Natick places moratorium on medical marijuana facilities
Town Meeting members voted Thursday to place a year-long moratorium on medical marijuana facilities in Natick.
According to Town Clerk Diane Packer, two new bylaws that define a "medical marijuana treatment center" and place a moratorium on such a facility until May 1, 2014 passed by wide margins.
Massachusetts' medical marijuana law was approved by voters in November 2012 and became effective Jan. 1, 2013. However, Town Administrator Martha White had previously said that the state Department of Public Health had yet to draft rules regulating marijuana dispensaries by the time Natick's Town Meeting Warrant was drafted.
White had said that it didn't make any sense for Natick to create zoning regulating a medical marijuana treatment center until the state's regulations could be reviewed.
John Swinconeck can be reached at johnswinc@gmail.com.
Framingham Town Meeting votes to check legal immigration status of ESL students
After some heated debate, Framingham Town Meeting members on Wednesday voted to request that selectmen verify the legal immigration status of participants of the town's adult English as a Second Language program.
The non-binding resolution passed by a narrow margin, 51-49, with three abstentions.
Framingham's Ways and Means Committee Chair Audrey Hall made the motion for the resolution. She said her committee was concerned that illegal immigrants may be crowding the waiting list for ESL classes, and forcing delays upon legal immigrants.
Hall said the committee was also concerned about the ESL sign-up process, which inquires whether a potential participant has legal status, but does not require that participant to furnish proof.
According to Town Attorney Christopher J. Petrini, the resolution is a legal gray area. The ESL program uses federal funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, but there is no requirement under the terms of the grant to make participants furnish proof of their immigration status.
Town Meeting member William LaBarge said Framingham should have the right to declare what the law ought to be. "I think the resolution is appropriate," he said.
Town Meeting member Robert Snider strongly approved of the resolution, stating the ESL courses are a taxpayer-funded program, not a charity.
However, Town Meeting Member Yaakov Z. Cohn decried the resolution as one that was attempting to squeeze out illegal immigrants who may be using the ESL program to help become citizens.
Lloyd Kaye, who is a member of the ways and means committee, also opposed the resolution. "I thought that we had learned our lessons from the Civil Rights movement, but we haven't," he said.
According to the Framingham ESL Plus website, the program takes in more than 750 students each semester. It operates as a department of the public school system.
The resolution was made as part of an article that allows selectmen to accept and expend funds through a Community Development Block Grant provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That article passed unamended.
"There was concern there was a limited number of slots in the program," said Hall, after Town Meeting had adjourned for the night. "It was in such high demand, and we had heard concerns over whether the program was for people with legal alien status versus illegal alien status."
She continued: "There's only a limited number of slots, so let's find out what the rule is. It's really not a matter of anyone's opinion. We're not trying to express an opinion as to who's entitled to more education to better themselves. We're just saying, here's a program that's funded with federal dollars, and we need to know whether we're supposed to be giving priority to people have legal status or not. That's it."
The move comes as Congress considers a far-reaching overhaul that would legalize immigrants who are here illegally.
Selectmen on Thursday – the second night of Town Meeting – said they will tackle any resolutions passed at Town Meeting once the warrant is closed. With only four of 43 articles passed on Wednesday, that might be a while.
Selectmen Chairman Dennis Giombetti said selectmen will be cautious in its approach to the resolution.
"We'll take a look and see what options we'll have," he said.
Selectman Michael Bower likewise sounded a note of caution, and stressed that the board will likely get legal advice from town counsel before deciding whether or not to enact the resolution.
"No one wants to get the town sued," said Bower.
The narrow margin by which the resolution passed meant it was unclear whether the "will of the town" was heard, he added.
"Town Meeting was pretty split," Bower said.
John Swinconeck can be reached at JohnSwinc@gmail.com
Markey, Gomez easily carry Natick
Mirroring Tuesday's state-wide primary results, Rep. Edward J. Markey and Gabriel E. Gomez easily won over Natick voters on their road to secure their party's nominations in the race for U.S. Senate.
According to unofficial results from the Natick Town Clerk's office, Democrat Markey, who represents Natick in the Massachusetts 5th District in the U.S. House, bested rival Stephen Lynch 2,323-902, or 72 percent to 28 percent.
Republican Gomez was the clear winner on the GOP side with 480 ballots cast in his favor, or about 50 percent of the vote, compared to Michael J. Sullivan with 316 or 33 percent, and Daniel B. Winslow at 152 or 16 percent.
The special election to fill the seat of former Sen. John Kerry will be held June 25.
