Andover preschool recognized

The educators at the Professional Center for Child Development's Developmental Day School, a private preschool for children who have special needs, have been recognized in Exceptional Parent magazine. According to the journal for the special needs community, "Parents find the devotion of the staff at the Professional Center for Child Development's Developmental Day School to each student and family extraordinary. Many students in the school have multiple developmental and complex medical needs. The educators are challenged each day to provide an innovative, specialized, and stimulating educational environment. They exhibit creativity and compassion in even the simplest tasks." Educators at 17 schools were honored by Exceptional Parent in its annual education issue, published this month. The Developmental Day School was the only Massachusetts school to be recognized in the issue. The Professional Center for Child Development is a nonprofit agency that has served children with disabling conditions for 35 years. For more information, visit theprofessionalcenter.org. - Brenda J. Buote

COMMITTEE OPENING - The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee has one opening. Its nine members meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at town offices, 50 Billerica Road. The committee focuses on making the town safe for bicyclists and pedestrians, said Cynthia McLain, chairwoman. It also coordinates bicycle activities around town. Contact McLain at cmclain@townofchelmsford.us, call the town manager's office, 978-250-5201, or send a letter of interest to Town Offices.

- Joyce Pellino Crane

TOWN HALL PROBLEM ON AGENDA - A meeting to decide what to do with money that may be given to the town to improve Town Hall is scheduled for Thursday. Governor Deval Patrick recently signed a capital bond bill that will give the town $1.5 million to improve the building, which has been under scrutiny for several years for not being in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A federal court order to complete the project was issued in 2004. However, because the town recently built several new buildings, including a library and police station, it received an extension until 2011. According to selectmen, the $1.5 million is not enough to build a new Town Hall. At last November's Town Meeting, attendees shot down all three articles on the warrant to bring the Town Hall up to code. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Moses Greeley Parker Memorial Library. - Rocco Colella

VEHICLES FOR SALE - The town is selling three vehicles that were used by the fire and police departments. The vehicles are a 2005 black unmarked Ford Police Interceptor, a 2003 Ford Police Interceptor, and a 1967 Chevrolet pickup truck. Sealed bids sent to or dropped off at Town Hall will be accepted until tomorrow at 4 p.m. - Matt Gunderson

WARNING ON ABANDONED SEWERS - Following an incident involving a dog that fell into an unfilled septic pit, the Board of Health is issuing a warning about sewer systems being abandoned according to state regulations. The focus has intensified as more residents convert from on-site sewage disposal systems to municipal sewer, according to a notice on the town website. The regulations require unused underground sewage tanks to be filled in, according to Deborah Butcher, Board of Health secretary. The same is true for abandoned wells, she said.

- Matt Gunderson

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT UP - Enrollment at the Northern Essex Community College Lawrence campus increased by 9.7 percent from last fall, said Ernie Greenslade, director of public relations. The increase reflects a trend at the school as a whole, which saw enrollment jump from 6,526 in fall 2007 to 7,020 this fall, an increase of 7.6 percent. Greenslade said college officials attribute the increase to low tuition, $3,510, during hard economic times. She also said that the school works closely with high school students who often choose to start at a community college and transfer to another school after a year or two. - Kate Augusto

UMASS OPENS NEW CENTER - The University of Massachusetts at Lowell opened the new Massachusetts BioManufacturing Center last week. The pilot plant will allow engineers to conduct research and assist biotechnology companies in developing manufacturing processes that can help them bring new pharmaceuticals to the market. Invensys Process Systems of Foxborough, Wyeth BioPharma Biotech of Andover, and Dakota Systems of Dracut donated equipment and services for the center. Millipore Corp. of Billerica donated equipment that will be used in an adjoining lab, UMass-Lowell officials said. The four companies' contributions are worth $600,000. The fully automated pilot plant will help businesses move their products forward and provide students the opportunity to interact with the latest trends and technology in the biopharmaceutical industry. The facility will also be home to research in biomanufacturing by UMass-Lowell faculty.

- Jennifer Fenn Lefferts

VETERANS FIRST FOR JOBS - Veterans can now sign up on the city's human resource official's list for preference in any open city job, Methuen officials recently announced. The move comes after city councilors voted to give veterans preference in city jobs. Applicants must still meet the job description's minimum qualifications, city officials say. - Russell Contreras

TASTE OF TWO TOWNS - North Andover will officially join Andover - in the annual Taste of Andover, organizers recently announced. The Oct. 29 evening event, which showcases restaurants in both cities, will change its name to the "Taste of the Andovers." The event is an opportunity for residents to sample hors d'oeuvres, entrees, delicacies, rich desserts, and other menu items from about 25 local restaurants and food service facilities. - Russell Contreras

MILL STUDY COMMITTEE - With Town Meeting measures approved last May aimed at spurring economic development at the old paper mill site on Main Street, a study committee is moving forward with a master plan for the property. The committee, which was formed by selectmen, will hold a discussion session for residents to discuss ideas for the site. The forum has been tentatively scheduled for Oct. 25.

- Matt Gunderson

NEW CLASS ADDED - The School Committee has approved the addition of a fourth-grade class at the Loella F. Dewing Elementary School, prompting the district to search for another teacher. The School Committee unanimously approved the new position at its Sept. 17 meeting in an effort to reduce class sizes, which are among the largest in the state. The new class means that there will be five fourth-grade classes at the Dewing school this year; each of the five classes will have 22 students, down from 27 to 29 students in four classes. The retirement of a custodian and a large number of resignations in the School Department made it possible to approve the new position. -Brenda J. Buote

FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY - The annual Pig and Apple Festival takes place Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Elementary School, 205 Westford Road. Bicentennial Committee members will be on hand to accept nominations for a parade grand marshal as they continue planning for the June celebration. Residents are being asked to donate $5 with their recommendation. More information is available at tyngsborough200.com. A road race to benefit the Tyngsborough Education Foundation begins at 10:30 a.m. For registration details, go to eftyng.org.

