Two-day holiday

December 21, 2008

Under a new agreement between the town and members of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Town Hall will be closed on Christmas Eve for the first time, said Sally Theil, head clerk. After being closed Wednesday and on Christmas Day, the municipal offices will reopen Friday at 8:30 a.m.

- Joan Wilder

INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR ON JOB - The town's new interim municipal administrator, Jeffrey Ritter, has agreed on a contract with selectmen and was on the job at his office in the Memorial Building on Monday. Fisher's annual salary is $92,500, and his contract runs to June 30, 2010. Ritter, a resident of Medway, has an extensive background in municipal administration, having held administrative positions in Groton, Wayland, Blackstone, and Chicopee. He was also executive director of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. - Christine Legere

GETTING A SECOND CHANCE - A local youth education program is one of seven in the nation to benefit from a $6 million award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which aims to help low-income young adults who have dropped out of high school earn GEDs or diplomas and then attend post-secondary programs. YouthBuild Brockton, which is administered by the Old Colony YMCA, will receive $174,000 annually for three years. The money will pay for a full-time transition coordinator, fund an incentive program, and cover student transportation costs. YouthBuild Brockton offers a 10-month program for young adults earning GEDs and diplomas, teaches job training, and helps with the transition to further education in partnership with Massasoit Community College. About 30 students participate annually. - Steve Hatch

MONITORING WIND POWER - An article to regulate wind energy is one of five zoning issues that are set to come before voters at the April 27 Town Meeting. Attorney Paul A. Schneiders filed the wind petition on behalf of the Bank of Canton, which installed a wind monitoring tower at 490 Turnpike St. about nine months ago with the help of a state grant. The tower is monitoring the winds in the area for a year to see whether it is a feasible location for the installation of an electricity-generating wind turbine. Schneiders said the bank is still undecided about its plans but wanted to go ahead with creating a bylaw to regulate them. "The jury is out. They have to make sure they have the data from all four seasons," he said. Schneiders, who has been bringing zoning articles before Town Meeting for 38 years, said the number of petitions is one of the lightest in recent years. "We've had as many as 20 in one year and I've had as many as six or seven in a year myself," he said. Schneiders said it's a sign of the tough economic times that developers are feeling the lack of mortgage money. "Part of the problem, too, is that we are running out of good land," he said. "The town is pretty developed." Town Clerk Tracy Kenney said the other four articles have to do with amending zoning maps and districts. All zoning changes will be reviewed by selectmen and the Planning Board before Town Meeting. - Elaine Cushman Carroll

KEEPING FIREFIGHTERS SAFE - The Fire Department has been awarded a $120,755 federal grant by the Department of Homeland Security to purchase exhaust-removal systems for the town's three fire stations. The equipment will protect the health and welfare of the town's firefighters, who are exposed to exhaust fumes from idling firetrucks, said Deputy Fire Chief Eric Germaine. Required in all new fire stations, the system attaches to a truck's exhaust pipe and funnels the fumes out of the building, and detaches automatically when the vehicle leaves the station. The department plans to have the new system installed in all three stations within the year. - Robert Knox

KEEPING THE FOOD COMING - A Dec. 5 Dedham Food Pantry Holiday Harvest Telethon brought in more than $24,000, or almost half of the organization's $50,000 annual budget. Entertainment at the event at Dedham Public Television included local school and dance groups which, combined with nearly two dozen food drives, has managed to refill the pantry's shelves. However, officials are asking residents to continue to help the pantry that serves more than 160 families monthly. Donations of canned and nonperishable food are accepted on Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. The pantry is located in the basement of St. John's Church at 50 Oakdale Ave. Food is distributed on Saturday mornings, beginning at 8:30 a.m., according to the pantry's website. For more information, call 781-320-9442 or go to www.dedhamfoodpantry.org. - Michele Morgan Bolton

SENIOR CENTER PROGRESS - The Senior Center Building Committee is moving forward with plans for a new center at Sachem Rock Farm. The panel has hired Construction Monitoring Services Inc., of Marlborough, to manage the project. According to company principal Paul Griffin, the committee is looking for an architect to draw up construction documents. Town Meeting last spring approved funding for the design phase of the project, but it was put on hold last summer after Casa Loma restaurant property owner Joseph Savino approached selectmen about reconsidering his site for a senior center. The site, which had previously been considered for the facility, was ruled out again by the committee. - Christine Legere

ALL-DAY DAYCARE - The Old Colony YMCA has opened a preschool and daycare center at its Easton branch. The full-day program can serve 20 preschoolers and nine toddlers and has four teachers and three assistants. It is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and there are still openings. Costs are $235 per week for toddlers and $185 for preschoolers. The YMCA spent $125,000 to renovate an 1,800-square-foot section of its 25 Elm St. building for the program, which opened last month. - Steve Hatch

