Library fund-raiser in Acton

OFFICER PROMOTED - A longtime Police Department patrol officer and detective, Brian Gill, recently was promoted to lieutenant. The nonunion position had been vacant for some time. The town resident joined the force as a reserve officer in 1993 and was appointed a full-time officer in 1997, and promoted to detective in 2001. He has received several awards of merit from the department. - Davis Bushnell

MANAGING STORM WATER - Residents are invited to a presentation Wednesday by the state Department of Environmental Protection's storm-water coordinator on storm-water management practices. The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the multipurpose room in Town Hall. The session will include information on rain gardens, grassed swales, and other techniques that allow rainwater to filter into the ground. This topic is particularly relevant for those interested in green-growth principles for low-impact development and environmentally sensitive site design. Refreshments will be provided during the free event.

OLDE HOME DAY - The local Lions Club will be hosting its annual Olde Home Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the South Common. Activities will include hot-air balloon rides, a bicycle and stroller parade, and a car show, according to Lions Club member Laura Busky. Also, the Tanglewood Marionettes, a traveling puppet show, will perform at the free event. - Keith Cheveralls

BOWER SPRINGS SURVEY - The town's Conservation Commission, in tandem with graduate students from the Conway School of Landscape Design, is seeking responses to a survey to build consensus on the management of Bower Springs, a commission-managed conservation land. The survey, which is posted online at www.townofbolton.com, will help create a management plan for the property.

LOW ELECTION TURNOUT - Turnout at the town's May 18 election was among the worst in recent memory, said Town Clerk Elizabeth Markiewicz. The election had no contested races or ballot questions, the two factors that typically drive up turnout, she said. Of the town's 3,342 registered voters, 118 went to the polls, for a 3.5 percent turnout.

WORST INTERSECTION IN TOWN - The intersection of School and East Temple streets recorded the highest frequency of accidents last year, according to the recently released annual town report. The majority of accidents occurred during the morning and evening rush hours, 8 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Boylston police responded to a total of 68 motor vehicle accidents last year, the report noted. - Matt Gunderson

FOOTPATH GOING IN - The town is planning to open a stretch of paved footpath that will run alongside Church Street by the end of next month, completing the first phase of the ongoing Pathways Project. The First Religious Society has donated a strip of land along the Town Common so Church Street will not have to be turned into a one-way street to accommodate the footpath, as earlier plans had envisioned.

COMMITTEE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS - The Concord-Carlisle School Committee is seeking volunteers from Concord and Carlisle to serve on a facilities planning panel for the regional district's high school. Residents with expertise in architecture, construction, engineering, building project management, public finance, or public relations are needed, and would need to commit to evening meetings twice a month beginning in July and going through March. E-mail letters outlining job experience and skills to Superintendent Diana Rigby at drigby@colonial.net.

ELECTION RESULTS - Walter Alterisio emerged victorious over Ralph Sabatino in the race for a seat on the Board of Selectmen in the town election May 19. Alterisio had 122 votes to 70 for Sabatino. Daniel St. Jean and Christine Muir were the victors in a race for the Advisory Board, trumping David Tarr in the three-way race. Of the town's 2,134 registered voters, 214 showed up at the polls. - Matt Gunderson

BEACH TO OPEN - Sargisson Town Beach will open for summer on Saturday, thanks to a fund-raising campaign. Lawrence Academy, a local private school, made a significant donation to the campaign. In addition, numerous residents paid for beach parking stickers to help the cause. - Matt Gunderson

STORM CLEANUP - Work began Tuesday to remove winter storm debris from roadways and in front of private properties. Paxton Lawn Maintenance has been retained to do the work, which is expected to be completed within six weeks, public works director Rich Nota said. Funding is being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Homeowners are reminded to check the town's website, www.harvard.ma.us, to find out when debris will be collected in their neighborhoods. - Davis Bushnell

RECYCLING HIGH-TECH GEAR - Residents looking to get rid of unneeded computers, televisions, fax machines, copiers, stereo equipment, and the like can recycle the items at the Intel Corp.'s local campus Friday and Saturday. In its seventh year of hosting the event, Intel's effort last year resulted in the collection of 121,000 pounds of electronic waste. However, large home appliances or devices containing liquids or gases will not be accepted, organizers said. Donations of $10 by individuals and $20 by businesses will go to the company's Community Giving Campaign, according to Ann Hurd, an Intel spokeswoman. Intel matches the donations, said Hurd, for a contribution to the United Way of Tri-County. - James O'Brien

COLONEL RETIRES - Air Force Colonel Russ Blaine, chief of staff at the Hanscom Air Force Base Electronic Systems Center, retired this month at a ceremony on the base. He was also honored with a tribute at Fenway Park before the Red Sox game on May 19. Blaine, a 1984 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, had been responsible for operations, policy, and personnel management at the $4 billion Air Force facility. - John M. Guilfoil

