New site for town yard

A task force charged with finding a new site for the town yard has recommended that selectmen move the facility to a privately owned parcel next to the Greater Lawrence Technical School on Campanelli Drive. The site has been approved for industrial use and is near Interstate 93, just off River Road. The town yard is currently located on Lewis Street, near the downtown business district. It is used primarily for road sand and salt storage and vehicle and equipment maintenance. Local leaders have said they would like to develop the Lewis Street property into a mixed-use development. - Brenda J. Buote

TAX EXEMPTIONS - This is the time of year to file for property tax exemptions, says chief assessor Frank T. Reen. He has posted a list of state-sanctioned exemptions that would qualify for an annual reduction in taxes. Exemptions typically range from $175 to $500, depending on qualifying conditions, which include age, income and assets, widowhood, and blindness. At the discretion of the Board of Assessors, Reen said, homeowners facing extreme hardship, such as a catastrophic illness, could receive an exemption. Qualifying disabled veterans could also be eligible. For detailed information, visit townofchelmsford.us/Assessor-tax-exemption.cfm or call 978-250-5220.

- Joyce Pellino Crane

DECISION PENDING ON VIOLATIONS - Selectmen are waiting until August to make a final decision on three stores that sold alcohol to minors in a recent police sting. According to selectmen, the town's legal counsel will research whether the stores can be required to purchase liquor liability insurance coverage. On May 23, Dracut police used an underage witness in a townwide sting in which three of 16 stores sold alcohol to the minor without asking for proper identification. During a selectmen's meeting July 8, the stores - Andy & Leo's, Alexander's Pharmacy, and Dracut Center Convenience - all blamed improper employee training. Selectmen proposed a 15-day liquor license suspension and requiring all the stores to purchase at least $100,000 in liquor liability insurance. Last year, four stores sold to minors after a similar police sting, resulting in either three- or four-day suspensions. None of the stores identified in the recent sting failed last year. - Rocco Colella

RETURN AND BE COUNTED - Town Clerk Carol Skerrett is urging all residents who did not return their census forms in the spring to do so now. Those who do not return the forms are moved to the inactive voter list. That designation does not mean that a resident cannot vote at the next election, but the resident will have to fill out a residence affirmation form in order to vote, which can cause delays on Election Day. - Matt Gunderson

VOTING INFORMATION - Selectmen have scheduled a town election and a special Town Meeting for October. The election has been scheduled for Oct. 7, and the deadline to register to vote in it is Sept. 17. The special Town Meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 20, and the deadline to register to vote in it is Oct. 10.

- Matt Gunderson

RESTARTING MONARCH PROJECT - Construction will resume as soon as October for the Monarch on the Merrimack development at the Wood Mill on Merrimack Street, about a year after the project stalled because financing fell through, said Robert D. Ansin, the company's chief executive officer. Sal Lupoli, , owner of the neighboring Riverwalk Properties on Merrimack Street, bought a 360,000-square-foot section of the Wood Mill from Ansin for $5.7 million, revitalizing the Monarch project. The deal was completed on July 9, the same day the city approved the subdivision of the property, Ansin said. Ansin's project will have rental housing, retail, office, and entertainment space. Lupoli, who has the option to buy more property, will develop office and commercial space. Lupoli has already begun construction, and the entire redevelopment of the Wood Mill is projected to be completed in two to three years.

- Kate Augusto

STOCKING THE FOOD BANK - Mayor Edward "Bud" Caulfield will host a harvest ball in the fall to help raise money for the Merrimack Valley Food Bank. Caulfield said the agency helps thousands of families in Lowell and surrounding communities, especially during difficult economic times. Last year, the food bank distributed 2 million pounds of food to 70,000 people. "It's absolutely necessary for us to reach out and help," Caulfield said. The event will be held Oct. 4 at Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Tickets cost $25. For more information, call the mayor's office at 978-970-4040. - Jennifer Fenn Lefferts

