Grant is a shot in the arm

The Massachusetts Partnership for Healthy Communities has given the Avon school system a $10,000 grant to improve student health, said Peter Lee, director of the partnership. Over three years, the grant will help the community identify problems in student health, such as substance abuse; develop a plan for addressing them; and implement the effort. Avon is one of only seven communities in the Commonwealth to receive the funding. The partnership is a project of the Medical Foundation, a nonprofit organization. It receives funds from several sources, including hospitals that are required by state law to contribute to community health improvement. - Joan Wilder

SCHOOL YEAR TO START WITH A SHUFFLE - Bridgewater elementary, intermediate, and middle school students will see some changes when they start classes Tuesday. Local seventh- and eighth-graders will switch locations, to the former regional high school, now renamed Bridgewater Middle School. That facility, which has undergone extensive renovation over the past two years, will also house the regional school district's administrative offices and a new, district-wide special-education program. Meanwhile, fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders will report to Meredith G. Williams Intermediate School on South Street. The Burnell School, an elementary school on the Bridgewater State College campus, will no longer be used by the town, with that school population shifting to Mitchell Elementary and Williams Middle schools. Kindergartners and pre-kindergartners don't start classes until Sept. 2. - Christine Legere

NURSING SCHOOL GETS NEW CHIEF - Susan Taylor is the new head of the Brockton Hospital School of Nursing. Taylor, a registered nurse who holds a master's degree in nursing, has been academic administrator at the school since December. Before joining Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, she taught nursing at Saint Joseph College of Maine. Dr. Carol Bortman retired after 26 years as dean.

- Steve Hatch

CANOPIES MUST STAY AT MALL - The Zoning Board of Appeals has cleared the way for a new sign to mark the entrance to the Village Shoppes but rejected a request to remove the canopies over the walkways at the mall, which is slated to get a major face lift soon. Chairman Paul B. Carroll said the board determined that the canopies should stay because they were part of the original site plan for the mall at 563 Washington St. Removing them would take away from "the symmetry of the buildings" and do away with protection from bad weather, Carroll said. He said the Wilder Co. of Boston is planning a major face lift to its newly acquired property to attract shoppers and tenants in an increasingly competitive environment. Also at its Aug. 14 meeting, the board said the individual store owners, which include Gap, Marshalls, and Chicos, could install small signs at eye level but retained the right to review each sign. Carroll said he expects discussions with the company to continue as its plans are unveiled. - Elaine Cushman Carroll

SCHOOL RENOVATION DISCUSSION ON TAP - The Building Committee will hold a meeting tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Erwin K. Washburn Primary School to discuss renovation plans for the town's primary and elementary schools. Carver's plan to renovate and build a small addition to the adjoining schools on Route 58 was given priority for funding by the state School Building Authority last year. While the school system conducts a feasibility study to determine a cost for the renovation project, the town's public school students go back school on Tuesday.

- Robert Knox

STAYING SAFE FROM BUGS - A variety of health information and guidelines to help residents stay safe from insects carrying disease has been posted on the town's website. Earlier this month, state officials confirmed that a dead bird found in Dedham had tested positive for the West Nile virus. Health officials also found the diseased mosquitoes that carry the sickness in other local communities. Lyme disease, which is transmitted by infected deer ticks, is a continual concern. More information is available at www.dedham-ma.gov. - Michele Morgan Bolton

FAST END TO SUMMER - While some school districts are waiting until after Labor Day to begin the school year, East Bridgewater students in grades 1 through 12 must report to school this Wednesday. But because many families plan a four-day-long weekend for Labor Day, students will have the day off on Friday. Children in kindergarten and pre-school won't begin until Sept. 3. Because of busing issues, school opening and closing times have been adjusted. Check the school's website for details at ebps.net.

- Christine Legere

DECISION ON STATION SITE NEARS - The state is considering two sites for a commuter rail station in Easton and will announce selections in September. The Executive Office of Transportation is planning to restore passenger rail service to Fall River and New Bedford. The two sides in Easton are at the Roche Brothers plaza near Stoughton and the former train station in Easton center, said Kristina Egan, project manager for the state agency. She said the state is considering two routes, a Stoughton line, which would run through Easton, and an Attleboro line. Route selection is expected in the spring.

- Steve Hatch

INSURER BOWS OUT OF DOG PARK CASE - The town's insurer will no longer cover the fees for Sam Perkins, the lawyer representing the town in the suit brought against it by a group of abutters to the dog park at Cocasset River Park who want the park to go, said Chris Shewry, in the selectmen's office. Perkins told the Board of Selectmen that park organizers have offered to pay his fees, if both the Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectmen approve. The court case was originally scheduled for Aug. 6, and has been postponed until Dec. 12.

