Road and sidewalk maintenance in Amesbury

Residents can find out how the city maintains roads and sidewalks at the Master Plan Implementation and Oversight Committee's workshop Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Amesbury Cultural Center, on High Street. The session is the second in a series of four public workshops on aspects of the master plan. At Wednesday's workshop, moderated by District 6 Municipal Councilor Jonathan Sherwood, Public Works director Robert Desmarais will present information on the city's paving program, including how projects are funded and prioritized. For more information on the workshop or the master plan, contact Town Planner Nipun Jain at 978-388-8110 or at nipun@amesburyma.gov. - John Laidler

DEVELOPMENT OK'D - A six-year dispute over a proposed housing development in a wooded section of the city near the Cove neighborhood ended last week. The Planning Board approved a proposal from Manor Homes at Whitehall to build 27 single-family houses on a 30-acre site at Chapman's Corner. Workers will also rehab six existing homes on the site, and one of those homes will be sold as affordable housing. Work is expected to begin on the site in the fall, said Tom Alexander, attorney for the developers, Henry Bertolon and David Carnevale. Over the years, larger housing developments had been proposed for the property, but had been opposed by neighbors. Alexander said the 27 homes would be marketed at $750,000 each. - Steven Rosenberg

AFFORDABLE-HOUSING LOTTERY - The town is holding an affordable-housing lottery next Tuesday. Lottery winners will be added to a waiting list of applicants seeking to purchase one of the 15 affordable units at Andrews Farm when they become available. Andrews Farm is a mixed-income subdivision of 54 single-family homes off Interstate 95 and between Topsfield Road and Lockwood Lane. The Boxford Housing Partnership is organizing Tuesday's lottery. The deadline to apply is tomorrow. For more information, call the selectmen's office at 978-887-6000, ext. 502. - John Laidler

HEARING ON CELL TOWER BID - The Planning Board will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a request to install cell tower antennae in the cupola at the Marriott residences behind Liberty Tree Mall. MetroPCS, the cell tower provider, also proposes to build two equipment cabinets on the ground. The hearing will be held as part of the board's meeting at 7 p.m. in the Daniel J. Toomey Hearing Room at Town Hall.

- Kathy McCabe

TOWN TO GET OIL-SPILL TRAILER - The town will receive a marine oil spill response trailer for the Fire Department, from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Several coastal towns are receiving trailers and will receive training on their use from the state as part of the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act of 2004, according to Town Administrator Brendhan Zubricki. - David Rattigan

THREE PER DIEM FIREFIGHTERS ON DUTY - The Fire Department now has three paid per diem firefighters on duty on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. According to Chief Mike Anderson, all of the shifts have been filled through Sept. 30. The town voted at Town Meeting in favor of a $91,000 tax increase to cover the salaries of the new paid shifts. "So far it's been very successful for the Fire Department and the town," Anderson said. - David Cogger

COUNCIL TO MEET TUESDAY - A proposal to turn a retail establishment into a residence tops Tuesday night's City Council meeting. Cape Ann Lighthouse Realty Trust has applied for a special council permit to renovate 184 Washington St. into a multifamily dwelling. Also, the council has postponed debate on a review of the city's ordinances until Aug. 19.

- Steven Rosenberg

PRICE OF AGING COUNCIL'S RIDES GOES UP - The high cost of gasoline has had an impact on the transportation program for the Council on Aging. Beginning this month, the cost for nonlocal (beyond the borders of Haverhill, Groveland, and Georgetown) council transportation rose from $5 to $7, and the cost of transportation for medical appointments provided by the nonprofit Northern Essex Elder Transport Inc. rose to 43 cents per mile, from 40 cents per mile. "People have been understanding," said Council on Aging director Lynne Stanton. The cost for local trips remains $3. - David Rattigan

NEW PRESIDENT FOR SEMINARY - Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary has hired a new president. Dennis Hollinger, PhD, president and professor of Christian ethics at Evangelical Theological Seminary in Myerstown, Pa., will become the seminary's sixth president on Aug. 1, succeeding interim president Haddon Robinson. Robinson will remain on the faculty. - David Rattigan

STATE CUT LEAVES CITY $1.2M SHORT - Local officials are scrambling to address an unexpected fiscal crisis in the wake of Governor Deval Patrick's decision to cut in half the $2.4 million in state aid that had been earmarked for the Hale Hospital debt. The governor's decision will force Mayor James J. Fiorentini to cut $1.2 million from city services. The reduction in state aid for the Hale debt was one cut among hundreds made by Patrick. Overall, the governor vetoed more than $122 million in pet projects from the $28.3 billion state budget for fiscal 2009, which began July 1. Haverhill pays more than $7 million a year on debt owed by the former Hale Hospital. Over the past five fiscal years, the city has received nearly $8 million from the state to offset the debt.

- Brenda J. Buote

SEWER AND ELECTRIC RATES TO GO UP - The Board of Selectmen recently voted to increase both sewer and electricity rates. Electricity rates will increase half-a-cent per kilowatt hour, costing a typical energy user an additional $15 per year, according to Tim Henry, the town's utilities director. Sewer rates increased 3 percent, costing a typical user an additional $8 annually. The electricity rate increase was agreed to in principle earlier this year, when the town voted to fund the building of a $7.5 million substation.

