Five zoning board members resign

In an unprecedented move, five Zoning Board of Appeals members have resigned since Sept. 12, saying they will leave their posts as soon as all open cases they have heard have been resolved, or by the end of November. Diane Gordon, Bailey Silbert, Sara Sheldon, Harry Miller, and Lawrence Kaplan have served on the board for 10 to 29 years each. As of Oct. 2, only Enid Starr, Jesse Geller, and Murray Shocket remained to take new cases. Appeals that cannot be heard within 60 days, and decided within 90, by a minimum of three board members are approved by default, said Town Counsel Jennifer Dopazo. The resignations may be linked to public criticism of the board, which has been blamed for neighborhood overbuilding. Kaplan last May was involved in a post-hearing conflict with Town Meeting member Arthur Conquest, which resulted in a still-unreleased police inquiry. "It's unfortunate," said Nancy Daley, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen. "They've given the town many years of time and expertise, and I appreciate their service in a thankless job." Daly said she is trying to persuade the members to stay on long enough to train new appointees. Selectmen are seeking candidates.

The town may start collecting compensation for trees that are damaged by natural gas leaks. Selectmen voted, 5 to 0, Tuesday to hire Gas Safety Inc. to determine whether gas leaks are killing trees along streets in town, and negotiate with natural gas providers to fix the leaks and pay for the trees. Lynn, Quincy, Saugus, Lawrence, Revere, Hingham, and Marshfield already have agreements with GSI and the Massachusetts Public Shade Tree Trust, which takes 40 percent of the gas company's compensation for damaged trees in return for its services. Brookline Tree Warden Tom Brady and the town Tree Planting Committee recommended the approval, which would provide more funds for public tree replacement.

There's still time to get to the town's largest fall field day today. Makers of jewelry, glass, and other crafts will join a magician, ponies, and entertainers from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Larz Anderson Park, 15 Newton St., for the 21st annual Festival in the Park, presented by the Brookline Council for the Arts and Humanities. For the locations of free shuttle buses, call 617-730-2777. More information is available at brooklineart.net.

Got a news item for Brookline? E-mail Andreae Downs at andreaedowns@yahoo.com.

Some people walk or pin on a pink ribbon to recognize all women struggling with breast cancer. Others plant. Tomorrow at 11 a.m., volunteers will join a landscape designer to transform the Lakeview Avenue yard of Shari Zimble into a beautiful oasis. The gardeners are part of Hope in Bloom, an organization that tries to offer comfort to breast cancer patients by creating a garden suitable for each recipient. Last month, members of the group (left) planted gardens at two homes in Cambridge.

Anthony D. Galluccio, the sole contender for the state Senate seat vacated by Jarrett Barrios, won last week's special election with 422 votes, according to unofficial results posted last week. Galluccio, a longtime member of the City Council and a former mayor, has said he will drop out of the race for City Council in next month's municipal election. Wednesday is the last day to register to vote in that election.

Captain Richard Bongiorno of the Cambridge police will no longer be enforcing the laws in the People's Republic. He has accepted a position as chief of police in Stoneham, where wild turkeys roam the streets, in addition to all the critters at the Stone Zoo. Bongiorno started with the Cambridge Police in 1974 and worked in the night division, special investigations, administration, and with neighborhood task forces.

Got a news item from Cambridge? E-mail Janice O'Leary at joleary@globe.com.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Young Somerville Advisory Group will host the city's first State of Young Somerville Address at 6 p.m. tomorrow. The mayor will focus on key issues identified by residents between the ages of 21 and 35. The address at the Somerville Theatre will feature an overview of the city's transportation and development projects, affordable housing opportunities, and quality-of-life initiatives, as well as an introduction to the local school system. Residents will be able to register portable electronic devices with Somerville police, meet city officials, and network with other young residents. For more information, call 311, or 617-666-3311 from outside of Somerville.

Residents are invited to attend two public hearings this week on the city's development of a five-year plan for how it will spend federal Housing and Urban Development grants. The meetings will be held at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park, 290 Washington St., and Tuesday at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, 177 Powderhouse Blvd. The purpose of the hearings is to get public input on community development, public service, and housing programs in Somerville. For more information, contact Mark Friedman at 617-625-6600, ext. 2539.

The third annual "Ghosts of Somerville" play will be performed at the Milk Row Cemetery on Somerville Avenue Saturday. The play, featuring local historical figures in period attire, dramatizes some of the most prominent men and women buried in the early-19th-century cemetery, which is normally closed to the public. The show begins at 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children ages 8 to 12. Children under 8 can attend for free. Refreshments will be available. Donations are welcome, with proceeds used to continue restoring the cemetery. For information or to reserve tickets, call 617-625-6600, ext. 2532, or e-mail bwilson@ci.somerville.ma.us.

Got a news item from Somerville? E-mail Kristen Green at kristen.green@comcast.net.