Special education workshop in Lynn

Lynn Special Education Parents will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the auditorium at Breed Middle School on O'Callaghan Way. Staff from the Federation for Children With Special Needs will present a workshop on the state's special education law, outlining the rights and responsibilities regarding children with special needs. Special Education Parents is open to the parents or guardians of any child enrolled in special education in Lynn schools. For more information, contact Debbie Stone at 781-268-3000, ext. 177, or e-mail stoned@lynnschools.org.

- Kathy McCabe

NO BOUTIQUE THEATER - A Special Town Meeting last week rejected a proposed zoning change that would have allowed the inclusion of a "boutique theater" in Meadow Walk at Lynnfield, the village-style project that National Development is building on the Sheraton Colonial golf course. The proposal would have added boutique theaters to the allowable uses in the zoning district established for the project. National Development sought the change to allow for an upscale theater that would feature eight small movie viewing rooms and a restaurant in a 40,000-square-foot building. The meeting voted 237-143 in favor of the zoning change, short of the two-thirds margin needed for passage. After a successful motion to reconsider, the vote was 182 in favor and 131 opposed, again short of the two-thirds margin.

- John Laidler

CHRISTMAS TREE WANTED - City officials are seeking a tree for this year's annual holiday celebration in Malden Square. In years past, the city has installed two trees in the square. To date, one tree has been donated for the corner of Pleasant and Main streets, but a second tree is needed for the stand in front of Malden Government Center at 200 Pleasant St. The tree must be a minimum of 25 feet high. City officials would prefer a blue spruce, and will cut down and remove the donated tree. The city's annual holiday parade is slated to take place on Nov. 22, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Salemwood School and proceeding to Malden Square, where a tree lighting will take place about 6:30 p.m. This year's festivities are being fully funded by private donations. For more information about donating a tree, contact Butch Gennetti in the mayor's office at 781-397-7000.

- Brenda J. Buote

BAILING OUT COALITION - Mayor Rob Dolan has suggested the city transfer funds from its retirement system to the Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. The proposal came last week, after city officials learned that the $75,000 state grant for the coalition is to be cut in half as Governor Deval Patrick attempts to balance the state budget. Dolan told the Board of Aldermen that the Melrose Retirement Board's recent decision to extend the pension system's funding schedule to 2024 would save the city at least $200,000, and recommended that a portion of those savings be used to make up the coalition's funding shortfall. The aldermen would have to approve the mayor's proposed transfer of funds.

- Brenda J. Buote

PROJECT MOVES AHEAD - Waterfront Square at Revere Beach, the 10-year, $500 million mixed-use project that will connect to the MBTA's Wonderland Blue Line station, recently cleared an environmental certification hurdle. Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian A. Bowles granted a certificate to project developer Eurovest Development Inc. for the company's Draft Environmental Impact Report, stating that it complies with Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act regulations. This allows Eurovest to move forward with the preparation of a Final Environmental Impact Report for further review. Bowles also granted Eurovest a waiver allowing it to relocate an existing MBTA busway and two pick-up and drop-off zones for temporary parking from the station's east side to the west prior to the completion of the Final Environmental Impact Report. Mayor Thomas G. Ambrosino said this waiver will allow Eurovest to move forward with the relocation work in the spring. Bowles stated in his decision that the final report should provide updates to any project changes, including layout, design, environmental impacts, and permitting. It also should include a response to issues raised during the public comment period. The project falls in line with a state initiative to create more transit-oriented development, and will include residences, office space, a hotel, shops, and restaurants. It is slated for completion in 2019. - Katheleen Conti

RINK TO BE PAID OFF - The town has an $800,000 gorilla off its back. Town Meeting members on Monday approved an article to pay off the debt owed on Kasabuski Rink. The town-run skating rink had run up a deficit and now is run by a private firm. But the town still must pay off the $800,000 deficit left over from prior years, when revenues fell short of expenses. The state Department of Revenue warned the town that the deficit must be covered or it would not allow Saugus to set a tax rate. Town Meeting members voted 36-8 to approve an article to reduce the Group Health Insurance budget by $800,000, freeing up enough money in the tax levy to pay off the rink's debt.

