Amesbury relay a winner

About 35 teams and 315 people overall took part in the 2008 Relay for Life of Amesbury last weekend at Landry Stadium. Amesbury is one of many communities across the country that hold annual overnight events in which teams walk or run around tracks to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Organizers estimate this year's Amesbury relay raised $90,000, but the total may increase as additional donations are received. Anyone who would like to make a donation can call Amesbury Police Officer Tom Hanshaw at 978-388-1217.

- John Laidler

BIDS ARE IN - In an attempt to become the general contractor for the new high school educational wing project, Brait Builders of Marshfield submitted the lowest bid, $65.89 million, beating three other companies. Mayor William Scanlon Jr. said the city had 30 business days to award the contract, but said the work would go to the lowest qualified bid. Work on the high school is expected to begin this fall.

- Steven Rosenberg

GETTING SMART - A local nonprofit is nearing completion of a project to outfit all classroom teachers in the town's two elementary schools with SmartBoards and laptop computers. Over a two-year period, the Boxford Elementary School Trust raised $180,000 to purchase the interactive white boards and computers. The laptops were received last year, and the last of the SmartBoards will be installed in the coming weeks. - John Laidler

SCHOOL SAFETY GRANT - Danvers High and Holten Richmond Middle School will get safety upgrades due to a federal grant awarded to the police department. Danvers and Swampscott police will get a share of a $100,000 school safety grant from the Department of Justice. The grant was announced by US Representative John F. Tierney, a Salem Democrat. The grants aim to cover 50 percent of the cost of upgrades. Money can be used to improve locks, safety, or take other steps, such as installing metal detectors.

- Kathy McCabe

COME TOGETHER - The Board of Selectmen has asked all board and committee chairs plus department heads to attend its meeting tomorrow. The goal is to seek better coordination among those working on common issues, and also to share ideas, according to Town Administrator Brendhan Zubricki. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Essex Senior Center on Pickering Street. - David Rattigan

POLICE ACCREDITATION - The Georgetown Police Department earned accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission on Sept. 4. The local force is only the fourth department in the Commonwealth to receive accreditation under the fifth edition of the MPAC standards, which provides a process for police departments to correct deficiencies and promote public accountability. - David Cogger

RECYCLING DAY - The city will hold a recycling day on Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Department of Public Works on Poplar Street. Items that will be accepted include bagged clothing, shoes, linens, books, scrap metals, videos, compact discs, and records. No magazines or encyclopedias will be accepted. For more information, call 978-281-9785.

- Steven Rosenberg

STARTING ON PLAYGROUND - Volunteers from the Bagnall Elementary School PTA plan to build a new play area at the school on Saturday after a major fund-raising effort by the organization and a promised contribution from the town. Preschool teacher Claire Buell was one of those who spearheaded the fund-raising, according to Robin McIntosh, co-vice president of the PTA. In July, the Board of Selectmen approved the plan and promised to contribute funds to finish the project, as well as having town workers prepare the site. Those interested in volunteering on Saturday may call 978-372-8856, ext. 368.

- David Rattigan

TOWN MEETING ON HOLD - Selectmen voted not to hold a town meeting on Oct. 20 but reserved the right to call one later this fall. Town Administrator Candace Wheeler said that resident Bill Derry is seeking 200 signatures for a petition article for a senior tax abatement home rule petition, and that the board will likely call a public meeting if he's successful.

- David Rattigan

NEW COMMITTEE FORMS - The committee asked to focus on school funding and budget issues for the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District has been selected. It includes Susan Mehlin from the Wenham Finance and Advisory Committee; Bob Bullivant from the Hamilton Finance and Advisory Committee; Catherine Harrison from the district school committee finance subcommittee; Betty Dunbar from the citizens group Enough is Enough; and Lynnette Fallon from the citizens group Support Our Schools. In addition, the steering committee selected citizen members Margo Druschel, David Reid, and Lisa Kane, recommended by selectmen in Hamilton and Wenham and the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School Committee. - David Rattigan

