MA Contractor Uncovers 12 Cannonballs In Trench On Worksite

WALTHAM, MA — Trenches for construction contractors and trenches for those involved with the military typically don't come with the same risks, but that wasn't necessarily the case in Waltham this week.

Massachusetts State Police confirmed that a contractor working at a construction site at 41 Foundry Ave. in Waltham on Monday morning discovered several cannonballs while excavating a trench.

The Waltham Police and Fire Departments responded, as did members of the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and an ATF agent.

Further investigation of the site by responders, with assistance from a heavy equipment operator, uncovered several additional cannonballs of various sizes, along with one more "modern projectile," officials said.

In all, 12 cannonballs were recovered.

With the assistance of local police officers and firefighters, the ordinance was transported to a safe location and successfully countercharged, rendering the items safe pending further disposal.