Outside watering limited

The Avon Water Department has implemented a Phase I water ban to remain in compliance with the town's water management permit from the state. All outdoor water use is restricted to handheld hosing only, which is allowed only after 5 p.m. and before 9 a.m., according to a department spokeswoman. - Joan Wilder

SENIOR CENTER CLOSES TEMPORARILY - The Senior Center on Wally Krueger Way will be closed until July 7 so that ceiling tiles throughout the building can be replaced. All regular activities held there, including lunch, will be suspended during that time. The Meals on Wheels program will continue, but meals will be set up in High Pond Estates' community center. Recipients can expect delivery at about the same time meals usually come. The center staff will not be able to help with Dial-A-Bat transportation during closure, so residents are advised to call the service directly at 508-584-5530. - Christine Legere

HOSPITAL WINS QUALITY AWARD - Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital was one of 27 hospitals across the country honored with a Premier Award for Quality by Premier Inc., a healthcare alliance of nonprofit hospitals. More than 3,800 hospitals were eligible for the honor. The award was presented earlier this month in Tennessee and recognizes healthcare organizations' patient care by measuring 2006 data submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Three particular categories were measured: mortality, morbidity, and complication rates. Brockton Hospital is a private, 253-bed community teaching hospital serving more than 22 communities. - Milton Valencia

DIVERSITY READING FOR TEACHERS - The 275 educators in town who are used to doling out summer reading assignments have been given one of their own. School Superintendent John D'Auria and Robin Billing, director of curriculum, instruction, and technology, have assigned staffers two books to read over the summer aimed at helping them integrate students of color and those with different language and cultural backgrounds into their schools. And, there will be follow-up discussions and staff training in the fall. Citing a growing diversity in the town, D'Auria said in his late June newsletter the staff needs to develop a "greater understanding about the academic, social, and emotional needs of these diverse learners." The program cost roughly $5,788 and was funded by the Canton Alliance For Public Education. - Elaine Cushman Carroll

PAY SCALE REVIEW OK'D - Voters agreed to spend $6,500 to complete a town wage and job classification survey at a Special Town Meeting earlier this month. The survey will examine the pay scales of town employees who are not members of unions. The measure was opposed by residents who said the town could not afford it at a time when department budgets are being cut, but backers said the funds to complete the survey were merely being transferred from a previously approved measure. - Robert Knox

TRASH PICKUP GETS AUTOMATED - A deal with a new trash disposal company is projected to to save the town more than $341,000 in the fiscal year that begins July 1. Town officials have hired Russell Disposal Inc. of Somerville for curbside collection of trash, recycling, and leaf and yard waste, which will replace Waste Management. Beginning in October, residents will see automated pickup by trucks with mechanical arms. All collection dates remain the same. Officials have also said the town's transfer station will close June 30 and reopen later with a new vendor. Information is available at dedham-ma.gov.

- Michele Morgan Bolton

AN EDGE ON SCHOOL CHIEF SEARCH - The School Committee will most likely use a professional search agency to locate a replacement for Superintendent Margaret Strojny, who is retiring next summer. Strojny told the committee she will invite representatives of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the New England School Development Council to a coming board meeting to discuss how they handle searches. Strojny noted several districts are currently in need of superintendents. The professional firms, she said, would have the best access to the pool of candidates.

- Christine Legere

BORDERLAND FARMHOUSE NEEDS TLC - The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is targeting the old farmhouse at Borderland State Park in its Historic Curatorship Program, hoping to entice someone to renovate it in exchange for credits to a lease of the historic property. The DCR will request proposals to renovate the farmhouse, which has been vacant since 2000. Under the curatorship program, the DCR accepts proposals for rehabilitation of state-owned mansions, houses, and cottages. In exchange, anyone willing to do the work can live there for free.

- Milton J. Valencia

OPENING ACT FOR PATRIOT PLACE - Tickets are now on sale for Showcase Live at Patriot Place, Foxborough's new entertainment venue, which is expected to open on schedule Aug. 18 with singer Al Jarreau. The 16,000-square-foot building is owned by Robert and Jonathan Kraft and National Amusements Inc., a movie theater company with more than 1,500 screens worldwide. Construction began on the project, adjacent to the movie theater at Patriot Place, Sept. 29. The venue was designed with a flexible interior able to transform into venues for various types of events, including dinner-theater concerts, hip-hop shows with standing crowds, and corporate events. It has a seating capacity of 531 and standing room for 1,000.

