Ashland student charged in bomb threat

A 16-year-old Ashland High School student was arrested last week on charges of making a bomb threat at the school. Following an investigation into the threat, which police say was first reported on May 30, officers executed a search warrant at the student's home on June 5. The student was arrested on charges of making a false bomb threat, threats to commit a crime, vandalism of a school, causing a disturbance in a school, possession of a class D substance, and possession of alcohol by a minor. -- Rachel Lebeaux

PLAY GOLF, HELP PLAYGROUNDS - The Bellingham Playground Association will hold a Swing for the Kids golf tournament on June 27 at New England Country Club in Bellingham. The donation of $125 will benefit the construction of playgrounds in town. Visit bellinghamma.org for an entrance form, which should be mailed to Bob Biagi, c/o Bellingham Playground Association, Box 504, Bellingham, MA 02019. Those with questions can e-mail biagifam@comcast.net.

- Rachel Lebeaux

SUMMER HOURS AT LIBRARY - The Dover Town Library has switched over to its summer hours. Through Aug. 29, doors are open from Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The library will be closed on weekends. During the summer months, the staff also plans to serve refreshments on Fridays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., according to the library's assistant director, Jane Granatino. - Anna Fiorentino

NO TO OVERRIDE - Voters turned down a $2.8 million Proposition 2 1/2 override Tuesday by a tally of 4,290 to 3,402. School officials had said that the additional tax revenue would prevent the loss of 15 teaching positions at the elementary schools, 12.5 teaching positions at the middle school, and 16 teaching positions at the high school, as well as a $100 increase in the pay-to-ride bus fee, and the end of late bus service for students who stay after school for extracurricular activities. Officials estimated that the override would have added $244 to the property taxes on a house valued at $411,000, the town's average.

- Rachel Lebeaux

PROGRESS ON CHURCH FUND - The First Congregational Church, which announced last month that members would try to raise $500,000 for repairs to the circa-1822 building, is nearly 70 percent of the way toward its goal, organizers said. At the June 6 kickoff to the fund-raising campaign, church officials announced that about $335,000 had already been pledged. Church officials are hoping to raise the rest of the pledges this month. The donations, to be paid over a three-year period, would pay for repairs to the church's exterior, its columns, and granite steps, among other items. - Calvin Hennick

CALL FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING - Town Counsel Ray Miyares is reviewing the wording on a request for proposals to build affordable housing on a portion of a 257-acre parcel of town land on Fruit Street. Officials will issue the request to help determine whether developers are interested in the site. Plans also call for a waste-water treatment plant to be built on the property, but the proposal has been tied up in the courts, facing challenges filed by residents and others citing environmental concerns. Town Manager Anthony Troiano has said the town needs to take another look at the property, which originally was also earmarked for a new elementary school and a Department of Public Works facility. Those ideas fizzled. "Since they are on separate tracks, we hope to pursue initiatives for housing which would probably take time to complete," Troiano said. "Hopefully, the issues with Fruit Street will be resolved by then." The town purchased the property about five years ago.

- Michele Morgan Bolton

HELP WITH INSURANCE STUDY - Selectmen are seeking residents interested in serving on a committee that will recommend whether the town should join the state's Group Insurance Commission or any other health insurance group. The town purchases its health insurance directly through Harvard Pilgrim, and some town employees have said it could save hundreds of thousands of dollars by joining the state group. Town Administrator Michael Sullivan said Medfield would have to commit to joining the state group for at least three years, and could leave only if town employees agreed with the change.

- Calvin Hennick

LESSONS IN LOCAL HISTORY - The Medway Historical Society will hold an open house next Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Society members will be on hand to discuss its collection of artifacts, memorabilia and town records, and books, maps, and other items will be available for purchase. The Historical Society's building is at 223 Main St. For more information, call the society at 508-533-7222 or e-mail info@MedwayHistoricalSociety.org. - Rachel Lebeaux

RAIL TRAIL UPDATE - The second construction phase of the Upper Charles Rail Trail project running through Milford is under environmental review by the state Highway Department, according to department spokesman Adam Hurtubise. The total project will cost an estimated $4.26 million. A 3.5-mile stretch of the trail opened last summer; the next portion will cover 2.9 miles, officials said.

- Anna Fiorentino

SUMMER READING PROGRAM - The Millis Public Library will kick off its children's summer reading program at 11 a.m. Friday with a variety show by the Toe Jam Puppet Band at the gymnasium in Town Hall. Instead of receiving prizes this year, children who participate in the program will help decide which animal to donate to a family in the developing world. Middlesex Savings Bank has funded up to $1,000 for purchase of animals through Heifer International. For every three hours of reading, a child will be given a ballot to cast in an election to decide which animals to buy. Call children's librarian Tricia Perry at 508-376-8282 for more information.

