Documentary on corporations in Ashland

November 23, 2008

The Friends of the Ashland Public Library will screen "The Corporation" as part of its documentary film and discussion series Tuesday, at 7 p.m. in the Front Street library's community room. The two-hour documentary explores the nature and rise of the corporation as one of the dominant institutions of our time, and includes interviews with 40 corporate insiders and critics, including Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and Michael Moore. For more information on the film, visit www.thecorporation.com. A discussion period will take place after the free screening. - Rachel Lebeaux

THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE - The Council on Aging will present a program on the benefits of massage Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Bellingham Senior Center, 40 Blackstone St. Doris Hanlon, a licensed massage therapist, will discuss the different types of massage available and how it can relieve headaches, back pain, and shoulder and neck problems, including those associated with sitting long periods at a computer. Hanlon will also provide complimentary hand waxings after the presentation. To reserve a space, call 508-966-0398. - Rachel Lebeaux

NEW APPOINTMENTS - Selectmen have appointed Paul Tedesco as the town's hazardous waste coordinator. Tedesco is a member of the Historical Commission. Janet Comiskey-Giannini was chosen to serve on the Historical Commission. - Anna Fiorentino

SCHOOL-CALENDAR SURVEY - Tomorrow at noon is the last chance for parents to take part in the school district's online survey about the school calendar. "Trying to balance the competing needs of parents, students and school professionals while trying to honor various religious, state and federal holidays is guaranteed to create some controversy," Superintendent Wayne Ogden wrote in the survey's introduction. Questions include whether classes should start before or after Labor Day, if parents favor the current model of weeklong vacations in December, February, and April, and whether schools should close on religious holidays. Parents can take the survey at www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS. - Rachel Lebeaux

PLANS FOR INDIAN RIDGE ROAD - Hopkinton builder Michael Connearney, owner of Mikals Construction Co., went before the Board of Selectmen on Monday to unveil plans for a 12-unit development on Indian Ridge Road that would be built under the state's Chapter 40B affordable-housing law. Connearney hasn't filed his plans with the Zoning Board of Appeals, saying he wanted to get feedback from town officials first. His plan consists of two buildings with six units, and 12 driveways. Town Administrator Paul Le Beau said officials suggested dividing the units into three buildings and reducing the number of driveways. Le Beau said Connearney seemed receptive to the suggestions. The proposed development would utilize a site that is just less than 2 acres and is bordered by wetlands. Under the state law, roughly 25 percent of the units would have to be offered at below-market rates; in return, the builder could bypass most local zoning limits. - Megan McKee

LEGACY FARMS HEARING - The Planning Board will hold a public hearing Dec. 1 on Legacy Farms, the 733-acre proposed development on the former site of Weston Nurseries. The hearing will be at 7:45 p.m. in the Senior Center. After the public hearing, the Planning Board has 90 days to decide whether to issue a master plan permit to the developer, Legacy Farms LLC of Weston. If the master plan is approved, the developer would apply for additional permits for each of the proposal's nine distinct areas. Plans call for the mixed-used development, with up to 940 residential units as well as retail and office spaces, to be built over a 10- to 12-year span. -Megan McKee

PLANS FOR MORE FLU SHOTS - The town's Board of Health is planning a second round of flu vaccinations, following a large turnout for the shots earlier this month. Nancy Bennotti, administrative assistant for the board, said the next clinic would be held during the first week of December at Town Hall. The first clinic distributed about 300 doses of the state-provided vaccine on Nov. 5, 6, and 7 at the Center at Medfield, she said. "We found a lot of people didn't wait," Bennotti said. "There's always been a demand, and . . . people think there's a shortage. There isn't a shortage this year, there's plenty." To make an appointment for a vaccination, Medfield residents should call 508-359-8505, ext. 604, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. -James O'Brien

OPENINGS ON EDUCATION PANEL - The town is still seeking two more members to serve on the Education Committee Fund, which supports educational programs in the public schools. Superintendent Judith Evans said in an e-mail, "We are hoping to reactivate the committee and disburse funds for needed projects." She also noted that the committee will be charged with developing a process to solicit requests and make recommendations for awarding grants. In addition to municipal and school district representatives, four residents will serve on the panel. Selectmen hope to make final selections by Dec. 10, Evans said. Interested residents can call her office at 508-533-3222, ext. 1103. - Rachel Lebeaux

