Advertising and body image

"Slim Hopes: Advertising and the Obsession with Thinness" will be shown Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Ashland Public Library's community room as part of the Friends of the Ashland Public Library's documentary film and discussion series. The film offers an in-depth analysis of how female bodies are depicted in advertisements and the effects of those images on women's health. The event is free. There will be a discussion following the 30-minute film. For more information, visit the group's website, friendsoftheapl.com.

- Rachel Lebeaux

MEET THE BABYSITTERS - The Bellingham Public Library will hold a job fair for babysitters Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the library's community room. Parents can meet Red Cross-trained babysitters certified in first aid, healthy snacks, enforcing bedtimes, and changing diapers. The training covers care for infants through elementary school children. Babysitters wishing to participate must be Red Cross certified, and must sign up in advance at the library's front desk or by phone or e-mail. For more information, call Leslianne LaVallee at 508-966-1660 or e-mail llavallee@cwmars.org, or visit the library's website, bellinghamlibrary.org. - Rachel Lebeaux

CONTRACT FOR TOWN HOUSE DOORS - Selectmen have awarded a bid to replace the exterior doors of the Town House to RTL Services, the second lowest bidder. Selectmen rejected the lowest bidder, M. Spinelli & Sons Inc., because the company miscalculated the amount of its bid. The winning bid by RTL Services was $45,000. - Anna Fiorentino

RECREATION REGISTRATION ONLINE - Registration has commenced for the town Recreation Department's fall program of activities. Some of the available programs include babysitting, pilates, music lessons, cross-country, basketball and flag football. The entire schedule of programs is available on the Recreation Department's page on the town's website, franklinma.virtualtownhall.net. Residents can sign up for programs through the "Online Registration" link. For more information, call the Recreation Department at 508-520-4909. - Rachel Lebeaux

RACE FOR PLAYGROUND UPGRADE - Volunteers seeking to raise funds for new playground equipment for a town park are holding their second annual 5k road race Sept. 21. Members of Mission Possible Holliston say the equipment at Goodwill Park is deteriorating and is not accessible to children with disabilities. Their goal is to raise $200,000 to revamp the facility. Registration for the race, which starts at Holliston High School, starts at 9:30 a.m., with the race at 10:30 a.m. and a kids' fun run at 11:30 a.m. Online registration is available at missionpossibleholliston.org. The entry fee is $20 in advance, $25 on the day of the race. - Calvin Hennick

FILLING VACANCIES - Selectmen last week appointed three residents to fill vacancies on town boards. Donna Deneen and David Holly were appointed to three-year terms on the Council on Aging, and Marcus Waldron was appointed to a three-year term on the Conservation Commission. Selectmen are now seeking residents to serve on the Housing Committee and the Downtown Revitalization Committee, after members on those committees resigned. Selectmen and Hopkinton Housing Authority members are also looking to fill a vacancy on the housing board. The seat will be filled through a joint appointment by members of both boards. Residents should contact the Board of Selectmen's office. - Calvin Hennick

SIGNS BEING ADDED AT INTERSECTIONS - Selectmen last week approved Police Chief Robert Meaney's request for stop signs and yield signs at several intersections. Stop signs will be placed at the intersection of Pine Street and North Street, where Meaney said several accidents have occurred, and at the intersection of Elm Street and South Street. The second intersection is close to schools and playing fields, Meaney said. Yield signs will be placed at the intersections of Gun Hill Road and Millbrook Road, Richard Road and Charlesdale Road, and Pound Street and Main Street. Meaney said the yield signs will clear up any ambiguity about which approaching vehicle has the right-of-way. The signs will likely be installed in the next three weeks, Meaney said.

- Calvin Hennick

LOOKING AHEAD TO WINTER - Although the weather is still warm, the Board of Selectmen is starting to seek volunteers to serve on the town's snow and ice committee. This committee will be charged with reviewing the town's snowplowing operations and recommending ways to improve snow management and efficiency. Interested residents are asked to e-mail the board at bos@townofmedway.org.

- Rachel Lebeaux

WATER SURCHARGE REDUCED - The state has directed the Milford Water Co. to reduce the fee it assessed to cover unforeseen costs that incurred during last year's drought, which forced limits on outdoor watering in town. The Department of Public Utilities responded after Milford officials disputed the amount of the company's surcharge earlier this year. According to Milford's town counsel, Gerry Moody, each customer is now required to pay 11 percent less than the water company's original request. The average water fee will be $59, he said. - Anna Fiorentino

TOWN MEETING AGENDA - The fall Town Meeting warrant, which selectmen opened last week, will close Sept. 19 at noon. Town Administrator Charles Aspinwall said the warrant will likely include an item that would allocate money from water fees and existing funds to reroute a water main on Pleasant Street that runs along a river bed. He said the project would likely cost a couple hundred thousand dollars. The warrant likely will also include new bylaws outlining a permitting process and enforcement procedures for trenches being dug in town. The state will start requiring communities to issue permits for trenches, defined as holes deeper than three feet, next year. Town Meeting is slated for Nov. 3. at Millis High School.

