From the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency:

Please see the attached forecast bulletins from the National Weather Service offices in Albany and Norton concerning the high temperatures and heat indices today and the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.

From the National Weather Service in Norton:

Hot and humid conditions are on tap today with our first taste of excessive heat this summer season as heat indices will range from 95-103°F for interior areas of S New England.

• HEAT ADVISORIES posted which have been expanded to include the city of Boston and surrounding metro-area, as well as the mid CT River Valley.

This in addition to the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon into evening with embedded threats of cloud to ground lightning, strong to damaging winds, and/or brief heavy rain.

• There is presently a MARGINAL to SLIGHT RISK for scattered strong to severe thunderstorms, mainly over northern and western areas of MA and CT.

• There is also a MARGINAL RISK for excessive rainfall over northern and western areas of MA.

Watches, Warnings and Advisories

MEMA Operations

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) at MEMA Headquarters in Framingham is currently operating at Level 1 (Steady State Monitoring). MEMA will continue to monitor the forecast and will disseminate Situational Awareness Statements as necessary.

Preparedness and Safety Information

Thunderstorm and Lightning Safety Tips: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/thunderstorm-and-lightning-safety-tips

Extreme Heat Safety Tips: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/extreme-heat-safety-tips

Tornado Safety Tips: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/tornado-safety-tips

Stay Informed

Utilize Massachusetts Alerts to receive emergency notifications and information from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service.  Massachusetts Alerts is a free app that is available for Android and iPhones. To learn more about Massachusetts Alerts, and for information on how to download the free app onto your smartphone, visit: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/massachusetts-alerts-smartphone-app.

Utilize MEMA’s real-time power outage viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times:https://mema.mapsonline.net/public.html

Utilize MEMA’s live weather radar and forecasting tools: https://www.mass.gov/map-resources

Online Resources
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency at www.mass.gov/mema
MEMA’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA
MEMA Twitter: @MassEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.gov
National Weather Service/Norton at www.weather.gov/boston
National Weather Service/Albany, NY at www.weather.gov/albany
National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov
National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center:  https://www.spc.noaa.gov/
Mass211 at www.mass211.org

For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-971-8101
Email: john@jgpr.net

West Newbury Police Officer Receives Letter of Recognition

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed is pleased to announce that West Newbury Police Officer Danielle Burrill received a Letter of Recognition for her display of professionalism during an incident earlier this month.

While on patrol on May 4, Officer Burrill observed a known suspect with an active arrest warrant operating a vehicle that she knew had a revoked registration. She was also aware that the operator’s license had been suspended.

After a short pursuit, Officer Burrill stopped the vehicle in the driveway of the suspect’s residence. While trying to arrest the suspect, who was uncooperative and attempting to flee, there was a male family member making threats to shoot and kill Officer Burrill.

Officer Burrill was able to quickly arrest and detain the suspect, and was then able to calm the family member down to avoid further arrests or injuries.

As a result of her quick actions and recognizing that the family member may be suffering from a mental health condition, she was able to peacefully resolve the situation.

“I would like to commend Officer Burrill for her commitment to keeping our West Newbury residents safe at all times,” Chief Reed said. “She displayed an incredible level of professionalism while handling this incident and for that she absolutely deserves this recognition.”

Officer Burrill was honored during a small ceremony at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, May 14.

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For Immediate Release

Friday, May 11, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-971-8101
Email: john@jgpr.net

West Newbury Police Department to Undergo Accreditation Assessment

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed is pleased to announce that a team of assessors from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC) is scheduled to arrive on May 16 and 17 to begin examining various aspects of the West Newbury Police Department’s policies and procedures, operations and facilities.

Verification by the assessment team that the department meets MPAC standards is part of a voluntary process to gain state accreditation — a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession.

“This evaluation process is extremely thorough and will demonstrate the professionalism and high quality standards that we hold our department to,” Chief Reed said. “I am very proud of all of the hard work by everyone to help get us to this point, and would especially like to thank our Accreditation Manager, Sgt. Dan Cena, for his dedication to preparing us for this assessment.”

The Massachusetts Police Accreditation Program consists of 257 mandatory standards as well as 125 optional standards. In order to achieve accreditation status, the West Newbury Police Department must meet all applicable mandatory standards as well as 55 percent of the optional standards.

These carefully selected standards include: Jurisdiction and Mutual Aid, Collection and Preservation of Evidence, Communications, Working Conditions, Crime Analysis, Community Involvement, Financial Management, Internal Affairs, Juvenile Operations, Patrol Administration, Public Information, Records, Traffic, Training, Drug Enforcement and Victim/Witness Assistance.

Achieving accreditation is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. Anyone interested in learning more about this program may call Chief Reed or the department’s Accreditation Manager, Sgt. Dan Cena.

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For Immediate Release

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-971-8101
Email: john@jgpr.net

West Newbury Police Department Seeks Part-Time Dispatcher

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed announces that the West Newbury Police Department seeks to hire a part-time public safety dispatcher.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, have a high school diploma and be willing to work a variety of shifts including overnights, weekends and holidays. Candidates with experience in communications, dispatching and records management are encouraged to apply. This position is contingent on a background and CORI check.

A preliminary application can be found on the West Newbury Police Department’s website. Applications and job descriptions are also available at the West Newbury Safety Complex.

A letter of interest, resume and completed application must be submitted no later than May 2. Applications can be e-mailed to Chief Reed at Areed@westnewburysafety.org or mailed to:

Chief Art Reed

401 Main St.
West Newbury, MA 01985

The Town of West Newbury is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.

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