- Joan Wilder

BROOK CAN BREATHE EASIER - Stump Brook is less weed-choked than it has been in decades, thanks to some harvesting by Lycott Environmental, the Southbridge firm the town hired to deal with weed growth in the Monponsett ponds and adjoining waterways. According to Charles Seelig, executive administrator, the harvesting in Stump Brook, begun in May and now about 90 percent complete, will result in increased flow in the brook and better water levels in West Monponsett, as the pond is able to release overflow downstream. Seelig said the $50,000, provided by the state for pond treatment a year ago, funded the harvesting, and enough money remains to treat an invasive plant called milfoil in East Monponsett Pond with herbicide. High phosphorus levels in nearby West Monponsett is coming from bogs over the town line in Hanson, Seelig said. Treatment of that pond has yet to begin, he said.

- Christine Legere

HONOR GOES TO FORMER PRINCIPAL - The name of educator Joseph C. Simas Jr., well known locally, will now live forever: A lecture hall at Apponequet Regional High School bears the name of the man who was once its principal. Simas, 74, who has been an educator in Lakeville since 1960, was so honored at a recent ceremony dedicating the lecture hall to him. He was named assistant principal of Apponequet in 1967 and 10 years later was appointed principal, a post he held until his retirement in 1992. Simas is a member of the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School Committee.

- Paul E. Kandarian

SIPPICAN HAS NEW PRINCIPAL - Edwin M. Fava of Fall River has been appointed principal of Sippican Elementary School, beginning July 15. Fava succeeds Dona Mahoney of Avon, who has taken a principal's position in Plymouth after four years at the Sippican helm. Fava, principal of Pocasset Elementary School in Tiverton, R.I., is a 1971 graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo. He also holds two master's degrees from that school.

- Paul E. Kandarian

SPRUCING UP SALTY'S PARK - The Mattapoisett Land Trust is cleaning up one of its holdings, Dunseith Park on Route 6 at its intersection with North Street. The park is home to "Salty the Seahorse," a 38-foot tall, blue-and-green giant seahorse that has been a Mattapoisett landmark for generations. Volunteers are needed to help with gardening at the 3.3-acre site and plant donations are sought. The park also has a picnic area and nature trail, created by local Boy Scouts. The seahorse was built by local businessman Henry Dunseith, who owned a souvenir shop at the site. Dunseith died in 1988, and bequeathed his property to the land trust.

- Paul E. Kandarian

FREE BIKE HELMETS - The Police Department was awarded 75 bicycle helmets by the state's Executive Office of Public Safety to distribute free to local riders. The department also will be handing out another 50 helmets, provided by a private donor. Helmets will be distributed at community events but riders who need helmets immediately may get one at the Police Station. State law requires riders 16 and younger to wear helmets when riding on public ways or bike paths.

- Christine Legere

MULLING THREE MILE RIVER PROTECTION - The state is considering the nomination of the Three Mile River for the designation of "area of critical environmental concern," which would create a wildlife corridor supported by the Canoe River and the Hockomock Swamp, which already carry the designation. Three Mile River spans Norton, Taunton, and Dighton and supports habitat for many protected species. Norton conservation agent Jennifer Carlino said those wishing to support the nomination should write a letter to Elizabeth Sorenson, ACEC Program Director, Department of Conservation and Recreation, 251 Causeway St., Suite 700, Boston, MA 02114, prior to July 7.

- Christine Legere

POWER PACT OK'D - The town is in line to receive the first of two $2 million payments following last week's Town Meeting vote to allow NStar to use the Ellis Avenue electric substation to serve customers in Westwood. The pact is expected to generate about $40 million for Norwood. The vote also allows the light department to borrow up to $24 million for the design and installation of the power system, which will ultimately be paid by NStar. Following payments of about $2 million for this and next year, NStar will give the town $1.8 million annually through the end of the contract, which could run as long as 20 years.

