By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

The following is based on a prepared statement sent by the Middlesex DA's office:

The Middlesex District Attorney’s office is launching a three-prong summer safety awareness campaign aimed to educate parents, caretakers, and their children on how to be safe during the summer season, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone announced.

Last week, Leone’s office launched a “Splash into a Safe Swim Season” public awareness campaign focused on water safety. These efforts have been expanded to include window fall prevention and car safety, two additional areas of child deaths and near fatalities that occur often this time of year.

“With the onset of warm weather and the desire to be outside, come seasonal dangers we’d like parents to be aware of in and around water, cars and windows," Leone said. “All too often, we see the tragic results of accidental drownings, window falls, and overheating from being left in a car... the bottom line is that these child deaths and near fatalities are all completely preventable.”

The DA's office will distribute a safety brochure this summer, which features key prevention and safety tips around water safety, window safety and car safety.

The brochure will be distributed by Middlesex YMCAs, hospitals, and schools, as well as the Middlesex Children's Advocacy Center's multidisciplinary team, which includes members of the DA's Child Abuse Unit, law enforcement, and the Department of Children and Families.

Leone's office will also promote the information on its website, providing the information in a format easily accessible to parents and caretakers.

Every year, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, local Child Fatality Review Teams, the Office of the Child Advocate, and DCF review numerous accidental child deaths and near fatalities caused by water drownings, falls from windows and overheating after being left in a motor vehicle.

An estimated 5,000 children are hospitalized each year due to unintentional drowning related incidents, with 15 percent dying and 20 percent left with permanent brain damage.

The following are tips for parents and caretakers to ensure water safety:

• Actively supervise children at all times
• Never leave a child alone near a pool or other body of water
• Teach children to swim
• Stay within arms reach of preschool-age children
• Provide locked safety barriers for swimming area when not in use
• Keep climbable objects away from pool barrier
• Teach children about water safety
• Learn CPR – use infant CPR until age one, then child CPR until age eight
• Be alert when visiting homes with a pool
• Remove toys from pool after use
• Do not rely on air-filled or foam toys - they are not designed for safety
• Older children are most vulnerable in bodies of fresh water
• Always use US Coast Guard-approved life jackets when boating

In addition, Massachusetts requires that residential swimming pools have:

• A four-foot-high barrier, not including a house, enclosing the swimming area, even if you don't have children
• Access gates that self-close, lock, and open outward from the swimming area
• Opening/locking mechanism that must be located 54 inches high or on the pool side of the gate
• Access ladders or steps that should be removed, locked, or secured to prevent usage by children

Contact your city or town hall for additional requirements.

Landscaped water features and koi ponds are also safety hazards for children, Leone's office said.

The DA's office also seeks to warn caretakers about window falls, which are the leading cause of injury to children. On average, 14 children a day are injured in window falls, Leone's office said.

The most common injuries are head and brain trauma, as well as extremity fractures.

To prevent window falls, parents and caregivers should:

• Be sure children are always supervised
• Lock all unopened doors and windows
• Keep beds, furniture, and anything a child can climb on away from windows
• Open windows from the top, not from the bottom
• Install quick release window guards - screens do not protect children from falling out of windows

Cars can also be unsafe for kids in summertime, and not just from car crashes. Children left in a hot car can die from overheating, the DA's office said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates a closed car sitting in the summer sun quickly turns into an oven, with temperatures rising from 78 degrees to 100 degrees in just three minutes, and to 125 degrees in six to eight minutes.

In addition, children can be injured while getting out of moving cars, or can be run or backed over by motor vehicles.

