You will even find comments here that I personally wrote and later found offensive and inappropriate.

Some of the �moved� comments include explanations by me that are written in all capitalized letters inside square brackets to distinguish my notes from the original comment. The five digit number is the number of the post under which the comment was posted.
Due to the number of comments, the latest comment is on top for your convenience, and not on the bottom as it is with all the rest of the comments on the Holland Blog.

For all which like trash, this is for you!

I no longer add trash to the trash here, I just don't have the time. You read a few comments here and you will realize, you read one of them and you have read them all, and you will also know what gets deleted on the Holland Blog.
January 28, 2011, Peter Frei

The Holland Blog

Citizens Rally Against Herbicide Use in Hamilton Reservoir Amidst Multiple Delays.

INFO; Lake Treatment Postponed again

It Is Not Trump Who Ruins This Country, It Is Greed, Stupidity, And A Lack Of Concern.

Unofficial Election Results

William Robertson, chairman of the Planning Board, “I have checked all the versions of the Bylaws that I have and I could not find any of the language there ... ”

Notes to the Panning Board Meeting of January 24, 2024, and my New Role on the Planning Board.

The CannaMountain Project; is William Robertson, Chair of the Planning Board, up to the Task?

Kate Landers for Select Board

Register Here For The MVP Workshop!

Our community Has a Once In a Lifetime Opportunity To Fix The Problems The Causeway Presents Without Spending Any Taxpayer's Money.

This workshop will be taking place on Saturday September 10, (*) at 9:00 AM at the Community Center at 40 Brimfield Rd, Holland MA. PLEASE ATTEND !

Read also:

Wales Fish & Game Club 2016 Annual Pork Roast.

Hamilton Reservoir Residents Pay Tribute to 9-11

We do have a new Member of the Board of Selectmen

Not so fast, says Andrew Harhay; the final vote count shows a TIE!

2016 Annual Town Election Results, Congratulations Mrs. Bettina Schmidt!

2016 Annual Town Election Results

Say Yes to Public Health Protection and NO to RECALL.

Speak out Holland! (no.34)

LAKE NEWS Important

2015 Annual Town Election Results, Congratulations Mr. Gillen!

Town elections this comming Monday, June 8

Please attend the Annual Town Meeting next Tuesday, May 26, at 7:00 pm at the Holland Elementary School

ALL RESIDENTS, Lets be part of this Community

Consider the Source!

The Plot deepens, Selectman Michael Kennedy resigns.

Zoning Board of Appeals lack of integrity indirectly responsible for recall initiated by David Kowalski, Brian Johnson, and James Wettlaufer

Rebuttal to Dave Kowalski's recall by Board of Health chairman Kenneth Ference.

Johnson, Kowalski, Wettlaufer recall; please don't be fooled!

Speak out Holland! (no.33)

Happy Holidays to All of You from New York's Finest...

Holland / Brimfield Trail Ride, Lake Siog Pass and Grand Trunk Trail, Sat., Oct 18th, 10:00 am

Your Input is Needed; Holland Open Space & Recreation Committee

2014 Annual Town Election Results, Congratulations Mr. Mandell!

James & Heather Wettlaufer, not true!

Please Vote Today, Monday June 9!

Wettlaufer's Board of Selectmen wasted $68,540.48 on unnecessary lawsuits and counting.

COME ON OUT FOR TWO GREAT TRAIL EVENTS! A TRAIL RIDE & A CANOE/KAYAK PADDLE

Annual Town Meeting of 2014

Speak out Holland! (no.32)

To be..... or not to be..... INFORMED! Thoughts about the Special Town meeting of Wednesday November 20, 2013.

Holland Trails Committee Activities.

Trail Workday in Holland September 28th 8:30-12:00

Walktober Trail Ride in Holland October 19th 9:30-12:00

2013 Annual Town Election Results, Congratulations Mr. Kennedy!

Liars, Tigers, and Malfeasance Oh My!

Who is the better candidate, incumbent Michael Kennedy or real estate dealer Lawrence Mandell?

Trail Ride on Saturday, June 8th. 2013.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Winter Storm Saturn.

Speak out Holland! (no.31)

Top Nail should be called TOP FAIL

Explore Holland Trails.

425,000 Page Views!

FBI Looking into Officer Scott E Haley's Role in Illegal Raid of the Bunn Residence back in 2003

Police Chief and Selectboard no longer recognize volunteer Patrol of Reservoir.

Costly Appeal initiated by the Holland Selectboard under James Wettlaufer against the LaMountain�s adjudicated.

Speak out Holland! (no.30)

Senior Workoff Program

Tornado Alley Relay to benefit Tornado victims.

CJ Bunn on the THC Show.

TOWN OFFICIALS ARE UP TO NO GOOD!!!!!

Speak out Holland! (no.29)

FY2012 TAX BILLS REMAILED

What was YOUR best Christmas Present ever?

Holland Grinch Day.

Special Town Meeting

Town hall closing over Holidays

BREAK INS!

Eastern Hampton County Narcotics Task Force uses a Serial Child Rapist & Killer as Confidential Informant C.I. #62; 2003 Raid of Captain Joint's residence in Holland Mass. Exposed.

PIZZA! PIZZA!

Earl Johnson dead.

Brush Cleanup.

Nancy Curving falsely accused of selling drugs.

Frustrated

Lawyer Ed Neal from Sturbridge Reprimanded for Handling of Account.

Speak out Holland! (no.28)

This workshop will be taking place on Saturday September 10, (*) at 9:00 AM at the Community Center at 40 Brimfield Rd, Holland MA.
PLEASE ATTEND !

Your Input is Needed;
Holland Open Space & Recreation Committee

COME ON OUT FOR TWO GREAT TRAIL EVENTS!
A TRAIL RIDE & A CANOE/KAYAK PADDLE

Eastern Hampton County Narcotics Task Force uses a Serial Child Rapist & Killer as Confidential Informant C.I. #62;
2003 Raid of Captain Joint's residence in Holland Mass. Exposed.