50 years ago in Abington

Onlookers at last week's opening of a 50-year-old time capsule enjoyed the chance to travel back to a simpler and considerably less expensive time. The shoebox-sized copper capsule had been buried since 1958 in the cornerstone of the new addition to the former North Congregational Church on Randolph Street. The building has since been converted to luxury apartments. "The box was in good condition," said Nancy Reid, who attended both the capsule burial and unveiling. "I have to say I didn't have a clue what was in it." Pulled from the capsule by longtime Abington resident Melvin Libby were copies of the church's bylaws, a sermon, a list of those who had donated to the church's building fund, and copies of that day's newspapers. "We saw where half a chicken was going for 29 cents," said Reid. Town officials in 2000 buried a similar 50-year time capsule next to the Abington Public Library containing personal notes and various pop culture items.

- Robert Carroll

TAGGER CAUGHT - Police have arrested an alleged "tagger." Michael N. Wood, 24, of Braintree was arrested by Officer Jennifer Zakowsky, who was patrolling Liberty Street, saw fresh graffiti under the Liberty Street bridge, and saw Wood walking nearby. Since she had recently passed by and the graffiti hadn't been there, she stopped Wood to question him. Wood had a can of spray paint the same color as the graffiti. Wood admitted to spraying the tags, police said, and stated that he planned it to be a "work of art." Braintree has campaigned to crack down on tagging after a number of recent incidents.

- Matt Carroll

TURF FIELD COMING - A Special Town Meeting voted last week to build a $1.05 million artificial turf field and track behind the Cohasset Middle/High School. The measure, proposed by the private Cohasset Sports Partnership, passed on a voice vote, according to Town Clerk Marion Douglas. She said a little more than 300 people attended the meeting. The sports group promised to raise half of the cost - $550,000 - by Dec. 31, 2010. The town then would borrow the other half. - Johanna Seltz

TOGETHER OR SEPARATE - Town officials are weighing the idea of presenting alternative plans to next spring's Town Meeting on new police and fire station construction. Last year, Town Meeting defeated plans for two separate department projects, saying the town should look to combine the facilities to reduce costs. A committee has developed a new proposal for a combined project costing an estimated $14.3 million. But the committee is also proposing separate building projects, if the voters choose to approve only one. A proposal for a new police station places the cost at almost $8 million. A proposed large addition and renovation of the current fire station would cost an estimated $5.2 million. Selectmen plan to continue reviewing these proposals at an upcoming meeting. - Robert Knox

WEBBIE AWARD - A "clean" look coupled with easy navigation has earned Hanover Public Schools a "Webbie" award from the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators organization. The award was for Best District Website. "We're proud of this," said Michael Purdy, technology director for Hanover schools. "We feel our website stands out. It's not too busy and the information is right there in front of you. We don't take a cookie-cutter approach to our website." Purdy, who sits on the MassCUE board, said he was unaware of the award until it was announced earlier this month. "I was at a MassCUE meeting when it was announced, and I was floored," he said. He credited school webmaster Stephen Ryerson for creating and maintaining the school's online look. MassCUE began handing out the Webbie awards last year, said Purdy. Other winners included Wayland (school), Wrentham (classroom), and Winchester (administration). - Robert Carroll

YOUTH LACROSSE EQUIPMENT STOLEN - Thieves broke into the Youth Lacrosse storage shed on Ward Street earlier this month and stole more than $4,000 worth of lacrosse sticks, balls, protective gear, first aid equipment, and goalie pants designed for first-, second-, and third-graders. "They're useless to anyone else because they're marked with our organization's name, and they're for teeny kids," said Neil George, who helps run the lacrosse program for about 180 children in grades 1 through 4. "It's sad to think people would steal from little kids." George said seniors from the Hingham High School lacrosse team had worked over the summer to rebuild and repaint the storage shed as a community service project. Police asked that anyone with information about the theft call Detective Mathew Galvin at 781-749-1212.

- Johanna Seltz

CHIPPER DAY - The National Fire Protection Association is hosting another Firewise Chipper Day on Saturday to help people who live near the forest corridor clear brush and dead branches from their property. Officials from the association, which is based in Quincy, say that the dead brush is a fire hazard, and its removal can potentially prevent house fires. The Turkey Hill Firewise program will focus on the properties along Pine and Weymouth streets, and the chipper will be run at the old town fire site in the neighborhood. The chips, produced from emulsifying the branches and brush, will be recycled by the Department of Public Works. People are invited to gather for a cookout and hot chocolate as well.

