Alice comes home to Abington

November 2, 2008

A Florida resident for more than a decade, Alice Wilkes Frame has never let Abington stray too far from her heart. This Saturday, the 89-year-old former town official and founding member of Abington Elderly Services will be honored with the opening of the Alice Wilkes Frame Fitness Center at the new Senior Center on Summer Street. "It's an honor to name it after Alice," said Marybeth Lawton, director of the Abington Council on Aging, on which Frame served from 1971 to 1984. Frame will fly up for the event, which is expected to draw local and state dignitaries. Born Dec. 5, 1918, in Brockton, Frame is the last living relative of Thomas Wilkes, patriarch of one of Abington's earliest families, dating to 1750. Frame's father, Charles Wilkes, chaired the Board of Selectmen. Frame, who was honored with the Abington's Best Award in 1994, is a former newspaper writer who, according to Lawton, continues to deliver the local paper to neighbors near her home in Port St. Lucie. Each March since 1987, she has organized and hosted an Abington High School reunion outside Tampa. She continues to take classes at Eckerd College. Saturday's celebration will run 1 to 4 p.m. and is open to the public. - Robert Carroll

PLANTING A SEED - Does Braintree need a farmers' market? A local organization wants to know if there is a demand for food that is locally grown. The nonprofit Sustainable Braintree is looking for feedback. If you are interested, e-mail braintreelocalfoods@yahoo.com. Some questions the organization wants to answer: If interested, what is the best day and time? Do you already shop at a farmers' market? If so where? - Matt Carroll

VOTE ON TURF - A Special Town Meeting Nov. 17 will decide whether to borrow about $500,000 to replace the playing fields at the high school with artificial turf. The Cohasset Sports Partnership, which is behind the project, plans to raise a matching amount through donations, according to Town Manager William Griffin. "Some of the numbers are still being worked out, but if a new track is constructed, the total cost would be about $1.2 million," he said. "If the track is just re-covered, it would be about $1 million." Selectmen will decide whether to endorse the idea at their Nov. 10 meeting, Griffin said. The town's Advisory Committee, which reviews budget items and makes recommendations to town meetings, has voted against the measure, Griffin said. Town Meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Cohasset Middle/High School. - Johanna Seltz

FRUITFUL FUND-RAISER - While 50/50 raffles and car washes remain staples of high school fund-raisers, members of the Hanover High School music department continue to march to the beat of their own drum. For the seventh consecutive year, band and chorus members raised funds to help support their annual trip by selling orders for baskets of fresh fruit. The school works with Florida-based Riversweet Citrus Co. to deliver holiday baskets full of grapefruit and oranges to customers' doors within 48 hours after being picked. "It's as fresh as it can get," said event organizer Nancy Higginson. This year's tally, said Higginson, was just over $3,000, roughly half of what is needed to fund an April trip to Virginia for the band and chorus. "This is different," she said. "But people really look forward to these baskets."

- Robert Carroll

APARTMENTS REPURCHASED - By a six-vote margin, Special Town Meeting Monday voted to buy back the Lincoln School Apartments, authorizing selectmen to borrow $7 million for the purchase. The town had sold the property to Glastonbury Abbey, a Benedictine monastery, 28 years ago, but kept the right to buy it back if the abbey ever wanted to sell. The abbey decided this summer to sell to Corcoran Management of Braintree, which has managed the 60-unit complex for the abbey and signed a commitment to continue its operation as affordable housing for the elderly and disabled. Town Meeting voted 317 to 151 to buy the complex and run it, according to Town Clerk Eileen McCracken. The measure needed a two-thirds vote, or 312 votes, to succeed. - Johanna Seltz

NEW PIZZERIA APPROVED - The opening of a new pizza parlor in town could be just around the corner, according to selectmen. The Corner Grill and Pizzeria, which will be at 2 South Franklin St. at the intersection of Route 137, received a license to open, contingent on providing proof to the town of workers' compensation insurance. The pizzeria, which is undergoing renovations at the site of the former Subway, was approved to open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The owner, Audra Buccheri, also owns another local pizza business.