- Michele Morgan Bolton

TOWN WOOS FILM STUDIO - Town officials were encouraged last week after a private meeting with officials from Plymouth Rock Studios about possibly building a $300 million film studio here. "They said we were still in the ballgame," said selectmen chairman Joe Freitas, who added a 135-acre site with direct access off Route 44 is one of several sites still being considered for the "Hollywood East" headquarters. He said proposal details were discussed in executive session and could not be made public. Freitas said the company would need a variance from the town's Zoning Board of Appeals to allow the height of the building to be 65 to 70 feet tall above the current town limit of 35 feet. A special permit also would be needed to allow a hotel on the site. "I don't see any problem with either one," Freitas said. "We told them we will rush whatever needs to be done." He said the development would generate millions of dollars in revenue for the area and would "allow Plympton to maintain its quality of life."

- Elaine Cushman Carroll

HIGH-TECH PENS AID READING - The speech and language pathologist at Sharon Middle School won a grant this year and was able to buy four high-tech reading devices. Elisa Reeves received a grant from the Sharon Education Fund to buy the WizCom Reading Pens. They are 3-ounce devices that scan, define, translate, and pronounce words for students of all ages. The pen also contains the contents of "The American Heritage Children's Dictionary" and can translate into Spanish .

- Franci Richardson Ellement

PRINCIPAL TURNS AUTHOR - After nearly four decades of educating Stoughton's youth, Debbie Levitz believes it's time to entertain them. The West School principal retired last week, 38 years after first asking Stoughton elementary students to open their books and their minds. She plans to spend her free time writing children's books. "I've got four chapters done already," Levitz, 61, said. Levitz, who began her teaching career in Stoughton in 1968, spent 18 years as a teacher and 20 years as an administrator. Last year, West School was nominated by the state as a No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon School, one of only five elementary schools chosen. At a ceremony last week, West School officials dedicated the playground in honor of Levitz. "That was a big surprise for me," said Levitz, before adding, "I leave with mixed emotions. The energy of the kids keeps you young. So often I'd see parents at the school that I taught in second grade so many years ago."

- Robert Carroll

SELECTMEN REORGANIZE - Following the recent town election, the Board of Selectmen has reorganized its officers, said Cindy Berube, administrative secretary. Catherine Winston is now chairwoman, new member Clifton Snuffer is vice chairman, and David Sullivan is clerk. Prior to the reorganization, Albert DeNapoli was chairman; Christopher Timson was vice chairman; and former selectman Michael Caron was clerk.

- Joan Wilder

CLAIM YOUR CASH - The town is looking to track down the owners of hundreds of unclaimed checks, according to treasurer/collector John D. Foster. The checks, which total over $54,000, were written out to various vendors and individuals but were never cashed. The oldest check dates back to 2002. A list of people and businesses that can claim these checks has been posted on the town's website, wareham.ma.us.

- Emily Sweeney

SOUNDS OF SUMMER - Westwood's free Summer Concert Series starts July 7 and runs on Mondays through the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the green outside the Senior Center, 60 Nahatan St. In the event of rain, the concert will move to the Islington Community Center, 288 Washington St. Call 781-461-0070 for a taped program report after 4:30 p.m. the day of the concert. The Westwood Young Women's Club will be collecting old eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses for New Eyes for the Needy as well as old cellphones for the Wireless Foundation's Call to Protect (victims of domestic violence) program; old towels and tennis balls for local animal shelters; and new children's socks and underwear for Cradles to Crayons. Performers at the series, in order, are: the Westwood Community Swing Band, the MassCollege All Star Jazz Ensemble, Barbara Kessler, and Mike the Music Man.

- Michele Morgan Bolton

SUPERINTENDENT TO STEP DOWN - Whitman-Hanson Regional School Superintendent John F. McEwan has announced that he will retire from his position in August 2009. McEwan, who began as superintendent of the regional district in the fall of 2001, is the author of the Phoenix Project, a community-based movement whose mission is to end unfunded state educational mandates and to lobby legislators to more fully support education. Prior to coming to the Whitman-Hanson system, McEwan was an administrator in the Dover-Sherborn Regional School District. He was also a high school principal in the Silver Lake Regional School District.

- Christine Legere