- Joan Wilder

WARNING ON POWER PLANT - Board of Health chairman John Delano warned selectmen last week that the power plant being proposed for Brockton could cause health problems for Halifax residents, from air currents carrying plant pollutants. Officials in other towns are expressing similar concerns. Selectmen agreed to review the background material Delano submitted and decide what action, if any, they would take.

- Christine Legere

OPENING FOR CONSTABLE - The town is seeking applicants to fill the constable position that became vacant due to the recent death of Donald Ferguson. Hanson has two constable positions. Elected to three-year terms, constables post warrants and - if they are bonded - can serve civil court papers in town, according to Town Clerk Sandra Harris. The Board of Selectmen is expected to appoint someone to fill the vacancy sometime next month. The appointment will be through the town election May 16, which is also when Ferguson's term expires. Anyone who would like to apply should send a letter to interest to the Board of Selectmen. Ferguson was also a former member of the Cemetery Commission and a former longtime chairman of the Housing Authority.

- John Laidler

RENT BOARD VACANCY - The Rent Control Board currently has a vacancy. Town residents interested in working on the board should send a letter of interest to selectmen with their name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and any information they may feel is relevant to the position. Deadline for applying for the position is Sept. 4. Letters can be e-mailed to board.selectmen@lakevillema.org or mailed to Selectmen, Lakeville Town Hall, 346 Bedford St., Lakeville 02347. - Paul E. Kandarian

PREPARING FOR SCHOOL DAYS - The Mansfield School District will host open houses for families and students at all of its schools, from 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday. Classes in grades 1 through 12 will begin with a full day on Sept. 3. Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten will start on Sept. 5. For more information, visit the school district's website at mansfieldschools.com. - Christine Legere

PRIMARY REGISTRATION DEADLINE - The last day to register in Marion for the state primary election is Wednesday. The town clerk's office will be open that day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for late registration. Voters may also use mail-in forms available throughout the state, from marionma.gov, or by visiting the town clerk's office at the Marion Town House, 2 Spring St. The state primary is Sept. 16, and polls will be open at the Marion Music Hall on Front Street from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Paul E. Kandarian

CIVIC VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - The town is seeking volunteers to serve on two boards. The Council on Aging is accepting letters of interest from those wishing to be considered for a seat on the council's advisory board, which meets the first Wednesday of the month at 8 a.m. Those interested should send letters to Vanessa Williams at the Mattapoisett Council on Aging, Box 528, Mattapoisett 02739. Two associate members are needed for the Board of Appeals, each a five-year term. For more information, call the selectmen's office at 508-758-4100, ext. 4.

- Paul E. Kandarian

OLD INFORMATION ON HAZARDOUS WASTE - According to Conservation Agent Patricia Cassady, a sketch of the Rockland Industries property, indicating where some hazardous waste had been buried decades ago, was recently submitted to a member of the Conservation Commission by a person who worked for the company in the early 1970s. That map has since been turned over to the state Department of Environmental Protection for further review. Rockland Industries, which has been closed for several years, is a known hazardous site still being cleaned up under the supervision of the Department of Environmental Protection. DEP representatives commented to town officials that the map doesn't really provide any new information to them, Cassady said. The Rockland Industries property had been gone over with probes, looking for buried material, several years ago. What was found was taken off site for proper disposal. - Christine Legere

SCHOOL JOBS ADJUSTED TO SAVE MONEY - In an effort to cut costs, the School Committee has eliminated positions for a special-education assistant coordinator and an out-of-district special-education coordinator, replacing them with a pair of assistant positions for kindergarten through Grade 5, and grades 6 through 12. The positions will be funded with $128,000 in the current year's budget. The goal of the two new jobs is to examine expensive out-of-district placements for children whose learning needs can't be met in Norwood and establish programs to serve their needs locally.

- Michele Morgan Bolton

POLICE TO GET A HARLEY - The town's first police motorcycle is on order and will probably hit the streets by the end of September. "It gets about 65 miles to the gallon," explained Police Chief Matthew M. Clancy. He said the purchase of the motorcycle was made possible through a combination of state and federal grant money and is aimed at helping to curb rising fuel costs. Clancy said one of the town's two cruisers will be replaced by an officer driving the Harley-Davidson on a regular basis during daylight hours about nine months of the year. "We fully intend on getting it out there on a regular basis," Clancy said. He said two police officers will complete the required 40 hours of training on the cycle and should be ready to roll by the end of September. Board of Selectmen chairman Joe Freitas said he likes the creative approach to dealing with high gas prices.

