Box District opening

A former industrial area of the city has been transformed into the Box District, a residential neighborhood initiative led by the city and Chelsea Neighborhood Developers. Organizers held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to officially open the district. The new housing units and lofts, some of which have been completed, are in the Gerrish Avenue section bordering Broadway, formerly the home of the Standard Box factory and the Atlas Mattress buildings. Standard Box shut down operations after a fire damaged the building in 1997. The city then negotiated a business relocation deal with Atlas Mattress owners, opening up three Gerrish Avenue lots for development. The new district has received state Transit Oriented Development funding. The district and the area around it ultimately will feature 300 new market-rate and affordable units, as well as community office space and new parks. Last week's ceremony marked the completion of a commercial building renovation, and of two residential developments with a total of 67 units. The district's mill buildings are scheduled to be converted into 53 market-rate lofts. - Katheleen Conti

PROPOSED PARKING FEE HIKES - Compared with other local communities, parking fines in Everett are a bargain, said the city's parking clerk, Paul Kelly, who is pushing for substantial increases. Under a proposed new ordinance, the fine would triple, from $50 to $150 for illegally parking in a spot reserved for the handicapped, and the current $50 fee for blocking a hydrant would jump to $300. In 2004, Kelly lobbied to have all parking fines in the city increased, but the measure didn't pass the Common Council. "People can park illegally in Everett and take a bus into Boston," Kelly said. "You get a parking ticket for $10; meantime, if you drove to Boston, it would cost you more than $20 to put your car in the garage." The proposed ordinance needs a total of four readings - two in the council and two in the Board of Aldermen - before going to the mayor for his signature. The council approved the proposed ordinance at its meeting on Nov. 7 and is to take it up again on Monday.

- Kay Lazar

OFFICERS GET AWARDS - Police officers were honored at the 126th annual Lynn Policeman's Ball. Sergeant Edward Shinnick, a 23-year veteran, received the Medal of Honor, the department's highest honor, given to a police officer who demonstrates courage and character. He spent 15 years as a patrolman and was promoted to sergeant in 2001. He now is in charge of the traffic safety unit, is a firearms instructor, and supervises the Special Response Team. Shinnick is also a bagpipe player and performs for the department at public events. Other honorees were Officer Michael Kmiec, who received the Medal of Valor for saving a man who tried to commit suicide by lighting himself on fire. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Officer Michael O'Connell, who was involved in a shooting, and Officer Michael Ferraro, who helped to capture a bank robbery suspect in Saugus. A Community Service Award was presented to Sergeant Richard Riley of the Essex County Sheriff's Department for his work with Lynn police. The Lynn Police Relief Association Scholarship was presented to Amanda Ruano, daughter of Detective Geovanni Ruano. - Kathy McCabe

HELP NEEDED FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER - The nonprofit organization Bread of Life, in conjunction with several other groups, is seeking volunteers and donations for the annual "Don't Be Alone On Thanksgiving" meal. The meal, which is for the elderly, disabled, low-income, or anyone without family in the area, will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day in the cafeteria at Malden High School at 77 Salem St. Still needed are donations of deboned cooked turkey, and cakes, pies, pastries, and cookies. They can be brought to the high school from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday or from 8 to 10 Thanksgiving morning. Donations toward the meal also can be made to Bread of Life, 511 Main St., Malden, MA 02148. Those wishing to volunteer in the kitchen or dining hall during the meal may call Bread of Life at 781-397-0404. To deliver meals to those who cannot make it to Malden High School, call Gene Pinkham at 781-321-0994. - Erin Ailworth

CLEAN ENERGY - The Melrose Energy Commission is encouraging residents to sign up for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Choice Program, which allows residents to support renewable energy through payment of a small premium on their electric bills. A portion of the funds is returned to the city for use in renewable energy and low-income energy projects. Residents may sign up at any time, but there are advantages for the city if they do so by April 30. If 150 residents are signed up by then, the city would receive a free solar-power system to be installed on a public building or school. If 250 residents sign up by March 31, the city would receive an additional $13,000 in its accounts for renewable energy and low-income energy projects, according to the commission. For more information or to sign up, visit massenergy.com and click on the Green Electricity link, or call Katy Krottinger at 617-338-8131, ext. 211. - Kay Lazar

BEACH NEIGHBORS CONCERNED ABOUT TREES - Some residents of the Revere Beach Boulevard area are concerned about trees - not the lack of them, but that the state Department of Conservation and Recreation is looking to plant them, said City Councilor at Large John R. Correggio. He plans to ask the council Monday to request a project update meeting with representatives of the state agency. A portion of the boulevard has been under construction since the summer as the conservation and recreation department takes on an $11 million renovation project that will improve lighting, parking, and sidewalk access after its completion in the spring. Correggio said that some residents have expressed concern about the planting of trees that could block beach views. Correggio said he would like representatives of the state agency to meet with the council soon to discuss the concerns and to deliver an overall project update. The council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

- Katheleen Conti

THANKSGIVING SERVICE - A community Thanksgiving Service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Salvation Army Chapel, which is behind the store on Route 1 south. Saugus residents of all faiths are invited to the service, which is organized by the Saugus Clergy Association. People are asked to bring donations for the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry. A reception with light refreshments will follow.