- Calvin Hennick

BALLOTS AVAILABLE - Absentee ballots for the Sept. 16 primary election are available in the town clerk's office until noon on Sept. 15. The deadline to register for the primary is 8 p.m. Wednesday. Absentee ballots for the Nov. 4 election will become available after the Sept. 16 primary. The deadline to register for the Nov. 4 election is 8 p.m. on Oct. 15. - Calvin Hennick

CLASS LISTS UP - Class lists have been posted for students who are eager to learn about their teacher and classroom for the new school year. The principals of the Freeman Centennial School and the H. Olive Day School are inviting children to come to the office and view the lists. Hours are between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. - Michele Morgan Bolton

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Residents are needed to serve on a range of town boards and committees. Volunteers are asked to go to Town Hall and fill out an availability card. Openings include one regular seat on the Council on Aging, and two associate seats; one seat each on the Finance Committee, Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District, and the Right To Know Coordinator. Two seats are available on the Historical Commission, Permanent Building Committee, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Bylaw Review Committee has four openings and the local Cultural Council has 17 seats available. For more information, call Town Hall at 508-695-3010. - Michele Morgan Bolton

NEW HIKING TRAIL - The town Highway Department recently cleared a new connector trail linking Greenwood and Washington streets. The hiking trail was made possible through an easement granted to the town by the Buntin family. The new quarter-mile trail leads to a 60-acre public parcel known as Bailey Trail. The Conservation Commission is arranging for signs to be placed at the new trail entrance, across from 21 Greenwood St. - Anna Fiorentino

PLANS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY BOARD - Selectmen will likely appoint an advisory committee in the next two months that will help oversee the town's new fire and emergency medical services organization, board member Ken Picard said. Selectmen adopted regulations for the committee earlier this month. Town meeting voters in June approved a restructuring of the departments that includes the advisory committee and a chief to oversee both departments. The Fire Department is run by three appointed "fire engineers," while the Emergency Medical Services Department is led by an appointed director. Picard said the advisory committee, which will include four fire and emergency-medical employees and one at-large member, will help selectmen with the process of hiring a chief to take over both departments.

- Calvin Hennick

SELECTMEN ASSAULT CASES DISMISSED - Wrentham District Court clerk-magistrate Edward J. Doherty last week dismissed a case in which two Wrentham selectmen accused each other of assault, finding there wasn't enough evidence to file formal charges against either man. Selectman John Zizza told police that fellow board member Robert Cohen confronted him in a Town Hall men's room during a break from a June 3 board meeting. Cohen "stepped very abruptly" toward Zizza and began shouting, causing Zizza to fear that Cohen would attempt to harm him, Zizza told police. In a counter-complaint, Cohen told police that Zizza was "hostile and intimidating" and Cohen feared Zizza would escalate the situation. Neither man was accused of physically attacking the other. Zizza said he was disappointed that the case was dismissed, while Cohen said he was happy to put the incident behind him.

- Calvin Hennick

YOUTH SYMPHONY AUDITIONS - The MetroWest Youth Symphony Orchestra, beginning its ninth season, will hold auditions Sept. 7 for new members. The orchestra has more than 50 musicians, ages 12 to 18, and is the orchestra-in-residence at Mass. Bay Community College. Candidates should have at least two years of private music lessons. Students may also audition for the Preparatory Strings Orchestra, an advanced ensemble. Concerts are in December and May. Auditions will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the auditorium of Mass. Bay Community College, 19 Flagg Drive. There is a $25, nonrefundable audition fee. To sign up for an audition or for more information, visit the orchestra's website, metyso.org.

- Tanya Perez-Brennan

TAKING STEPS AGAINST BEETLES - Town officials have closed the site at the municipal garage where residents have been dropping off yard waste, citing concerns about possible infestation by the Asian longhorned beetle, which has been found in neighboring Worcester. According to the Shrewsbury website, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation has placed portions of the town within a regulated area as part of an effort to suppress the beetle, a nonnative species that attacks hardwood trees. The regulated area includes the north side of Route 9 from the Quinsigamond Bridge to Maple Avenue, extending north along Maple to Route 140, and on the west side of Route 140 north of Main Street. Within the regulated area, residents and businesses are prohibited from moving or transferring materials such as firewood, logs, stumps, roots, branches, leaves, and green lumber from any tree infested by the beetle. The town manager is slated to discuss the situation during tomorrow night's Board of Selectmen meeting. Additional information can be found at shrewsbury-ma.gov.

- Tom Coakley

SCHOOLS ARE THE WORLD - In a letter posted recently on the school district's website, Superintendent Anne Towle said Westborough's student body this fall is expected to be the most diverse ever for the town, with minorities representing a fifth of the school population. Towle said the diversity would improve students' understanding of the world.

- John Dyer