Hearing Continues for Santo Anza, Accused of Operating an Illegal Dump

Prosecutors say Santo Anza accepted piles of garbage at his Northborough property.

Neighbors who brought the issue before the Board of Selectmen and Zoning Board of Appeals in Northborough years ago probably would not be surprised to find that prosecutors have accused Santo Anza of taking money to accept piles of garbage at his property, as many neighbors on Whitney have complained of wafting smells of garbage and trucks coming and going at unusual hours. Anza was charged last year by the Attorney General of operating an illegal dumping ground masked as a "farm," and faces accusations of environmental violations and animal cruelty. According to the Boston Business Journal, Anza, who appeared in Worcester Superior Court last Thursday, was accused of taking money to accept garbage at his Whitney Street property, which he …

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Santo Anza's Hearing This Week in Superior Court

Anza, charged with environmental violations and animal cruelty, faces charges in court this week.

Santo Anza, Northborough man charged with multiple environmental violations and animal cruelty for an alleged operation of an illegal dumping site (SA Farms), faces his trial date this Thursday, March 28, at 8:50 a.m. in Worcester Superior Court, according to a press release submitted by the Office of the Attorney General. Anza, 51, was indicted in December of 2011 "on the charges of violating the Massachusetts Clean Air Act (3 counts), violating the Massachusetts Solid Waste Act (10 counts), and Animal Cruelty (3 counts)." “We allege that the defendant operated an illegal dump site that was used to dispose of rotten food, garbage, and dead animals, among other materials,” said Attorney General Martha Coakley in a press release.  “These …

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DEP Says Anza Never Had the OK to Operate Solid Waste Facility

Santo Anza's trial continues, as he faces charges of environmental and animal cruelty violations.

James McQuade, the solid waste section chief of the Department Environmental Protection's Central Region in Worcester, said that Santo Anza never received authorization to operate a solid waste facility on his property, reported the Telegram and Gazette. Anza, who is accused of operating an illegal dump at SA Farm on Whitney Street in Northborough, and also of animal cruelty charges, faced another round of testimony on Friday in Worcester Superior Court. After numerous complaints from residents, the attorney general shut down the operation, and served Anza with the charges in October, 2011. Anza's trial will continue on Jan. 31.

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Trial Underway for S.A. Farms Owner Charged With Operating Illegal Dump

Santo Anza, who faces charges for operating an illegal dump, heads back to court on Friday.

The trial is underway for Santo Anza, a Northborough man who is facing allegations of operating an illegal dump at his property on Whitney Street, and also animal cruelty charges, according to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. A resident and neighbor, Gina Babcock, testified in the trial that began last Friday, stating that the smell of garbage made her feel “like a hostage in my own home.” Anza, who is 52, has been called before numerous Northborough boards—including the ZBA and Board of Selectmen—on many occasions after complaints about his operation of SA Farms, which residents argue is a mask for an illegal dumping ground. He was arraigned in connection with multiple environmental violations and animal cruelty last January, announced…

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Police File Complaint Against SA Farm Owner for Unsecured Weapons

A complaint was filed against Santo Anza, who has been under scrutiny in Northborough for activity at SA Farm.

A Northborough man who has been under scrutiny in town for operating SA Farm under what many residents argue is an illegal compositing operation, is now facing gun charges in Southborough. Santo Anza, who has also been charged by the Attorney General's office with animal cruelty charges and environmental violations, is facing new charges by the Southborough Police Department, which recently discovered four unsecured rifles at his property. On May 31, the Southborough Fire Department investigated a complaint of high levels of carbon monoxide at Apple D'Or Tree, 38 Turnpike Rd., Southborough, which is owned by Anza. During the investigation, police found four unsecured rifles, which is a violation of Mass. General Law chapter 140, 129B. …

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SA Farm Owner Returns to Commission With Updated Intentions

Denied his plans last time around, Santo Anza has submitted an updated notice of intent to the Conservation Commission for his property on Whitney Street.

Denied by the Conservation Commission in January, Santo Anza has resubmitted upated plans for his property at 432 Whitney St. in Northborough. Anza was initially denied his submission for a variety of reasons, the most significant that he planned to bring fill too close to wetlands, which are protected by the town's bylaws. "There were pages and pages of decisions revolving around various things he didn't provide or meet the bylaws for," said Town Engineer Fred Litchfield. [The commission] had asked for information and he neglected to supply it. They cited the State Wetlands Protection Act. He needed permits and he did not have those. There were several things." Anza, who owns SA Farm at 429 Whitney St., submitted to the commission a new …

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Santo Anza Pleads Not Guilty to Charges

Santo Anza, accused of operating an illegal dump, pleaded not guilty to environmental and animal cruelty charges.

Santo Anza Arraigned for Animal Cruelty and Multiple Environmental Violations

SA Farm owner faces charges of animal cruelty and multiple environmental violations.

Submitted by the office of Attorney General Martha Coakley A Northborough man has been arraigned in connection with multiple environmental violations and animal cruelty for the alleged operation of an illegal dumping site, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Wednesday, Jan. 18.  Santo Anza, Jr., age 51, of Northborough, has been arraigned on the charges of violating the Massachusetts Clean Air Act (three counts), violating the Massachusetts Solid Waste Act (10 counts), and Animal Cruelty (three counts).  Santo Anza was arraigned today in Worcester Superior Court where he pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance, with the condition that he not contact citizen witnesses who testified against him. According to …

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SA Farm Owner Ordered to Stop Project in Berlin

The controversial Santo Anza has been ordered by Berlin's town officials to cease and desist his activity there.

Santo Anza, the controversial owner of SA Farm in Northborough, has also been ordered by town officials in Berlin to stop activity at Maplewood Farm, reported the Telegram and Gazette. The activity, where "dozens of residents have complained about the caravan of noisy, dusty 18-wheelers that haul fill along very narrow roads in their neighborhoods each day," according to the Telegram, mirrors complaints in Northborough. Owners of the Maplewood property, Archibald and Tamara Johnston, maintain that the fill is being brought in by Anza so that they may level off land and make improvements to the 20-acre horse farm at 24 Ball Hill Rd., said the Telegram.  In Northborough, neighbors have fought activity at SA Farm on Whitney Street for more …

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Police Notes

Goat from SA Farm Attempts Attack, Waits at the Door

A woman on Reservoir Street says a goat came after her and her dogs, and then waited at the door.

A woman said she was attacked by a loose goat on Reservoir Street in Northborough on Wednesday morning. Police responded to 33 Reservoir St. after receiving a call around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Julie Guay, who was inside her home when the police arrived, spoke to Officer Shane DiNonato from the window and was "visibly upset and scared," according to the police report. Guay told police that she had gone outside with her dogs to let them go to the bathroom, and saw a goat running toward her. Guay said she ran with the dogs to the front door, and the goat continued to follow her and attempted to attack her. Police said she was able to get herself and her dogs inside the house, but that "the goat continued to stand at her front door …

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