Energy education lauded

ENERGY EDUCATION LAUDED - Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles has presented Berlin Memorial School and 22 other Massachusetts schools with an award for excellence in energy and environmental education. Berlin's award comes from its science curriculum on water quality, which included fifth-graders studying a vernal pool in town. Field work for students included catching and recording data on species found in the pool. Teachers intend to record the data from year to year so students can see how the pool evolves. - John Dyer

CARE TO DISPENSE ADVICE? - The Board of Selectman is searching for volunteers to fill vacancies on the town's Advisory Committee, which reviews the town's annual budget process and prepares recommendations for Town Meeting on the financial aspects of warrant articles. Residents interested in volunteering can contact Linda Day at 978-779-2297 or at secretary@townofbolton.com. A brief written statement about the candidate's background and reasons for applying should be included.

- Matt Gunderson

NEXT: FACING SCHOOL BUDGET GAP - Regional school officials are to convene this week to figure out what to do next following the decision by town voters to turn down a requested $624,379 tax increase. Christine Keefe, chairwoman of the Tahanto Regional School Committee, said she had no inkling of what direction the committee would take. But Boylston officials, she said, have made it clear they have no free cash left to cover the deficit, as they did last year.

- Matt Gunderson

FRAMAZING AND FREE - The first Celebrate Framingham Festival will be held downtown next Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The free event was the idea of Leadership MetroWest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and strengthening civic leadership through networking and community involvement. More than 35 organizations will provide music and artistic performances, sports demonstrations, and international cuisine at the festival, according to organizers. "The event is to help promote all that is wonderful about downtown Framingham," said Helen Lemoine, executive director of Leadership MetroWest. "The hope is that it will be a successful event and become an annual event."

- Tanya Pérez-Brennan

TALK ABOUT PRESERVATION PROJECTS - The town's Community Preservation Committee is holding a public hearing June 10 at 7 p.m. to allow residents to suggest worthy projects. The committee oversees spending on recreation, open space, historic preservation, and affordable housing projects around town with money raised from a property-tax surcharge. The hearing is also a chance for members of the public to review the committee's Community Preservation Plan, which is available online at townofhudson.org. The hearing will be held in the selectmen's hearing room in Town Hall. - John Dyer

QUIET, BRAINS AT WORK - The Lincoln Public Library recently teamed with the public schools to create a homework center in the library, providing computers and quiet study space for students. Two computers and a laser printer were donated by the Friends of the Lincoln Library. - John M. Guilfoil

NOT ON THEIR TURF - By a vote of 153 against to 47 in favor, Town Meeting shot down a call for new synthetic turf fields at Maynard High School. Town Clerk Michelle Sokolowski said the debt exclusion vote would have needed 103 votes in favor, a two-thirds majority, in order to pass. The measure, which bore a $1 million price tag, was discussed for about 45 minutes before the vote. Sokolowski said she thinks it failed because of the fiscal climate and a lack of specific information about the project.

- Matt Gunderson

WIRELESS LIBRARY - The Northborough Free Library now has wireless Internet access in its temporary location at 71 Lyman St. Library director Jean Langley said the temporary location has fewer customers than its regular location on Main Street, but traffic is still high. The Main Street library is undergoing a $7.7 million renovation expected to end early next year. Cement has been poured for new floors and electrical systems have been installed, Langley said. The library is still seeking donations to buy new furnishings for the library when it is completed. Officials have $60,000 designated for furnishings but need $300,000 to outfit the new library. For more information, call 508-393-5025. - John Dyer

PRESSING ON - State Representative Karyn Polito, who has made tougher sex offender laws the cornerstone of her legislative agenda, said she was disappointed when what she called a "poor substitute" was unveiled last week. "I have been working alongside victims and their families, child advocates, and law enforcement officials for the past few years to see Jessica's Law passed in this state," the Shrewsbury Republican said in an announcement. "When it comes to the safety of our children, there can be no compromise. We will continue fighting for this bill until children get the protection they deserve." Jessica's Law is a Florida statute named for Jessica Lunsford, a 9-year-old Florida girl who was killed in 2005 by a convicted sex offender living near her. The law calls for stricter sentences and tougher monitoring of sex offenders who target children. House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi told the Globe that the legislation to be taken up by the House in the coming weeks also sends a "strong message that we are serious about better protecting the children of Massachusetts."