- David Rattigan

YOUTH WORK REFERRAL STARTED - The Parks and Recreation Department has begun a new youth employment referral program. Under the initiative, the department connects residents looking to hire people for baby sitting, snow shoveling, lawn mowing, and other work with young people from Manchester and Essex who are interested in performing those services. Residents will negotiate the fees with the prospective workers. For more information or to be put on the referral list, go to manchester.ma.us/recreation or call 978-526-2019. - John Laidler

ZONING BOARD HAS VACANCY - The town is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals. The opening resulted from the recent resignation of David Bennet. Anyone who would like to apply should send a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen by Aug. 6. Selectmen, meanwhile, at their meeting next Wednesday, are set to appoint residents to fill three vacancies on the Council on Aging board. Also that night, selectmen and the Board of Assessors are set to jointly appoint someone to fill a vacancy on the assessors created by the recent resignation of Richard Riess, and selectmen and the library trustees are set to jointly appoint someone to fill a vacant trustee position that resulted from the recent resignation of Judy Gates. - John Laidler

CULTURAL GRANT APPLICATIONS - The Merrimac Cultural Council is seeking applications from groups and individuals interested in holding cultural programs in town. Funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the local council last year awarded approximately $4,000 to fund 10 grant applications for educational programs; performing arts, including musicians and folk artists; and Senior Center art classes. Council members meet on Fridays at 7 p.m. at Town Hall and select from a series of grant applications in December. For more information, contact Debbie Webster at 978-346-0623 or deelittlebee@yahoo.com Grant applications are available online at massculturalcouncil.org/applications/lccapp.html.

- David Cogger

OAKDALE CEMETERY EXPANSION - The town is expanding the Oakdale Cemetery. According to Public Works director Robert LaBossiere, about half of the 30-acre Maple Street site is in use by the cemetery. The expansion, needed because Oakdale is running out of space, will bring an additional 6 acres on the site into use. A contractor, Crawford Land Clearing of Wakefield, N.H., is clearing trees at no cost to the town in return for being able to keep the wood, which the company can then sell, LaBossiere said. Another contractor will be selected in August to remove the stumps and grade the land, and in the fall to plant grass. The overall budget for the project is $50,000, appropriated by Town Meeting last year. LaBossiere said the town hopes to have the additional land ready for use by next spring. - John Laidler

NEW LIBRARY DIRECTOR - Effective tomorrow, Jennifer Brown will be the new director of the Newbury Town Library. She will replace interim director Rachel Penner. Brown, of Merrimac, has worked as a library information specialist at Governor's Academy in Byfield for 10 years, and before that was a children's librarian in Stoneham and an assistant children's librarian in Amesbury. "We are thrilled to have this excellent librarian with so much local history coming on staff," said Catherine Dullea, chairwoman of the library's board of trustees.

- Taryn Plumb

VOLUNTEERS FOR EMERGENCY GROUP - Mayor John Moak and city health officials are seeking residents interested in serving with the Newburyport Emergency Response Volunteers. The group is being formed now and would be called upon in the event of an emergency, such as a man-made catastrophe or natural disaster. A large-scale emergency would require hundreds of volunteers. The group is taking all volunteers regardless of background or expertise. For more information, visit the city website at cityofnewburyport.com. - Brenda J. Buote

CITY TO SEEK GRANT FOR SITE PURCHASE - The City Council recently approved a request from Mayor Michael J. Bonfanti to seek a $450,000 state grant to help the city purchase land at 45 Walnut St. Once occupied by a leather factory, New England Sportswear, the property has been vacant for decades. Part of the grant would be used to identify contaminants at the site. The council's 8-to-3 vote followed lengthy debate. According to City Clerk Timothy Spanos, some councilors said they would rather see the city undertake the environmental study before seeking the grant. But he said other councilors noted that receipt of the grant would not commit the city to purchasing the land. - John Laidler

FALL TOWN MEETING WARRANT - The Board of Selectmen recently opened the warrant for the fall Town Meeting. The meeting date is Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. at the high school on Jerden's Lane.

- David Rattigan

FIRE PUMPER BIDS SOUGHT - The town is seeking bids for delivery of a new rescue pumper for the Fire Department. Required pumper specifications and bid documents are available at the Board of Selectmen's office at Town Hall Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays between 9 a.m. and noon. Bids must be received in sealed envelopes marked "Bid for 1500 GPM Rescue Pumper" no later than 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Town Hall. The contract will be awarded by the Board of Selectmen to the lowest "responsible and responsive bidder."