- Kathy McCabe

ARC FUND-RAISER - The Savings Bank and the Wakefield Cooperative Bank recently jointly sponsored a fund-raising reception for Arc of East Middlesex. The event at the Americal Civic Center celebrated the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the nonprofit organization, which provides a range of services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Arc of East Middlesex was founded in 1954 and incorporated in 1957. Nearly 80 people turned out for the reception, which raised nearly $3,800 in donations for the organization. Another $500 was raised by Arc that night through the sale of jewelry and art work at the event. - John Laidler

ROCKY BEACH IMPROVEMENTS - The state Department of Conservation and Recreation on Tuesday put out to bid about $1 million in improvements to Rocky Beach, on the Winthrop-Revere line. Bids for the work are due by Dec. 5, according to Wendy Fox, spokeswoman for the state agency. State Representative Robert DeLeo, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, secured $1 million in funds last year to improve access to Rocky Beach, which is off of the busy Winthrop Parkway intersection. The bids will be for traffic signal rearrangement, Fox said. Of the $1 million, $850,000 will be used for parkway improvements. - Katheleen Conti

NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY - National Adoption Day will be observed tomorrow at the Essex County Juvenile Court in Salem. Fifteen foster care children will be adopted during a special court session, scheduled to run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Juvenile court judges from across the county will preside in two separate courtrooms. The foster children range in age from less than a year to 14 years old, and include a set of 6-year-old twins. They come from Lynn, Lawrence, Newburyport, and elsewhere in Essex County. They were placed in foster care by the state Department of Social Services. After tomorrow, they'll live with their new families in Dracut, Lynn, Lawrence, Woburn, and other communities. National Adoption Day will be observed in all 50 states. Massachusetts is marking the day with special court sessions to legalize adoption of 220 foster care children, which will be held in eight courts across the state. - Kathy McCabe

A SPECIAL RED SOX CHEER - Students at the Village School found a unique way to celebrate the Red Sox' World Series win - and earned the attention of the team for doing it. The 700-student upper elementary school created and posted on YouTube a videotape showing the entire student body singing "Sweet Caroline," the song the Red Sox play during the eighth inning of their home games, and giving a "Let's Go Red Sox!" cheer. According to Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac, several Red Sox players saw the tape and told the team's brass about it. He said the Red Sox organization recently contacted the school's principal, Donald LeClerc, to tell him the team was impressed with the tape and to promise at a later date to bring the World Series trophy and some championship rings to the school to show the children. To view the tape, visit YouTube.com and type in Village School Marblehead on the search line.

- John Laidler

ROAD NAMED IN HONOR OF LATE OFFICIAL - The Board of Selectmen last week named a new road after the late Jack Leitner, according to the board's chairman, Timothy P. Houten. Leitner, who served on the Elementary School Committee and the Zoning Board of Appeals, died in October 2005. The subdivison in which the road is located is off Essex Street.

- John Laidler

LAHEY CLINIC PERMIT - The City Council will meet at 7:30 tonight at City Hall, and among other business will be a public hearing to discuss amending a construction special permit issued for Lahey Clinic. The clinic, which is expanding its health facility, has requested changing the permit to allow construction at the site from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Currently, the permit allows workers to be at the site from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. - Steven Rosenberg

PTO HOLIDAY FAIR - The Rockport Parent Teachers Organization has scheduled its annual Holiday Fair for 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Rockport High School. The fair is to feature 45 crafters, hundreds of baked items, gingerbread house decorating, "surprise jars," games, face painting, the class of 2008 wreath sale, raffles, and a visit and photo with Cyber Santa. Children also may go to the Enchanted Gift Shop to purchase home-crafted items for their parents and grandparents, or take a ride on the Polar Express. The National Honor Society will sponsor snacks and lunch. For information, call 978-546-7555.

- David Rattigan

HOLIDAY TREE CONTEST AND RAFFLE - Check out the holiday tree decorating contest and raffle to benefit the Salem Beautification Committee. The artificial trees - donated by area businesses, schools, and local groups - will be on display starting at 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Museum Place Mall in downtown Salem. A raffle will be held at 4 p.m. Nov. 25. For more information - including raffle prices - call Ellen Talkowsky, a special projects coordinator for the city, at 978-745-9595, ext. 5676. The beautification committee is made up of 10 volunteers who have helped push improvements to traffic islands and parks, and clean up city streets. - Erin Ailworth

MONEY NEEDED FOR SEA WALL - The Clifton Improvement Association has launched a campaign to raise at least $250,000 to repair a sea wall at Preston Beach on Atlantic Avenue. The nonprofit organization owns and maintains Beach Bluff Park and Preston Beach. The beach and the park, on the Marblehead line, are maintained for public use. The sea wall, between the beach and the park, was toppled by waves during a storm in April, according to Sheryl Levenson, the association's vice president. Those storm waters also flooded Atlantic Avenue. Donations, which are tax-deductible, may be made payable to the Clifton Improvement Association, in care of Lynn Nadeau, 10 Surf St., Marblehead, MA 01945.

- John Laidler

SESSION ON IMMIGRATION - The Topsfield-Boxford-Middleton League of Women Voters will hold an open discussion about immigration at 7:30 tonight in the Gould Barn, the Topsfield Historical Society's building at 1 Howlett St. Refreshments will be served at 7. Two local residents who work with the immigrant community will speak about their experiences: Marisa DeFranco of Middleton, an immigration lawyer, and the league's copresident, Karen Sheridan of Boxford, who is a citizenship coordinator at the Asian Center in Lawrence. - John Laidler

FOOD DRIVE - The 14th annual Hamilton-Wenham Public Safety Food Drive for the Acord Food Pantry in Hamilton is scheduled for Saturday. Residents of both towns have been asked to place nonperishable donations curbside in recycling bins beginning at 9 a.m. Off-duty public safety personnel from both towns will canvass the streets collecting the items, which will go to the Acord Food Pantry on Willow Street in Hamilton. For more information, call 978-468-5513. - David Rattigan