Amesbury discouraging car thieves

The Police Department and the Governor's Auto Theft Strike Force are holding an auto glass etching day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the police station parking lot on School Street. For a fee of $10, residents can have their vehicle identification number etched on all the windows of their vehicle. The chemical marking, which does not deface the window, discourages thieves from attempting to steal the car, according to Police Officer Tom Hanshaw. Residents who have their vehicles etched will be given a certificate they can use to obtain a 15 percent discount on the comprehensive portion of their auto insurance. For more information, contact Hanshaw at thomash@ci.amesbury.ma.us, or call 978-388-1217. - John Laidler

SCHOOL MONEY - Mayor William Scanlon Jr. told the City Council last week that he had received assurances from the state that the city would receive a subsidy of $47.8 million to pay for the new wing at Beverly High School. According to Scanlon, the city will pay $33.7 million of the total project cost of $81.5 million. The council, which still needs to approve the funding, will debate the proposal at its Oct. 20 meeting. - Steven Rosenberg

CLEARING THE WAY - The Boxford Trails Association/Boxford Open Land Trust has been awarded accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. Accreditation signifies that a trust is meeting national quality standards as a land preservation organization. To qualify, the trust must undergo an extensive review of its governance and management, and of the policies it follows to protect land. Since its inception 30 years ago, the organization has helped to protect 1,100 acres of open space and 100 miles of trails in Boxford. - John Laidler

TOUR THE TOWN - The annual townwide open house will be held Thursday. Trolleys will shuttle residents from 4 to 7 p.m. to Town Hall, the police and fire stations, the senior center, and the electric light plant for public tours. Demonstrations of fire and police apparatus are planned. The electric department will offer tips to save energy this winter. A public health fair is planned for the senior center. Refreshments, raffles, and prizes will be given away at each stop. - Kathy McCabe

TOWN MEETING SET - At its meeting last Monday, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the warrant for the Nov. 3 Town Meeting. There are 18 articles, and the meeting will be held at Essex Elementary School, Story Street, at 7:30 p.m. -David Rattigan

CALLING LOCAL IDOLS - The Rotary Club of Greater Georgetown is searching for performing artists for its third annual talent show, Hometown American Idol 2008, to be held at Georgetown High School at 7 p.m. Nov. 1. A local panel will judge the finalists on the basis of ability and star quality, followed by audience voting to determine the winners. First prize will be $500; second prize, $250; and third prize, $150. A VHS tape or DVD of individuals or groups, no longer than three minutes long, can be sent to Hometown American Idol, c/o RCGG, 7 Parish Road by Oct. 20. Tapes will not be returned. Finalists will be notified by phone. For more information, call 978-352-6774 or 978-352-8881. - David Cogger

RECYCLING DAY - The city will hold a recycling day Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Department of Public Works on Poplar Street. Bagged clothing, shoes, and linens will be accepted, along with paper for shredding. In addition, scrap metals and electronic devices also will be accepted. For more information, call 978-281-9785. - Steven Rosenberg

PLAY TIME - Volunteers last weekend completed installation of equipment for a new play area at the Bagnall Elementary School. The total cost of the PTO project, including volunteer contributions and a donation of approximately $6,000 from the town, was $13,440. -David Rattigan

TAX ABATEMENT ON WARRANT - The Board of Selectmen has scheduled a Town Meeting for Oct. 27. Among the articles will be a senior tax abatement bylaw, which would need to be approved and then submitted to the Legislature. The Town Meeting is scheduled for the Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, Bay Road, at 7:30 p.m.

-David Rattigan

HISTORIC RENOVATION - Renovations to the historic Whittier Building on Winter Street are set to get underway this month after the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce made a commitment to spend $500,000 to restore the deteriorating structure, which is in need of a new roof and heating system, among other repairs. The chamber raised $300,000 for the work and is borrowing the $200,000 balance. The building had been home to the business organization for nearly 40 years, but chamber officials moved to the Landmark Building on Merrimack Street in August because of the decrepit condition of the Whittier. The building is named for John Greenleaf Whittier, the poet and abolitionist who attended school there in 1827, in what was then known as Haverhill Academy. Construction is expected to take four months. Chamber officials hope to return to their historic home soon after the start of the new year, and have signed a 30-year lease agreement with Historic Haverhill, the nonprofit group that owns the property. Under the terms of that agreement, the chamber will pay the construction loan in lieu of monthly lease payments. - Brenda J. Buote