NO NEW FIREFIGHTERS, TRUCK - Town Meeting on Monday voted 220 to 33 to table a request for $500,000 to hire four firefighters, which leaves the request open for reconsideration in the spring, said Gerry Gousie, assistant town clerk. The article was put before Town Meeting by petition after the Board of Selectmen rejected it. Town Meeting, which ended at 10:30 p.m., also rejected a request for a new fire truck, 211 to 23, but approved a request for $46,000 to purchase a system that allows fire and police vehicles to control traffic signals during emergency response calls. Only 288 of the town's 10,836 registered voters attended the meeting. - Joan Wilder

KEEPING EYE ON QUARRY - Plans to expand operations at a Bryant Street quarry have raised concerns among residents about the potential effects of blasting on their homes, wells, and health. The town's Soil Conservation Board approved a permit for Cape Cod Aggregates to do additional work, including blasting, about a year ago and is working to make sure the concerns are addressed, said Selectman Lawrence N. Ashley, who is also a member of the town's Soil Conservation Board. Cape Cod Aggregates took over the longtime Assonet Sand and Gravel operation and has made many improvements to the site in the past two years, Ashley said. "In my opinion they have done a great job. I think they are being a responsible neighbor," he said. Residents were concerned about damage to their wells and their foundations as well as increased dust. "We're making sure that the company complies with all the regulations," Ashley said. "We want to make sure that this works the right way and has the least impact on the neighbors as possible." The quarry also crosses the town line into Berkley, and some residents there are upset because the Berkley soil board did not review the permit since the work is taking place in Freetown. Ashley said the company is gearing up operations because the demand for crushed stone has grown in recent years. - Elaine Cushman Carroll

TWO FIRE GRANTS - The Fire Department has received two grants from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety. An award of $5,296 will be used to buy dive and water-rescue equipment. The second grant, for $3,664, will go toward fire safety programs at the local schools. - Christine Legere

OPEN SPACE PLAN APPROVED - The Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectmen have voted their approvals of the town's proposed open space and recreation plan. A consultant, MapWorks of Harwich and Norwell, prepared the five-year plan, working with the commission and the Open Space Committee over the past year. With those votes, the plan, which was also endorsed by the Planning Board, will now be forwarded to state environmental officials for approval. Cities and towns are required to have an up-to-date open space and recreation plan to be eligible for certain state grants. Hanson's existing plan is five years old. - John Laidler

MANAGER FOR NEW POLICE STATION - Selectmen have voted to give a contract to Pomroy Associates of Easton to manage the town's police station construction project. The $150,000 contract calls for Pomroy to provide full-time clerk-of-the-works services, as well as act as project manager. Voters at Town Meeting and a town election passed a Proposition 2 1/2 override to fund a $3.8 million police station. It will be built on land near Route 6 given to the town by Tabor Academy. The town's Police and Fire departments now share space at a Spring Street facility. - Paul E. Kandarian

RECIPES WANTED - The Mattapoisett Firefighters' Auxiliary is looking for recipes for a fund-raising community cookbook. Proceeds from the book will be used to support various community efforts throughout town, officials said. Anyone interested in contributing recipes can send them to mffa8553@gmail.com, or mail to MFFA, PO Box 853, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Information on buying the completed cookbooks will be available soon, auxiliary officials said. - Paul E. Kandarian

FOR THE COMMON GOOD - A group of citizens calling themselves the Middleborough Friends mobilized a few months ago to help support community groups, raise scholarships, and provide volunteer services. The group sponsored a pancake breakfast as its opening fund-raiser with proceeds going to the town's Council on Aging. From there, members moved on to a Halloween ball and a craft fair to raise money for a scholarship fund at the high school. "We started talking about it in the spring, and then officially formed just before our October pancake breakfast," said member Brian Giovanoni. "It's just a civic group trying to do things for the good of the community." The group, with resident Helen Belmont as president, has about 25 members. For more information, visit www.middleboroughfriends.com. - Christine Legere

CELEBRATING THREE-MILE RIVER - The Three-Mile River Area of Critical Environmental Concern Nominating Committee invites the public to the committee's first meeting and kick-off celebration, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 15, on the second floor of Town Hall. The committee will celebrate the Three Mile River's recent designation as an area of critical environmental concern and discuss future projects. The snow date is Jan. 22. - Christine Legere

STORES CAUGHT SELLING SMOKES - The Health Department has begun a series of undercover operations, funded by the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program, to ensure local stores aren't selling cigarettes to minors. Under the plan, a minor is hired to act as a youth buyer to see if store personnel ask for evidence of the purchaser's age before handing over a pack. After completing one round of checks at all tobacco retailers in Norwood, Health Director Sigalle Reiss said five of 42 stores had violations. Last year there were no violations, she said. "It is very difficult to conduct these checks without the youth buyers. We can make sure the stores have the proper signs and training, but not until we test the store employees do we know if they are following the law." - Michele Morgan Bolton

