Lining up for flu shots

The Board of Health will hold two flu clinics in the coming months, recommended for people older than 60 and those with chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems, said health agent Jeanmarie Joyce. The clinics will take place in Town Hall on Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Nov. 6, from 2 to 6 p.m. The immunizations are free for those with Medicare B cards and $30 for those without. Proof of residency in Avon is required. - Joan Wilder

A WEEKEND FOR PEACE - The First Parish Church of Bridgewater has scheduled its 24-hour Peace Vigil in conjunction with the United Nations International Day of Peace for next weekend. The event begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday with a procession from the church, at 50 School St., to nearby churches and the Bridgewater Common. The procession will be led by First Parish Church's giant Peace Dove and children carrying as many as 1,000 origami cranes. Events will continue through the evening at First Parish as well as at some nearby churches. A concert of folk and acoustic music, featuring Peter Janson and David Roth, will run from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday; a donation of $12 is requested. The church will host a Native American sunrise service at 6 a.m. Sunday, followed by breakfast. And at 8 a.m., a Taize service, including chant, song, silence, and prayer, will be held at the United Methodist Church sanctuary. Activities and concerts will continue throughout the day. The final ceremony will be on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Peace Pole on the front lawn of the First Parish Church. For the full schedule of events, visit firstparishbridgewater.org.

- Christine Legere

APARTMENT VILLAGE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS - The large Chatham West affordable-housing community is looking for volunteers for programs for residents ranging in age from students to seniors. "Ideally we're looking for tutors and any after-school programs, but we also have a senior population," said Nathania Onyeagoro, resident services coordinator for the 576-unit complex. Programs are held in a series of six-week sessions beginning in October, and an information session will be held tomorrow from 3 to 4 p.m. at 202 Chatham West Drive. For more information call 508-580-1404, ext. 16.

- Steve Hatch

SLOWING TRAFFIC NEAR HIGH SCHOOL - The public is invited to comment on the traffic calming measures proposed for Canton High School. Selectmen have agreed to the concept of adding several speed bumps to slow traffic exiting the school, but haven't made a final decision yet. Mike Trotta, Department of Public Works superintendent, said the lines marking where the proposed speed bumps will be located are now drawn on Cotter, Reynolds, and Vaughn streets. Several residents brought their traffic complaints to selectmen last month, and chairman John J. Connolly said the board wants to give other residents a chance to comment. The board is expected to make a final decision this month. Trotta said the speed bumps will force vehicles to reduce their speed in the area that is posted for 20 miles per hour. Trotta estimated the cost of installing the humps and signs to be at least $10,000. - Elaine Cushman Carroll

VOTE ON GROOMING BUSINESS DELAYED - A hearing on a building to house a dog grooming and kennel service proposed for Carver Center has been continued to Oct. 7 after Planning Board members raised questions about details of the proposal. Cynthia and Wayne Miller, of 82 Main St., have proposed constructing a 6,000-square-foot office building and dog kennel for 32 dogs on the lot where they live. Though the town center is zoned for general business uses, Planning Board members expressed concerns about the size of the project, the noise potential, the need for buffering the project from neighbors, and the design of the structure. The board suggested the Millers meet with planning director Jack Hunter to discuss these issues before the public hearing resumes on Oct. 7. - Robert Knox

LITERARY EVENING - The Friends of Dedham Public Library are sponsoring an evening with Peter H. Reynolds on Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. The well-known author, illustrator, and co-owner of The Blue Bunny book and toy store is known for many familar reading favorites including "Ish," "The Dot," "The North Star" and the acclaimed Judy Moody series. The free all-ages family event takes place at the library at 43 Church St. Participants are then welcome to stroll down to the store, which will be open, according to Friends member Gloria Reinhart.

- Michele Morgan Bolton

NEW VETS AGENT - Robert Charles has been selected the town's new veterans agent, replacing Peter Spagone, who resigned last spring. Charles served 24 years in the Navy and another seven in the Navy Reserve, before retiring in 2004. He is the president of the Southeastern Massachusetts Veterans Organization and an executive board member of the Mass. Veterans Services Organization. Charles, who is a resident of Fall River, will get an annual salary of $43,500. - Christine Legere

RECYCLING JUST GOT EASIER - Residents no longer have to paw through sticky, jumbled recyclables to separate them for pickup. The Department of Public Works has arranged with Waste Management Inc., which handles recyclable and trash pickup for the town, to initiate "single-stream" recyclable pickup. Glass and plastic bottles, aluminum and tin cans, cardboard and paper - all of it now can go in one container. Residents can still use their recycling bins if they prefer, and pickup will continue to be every other week. Materials should be clean and boxes flattened. - Steve Hatch