MEDICAL CENTER GETS AWARD - The Maternity Center at Milford Regional Medical Center has received a Breastfeeding Achievement Award from the state Department of Public Health. The medical center was honored for increasing the number of mothers breastfeeding at the time of discharge between 2000 and 2006. Rose Galimi-Hayes, the hospital's nurse manager of maternity, credited the dedication of her staff and the efforts by lactation consultant Sharon Pellerin and her predecessor, Sandra Allaire. The award was announced at the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition's annual conference last month in Waltham. - Anna Fiorentino

A FITTING MEMORIAL - George Ford taught fifth grade for all but one of his 42 years with the Millis school system. He also served on the Board of Selectmen and as town clerk, and helped start the Millis Historical Commission in 1970. A lifelong town resident, he was still teaching at the time of his death in May 2007. On Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. at the Millis Middle School, the building's fifth- and sixth-grade wing will be named in his honor. Principal Andy Zitoli described Ford as an unassuming and tireless teacher who never missed a day of work and kept up-to-date on teaching methods. "He never lost his passion for teaching," said Zitoli. -Megan McKee

FORUM ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE - The Natick Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention and the town's school district are sponsoring a second community forum for parents and caregivers on creative and practical ways to combat drug and alcohol use among local youths. The forum will be Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Natick High School cafeteria. - Megan McKee

REACHING FOR CHILDREN NEEDING HELP - To provide services to students with special needs, the town's school system has issued a call to all local agencies to participate in identifying children who may need assistance. Agency officials should contact the school district for information regarding eligibility guidelines and funding procedures and services. Administrators can be contacted by mail sent to the district's Special Education Department, 232 Main St., Norfolk, MA 02056, or by phone at 508-541-5478.

- Michele Morgan Bolton

RIDES FOR SENIORS - Foxfield Transportation has received funding to provide transportation in Plainville and other nearby communities to residents age 60 and older. Foxfield's dispatcher can take appointments for rides within a 40-mile radius. A suggested round-trip donation of $10, made payable to Foxfield Transportation Inc., can be mailed to 67 Elm St., Franklin, MA 02038. However, no one will be denied service because of an inability to donate. For more information, or to reserve a ride with 48-hours notice, call 800-585-8294. - Michele Morgan Bolton

FOUNDATION RAISING FUNDS - The Sherborn Community Center Foundation, a local group set up to support the town facility, is running its annual membership and donation drive. Residents should expect pledge cards to arrive at their homes over the next few weeks. The center depends on donations to meet its annual $60,000 operational costs. The foundation is also launching a "green" fund, allowing supporters to invest in energy-reducing practices at the center. For details, see its website, www.sherborncommunitycenter.com. - Anna Fiorentino

TAX VOTE ON HORIZON - Voters at Special Town Meeting on Tuesday approved water-system improvements totaling nearly $1.3 million. Since the measure would require raising property taxes beyond the limits set by Proposition 2 1/2, a townwide vote will need to be held within 90 days, said Town Clerk Kelly A. McElreath. Half of the estimated $1 million cost for replacing and installing new water mains along Route 140 from Town Hall to connections near Maple Avenue would come from taxes. The rest will be paid from surcharges to town water bills. Approval of the override also would clear the way for $241,460 to upgrade a sewage pumping station. - James O'Brien

VOLUNTEERS OF YEAR - Four residents have been named Wrentham's first Volunteers of the Year. Dorothy Larsen was acknowledged for 30 years of support for the food pantry, nursing, and scouting, as well as her role as Christmas elf at the town's annual tree lighting, and Rosamond Barber was honored for her efforts to fight litter in Wrentham's public spaces. Two young people were also named: Claudia Robinson, 13, for library assistance and Hurricane Katrina relief work; and Caroline Saviano, 10, for creating a nonprofit organization that sends holiday gifts to orphanages. Selectmen picked the winners from nominees provided by residents, and they were announced at Town Meeting on Nov. 10. - James O'Brien