Opening on Avon School Committee

19 ITEMS ON AGENDA - The Fall Town Meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School. Among a list of 19 items requiring voter action are a handful of proposals from the Community Preservation Committee. One would fund a community preservation planner/grant writer for $30,000. A second asks for voter approval for $26,000 in community preservation spending to replace the climate control unit in the public library’s archive room. Town Clerk Ronald Adams has submitted a request for $22,000 to cover expenses for the Dec. 8 state primary and Jan. 19 election. And selectmen will seek approval for $2,600 to repair boilers in the Memorial Building, Academy Building, and Town Hall. To peruse the Town Meeting warrant, visit www.bridgewaterma.org. - Christine Legere

GRANTS AVAILABLE - The city is offering funding to 10 local social service agencies, community groups, and faith-based organizations for after-school programs. Proposals are being sought with up to $10,000 available to each group to hire area youth and provide comprehensive programs throughout the city. The initiative, announced by the office of Mayor James E. Harrington, uses money from a $250,000 federal grant that also has funded homework assistance centers at the two branch libraries and has helped pay for the new Brockton Teen Center, which opened in July. For more information, call the mayor’s office at 508-580-7123 or visit www.brockton.ma.us.

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM READY - In a clearing in the woods outside the Galvin Middle School sits a classroom that will never be overcrowded. It is the town’s first outdoor instructional area, which opened late this fall with the help of a Canton Alliance for Public Education grant and a volunteer effort led by Eagle Scout candidate Patrick Mangan. Mangan, a senior at Canton High School who attended Galvin, organized about 30 volunteers to clear the site and construct an instruction table and seven benches. Teachers at Galvin - led by head of the science department, Danette McGovern - designed the area and applied for the $3,000 grant from CAPE, according to Greg Noble, a science teacher. Noble said Galvin is ideally situated for such a classroom because it was surrounded by acres of largely unused, publicly owned wetlands and woodlands. “We’re just getting our feet wet and seeing how best to utilize this area,’’ said Noble. Noble said they will be using the area soon for a lesson about how to prepare for inclement weather. He said the grant went to the entire school with teachers from several disciplines contributing ideas on how to use the space. Walking trails are expected to be completed soon and will be used for fitness or cross-country. - Elaine Cushman Carroll

COMCAST RENEWED - Selectmen have signed a 10-year contract with Comcast as the town’s cable television provider. Under the new contract, the company’s franchise fee will increase to 4 percent of net income from the current 3 percent. Comcast also agreed to upgrade production equipment in the public access cable TV station in the high school, to upgrade the audio and visual equipment in the main Town Hall meeting room, and continue to provide live video origination capability from eight other sites. The contract gives Comcast the option to purchase a channel from the town within the next two years. - Robert Knox

CIVIC NETWORKING GROUP FORMED - The new Dedham Civic Connections Committee provides opportunities for town employees, commissions, boards, civic groups, business owners, and residents to network socially, connect professionally and learn more about town government procedures and civic opportunities. Its first social and networking event will be Dec. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Vinny T’s of Boston, 233 Elm St. The evening of appetizers, cash bar, and conversation is sponsored by Needham Bank, so there is no cost to attend, officials said. However, reservations are required by Nov. 20, and can be made by sending an e-mail to DedhamNetwork@gmail.com. Space is limited and registration is first-come, first-served. Bring personal and business cards to share. - Michele Morgan Bolton

HOLIDAY FAIR - The Union Congregational Church, 105 Pleasant St., will hold its holiday fair from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event will feature crafters, jewelry sales, plants, gift baskets, and raffles, as well as baked goods.

10-YEAR DEAL WITH COMCAST SIGNED - The Board of Selectmen and Comcast Corp. have signed a new 10-year contract that includes a one-time payment of $175,000 for capital costs associated with the running of the town’s public-access television station. Under the agreement, Foxborough Cable Access must vacate its longtime studio on East Belcher Road by March. “It’s an extremely tight schedule,’’ said FCA’s executive director, Michael Webber. A contractor is working on getting permits for the renovations that need to be undertaken before FCA can move into its permanent home at 28 Central St. - Joan Wilder

BLASTING PERMITS RENEWED - Saying the operators of a Bryant Street quarry have complied with all required neighborhood safeguards, town officials last week approved a one-year renewal of its blasting permits. The site has been controversial with neighboring homeowners since Cape Cod Aggregates purchased the former Freetown Sand and Gravel land about two years ago and began mining gravel and rock. “They have not violated any of the regulations and have gone above what it is required,’’ said Selectman Lawrence N. Ashley. Ashley is also the chairman of the town’s Soil Conservation Board, which approved the permit. “There are some people who are unhappy with the blasting, so, in view of that, we will continue to monitor the blasting. If we have any concerns or hear of any new concerns we will have a conversation with the company,’’ he said. The quarry borders the Berkley town line and residents from both communities have complained about possible damage to their health, wells, and foundations. Ashley said the company has responded to residents’ concerns and the town will also continue to monitor the situation. - Elaine Cushman Carroll

