The do windows

Workers have begun replacing windows at both Abington High School and the Early Childhood Center. The $3 million project started late last month and, according to Schools Superintendent Peter Schafer, should be complete by the start of school. "The delay, if there is any, is just in having the windows made by the manufacturer," said Schafer. "We're looking at 23,300 square feet of glass being replaced." He said the windows at the high school are more than 40 years old, while those at the childhood center top 50 years. The project is being paid for through a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion passed last November that adds between $18 and $37 annually to the average tax bill over the next 20 years. School officials estimate the town will save more than a million dollars on utility bills during the next two decades. "We'll be saving money in energy costs, but also having a tighter building envelope" against penetrating water will keep both buildings "on line for many years," he said. - Robert Carroll

NEW FINANCE CHIEF - Mayor Joseph Sullivan has appointed Edward Spellman Jr. of Boston as director of municipal finance, a new position. Spellman, the treasurer-collector in Newton since 2001, will start his new position July 28. Spellman was also Milton's town accountant from 1994 to 2001, treasurer-collector in East Bridgewater from 1993 to 1994, and treasurer in Dedham from 1989 to 1993. The Boston College graduate is a certified public accountant and past president of the Massachusetts Finance Officers Association. - Matt Carroll

CIRCUS LARGESSE - The operators of the South Shore Music Circus took neighborliness to a new level last month, giving $100,000 to the nearby Paul Pratt Memorial Library. The money, which will go to the trust that supports the public library, will be used in part to start an author lecture series, according to Music Circus spokeswoman Paula Gates. "People apply to us for grants all the time, and they applied," Gates said. The South Shore Playhouse Associates approved the request on its merits and also because "they're a neighbor," Gates said. The group, which operates the Cape Cod Melody Tent as well as the Shore Music Circus, has donated more than $2 million to local arts and education groups over the last 10 years, she said. Other recipients include the South Shore Conservatory and the Cape Cod Conservatory, she said. This year, the organization approved 61 grants, including the one for the Cohasset library.

- Johanna Seltz

NO NEW BEACH BUILDING - The directors of Duxbury Beach Reservation have decided to postpone indefinitely any further work related to the contemplated construction of a new building to replace the guard shack at the east end of Powder Point Bridge, according to Margaret Kearney, the reservation's president. Plans for the project raised concern from some Duxbury residents who said at a forum last month that the structure's size and elevation would block the view of the beach from the bridge. In a press release, Kearney stated that the requirement to elevate the building because of its location in a flood plain, plus state accessibility code requirements that would lead to 60 feet of ramps, would result in a building with a larger profile than intended for a 400-square-foot structure. Those requirements caused the reservation to reconsider the proposal, she said. The new building had been intended to be used by environmental officials and for exhibits on the beach's history. - Robert Knox

STUDENT GOING TO D.C. - A Hanover Middle School student has been selected to represent the town at this week's Congressional Youth Leadership Council's Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. Carolyn Walker, who is entering the eighth grade, was nominated by her teachers. She is among 250 middle school students from across the nation taking part in the program, which runs today through Thursday. According to the youth leadership council website, the students will spend the week studying the impact of leadership throughout American history. They will also meet with elected officials and congressional staff members. - Robert Carroll

"THE UGLY DUCKLING" REVISITED - Kids Cabaret returns for its 20th season with "Honk!" - a musical retelling of the ugly duckling story. Each summer, children ages 8 to 16 take to the stage for a show produced and directed by Kids Cabaret alumni, ages 17 to 21. This summer's production features 120 local youths in the cast and crew, who have been working since mid-June to bring the play to life. Billed as a musical comedy for all ages, "Honk!" was written by Anthony Drewe, with music by George Stiles. The Kids Cabaret production is directed and produced by Hingham High School graduates Paul Roell and Brittany Nestor, with Michael O'Neill serving as musical director. Show times are July 31 and Aug. 1 at 7 p.m., and Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m. All shows are in the auditorium of Hingham High School, which is handicap-accessible. Tickets are $5 for students and senior citizens and $8 for adults. - Johanna Seltz

CORRECTION OFFICER HONORED - A Holbrook native was one of three correction officers who received medals of valor after a defendant stabbed his own attorney in a courtroom in Dedham. Kevin Sheehan, who works for the Norfolk County sheriff's office, was presented with the medal by the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security during a ceremony last month in the Massachusetts House of Representatives chamber, according to David Weber, spokesman for the sheriff's office. Sheehan raced to the center of a courtroom at the Norfolk Superior Court on Feb. 27, 2007 to subdue Che Sosa, a defendant in a rape case who has since been convicted, after Sosa used a plexiglass shard to stab his attorney, John Courtney. Sheehan was assisted by correction officer John O'Brien of Dedham and Captain John Dunne of Walpole. Sheehan has worked for the sheriff's office for 17 years. - Franci Richardson Ellement

