Farm seeks veterinary permit

Berlin Farms, a country store and 24-acre farm that specializes in raising endangered species of farm animals, is seeking to expand its business to become a "full-service animal wellness center" to provide care for dogs at its 200 Central St. property, according to a recent Zoning Board of Appeals announcement. Owner Jennifer Cermak is to appear before the board on May 21 for a hearing on her special permit application. Town zoning allows veterinary and dog kennel facilities on agricultural land with the board's approval. The hearing was rescheduled from May 14 over a conflict with Special Town Meeting. - John Dyer

VARIANCES FOR LIBRARY PROJECT - The Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public hearing on May 13 to review four waivers requested for the town's upcoming library renovation and expansion project. The variances involve exemptions from dimensional requirements, including building height and size restrictions. The hearing starts at 7 p.m. in Town Hall. The estimated cost of the project is $7 million. - Matt Gunderson

CAPITAL ITEMS SET FOR VOTE - Residents will face votes on two capital-expenditure items to help refurbish the municipal offices building during Town Meeting tomorrow night. The first article is a $120,000 appropriation for a new heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system. The second seeks $40,000 to refurbish the basement level of the office building, so town officials can rent the space to tenants. - Matt Gunderson

RICHARDSON OPENS REELECTION BID - State Representative Pam Richardson formally announced Monday that she will run for reelection to the Sixth Middlesex House seat this fall. The Framingham Democrat won her first term in a late scramble, after her predecessor, Deborah Blumer, died of a heart attack a month before the election in 2006. According to a statement from her office, Richardson lists as her accomplishments the approval of a $12.9 million Life Sciences Bill for infrastructure improvements in the Framingham Technology Park, a $3.4 million increase in Chapter 70 funding for Framingham's public schools, and a reallocation of more than $300,000 to study and recommend improvements for its downtown's revitalization. - Tanya Pérez-Brennan

FROM BOOKS TO BADGES - Work has begun on a new police station, a project that officials hope will be completed by the end of this year, according to the selectmen's office. The $4 million project involves converting the old library on Main Street into the new police headquarters. - Matt Gunderson

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR RETIRING - Town Administrator Barry Brenner announced his retirement recently. After 35 years managing municipal governments in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, including 11 years as the ranking public servant in Northborough, Brenner said in a statement that his retirement would be effective in the fall and his last working day will be in July. Selectmen have praised Brenner's stewardship of the town's finances, citing the lack of Proposition 2 1/2 overrides to fund municipal services during his tenure. The town's voters approved tax increases for school budget and capital projects, but never for town operating expenses, which include the police, fire, and public works departments, while he was town administrator.

- John Dyer

ANOTHER OVERRIDE VOTE - On Tuesday, residents will go to the polls for the fourth time since 2004 to consider raising their property taxes through an override of Proposition 2 1/2, the state law limiting annual tax increases. Previous override requests were rejected in 2004, 2005, and last year. Town and school officials last week urged voters to approve the $1.5 million override, saying it is sorely needed and services will be eroded if it is rejected. The schools, which would receive about $500,000 of the extra funds, are in the bottom 10 percent statewide in per-pupil spending, according to Superintendent Anthony Bent. Even with the extra money, the schools will not be able to restore all of the cuts made in recent years, he said, in part because fixed costs, such as special education requirements, continue to increase. If the override is turned down, nine teaching positions would be eliminated and class sizes would increase, he said. On the town side, rejection would mean cuts to the Meals-on-Wheels program, Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services, and the library, among other services, according to the Board of Selectmen chairman, Maurice DePalo. On a single-family house assessed at $400,000, the annual tax bill would be $3,776 without the override, and $3,896 with the override, a difference of $120. Override opponents say many residents cannot afford it in light of other increases that they are already shouldering, including a planned trash-collection fee.

- Lisa Kocian

DONATIONS TO AID THE TROOPS - The Southborough Senior Center is conducting a drive to collect consumer items for military personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Residents are encouraged to bring items such as baby wipes (helpful in coping with desert sand), shaving cream, foot powder, candy, gum, books, and other items that civilians take for granted to the Senior Center at 9 Cordaville Road before May 12. Cash donations are also appreciated. Checks should be made out to the Southborough Postmaster. For more information, call Bob Oetting at 508-842-0489. - John Dyer

SCHOOL FACILITY ON WARRANT - The major issue on tap for Town Meeting tomorrow night is a request for money to rebuild a running track and to construct a synthetic-turf playing field at Nashoba Regional High School, according to Selectman Stephen Dungan. The estimated cost for the project is $1.28 million. The payment would be about $159,000 per year for the district for 10 years, said Superintendent Michael Wood. The cost would be divided among the regional district's three member towns, with Stow's annual share projected as $57,240, while Bolton would contribute $47,700 and Lancaster, $54,060. School officials hope to start construction of the new track and field later this spring. - Matt Gunderson

GRADUATION EVENT NEEDS HELP - Westborough High School's Project Graduation, an annual safe and chemical-fee celebration for graduates, is in need of volunteers to help organize and prepare for the event, as well as parents of underclass students to act as chaperones. The annual celebration will be held at Teamworks in Northborough on the night of the June 7 graduation. For more information or to volunteer, contact Carol Thompson at 508-898-9722.

- John Dyer

DODD ON TRANSIT PANEL - Selectman Tim Dodd was recently appointed to the Massachusetts Municipal Association's Policy Committee on Public Works, Transportation and Public Utilities. The committee is one of six for the organization, which serves as a clearinghouse and incubator for ideas among town and city policymakers from across the state. Dodd's committee considers issues related to regional transportation, and the relationship between local government and the state Highway Department, among other issues, he said in announcing his new role.

- John Dyer

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS - The Dover Historical Society is accepting applications for its Old Home Day Craft Fair, to take place Oct. 5 at the Dover Town House. The society is encouraging artisans and artists, from crafters to quilters to painters, to sign up for the fair, just one of many activities planned during the town's annual Old Home Day celebration. The rental charge is $50 for a 6-foot table and two chairs, and must be paid to the Historical Society by June 1, organizers said. Proceeds will benefit the Dover Historical Society. For information, go to doveroldhomedays.org, e-mail susanneknowles@aol.com, or call 508-785-0858. - Anna Fiorentino

HOSPITAL RAISES CARDIAC CARE FUNDS - Milford Regional Medical Center recently raised nearly $200,000 to support its cardiovascular care services. The proceeds from its Melange fund-raiser will also support a new catheterization laboratory, slated to open this summer. The Melange was held at Milford Town Hall on April 12. Hopedale Cardiology was acknowledged as a top sponsor. - Anna Fiorentino

OFF-ROAD VEHICLE BAN STARTS - The Conservation Commission's proposal to ban motorized vehicles on town conservation land won the backing of the Board of Selectmen last week. It is intended to keep out dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles, which people have been riding on walking trails, commission members said. Town Administrator Joseph Fernandes said the ban would go into effect immediately. - Calvin Hennick

A DAY TO HELP VETERANS - Those who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and their families are invited to a May 17 event that will mix food, family fun, and information about the benefits, services, and educational and job opportunities available to veterans. The free event, to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of the National Archives and Record Administration offices at 380 Trapelo Road, is sponsored by the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, the National Archives, and other federal agencies. Many activities for veterans and their families are planned, and local, state, and federal agencies will be on hand to provide information. The rain-or-shine event is not open to the general public. For more information, contact Diane LeBlanc at the National Archives at 781-663-0133 or 781-526-1137. - Stephanie V. Siek