To keep young children safe in and around cars:

• Never leave children alone in a parked vehicle, even when they are asleep or restrained or if the windows are open
• Always lock your car and keep the keys out of children's reach
• Make a habit of looking in the vehicle - front and back - before locking the door and walking away
• Ensure adequate supervision when children are playing in areas near parked motor vehicles
• If a child is missing, check the vehicle first, including the trunk
• Ask your childcare provider to call you if your child does not show up for childcare
• Do things to remind yourself that a child is in the vehicle such as placing your purse, briefcase or something else you need in the back seat so that you will have to check the back seat when you leave the vehicle

If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call the police. If they are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible and cool the child rapidly. For more information and summer safety tips visit www.middlesexda.com or the Middlesex Children’s Advocacy Center.

--
Follow us on Twitter: @yourframingham, @jaclynreiss

Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at jaclyn.reiss@globe.com

By Deirdre Fernandes, Globe Staff

Greg Reibman, a former community newspaper publisher and a founder of a Newton-oriented blog, has been named the president of the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce.

Reibman replaces Bob Halpin, who accepted a job as the Framingham Town Manager after about a year as the head of the Chamber of Commerce.

Until last year, Reibman had been the publisher of the Newton Tab and headed up several of GateHouse Media Inc.’s Boston-area newspapers. Gatehouse eliminated his position last year as part of cost-cutting measures.

Soon after he left GateHouse, Reibman launched Village 14, a community blog that focuses on Newton issues. Reibman said he will continue to be involved with that website.

The Chamber selected Reibman because of his business experience in Newton and Needham and his familiarity with the community and its leaders, said Joseph De Vito, chamber chairman, in a press release.

“We are especially pleased to be bringing in someone who already knows our communities, our elected leaders, our businesses and the challenges we face as we emerge from a long recession,” De Vito said.

Reibman said he hopes to use his social media and community engagement skills to broaden the Chamber’s on-line presence. He said he expects to update the business group’s website and offer members the traditional networking opportunities and seminars on such issues as using Twitter.

“We’re ready to modernize,” he said.

Reibman said he also plans to start a shop local initiative to promote businesses, especially in the village centers.

With major developments in the pipeline, including several Route 9 projects, and the Riverside mixed-use proposal, the Chamber will likely have a role to play in ensuring that commercial space in Newton and Needham is best-used, Reibman said.

“This is a really critical time,” he said.

Deirdre Fernandes can be reached at deirdre.fernandes@globe.com

Local legislators visited Framingham-based Open Mobile last week to recognize National Small Business Week. From left to right: Chandra Bajpai, Open Mobile general manager; Rep. Tom Sannicandro; Leila Dillon, marketing/communications/IR vice president; Rep. Chris Walsh; Bob Angelo, chairman/CEO of Open Mobile; Sen. Karen Spilka; and April Anderson Lamoureux, assistant secretary of Economic Development.

By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

Local legislators visited Framingham's Open Mobile headquarters last week to celebrate and promote National Small Business Week, an annual celebration started by then-President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

President Barack Obama had designated last week as National Small Business Week to recognize contributions of the nation’s nearly 27 million entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Legislators kicked off the week’s festivities by visiting local businesses in their home towns to thank them for their contributions to the state's economy, and to promote local shopping this spring.

State Representatives Chris Walsh and Tom Sannicandro joined state Senator Karen Spilka and assistant secretary for Economic Development April Anderson Lamoureux during the visit to the Framingham-based software firm working to deliver a 100 percent compatible and high performing application ecosystem to every mobile platform.

The group met with Bob Angelo, chairman and CEO of Open Mobile, and additional members of the staff to discuss their experience growing a small business in Massachusetts.

With offices in China, India, and Finland, Open Mobile could locate anywhere in the world but chose to have its headquarters in Framingham, Spilka said.

“Small businesses – like Open Mobile – are the backbone of our economy,” she said. “In order to ensure continued economic development and job creation, we must remain committed to supporting entrepreneurs and the growing small business community in Massachusetts.”

The State House also hosted a small business resource fair last Wednesday, where resource providers shared information on the state programs available that help assist small businesses with everything from designing a business plan to procuring state funding.

