Paquette backed for police academy
Berlin
The Board of Selectmen has agreed to sponsor resident Kristin Paquette for police academy training as a part-time reserve officer. Paquette works as a security guard at the Solomon Pond Mall. Reserve police officers typically fill in for special events and for sick or vacationing officers. They receive training at a Municipal Police Training Committee academy.
-- Donna Goodison
Bolton
HIGH SCHOOLERS GET LONG WEEKEND -- The Nashoba Regional High School will be closed on March 12 for a staff development day. Throughout the school year, the high school has periodic closings to ensure staff and faculty development. Teachers spend the time developing curriculum and evaluating their progress, while administrators work on scheduling and other administrative duties. -- Juliette Hutchings
Boylston
BUDGET HEARINGS BEGIN --The Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee meet tonight to review the town's fiscal 2005 budget. Department heads have been asked to prepare budgets with 3 percent salary increases and level-funded expenses, but there's a "substantial" difference between budget figures and the town's ability to fund them, according to Town Administrator Sue Olson. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Boylston's municipal office building.
-- Donna Goodison
Hudson
CONDO PLAN CALLED TOO BIG -- Too expensive, too big. That was the view many had about the proposed 128-unit affordable-housing condominium project for people over 55, when the Board of Appeals heard testimony last week about St. Michael Condominiums. Board members questioned whether the price for the proposed Main Street condos, now set at $178,000 for a single-bedroom unit, was too steep. Neighbors expressed concern about additional traffic resulting from four buildings to be constructed on several vacant lots. Lara Simpson, town land use coordinator, said in an interview that a subcommittee will look at the pricing, and traffic consultants are expected to present their study at the board's March 17 meeting. Antonio Frias, one of the developers, maintains the project will improve the downtown: "These are going to be nice-looking buildings. One of the pieces of land we bought -- it looked like a dump. This is going to change the face of Hudson."
-- Connie Paige
CLUBHOUSE PLANS ADDITION --The Church Street Clubhouse of the Boys and Girls Clubs of MetroWest plans a $1.5 million addition, according to Maura Webster, the organization's marketing and communications coordinator. The two-story addition will house a basketball court on the bottom floor and a teen center on the second floor. "It's going to enable us to serve more kids," Webster said. The new building will be dedicated to the late town leader Argeo Cellucci. -- Connie Paige
Marlborough
MAYOR BACKS EXCEPTION FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE -- Mayor Dennis Hunt is backing legislation filed by Governor Mitt Romney that would let School Committee members with children enrolled in the public schools vote on issues that have an impact on their children. The bill comes in response to a State Ethics Commission ruling that school board members must recuse themselves from voting on matters such as school fees or school events. "The State Ethics Commission ruling severely limits the ability of our entire School Committee to fully participate in the voting process when these matters are presented," Hunt wrote in a letter to two state lawmakers who will review the bill. Three of the seven school committee members have children in the local public schools and last week recluse recused themselves from a vote on whether to charge families $5 for a new high school class. -- Peter Schworm
MAYNARD
OPEN SPACE PLAN REVIEWED --The Open Space Planning Committee is in the midst of updating the town's Open Space and Recreation plan, which dates from 1997. The committee, a subset of the Conservation Commission, will host a public hearing at 6: 30 p.m. Wednesday at the Town Hall.
-- Maureen Costello
Northborough
ALGONQUIN BUDGET IS BACKED -- The Northborough-Southborough School Committee was happy to give its official approval to a budget last week for Algonquin Regional High School that wouldn't require either town to pursue a Proposition 2 override. "We're on the right track," said Desiree Aselbekian, chairwoman of the committee, who said the $12 million budget restores four teaching slots. Aselbekian said Governor Mitt Romney's proposed budget adds $150,000 in local aid to the district for fiscal 2005, which is more than anticipated.
-- Matthew Gunderson
TOWN CLERK DEPARTING -- Tara Ward will serve her last day as Northborough's town clerk on Wednesday. She has been in the role for the last two years. In an interview this week, Ward said she will be taking over as town clerk in the town of Ashland, enabling her to be closer to her hometown of Framingham. "It's an opportunity to be closer to my family and get back to my roots," Ward said. -- Matthew Gunderson
PASSPORT SERVICE ADDS TO COFFERS -- The town's decision to offer passport services at Town Hall has exceeded expectations, drawing in almost $6,000 after only three months, said Town Clerk Tara Ward. Ward implemented the service in late November, in response to a plea from town officials to find ways of boosting local revenue. -- Matthew Gunderson
Shrewsbury
LOCK-IN AT THE LIBRARY --Spring vacation will never be the same. The Shrewsbury Public Library is sponsoring a teen lock-in for April 16, at the request of students. The event will start at 5 p.m. and last until 11 p.m. Sarah Sogigian, young adult librarian, said she is planning games, both board and video; activities such as make-your-own pizzas and sundaes; movies; and make-up and hairstyling tips from a local salon. Registration is required and the 30 slots, for students grades 6-12, are filling up rapidly. The cost is $5. For details, call the library at 508-842-0081 ext. 3.
-- Connie Paige
Southborough
CLERK'S OFFICE ADDS HOURS -- The town clerk's office at Southborough Town House will stay open until 8 p.m. on March 23, the last day residents can register to vote at the April 12 Town Meeting and in the May 10 town election. -- Donna Goodison
Stow
CONSERVATION PANEL NEEDS MEMBER -- The Conservation Commission is in need of a member to finish out a term that expires in June 2005. The commission is seeking a registered Stow voter who can help administer and enforce the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection laws. Applicants should send a letter and resume to the Board of Selectmen by March 12.
-- Maureen Costello
Westborough
BUILDING TOUR IS SATURDAY -- The Municipal Sites and Facilities Committee will hold a second tour of the Bay State Abrasives research and design building, at 8 Brigham St., on Saturday at 10 a.m. Town officials are trying to educate voters in preparation for a ballot question in Tuesday's election asking for a $2.1 million debt exclusion to buy the property for use as a public-safety complex. -- Donna Goodison 
