D-Day survivor is honored

William Ulwick was 24 years old when he joined thousands of fellow soldiers in storming the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. With German soldiers shooting from nearby cliffs, thousands of Allied troops lost their lives, but Ulwick survived the D-Day invasion. During ceremonies scheduled for Boston on Bastille Day, July 14, Ulwick will be honored by French officials for his efforts in that invasion, being named a "chevalier," or knight. "I'm very excited," said Ulwick, who was born in Weymouth but moved to Abington with his late wife, Marie, in 1953. "It's quite an honor." For years, he said, he would not talk about his experiences at Normandy. But seven visits to the French beachfront over the past 64 years eased his pain. "You never forget it. But it does make you tougher," said Ulwick, who at age 88 continues to drive himself to Boston for treatment for leukemia. "After Normandy, nothing rattles you." - Robert Carroll

NEW DEPARTMENT, NEW DIRECTOR - Marybeth McGrath has been appointed director of a new department, Municipal Licenses and Inspections, by Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan. The new department, part of a restructured town government, combines the health department and building and inspections department. McGrath has been the town's executive health officer since 2000. She is a graduate of Salem State College, with a degree in biology, and is a registered sanitarian. The Town Council must approve the appointment. - Matt Carroll

ON MUSIC CIRCUS NIGHTS, STREET IS ONE-WAY - Police are routing traffic leaving the South Shore Music Circus away from the Greenbush railroad tracks, temporarily making Sohier Street one-way on the evenings of performances. "We're pretty much turning Sohier Street into a one-way street for about 15 minutes," said Chief James Hussey. He said the change was needed because the former traffic pattern sent cars over what is now an active railroad track. The train and Music Circus schedules coincide, so that most nights a train comes by 10 or 15 minutes after a show ends, Hussey said. - Johanna Seltz

BEACH HUT RUNS INTO TROUBLE - Public objections to the height and location of a new guard building planned for Duxbury Beach may cause the Duxbury Beach Reservation trustees to reconsider the plan. The trustees planned to use part of a gift from the Millar family to replace the current guard hut with a small, two-room structure that would include space for the official who monitors the beach's endangered piping plover population, plus a room for exhibits about the beach. At a public forum held last month, however, some residents objected to the height of the building and its location, which they said would block their view of the beach from Powder Point Bridge. Reservation president Margaret Kearney said flood-plain rules require a new structure to be elevated above ground level. Kearney said last week that reservation trustees would discuss the issue at a meeting some time this month and make a decision on whether to proceed. - Robert Knox

FAREWELL TO THE CHIEF - Chief Paul Hayes, who retired last week after 33 years with the Hanover Police Department, will be given a public sendoff later this month at the South Shore Country Club in Hingham. The retirement party is scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 18 and will feature dinner and dancing. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased through the Police Department by calling 781-826-3231. Longtime Hanover officer Walter Sweeney took over for Hayes starting July 1. - Robert Carroll

WATCHING FOR BREAK-INS - Spurred by a rash of break-ins, the Police Department is starting a Neighborhood Watch program. The program is run by residents, who agree to watch out for their neighbors and report anything suspicious to police. "They don't patrol; they're not vigilantes," said Sergeant Steven Dearth, who is coordinating the effort. "Basically, you get to know your neighbors and just watch out for them, being more alert. If cars are [at a house] when nobody's home, contact us." Dearth said an analysis of crime statistics showed no pattern to the break-ins, which are happening at all hours and in all parts of town. "It's really random . . . so we need calls from people," he said. The police outlined the program at a meeting last month, and 21 residents volunteered to "captain" their neighborhoods. Anyone interested in joining a Neighborhood Watch group can contact Dearth at 781-749-1212, and he will forward information to the nearest captain. - Johanna Seltz

WATER, SEWER BILLS TAKE LEAP - The Holbrook Board of Selectmen has increased the average water bill by 18 percent and sewer rates by 43 percent, according to Town Administrator Michael Yunits. The increases are mainly to fund a comprehensive upgrade of the town's water filtration system as well as its share of a new water treatment plant that will be shared with Randolph and Braintree. An evaluation of those needs was conducted by the town's engineers. The town's cost of water and sewer improvements in 2009 is estimated to run more than $3.6 million, said Yunits. The average water bill for a residence will go from $368 a year to $433, and sewer bills from $537 per year to $765, Yunits said.