--
Follow us on Twitter: @yourframingham, @jaclynreiss

Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at jaclyn.reiss@globe.com

Special to the Boston Globe West by John Carlton

The Concord Carlisle Patriots lost their last game of the regular season to the Framingham Flyers 15-8 in Framingham last Tuesday.

The game was more competitive than the final score would indicate. Within the first minute of the game the Patriots took momentum with goals from Josie Morrison and Allie Barrett to go up 2-0, followed by a 3-1 lead just two minutes into the game. Framingham came alive however, scoring five straight goals and holding the Patriots scoreless during the next 15 minutes.

Framingham’s ability to stretch out and put a lot of one on one pressure on CC ball handlers really affected the Patriots ability to find open shooters. The Framingham defense took aim at CC’s leading scorer Jill Carlton. Carlton, who leads the Patriots in goals and assists was marked exclusively by a Framingham defender face guarding her. With their leading scorer being marked tightly the remaining CC offense fell victim to forced and unforced turnovers and several scoring opportunities were squandered.

This game was a bit of a revenge match for the Flyers (11-8-1) as the Patriots (12-6), knocked Framingham out of the Division 1 tournament last year.

The first half ended with CC charging back with goals from Barrett and Jessie Castelline (also 2 assists) to bring the score to 7-5, however Framingham picked up two more goals just seconds apart to increase their lead to a 9-5. Allie Barrett collected her 3rd goal of the game before the half bringing the Patriots to within three at 9-6.

CC Coach Paul Morrison summed up his teams first half performance.“We had some moments of brilliance in the first half and went toe to toe with a very good Framingham team. Greta White came up with some huge saves that should have given us momentum, but on three occasions our players couldn’t come up with rebounds off saves, while Framingham players did and quickly potted the ground balls in for scores.”

The second half proved increasingly difficult for CC as the Flyers defense became more dominant shutting down the Patriots offense for the first twenty minutes of play, the only exception that from an Emma Brandhorst free position goal. The Flyers scored six consecutive goals before the Patriots scored the final tally of the game. Barrett lead the Patriots with 4 goals. Sophomore Becca Olsen also added a goal for the Patriots.

“Framingham year in and year out is one of the best programs in the state, and that is a credit to their Coach Stacey Freda. I didn’t realize it but that was their first non-league win of the season, and that is because they play a brutal non league schedule. I would say that our nonleague schedule at Concord Carlisle was by far the most challenging in recent memory, and we stood up to it pretty well. The team is upbeat for this tournament because we know what tough games are like. We hung tough in 5 of our 6 losses, and I keep telling our players that the next progression for our program will be to steal a win against a team that we are the underdog to.”

The Patriots, the Dual County League Small Champions, will get that chance in the first round of the MIAA Division 1 North Tournament on Tuesday at PM when they play the Framingham Flyers at Doug White Field. CC will host the game as the 8th seed while the Flyers are ranked 9th.

By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

The Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni has agreed to pledge $500,000 to the university, over multiple years, one of its largest contributions, according to Framingham State officials.

The half-million dollars will help fund the university's first comprehensive fundraising campaign, which aims to raise additional private support for student scholarships, faculty support, new programs and other initiatives.

The university will undertake the fundraising campaign over the next few years, corresponding with the school's 175th anniversary in 2014.

The campaign is still in the early planning stages, so a fundraising goal and exact timeline are not finalized at this point.

“We are extremely grateful for this generous commitment from IAFSA as we enter the early phase of our first-ever comprehensive campaign,” Framingham State President Timothy Flanagan said in a statement.

“We are genuinely excited about this collaboration that will advance our common goal of supporting Framingham State’s students and faculty.”

Already one of the university’s largest annual contributors, the alumni group plans to support the campaign through designated contributions and increased support of student scholarships and loans.

"The comprehensive campaign represents an important opportunity to increase financial support for Framingham State's students and faculty," said Kelly Raymond, president of the alumni group's executive board. "We see this pledge as a way to play a leadership role and continue IAFSA's long tradition of service by expanding our student scholarship and loan assistance."