Natick Farmer's Market, Lookout Farm open houses are this weekend
Local residents can celebrate the first of May Saturday with two events that celebrate Natick's agricultural heritage. The Natick Farmer's Market reopens for the summer season with an opening day celebration Saturday, and Belkin Family Lookout Farm is hosting a free open house as well.
About 40 food vendors, plus artists and crafters will be on hand for the farmer's market, which will be located at the corner of South Main and Common streets. Rise and Shine yoga will kick off the day at the Common Street Community Church at 8 a.m. Other events include live music by Pharmacy, a martial arts demonstration, and Flamenco dancing.
"I enjoy the community of vendors ad the liveliness of the market," said India Young, manager of Natick Center Associates. "There's a great variety of items to choose from."
The farmer's market will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday until Nov. 16. For more information, go to natickfarmersmarket.com.
Belkin Family Lookout Farm is opening its gates for an open house with free admission Saturday and Sunday. Activities and events include rides through the orchards, a burlap maze a children's play area, face painting and kids' rides.
Established in 1651, the 180-acre farm features a variety farm animals and more than 60,000 fruit trees.
Hours for both days are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The farm is located on 89 Pleasant St. South. Go to www.lookoutfarm.com for more information.
John Swinconeck can be reached at johnswinc@gmail.com.
Natick school nurse wins excellence award
NATICK — Barbara Singer knew since the age of nine that she wanted to be a nurse, a career she's pursued for the last 27 years. Now, her dedication to her profession is being recognized.
Singer, who has been a nurse at the Bennett-Hemenway Elementary School in Natick, been honored with the 2013 William P. Doran Foundation's Excellence in Nursing Award.
Recipients of the award are Massachusetts school nurses who make significant contributions to the health of children, while maintaing high standards of professional and personal integrity, according to the foundation.
"I'm one of the lucky ones," Singer said. "I've known since I was 9-years-old that I've wanted to be a nurse."
Singer said that was when a sibling suffered a serious injury, and was bedridden for months.
"I saw all the work that the nurses did, and I knew that's what I wanted to do," she said.
Singer, who had previously worked as a critical care nurse at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, said she has worked in Natick schools for the last 10 years.
School nursing, she said, goes far beyond just giving out bandages. Singer said it's become a field that addresses a wide array of health and wellness needs of children.
"It's really evolved into a specialized area of nursing," she said. "I love it. I love working with children, with kids with special needs. I work in an elementary program where the kids are at the school for five years. It's so rewarding to see them develop and grow."
Singer said she was grateful to be nominated and honored to have won the award.
"There is an incredible group of school nurses in Natick," Singer said. "I want people to know that they (the nurses) are an important part of the school district."
The Doran Award includes a paid trip to the annual meeting of the National Association of School Nurses, or $2,000 for tuition of an educational program of Singer's choice.
The award was presented at the spring meeting of the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization April 6 in Marlborough. The Natick School Committee recognized Singer's accomplishment at their April 22 meeting.
Moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries up for vote at Natick Town Meeting
Natick Town Meeting members will congregate Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Natick High School Auditorium for the annual Town Meeting. Town Meeting members will decide whether to accept the finance committee's recommended $125 million budget. That includes a $48.2 million school budget–a 3.6 percent increase over the current fiscal year.
There are 43 articles on this year's warrant, including questions regarding the operating budget, money to study the repair or replacement of Kennedy Middle School, and an amendment to the town's bylaws that would place a moratorium on the opening of any medical marijuana dispensaries within the town.
Articles 38 and 39 would place a moratorium on establishing any medical marijuana facility within the town until May 1, 2014.
Massachusetts medical marijuana law was approved by voters in November 2012 and became effective Jan. 1, 2013. However, Town Administrator Martha White said that the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health had yet to draft rules regulating marijuana dispensaries by the time Natick's Town Meeting Warrant was drafted.
White said that it didn't make any sense for Natick to create zoning regulating a medical marijuana treatment center until the state's regulations could be reviewed.
A yes vote on Article 5 would appropriate more than $224,000 from its free cash fund to an OPEB liability trust fund that voters authorized by Town Meeting in 2011. OPEB – an acronym for Other Post Employee Benefits – refers to benefits that a municipality is mandated to pay its retired employees. According to the governor's office, the cost of public employee health benefits has resulted in a more than $40 billion liability for the commonwealth and municipalities combined. Should the state choose to enforce the liability on municipalities, Natick could be on the hook for $117 million, according to White.
