Local artists' work at new gallery

Local photographers, painters, and sculptors are featuring their works at the recently launched gallery at Keen Studios, 220 Spencer Ave., an artist loft/studio community. The studio's gallery joins the handful of galleries throughout the city and other area art developments. Admission is free with showings from noon to 4 p.m. today and May 18. - Katheleen Conti

CHAMP TO ATTEND CENTER FUND-RAISER - Two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion and Chelsea native John "The Quiet Man" Ruiz is lending his celebrity to help raise money for community center Centro Latino de Chelsea. The fund-raiser is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Friday at Anthony's of Malden, 105 Canal St. Ruiz will be signing autographs and auctioning signed boxing gloves and a black robe he used in his most recent fight. Ruiz said that he wants to be "a positive role model to our young Latino kids." Centro Latino will celebrate 19 years serving the Latino community in Chelsea and other cities, providing programs such as computer literacy. For information, call 617-884-3238, ext. 206. - Katheleen Conti

MAYOR'S AIDE TO DO DOUBLE DUTY - The city's new solicitor is a familiar face. Erin Deveney, Mayor Carlo DeMaria's chief of staff, will take on double duty and perform both jobs as part of DeMaria's streamlining and cost-cutting initiative. Deveney's appointment was approved by the Board of Aldermen Monday night, but she will not be sworn in as solicitor until the state Ethics Commission signs off on the move. Acting city solicitor Colleen Mejia will continue to head the legal department until the Ethics Commission rules, then would become deputy city solicitor, Deveney said. Before coming to Everett in January, Deveney was general counsel to the state's Criminal History Systems Board. - Kay Lazar

MAKING ENDS MEET - Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. plans to submit his proposed fiscal 2009 budget to the City Council by Friday, which will enable the council, at its May 12 meeting, to schedule a public hearing and individual review sessions on the spending proposals for each department. James Marsh, Clancy's chief of staff, described the spending plan as extremely tight. But he said the mayor will present a balanced budget that does not call for any Proposition 2 1/2 overrides. Marsh said local and state revenues are not keeping pace with rising costs, particularly fixed expenses in areas such as fuel, utilities, and health insurance. He said the city's health insurance costs alone are projected to rise $4 million, which is more than the $3.9 million the city projects to generate from the allowable increase in its tax levy. Under Proposition 2 1/2, the levy can rise by 2.5 percent plus revenues from new growth. - John Laidler

BOOK SIGNING AT CITY HALL - Tricia Psarreas, a Lynn resident and the coauthor with Shane Sellers of "Freedom's Rein," will be at City Hall for a book signing from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. The book is an autobiography of Sellers, a former jockey of national renown, providing an insider's look at the sport of horse racing. A portion of the book sales from Tuesday's event will go toward the Lynn Parks and Recreation Department and the Angel Fund, a Wakefield-based nonprofit that supports research into finding a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. - John Laidler

TOWN MEETING OK'S BUDGET - The annual Town Meeting last Monday approved a $37.8 million operating budget and a $1.1 million capital budget for fiscal 2009. In other business, the meeting rejected a proposal to reduce the quorum for town meetings from 175 to 100. It approved changes to the boundary lines of an elderly housing district created by the town last year to accommodate a 60-and-over housing complex the Lynnfield Initiatives for Elders plans to build on an approximately 6-acre portion of the Sheraton Colonial Golf Course. National Development, the firm planning a village-style development on the course, is donating the land for the senior housing to the town, which will then sell it to Lynnfield Initiatives, a nonprofit. State environmental officials were concerned that the previous boundary lines would have placed the development too close to Reedy Meadow, potentially impacting endangered species. Also at the meeting, a proposal reducing from 60 to 55 the minimum age required of residents in elderly housing districts was withdrawn by the Board of Selectmen. The proposal had been rejected by Town Meeting in the fall of 2006. Selectmen were required to withdraw it from Monday's Town Meeting because under the town charter, a zoning proposal defeated by Town Meeting cannot be considered again for two years unless the Planning Board recommends its adoption. The Planning Board recommended the proposal not be adopted.

- John Laidler

WATER MAINS TO BE FLUSHED - The city planned to start flushing water mains in wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 yesterday, and the maintenance program is expected to continue for about three weeks. Work will be conducted by the Malden water and fire departments between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The city is flushing the pipes in order to purge the lines, and also to help the fire department determine where the best water sources are if needed in an emergency. Residents may see discolored water flowing from faucets while work is done, and city officials are advising that users check the condition of their water before doing laundry and other tasks. For more information or to relay any concerns, contact the Malden Waterworks and Engineering Department at 781-397-7040.

