"Training School Building Damaged By Fire"

"The entire Fire Department was called to the Middlesex County Training School’s Read Building on Tuesday afternoon [March 14] for a 2-alarm fire which completely gutted the dormitory area of that building and made slight progress into the thurd floor. The dormitory was unoccupied at the time and so no evacuation was necessary. Cause of the fire is under investigation. The first alarm came in at 5:36 p.m., from the school’s automatic alarm system. After the second alarm, all local apparatus responding, other apparatus from Lowell and Billerica filled in at the local stations, and Lowell supplied one aerial ladder at the scene. Read Building is a 3-story brick building used for dormitory and recreation room purposes. Smoke damage was heavy throughout the building but the second floor dormitory area sustained the greatest damage. The recall sounded at 9:38 p.m., but companies stood by during the night on a fire watch fire officials said."

• A pair of inmate arson fires in Richardson Cottage, renovated just two years before, resulted in the abandonment of the building due to the cost of repairs.

"Another Fire Damages County Training School"

"Two juveniles, residents of Richardson Cottage at the Middlesex County Training School, North section, which was heavily damaged last Sunday night [March 26], appeared in Lowell District Court Monday in connection with the blaze. They were ordered to appear for trial on April 19; meantime, one of the boys was released on personal recognizance and the other was remanded to the Youth Service Board pending notification of his family. The Sunday night fire was the second major blaze at the school in less than 2 weeks. On March 14 a two-alarm fire caused extensive damage to Read Cottage, unoccupied at the time. In the Sunday night fire, 3 alarms were sounded within 20 minutes and apparatus from Lowell, Billerica, Dracut, Westford and Tyngsboro were called to the scene.

"Richardson House, a 4-story brick building built in 1910 had been renovated 2 years ago at a cost of some $100,000. It was estimated after the fire that replacement of the building now would cost about $75,000. The fire started, according to Fire Chief Frederick Reid, on the second floor in a dormitory section at about 6 p.m. and quickly spread to the top floor. The approximately 50 occupants of the 'cottage' were in the basement recreation area at the time and were evacuated immediately when the automatic alarm went off at 5:50 p.m. Chief Reid said the fire was under control at 7:15 p.m. The 2 top floors were destroyed; the first floor and basement suffered heavy smoke and water damage. The displaced boys are living in the gym temporarily, and in Gould Cottage. Classes are continuing as usual this week.

"In connection with the first of the 3 recent fires at the School - a minor blaze in Richardson Cottage in which a calendar on the wall was burned and the wall and ceiling scorched - one boy was remanded to the Youth Service Board for violation of rules and regulations. In connection with the second fire - that at Read Cottage - three boys were involved, according to Chelmsford Police, and one was remanded to the Youth Service Board pending trial while the other two were permitted to remain at the school pending trial. Two boys were taken to court in connection with the most recent - Richardson Cottage - fire, and charged with arson One of them was released on personal recognizance and sent home, while the other was turned over to the Youth Service Board to await his parents and then to be taken home ..."

Five youths appeared in Lowell Court this morning in connection with Arson committed at the Middlesex County Training School in March, 1972. Sgt Armand Caron and Inspector Ronald Leach were the arresting officers. The youths were all found guilty and sentenced to the Youth Service Board.

"Middlesex School Backed"

"To the Editor:
It has been suggested that Middlesex and other training schools within the Commonwealth be closed down. It has been further suggested that those housed there be transferred to other state agencies for help in rehabilitation.

"I cannot speak for the other two county training schools - but I can state firmly and unequivocally that the Middlesex Trainging School is performrming in a manner befitting the original legislative intent in setting up such training schools. In support of that statemetn, I submit a few of numerous unsolicited opinions from judges and other professional people intimately acquainted with the Middlesex Training School operation:

"'South Boston Municipal Court Justice Thomas E Linehan and myself consider Middlesex County Training School to be the best facility we have to place a juvenile offender.' (From Juvenile Probation Officer Robert C Flynn).

"'We have always felt that Middlesex County Training School was probably the best run institution in the state.' (from Chief Probation Officer Maurice J Lane in the courts of Wrentham, Dedham, Stoughton, and Brookline) ...

"We welcome investigation - legislative, gubernatorial, or otherwise. We have nothing to hide! Conversely, we are proud of the service rendered our youth by the Middlesex County Training School.

