"This is a tragic fire and we extend our sincere regrets to the family during this time." -Westford Fire Chief Richard Rochon made that statement after a house fire seriously burned Jill Gallagher April 24. She was dragged out of the home by her daughters and a pair of Good Samaritans. She was listed in critical condition at UMass Memorial Medical Center but her condition improved to "good' late this week. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. PREVIOUS COVERAGE Fire Victim Remains in Intensive Care IMAGE GALLERY: Wilson Farm Road Fire Heroism Amid Fire: Daughters Pulled Mother …

"Two pills were rounded in shape and blue in color with a 'naked lady' imprinted." -- Westford police report The report detailed the discovery of what Westford police said was Ecstasy in the vehicle of a Maine man arrested a week ago on drug charges. Shameek Garcia, 33, of Auburn, Maine was pulled over by Westford police after he allegedly almost struck a police cruiser. Garcia has a lengthy criminal history and was targeted in a deadly 2009 shooting in Dorchester.

Real deficit reduction will require a blend of spending reductions, new revenue, and additional reforms to control rising health care costs. But simply shifting those costs onto seniors by eliminating Medicare will prove as unsustainable for our nation’s well-being as the current budget crisis we face. -- U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell Tsongas made the comment in an op-ed earlier this week about a GOP plan to shift Medicare costs.

“Employers who have the privilege of engaging in publicly funded construction projects are required by law to pay their employees the proper prevailing wages for all hours of work." -- Attorney General Martha Coakley Coakley made the comment in a statement regarding the punishment of a New Hampshire contractors who shortchanged dozens of workers on a host of public school projects in the state. His company worked on two Westford projects, including the Stony Brook Middle School and Crisafulli Elementary School.

"This isn't how you store food." -- Board of Health Chairman Zac Cataldo, referring to the discovery of rodent waste in a building that stored school food. The board ordered the food to be destroyed. Previous coverage: Photos: School Food Stored in Rodent-Infested Facility Investigation: 'Rodent Urine' Odor, Chewed Rice Bag in School Food Facility Tuna to Tomatoes: List of School Food at Rodent-Infested 'Barn' VIDEO: Official Explains Decision to Discard School Food Plan in Place for Problem Food, Serving Materials, Says Superintendent State: Appropriate Action Taken After School Food Mess

"This device is very, very effective." -- Westford paramedic Al Gentile Gentile was talking about LUCAS, a $15,000 automatic CPR machine that he said is far more effective than manual CPR. The device, which Westford rescue officials recently obtained, wraps around a victim's chest and automatically pumps their heart for over an hour. Gentile said the survival rate for with the machine is 35 percent, compared to 10 percent with manual CPR. LUCAS stands for Lund University Cardiac Arrest System.

"I don't like wine at Town Hall." -- Board of Selectmen member Valerie Wormell Wormell made the comment in relation to a ceremony Sunday to honor the renovated Town Hall building. Town Manager Jodi Ross said an "outside group" would provide wine for the ceremony. The board of Selectmen voted 4-1 on the matter. Wormell was the only one opposed.

"We need to step up how we’re approaching this ... (Pan Am has) to treat this town with a minimal amount of respect." -- Selectman Robert Jefferies He made the comment in regards to a string of abandoned railcars on a section of tracks owned by Pan Am Railways in Graniteville. Jefferies said the cars idle for days, violating the Clean Air Act. Neighbors have complained about noise and pollution. It is unclear how the issue will be resolved. Town officials have contacted state agencies to intervene. Jefferies suggested reaching out to the Department of Homeland Security because the cars are …

"In this economy, lots of families have put whatever savings they have (to go on vacation) ... I need to be respectful of that." -- Superintendent Bill Olsen Olsen made the comment after school officials decided not to shorten school vacations in February or April to make up for the five snow days this winter. The decision was based on the results of an online survey. The last day of school is scheduled for June 22.

"The seriousness of the situation has become even more evident." -- Westford Building Commissioner Matthew Hakala Hakala made that comment in a letter to the Haverhill-based owner of an abandoned steel plant. The letter warned the owner that th structure was not safe. On Tuesday, a huge section of the roof collapsed. No one was injured. Check out our previous coverage: Roof Collapse at Abandoned Steel Plant Owner of Collapsed Plant Had Been Warned Structure Was Not Safe Section of Broadway Street Closed Until Further Notice Following Roof Collapse

"Minutes ... are critical when hyrdants are not shoveled." - Fire Chief Richard Rochon, asking residents to "adopt" the nearest fire hydrant and shovel it out. There are more than 1,000 hydrants scattered around town, and it takes the Water Commission weeks to clear them all out. Rochon implored residents to pitch in. There are also elbow-shaped cisterns in the northern and southern parts of town that need to be shoveled out. They are marked with signs.  

"This was a group effort and could have turned tragic if not for the immediateresponse of all involved." -- Westford police Capt. Victor Neal Neal was talking about the heroics of Officers Geoffrey Pavao and Corey Peladeau. The pair saved a missing elderly man from freezing to death during a frigid morning. Several Westford firefighters assisted in stabilizing the man, who survived.

"These are people who have no consideration for this town." -- Andrew Bergamini, chairman of the Recycling Commission Bergamini made the comment to the Board of Selectmen after he saw a 54-inch projection television thrown in a dumpster. Bergamini said Westford residents need to do better at recycling. He said the town will likely come up well short of the commission's goal of reducing solid waste by 10 percent this fiscal year.

"Papelbon versus Radatz ... (Papelbon) couldn't hold his jock. You (pitch) two days, you gotta have two days off? The hell is that? Radatz went four-five times a week!" - Bill Monbouquette, who spoke at the Cameron Senior Center on Jan. 11, comparing Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon to former closer Dick Radatz.