No Latin classes this year in Avon

Avon has lost its Latin teacher and is unable to offer the language to students this year. The school district is continuing to look for a Latin teacher, and hopes to find one and offer the language again next year, said Superintendent Margaret Frieswyk. The administrator said there is evidence that studying Latin increases scores on standardized English testing. Currently students can choose between French and Spanish. - Joan Wilder

COLLEGE BEGINS AVIATION ERA - Planes have started arriving at Bridgewater State College's new flight-training center at New Bedford Regional Airport for the college's flight-training program. The initial three that have arrived have been outfitted and marked with the college's "BSC Aviation" logos. So-called QMA 11Es, the trio are ideal for training, according to flight instructor Loren Herren, because they are stable and easy to fly. Similar models should arrive within the next month, as well as three Piper Arrows, which are more complex training models. The latter group can be used to train students looking to become certified flight instructors. - Christine Legere

CRIME WATCH MEETING - Ward 3 City Councilor Dennis Eaniri is hosting a Neighborhood and Crime Watch meeting Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. in the cafeteria at South Middle School, 105 Keith Ave. Extension. The meeting is open to all residents of Ward 3 as well as the general public. For more information, call Eaniri at 508-587-1513. - Steve Hatch

SCHOOLS WEIGH CONSERVATION, SOLAR PROPOSALS - The school administration is considering two major proposals for going green. "We are definitely interested in the savings and we're interested in being green," said School Committee chairwoman Reuki Schutt. Energy Education Inc., a national company based in Texas, and Solar Design Associates, owned by Canton High School graduate Steven J. Strong, recently made separate proposals to the committee, Schutt said. Energy Education told the committee the district could easily save hundreds of thousands of dollars a year by identifying areas where energy loss is taking place and changing procedures. A locally hired energy conservation educator would oversee enforcement of the saving measures, she said. In the other proposal, Solar Design Associates would install solar panels that would be owned by the company on school building roofs and share proceeds from the energy generated with the district.

- Elaine Cushman Carroll

PUBLIC SAFETY DISCUSSION - An open community forum on public safety will take place Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the meeting room in Carver Town Hall. Jack Hunter, the town's director of planning and community development, will moderate a panel consisting of Police Chief Arthur Parker; Fire Chief Craig Weston; Tom Walsh, the town emergency management director and emergency medical services director; Robert Nadeau, the state's regional emergency manager; and Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald Jr. Refreshments will be served. For further information, contact the Carver Planning Department at 508-866-3450. - Robert Knox

CANDIDATE POSES QUESTION ON COUNTY'S FUTURE - Norfolk County Commission candidate Thomas Gorman has gathered enough signatures to post a ballot question in November, asking 11th Norfolk District voters, in a nonbinding referendum, their feelings on abolishing county government. Gorman, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2006, has posed the question so voters would decide whether to direct state Representative Paul McMurtry, a Dedham Democrat, to vote to dissolve county government and transfer its function to the state. Incumbent county commissioners John Gillis of Quincy and Francis O'Brien of Dedham, both Democrats, are being challenged by Gorman and Michael Walsh, an independent from Westwood.

- Michele Morgan Bolton

CLASSES OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE -This fall's Evening Practical Arts Program, offered through the East Bridgewater School District, offers something of interest for just about everyone. On the list are two eight-week sessions in ballroom and swing dancing, and a free four-week series in Falum Dafa, a Chinese practice that improves physical and mental well-being through exercise and meditation. Arts-and-crafts offerings include scrapbooking, rubber stamping, rug weaving and rug hooking, knitting and crocheting, screen printing, mural painting and basket weaving. For more information, call 508-378-5857. Classes start the first week in October.