"Very truly yours,
James F McMahon
Acting Superintendent"

"Board Endorses SHARE'S Coming To Training School"

"The Chelmsford Board of Selectmen have unanimously endorsed the usage of one of the cottages on the grounds of the Middlesex County Training School by SHARE [a community based drug treatment and prevention program]. The decision to endorse was not made at the meeting with SHARE last week as the Selectmen had not seen the proposal. This document was received by the Board this week and they will forward their approval to the County Commissioners who are scheduled to meet today to discuss the usage ...

"Sel Markham stated that it appeared to him that the proposal was just a transfer of the operation in Lowell due to the fact St Joseph's now needs the property. He said he had not seen or heard any objections to the proposed location. Mr Markham commented the region has a need for SHARE no matter how unfortunate it was. He concluded that because he had heard no objections he would support the transfer and also asked the Board to send a letter to SHARE asking them that if their proposal changed to notify the Selectmen.

"Sel Humphrey moved to inform the County Commissioners of the complete endorsement by the Selectmen and included in the motion Mr Markham's request to SHARE. The vote on the motion was unanimous."

• 1973 - With the future of the Middlesex County Training School in doubt, the Town of Chelmsford began looking into uses for the property.

"Selectmen Express Interest In Training School"

"Selectman Thomas Markham accepted the invitation of the County Commissioners together with Mrs Evelyn Haines, Administrative Assistant, to join them in a tour of the Middlesex Training School, January 10th. Mr Markham reported to the Selectmen that at the time he also had an opportunity to discuss with the new Commissioners the proposal of Superintendent McMahon for the buildings and possible uses of the buildings by Chelmsford. He commented that he made known to them his own thoughts but stated he would have to get back to the Board to learn their feelings.

"The proposal by Supt McMahon is for the use of the buildings to house courses in special education. Mr Markham said he strongly supports Mr McMahon’s proposal but if that did not come about he could see several uses of the land by Chelmsford. He referred to the need for a new Town Hall, School Administration Building, Civic Center, Youth Center, Senior Citizens and Kindergarten Classrooms. Mr Markham said he found most of the buildings in excellent condition with the exception of the one which was recently burned ...

"Sel Markham then moved to send a letter to the County Commission indicating support of the concept of McMahon's proposal and also indicating to the Commission that the Chelmsford Board of Selectmen had interest in the facilities for other Town uses and requesting a meeting prior to any final decisions. This motion was so voted."

"Selectmen Push For Use Of Training School"

"On Monday night the Selectmen discussed with Robert Engler of the firm of Justin Gray the present land use study for the County owned lands being conducted by his firm. The Board’s main interest was in relating to Mr Engler the Town’s desire to take the land for its own use.

"Mr Engler informed the Board that the study had just begun and the contract called for his firm to look at all County-owned land for the best possible use of this land. When the study was in its initial stages the firm discovered the only land that could fall under this category was the Middlesex Training School, Billerica House of Correction, and Waltham Hospital. He told the Board he was aware of the bill Chelmsford had before the legislature to obtain the land for the Town. His purpose of meeting with the Board that evening was to look to them for the ideas they had for the land use ...

"Uses by Chelmsford as suggested by Sel Lovering were School Administrative Offices, Housing for the elderly, Town Hall facilities, open park area, library and sports facilities for the Recreation of the Town's children. In conclusion the Selectman told Mr Engler that the Town if given the go on Middlesex would be willing to continue the present programs on the premises. (SHARE is now using one building, and has plans for the Superintendent’s home).

"Mr Engler told the Board that the Commissioners were interested in looking at opportunities for regional use of the school. To date nothing has been developed along these lines.

"Each Selectmen in turn echoes Mr Lovering’s stated beliefs that Chelmsford with 10,000 children in the 33,000 population could best use the School."

Newsweekly June 6, 1974

"Softball Clinic"

"Recreation Commission Softball Clinic will be held next Tuesday evening Feb 18, at the Middlesex Training School Gym between 6:30 - 9:30 PM for girls 14 yrs of age and up. This will be the last feature session on pitching and catching. The next two sessions will be for every girl wishing to learn the techniques of fielding the infield positions including pitchers and catchers. Those sessions will also be held on consecutive Tuesdays at the Middlesex Training School Gym. Further information call 256-6264 between 5 - 6:30 PM evenings."

"July 4th Parade"

"A larger than usual crowd is expected to attend this year’s celebration because of accompanying Bicentennial events and the economic and energy situation which limits travel and forces people to remain in Town. The meeting was held in a brightly lit room, once a classroom, in the Administration Building of the former Middlesex Training School. The County is allowing the Minutemen use of this room for meetings and storage of equipment. The fresh paint, bright collection of flags and bold Minuteman sign establish the CCM's claim on that corner of the sprawling training school complex as 'theirs' at least until the County has another use for it."

