Parental liability

A forum called "Social Host Liability: Be a parent, not a pal" will be held next Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ashland Public Library on Front Street. Parents will learn about their liability regarding their children's alcohol use, and how to protect both their children and their property. The forum is the latest in a series of parent gatherings hosted by Robert Moro, school social worker and project director of the Ashland Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. For more information, contact Moro at rmoro@ashland.k12.ma.us. - Rachel Lebeaux

MANAGER'S TRIAL DATE - A trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 15 for Town Manager Anthony Troiano, who is charged with one misdemeanor count of motor vehicle homicide in a May 2007 car crash in Bourne. Lilija Berents, 69, of Falmouth, was killed in the late-night accident that occurred as Troiano drove to his home in East Sandwich after a Hopkinton selectmen's meeting. The case will be heard in Falmouth District Court by Judge Michael C. Creedon, who has scheduled a pretrial hearing for July 30. The charge carries a potential jail sentence of 2 1/2 years. - Michele Morgan Bolton

LEAF-BLOWER LIMITS - In an effort to ward off an annual barrage of noise complaints, the Board of Aldermen is considering a ban on all portable leaf blowers between April 15 and Oct. 15. The board's Programs and Services Committee last week recommended the ordinance, which includes a year-round ban on gas-powered blowers and tighter limits on electric leaf blowers, including prohibiting their use close to doors and windows, and prohibiting operators from spraying debris into a public way or neighboring lots. Violators would receive a warning for their first offense, be fined $75 for the second offense, $150 for the third offense and $300 after that. The proposal is to go before the full board on April 7. - Rachana Rathi