- Joyce Pellino Crane

OPPORTUNITIES ON HISTORICAL COMMISSION - There are three openings on the Historical Commission, which oversees the preservation, protection, and development of the town's historical and archeological assets. Meetings take place on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Museum Cottage, 4 Boston Road. Applications are available at westfordma.gov or at the town clerk's office in the Millennium Building, 23 Depot Street.

- Joyce Pellino Crane

PUPPIES STOLEN - Amherst resident and longtime breeder of Labrador retrievers Jane McOsker had no sooner let her two young puppies outside on the morning of Sept. 2 when they were picked up by a passerby and have not been seen since. Now the McOsker family is asking for help in their search for Tilly, a chocolate lab, and Nicke, a yellow lab, both about 6 months old. The McOskers own McOsker Kennels and breed American Kennel Club-certified Labrador retrievers at Route 122 and Boston Post Road. The day after the disappearance, a friend called McOsker and said her daughter had seen the driver of a large red SUV stop pick up the dogs on the side of the road, and drive off. The family has a large cage set up on the side yard, hoping someone will return them anonymously. Anyone with information can call the police at 603-672-4900, or McOsker at 603-672-8068.

- Meg Villeneuve

CANCER SOCIETY SUMMIT - The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network hosted its annual leadership summit and lobby day last week. The day gives cancer advocates the opportunity to meet with their elected officials and encourage their support of the group's federal initiatives. New Hampshire residents Cheryl Cutting, Nanci Carney, and B.J. Allgaier joined more than 500 cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and their families in Washington, D.C., Sept. 23 and lobbied members of Congress in support of policies that will help prevent and fight cancer. "Each day, more people in New Hampshire are being diagnosed with cancer, but lawmakers have the power to help eradicate this disease by making it a national priority," said Allgaier, a volunteer with the organization. "We are traveling to Washington, D.C., to make sure New Hampshire's congressional delegation owns up to the task and supports the ACS CAN's legislative agenda. After all, cancer is as much a public policy issue as it is a medical and scientific concern." - Meg Villeneuve

ICE HOUSE MOVETH - The Ice House on Route 122 in the Woodmont Orchards has long been the centerpiece of artists' works and now the town has started the process of saving it. In the coming weeks, the structure will be dismantled and reassembled farther from the pond that threatens its existence. Town Administrator Troy Brown said that the project will be complete by Thanksgiving. "Time is a factor - we don't think the structure will make it through another winter," he added. The cost to fix the Ice House is $10,000 and is coming from the Heritage Fund.

- Meg Villeneuve

A FINAL APPEARANCE - Julia Ruth Stevens, daughter of legendary baseball player Babe Ruth, will make what she expects to be her very last public appearance in New England on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Mori Books, 172 South Street. Stevens will sign her new book on her father and his career entitled "Babe Ruth: Remembering the Bambino in Stories, Photos & Memorabilia." A 70-year resident of Conway, N.H., Stevens will soon move to Arizona. At age 92, Julia has said that she does not have any plans to return to New England. "At 92, travel and airports are becoming more difficult, and this move will be my last."

- Meg Villeneuve

TOURING IN PINK - Don't worry if you happened to see a pink fire truck on the roads in Southern New Hampshire last week. It's not a mistake, it is a group of firefighters from Arizona who call themselves the Guardians of the Ribbon, and they are touring America to promote breast cancer awareness in a pink fire truck. The truck is towing a 10-foot-tall silver ribbon. Last Monday, the group toured the Globe Manufacturing plant, the company in charge of manufacturing their pink fire suits, in Pittsfield, N.H. For more information about the organization visit pinkribbontour.com. - Meg Villeneuve

LETTER CAMPAIGN - In an effort to restore federal and state funding to the Assabet River Rail Trail, Roland Bartl, chairman of the Assabet River Rail Trail Steering Committee, is urging residents to take action with a letter-writing campaign before Tuesday. The nearly 12-mile trail is complete in Marlborough and Hudson, but only partially done in Stow, Maynard, and Acton, where it ends near the South Acton commuter rail train station. A preliminary vote of the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization, which distributes some state and federal transportation funds through its Transportation Planning and Programming Committee, did not list the trail for future funding or as an upcoming project. Information on the letter-writing campaign is available at town.acton.ma.us, under the News and Announcements: Restore Funding for the Assabet River Rail Trail.

- Julia Quinn-Szcesuil

TWO NEW DOCTORS AT MEDICAL CENTER - Two new medical staff members of the Nashoba Valley Medical Center are Dr. Michael Elman, an orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. Roshney Jacob, an internist with a specialty in endocrinology. - Davis Bushnell

CONDO TO BE SOLD BY LOTTERY - Boxborough recently purchased an affordable housing unit at 112 Summer Road, and the recently vacated two-bedroom condominium will be sold for $140,000 through a lottery. The town is accepting applications until Nov. 25, and the lottery will be held on Dec. 17. There will be an informational meeting at the Town Hall Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m., and an open house is scheduled for Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon. Information at town.boxborough.ma.us. - Julia Quinn-Szcesuil