- Erin Ailworth

REC COORDINATOR SOUGHT - The city expects to post the position for a new recreation coordinator by the middle of the month, said Marianne Long, human resources director for Melrose. The Parks Commission is still reviewing the job description and qualifications, she said. The previous coordinator, Chuck Person, was let go last month. "We are taking the job in a new direction, and it was based on performance and I think it's best for both parties to move in a new direction. I wish him the best," said Mayor Robert Dolan. "Melrose is a community of families and we need the best possible recreation programs out there. This is never easy." Person had held the position since 2000. - Kay Lazar

TOWN MEETING OK'S PRESERVATION FUNDS - Approximately 120 residents turned out for the Town Meeting and 402 voters took part in the annual town elections last Saturday at Town Hall. At the 5 1/2-hour Town Meeting, residents appropriated $700,000 in Community Preservation funds for reconstruction and repairs to the Town Wharf and Town Wharf Building, $450,000 for the Nahant Lifesaving Station, and $150,000 for the repairs to the staircase at 40 Steps. In the lone contested race in the town election, longtime incumbent Robert Steeves was reelected to the Housing Authority with 215 votes, besting Peter Mazareas (102) and Joseph Majchrzak (45).

- David Rattigan

LAND TAKEOVERS FOR SCHOOL OK'D - The City Council approved on Monday a request to take over six parcels of land by eminent domain to build a new Paul Revere School. The city has $1.8 million in a reserve account to cover the takings, estimated to cost $1,715,000. Mayor Thomas G. Ambrosino said he will begin the take-over process and give the homeowners about 120 days to leave. Two of the three property owners have agreed to the price being offered by the city, while another is expected to sue the city for more money, Ambrosino said, adding that this will not delay the takings. The new building will replace the 105-year-old Paul Revere School.

- Katheleen Conti

FOUR BIDS TO TAKE OVER RINK - Town officials recently opened four bids for the subleasing of the Kasabuski Arena. Rotondo Enterprises Inc. of Wilmington; a joint bid by John Curley of Peabody and Nathaniel Maniff of Revere; Kasabuski Partners Group, of Lynnfield; and Frost Realty Associates of Haverhill submitted proposals. A committee appointed by Town Manager Andrew Bisignani is reviewing the bids and expects to recommend one by next week, according to Bisignani, who sits on the panel. He said he would then make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. The town, which operates the ice rink under a lease with the state, is looking to sublease it to a private operator in order to address financial problems that have accumulated a $650,000 deficit. The operator would assume the costs of eliminating the deficit and invest the money needed to upgrade the 48-year-old facility. A Special Town Meeting in February authorized the town to file special legislation allowing Saugus to sublease the arena for 20 years. The bill would also extend Saugus's lease with the state an additional 10 years following its current expiration point in 10 years. Bisignani said the bill has been filed by the town's legislative delegation and was the subject of a committee hearing on Beacon Hill last Tuesday. The legislation is needed for the sublease to go forward, but Bisignani said the town can award a bid subject to passage of the bill. "I am encouraged by the proposals," Bisignani said. Bisignani said the town hopes to have a sublease in place by the end of the fiscal year in June. - John Laidler

ADMINISTRATOR FIELD NARROWS - The Board of Selectmen this week is set to interview four finalists for town administrator. The finalists are Stephen Daly of North Reading, director of consortiums and public safety programs for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council; former Wakefield selectman Stephen P. Maio, a lawyer; Swampscott town administrator Andrew W. Maylor, of Lynnfield; and Port Chester, N.Y., village manager William F. Williams, of Mt. Kisco, N.Y. The selectmen will interview Daly, Maio, and Williams at a special meeting tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, and Maylor at a special meeting this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall. The four were recommended to selectmen by a search committee from a field of 31 applicants and 14 semifinalists. The current town administrator, Thomas P. Butler, is retiring effective May 30.

- John Laidler

SAILING PROGRAM OPEN TO ALL YOUTH - Children whose families are not members of the Cottage Park Yacht Club may now take advantage of the newly created Youth Sailing Pilot Program for the 2008 season running from June 30 to Aug. 22. Up to 25 applications will be accepted until May 17, said club member Martin O'Brien, who advocated for the program. The program consists of a $150 fee and $350 for the cost of the program, allowing applicants to bypass the club's $730 annual fee. The youth program is divided into beginners, intermediates, and advanced, and allows participants to compete against other youth sailors in class-sponsored regattas. Applications are available by e-mailing youthsailing@CPYC.org or by downloading them at cpyc.org. O'Brien said he hopes the program will stir interestamong local high school students so that even-tually Winthrop High School can have its own sailing team.