BUSES EASE SCHOOL TRAFFIC - The heavy traffic congestion around the Foxborough Regional Charter School on Central Street during pickup and dropoff times has been substantially lessened this year due to the use of buses, said Police Chief Edward O'Leary. The school has established various pickup points where students from surrounding towns are dropped off by parents or guardians and picked up by a bus. "It eliminates about 200 cars from dropping kids off," said O'Leary, who monitored traffic on the first day of school. - Joan Wilder

LONGTIME CHIEF BIDS FAREWELL - After 31 years on the Freetown Fire Department, Chief Wayne A. Haskins announced last week that he will step down in January. Haskins, who took the position of chief 18 years ago, said he has a "million highlights" but said the opening of the main fire station and the establishment of a 24-hour ambulance service were at the top on his list. "I've done this long enough," said Haskins, who served longer than any other chief before him. In his resignation letter, which selectmen said they accepted with deep regret last week, Haskins urged them to appoint Gary Silvia, who has served as deputy chief for 18 years, as his replacement. Chairwoman Lisa Pacheco said the town is losing an "outstanding chief" and said selectmen will take into consideration Haskins's recommendation for his replacement. She said Haskins has a "work ethic beyond measure" and has always nurtured younger employees. "He's been the kind of chief that other communities should look up to," she said.

- Elaine Cushman Carroll

WATCHING THE WALKERS - In an effort to make drivers more aware of young pedestrians, Halifax Elementary School will hold its annual Walk to School Day on Oct. 8. Students will meet at 7:15 a.m. that day in the Walmart parking lot, and walk up the sidewalk along Route 106 to the elementary school. Several teachers, parents, and administrators accompany the schoolchildren. - Christine Legere

LOOKING AHEAD TO TOWN MEETING - The Board of Selectmen at its meeting Tuesday will review proposed articles submitted by town departments for the Oct. 16 Town Meeting and decide whether to place them on the warrant. Among the articles are funding requests by the Department of Public Works for a new dump truck and a new truck body, by the Fire Department for a new roof for its station, and by the tree warden to remove dead trees in locations around town. There are also proposals by the Planning Board that the town accept four private streets as public ways. The streets are all part of new subdivisions. Tuesday's meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

- John Laidler

LAND TRUST MEETING OPEN TO ALL - The Sippican Lands Trust, a nonprofit founded in 1974 to preserve land in Marion, has scheduled its annual meeting for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Marion Music Hall on Front Street, and the public is invited to attend. Guest speaker will be Peter Stone, a Marion artist and writer who will be displaying some of his art as well as signing copies of his latest book, "The Untouchable Tree, An Illustrated Guide to Earthly Wisdom and Arboreal Delights." Proceeds from sales of the book that night will benefit the land trust, which owns more than 1,100 acres in Marion. - Paul E. Kandarian

HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEEDS BOARD MEMBERS - The Mattapoisett Historical Society and Museum is looking for people to serve on its board of directors. Duties of board members include going to monthly meetings and attending special programs, and serving on committees that perform various duties for the group, such as putting together a newsletter, creating exhibits, and membership drives. The regular meetings are the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the museum. For more information, call Seth Mendell at 508-758-4458. - Paul E. Kandarian

EARTH-FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Local officials are seeking volunteers to fill seven slots on a newly established Green Energy Committee, charged with generating public awareness of energy conservation and sustainability issues, establishing a list of goals and then implementing action plans to meet those goals. Local officials are also seeking five residents to sit on the Landfill Advisory Committee along with two designated town officials. The committee will relay public concerns to selectmen related to Waste Management's operation of the Brook Street landfill. Waste Management will be expected to meet regularly with this committee to resolve any problems that result from landfill operation. Volunteers for either of the above-mentioned committees should send letters of interest to the Town Manager, 10 Nickerson Ave., Middleborough, MA 02346.

- Christine Legere

TOWN HALL STAYS OPEN - Selectmen have voted to keep Norton Town Hall open to the public on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., just as it has been in the past, even though reductions in staff are making it harder to maintain that schedule. Department managers had approached selectmen last month with schedule adjustments they said would help overworked staffs. Selectmen, however, decided public accessibility was the top priority. - Christine Legere

GRANT SECURES EMERGENCY CONTACT SYSTEM - Town officials have authorized the purchase of a software program that can swiftly alert residents to emergencies by phone or e-mail. The cost of SwiftReach911 will be paid through a $25,000 Police Department grant. Operating expenses are expected to be just under $9,000 a year. Residents and business owners with published numbers will be automatically entered into the database while those with unpublished numbers, cellphones, and e-mail addresses may voluntarily participate. Forms will be available at the police station at 137 Nahantan St. and at some point online, officials said. - Michele Morgan Bolton

CHIEF CONTINUES FAMILY TRADITION - James Januse has taken over as Raynham's fire chief, replacing George Andrews, who retired on Aug. 31 at the mandatory retirement age of 65. Januse, 54, joined the department as a call firefighter in 1970. He ran the family's trucking business for several years before becoming a full-time member of the Fire Department in 1993. His father, Theodore Januse, also served as the fire chief, and his son, James W. Januse, is also a member of the Raynham Fire Department.