VETERANS DAY EVENT - Halifax will conduct a Veterans Day ceremony at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Participants should gather at the Town Hall beginning at 8:30. The color guard and other participants will march to the monuments across the street to place wreaths. They will then return to the Town Hall Green to place additional wreaths. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, contact the veterans agent, Roxanne Whitbeck at 781-293-1724. - Christine Legere

DECISION ON ADMINISTRATOR LOOMS - The Board of Selectmen at its meeting Tuesday is set to vote on an appointment for a new town administrator. Last week the board interviewed the three finalists recommended by a search committee: Paul Boushell, a former Tyngsborough town administrator; Robert Canevazzi, a former Dennis town administrator; and Rene Read, Mashpee’s assistant town manager. Selectmen last April voted not to renew the contract of Michael Finglas when it expired on June 30. Meredith Marini, the executive assistant to the selectmen, is serving as interim administrator.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES - The last day to register to vote in Marion for a special state primary election called to fill the vacant US Senate seat left by the late Edward M. Kennedy is Nov. 18, officials said. The primary election is scheduled for Dec. 8. The last day to register to vote in the final election is Dec. 30; the statewide balloting is scheduled for Jan. 19. The town clerk’s office will remain open at the Marion Town House until 8 p.m. on the last days to register for both the primary and final elections. For information, call 508-748-3502. - Paul E. Kandarian

VETERANS DAY SPEAKER - Recently retired Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Botelho - a decorated veteran - is scheduled to be the keynote speaker on Wednesday at Old Hammondtown School on Shaw Street. Veterans Day ceremonies begin at 11 a.m. Botelho was a distinguished military graduate from Georgia State University in 1968, kicking off a 20-year Army career from which he retired in 1988 as a lieutenant colonel. His early assignments included duty in Germany with the Strategic Communications Command, and as executive officer of the 45th Military Intelligence Company in Vietnam. He later served as headquarters commandant of the 21st Support Command and in his final assignment was on the faculty and staff of the US Army Armor School. During his military career, Botelho earned the Bronze Star medal, five Meritorious Service medals, the Army Commendation medal, and other awards.

ALZHEIMER’S PROGRAM - The Middleborough Council On Aging and the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library have scheduled a program in recognition of November as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 in the public library. Performance artist Sharon Kennedy will present “Which One of Us is the Mother Now: Tales from the Nursing Home,’’ a program that relates a daughter’s story of caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive and fatal brain disease that afflicts 5 million Americans. It is the most common form of dementia. The presentation is free and the public library is handicapped accessible. Refreshments will be provided. - Christine Legere

HONORING VETERANS - Veterans Day commemorations begin at 8 a.m. in Norwood on Wednesday with a Mass at Saint Catherine of Siena Church. A parade will follow at 9:30 a.m. from Balch Elementary School to the Town Common where, at 11 a.m., a ceremony will be followed by the rededication of a refurbished World War I German Krupp 150mm howitzer outside Town Hall. Veterans agent Ted Mulvehill spent a year raising funds to restore the 1917 artillery piece that was captured by Allied troops and sent here. Norwood’s American Legion Post No. 70 donated the cannon to the town on Nov. 11, 1928. - Michele Morgan Bolton

SCHOOLS TO HONOR VETS TUESDAY - Raynham schools will honor local veterans and current members of the military on Tuesday beginning with the seventh annual Salute to Veterans at 9 a.m. at Raynham Middle School. At 10:30 a.m., Merrill Elementary School will hold its celebration, and LaLiberte School will celebrate at 2 p.m. “This is the first year we’ve done it at all three schools,’’ said Pat Riley, a school volunteer. “Our featured guest will be Paul Monti, the father of Jared Monti, who recently was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.’’ Local veterans and members of the military and Reserves are invited to attend any or all of the celebrations. Those who plan to attend should contact Riley at 508-863-3069. - Christine Legere

VOTERS GIVE GO-AHEAD TO SCHOOL WORK - Town Meeting and voters at the election approved a $26.5 million renovation and expansion of Rochester Memorial School. The town’s share will be $14.6 million, with the rest expected from the state. By a nearly three-to-one ratio Oct. 31, voters approved a Proposition 2 1/2 tax override that will add roughly $300 a year to property tax bills to fund the town’s share of the project. Five days earlier, Special Town Meeting voters approved the project.

