Globe North news briefs
In one example of the strain on Billerica’s budget, the Billerica Recreation Department is urging residents to sign up for the department’s electronic newsletters. Because of fiscal constraints, the department is unable to mail its newsletters to town residents and is relying on technology to disseminate details about recreation programs and special events. Newsletters are produced each season. To register an e-mail address to receive the electronic newsletters, visit www.town.billerica.ma.us and click on the “Billerica E-Mail News Updates’’ link. For more information, call the Recreation Department at 978-671-0921. - Brenda J. Buote
LYNNFIELD
HUCKLEBERRY PRINCIPAL LEAVING - School Superintendent Robert Hassett is interviewing candidates to fill the interim principal’s position at the Huckleberry Hill School. Principal Mary Beth Shea resigned recently to take a similar job at the Sweetsir School in Merrimac. Her last day will be later this month, said Hassett. - David RattiganMALDEN
CONVERTING BUSINESSES TO HOUSING - The Planning Board on Wednesday will hold public hearings on separate proposals to convert business properties into new housing. A retail property at 108 Ferry St. would put four units on the second floor, keeping a business use on the first floor. An office building at 54 Eastern Ave. has applied for permission for five units of housing. Other hearings on the agenda include an application for a convenience store to be added to a gas station at 60 Lebanon St. The board will meet at 7 p.m. in the council chamber at City Hall. - Kathy McCabeNORTH READING
SCHOLARSHIP DINNER - The Hillview Country Club will host a scholarship dinner on Aug. 22 for the Dr. Thomas N. Pesola Scholarship Foundation. The goal is to raise $10,000 for Massachusetts residents and students completing diabetes research fellowships or enrolled in diabetes-related educational programming. Pesola, a Danvers resident who practiced dentistry in Revere, died of a heart attack in February. New England Cable News meteorologist Matt Noyes is scheduled to emcee the dinner, which will feature silent and live auctions as well as live music. Tickets are $50 for adults and $20 for children 12 and younger. For information, visit www.drpesolascholarship.org.- Richard Thompson
WINTHROP
MEALS, HOTEL TAXES PASS - Taking advantage of new options the state recently provided to cities and towns, the Municipal Council last week voted to levy a local .75 percent meals tax and to increase Winthrop’s local hotel/motel tax from 4 percent to 6 percent. Council president Thomas E. Reilly said the meals tax was adopted by a 6-2 vote, and the hotel/motel tax passed on a voice vote. Reilly said the two tax increases, which take effect Oct. 1, will together generate an estimated $74,000 for the three quarters of the fiscal year in which they will be in effect. Reilly said that revenue will decrease the cuts the town has to carry out to close a gap resulting from a fiscal 2010 state aid reduction that was $772,000 larger than the town had budgeted. Using a portion of the new meals and hotel/motel tax revenues, the town was able to reduce the budget gap to $706,000. Councilors Tuesday adopted consider spending cuts to close that gap. - John Laidler
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