NURTURE NATURE - Two local events on properties owned by The Trustees of Reservations are being held Saturday to celebrate the Trustees' 100th property opening. A 3-mile Return to an Island hike is scheduled at the Crane Wildlife Refuge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and The Strolling of the Dairy Herd is scheduled from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Appleton Farms on Route 1A. For more information, call 978-921-1944, ext. 8815, or go to ttor.org. - David Rattigan

HELPING FIRE VICTIMS - The Manchester Mothers Club is holding a chili cook-off Oct. 24 to raise funds for an Essex family whose home was heavily damaged by a fire in June. Todd and Patty Rogers and their three children lost most of their belongings in the fire. The cook-off, to be held from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 113, 14 Church St., will feature a cash prize, music, a raffle, and the auctioning of a weekend rental of a Cape Cod home. Tickets are $20. To purchase a ticket or to make a donation, send a check to Manchester Mothers Club, PO Box 1424, Manchester, MA 01944. For more information, call 978-546-2123. - John Laidler

DEFIBRILLATOR DONATED - A jewelry designer and a Marblehead boutique recently joined forces to donate an automated external defibrillator to Marblehead High School's athletic department. Susan Garofalo, designer and founder of HeartStrings' Jewelry, and DS Designs on Washington Street teamed to acquire the defibrillator, which they presented to school officials last Monday. The school's athletic trainers will have the defibrillator at practices and games. In 2005, Garofalo's husband suffered cardiac arrest during a routine workout at a gym and an onsite defibrillator saved his life. The experience inspired Garofalo, a Weston resident, to take on the cause of helping provide defibrillators to schools and community centers. - John Laidler

FIRE EDUCATOR HONORS - Firefighter Michael McLeieer has received a citation from Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Steven D. Coan for excellence in delivering fire and life safety public education programs. He was given the citation at the 14th annual Fire and Life Safety Public Education Conference in Taunton on Sept. 23. McLeieer was one of 10 nominated from across the state for the 2008 Educator of the Year Award.

- David Cogger

SNEAK PEAK - Residents have an opportunity to enjoy the fall colors and discover some of the area's less-traveled spots. The Middleton Stream Team is leading a family hike next Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The hike, which begins at the Peabody Street canoe launch site in Middleton and ends at Boxford State Forest, will explore some of the pathways and vistas used by the Native Americans and early English settlers who once inhabited the area. For more information, e-mail StreamTeam@comcast.net or call 978-777-4584. - John Laidler

HOPE FOR THE BEACH - The state Department of Environmental Protection may help to provide some temporary relief in the fight against Plum Island's erosion. Officials walked the beach with representatives of the state agency late last month with the hope of getting approval of an emergency plan submitted by a town-hired consultant. The beach has steadily worsened over the past decade, according to officials, because of lack of dredging, more intense storms, and jetties that have fallen into disrepair. Newbury is in line to receive $2.5 million in state funding for beach stabilization, as well as a possible $750,000 in federal money - $654,000 has been allotted - to perform dredging of the Merrimack River. US Representative John Tierney secured $100,000 for a beach nourishment study earlier this year. -Taryn Plumb

BUILDING COMMUNITY - The Newburyport Commission for Diversity and Tolerance is scheduled to host an interactive workshop on building and sustaining a peaceful community. The breakfast workshop is slated to run from 8 a.m. until noon Oct. 25 in the cafeteria of Mark Richey Woodworking & Design, 40 Parker St. Workshop leader Beverly Prestwood-Taylor holds a master's of divinity degree from Boston University School of Theology and has been educated in community conflict mediation. The workshop will address three questions: What are the roots of racially motivated violence and bullying? What can we do to prevent or minimize violence? What specific actions can we take to ensure a peaceful community is sustained? Limited seating is available. To reserve a spot, contact Ross Varney at 978 462-4899 by Oct. 20.