- Franci Richardson Ellement

GOOD NEWS ON BOND RATING - The town's economic outlook is stable, according to Standard and Poor's Rating Services, which consequently raised Hull's bond rating. The change from AA- to A+ means Hull will get a better interest rate on the bonds it is selling this month to help finance the Jacobs School construction project, said Town Manager Philip Lemnios. The higher rating also could save the town about $47,000 in bond insurance costs, he said. "It's very good news," Lemnios said. "We were a little surprised given the general economy, but they looked at the fundamentals of the community and they were satisfied we had a handle on our finances. We told them things didn't look good in the immediate future, and I think they appreciated our candor." Standard and Poor's analyst Victor Medeiros said in a press release that the upgrade "reflects Hull's strong fundamental economic characteristics, as well as its strong financial position, which it has maintained through various economic cycles." - Johanna Seltz

TO PLYMOUTH AND BEYOND, BY BUS - A new shuttle bus service initiated this summer by the Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway connects Kingston destinations to tourist sites in Plymouth and bus connections to Boston and the Cape. The new route makes stops at the MBTA station in Kingston and Kingston's Independence Mall, then travels to Colony Place (off Exit 8) in Plymouth), to Town Pier on the Plymouth waterfront, State Pier (where the Mayflower II is docked), Plymouth Beach, Plimoth Plantation, and finally to the Plymouth and Brockton bus station at Route 3's exit 5, where connections can be made to Boston and other destinations. One-way tickets for adults are $2; children under 12 are $1; children under 5 free. Tickets can be purchased when boarding but exact change is needed. The Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway company was established in 1888 as a streetcar line. - Robert Knox

PRICIER SCHOOL LUNCHES - The Marshfield School Committee recently voted to increase the prices of school lunches by 50 cents. When the new prices take effect in September, lunch in the elementary schools will cost students $2.25 (instead of $1.75), and lunch in Furnace Brook Middle School and Marshfield High will cost $2.50 (instead of $2), according to School Committee chairwoman Marti Morrison. While the price of lunch has not been raised since 2005, food costs have continued to soar, according to Morrison. "We just got to the point where [the food services department] was a running a deficit," she said. Morrison said she hopes they don't have to raise the prices for at least another three years. The School Committee is also encouraging parents to look into the free and reduced lunch program. All students in the Marshfield public schools use swipe cards to purchase their lunches, so no one knows who receives the discounts and who doesn't. "It's confidential, and there's no stigma attached at all," said Morrison. For more information about the free and reduced lunch program, visit the Marshfield schools website at mpsd.org or call the Food Services Department at 781-834-5000. - Emily Sweeney

DECORATED OFFICER NAMED DEPUTY CHIEF - Milton has a new deputy chief in its Police Department. Charles F. Paris, formerly a lieutenant detective, received the one-year appointment from Chief Richard G. Wells, according to Town Administrator Kevin J. Mearn and Deputy Chief Paul T. Nolan, who was reappointed to the same job. The 54-year-old Paris, on the force for 31 years, grew up in Milton and lives in Braintree. He has received several commendations, including one in 1983 for coming to the aid of a fellow officer who had been shot, in which he was also wounded, and in 1988 for his part on a task force that arrested and prosecuted a man who had attacked four women. - Matt Carroll

TENNIS COURTS NEEDED - Private tennis court owners in town have a chance to put them to use for a community cause. The Norwell Education Foundation is looking for residents willing to donate the use of their courts for a tennis tournament fund-raiser this fall. Proceeds from the Sept. 6-7 event will go toward the annual grants awarded to teachers to support programs in the Norwell public schools. The foundation, meanwhile, recently mailed its annual fund-raising brochure to all Norwell households. For more information on the group or to donate the use of a tennis court, call foundation president Antonia Clifford at 781-987-1203. - John Laidler