"Town To Try Again To Get Training School"

"An emotionally charged meeting was held Monday night Feb 10, during which the Selectmen, State Rep Freeman, Shea and O’Rourke, State Sen MacKenzie, Cong Tsongas, a representative of DARE and a representative of the Dept of Youth Services got together to discuss present and future use of the Middlesex County Training School facility in North Chelmsford.

"The meeting was called by the Selectmen after it was learned (last month) that County Commissioners Ralph and Danehy had approved use of space at the training school by DARE, a private agency which is involved in a program for the rehabilitation of young offenders. According to reports DARE's program calls for approximately 12 youths, ages 7 to 17, to be housed in the Bigelow Bldg, at the school supervised by an equal number of staff members. News stories had described the youths as 'dangerous incorrigibles.'

"Reacting strongly to this news, the Selectmen took issue with the fact that the town had not been notified by the County that DARE was seeking space nor had the people of the area been informed as to the type of program conducted by DARE. It was further charged that this was not the first time the County had acted without due regard for the people of Chelmsford. In an effort to get to the bottom of things, the Feb 10 meeting was arranged ...

"The Representatives also promised to look into legislation which might be filed authorizing the County to negotiate with Chelmsford. Objecting that legislature would only 'authorize' and not 'mandate' negotiations, Lovering feared such action would not suffice. Tsongas responded that 'if logic did not work there were other means of applying pressure.'

"Means of acquiring the property were discussed at length until, sensing that the audience was anxious to express itself, the people present were given an opportunity to speak. First to be heard was Joseph Leavey. Commissioner of the Dept of Youth Services who described his department's involvement with DARE and told how the program has helped hundreds of kids and has a 'good track record' of success. He was followed by a representative of the Clergyman's Association who said that the problem was an obvious 'failure to communicate' which, he hoped, would not result in difficulty for the program he labelled a 'good' one. Apparently the 'last to know' what is going on are residents from North Chelmsford, saying that they were given a 'railroad job.'"

"Unique Housing Proposal For Training School"

"CMFD-Members of the Interfaith Housing Corporation met with the Board of Selectmen Monday night [July 23] to discuss plans to convert the former Middlesex County Training School property in North Chelmsford into an all encompassing housing complex for the elderly which would include not only several types of living quarters but also a health care center and nursing home unit. In addition the complex would be linked with the University of Lowell in a teaching relationship ...

"It is anticipated that, at first, 300 residents would be accommodated at the complex with health care facilities providing for 100-160 people. The site is ideal for future growth, said [Albert] Boulanger, and if the need arises it can accommodate 600-900 people. He stressed that the complex would be for middle income people.

"The Selectmen warned that there would be many hurdles to pass, such as zoning, etc. A major hurdle, said Shanahan, is the political and philosophical road to be travelled to the County Commissioners. It is no secret that the Selectmen feel the Commissioners' lack of action resulted in Chelmsford's losing Wang Industries to Tyngsboro. Wang had proposed to purchase the former Middlesex County Training School for conversion as a graduate school for computer studies. The County's delay in making the property saleable is said to be the cause for Wang's purchasing the former Marist Brothers property instead.

"The proposed elderly housing complex would be completely nondenominational, said Mr Sobol in answer to one final question from the Board."

Excerpt from "Haunted Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts" by Renee Mallett:

"The West Campus of U-Lowell in Chelmsford, Massachusetts ... has ascended to near legendary status among the urban explorers and ghost Hunters in the New England area.

"Today, ghostly screams emanate loudly from the abandoned buildings, and an air of sadness and pain radiates from this place.

" ... Inside, Gould Hall didn't look much different than Read and [Richardson] had. Some mold, dirt and debris. But it just felt terrible. Melissa couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't alone in the building. She kept feeling fingers poking at her and running up and down her skin. At one point, she turned quickly, starting to yell, convinced that a man was behind her touching her long blonde hair."

From his website ahauntedlife.com: "My name is Norman Shaw. I grew up in a haunted house, next to haunted woods, next to a haunted reform school. Not only did the woods scare my friends and I, but it helped lead to my transformation. I invite you to walk this journey with me."

Excerpt from "Coggers, a Transformation:"

"That's what we were doing there, on that beautiful New England night, trying to pick up on the spirt world. We were sitting in the most haunted place in North America doing it. While you might argue with me over this and bring up other locations you have heard or read about, Coggers was the real deal.