- Katheleen Conti

POLICE STATION REDO UNDERWAY - Workers began a $229,000 renovation project at the Beverly Police Station last week. The cost of the funding will be split between the state and the city. The work will include installing a central air conditioning system, adding a new interview room, new windows, new lockers, repairing the locker room showers, and renovating the dispatch center. This is the first major renovation project for the building, which was constructed in 1939 to hold 17 police officers. Now, 69 officers, 13 reserve officers, and 10 civilian employees work inside the station. - Steven Rosenberg

MONSTERS ON DISPLAY - Art students from the Holten-Richmond Middle School have developed a gallery exhibit that brings to life the Greek myths. Under the direction of teacher Jeff Surrette, the students created works related to myths, including 7-foot-tall statues of Greek monsters - Cyclops, Minotaur, Medusa, and Centaur - masks of the Greek gods, and illustrated storybooks recounting the ancient tales. The exhibit will be displayed at the Peabody Institute Library in Danvers starting Thursday. The public is invited to join the student artists at a free opening night reception from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibit was partially funded through a grant awarded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

- John Laidler

TOWN LAND AUCTION WEDNESDAY - The town has scheduled a tax title auction of six land parcels for Wednesday. The sale of the properties will bring in a small amount of revenue for the town, Treasurer/Collector Kevin Merz said, and also put the land back on the tax rolls. While Merz said some of the parcels are of interest primarily to abutters, others could be developed, including a 5,053-square-foot lot on Great Neck, and one parcel on Lafayette Street has a five-bedroom house already on the property. The auction is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Town Hall, Green Street. More information is available online at sabids.com.

- David Rattigan

RETIRED POLICE CHIEF TO BE HONORED - At its meeting tomorrow, the Board of Selectmen will hold a recognition ceremony for Alan Gilson, who recently retired as a Manchester police sergeant. Gilson, a Manchester resident, began his career with the Manchester Police Department as a patrolman in 1967. In 1981, he became a sergeant. His retirement was effective March 30. Also at tomorrow's meeting, selectmen will hear an update from Public Works director Steven Kenney regarding the town's road paving program and other matters. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

- John Laidler

WARNING ABOUT NOVELTY LIGHTERS - Today marks the beginning of National Arson Awareness Week. In honor of the event, the Fire Department is reaching out to educate citizens about the dangers of "toy-like or novelty lighters" that have been responsible for hundreds of injuries, deaths, and accidents across the nation. Certified firefighter Michael McLeieer said the goal of this year's event is to focus public attention on the dangers of these lighters in the hands of children. In 2002, the National Fire Protection Association estimated that 13,900 structure fires in the United States were caused by children playing with fire, with associated losses including 210 deaths, 1,250 injuries, and more than $330 million in damage to property. Several states, including Maine, have either banned the sale of novelty lighters or limited their distribution. Call Michael McLeieer at 978-346-4731.

- David Cogger

BOARD TO PUSH VILLAGE AT LITTLE RIVER - The planning board will pursue two zoning proposals at the Annual Town Meeting on May 27 that would allow the town to move forward with the development of the Village at Little River. One bylaw would establish the Little River Smart Growth Overlay District. Under "smart growth" zoning, towns can create zones with streamlined permitting and dense residential and mixed-use developments and ultimately receive incentive payments from the state. The other provision would allow retail, office, and residential uses in an area currently zoned for industry. Boston-based Beacon Communities Development LLC and Coastal Partners Inc. have proposed the development, which would include 150 homes, a 5,000-square-foot senior center, two plazas, a village green, and walking trails spread out over 100 acres. The land is near the intersection of Route 1 with Middle Road and Hanover Street. Visit villageatlittleriver.com.

- Taryn Plumb

TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS AROUND COURTHOUSE - Planned traffic improvements have started around the courthouse project in Salem, according to a notice to residents posted on the city's website. Work will be taking place in several areas, including on North Street from the Bridge Street overpass to Essex Street, and on the West Ramp from North to Bridge. Improvements are expected to be complete by the beginning of November.

- Erin Ailworth

WEIGHING IN ON LIBRARY - The town library is seeking the help of residents as it weighs its building needs. Salisbury last June was awarded a $40,000 state grant -- after $20,000 was appropriated by Town Meeting last October -- to study the feasibility of expanding and renovating the current building or constructing a new library. The library trustees appointed a Library Vision Committee to undertake the work. As part of that effort, the committee is conducting a survey of town residents to see what they would like to see in an expanded or new library.

- John Laidler

TRITON TEAMS MAKE FINALS - Two Triton Regional School District teams have recently achieved some notable success, but not on the playing field. The middle school and high school Destination ImagiNation teams placed second in their respective categories at a state competition April 12 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Both earned the opportunity to join 30 others representing Massachusetts at the Destination ImagiNation 2008 Global Finals May 21-25 in Knoxville, Tenn. The event will feature 18,000 students from 40 countries. DI is the world's largest creative problem-solving program for young people from kindergarten through college. To cover the cost of their trip, teams need to raise $14,000. Members are seeking donations, whichcan be sent as a tax-deductible check payable to Triton DI, c/o Barbara Mann, Triton Regional Middle School, 112 Elm St., Byfield, MA 01922.

- John Laidler