- Franci Richardson Ellement

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD - Parents can learn how to deal with their young children, based on their temperaments, at a workshop sponsored by the Hull Family Network. Jeanine Fitzgerald, an author and former teacher who runs a consulting firm called the Better Behavior Bureau, will look at the factors that influence a child's behavior with special focus on inherited temperament. The Tuesday workshop is aimed at parents of young children, according to Joan MacDonald, the Hull Family Network's coordinator. Those interested can register by calling 781-925-4400, ext. 1108. The 7 p.m. event will be held at the Hull Family Network, 180 Harborview Road. MacDonald said a similar program scheduled for February has been canceled because of cuts in state funding. - Johanna Seltz

MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING - Thorndike Development Corp. is expected to seek town backing for a Chapter 40B affordable housing development. Thorndike president Lloyd Geisinger told town officials last month that his company has signed a purchase and sales agreement for 10 acres off Raboth Road abutting Smelt Brook and intends to file plans with the state's Housing and Community Development office to build 42 apartment units under the state's affordable housing law. Thorndike is in the process of developing 1021 Kingston Place, a 700-unit affordable housing and mixed-use project next to the Kingston railroad station. The company told officials it plans to build the smaller 40B project according to the design standards the town adopted for Kingston Place. - Robert Knox

HONORING VETERANS - On Saturday, the Ventress Memorial Library will host a series of events in honor of Veterans Day. From noon to 4 p.m., the public is invited to take part in a knitting and crocheting marathon to make scarves, hats, and slippers for troops serving in Iraq. Visitors can also bring photos of their favorite veterans to display on a table in the library. Guest speakers will include Marshfield veterans agent Dick Martin; Civil War historian Bill Dunn; Jim Hamilton, author of "The Writing 69th," a book about a group of eight American journalists who trained to fly and flew on bomber missions over Germany during World War II; veteran Gene Jackson of Marshfield; and J. Richard Watkins, who will sign copies of his book, "Vietnam: No Regrets." Dick Cahill will be honored for donating his World War II book collection to the library, and at 2 p.m. kids can listen to patriotic stories in the children's room. For more information, visit ventresslibrary.org or call 781-834-5535. - Emily Sweeney

WATER PROJECT - Chickatawbut Road, which connects Milton and Quincy through the Blue Hills Reservation, will be closed for three weeks as the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority does construction work on two 10-million-gallon water storage tanks, which will be buried at the east end of the old reservoir. The road will be closed starting tomorrow through Nov. 21 . The tanks will be used for emergency drinking water and water protection for Milton, Quincy, and parts of Boston. - Matt Carroll

JOINING THE FORCE - Three new police officers were sworn in at a recent meeting of the Board of Selectmen. Matthew Manning, Kenneth Camerota, and James Mori were hired last year contingent on their successful completion of a Police Academy training course. They also had to undergo a physical, a physical aptitude test, and drug and psychological exams, according to Chief Theodore Ross. Camerota and Manning grew up in Norwell, and all three live in town. - John Laidler

NEW RECYCLING CENTER - The Board of Health recently held a grand opening of its new recycling center. The facility is a short distance up a new paved road from the old recycling center. Recycling stickers are available at the Board of Health office in Town Hall, for residents only. Users are required to show proof of residency. - John Laidler

CABLE TV STUDIO OPENS - Plymouth Area Community Television is celebrating the opening of its new studio on Collins Avenue. The cable TV station, which serves Plymouth and Kingston, will host an open house tomorrow from 4 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served and staff members will guide visitors through the new studio facility, which is at 4 Collins Ave. in the Plymouth Industrial Park. For information, call 508-830-6999. - Emily Sweeney