GANGS AND GUNS GRANT - Haverhill, along with Lynn and Lawrence, will each receive $100,000 in federal grant money to fight gangs and guns. Each community will receive two $50,000 grants from the office of Massachusetts US Attorney Michael Sullivan. One grant will be used to focus on guns, the other on gangs. The money is to be split evenly between local police and a community organization. Police may use the money to buy equipment or increase police presence in targeted areas, while the community partner will focus on education and prevention programs. "Where there are gangs there are firearms," Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett said in a prepared statement announcing the grants Thursday. "These grants represent one more step toward making the streets of our cities and towns safer for all law-abiding citizens." - Kathy McCabe

GET AWAY FROM IT ALL - Saturday will be a big fall cleanup day in town, with three entities holding collections. The Recycling Committee is holding a Recycling Extravaganza from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Winthrop School on Central Street, collecting electronics (50 cents per pound, $20 maximum per item), books, audio-visual materials, alkaline batteries, compact fluorescent lights, and other items (all free). From 9 a.m. until noon, the Health Department is holding a hazardous waste collection and the Department of Public Works is holding a special collection at the transfer station on Town Farm Road. Preregistration is required for the special collection, which includes paint, tires, fluorescent bulbs, and mercury thermometers. For more information about the cleanup day, go to www.town.ipswich.ma.us.

- David Rattigan

KEEPING SENIORS SAFE - Members of the new Manchester Triad Council will meet to sign the organization's bylaws on Sept. 30 at 10:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post 113, at 14 Church St. The council was organized to promote measures to enhance the public safety of local seniors. Members include representatives of the Essex County Sheriff's Department, the Essex district attorney's office, and Manchester's police and fire departments, Council on Aging, and housing authority. The bylaws signing will be followed by a senior photo identification session from 11 a.m. to noon. For more information, call the Council on Aging at 978-526-7500. - John Laidler

FALL FESTIVITIES - Residents are invited to celebrate the arrival of autumn next weekend at the annual Marblehead Fall Festival. Nearly 50 businesses will be taking part in the event, sponsored by the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce. In addition to sidewalk sales throughout the town, the festival will feature family activities such as a craft fair at Abbot Hall, horse-drawn hay rides, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and a martial arts performance. An antique car show sponsored by the Essex County Cruisers will be held next Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the public landing on Front Street. Call 781-631-2868 or go to marbleheadchamber.org. - John Laidler

BONE MARROW DRIVE - The Merrimac Police Department will hold a Bone Marrow Registry drive on Oct. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fire Station, 16 East Main St. The drive is in support of Kathy Syvinski, wife of longtime Merrimac Reserve Police Officer Ed Syvinski, who has leukemia. The registration process consists of a cheek-swab and is noninvasive. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 60 is eligible to join the registry. - David Cogger

FILLING FINANCE POST - The Board of Selectmen Tuesday is set to receive a search committee recommendation of a candidate to fill the position of treasurer/collector, according to Town Administrator Ira Singer. Anne Tentindo, who had held the post for three years, resigned effective the end of June to take a job in the private sector. About a dozen people applied. Selectmen are expected to consider an appointment Tuesday night. Also that night, the board is expected to vote to renew Comcast's license to provide cable television service in town for 10 years. Town officials and the company recently reached a tentative agreement on the terms of the renewal, according to Singer. The town is also nearing terms with Verizon on a 15-year cable license, Singer said. Comcast is currently Middleton's sole cable provider.

- John Laidler

PLUM ISLAND SUMMIT - To address Plum Island's continued erosion problems, state and local officials will hold a meeting Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Newbury Elementary School on Hanover Street. Michael Morris, a Newbury resident and researcher, will lead the discussion, explaining the dynamics of Plum Island's shoreline, providing explanations for the erosion problem, and offering possible solutions that complement the ocean's natural processes. The Legislature approved $2.5 million for beach stabilization in August, but the town must come up with a firm plan before receipt of those funds. State and local officials are trying to secure an additional $750,000 in federal money - $654,000 has already been allotted - to dredge the Merrimack River.

