Duckling update

Two of four ducklings that fell through a sewer grate last week and had to be rescued by town employees have died. The baseball-sized ducklings, estimated to be two weeks old, had plunged into the town's sewer system while trying to jump a curb on Carriage Hill Road on July 1. They fell while trying to keep up with their mother and seven siblings, according to Carriage Hill Road resident Cheryl Doherty, who with her four children and a nephew witnessed the birds' misstep and sought help from the town's sewer department. "The problem was we couldn't find the mother," she said. "So we kept the birds in a box in the area, feeding them and giving them water, for four days hoping she'd come back to get them. Each night we'd take them in and care for them so other animals wouldn't get them." On July 5, Doherty said, she and her children checked on the birds and found two had died. She said she took the two surviving birds to the New England Wildlife Center in Weymouth, where they continue to recover. "The people at the center were amazed the two birds survived," said Doherty. - Robert Carroll

SUMMER CONCERTS - The popular summer concerts at the Sunset Lake gazebo bandstand continue on Tuesday with a performance by the Nowheremen. Other upcoming concerts include: The O'Reillys on July 22, the Heritage House Blues Band (including a free cookout) on July 29, the Cailte Kelley Band on Aug. 5 , and True West on Aug. 12. The free concerts start at 6 p.m. and last about two hours. Bring lawn chairs. For more information, call the Parks Department at 781-794-8903. - Matt Carroll

WIND TURBINE HEARING - A private developer wants to put two commercial wind turbines on a closed landfill off Route 3A. James Sweeney, president of CCI Energy of Plymouth, will outline his plan in a public forum Wednesday at the Paul Pratt Memorial Library from 7 to 9 p.m. "He'll need permission from the Planning Board, but this is a public information forum, to let the public know the scope of the project," said Andrew Williard, chairman of Cohasset's Alternative Energy Committee. Williard said the turbines would be about the same size as the larger of Hull's two turbines, or about 460 feet to the tip of the blade when it is vertical. The company would have the option of selling the electricity it generates directly to Cohasset, he said. "I'm in favor of the project," Williard said. - Johanna Seltz

STUDENT RECITALS - Student recitals and other concerts begin tomorrow as part of Duxbury Music Festival. Sponsored by South Shore Conservatory of Music, the festival is an intensive program for the study and performance of solo and chamber repertoire for undergraduates, graduate students, and professional classical musicians. The festival's faculty will offer solo and chamber music performances, and a resident string quartet composed of members of the South Shore Conservatory faculty will also perform. This week's performances include student recitals in Ellison Center for the Arts at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday, a faculty chamber concert Tuesday night at 7 in First Parish Church, and concerts on the Duxbury Town Green on Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The student recitals and Sunday's concert are free. For information, visit duxburymusicfestival.org. - Robert Knox

POWER SOURCE OPTIONS - Alternative energy, anyone? That's the call being put out by the Board of Selectmen, which recently voted to create a committee that will look into securing alternative energy sources for the town. The five-member volunteer committee will be asked to present alternative energy ideas to the board and work to secure state and federal energy grants. "This is something I think we need to have," said Selectman David Greene. He said the panel could investigate benefits of solar panels on town buildings and harnessing wind power. "We'd like to get the committee formed soon," he said. Anyone interested in serving on the panel can call the selectmen's office at 781-826-2261. - Robert Carroll

HUNT ON FOR NEW LEADER - The town has hired a consultant, Groux Associates, to help find a new town administrator. Charles Cristello left on June 30, after 16 years on the job, to become town manager in Middleborough. His assistant, Betty Foley, is filling in as interim town administrator until a replacement is named. She said she is not applying. Selectmen chose the consultant, who has assisted several towns in finding new administrators, and also have formed a search committee of residents. Residents can add input at the town's Web page, hingham-ma.com/selectmen/contact.html. - Johanna Seltz

SCHOOL PANEL MEMBER RESIGNS - After serving four years on the Holbrook School Committee, Christine Golden resigned June 25, effective immediately. Golden gave no reason in her letter submitted to the town clerk, but commented that it had been a pleasure serving the children of Holbrook. Golden's replacement will be decided on by the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen. Typically, the School Committee will present a recommendation for the successor to selectmen. The successor will serve until the next election. - Franci Richardson Ellement