- Franci Richardson Ellement

GIVE ME AN 'H' - Royal blue flags sporting a gold "H" are on sale as a benefit for the high school's theater arts program. "We originally sold 50 and we're well on our way through our second batch," said Jeannie Hulverson, a parent involved in the sale. The theater arts program puts on three shows a year, including a children's play and two musicals. "Once Upon a Mattress" will be performed Dec. 12 and 13 at Hull High School. The flags, which cost $30, are on sale at Nantasket Paint and Hardware, 510 Nantasket Ave. - Johanna Seltz

FOOD DRIVE - The town is sponsoring a holiday food drive through Dec. 10. Canned food and dry goods are being accepted at Town Hall, 26 Evergreen St., in the collection boxes located inside the first floor entrance and in the main foyer by the stairway. The donations will be distributed to town veterans and their families. - Robert Knox

BUS SCHEDULES AVAILABLE - A map and schedule for the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority's local bus service is now available online. The bus will run Monday through Saturday and make stops at Stop & Shop, Roche Bros., Marshfield High School, the Grace Ryder housing complex, Webster Square, the Winslow Apartments, Brant Rock Market, the intersection of Careswell and Canal streets, and the Marshfield Senior Center. The schedule, which goes into effect Dec. 1, can be downloaded from the town's website, www.townofmarshfield.org.

- Emily Sweeney

LIBRARY RENOVATION LAGS - The renovation at the Milton Public Library is a few weeks behind, said library director Philip E. McNulty. Work was supposed to be finished about now, he said, but the work is on budget, at $13.4 million. McNulty hopes the official opening can be held in early March. After construction is finished, the library still must be furnished, new shelving put in place, and books assembled. The space will have 38 public computers, compared with 17 before, and will be 44,000 square feet, compared with 26,000. Work started in 2007.

- Matt Carroll

HEALTH BOARD APPOINTMENT - The Board of Selectmen and the Board of Health have jointly appointed Mary E. "Meg" Doherty to fill the health board seat vacated when Arthur Bowman resigned last month. Doherty is executive director of the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association. Her appointment expires in March. - John Laidler

NEW AND IMPROVED - The town's new municipal website was recently expanded. The site, www.pembroke-ma.gov, now includes pages for the Lydia Drake Library, the Pembroke Food Pantry, and the Pembroke Historical Society. The Lydia Drake Library is a former town branch library on High Street currently run by volunteers. The pantry, in the Pembroke Community Center, also is volunteer-run. The Historical Society maintains several historical sites in town, including its museum, in the former town hall.

- John Laidler

POLICE CHIEF SWORN IN - Town Manager Mark Sylvia appointed Michael Botieri as police chief. Botieri joined the Police Department as a patrolman in 1985 and rose through the ranks to become sergeant and captain. Most recently, he served as acting chief after former chief Robert Pomeroy retired in August. Botieri was sworn in as the department's eighth permanent chief at the Nov. 18 selectmen's meeting. - Emily Sweeney

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY - Quincy's Christmas lights will be turned on Friday at 8 p.m., with events starting at 7 p.m. at the Presidents Place Galleria across from City Hall. There will also be costumed characters, winning posters from an elementary school program, and a sing-along with Santa. The event kicks off a series of events run by the Christmas Festival Committee. On Saturday, Santa will arrive by parachute at Pageant Field at about 12:30. On Sunday, there will be a parade starting at 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of Elm, School, and Hancock streets and running along Hancock before ending at North Quincy High School. - Matt Carroll

SCHOOL LIBRARY REOPENS - On Monday, the library at the Randolph Community Middle School was reopened to students. L. Lee Butler, the school's library media specialist, held an open house Nov. 13 at which parents explored and learned about ways to support the library. "The library hasn't been professionally staffed for six to seven years," said Butler, who was one of five librarians hired by the school district this year. "In our school in particular, the kids were really starved for having this library. They kept saying, 'Oh you're here, when are you going to open? When can I check out books?' So there's a lot of excitement now the library is open." Butler said he spent weeks cleaning the shelves and doing an inventory of the books, many of which are outdated because the school curriculum has changed. To help restock the shelves, the school has started a book drive where people can donate $20 to purchase books from a list of titles. Every book purchased will have a bookplate marking the donation, Butler said. For more information, e-mail butlerl@randolph.k12.ma.us.

- Wendy Chow

GRANT TO COMBAT GANG VIOLENCE - The Police Department has received a $120,000 grant for its Youth Violence and Street Crimes Unit, Senator Brian A. Joyce, a Milton Democrat, has announced. The money is part of a $13 million state grant program aimed at combating gang violence through prevention and intervention. Named after Senator Charles E. Shannon of Somerville, the grant is similar to a $120,000 state grant awarded to Randolph last year that enabled the Police Department to restore the Youth Violence and Street Crimes Unit. The unit, begun by Police Chief Paul Porter in the summer of 2006, was suspended after only a few months after budget cuts. This new grant "will ensure that the Youth Violence and Street Crimes Unit is able to continue their important work," Joyce said in a statement. The grant will fund gang task force personnel and overtime, crime analysis, and social intervention programs. - Wendy Chow

WHEN PUBLIC GETS TO SPEAK - Uncertainty over who gets to speak at Board of Selectmen meetings was ended Monday when chairman James F. Simpson instituted a new policy providing members of the public with three minutes each at the beginning of meetings to raise any concerns. Previously, a public forum was held at the end of meetings, but lengthy exchanges prompted a review of the policy. Residents who want items placed on the agenda must submit them by the Wednesday prior to the meeting. Agenda items and any addresses at meetings are at the discretion of the chairman. - Steve Hatch