DETOURS AHEAD - Work on Howe Street, from Hampstead to Washington streets, is scheduled to continue from today until Tuesday, the city has announced. During work, traffic will be restricted to one lane. City officials urge motorists to use alternative routes. - Russell Contreras

WATER, SEWER RATES RISE - Residents can expect to see a 5 percent increase in combined water and sewer bills this year, after selectmen set the new rate last week. Average homeowners will see about an $11 increase in quarterly statements, which will rise to about $227 from $216. Selectmen said the increases were needed to offset drops in sewer revenue and a jump in cost to treat the water. - Russell Contreras

FARMERS' MARKET - The town's annual farmers' market began last weekend and will run every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the town field until Oct. 8. This year, organizers of the event, which draws farming vendors from across the area, are encouraging other clubs, activity groups, and vendors to participate. The hope is that the added events will help draw bigger crowds to the market.

- Matt Gunderson

AUTISM AWARENESS - A carnival fund-raiser to help people with autism will be held at the Tewksbury Commons from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. The event, at the corner of Pleasant and Main streets, will feature music, face painting, and children's games, a water slide, a dunk tank, and carnival games. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Autism Speaks, a nonprofit that seeks to increase awareness of autism, to fund research, and to advocate for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Donations can be made directly to the organization at autismspeaks.org. - Brenda J. Buote

FINANCIAL ADVICE SOUGHT - The Board of Selectmen is seeking a resident to serve on the town's Strategic Financial Planning Committee. The committee will review town and school finances and recommend ways to reduce costs and improve organizational structure, programs, management, and quality of services. Members will also review regionalization and privatization options. Interested residents should submit a letter to the selectmen's office indicating why they want to volunteer and detailing experience and length of residency in town. For more information, call 978-649-2314. - Joyce Pellino Crane

NEW TOWN MANAGER - Selectmen have unanimously approved a three-year contract for Jodi R. Ross as the new town manager. On Aug. 11, Ross will step into the position vacated by Steve Ledoux in February. She has been Bolton's town administrator since January 2004. Prior to that, she was assistant town coordinator in Westborough for a decade. In Westford, she will have an annual salary of $135,000, plus an annual cost-of-living increase, a monthly automobile allowance of $300, and four weeks of paid vacation, with unused days carried over from one year to another. The town will make an annual $5,000 contribution to her deferred-compensation account. - Joyce Pellino Crane

KINDERGARTEN IN THE FALL - Though New Hampshire towns now have until September 2009 to start kindergarten programs, following Governor John Lynch's July 11 approval of a law that extends the deadline for a year, Derry is set to start this fall. Voters approved a plan for public kindergarten in March, and School Board members unanimously approved a plan in April to add a two-classroom modular structure to Grinnell Elementary School. Prior to the approval of the public kindergarten program, Derry was one of 11 New Hampshire towns not offering kindergarten. In addition to the modular classrooms at Grinnell, existing space will be used at other schools for kindergarten classes. The district anticipates an enrollment of about 400 students in September, when the program begins. - Meg Villeneuve

FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK EXPERIMENT - When faced with a shortage of nearly $100,000 in the fuel budget, Hudson Road Agent Kevin Burns decided not to seek help from selectmen, but instead came up with a plan to save that amount. Highway Department crews will now work four 10-hour days, rather than five eight-hour days per week, and the department will be open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. By decreasing the work week by one day, Burns hopes to save fuel. At the end of the four-month experiment, Burns will meet with selectmen and discuss whether the plan was a success. - Meg Villeneuve

WIRELESS DOWNTOWN - All hands were on deck for a press conference Wednesday to celebrate the long-awaited launch of the wireless Internet service in downtown Nashua. Mayor Donnalee Lozeau and members of the Nashua Chamber of Commerce celebrated the start of the wireless network, which stretches from the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center to Library Hill and up to two blocks on either side of Main Street, according to Christopher Williams, chamber president. - Meg Villeneuve

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL - Starting tomorrow, members of the Safe Routes to School advisory committee will listen to project sponsors from Nashua to Franconia outlining plans to improve the safety of students walking or cycling to school. Communities across the state have applied for nearly $1.5 million to help elementary school children to walk and ride bicycles to school safely. "It no longer makes sense for parents to spend time idling in backed-up traffic to drop their kids off at school," said John Corrigan, state coordinator for the Safe Routes program. "Making it possible for children to safely get to school under their own power should help reduce the epidemic of overweight children while improving air quality." The session will be held at the Morton Building, 7 Hazen Drive in Concord, tomorrow at 3 p.m.