- Taryn Plumb

BUILDING THE BOARDWALK - The city has signed a contract with North Shore Marine Inc. to build a boardwalk that will run through the intertidal zone in front of the Rivers Edge Condominiums, between the Clipper City Rail Trail and Cashman Park. The 8-foot-wide boardwalk will run 335 feet, connecting directly with the existing shoreline pathway at the park. North Shore Marine was one of six companies to submit bids for the project and is expected to begin work this fall. The project is scheduled to be completed in the spring. "This grant-funded project is going to further improve Newburyport's high quality of life," said Mayor John F. Moak. "Such extensions of the Harborwalk will also ultimately promote our community's economic competitiveness in the area."

- Brenda J. Buote

FALL RECREATION - The Recreation Department has released its fall brochure and is accepting registrations for programs ranging from a rock climbing team for middle and high school students to a drama program for children 5-11. Other activities include after-school gym for children in third to fifth grades; a surfing workshop for ages 12 to 18; and all-ages events such as a cooking class and a whale watch. The brochure is available at the recreation office at City Hall, at the city's libraries, and on peabody-ma.gov. To register, call 978-536-7130.

- John Laidler

FINANCE APPOINTEE - The Board of Selectmen recently appointed Lori Rostkowski to the Economic Development Committee. The appointment of Rostkowski, who has a background in accounting and banking, filled a long-term vacancy. - David Rattigan

THERMOMETER SWAP - The Board of Health has received a fresh supply of digital thermometers and reopened its mercury thermometer exchange program. Residents are encouraged to check their medicine cabinets for old mercury thermometers, which can pose a significant health threat if they are broken. Mercury thermometers can be swapped for a free digital thermometer at the Board of Health, 39 Central St.

- David Cogger

MADVAC CLEANING UP - The city has come up with a new way to clean litter and debris. Last week, the Department of Public Services began using a four-wheeled "madvac" to help clean the sidewalks and streets. The vehicle, which resembles a golf cart, uses an aluminum vacuum hose to remove everything from paper and cigarette butts to bottles, broken glass, and aluminum cans. "The new madvac unit and more focused cleaning and maintenance efforts in our downtown will help make sure the city is clean and welcoming to all visitors," said Mayor Kim Driscoll. The city purchased the vehicle for $43,000.

- Steven Rosenberg

PAYING TAXES ONLINE - The town is preparing to introduce a voluntary online tax payment program. According to Town Manager Neil J. Harrington, the town is working with Unibank to implement the service for citizens to be able to have their real estate, motor vehicle excise, and boat excise taxes deducted from their checking accounts or charged to a credit card through a secure online feature linked to the town's website. The town expects to have the program up and running by the time second-quarter tax bills for fiscal 2009 are mailed at the end of this month. Residents will be able to make payments only on current tax bills through the system. - John Laidler

BUILDING USE - The Town Building Oversight Committee is holding two public forums this week regarding the future of four municipal buildings. On Tuesday, the panel will discuss potential uses of the former middle school building on Greenwood Avenue and the former senior center on Burrill Street. On Thursday, the committee will look at possible uses for the former Temple Israel building on Humphrey Street and the former Phillips Beach fire station on Phillips Avenue. The meetings will be held at 7 p.m. at the high school. - John Laidler

NEW BRIDGE GOING UP - Replacement of the old Asbury Street bridge is well underway. The old bridge has been removed and abutments for the new structure are in place. Concrete form and footing work should be completed shortly. "The project is on schedule, if not a bit ahead of schedule, at this point," said project supervisor Dave Bond. Work on the bridge should be completed by November. - David Cogger

ALL IN ONE PLACE - The planning board has denied a request by a developer to scatter affordable housing throughout town. Stephen Gillis of Gillis Homes Inc. in Topsfield requested that some of the six affordable housing units required at the Ocean Meadow "age-preferred" development on Route 113 be built at other locations that have as yet to be determined. Officials held a public hearing on the request this summer; residents expressed concerns about neighborhoods being disrupted and lower-priced, market-rate homes being displaced from the market. - Taryn Plumb