- David Cogger

GRANT FOR WITCH HOUSE - The city-owned Witch House has received a $50,000 state grant to help pay for renovations. The grant comes from the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund, which helps cities preserve historical sites and artifacts. The city will also contribute $112,500 to the improvements, which call for building a new roof and restoring the chimney. The 17th-century house was once owned by Judge Jonathan Corwin, who served on the Court of Oyer and Terminer, which sent 19 people to the gallows. - Steven Rosenberg

BUTCHER SHOP GETS LICENSE - Selectmen recently granted a business license for a planned butcher shop. Bucciarelli's Meat Market will occupy two store spaces in a newly constructed commercial building at 147 Bridge St., set between a Honey Dew Donuts shop and a Thai restaurant, Mai Pow. The shop will open Aug. 1, according to Joseph Bucciarelli of Marlborough, principal of the business. Bucciarelli has been a produce manager at Lambert's Market in Marlborough, a cook for Aegean Restaurant in Framingham, and most recently has assisted at his brother-in-law's butcher shop in Guilford, N.H. Bucciarelli said that in addition to meat, Bucciarelli's Meat Market will offer sandwiches, produce, and freshly baked bread. "We want to make it a sort of one-stop shop for people," he said. Bucciarelli said he was drawn to Salisbury because it's a fast-growing community with a beautiful waterfront, "and I saw a need for this type of business in the area."

- John Laidler

SCHOOL LUNCH FEES GOING UP - The School Committee on July 10 voted to increase school lunch fees at the start of the next school year. The fee at the elementary schools will go from $2 to $2.25, while the fee at the middle and high schools will rise from $2.25 to $2.50. The increases, the first in several years, were necessitated by higher food prices, according to the district's business manager, Edward Cronin. Like other districts, Swampscott offers free and reduced lunches for income-eligible students, receiving federal reimbursement for the costs involved.

- John Laidler

BIKE TRAIL CONSTRUCTION TO START - A proposed 4-mile bicycle "rail trail" continues to draw attention from bicycle riders, abutters, and selectmen. At a recent meeting, the board approved use of a $2,000 grant from the Essex National Heritage Commission and $40,000 from the state's Department of Recreation and Conservation to begin the first phase of the trail, which will run from Main Street to Washington Street. Committee chairman Joe Geller said the trail will be made from tightly packed crushed stone laid over an abandoned rail bed. The stone will help with speed control but will also allow handicapped access. In addition, a new state law will limit liability for the town and for landowners along the trail. The committee will set up a series of public informational meetings and hopes to begin construction by early fall. The Topsfield stretch would be part of a 26-mile route from Salisbury to Danvers. - David Cogger

GORDON COLLEGE HONORED AS EMPLOYER - The Chronicle of Higher Education has named Gordon College one of the "Greatest Colleges to Work For." The Wenham-based Christian college received recognition in six categories: health insurance; housing assistance; vacation or paid time off; disability insurance; post-retirement benefits; and 403(b) or 401(k). This is the first year the survey of best-workplace programs was conducted by The Chronicle. - David Rattigan

USING A LOANER - The town is making use of a loaner ladder truck while its new ladder truck is assembled. The cost of the new truck will be roughly $723,000. The local dealer is Bulldog Fire Apparatus in Woodville, and the manufacturer is Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. of Nesquehoning, Penn. The new, 95-foot aerial platform truck will replace the town's circa 1980 ladder truck, which was decertified last summer due to high maintenance. Eighty-five percent of the new truck purchase - or $633,156 - will be pre-paid. The remainder will be held out until delivery. By paying the majority upfront, the town will save around $22,000. The loaner truck, circa 1987, was delivered in late June.

- Taryn Plumb

INN SITE PLAN OK'D - The Planning Board has approved the site plan for a new Marriott Fairfield Inn. The 71-room, three-story extended-stay hotel will be built on the former site of a Wendy's restaurant on Portsmouth Avenue. The restaurant has been vacant for about five years. A condition of the board's approval is that the developers repair a detention pond that was never properly installed and snow must be removed off-site during the winter. - Tom Long

HORSEBACK PATROL RETURNS TO BEACH - Officers on horseback are back on patrol at Hampton Beach. The Mounted Patrol Unit, which has monitored the beach for 27 years, took last summer off after three of its four horses were forced to retire, two due to old age and one due to disease. The unit is now composed of two horses - Arrow and Butch - and officers Charlie Karpenko and Peter Moisakos. - Tom Long

NEW DEVELOPER FOR DOWNTOWN MILLS - A new developer has been found to renovate the town's vacant downtown mills. Chinburg Builders and the Architectural Heritage Foundation in a partnership to be known as Newmarket Mills Redevelopers, has signed a letter of intent with the Newmarket Community Development Corporation to rehabilitate the buildings. Current plans call for about 100 residential units, 10 artists lofts, and a mix of retail and community space. In February, a previous developer walked away from the project after a request for a variance to allow for more units was denied by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. - Tom Long

CITY HAS TENTATIVE PACT WITH TEACHERS - The city has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Association of Portsmouth Teachers. The five-year contract includes a 3.14 percent pay increase in the first year and cost-of-living adjustments in the future as well as a raise in the teachers' contribution to the cost of healthcare from 18 to 20 percent over the next two years. The contract for the union that represents 284 members, or about 40 percent of the city's workers, must be approved by the City Council, which is scheduled to vote on the agreement tomorrow.

- Tom Long