- Meg Villeneuve

WALK THIS WAY - A new sidewalk on High Street has been completed, says Selectwoman Paulina Knibbe, and more are on the way. The town will begin construction of a sidewalk on Central Street this fall and will continue to identify areas of top priority for new sidewalks, taking into consideration needed easements and funding. According to Knibbe, who is chair of the Sidewalk Committee, residents are pleased with the new sidewalks for the social and safety aspects. - Julia Quinn-Szcesuil

AFTER THE FIRE - A roaring fire at the Zodiac apartments on Groton School Road on July 11 has left more than a dozen residents homeless. To offer relief to those who were displaced, the Fire Department has set up a fund at Fidelity Bank. "After touring the fire scene with Fire Chief Robert Pedrazzi, it is very obvious that the amazing efforts of the complex residents, firefighters, police officers and community responders helped avert a major tragedy," administrator Shaun Suhoski said in an e-mail. "Ayer's firefighters are a highly trained and committed group of professionals." There were no injuries to residents or responding firefighters. The Red Cross and property owner Geof Hemenway have assisted residents with temporary lodging. Checks can be sent to: Zodiac Fire Relief Fund, PO Box 695, Fidelity Bank, 21 Main St., Shirley, MA 01464. - Taryn Plumb

CURBSIDE RECYCLING - The town began a recycling initiative this month that includes Burlington, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, and Tyngsborough. Curbside recycling for appliances, televisions, computer monitors, and tires, is now available by scheduling a pickup through Appliance Recyclers, 877-228-2898. Fees range from $5 to $20 per item.

- Joyce Pellino Crane

FERNS EXPANSION - The Board of Health has approved a preapplication from Ferns Country Store that would allow the addition of a structure that join the existing store with the adjacent garage. Because of septic flow concerns, the decision stipulates that the space may not be used for a café/lounge or public restroom, but would be used solely to expand retail operations. Following the board's approval, the Board of Selectmen has asked the applicants to seek preliminary approval from other town boards before selectmen review a formal application.

- Nancy Shohet West

DRIVING DELAYS - Because of this morning's Appleman Triathlon, a charity hosted by the Littleton Rotary Club, numerous local traffic restrictions will be in effect today. Although efforts will be made to accommodate residents who live along the route, drivers should expect delays along Goldsmith Street, Shaker Lane, and Newtown Road. Some on-street parking restrictions will be in effect as well. In addition, the town beach parking lot and the public boat ramp parking lot will be closed through Sunday morning.

- Nancy Shohet West

RIGHTS FOR THE DISABLED - The Board of Selectmen has decided to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The selectmen unanimously voted to declare July 26 ADA Day in North Reading. The proclamation, which urges residents to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities, asks that the town renew its commitment not to discriminate against the disabled, said Robert Mauceri, the board's chairman.

- Laura M. Colarusso

TAKING THE PLEDGE - The Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection is asking residents to sign a pledge to reduce their home's electric energy use by 10 percent over the next 12 months. The group, which is taking steps to reduce the town's greenhouse gas emissions, has also put together a list of energy-saving tips to help residents reach this goal. The advice includes using compact fluorescent bulbs, washing only full loads of clothes or dishes, and installing energy-efficient appliances. For more information, visit home.comcast.net/~tsopchak/RNCEC.htm or send an e-mail message to ReadingMassCCP@hotmail.com.

- Laura M. Colarusso