" ... Sometimes I would see little wisps of smoke, or energy, or whatever you want to call it, dancing about. Dave, Chris and I had been in Coggers for about an hour or so. We had felt and sensed more in that time than most people do in their whole lives."

"It once had a long, proud and important history before coming to a sad end as a derelict and far-damaged stretch of blight. The 34-acre site is situated otf Princeton Street, in a high profile location near the border between Lowell and Chelmsford, and near Route 3. West Campus, with its haunted array of stately yet sad red brick buildings, veiled in overgrown brush and weed, surely defines attractive nuisance. And now the University is looking to divest of it, which could present challenges or opportunities for the town. The Board of Selectmen has put out the call for volunteers, with the deadline set for March 8, to serve on a three-member visioning committee, to explore possibilities. Many have already come forward ..."

"[Town Meeting] Representatives will also hear a report from a committee exploring possible future uses of the former University of Massachusetts at Lowell West Campus site. The report is an update on the committee's findings, and not a call for action. The UMass Lowell West Campus Planning Committee has identified 55-plus housing, with a possible assisted living component, as a possible role for the site, because of its residential location and because of needs identified in town, [Paul] Cohen said. State lawmakers must approve legislation for any future role by the town in disposition and sale of the property, including right of first refusal ..."

by Margaret Smith, Wicked Local

"CHELMSFORD - Development of the former West Campus site - including senior housing - moved closer to reality, with Town Meeting approval of a zoning overlay for multifamily residences. Representatives voted 89-13 at the Feb. 24 special Town Meeting to authorize the UMass West Multi-Family Housing Overlay District at the 32-acre site at 255 Princeton St. The site, formerly owned by University of Massachusetts Lowell, is the planned location of the development, dubbed 'Alexan Chelmsford.' The overlay is necessary because the area is zoned only for single-family homes. The zoning changes opens the way for developer Trammell Crow Residential's proposed 394-unit complex, with 50% as studios or one-bedroom apartments. The complex will also include townhouses, and two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments."

"Senior housing"

"The project will include Maple Farm Senior Residences, a 54-unit housing complex for residents ages 62 1/2 and older - a cooperative venture between the Chelmsford Housing Authority and the state's CHOICE program. The complex will be a three-story building with elevators. For this part of the project, Town Meeting representatives voted 92-2 to authorize $1,235,000 - $635,000 from the housing stabilization fund, and $600,000 from the Community Preservation fund reserve. "We have now opened the door for 54 new units of affordable senior housing. This for me is another dream come true, and for seniors waiting for housing," said David Hedison, director of the Chelmsford Housing Authority. The funds mean $22,000 toward each unit - with an eligibility of $11 million and possibly more in state funds, Hedison said.

"Representatives voted on the zoning overlay and the funds for senior housing respectively in Articles 5 and 6 of the Town Meeting warrant. Article 5 required a simple majority, with Article 6 requiring a two-thirds majority.

With a total of 60 units, or 15%, priced as affordable, Community Development Director Evan Belansky said the project helps keep the town above 10% affordable housing needed for exemption from Chapter 40B. Currently, the town is at 10.4%. Belansky said state census data means the percentage will likely fall, with the town 44 units short of the quota."

"Project details"

"Belansky noted that the Select Board and Planning Board began conversations with Trammell Crow and the Housing Authority about the project. Trammell Crow representatives spoke with neighbors and abutters. Numerous meetings, including with the Select Board, Planning Board, Finance Committee and Conservation Commission took place to hammer out a pact with the town. Trammell Crow also met with neighbors of the site. Belansky said working out details, including traffic studies, plans for an on-site wastewater treatment plant, buffering and landscaping, have already taken place. The units will be housed in three- and four-story buildings. The plan calls for a total of 658 parking spaces, with more than 1.67 parking ratio per unit -consistent with other multifamily developments in town, Belansky said. The Select Board, Planning Board and Finance Committee recommended the project."

"Concern, support"

"Town Meeting representative David Rand asked how many people will live in the development. 'It's a broadranging question,' said Trammell Crow representative Mark Baransky, but said projections based on the number and size of dwelling units means an estimated 739-850, with up to 1,150 allowable. Representatives asked questions, including about parking, the possible impact of school children, and water usage, and whether the zoning overlay approval would be precedent setting. Belansky said a precedent is unlikely, in part due to the fact that the town has few open parcels comparable in size. The town's sewer connection moratorium remains in effect until Oct 22. The on-site facility complies with the town's moratorium requirements, Belansky said."