Daily Archives: July 15, 2010

Found: 1-Ton Metal Collar

Published July 15, 2010

Remember when everyone east of Weston had to boil tap water during the Great Inconvenience Of 2010 (that is, everyone except Cambridge)? It’s because of a huge pipe coupling that burst, went flying and, well, disappeared in the Charles River.

It’s a wonder than a ton of metal could go missing for so long. But there’s word from the MWRA that the collar has been FOUND:

At about 2:00 this afternoon, the coupling involved in the May 1st water main break was found in the excavation adjacent to the pipe. Press are welcome to come out to the site on Recreation Road in Weston for an availability with Secretary Bowles and Fred Laskey at 3:45 today.

Earlier today, the second “sealing plate” – a small component of the coupling – was also found. The other sealing plate was found a couple of weeks ago.

Now what do they do with it? (Answer from the newsroom: Examine the seams to try to understand how it burst in the first place. It could take days to dig it out — they don’t want to damage the thing.)

Update: Here she is:

This is part of the 1-ton pipe coupling that went missing for more than two months. (Steve Brown/WBUR)

This is part of the 1-ton pipe coupling that went missing for more than two months. (Steve Brown/WBUR)

He Swears They're Around Here Somewhere

Published July 15, 2010

Wish I had seen this story sooner: A Brookline Housing Authority worker lost a master key ring. It could wind up costing the town $200,000 to replace some 4,000 locks. The Tab reports:

“There’s been no indication that the keys have fallen into the wrong hands, or the employee has done anything illegal,” just that the worker lost them, said Brian Cloonan, the housing authority’s executive director.

I would hate to be that worker. The best part — the person swears they’ll turn up.

“He was pretty optimistic that he was going to find them,” said the authority’s Brian Cloonan to the paper.

Romney 2012 Raises $3.5M

Published July 15, 2010

The Globe reports former Gov. Mitt Romney has raised almost $3.5 million for his political action committee this year — far more than any other prospective 2012 Republican presidential candidate, including Sarah Palin.

But here’s the real eye-opener from the story:

…for a race that will begin in earnest next year.

That’s right. The 2012 presidential race starts in six short months.