SLOW START FOR VETERANS' MEMORIAL - Local officials hope residents will decide to buy a brick this Christmas to honor someone they love. The plan to build a memorial to all Raynham veterans at the Borden Colony Gazebo has been delayed because of a lack of funds. For $50, a brick engraved with the name of a veteran or any other loved one will be placed at the memorial. The project's cost is estimated at $75,000 and only about $15,000 has been collected. Anyone interested in purchasing a brick may obtain the necessary paperwork at the Town Hall offices of the selectmen or veterans agent. For further information, contact Barbara Sleezer in the selectmen's office at 508-824-2707, or Veterans Agent John Montagano at 508-828-4527. - Christine Legere

POLICE EXAM - An entrance exam for the Police Department has been scheduled for Jan. 24 at Old Colony Vocational Technical School. The exam is for full- and part-time openings in the department, which now has 10 full-time officers and five part-timers. Details and eligibility requirements can be found at www.ledimensions.com, the website of the testing company, Law Enforcement Dimensions. Registration, which costs $65, must be done online. - Paul E. Kandarian

LEADING FIGHT AGAINST EPILEPSY - A recognized authority in epilepsy treatment who lives in Sharon has been elected president of the American Epilepsy Society. Dr. Steven C. Schachter, who teaches neurology at Harvard Medical School, was elected to head the 3,000-member organization at its recent annual meeting in Seattle. He is also the director of research and senior neurologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He has overseen 80 research projects on the treatment of epilepsy and published several books on the topic, including a six-part series called "Brainstorm." Schachter received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He completed his residency in the Harvard-Longwood neurological program, and an epilepsy fellowship at Beth Israel Hospital. Schachter, 53, has lived in Sharon for about 15 years. - Franci Richardson Ellement

CHIOFOLO QUITS POST AS CLERK - Frustrated by what she felt was a lack of respect for residents and town employees, Marie Chiofolo has resigned from her $85,000-a-year position as the town's clerk and assistant town manager. Her last day will be Dec. 31. "I don't want to go into any detail," Chiofolo said when reached last week. "Let's just say I want to spend more time with my family." Chiofolo, who took over the dual positions 18 months ago, cited "no effective leadership" in her letter of resignation, according to Selectman Steve Anastos. "I can't comment on why Marie felt that way," said Anastos. "I can say that I thought she did a nice job. She was competent and professional. I respect her decision." Selectmen planned to meet last week to discuss finding a replacement. - Robert Carroll

TOP RECYCLERS WANTED - The Health Department has launched an awards program to promote recycling, and is encouraging residents to nominate those whose recycling containers are bigger than their trash bags. Heather White of Lewis Avenue is the first recycler-of-the-month winner, and was rewarded with a $50 gift certificate donated by Jalapenos Grill Mexican Restaurant. To nominate someone or get more information, go to the town's website, www.walpole-ma.gov, drop by the Health Department office, or call 508-660-7321. - Joan Wilder

BOARD OPENINGS - The Board of Selectmen is seeking candidates to serve on many town boards and committees. As of Tuesday, there were openings on the Bike Path Committee, the Commission on Disability, the Community and Economic Development Authority, Economic Development Advisory Board, Historic District Commission, Marine Resources Commission, Historical Commission, MBTA Advisory Board, Open Space Committee, Public, Education and Government Access board of directors, Personnel Board, Planning Board, Tremont Nail Master Planning Committee, Wareham Cultural Council, Wareham Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Applications are available at the selectmen's office in Memorial Town Hall. - Emily Sweeney

ZONING PROPOSALS - The Board of Selectmen recently scheduled a Special Town Meeting for Jan. 12. Key issues include two zoning proposals. One would rezone 46 acres on Manley Street to industrial. Several family trusts that collectively own the land are seeking the changes to allow for a liquor distributorship to be located on the site. The other would extend an existing industrial zone to include the 1-acre site of the First Church of West Bridgewater, at 29 Howard St. The church is seeking the change to allow for cellular communications antennas to be placed in its bell tower. - John Laidler

NEW COMMISSION CONSIDERED - Selectmen have agreed to consider how a proposed pedestrian and bike safety commission might be combined with a pair of existing traffic safety task forces to help make Westwood a safer community. The idea was presented by resident Dave Atkins, who also presented a community workshop on the topic last fall. A meeting to further discuss the concept has been planned before the Jan. 10 selectmen's meeting. - Michele Morgan Bolton

CLASS SLASHES TRASH - The William Seach Primary School cut its waste from snacks by more than 80 percent for a week this month when the staff and 370 students participated in Green Education Week. Students weighed their snack trash for a week and found they threw out 125 pounds of leftover food, paper, bottles, and plastic, according to Victoria Water, president of the Green Education Foundation, which sponsored the activity. The entire school was then given reusable shopping bags - with two snack containers, a reusable water bottle, and a T-shirt - and parents were asked to send in waste-free snacks. The result: a reduction to 17 pounds of trash, Waters said. She said her organization hopes to run the experiment nationwide the first week of February. - Johanna Seltz