- Christine Legere

MIDDLE SCHOOL IS A $29M GEM - Three years in the making, the transformed former Easton Junior High School, now the Easton Middle School, opened for 930 sixth- to eighth-graders last week. The $29 million in additions and renovations include more windows, 64 classrooms, and a central library with computer labs. There is a revamped auditorium with larger stage and new sound system and lighting, and the cafeteria can hold 350 students. The gymnasium has new floors, bleachers, and scoreboard. The school now houses the sixth grades from the Olmsted and Richardson schools. Public tours are to be scheduled this month. - Steve Hatch

CRACKDOWN ON CELLPHONE USE AT SCHOOL - High school officials have instituted stronger sanctions against students who violate the school's cellphone policy -- which requires that cellphones be kept in lockers throughout the school day, said principal Jeffrey Theodoss. Students found using a phone will have it taken; it may be retrieved later by a parent. A second instance will result in a week's confiscation, a third instance will result in a month's confiscation, and a fourth will get the student suspended. Theodoss said that any students who need to have their cellphone on them to be in contact with a parent should alert him to the situation. - Joan Wilder

RACE CARRIES ON MEMORY OF CRASH VICTIM - The fifth annual John's Race, in memory of a Halifax native killed in a car crash in 2003, is set for 10 a.m. next Sunday. Participants can run or walk the relatively level scenic course, in either a 5K or 10K race. The starting line is at Pope's Tavern in the center of town. John Kealey, 21, was killed when the driver of the car in which he was riding lost control on a narrow road in south Halifax. Registration is $20 per individual, $50 maximum per family, and $10 for participants under 14 years old and over 65.

- Christine Legere

TAX HEARING THIS WEEK - The Board of Selectmen will hold its annual tax classification hearing at its meeting Tuesday. State law requires cities and towns to hold such hearings each year to determine whether to set different tax rates for residents and businesses, and if so how much of the residential tax burden to shift on to businesses. Hanson has always had a single tax rate. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall. - John Laidler

LIBRARY GROUNDS SPROUT SIGNS - Seven new signs grace the grounds of the Lakeville Public Library, authorized by the library's board of trustees. "Ted's Gardens," a sign honoring local landscaper Ted Dellarocco's creations at, and his ongoing financial contributions to, the library was placed near the facility's garden area. The other six signs are part of the second phase of development at the D. Evelyn Norris Memorial Herb Garden. Norris was the town's first female town clerk.

- Paul E. Kandarian

COMPANY SEEKS TAX RELIEF - Covidien, a manufacturer of medical devices and supplies with its headquarters in the Cabot Business Park, has asked the town for a tax break on a proposed expansion. The company is looking to buy an existing 115,000-square-foot building at 777 West St., and renovate and equip it. Covidien already leases six buildings in the business park and pays more than $1 million annually in taxes to the town. The expansion would add about 50 full-time jobs. Covidien is looking for tax incentives under the state's Economic Development Incentive Program that would give it personal property tax relief at both the state and local level for the life of the Tax Increment Financing Agreement. The agreement requires Town Meeting approval to go into effect. The proposal is now being reviewed by the town's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee.

- Christine Legere

FORUM ON RAIL EXPANSION PLAN - A meeting has been scheduled at the Marion Town House on Spring Street to discuss the state's South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan. The meeting is scheduled for Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m., and a consulting team from Goody-Clancy, an architecture, planning and preservation firm in Boston, will make a presentation about the proposed rail plan that would extend commuter rail service to the area. The public is encouraged to attend.

- Paul E. Kandarian

CHORAL SEASON BEGINS ANEW - The fall season of the Sippican Choral Society begins tomorrow with rehearsals held on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. in the Mattapoisett Congregational Church's Reynard Hall on Church Street. No auditions are required and dues are $35, or $30 if paid by tomorrow. The society is accepting new members until Sept. 22, with holiday concerts planned for Dec. 5 and 7. For more information, e-mail osuch1@aol.com.

- Paul E. Kandarian

IT'S TASTING TIME AGAIN - Tickets now on sale for the Taste of Greater Middleborough, set for Thursday, Oct. 16, 7 to 9 p.m. in the National Guard building. The fund-raiser supports maintenance of Veterans Memorial Park on the Town Hall lawn. This year's Taste of Greater Middleborough will feature samplings from 16 area restaurants and four dessert shops, as well as wine and beer tastings provided by 14 vendors, floral arrangements from nine florists, and several thousand dollars in items for raffles and silent auction. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased from Paul Provencher, the veterans agent.