- Christine Legere

POLICE BEGIN FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN - The Rochester Police Brotherhood has hired All-Pro Productions Inc. of Waltham to conduct its annual fund-raising campaign, which includes a telemarketing program and a comedy night scheduled for Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Radisson. All-Pro keeps 73 percent of money raised for overhead costs such as booking, production, printing, and hiring telemarketers, with 27 percent going to the Rochester Police Brotherhood, police said. The Rochester Police Brotherhood holds the campaign to fund local youth sports programs, scholarships, Thanksgiving dinners for the elderly, and presents for needy families at Christmas. - Paul E. Kandarian

NEW ADMINISTRATORS IN SCHOOL DEPARTMENT - The Sharon School District has a pair of new faces in the administrative guard. School Superintendent Barbara Dunham has hired Tim Farmer, a former middle school principal from Franklin, as the new assistant superintendent of curriculum and administration, and Steve Kaplan as the new special education director. Farmer has a master's degree in school administration. Kaplan has 10 years of experience as director of student services at schools throughout the state. He holds a master's degree in psychology and has worked on a doctorate through Temple University.

- Franci Richardson Ellement

TURNING WOOD INTO WONDERS - If it's artwork made of wood, chances are you can find it today at the Striar Jewish Community Center's Perkins Gallery. Members of the Massachusetts South Shore Woodturners will gather for "Evolution by Revolution," an exhibit of their work, which ranges from handmade chairs and bowls to restored church steeples. "These people just love creating with wood," said Cindy Kaplan, the gallery's curator. "They have an unbelievable passion for it." She said artists will answer questions and give public demonstration of their skills starting at 3 p.m. The community center and gallery is located at 445 Central St.

- Robert Carroll

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, READ THIS - Walpole's Local Emergency Planning Committee has produced a free emergency-preparedness handbook that will be mailed to every address in town by the end of the month. The handbook focuses on supplies and procedures to have in place to help households get through the first 72 hours of an emergency, said deputy health agent Gail Nixon. The handbook was funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The committee's next monthly meeting will take place Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Town Hall and anyone can attend. - Joan Wilder

PLYMOUTH MAN CHARGED IN DEATH OF CYCLIST - A 53-year-old East Wareham man died after being struck by a car while riding his bike on Park Avenue on Sept. 6, according to Wareham police. Officers responded to the scene at 1 a.m. and found Richard Monteiro injured on the side of the road. He was transported to Tobey Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the car, 26-year-old Shawn McGanty of Plymouth, was charged with motor vehicle homicide and negligent operation of a vehicle, according to the Wareham District Court clerk's office. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Sept. 8 and was held on $2,500 cash bail. He is due back on court Sept. 26 for a pre-trial hearing. The accident is being investigated by Wareham police and the State Police. - Emily Sweeney

GOOD TIME FOR FALL CLEANOUT - Townspeople looking to get rid of old appliances, hazardous materials, or other trash that cannot be accepted at the transfer station can do so later this month. On Sept. 26-27, the town is holding its biennial White Goods and Hazardous Waste Collection Days at the Highway Department garage, 63 North Main St. From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, residents can drop off such white goods as air conditioners, household freezers, washing machines, and dryers. Also accepted will be tires, propane bottles, televisions, computer monitors, and metal items, including bikes, mowers, and swing sets. Hazardous waste items, including oil paints, pesticides, vehicle fluids, and cleaning detergents, will be accepted on Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Transfer stickers are required. For more information, call 508-894-1216. - John Laidler

HEALTHCARE IS TOPIC FOR LEAGUE FORUM - The Westwood-Walpole League of Women Voters will kick off the 2008-09 year on Sept. 22, with a panel discussion, "Is There a Prescription for Healthcare?" at the First Parish Hall in Westwood. A social at 7 p.m. will be followed by the presentation at 7:30 p.m. Panelists include Dr. John B. Chessare, president of Caritas Norwood Hospital; Jennifer Chow, manager of outreach and enrollment at Health Care for All; Eileen P. McAnneny, senior vice president and associate general counsel for government affairs for Associated Industries of Massachusetts; and Melissa Shannon, director of intergovernmental affairs for the Massachusetts Office of Medicaid.

- Michele Morgan Bolton