- Calvin Hennick

BIKE FOR A GOOD CAUSE - The annual Tour de Natick and Ride for Natick Scholars event kicks off today at the downtown common. The starting times are 8 a.m. for a 25-mile course designed for advanced riders, and 11 a.m. for the traditional family ride, which covers 6 miles. Both courses offer well-marked routes through some of New England's most scenic areas, with the staggered starts aimed at ensuring safety and comfort for all riders. Proceeds go to scholarships and other educational support efforts for Natick students. The Natick Rotary Club, an 80-year-old community service organization, is producing the Tour de Natick, with sponsorship from local businesses. Registration is available at tourdenatick.org. All riders get a T-shirt, race ribbon, and a free post-ride cookout of hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, and watermelon. - Michele Morgan Bolton

BUS FEE UNRESOLVED - School Committee members decided not to vote last week on whether to institute a bus fee, but said they would revisit the issue on July 7 unless voters approve a Proposition 2 1/2 override on June 24. The $415,000 tax increase would add about $290,000 to next year's budget for the elementary schools. A proposed bus fee generated controversy last year, with some residents saying that Norfolk does not have enough sidewalks to expect students to walk safely to school. - Calvin Hennick

OVERRIDE VOTE TOMORROW - Although tomorrow's vote on a requested $650,000 tax increase will not affect the town's appropriation for the King Philip Regional schools for next year, Town Administrator Joseph Fernandes said, the extra money will not be available for the district in future years if the Proposition 2 1/2 override is turned down. "Without that $650,000 infusion, we're cooked," said Fernandes. If the override fails, he said, officials won't be able to support any budget increase for the district for the 2010 fiscal year "unless dragged kicking and screaming by Wrentham and Norfolk," the regional school district's other two towns. Fernandes said the proposed override, which would add about $209 to the average single-family home's tax bill, would keep the town from having to lay off 16 employees.

- Calvin Hennick

IMPROVING CIRCULATION - The Sherborn Library recently posted its section of the annual town report on its website, home.comcast.net/~sherbornlibrary, after it was accidentally left out of the version distributed to residents this spring. The library's report shows circulation increased by 16 percent between 2006 and 2007, most prominently due to an increased use of the young adult book collection. The report also notes that last year the library received a combined $40,000 in grants from the state and the Richard Saltonstall Charitable Foundation to assess the facility's structural condition and maintenance needs. - Anna Fiorentino

OVERRIDE DEFEATED - Voters last week shot down a $486,000 Proposition 2 1/2 override. About 20 percent of the town's registered voters cast ballots in Monday's election, with 352 voting in favor and 541 against the requested property-tax increase. The override would have added 41 cents per $1,000 of valuation, or $145 to the bill for a $350,000 home.

- Calvin Hennick

BUDGET VOTE TOMORROW - Residents at Town Meeting tomorrow will vote on a $32.6 million budget proposal for the 2009 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Town Administrator Jack McFeeley said the number represents a 5 percent increase from this year's budget, and noted much of the increase is due to the town's rising debt obligations on regional school renovations. McFeeley said voters would also need to approve about $140,000 in supplemental funds to cover the expected costs of new contractual obligations to the town's employees. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at King Philip Regional High School.

- Calvin Hennick

FARM BYLAW ON BOOKS - Attorney General Martha Coakley has given the final stamp of approval to a farm preservation bylaw that Town Meeting members approved last month. Declaring Berlin to be a farming community, the bylaw protects farmers against complaints that often arise from agricultural practices, such as dust, noise, and odors. Also, people considering purchasing property in town are to be notified about the bylaw. The attorney general's office routinely reviews new local bylaws. - John Dyer

A NIGHT FOR FUN AND FUND-RAISING - This year's Southborough Summer Nights festivities will include a fund-raiser for the town's Youth and Family Services Department. The event, to be held next Sunday at the Neary School starting at 5:30 p.m., will feature a full slate of family activities, food, and music, capped by a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show. Among the attractions will be a 500-gallon dunk tank that will raise money for scholarships to help local children attend summer camps. To make a donation, contact Robin Martin at 508-333-1221. The rain date is Aug. 25. - John Dyer

CANDIDATES TO DEBATE - The Shrewsbury Democratic Town Committee is hosting a debate between Doug Belanger and Michael Moore, rival candidates in the primary for the seat held by state Senator Edward M. Augustus Jr. of Worcester, Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Shrewsbury High School. Augustus announced earlier this year that he would not seek a third term this fall. The Second Worcester District covers Auburn, Grafton, Leicester, Millbury, Shrewsbury, Upton, and part of Worcester. - Lisa Kocian

JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMY - The town will hold a junior police and fire academy in August for middle school students. The youths can join local public safety workers to learn about what it's like to be a firefighter or police officer. For details, e-mail the police force's youth officer, Jim Forti, at jforti@waylandpolice.com. - John M. Guilfoil