COMING TO THE AID OF A FRIEND IN NEED - Local residents are mounting a fund drive to benefit Amy Hanson, a single mother of two who may lose her Pembroke home because of health issues. Hanson was diagnosed seven years ago with an inoperable brain tumor. During treatment, she suffered a stroke. Hanson survived, but last December, the tumor returned, and treatment has rendered her unable to work. The loss of income has left her at risk of losing her home. On June 6, about 500 friends and area residents turned out at a fund-raiser at the Abington Veterans of Foreign Wars post. The proceeds of the event and a raffle organized by Pembroke town employees went toward a fund that has been created to help Hanson keep her home and meet other costs. According to Peg Struzik, Pembroke's assistant town treasurer, donations are still welcome. Checks payable to the Hanson Family Trust can be sent to Peg Struzik, PO Box 80, Pembroke 02359. For more information, e-mail mstruziktownofpembrokemass.org. - John Laidler

PINEHILLS SETTLES SEWAGE ALLEGATIONS - Attorney General Martha Coakley's office recently reached an agreement with the Pinehills LLC to settle allegations that the company violated the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act by discharging raw sewage into the ground without the proper permits. According to the complaint, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, the developer allegedly discharged thousands of gallons of untreated sewage into the ground in March 2006 and January 2007, Coakley's office said. The complaint also alleged that raw sewage flowed through an uncapped pipe next to one of the golf courses at the Pinehills for about three months until a golfer discovered the spill in November 2005, according to Coakley's office. Under the terms of the settlement, Pinehills LLC must pay a $135,000 civil penalty and contribute an additional $15,000 to fund a water-quality study of the Plymouth Harbor and Eel River estuary. The settlement also calls for the Pinehills to review its sewage collection system and adopt guidelines to prevent future discharges. - Emily Sweeney

KEENAN TAKES REINS AS CHIEF - A change in command has taken place at the city's Police Department. Paul N. Keenan, formerly a captain, is now chief, replacing Robert F. Crowley, who retired. The 50-year-old Keenan, who has served on the 250-member force for 25 years in a wide variety of roles, was picked by a five-member committee last month. The 1976 graduate of North Quincy High was praised for his experience and the belief that he had the skills to heal a long-festering problem between the department and the patrolmen's union. Keenan, who is the mayor's brother-in-law, was selected by an outside committee formed to avoid any conflict of interest.

- Matt Carroll

GOLF COURSE PROTECTED - The town has reached a deal to prevent development of the 18-hole Rockland Golf Course, paying $499,999 for a permanent conservation restriction on the 63.4-acre property. The purchase, signed last week, is being funded by a $329,000 state grant, with the remainder coming from the Trust for Public Land, the national conservation organization that owns the golf course, said Town Administrator Allan Chiocca. The course was sold in 2004 to a development company that planned to tear up half of the course and build a housing complex for senior citizens. The town fought the development and helped arrange sale of the course to the Trust for Public Land.

- Steve Hatch

ELLIS HOUSE FUND-RAISER - The Scituate Arts Assocation, as part of the celebration of its 50th anniversary, has stepped up a fund-raising campaign to stabilize and restore its historic Ellis House headquarters in North Scituate. The effort is currently focused on "selling" the 1,800 bricks needed to repair the chimneys of the 1874 building, located on the Bailey-Ellis Estate atop Booth Hill on Country Way. Other planned renovations include upgrades to the septic, heating, and electrical systems, repainting, and exterior repairs. For more information, go to scituateart.com or contact association president Janet Cornacchio at jcornacch@aol.com or 781-545-7613. - John Laidler

NO SENIOR PICNIC - The annual senior picnic won't happen this summer and September's Weymouth Day may be canceled, too - casualties of the town's terrible financial situation. Mayor Susan Kay announced last week that both traditional events were canceled, but said she's reconsidering Weymouth Day's fate. "We're getting tremendous response to try to save it and we are working to that end," she said. "The council of the Department of Elder Services is insisting on canceling the picnic. They feel they should do their part for the town and would be embarrassed to have it where we are in such financial trouble." While most of the money for Weymouth Day comes from private fund-raising, there are town costs associated with it, Kay said. The town faces a $1 million deficit in this year's budget and a $3.4 million shortfall next year, both caused mainly by unanticipated health insurance costs, she said. She has asked all departments to cut their budgets by 3.4 percent. Kay said she feels bad. "The possible cancellation of all of our big events is very disturbing to me."

- Johanna Seltz