LIMITING WATER USE - The town's Electric Light and Water Department is asking residents to restrict their water use in the upcoming growing season by voluntarily complying with an odd-even water conservation program. Officials cited the state Department of Environmental Protection's residential-consumption goal of no more than 65 gallons per day per person. The department guidelines allow residents at odd-numbered addresses to water their lawns on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays after 7 p.m., and residents at even-numbered addresses to water on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays after 7, with no watering at all on Mondays. The department hopes to avoid imposing mandates regarding watering practices, officials said. - Nancy Shohet West

FOOD DRIVE IN SCHOOLS - Students throughout the city's school system are conducting a food drive to provide summertime inventory to the Marlborough Food Pantry. In its second year, the Stuff-A-Bus drive, coordinated by the Marlborough Intermediate Middle School's Community Service Learning Project, aims to match or beat last year's total of 12,000 pounds of food and personal-hygiene supplies donated to the pantry. "In the summer months, kids who take advantage of the schools' free and reduced meals can have a real difficult time if the pantry runs low," said Valerie Steinman, president of the school's Parent Teacher Organization. "Our goal is to keep that pantry open and active." From Friday through next Monday, yellow school buses will carry students collecting donations for the pantry at 255 Main St. For more information, or to schedule a donation pickup, e-mail Sue Gordon at suegordon61@comcast.net, or call 781-389-4407. - James O'Brien

SELF DEFENSE FOR WOMEN - The Police Department will offer a self-defense class for women next month. Detective William Duggan, one of the instructors for the class, said the program is scheduled to focus on strategies and techniques, particularly for women entering college or living away from home for the first time. Participants will learn basic physical self-defense skills, Duggan said, as well as street awareness. The class is scheduled for June 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the police station on Main Street. To register or for more details, call Duggan at 978-897-1011 or e-mail wduggan@maynardpolice.com.

GUILD ART SHOW - The Northborough Art Guild will hold its annual show and sale next weekend at the Historical Society building on Main Street. The show will feature works by guild members as well as area residents, according to Priscilla Hele, guild publicity officer. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. - Keith Cheveralls

OVERRIDE ON BALLOT - Voters will decide whether the town's senior center, public library, and community center remain open next fiscal year, based on a requested property-tax increase on the town election ballot on June 29. Officials have said the $647,797 Proposition 2 1/2 override is required to offset declining local revenues as well as an estimated $380,000 cut in state aid to the town. - Matt Gunderson

DECORATE YOUR BIN - The town's recycling committee is holding a decoration contest this week. To participate, residents should bring their decorated recycling bins to the Shirley Hoe Down by 3 p.m. on Saturday. Residents with the most creative decorations will win gift certificates, said Tracy Slocumb, a committee member who has beautified her blue box with glitter, green glass beads, and pink foam flowers. There are separate categories for children and adults, Slocumb said, and any container with a green recycling sticker will be eligible for a prize. - Julie Masis

HOLIDAY INN APPROVED - Town Meeting members approved zoning changes for a proposed Holiday Inn Express hotel on Main Street over the course of two Town Meeting sessions. The first vote to bring the hotel to 151-155 Main St. was on May 21, when members voted, 156 to 36, to rezone the site from residential to commercial space. While the vote far ex ceeded the necessary two-thirds approval, said Town Clerk Sandra Wright, some neighbors objected to the proposal. On Wednesday, in Town Meeting's final session, members cleared the way for town land to be used as a buffer between residents and the new project, as well as affirming eased parking requirements for the four-story hotel. Project consultant Robert J. Crawford said the hotel would bring about 27 jobs to town, as well as approximately $70,000 in annual property taxes. - James O'Brien

MAIN STREET CHANGES - The town's Department of Public Works will host a meeting Thursday to discuss revisions to the Main Street reconstruction project. The revisions are needed because the state Highway Department, which is funding the work, did not approve the initial plans over safety and accessibility concerns, according to Karen Galligan, DPW superintendent. The 7:30 p.m. meeting will be in Cordaville Hall. - Keith Cheveralls

STUDENT SURVEY - More than 60 percent of 254 students taking part in a recent survey supported a new rotation of class periods, matching the faculty's response, according to the town website. Students were less satisfied with longer class periods, the survey found. For details, visit www.stow-ma.gov. - Matt Gunderson

MEALS FOR SENIORS - The town's Senior Center is offering $3 lunches on Mondays this summer. Reservations are required; call the center at 978-443-3055.

NEW TRASH SYSTEM - Pay-as-you-throw trash service begins July 1. The system is designed to encourage households to recycle more and generate less waste through its fees for disposing of trash. The annual transfer-station fee will be reduced from $320 to $155, but residents must buy special trash bags, available at local retailers. A 5-pack of 14-gallon bags costs $5, and a 5-pack of 30-gallon bags costs $8.75.

MORE CUTS - The School Committee will be discussing ways to cut another $600,000 from next year's budget at its meeting Wednesday, based on additional reductions in state aid. The committee has already cut nearly $500,000 after the Legislature reduced the town's share of federal stimulus money, according to School Committee chairwoman Karen Henderson. The latest cuts will likely require about 15 layoffs, bringing the total since January to around 30, she said. The 6 p.m. meeting is in the Forbes Municipal Building. - Keith Cheveralls