GARDEN TAKING ROOT - The Barbie Guild Memorial Garden is taking shape outside the Hull Lifesaving Museum. Guild, who started working at the museum in the early 1990s, died last fall. "It's a garden of perennials that is a tribute to a woman who was as bright and colorful as the flowers themselves," said Anne Cruse, who designed and oversees the project. Cruse, who summers in Hull, got to know Guild through the en plein air painting program at the museum, a group of artists who meet Friday mornings to paint outside. "Barbie championed the group of en plein air painters, and several of them have contributed their backs, visions, and plants to the gardening effort. Particular thanks go to Sally Chisholm for her energy and autumn clematis and John Marshall for his hole digging expertise," Cruse said. She is looking for volunteers to water and weed and also would welcome any hardy perennials or monetary contributions to the museum for future plantings. She can be reached at annecruse@gmail.com or at the museum at 781-925-5433. - Johanna Seltz

HABITAT FUND-RAISER - Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth, a nonprofit organization that builds affordable housing, is holding a fund-raiser today to benefit its WomenBuild house building project underway in Kingston. The "Christmas in July" fund-raiser takes place at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 91 South St. Vendors (including Silpada Jewelry, Tastefully Simple, Southern Living at HOME, the Pampered Chef, and Avon) are donating a percentage of their profits to the WomenBuild project, in which women play important roles in fund-raising, managing, and construction. For more information about the WomenBuild project see the group's website at hfhplymouth.org or call 508-866-4188. - Robert Knox

GOING SOLAR - NStar plans to install three solar panels at the police station and Furnace Brook Middle School. The solar installations are being provided as part of the Marshfield Energy Challenge, a pilot program that aims to make the town more energy-efficient and rely more on clean energy. Through the $4 million initiative, cosponsored by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, NStar has been providing energy audits of homes and businesses, as well as discounts and incentives for solar panels, high-efficiency hot water heaters, and replacement windows. The first solar panel is expected to be installed at the police station next month, and then a pair of panels will be installed at the school in the fall or next spring, according to NStar spokeswoman Caroline Allen. "One of the key themes of the energy challenge is education and public awareness," said Allen. "By choosing these two high-profile locations, one with an education component, we're helping to not only expand solar facilities in the town, but also get the word out about this exciting project." For more details about the program, visit nstar.com/marshfield or call 866-626-4693. - Emily Sweeney

MOVE FOR DPW - The Milton Department of Public Works has moved its office and has also changed its hours for the public. As part of a reorganization, some personnel moved out of the office at Town Hall to the main facility on Randolph Avenue. The department is now open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., said Walter Heller, DPW director. - Matt Carroll

PLANNING BOARD MEMBER STEPS DOWN - Bruce Graham resigned from the Planning Board effective July 10. Graham, who is president of Chartwell Insurance Brokers in Hanover, had served on the board for the past eight years, the last three as chairman. In an interview, he said his decision to resign was based on the need to attend to the health needs of his father and aunt. "The Planning Board has been a big part of my life the past eight years. I've enjoyed the work and enjoyed the people. We got a lot done. But unfortunately, it was time to let it go," he said. Looking back at his tenure, Graham said he took satisfaction that "we've worked hard to raise the level of professionalism of the Planning Board." He also cited his role in the passage by Town Meeting in May of an open space residential design bylaw, a measure that relaxes dimensional requirements for housing projects that keep at least 50 percent of the site open. Graham, who is president of the board of directors of the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association, said he intends to stay active in town as his time permits.

- John Laidler

THORNE CONTRACT OK'D - The Board of Selectmen recently unanimously approved a new three-year contract for Town Administrator Edwin Thorne. The new contract extends through June 30, 2011. Thorne has served as Pembroke's administrator since November 1998. Under the new pact, his salary will increase 3 percent the first year, from $98,770 to $101,734. Any increases for the second and third years will be subject to negotiations. Meanwhile, the Pembroke Watershed Association is holding its annual Monument Island Paddlers and Rowers Race next Saturday on Oldham Pond. The event, a fund-raiser for the nonprofit, will feature canoe, kayak, rowboat, and paddle boat races in different age categories. All the races start from the town landing on Wampatuck Street. Applications are available at town hall, the library, Sunshine Pool, and Lindy's Market, or at pembrokeponds.org. - John Laidler