DOG BITE REPORTED - A member of former mayor William J. Phelan's household has run afoul of the law: his dog. George, a 1 1/2-year-old mixed breed, escaped from the house on Monroe Road on Oct. 26 and bit Eugene Novicki of South Boston, who was standing on the street, according to a police report. Novicki told police he was bitten on the arm. Novicki, who was treated at Quincy Medical Center, told police this was the second time the dog had bitten someone, but a police spokesman said there was no record of an earlier incident. The dog was licensed and had a rabies shot. The dog officer will speak to the dog's owners, said police. Neither Phelan nor Novicki had any comment. - Matt Carroll

MUSICAL HOMECOMING - Talented musicians young and not-so-young will perform at the second annual Fall Music Festival at the high school auditorium. Randolph High School students and alumni will take to the stage for a musical celebration from 1 to 6 p.m. next Sunday. "The whole project is the brainchild of Barry Lit [class of 1981]," said Jan Lolli, chairwoman of the Randolph public schools music department. "He conceived this idea two years ago and last year it became a reality. Everyone had such a good time they all wanted to do it again." About 20 alumni are expected to return to their alma mater to perform with the 60 students in the school band and choral groups. They will perform jazz, world music, and rock 'n' roll. The finale, at 5 p.m., will feature choral music and band music with a special focus on Veterans Day. Alumni interested in participating are encouraged to contact Lolli at lollij@randolph.k12.ma.us or 781-961-6220, ext. 526. The concert raises money for the Randolph Music Boosters, and will go toward college scholarships and music events for the school district. Admission is $5, $3 for students and seniors, and free for children under 5. - Wendy Chow

STICKING TO AGENDA - Selectmen's meetings may get quieter, and shorter, if a proposal to eliminate end-of-meeting public discussion is accepted tomorrow. Selectman Michael Johnson wants to end the forums and have the board stick to items on the agenda, a restriction that would apply to selectmen, town officials, and residents alike. Johnson and board chairman James Simpson say the segment is a waste of time and does not allow preparation for topics that are raised. Selectman Michael Zupkofska thinks the open forum is an opportunity for residents to be heard. Town Administrator Allan Chiocca is research ing how other towns handle public discussion and will report at tomorrow's meeting.

- Steve Hatch

PROPERTY TAXES DUE - The office of treasurer-collector Jane Lopardo is reminding residents that second-quarter tax payments are due tomorrow. Last June 30, homeowners were mailed tax bills for the first and second quarters, with separate payment coupons for each quarter. Payments can be made by mail, deposited in the Town Hall mailbox, or online at town.scituate.ma.us. Late payments will incur a 14 percent per day fine. For more information, call 781-545-8718.

- John Laidler

WALL OF HEROES - Private First Class Gary Ruplenas's picture will be on the Wall of Heroes on Veterans Day, along with photos of other local men and women serving in the military. "We're trying to draw attention to how many people are serving, to acknowledge them, and establish our pride," said his mother, Carol Ruplenas. "Whether you're for or against the war, our kids are still serving." Carol Ruplenas and other members of the Blue Star Mothers - a 66-year-old support group for people with children in the military - are looking for more photos. So far, they have enough to cover 19 large panels, which will be displayed at the Weymouth Elks on Veterans Day, Ruplenas said. She said the group hopes to move the Wall of Heroes to the State House later in the week. Photos can be dropped off at the Tufts Library on Broad Street or mailed to the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, PO Box 123, Scituate, MA 02066. The pictures, which will not be returned, should include the person's name, rank, branch of service, and hometown.

- Johanna Seltz

PILGRIM TEST - Officials have notified residents that Pilgrim nuclear power station, in Plymouth, is conducting its annual warning sirens test on Nov. 12. The testing will begin at 3:45 p.m. Pilgrim is conducting the siren test throughout the five-town emergency preparation zone surrounding the nuclear power facility where the sirens are located. For more information, call 508-830-8895. - Robert Knox