- Christine Legere

FINAL PHASE OF PIPE WORK STARTS SOON - The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is expected to begin installation of a reserve system water pipe under University Avenue at the junction of Route 1 within two weeks. Work will be completed at night and traffic flow is expected to be normal, according to officials. Workers have spent the summer extending the line from Canton Street. This is the final work phase before paving. - Michele Morgan Bolton

LIQUOR STORE CANNOT EXPAND - The owner of the Plympton Liquor and Convenience store will not be allowed to expand his liquor business, according to a recent ruling by the Board of Selectmen. In a 2-to-1 vote, the board cited two recent violations and continuing code violations at the store owned by Young Kang. Kang, who bought it at a foreclosure sale about a year ago, said he was disappointed by the ruling and said he has tried hard to fix problems with a well, sewage, parking and other issues at the 286 Main St. site. Kang said he is reviewing whether to appeal the decision to the Massachusetts Alcoholic BeveragesControl Commission or to reapply in a year.

- Elaine Cushman Carroll

HIGH SCHOOL RISES TO THE TOP - In this month's issue of Boston Magazine, Sharon High School ranks high among the state's most well-run schools. Sharon is sixth in cost efficiency and eleventh in academic standings among 141 of the state's honored high schools, according to the rankings.

- Franci Richardson Ellement

CHIEF PUSHES FOR SUBSTATION - Fire Chief David Jardin wants a third facility for his department and he's willing to pay the governor a visit if it would help improve the town's chances of securing $1 million in state funding toward construction. Jardin recently submitted a funding request with Governor Deval Patrick's office, seeking funding for the cost of engineering and designing a $5 million to $10 million fire substation at the site of the town armory on Route 139. "I guess the paperwork is still just sitting on [the governor's] desk awaiting approval," said Jardin. "I'm willing to drive myself up there if my presence would help move it along." - Robert Carroll

AUSTERITY PAYS OFF FOR SCHOOL DEPARTMENT - The School Department will be returning between $6,000 and $10,000 to the town treasury once the final reckoning of last year's budget is completed, said Brian Connolly, department business administrator. Connolly attributes the savings to several areas, including a clampdown on spending and delayed hirings that lowered personnel costs. How the department does in the current fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30, remains to be seen but Connolly said that the federal government's increased reimbursement rates to schools will help. - Joan Wilder

TURN WHEELS INTO HOMES - Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity is looking for people who'd like to donate their wheels. The organization gladly accepts all kinds of vehicles - including cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs -- and then sells them to help finance local home-building efforts. Proceeds from car donations that are made in Acushnet, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and Wareham go directly to the Buzzards Bay Area Habitat chapter. "It provides a hassle-free and easy way to give to Habitat," said Marcia Rundle, general manager of Habitat's Cars for Homes program. "Anyone can help provide affordable housing within their own community by donating vehicles they aren't using or are ready to sell or trade-in." For more information, visit carsforhomes.org or call Buzzards Bay office at 508-273--0225.

- Emily Sweeney

TRACKING VETERANS OF WAR ON TERROR - The Board of Selectmen is planning a ceremony on Oct. 7 to honor all West Bridgewater military veterans who have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001. Selectmen are attempting to contact all of those veterans to ensure their names are included on the list of honorees. Veterans or their families are asked to call the selectmen's office by Sept. 30 at 508-894-1267. The event will be held at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. - John Laidler

DISCOUNTS FOR ONLINE RECREATION SIGNUPS - The Recreation Department's fall lineup of activities is set and available for viewing at townhall.westwood.ma.us. New this season: Anyone who registers online will receive a $3 discount per program. Offerings for all ages range from swimming and golf lessons and other sports to bus trips and even holiday etiquette for kids. Fees reflect nonresident prices and town residents are reminded to click the resident button to receive the $10 discount. Registration is also accepted at 240 Nahanton St., Westwood MA 02090.

- Michele Morgan Bolton

VOTE ON CAPITAL SPENDING IS DELAYED - Selectmen have postponed a townwide vote on $10 million in capital projects. That vote was originally planned for this fall, but has been put off until the spring. According to Town Administrator Frank Lynam, $10 million is the amount that officials believe it will take to build a new police station and to do some repairs to the Town Hall. The money to pay a yearly loan on the project would be raised within the town's current tax rate. Lynam said voters will be asked to approve a debt exclusion for further money on the spring ballot, just in case the $10 million isn't enough. Lynam said officials haven't yet determined the amount of the debt exclusion. - Christine Legere