- Kathy McCabe

BUSY TOWN MEETING - There are 18 articles on the warrant for Monday's Special Town Meeting, including a bylaw change that would allow the dog officer more direct management options for nuisance dogs. There is also an article to fund the hiring of a consultant to identify the town's options for subdividing a portion of town-owned land at Conomo Point, south of Robbins Island Road. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Essex Elementary School. - David Rattigan

SOME MAY GET RAISE - The Board of Selectmen voted last week in favor of a 1 percent pay raise and a one-time, 1 percent cost of living adjustment for the town's nonunion employees. Chairman Matt Vincent and Evan O'Reilly voted in favor of the raise and adjustment while Phil Trapani recommended a one-time 1.5 percent cost of living increase with future raises to be reviewed annually after the budget season. The matter will be up for a vote at a Special Town Meeting on Nov. 17. - David Cogger

PLANNING STAGES - The Council on Aging is in the process of forming a building committee to spearhead a capital campaign to fund a new adult life center in town. On Monday, director Lynne Stanton met with selectmen to unveil an architectural drawing for the center, which the council hopes to build on town-owned land near the River Pines Housing Development. Those interested in joining the building committee can call Stanton at 978-372-1101.

- David Rattigan

TAX EXEMPTION FAILS - At the Special Town Meeting Monday, residents voted down a proposed property tax exemption petition based on age, income, and residency criteria. The Finance and Advisory Committee and Board of Selectmen did not support the article as written, but officials plan to bring a revised version to the May Town Meeting. Residents OK'd installing a community notification system for use in emergencies. - David Rattigan

AUCTION VOLUNTEERS - The Survivor Art for Empowerment Studio is seeking volunteers to assist at its spring auction. Volunteers are needed to contact donors and corporate sponsors, and for public relations and advertising, invitation design, and to work on the night of the event. Those interested can contact Paul Allen-Webber at paul@riversedgegift.com or 978-356-2363.

-David Rattigan

MOBILE FOOD PANTRY - The Merrimac Mobile Food Pantry will be distributing food from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays at the Fire Station, 16 Elm St.. Due to overwhelming demand, distribution is limited to Merrimac residents who can provide identification. Our Neighbors Table operates the pantry and accepts donations of food and money. For information, go to ourneighborstable.com.

- David Cogger

GETTING ON SAME PAGE - Officials have asked representatives from the Triton Regional School Committee to attend a selectmen's meeting on Nov. 10 to discuss the planned installation of solar panels at the high school. In early October, the committee voted to enter into an agreement with Boulder, Colo.-based EyeOn Solar to install a solar panel array to offset rising energy costs. Newbury officials have expressed concern that district towns weren't involved in that process.

- Taryn Plumb

CLOSED FRIDAYS - In an effort to conserve energy, the Town Hall and its annex will be closed on Fridays through April 3. The buildings had been open from 8 a.m. to midnight on Fridays. The Board of Selectmen made the announcement last week.

- David Cogger

AUTHOR, AUTHOR - Noted children's book author Ed Emberley will speak at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Proctor School Gymnasium on Main Street. Emberley has written more than 70 children's books in a career spanning four decades, and he has won numerous awards for his work, including some of his illustrations. Admission is $10 per person. Children under 5 years old will be admitted free. All proceeds from the event will benefit the American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Write Expressions or Station Sweet Shoppe. For information, contact Althea Lyons at 978-887-9493, or e-mail red.saltbox@comcast.net.

- David Cogger

OPEN SCHOOL SEAT - The Hamilton-Wenham Regional School Committee is seeking to replace longtime member Catherine Harrison, who resigned recently for personal reasons. Candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest with a resume to chairwoman Laurie Wilson at the superintendent's office, 5 School St., Wenham MA 01984. The deadline is Nov. 7.

- David Rattigan

ENERGY TEST - Half of the town's six plow trucks will run on biodiesel fuel this winter so the town can determine if any financial or performance benefits may be reaped by the alternative energy source. On Oct. 22, biodiesel at the University of New Hampshire fueling station cost $3.71 a gallon, 86 cents a gallon more than diesel fuel.

- Tom Long

ACADEMY'S NEXT PRINCIPAL - Thomas E. Hassan will become the 14th principal of the 228-year-old Phillips Exeter Academy in June. Hassan, who is currently the school's assistant principal, will replace Tyler C. Tingley, who is retiring. Hassan has been a faculty member or administrator of the school for 20 years. - Tom Long

TOWN BUDGET INCREASE - Selectmen have recommended a $25.8 million town operating budget for fiscal year 2009, a 4.8 percent increase over 2008. The document has been passed to the budget committee, which may add or subtract items before presenting it to voters at the town Deliberative Session in February.

- Tom Long