The Burning of the Bridge at Pope's Pond

 

A crime of arson perpetrated against the alumni of Northeastern University and the citizens of Milton

By Dick Russell 6/4/05

Some time late Friday night, ay 20th  or early Saturday morning, May 21st  arsonists, using an accelerant, set the Pope's Pond Bridge on fire. The Milton Fire Department arrived on the scene at 6:21am to find the bridge still smoldering. The Milton Police arrive  at 6:22am .

The PTBNA did not learn about this incident until Thursday evening, May 26th,  six days later, you have to wonder why the media were not informed or didn't learn about this tragic incident right after it happened?

Friday morning, May 27th i visited the site along with another interested citizen. Pictures were taken and emailed to the Milton Times, The Patriot Ledger and the Boston Globe South. Fortunately, the emailed pictures arrived at the times just before their noontime dead line, which enabled them to publish them in their Thursday June 2nd edition.

Saturday morning, May 28th,  I called the Patriot Ledger to find out why they were not aware of this tragic incidence. Sunday, May 29th I got a call from a Patriot Ledger reporter, thus the short article, with out pictures, in Monday's, May 30th edition.

I also called Bernie Lynch, who is the host of Citizen Speak T.V. program on channel 8. Along with the individual who first informed me about this tragic incident we met at the bridge and took a video tape of the damage. The plan is to show the tape on Bernie's show where the crime will be discussed. On this visit, Mr. Lynch dug down into the dirt in the crack of the bridge planking and brought up dirt that still had the strong odor of gasoline.

The State Fire Marshal has posted a $5,000 reward for information that can lead to those responsible. Anyone having information about the arson fire is asked to contact the police or fire department because the burning of the bridge is arson not vandalism, a more serious crime.

Thursday, June 2nd, I learned that Walter Heller, Milton 's Town Engineer, and the new DPW director was meeting with a contractor at the bridge. The purpose of the meeting was to get an estimate of what the cost would be to repair the damage. Mr. Heller had just completed his meeting when I drove up. I added my 2 cents worth of advice suggesting that the wooden crossties of the foundation of the bridge be replaced with steel. But what do I know. As soon as we get more information about estimates, we will post it here

Also, Thursday June 2nd, I talked to Milton 's Police Chief, Kevin Mearn and others.The crime of arson is still an investigation in progress. 

Check our web site for Laura Griffin's article about a bridge being built at no cost to the town.