Check it out: fight over library budget

"We may see the first floor fight on Town Meeting in my tenure here," said Chuck Flaherty, town librarian. At issue is whether Brookline will spend more than $450,000 to buy a radio frequency identification system for the three libraries - a kind of E-ZPass for books. With steadily increasing circulation and little opportunity to add staff, Flaherty sees this as the way to keep service high while not increasing costs. The move would coincide with similar systems being implemented in Cambridge, Sudbury, and Wellesley. But while selectmen unanimously recommended the idea last month, the Advisory Committee is not on board. Without an agreement, the issue will be settled at the May 27 Town Meeting.

While the property-tax override has attracted most of the attention, Tuesday's election also presents Brookline voters with contests for selectmen and the two-year School Committee seat. Several precincts also have Town Meeting contests. In addition to the sizable slate of candidates for Precinct 1, there are races in Precincts 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

You may know the June 14 holiday as an opportunity to display your vintage Old Glory. But Brookline will celebrate Flag Day on June 15, with a USA Track & Field-certified 5K road race. Brookline's finest will be protecting the runners from errant traffic. The run starts 10:30 a.m. at Brookline High School, and includes the 10-and-under set as well as those 60 and over, and divisions in between. Awards are part of the celebration; patriotic jersey optional. For details or to register, visit townofbrooklinemass.com/Recreation/flagday5k.html or call Ethan Brown at 617-730-2069.

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

The Community Development Department is trying to see the city through the eyes of its older residents as it assesses possibilities for "aging in place" programs. The purpose is to enable aging residents to remain in Cambridge, and questions before the department include whether current zoning laws meet the housing needs of older residents, and how transportation and retail options can be given an "elder friendly" focus. The department hopes to hear from older residents on the matter and plans to schedule feedback sessions as the assessment gets underway.

The proposed budget is in for fiscal 2009, which begins July 1, and City Manager Robert Healy requested three big items at the City Council meeting last Monday. The city needs $1 million to renovate the Lafayette Square fire station, $6.7 million to replace municipal radio systems, including communications and computer technology, and $8.63 million for sewer projects in three areas: at the Cherry Street and South Massachusetts Avenue intersection, in the Agassiz neighborhood, and by Fresh Pond. The submitted budget is available for viewing online at cambridgema.gov/ cmanager.cfm. The Finance Committee will hold a public meeting to discuss the budget at City Hall at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The sewers by Fresh Pond may need work, but above ground, spring is in full bloom and city officials are putting on a celebration of the largest open space in Cambridge next Saturday. The first Fresh Pond Day will feature free activities such as bike tune-ups, dog licensing, tours of the area, and tips on how to be kind to the environment by conserving energy and recycling. Shuttle buses will run from Central Square, CambridgeSide Galleria, and the Alewife T station. Questions? Call 617-349-4339.

Got a news items from Cambridge? E-mail Victoria Cheng at vcheng@globe.com.

The city is accepting entries for a T-shirt design contest sponsored by the Mayor's Young Somerville Advisory Group. Winning designs will be featured on shirts sold at city-sponsored events this summer, and proceeds will be donated to the Somerville Homeless Coalition. The deadline is May 16. Entries must be submitted online to tshirtcontest@clockwinders.net in black-and-white print only. Winners will be selected by the advisory group based on the their creativity and community spirit, as well as the use of local landmarks. For more information, call 617-625-6600, ext. 2614, or e-mail jrossetti@somervillema.gov.

The city is offering free deleading of 250 homes or apartments in Somerville. The program is made possible with a $3.5 million grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Somerville ranks 11th on the state's list of communities most at risk for childhood lead poisoning because of the age of its housing. Homes built before 1978 may be at risk of lead contamination, typically from older paints. The program also is available to Somerville landlords, and the city will reimburse the costs of relocating tenants. To find out if your property is eligible, call 617-625-6600, ext. 2563 or ext. 2588.

Informational meetings will be held this week about the traveling performance troupe of teenagers known as the Somerville Sunsetters. The group, made up of Somerville residents between the ages of 11 and 18, performs Broadway show tunes over the summer. Meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland St., and Wednesday at the Mystic Activity Center, 530 Mystic Ave. The Sunsetters, a popular singing and dancing group during the 1970s and '80s, was revived by the city in 2005 in an effort to expand youth programming. Participants receive a stipend for their summer commitment. Rehearsals begin May 27, and performances are held in July and August. For more information, call 617-625-6600, ext. 2614, or e-mail jrossetti@somervillema.gov.

Got a news item from Somerville? E-mail Kristen Green at kgreen@globe.com.