CRACKING DOWN ON GRAFFITI - In an effort to stop vandals from spray painting buildings, town officials are asking residents to photograph any instances of graffiti and report them to the proper authorities. Graffiti has become increasingly common around town. Buildings on Court and Main streets have been tagged recently, as well as churches and the Pilgrim Hall Museum, according to Patrick O'Brien, special assistant to the town manager. "Downtown shop owners and residents are fed up," said O'Brien. Free graffiti removal kits will be available at the DPW office at 159 Camelot Drive within the next couple of weeks, he said. Graffiti on public property, buildings, equipment, and signs should be reported to the town's Department of Public Works at 508-747-1620, extension 126. Anyone who witnesses someone vandalizing a building should call 911. For more information, visit plymouth-ma.gov or contact O'Brien at 508-747-1620 extension 208.

- Emily Sweeney

CARE PACKAGE - A package of letters and gifts will soon be sent to injured US service members by caring Quincy residents. The Quincy Republican City Committee is teaming up with Weymouth's CarePacks to send the letters, along with 10 Nintendo Wiis and 10 37-inch TVs, to the physical therapy departments at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital. Letters and cards can be from adults or children and can be addressed "US Soldier" or "US Serviceman." They can be dropped off at a box in the lobby of Quincy City Hall until July 31. CarePacks is a nonprofit dedicated to sending care packages to US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. - Matt Carroll

GARDEN ENVY - Are you jealous of your neighbor's beautiful garden? Turn that envy into generosity by nominating him for a Great Neighbors award. The Board of Selectmen has launched a beautification plan to enhance the aesthetics of the community. The award will recognize residents who maintain and beautify their properties. Twelve winners will be chosen at random from the nominations that qualify, and winners will receive a prize to help maintain their properties. "A nice yard or property can improve an entire neighborhood and encourage others to put more effort in their own properties," said selectmen chairman Paul Connors. Call the selectmen's office at 781-761-0911 to nominate a property. Nominations are welcome through Labor Day. Other components of the plan will include creating a task force to investigate abandoned properties and developing programs with businesses to add flower beds and planters.

- Wendy Chow

TOWN SETTLES LAWSUIT - The town has won a $656,199 award from an international environmental services company in a lawsuit stemming from a 10-year-old contract to run the waste-water treatment plant. Veolia Environment, formerly PSG/US Filter, was the sole bidder for the contract in 1998. Former sewer commissioner Gregory Thomson was convicted in 2004 of embezzlement for conspiring with a US Filter manager to secure the contract. US District Judge Patti Saris ordered the settlement. Town Administrator Allan Chiocca said $319,000 will reimburse the sewer commission for its lawsuit expenses, and $336,000 will go to the town as free cash. It is no windfall, though, Chiocca said. "It's less than 1 percent of the total budget," he said, and the cash-strapped town is being hit hard by spiraling energy costs. "So before everybody starts figuring out what their slice of the pie is, there may not be any pie at all."

- Steve Hatch

OPEN MEETING LAW FORUM - The Board of Selectmen is inviting members of the town's boards and committees to a forum next month on the state's Open Meeting Law. The event, which will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 21, is intended to familiarize all of those serving on the volunteer panels with the requirements of the law. A representative of Scituate's town counsel firm will present the information. The general public is welcome to attend the forum, which will be held in the renovated GAR Hall, on Country Way. For more information, call the selectmen's office at 781-545-8740.

- John Laidler

TWO-WHEELED GETAWAY - Police are looking for a man dressed in spandex and wearing a bike helmet who robbed the Rockland Trust Bank on Route 18 this month, then escaped on a mountain bike. "Apparently it was pretty high-priced biker garb," said Captain Brian Callahan. "This guy had all the gear. We hope he didn't rob a biker first someplace else. . . . He was wearing black spandex shorts, a red dry fit T-shirt, black sneakers, black sunglasses, and a black and white bike helmet." The man - who is white, about 6 feet tall, and of medium build - also had white medical tape across and below his nose and bandages on his chin and one cheek, Callahan said. The man handed a teller an index card instructing her that he was robbing the bank and wanted no alarms or dye packets. "He got some cash - an undisclosed amount - and he left." Police have a picture from a surveillance camera of him "biking off on a dark bicycle," Callahan said. Anyone with information about the robbery, which occurred July 7 at about 3 p.m., should contact Detective Erine Metcalf at 781-335-1212. - Johanna Seltz