- Brenda J. Buote

GREEK FESTIVAL - The St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church is inviting residents to take part in its annual Greek Festival next Friday through Sunday at 5 Paleologos St. The three-day celebration is a major fund-raiser for the church, but also an opportunity for members to share their culture, music, and Greek delicacies with the community at large, according to church president Speros Venios. In addition to Greek foods, the festival will feature live Greek music and dancing on Friday; authentic Greek folk dances Saturday and Sunday; and a Senior Citizens Day on Sunday. There will also be children's activities and vendor sales. Festival hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. - John Laidler

E-MAIL BARBS - Selectwoman Ellen Canavan said she intended to apologize to fellow members of the Board of Selectmen but not to the resident she referred to as a "sick puppy" during an e-mail exchange last month. The board had held a hearing and asked Canavan to apologize in writing after she used that term in an e-mail sent from the board's account. Canavan said that she and the resident, Nathaniel Johnson, have had contentious correspondence in the past, and that his e-mails are blocked on her account because of what Canavan called "harassment." The strained relationship between the two goes back to when both served on the Historical Commission. Johnson is still a member.

- David Rattigan

CLEANING THE PIPES - The Water Department will be flushing fire hydrants through Oct. 31 between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Customers may experience some discoloration in the water. The Water Department suggests running the cold faucets for 15 minutes, which will allow time for the discolored water in the main to pass. For further information, call 978-948-2640. - David Cogger

WHARF FORUM - The city will hold a public meeting on Wednesday at the National Park Service's St. Joseph Hall, 160 Derby St., about the proposed $20 million commercial wharf the city hopes to build at the Blaney Street Landing. At the meeting, the public will have a chance to comment on the proposal, which calls for docks to accommodate cruise ships, commercial fishermen, and businesses such as whale watch vessels. Last month, the state appropriated $2.3 million toward the project. The site already has a temporary dock, used by the Salem Ferry.

- Steven Rosenberg

BOOK SALE - The Friends of the Salisbury Public Library are seeking book donations for their second annual book and bake sale, scheduled for Friday through Sunday at the Hilton Senior Center, 43 Lafayette Road. Donated books can be dropped off at the library through Thursday. The Friends are also willing to pick up donations. The sale opens with a preview event from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. For more information, call 978-465-5071 or go to salisburylibrary.org. - John Laidler

WINTER PARKING STICKERS - The Police Department is now accepting applications for winter park ing stickers. The town imposes an annual ban from the evening of Nov. 30 through March 30. During that period, no vehicle may be parked on town roads between 1 and 6 a.m. except for those with stickers. The fee for a sticker is $30. Applications and guidelines are available at the Police Department or online at swampscottpolice.com.

- John Laidler

PUT IT ON THE CURB - The town will hold its annual collection of household metals and white goods beginning Oct. 22. This is a free collection and stickers are not required. Household white goods and metal objects including stoves, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, bicycles, lawnmowers, snow blowers, air conditioners, microwave ovens, dehumidifiers, and gas appliances with gasoline and oil removed will be picked up curbside on regularly scheduled trash days from through Oct. 24.

- David Cogger

BOARD OPENINGS - The town has two vacancies on the Financial and Advisory Committee and one vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Those interested in volunteering are advised to call the town administrator's office at 978-468-5520. - David Rattigan

CHANGE IN CHAIR - In an unanticipated move, newly elected Selectman Albert Knowles Jr. has replaced Glenn Kemper as chairman. At a meeting earlier this month, Knowles and board member Richard Cushing voted in favor of the change while Kemper voted against it. Knowles beat out Thomas Atwood at a special town election in late September, with Knowles receiving 515 votes and Atwood 375. Knowles will fill a seat vacated by John McGrath until the town election next spring. - Taryn Plumb

PARKING PROBLEMS - The city parking committee is seeking public input as it attempts a plan to avoid conflicts with out-of-towners parking in residential areas. The committee has been discussing a permit system that would designate certain sections of the city for residents only, but has yet to determine which areas that might include. A public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the city library. - Tom Long

EMERGENCY TEST - A test of the emergency siren system for Seabrook Station nuclear power plant will be held on Oct. 25. All 120 emergency sirens - 93 in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire and the remainder in Massachusetts - will be sounded for three to five minutes at 12:30 p.m. Residents are asked not to call 911, but to tune their radios to WOKQ (97.5 FM), as they would in an emergency. - Tom Long