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL TO SHUT - The Sharon School Committee recently voted 4--1 to close the Alternative School, effective next year, said School Committee chairman Glenn Allen. The vote came a week after Sharon’s superintendent raised concerns to the School Committee about the viability of the Alternative School. The Alternative School offered Sharon parents a choice outside of the regular district schools. Allen said the administration will next decide how to transition the students and teachers to the regular district. - Kate Augusto

TOWN MANAGER LEAVING - Stoughton Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz is heading to America’s Hometown. After two weeks of debate, Plymouth selectmen last week chose Stankiewicz as the new town manager. Stankiewicz has held the same post in Stoughton since 2003. He is expected to take over in Plymouth by mid-December. “I’m pleased with the [Plymouth] board’s vote and look forward to reaching an agreement with officials there,’’ said Stankiewicz, who is required to give Stoughton officials at least 30 days notice of his resignation. - Robert Carroll

PEACE GROUP SPONSORS TALK ON WARS - The Walpole Peace and Justice Group, a nonprofit organ ization, is sponsoring a talk on US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan given by Walpole resident and Boston University professor Andrew Bacevich on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the United Church, 30 Common St. Bacevich has written many books, articles, and opinion pieces on American foreign relations and has for many years been vocal in his opposition to the war in Iraq. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a nonprofit organization that serves as a national think-tank on foreign policy. It has been almost 36 months since Bacevich’s only son, Andrew, was killed in Iraq at age 27. - Joan Wilder

VACCINES COMING IN - Wareham health agent Robert Ethier announced that the H1N1 vaccine is now available for pregnant women and those who care for babies under 6 months old. Those who wish to be vaccinated should contact Mary Devlin of the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod at 508-957-7619. Ethier said flu clinics for the general public will be held soon. “We only have a couple hundred doses, and we’re trying to get it out to the recommended groups,’’ said Ethier. As soon as more doses become available, “we’re going to start vaccinating everyone we can.’’ - Emily Sweeney

VOTING REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Town Clerk Nancy L. Morrison is reminding residents that Nov. 18 is the deadline to register to vote in the Dec. 8 primary in the special election race for US Senate. The clerk’s office will be open extra hours, until 8 p.m. on Nov. 18, to accommodate registrants. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked on or before Nov. 18. The special election, which is to fill the seat vacated by the death of Edward M. Kennedy, is Jan. 19. For information, call 508-894-1200. - John Laidler

PARK TO BE DEDICATED - Westwood officials are inviting residents to the formal dedication of the town’s new Veterans Memorial Park at 11 a.m. on Wednesday during Veterans Day commemorations. The park was relocated in 2006 after $25,000 was approved at Town Meeting to build a memorial at the intersection of Pond and High streets. Last summer a campaign for donations raised more than $20,000 from almost 500 Westwood residents who purchased bricks to honor veterans. The dedication will remember and honor the sacrifices of the town’s soldiers, officials said. More than 700 Westwood veterans are buried in the two cemeteries adjacent to the memorial. Parking will be in St. Margaret Mary Church’s parking lot. - Michele Morgan Bolton

NEW SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - Braintree students and teachers at the high school have a newly refurbished auditorium of which they can be proud. The school spent about $300,000 for new lighting, a new sound system, new seats, carpeting, and paint, said Superintendent Peter Kurzberg. “It’s really terrific,’’ said Kurzberg. “It’s a first-class theater of the arts.’’ Money for the Margherita Grabosky Auditorium came from a number of sources, including the school funding committee, donors who purchased seats, student fund-raising, town capital funds, and income from rental of school facilities. - Matt Carroll

STATE VOWS TO REIMBURSE - The state says it will eventually pay for the December primary and January special election to determine a replacement for the late Senator Edward Kennedy. Meanwhile, towns are expected to absorb the costs, which Hanover Town Clerk Bob Shea estimated could run $18,000 combined. “This is going to be interesting because I thought the state was broke,’’ said Shea. Last week, state Auditor Joseph DeNucci said the mandated election would be paid for with state funds. “I have no doubt that the state will repay towns,’’ said Shea. “It’s just that no one knows when.’’ - Robert Carroll

GOLF FUND-RAISER - Golf can be an expensive sport, but it can also raise a lot of money for charity. A recent tournament hosted by Milton Hospital raised $71,000, according to an announcement by the hospital. The money will be used to purchase equipment that ensures that patients receive the right medication and right dosage at the right time. The 15th annual tournament was held at Wollaston Golf Club in Milton. - Matt Carroll