Leaders from Framingham State and the alumni association have met several times over the past few months to discuss how they can work in a collaborative fashion to best support students, faculty and alumni.

In addition to increased financial support, the alumni group has also agreed to make its Alumni House on Adams Road available for university and community use.

Framingham State has seen much growth in the past few years. The university recently decided to limit the annual increase in its overall undergraduate enrollment to 2 percent this September, and is planning to build a new $42 million, 350-bed dormitory by 2015 to help deal with growing demand for on-campus housing.

The university also plans to work with Framingham town officials to renovate and lease town-owned property at 14 Vernon St. for the next few years to help alleviate growing pains.

The university is also taking broad steps to become greener, spending $3.35 million on converting its power plant from oil to natural gas – a move that is expected to reduce the university’s carbon footprint by 30 percent.

--
Follow us on Twitter: @yourframingham, @jaclynreiss

Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at jreiss.globe@gmail.com

By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

The MetroWest area would be represented on a state council that influences tax incentives for companies throughout Massachusetts under a proposal adopted by the state's House of Representatives today.

According to the amendment, the governor can appoint an additional representative from the MetroWest region to the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council, the group charged with administering the Economic Development Incentive Program.

There are currently seven gubernatorial appointees sitting on the council. If the Senate also adopts the amendment and the governor signs it into law, there would be eight appointees, plus seven state designees.

The EDIP is a tax incentive program designed to foster full-time job creation and stimulate business growth throughout the state, according to the agency.

Participating companies may receive state and local tax incentives in exchange for full-time job creation, manufacturing job retention, and private investment commitments.

The council also approves all Economic Target Area, Economic Opportunity Area, and Certified Project applications.

The approval comes after Framingham Town Meeting members voted overwhelmingly Tuesday night to allow substantial tax breaks to locally-headquartered TJX if the company agreed to stay in Framingham and spend $143 million on expanding.

The bill amendment is sponsored by 13 state representatives from the MetroWest area.

"The seat on the Council is well-deserved and overdue," said state Representative David Linsky, a Natick Democrat, in a prepared statement. "The MetroWest is a vibrant, economically vital area for the Commonwealth. It is the second largest employment base in the state and is leading Massachusetts in job creation."

State Representative Tom Sannicandro, an Ashland Democrat, agreed.

"MetroWest is a hub of the type of innovative industries that we are seeking to promote in this bill and as part of our long term economic development strategy,” Sannicandro said. “It only makes sense that MetroWest be represented as its own distinct region.”

State Representative Denise Garlick, a Needham Democrat, also touted the economic vitality of her town, citing its close proximity to Boston, ease of transportation to the city, and the area’s focus on local education to develop the next generation’s workforce.

“Having a voice from the MetroWest area on the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council is key to encouraging the further economic growth in this region and the Commonwealth," Garlick said in the statement.

"Our cities and towns will benefit from the opportunities presented, as members of the council, both in fostering full time job creation and the potential for business growth,” said Representative Kate Hogan, a Stow Democrat.

The council currently has gubernatorial-selected representatives from eastern, western, southeastern, and central Massachusetts, as well as Cape Cod and Merrimack Valley. The governor also must appoint a higher education official to the council.

There are no set communities defined in the amendment legislation currently.

--
Follow us on Twitter: @your, @jaclynreiss

Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at jreiss.globe@gmail.com

By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

The following is based on a prepared statement from the Walnut Hill School for the Arts:

Natick-based private arts school, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, will showcase New Works: Performance of Student Choreography tonight and Friday at the Boston Conservatory.

New Works is a performance of student choreographies, a culmination of a year’s dedication towards the development of choreographic craft, creative process, and the art of making dances.

Weekly, the students delve into a series of tasks that involve creating movement in class allowing them to plan, problem solve and develop structured choreographic studies in solo, duet or group formats.