FISHING WITH PURPOSE - Folks can fish for a good cause at the first Hull Fishing Derby Classic Saturday. Proceeds from the fishing contest will go to the Hull Academic Support Coalition, which raises money for the town's schools. Cash prizes will be awarded to whoever catches the biggest bluefish and striped bass, either from boat or shore. All fish must be caught in Massachusetts Bay, by rod or reel only. Fishing starts at 5 a.m. and weigh-in ends at 4 p.m. Entry fees are $100 per boat, or $25 for those fishing from shore - $15 for those 16 or younger. Participants must register by Friday. A cookout will follow the fishing derby at 4 p.m. on Steamboat Wharf Marina. Call Kristen Evans at 781-630-1004 or Mary Merrigan at 781-242-9083. The registration form is at www.town.hull.ma.us. - Johanna Seltz

WIND PROJECT STUDY - Selectmen have approved a wind project feasibility study report prepared by consultants KEMA Inc. in collaboration with the town's Green Energy Committee. The study recommends locating a 1.5- or 2-megawatt wind turbine near the town's waste-water treatment facility building, where data collected from a meteorological tower on the nearby landfill indicate the site should have an adequate wind resource for a utility-scale wind turbine project. Wind speeds are expected to average about 6.4 meters per second at a height of 70 meters. The report studied a turbine's visual and noise impacts on the community, environmental and permitting issues, and concluded that impacts would be mitigated by the site and that the project would have a net positive effect on wildlife by reducing fossil fuel emissions. - Robert Knox

BLESSING OF THE FLEET - The Marshfield Commercial Fishermen's Association will hold its annual Blessing of the Fleet next Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Marshfield Town Pier. The blessing will be given by the Rev. Donald Clifford of Plymouth, and all commercial fishermen and recreational boaters are welcome, according to association president Michael Duane. - Emily Sweeney

ADMINISTRATOR SIGNS ON - Kevin J. Mearn has signed a three-year contract as Milton's town administrator, which will take his term into 2011. Mearn was hired in 2007 with a one-year contract. He had previously served the town as police chief. His salary is being negotiated. "Everyone appreciates his hard work and his willingness to look forward and see where we will be in the next five years," said Kathryn A. Fagan, chairwoman of the selectmen.

- Matt Carroll

UPGRADE FOR LIBRARY - The public library has received an upgrade of the computer software it uses to manage materials and account information. The library was provided with the new software by the Old Colony Library Network through the annual membership fee it pays the organization, according to Kathy Harrison, systems manager of the Norwell library. She said the network is providing the same software to its other member libraries. The upgrade will boost efficiency, Harrison said. Library staff received training. - John Laidler

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOUGHT - The Board of Selectmen recently agreed to work with the Housing Authority to identify a town-owned site on which to develop affordable housing. The authority, which would manage the housing, approached selectmen with the idea, according to Town Administrator Edwin Thorne. Pembroke is effectively exempt from the state's affordable housing law, Chapter 40B, because more than 10 percent of its housing stock is affordable. Thorne said the Housing Authority hopes to develop housing that is even more affordable than units typically built under Chapter 40B. The Affordable Housing Committee is collaborating with the Housing Authority on the effort. At selectmen's request, Thorne recently provided the two groups with a list of potential sites. - John Laidler

CHIEF SET TO RETIRE - Police Chief Robert J. Pomeroy plans to retire next month. Pomeroy, who has served as chief for 16 years, said he will step down Aug. 8. Captain Michael Botieri is expected to be appointed acting chief until a new permanent chief is chosen. "I'll miss it," Pomeroy said in a telephone interview. "I still love coming to work here every day." Pomeroy said he plans to pursue an opportunity to work as a consultant and teacher. - Emily Sweeney

CHIEF UNDECIDED ON NEXT MOVE - Robert F. Crowley, Quincy's recently retired police chief, said he is considering a job as an investigator with the state but is keeping his options open. Crowley, 60, declined to say which state agency that would be with. He plans to take a month or so off before he makes any decisions. He is more interested in part-time work. "I still have a few good years left," he said. He was succeeded by Chief Paul Keenan. - Matt Carroll

