Peabody Residents Rocked by Bostik Plant Explosion

The Bostik Plant explosion Sunday night reverberatted with news during and after the event for several days this week as authorities continue to probe the cause of the blast which injured four company employees.

On Sunday evening just after 7:30 p.m., several West Peabody and Peabody residents heard a loud sonic boom and some said their houses actually shook making some believe they had experienced an earthquake. Peabody firefighters and police officers rushed to the scene of on 211 Boston St. in Middleton along with many other North Shore emergency responders. Four employees were injured, but the city and the region breathed a collective sigh of relief that the damage wasn't worse.

On Monday, officials with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Bostik officials, Middleton Fire Chief Frank Twiss and Middleton Police Chief James DiGianvittorio held a press conference about the Bostik explosion and said there were used at the plant to manufacture adhesives that were released into the environment.

Also on Monday, Peabody residents learned that after serving the Peabody Public Schools since 2006. Burnett has one year left to go on his three-year contract and his last day will be July 11. The School Committee is expected to name an interim superintendent and engage in a lengthy search process to hire a new superintendent.

On Tuesday, city residents learned that Mayor Michael Bonfanti submitted a proposal to the School Committee to and to hire a facilities manager to oversee maintenance for all city and school buildings. The proposal, which would have to be adopted by the City Council and the School Committee, is an attempt to consolidate some city services, improve efficiency and save city taxpayers money.

Also on Tuesday, the of Boston to work on the $42 million renovation project at Higgins Middle School. The recommendation must now be approved by the School Committee.

On Wednesday, the city Community Development and Planning Office hosted a where consultants from Weston and Sampson and representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency offered Peabody property owners the opportunity to use part of a $1 million Brownfields grant to have their land assessed for contaminants within the North River Corridor. There are 140 Brownfields sites in Peabody and Salem.

Also on Wednesday, a Michael Petrillo, 56, of Peabody was indicted for conspiracy, receiving stolen property, and being an accessory after the fact of a felony (larceny), according to the Essex County District Attorney's office. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Salem Superior Court on April 11.

On Thursday, Tapan Patel, owner of the became one of the first small business owners in Peabody to set up a charity drive to help the victims in Japan recover from the earthquake and tsunami which devated that country more than a week ago. Patel said his staff has agreed to donate all of their tips to the American Red Cross and all of his customers will be offered the opportunity to donate additional money on top of the purchases toward the relief effort. Patel said he will also donate an additional $100 if he can attract 200 fans to the ice cream store's Facebook page.

Also on Thursday, Peabody establishments like Brodie's Pub and Paddy Kelly's gave city residents and visitors alike plenty of ways to The Ancient Order of Hiberians on Lowell Street also celebrated the Irish holiday with a St. Patrick's Day dinner.

On Thursday afternoon, Salem Police arrested a Salem man who they say committed the armed robbery of the PetSmart store in that city and who they also believe committed the Raymond Wallace, 33, of 1 Courageous Ct. was arrested at his home at gunpoint just after midnight Thursday.