For their final projects, each choreographer draws from a personal source of inspiration and works in a style resonating their own uniqueness and vision. Movement styles, music, costumes, and lighting are the creative choices of each choreographer.

The process that leads up to the New Works performances is one that invites young choreographers to engage in a creative act which is collaborative. The students interact decisively with each other, and sometimes with musicians and designers. An exchange of ideas takes place contributing to the vision of each young choreographer.

Natick youth and Walnut Hill School senior Cacia LaCount will be one of 15 young choreographers debuting new works, according to the school.

New Works is at the Boston Conservatory Thursday, May 24 and Friday, May 25. Tickets cost $25 for adults or $20 for those under 18 and over 55.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit http://events.walnuthillarts.org.

By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

Worried that a major employer might leave, Framingham town meeting members Tuesday night passed a measure forgiving taxes on a $143-million expansion of the TJX corporate headquarters in exchange for the company staying in town and adding jobs.

The agreement calls for TJX to maintain 1,600 permanent jobs and create 225 new jobs over the next several years, and to invest $143 million for on-site expansion, renovations to existing buildings, and acquisition costs.

In exchange for these commitments, Framingham would forgive taxes on the $143 million expansion over 20 years.

"When I look at this article, I don’t see any downsides - all I see are upsides," said Framingham resident Irwin Blumer. "If Town Meeting chooses to support this, we will be saying publicly that we are a town that is friendly to business."

And support it, they did: the article passed in less than two hours with 139 positive votes. Only one person voted against the proposal, while two people abstained.

The agreement comes during growing worries that TJX corporate headquarters would relocate to Marlborough after officials there granted tax relief to the company. TJX is buying two office buildings for about $72 million in Marlborough.

Marlborough had agreed to forgive the company’s taxes on a $30 million expansion over 30 years, a deal worth millions of dollars for the company over that time period.

The Framingham tax break agreement would only exempt the $143 million expansion - the town would retain an estimated $64.8 million in existing property base taxes over the next 20 years, plus an additional $7.4 million to $9.2 million in taxes not exempt from the expansion.

TJX, in turn, would save between $7.6 million and $9.4 million from the exemptions, depending on what type of building the company decides to build on the nearby vacant cement lot.

According to the exemption schedule drafted by the town, TJX would receive a property tax exemption of 75 percent for 2013, slowly working up to an exemption of 90 percent for 2017 through 2019, and then slowly working the exemption rate down to 5 percent by 2032.

The agreement also would require the company to acquire 225 new permanent, full-time employees by 2017, starting with 25 new positions in 2013 and another 75 in 2014.

Framingham CFO Mary Ellen Kelley said the exemption would also not affect the town's property tax levy, which recently left residents smoldering as they saw an 11 percent hike - double last year's increase.

Framingham town officials also celebrated the company's acceptance of clawback language, requiring the corporation to pay back some of the exemption if they fail to meet hiring requirements, and all of the exemption if they shut down or move headquarters.

While Framingham has granted numerous tax breaks in the past few decades - such as to Staples in 1997, Computer Associate Technologies in 1998, and the Arcade Development Project in 2005 - the TJX agreement is the only one that includes clawback provisions, said town counsel Chris Petrini.

"When TJX moved to Marlborough, they had a tax break there," Petrini said. "We looked at our agreement to make it as strong, or stronger, than the agreement with Marlborough, and I would say ours is stronger."

TJX, which operates chains such as HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx, and Marshalls, is among the state’s largest companies, with 11,000 employees in Massachusetts.

The agreement will be forwarded to the Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council during its next regularly-scheduled board meeting on June 26.

MWRA-owned aqueduct trails in 14 communities, such as the one pictured above at the Weston Aqueduct in Framingham, will now be open to the public, the agency announced today.

By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority will open 40 miles of scenic aqueduct trails for public use in 14 communities, including Framingham, Natick, Needham, Newton, Wellesley, and Weston, the agency announced today.