STORE OPENING - Frugal shoppers rejoice: Ocean State Job Lot is having a grand opening Thursday at its new store in Randolph, at the old Fabric Place site next to Bob's store on Route 139. Marc Perlman, Ocean State CEO, said the store will have four managers and 63 staff members. The Rhode Island-based discount chain now has 38 locations in Massachusetts, including stores in Brockton, Norwood, and Quincy. - Wendy Chow

SUN-SAFE SUMMER FUN - Showcase Cinemas in Randolph is offering a way for children to keep cool in the summer, through Aug. 18. On Mondays at 11 a.m., the theater run free family films as part of its SPF (Sun Protection Flicks) program to benefit the Shade Foundation, an organiaztion founded by Shonda Schilling to reduce cases of skin cancer by educating children about sun safety. On Wednesdays at 10 a.m., children who submit book reports can enjoy free movies at the Bookworm Wednesday program. Adults and children under age 6 who accompany participants receive free admission as well. Those who submit book reports are eligible for prizes including books and promotional movie items, four tickets to a Red Sox game night, and movie tickets for the winner's entire school classroom. Attendance ranges from 350 to 500 children, said Wanda Whitson, Showcase director of corporate communications. Movies include "Evan Almighty" on July 14, and "Open Season" on July 16. For information, visit nationalamusements.com. - Wendy Chow

RENT INCREASE AT ISSUE - Nearly a thousand residents are spending the summer wondering whether their rents are going up, when, and by how much. The town's rent control board at its July meeting postponed a decision on a request by Hometown America to raise rents in its Hillcrest mobile home complex on Beech Street and its Leisurewoods retirement community. Wrangling over figures supplied by Hometown America to make up for revenue shortfalls in 2007 and 2008 led to a continuation of the rent control session to Aug. 12. Residents of the two communities have expressed frustration over the delay, and Rockland town accountant Eric Hart has warned that delaying the increase could result in increased payments over a shorter time span. An increase of up to $28 a month has been discussed. A retroactive increase for Leisurewoods residents was approved last month. Rent control was instituted in 2006. Increases would vary depending on units and length of residency. There are 450 residents at Hillcrest and close to 500 at Leisurewoods.

- Steve Hatch

SOLDIER HONORED - The Massachusetts National Guard recently dedicated a new training facility in the name of Michael J. Kelley, a Guardsman from Scituate who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2005. The open-air facility, at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod, was named the Michael J. Kelley Tactical Training Base. Equipped with tents, it is intended to simulate a small operating base in Iraq, according to Shawn P. Kelley, Michael's older brother. He and other family and friends of Kelley were on hand for the dedication ceremony last month, which also included the dedication of a separate Camp Edwards facility to another Massachusetts National Guard soldier killed in Afghanistan. Kelley, 26, was a member of the Guard's E Battery, 101st Field Artillery, out of Rehoboth. Assigned to the Special Forces base in Shkinn, in eastern Afghanistan, he was struck by rocket fire while helping to unload a helicopter in the landing zone just outside the base. He was the first Massachusetts National Guardsman to be killed in action in Afghanistan. In 2006, a state bridge on Route 3A over the North River was dedicated in Kelley's name.

- John Laidler

RECYCLING MADE EASIER - Residents don't have to sort their trash anymore. Glass, plastic, cans, paper, and cardboard all can go in the same recycling container. And residents no longer need to use a special recycling container, but can throw everything in a regular trash barrel, which they mark with a recycling label provided by the Department of Public Works. The change to "single stream" recycling started this month when the town switched its waste disposal contractor to Capitol Waste Services for curbside collection. "We anticipate increased recycling and increased recycling revenue, just because this is easier," said DPW director Robert O'Connor. Among the items that can't be recycled through the program are plastic bags, fabric, foam packaging and styrofoam, aerosol cans, and food waste. More information about recycling and curbside collection is available by calling the DPW at 781-337-5100 or visiting the town's website, www.weymouth .ma.us.

- Johanna Seltz