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. Separately, selectmen on July 14 approved a common victualer and liquor license for a new restaurant. Joseph Motzi is the owner of the proposed 80-seat Bella Famiglia Italian restaurant at 59 Great Road. Motzi formerly operated the Metropolitan Deli in Acton and now runs one in Westford.

- Julia Quinn-Szcesuil

LIGHT AT THE END - Power outages in Arlington should be on the decline, according to NStar officials who last Monday presented selectmen with a report of the company's four-phase project to update service. An outage during a heat wave on June 9 had drawn ire from many residents, and Selectman Kevin F. Greeley said the frequency of outages seems to be rising since the project began. "The trend is heading in the wrong direction," Greeley said. Marc Lucas, a community relations representative for NStar, said the outage was an isolated incident due to loss of a circuit, and called instances such as those rare. "The work is paying off," Lucas said. The NStar renovation project began in 2002, and is in its last phase, which includes installing new poles, wires, and transformers in the southwestern corner of Arlington. Lucas estimated the project should be completed in one year. Information about the project will be available on the city's website, town.arlington.ma.us.

- Sarah Metcalf

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

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR - Nominations for Bedford's 2008 Citizen of the Year are due by Aug. 4. To be considered, a nominee must have spent demonstrable time contributing to the well-being of the town and its people, including work with not-for-profit organizations or volunteer groups that benefit the town. Elected officials are not eligible. The winner, who will be the 30th citizen so honored, will be announced at Bedford Day on Sept. 20. Nomination forms are available at Town Hall, the Bedford Public Library, or from the town's website (town.bedford.ma.us) and must be mailed or delivered by hand to the office of the Town Manager at Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way, by Aug. 4. - Nancy Shohet West

DOUBLE TROUBLE - Officials are taking a hard line with companies that have refused to take down old utility poles. Assistant Town Administrator Jeffrey Conti said utility companies are supposed to remove old poles when new ones are put in. But it doesn't always happen, and he said many residents have complained that double poles in front of their houses are unattractive. Now, the Board of Selectmen has said it won't grant any more easements to Verizon until the company shows the town a plan for removing old poles, Conti said. "We decided it was our turn to get tough," Conti said. - Jennifer Fenn Lefferts

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. The new program means residents no longer need an identifying sticker when placing items at the curb, said Mary Delahanty, the town's recycling coordinator.

- Joyce Pellino Crane

TECHNOLOGY CZAR - The School Department is combining forces with the town to share a newly created position and have one person coordinate technology. Anthony Tomah started as Boxborough's communication and information technology director on July 1, said Superintendent Curtis Bates. Tomah, who comes to Boxborough after working as the technology director in the Newport, R.I., public school system, will work with the school, police and fire departments, the Department of Public Works, and Town Hall to create streamlined programs and systems. The result, said Bates, will be a unique opportunity for the town to become more efficient.

- Julia Quinn-Szcesuil

FERNS EXPANSION - The Board of Health has approved a preapplication from Ferns Country Store that would allow the addition of a structure that would 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

IF YOU DON'T BUILD IT - The Friends of Concord-Carlisle Fields will not be moving forward with plans to build baseball fields at Rideout Playground. Neighbors raised concerns about the proposal, which called for a baseball field with fences, and circulated a petition opposing it. The Recreation Commission recently voted against allowing fences, so now the fields group is going back to the drawing board and looking at other locations in town, said Gregory Howes, chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

- Jennifer Fenn Lefferts

CHOOSING A NEW MODERATOR - In the wake of the resignation of longtime moderator David "Doc" Westerling, officials have scheduled a caucus and a special town election to fill his position until the 2009 annual town election. The caucus will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Town Hall. The election is slated for Sept. 16. According to a letter provided to selectmen, Westerling, who has served as moderator since 2003, resigned because of a conflict of interest with a new work assignment. At the caucus, the two people receiving the highest number of votes will be nominated for the September ballot. Interested parties can also file nomination papers with the town clerk by the end of July. - Taryn Plumb

WHITHER STONE BUILDING? - The Trustees of Cary Memorial Library are inviting community organizations to submit letters of interest for possible future uses of the historic Stone Building, which for decades served as a branch library in East Lexington. The trustees would like to identify innovative, cost-effective uses of the building that honor its historic character and the specifications of the Ellen Stone deed. Letters of interest are expected to include general statements about the Stone Building's reuse. Based on the responses, the trustees may negotiate or request more-detailed proposals in the future. The deadline to submit letters of interest is 3 p.m. on Sept. 22. The trustees will hold a public review of the submissions at Cary Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 2, when the community will be able to pose questions. For more information, visit carylibrary.com.

- Brenda J. Buote

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 the 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 light 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 e-mail ReadingMassCCP@hotmail.com. - Laura M. Colarusso

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BENEFIT - ShirleyFest '08, a fund-raiser for the Shirley Local Partner Committee of Habitat for Humanity, kicks off on Saturday at the Benjamin Hill Park and Recreation Area on 93 Benjamin Hill Road. The event is organized by locals on the ShirleyFest committee and has received support from organizations throughout the town. "It's a huge community effort," said ShirleyFest committee member Patty MacDonald. Radio personality Carter Alan of WZLX's "Sunday Morning Blues" will be the master of ceremonies for the benefit that will run from noon to 5 p.m. Organizers are promising an "afternoon of blues, brews, and barbecue," featuring performances by Billy Kirchen and the Installers, among others. Tickets are $25 and all the proceeds will go toward building a Habitat home in Shirley. For more information, visit shirleyfest.com. - Erin Cahill

BENEFITS OF RECYCLING - Selectman Chair John DePinto is inviting residents to join him on Town Common next Sunday at 7 p.m. (weather permitting) for an informal discussion on ways to increase recycling. DePinto and other town officials hope to raise awareness about the benefits of recycling, which could save the town about $200,000 a year in trash dumping fees. Robert Grover, director of public works, proposes hiring a recycling coordinator and possibly adopting a recycling rewards program to boost the percentage of residents who recycle from the current 60 percent to at least 80 percent, the average for surrounding communities. DePinto and Grover urge residents to bring a lawn chair to the event. - Bella Travaglini

SEWER BILL RISES - Wilmington's sewer bill for fiscal 2009, which began July 1, will be $1,768,207, an increase of just $38 over last year, according to town officials. Wilmington, which contracts its sewer services with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, had been planning for a $21,000 increase, said Town Manager Michael Caira. The rates are determined by taking an average of the usage from the previous three years, according to MWRA officials. - Laura M. Colarusso

HUNT ON FOR PROJECT MANAGER - For the first time in the town's history, officials are seeking a project manager to coordinate and oversee private development projects, according to Town Manager Melvin Kleckner. The project manager will facilitate such projects at Winning Farm, Hamilton Farm, Winchester Hospital and Pansy Patch. Given that several private development projects are occurring at once and are larger in scope than previous ones, officials are seeking a qualified professional with a solid engineering background to serve in the role. Funding for this position is available until November. The town will seek approval for additional funding at November's Town Meeting, Kleckner said.

- Bella Travaglini

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

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. - 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, of course, 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. Donations can be made directly to the organization at autismspeaks.org.

- Brenda J. Buote

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