With this policy, the MWRA is now formally encouraging public access through partnerships with neighboring communities.

Municipalities can enter into agreements with the MWRA to assume some stewardship responsibilities, allowing for the trails in their towns to be officially open to the public for recreational use.

Previously, anyone using the closed trails would be considered trespassing on MWRA property.

The aqueducts form a recreational trail network through 14 communities, including Berlin, Boston, Clinton, Framingham, Marlborough, Natick, Needham, Newton, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Wayland, Wellesley, and Weston.

Local legislators, Senator Karen Spilka and Representative Chris Walsh, had also filed a bill in January 2011 to open the trails.

The bill would allow residents to engage in "passive recreation" along the aqueducts, unless the MWRA's Board of Directors votes to prohibit access to a particular area for security reasons.

Edith Brown, 90, who works as a cashier in Framingham State’s dining commons, received a special service award from Framingham State President Timothy J. Flanagan during the university's commencement on Sunday. Brown, a Natick resident, has worked at the university for 25 years.

By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

The following is based on a prepared statement from Framingham State University:

While Framingham State’s 2012 commencement ceremony this past Sunday primarily celebrated the next generation of highly-educated young people who will drive the Massachusetts economy, the two loudest cheers of the day came in recognition of the accomplishments of a pair of older residents.

During the graduate ceremony, Ralph Pfeiffer, 90, received a standing ovation as he accepted his Master of Education in History.

Pfeiffer also received his bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Framingham State in 2006, at the age of 84.

“Mr. Pfeiffer is truly a model for lifelong learning,” said Scott Greenberg, the association vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education.

The other deafening cheer of the day came during the undergraduate ceremony, when Framingham State President Timothy J. Flanagan presented a special service award to Edith Brown, 90, who works as a cashier in Framingham State’s dining commons.

This year, Brown celebrated her 25th anniversary working at Framingham State, as well as her 90th birthday.

Several of the state’s leaders in the fight to end hunger and improve adolescent nutrition urged the Framingham State graduates to use their talents to help others, during two commencement ceremonies on May 20.

“Do for others in whatever way fits you best,” said undergraduate commencement speaker Catherine D’Amato, the president and CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank. “Give your time, give your money, give your talent. No gift is too small.”

The theme of this year’s commencement was “Food, Hunger and Nutrition.” Thousands of family members and friends watched as a total of 1,252 degrees were conferred during two ceremonies on a beautiful Sunday.

Other special guests included Carolyn Mugar, who accepted an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on behalf of the organization Farm Aid.

Mugar has been executive director of Farm Aid since its founding in 1985 by Will Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp. The organization is dedicated to keeping farm families on their land.

“Family farm agriculture is still at risk,” Mugar said. “You now have the skills and experience to bring about positive changes to our food system.”

Framingham State Food and Nutrition Professor Patricia Luoto served as the graduate commencement speaker. She encouraged the students to develop their character, give back to others and never forget where they came from.

Luoto is director of Framingham State’s John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition and has played a major role in influencing nutrition standards and best practices at schools throughout Massachusetts.

Also during the graduate ceremony, the university presented Citizen Laureate awards to Paul Mina, president and CPO of the United Way of Tri-County, and Katie Millett, executive director of the Office of Nutrition, Health and Safety Programs at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Citizen Laureate award recognizes individuals in the community who have consistently supported Framingham State University and whose work exemplifies the highest level of commitment to service and to the well-being of others.

Framingham State recognized Mina this year for his vision and leadership in establishing Framingham’s Pearl Street Cupboard and Café, which provides food and assistance to local families in need.

Millett, a member of Framingham State’s class of 1978, was honored for her more than 30-year commitment to children and families through her work expanding child nutrition programs.

--
Follow us on Twitter: @yourframingham, @jaclynreiss

Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at jreiss.globe@gmail.com