- Lisa Kocian

GARDEN TOUR - The Southborough Gardeners will hold their popular Kitchen & Garden Tour next Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. in eight locations throughout town. The tour encourages residents to garden and beautify the community. Tickets and a map of the tour can be picked up at the Community House at 28 Main St. on the day of the tour. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 on the day of the event. For advance purchases, call 508-485-8959. - John Dyer

THUMBS UP ON FIRETRUCK - A $195,000 tax increase to cover repairs to one of the town's fire engines passed by a vote of 267 to 87 at last week's town election. If the firetruck cannot be repaired, Monday's vote for the Proposition 2 1/2 debt-exclusion override allows the town to purchase a new one, using the funds approved for repairs. The measure also got the green light at Town Meeting on May 5.

- Matt Gunderson

HOW TO GET WALKWAY FUNDS - The Planning Board will hold a public forum June 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall to discuss priorities for the $200,000 in Community Preservation Act funds allocated by Town Meeting for walkway construction. In 2006, Sudbury began requiring increased resident participation in the process. Residents who want walkways in their neighborhoods are asked to work with their neighbors to support the construction. Each petition submitted for review is required to have backing from at least 75 percent of the affected property owners, and a neighborhood coordinator must be identified.

- John M. Guilfoil

TAX RELIEF FOR SENIORS - The town has put out a tax relief guide for senior citizens, and Sudbury's older residents may be surprised at the number of options available to get a break on what they have to pay. The guide explains state and local exemptions, deferrals, work programs, and the state's Circuit Breaker tax credit, which is available to seniors who pay more than 10 percent of their income on real estate taxes. The document can be obtained at sudbury.ma.us or by calling the town's Council on Aging at 978-443-3055. - John M. Guilfoil

FORUM POSTPONED - A Finance Committee forum on the town's capital improvement planning has been postponed to June 16 at 7 p.m. in the town building. The forum is a chance for residents to review the town's capital projects, ask questions, and provide input. The town code requires the Finance Committee to create a five-year capital plan, and meetings have been held periodically to discuss the process, policies, and procedures. - John M. Guilfoil

WEEDING LAKE CHAUNCY - Lake Chauncy will be closed to swimming, boating, and fishing on June 9, when the popular recreation area will be chemically treated to reduce weeds. Drinking, cooking, irrigation, or other uses of the pond water will be banned until June 15. Aquatic Control Technology of Sutton will perform the treatment, which has been approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection and the town's Conservation Committee. For more information, call the local Board of Health at 508-366-3045. - John Dyer

ON THE ROAD - The journey after college can be full of figurative blood, sweat, and tears once graduates begin lives and careers on their own. But three recent Bentley College grads are taking on the strains and pains in a literal way this summer. They will bike across the country with three other friends to raise $50,000 for Accion International, a nonprofit organization that sets up microfinance programs for the poor around the world. Loans as small as $50 help people start their own businesses and become self sufficient, organizers say. Calling their venture MicroBikeUSA, the group includes Bentley grads Tyler Heishman, Frederick Piumelli, and Bryan Stinchfield, as well as Fordham University graduate Michael Delorenzo, and Bucknell University graduates Keith Kolakowski and James Watson. They depart June 8 from Darien, Conn., and expect to arrive in San Francisco on Aug. 5, biking an average of 74 miles a day. Along the way they will stop at schools and public forums to educate people about microlending. For more details or to make a donation, visit the team's website, microbikeusa.com. - Stephanie V. Siek

DRIVE-THROUGH IS NO GO - The Planning Board unanimously rejected a proposal last week to allow Town Council president Clyde L. Younger to open a drive-through Burger King on Main Street. Danielle Fillis, a senior planner for the town, said the board voted, 4 to 0, against the petition filed by property owner Arsin Kozelian to turn the former Settles Glass site into a fast-food restaurant. The board cited a number of concerns raised by the large turnout of residents at last Monday night's hearing, said Fillis, such as traffic congestion, trash disposal, litter, and public safety worries. Under town rules, fast-food drive-up windows are prohibited. Kozelian's proposal sought to make them permissible in several business and industrial districts by order of a special permit. The council now has 90 days to vote on the issue. Younger, who was not present at the hearing, has said he would recuse himself from any talks or votes to avoid a conflict of interest. - Christina Pazzanese