- Elaine Cushman Carroll

PRIMARY DEADLINE - The town is reminding all residents that the last day to register to vote in the Sept. 16 state primary is Wednesday. On that day, the town clerk's office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents may either register to vote or change their party affiliation. Town clerk Marlene Chused said there is a common misconception that residents may not vote if they have not declared a party affiliation. Voters listed as "unenrolled" may pull either a Democratic or Republican ticket. To register to vote, residents need identification showing they live in town. Registration applications are also available to be mailed in at the town library and post office. In Sharon, of the 18,000 residents, about 12,000 are registered voters, Chused said.

- Franci Richardson Ellement

LESSONS IN HANDLING WASTE - Facing suspension or revocation of his license after he improperly removed five cubic yards of hazardous waste from a Stoughton gas station four years ago, a Mansfield engineer instead has opted to go back to school. Ralph Penney, of Penney Engineering in Mansfield, agreed last month to be publicly censured by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Professionals. As part of a plea agreement that keeps Penney from admitting guilt and the board from establishing guilt, he will have to take "continuing education courses" on properly handling hazardous waste, according to board general counsel Terry Wood. Debra Stake, who co-chairs the board's professional conduct committee, said the agreement ensures the board is "upholding [its] professional conduct standards." - Robert Carroll

BOOSTING RECYCLING EFFORTS - On the heels of having successfully increased its recycling by about 10 percent in the last fiscal year, Walpole is aiming to do better in the next 11 months and wants to increase total recycleables in fiscal 2009 to 2,009 tons, said Robin Chapell, health agent. Recycling in fiscal 2008 was 1,888 tons - up from 1,729 tons the previous year. Chapell is encouraging residents to focus their efforts on recycling more paper, and the next tax bill will include an insert describing the types of paper that can be recycled. "You can include things like spiral notebooks and you absolutely don't have to remove staples from paper," said Chapell.

- Joan Wilder

LIBRARY WANTS FEEDBACK - The staff of the Wareham Free Library is looking for feedback. Patrons of the library are invited to fill out a brief questionnaire on the town's website, www.wareham.ma.us. The online survey asks patrons how often they visit the library, where they reside, and whether the library's room temperature is comfortable, among other things. It also asks them to rate the cleanliness of the building and restrooms. The survey was posted Aug. 4 and will remain online for a couple of months, according to Susan Pizzolato, the library's acting director. The survey results will help with the library's long-range plans, which are submitted to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners every five years, she said. - Emily Sweeney

PANEL TO TAKE ON INSURANCE ISSUES - The town is forming a new Health Insurance Advisory Board. According to Town Administrator Elizabeth Faricy, the Board of Selectmen voted to establish the panel to evaluate the town's existing health insurance policies, and determine if there is more cost-efficient set of policies that could be offered to employees. Selectmen are currently assembling the committee, which will include a representative from each of the town's five unions, a municipal retiree, Faricy, and treasurer/collector John Duggan. The committee is expected to begin meeting in the latter part of September.

- John Laidler

FINANCE TEAM GETS HIGH HONOR - For the 11th consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded the town's finance team a Certificate of Achievement for excellence in reporting its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The international group of finance officers' honor is the highest form of recognition, singling out communities that fully disclose financial information at the highest standard. Westwood has been participating in the program since 1997 and has also previously been recognized with the organization's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. That award underlined the town's commitment to offering clear, easy-to-understand information in a resident-friendly format.

- Michele Morgan Bolton

GET A GREEN EDUCATION - The Whitman-Hanson Regional School District's Main Street Extension has planned a series of classes, as well as a one-night seminar on "Going Green," as part of this fall's adult-education offerings. The classes are the result of a partnership with Green Hanson and the North and South Rivers Watershed Associations. The one-night seminar, called "How To Have A Beautiful, Healthy Yard That Saves You Money and Time" is set for Oct. 21, while the class series "Reduce Your Co2 Footprint With a Low CARBon Diet" runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m., every other Wednesday in October thru Nov. 12. Registration for the single seminar is $10, while the class series is $30. Registration is already ongoing through the district's website at www.whrsd.org/mainstreet. Walk-in registration at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. this Thursday and Sept. 9. For more information about these courses, visit the website or call the Main Street Extension program at 781-618-7403.

- Christine Legere