MONEY MATTERS - A Special Town Meeting tomorrow will consider two proposed transfers to eliminate a projected $542,000 fiscal 2009 budget deficit from a downward adjustment in anticipated revenues. Also on the warrant is a citizens' petition that would restore the previous "Take It or Leave It" location at the transfer station. Charles E. Moncy, one of the petitioners, said the group is considering withdrawing the article and then offering a motion to have it considered as a nonbinding resolution. He said the action is in response to a town counsel opinion that the article as written is not enforceable. The meeting will consider reducing the revenue and expense lines on the fiscal 2009 waterways enterprise fund budget. Both changes relate to delays in completion of the development of the Scituate Marine Park, according to Selectman Tony Vegnani. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the high school. - John Laidler

CHURCH REMEMBERS LARRABEE - Father Laurence Borges blessed the restored granite grotto and waterfall behind St. Albert the Great Parish last week and rededicated it to the memory of Lorraine Larrabee. The archdiocese closed St. Albert's in 2004 and Larrabee helped organize the 10-month vigil that led to the church's reopening. She died, at age 63, in March 2007. Her family donated the money to restore the grotto and waterfall, which will be turned on in the spring. Members of the Larrabee family attended the rededication, as did members of the Casper family, who gave the original grotto to the church 50 years ago. - Johanna Seltz

LET THE PLANTING BEGIN - A snag over the Canton Garden Club's wish to plant about 3,000 daffodil bulbs in an area downtown that is nearing completion of a $3.5 million face lift has apparently been solved, at a cost of roughly 67 cents a bulb. Selectwoman Avril Elkort said the club was told the planting would interfere with a one-year warranty on all plantings - including bushes - in the area of the Streetscape revitalization plan. Selectmen last week accepted an anonymous donation of $2,000 that will allow the landscape contractor in charge of the project, Waterfield Design Group of Winchester, to plant the bulbs instead of garden club members, according to Elkort, who is a member of the club. Garden Club copresident Pam Gaughan said she is concerned that a date has not been hammered out for the company to do the plantings. "We'd have them done in three hours. It's getting colder so we would like to get them in the ground," Gaughan said.

- Elaine Cushman Carroll

ADULT ZONES - Town Meeting members last week approved a pair of new adult entertainment zones on Allied Drive and University Avenue. A study committee to explore locations that could potentially be better also was formed with the proviso that any recommendations would be made public at least two months before spring Town Meeting. The panel will include two members each from the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Planning Board, along with one member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and two people appointed by the town moderator. The town's former adult-use zone on the Boston and Canton line was rescinded. - Michele Morgan Bolton

ECONOMIC BOOSTS - Foxborough has been designated as one of 16 Massachusetts towns to partner with the state under its new Growth District Initiative, a project to help designated towns attract economic development, said Building Inspector William Casbarra. Among the help the initiative will provide are tools that streamline permitting and infrastructure improvements. Under the initiative, the first project the town and state are looking at is a 1.3-million-square-foot biotech office campus being proposed by the Kraft Group for land it owns on Route 1 across from Gillette Stadium. - Joan Wilder

PUSH FOR 4 FIREFIGHTERS - The Fire Department is looking to add four firefighters to its ranks because its staff of 20 firefighters is leaving the town inadequately protected, according to Chief Dennis Mann. Mann initially got approval to hire the four earlier this year, but the town has instituted a hiring freeze because of the troubled economy. Mann has made a plea to selectmen for a special request to hire four firefighters at a salary of $55,000 each, including benefits. - Franci Richardson Ellement

IN THE MACY'S PARADE - Stoughton High School students continue to earn national recognition. Senior Gina Maged, a member of the school's marching band color guard, has been selected to participate with Macy's Great American Marching Band in the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York. Last week, senior drummer Andrew Solem was chosen to participate with the US Army All-American Marching Band during a nationally televised football game in Texas in January. - Robert Carroll

GRANT TO FUND SIDEWALKS - Walpole has received a $1.5 million grant through the federal Transportation Equity Act that will be used to increase safety around Boyden Elementary School, said Robert O'Brien, director of the Department of Public Works. The bulk of the funding will be used to install 3 miles of sidewalk along Washington Street, which will link South Walpole with the center of town. O'Brien credits congressman Stephen Lynch with securing the funding, which Walpole applied for several years ago. O'Brien hopes to have initial surveying done by February and to put the project out to bid in the spring. - Joan Wilder

WIDENING ROUTE 128 - Work is underway in a $48.5 million effort to reconstruct a section of Route 128 from six lanes to eight, Bernard Cohen, state transportation secretary, announced last week. The project involves the widening of about 5 miles of highway from Route 24 in Randolph to just north of the East Street rotary in Dedham. Work that cuts through Canton and Westwood is part of the Route 128 Add-a-Lane project, in conjunction with ongoing replacement of the Neponset River, Amtrak-MBTA, and University Avenue bridges. Construction begins this spring and is expected to last through summer 2011. - Michele Morgan Bolton