"Most communities are trying to get a head start on this," White said. "The liability is so staggering. Imposing this require on local government is a very wrong-headed thing to do. The notion is that employers who offer health care to employees, post-retirement, have liability such that if they were to go out of business, they would not be able to fund that liability."
White said the odds of a municipality going out of business are extremely slim, and the potential mandate from the state was "overly onerous."
Live broadcasts of Town Meeting can be viewed on Comcast Channel 9, RCN Channel 15, or Verizon Channel 28.
Pan-Massachusetts Challenge organizes "Kids Rides" to raise money for cancer research
Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) Kids Rides needs tots, teens and in-betweens to spin their wheels and raise money for cancer research and treatment. This spring, summer and fall, 38 PMC Kids Rides will be held throughout New England and beyond, offering a way for children to become a part of the PMC mission, according to a press release.
The rides range from loops around the block to a 26-mile route. Post-ride parties feature DJs, refreshments, face painting, and silent auctions.
In 2012, 33 PMC Kids Rides attracted more than 4,400 young cyclists, 2,300 volunteers and 4,000 parents, raising $829,000 for the PMC.
Proceeds from the PMC Kids Rides will benefit the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, which supports adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. PMC Kids Rides involve young people in volunteerism and fundraising in a safe and athletic way.
Sunday, May 5
PMC Shrewsbury-Grafton Kids Ride
9 a.m. to noon
Brookwood School, 1 Brookwood Road, Manchester
Open to cyclists ages 3 to 13 and volunteers ages 14 and up
There is a $10 registration fee and a $25 fundraising minimum.
Sunday, May 12
PMC Belmont Kids Ride
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Belmont Hill School, 350 Prospect Street, Belmont
Open to cyclists ages 3 to 12
There is a $15 registration fee and a $25 fundraising minimum.
Sunday, May 19
PMC Dover-Sherborn Kids Ride
9 a.m. to noon
Dover-Sherborn Middle School, 155 Farm Street, Dover, Mass.
Open to cyclists ages 3 to 14
There is a $15 registration fee and a $25 fundraising minimum.
PMC Framingham Kids Ride
8 a.m. to noon
Brophy School, 575 Pleasant Street, Framingham
Open to cyclists ages 3 to 12
There is a $10 registration fee and a $25 fundraising minimum.
PMC Natick Kids Ride
8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Belkin Lookout Farm, 89 Pleasant Street, Natick
Open to cyclists ages 2 to 12
There is a $10 registration fee and a $25 fundraising minimum.
Contributions can be made payable to the Pan-Mass Challenge. To register, visit http://kids.pmc.org. For more information, call 800-WE-CYCLE.
Metrowest YMCA's Healthy Kids Day on April 27 aims to help kids exercise minds and bodies
This press release was submitted by the MetroWest YMCA.
On Saturday, April 27th, the MetroWest YMCA is celebrating YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day with a free community event that encourages kids in the MetroWest area to get moving and learning, and families living healthier.
Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, takes place at 1,900 Ys and kick-starts healthier behaviors now and throughout the summer, a critical out-of-school time for children’s health.
The MetroWest YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at the Framingham Branch of the Y at 280 Old Connecticut from 1:30-4:30 p.m. and features fun, active play and educational activities. Some of the activities include a bouncy castle, an obstacle course, gymnastics on the low beam and tumble track, a family group exercise class and Radio Disney.
Many U.S. children do not get the daily recommended hours of physical activity and reading, and daily amounts of healthy foods. According to the latest findings of the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot – a survey of parents that gauges their children’s activity levels during the school year – only 19 percent of children get 60 minutes of physical activity, only 17 percent read books for fun, and only 12 percent eat at least eight fruits and vegetables daily.
“At the MetroWest YMCA, we know parents struggle to keep their kids physically and intellectually active every day. We want to help ensure fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity and more kids excel in school,” said Richard MacPherson, President & CEO of the MetroWest YMCA. “The YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will get kids moving and learning while also helping families get a jump on creating a healthier summer, and ultimately a healthier future.”
Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. On April 27th, the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to grow and achieve all summer long.
The YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported locally at the MetroWest YMCA by the Framingham Rotary Club. Nationally media partners are Sprout and Lazy Town, who are committed to encouraging kids to lead a healthy lifestyle.
For more information, contact Miriam Kimball at 508 879-4420 ext. 53 or visit www.metrowestymca.org.
Even outside lockdown area, some colleges close during hunt for Boston Marathon bombing suspect
Even outside the communities on official lockdown, some colleges and universities are closed today as authorities search for a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings. Regis College, Mass Bay Community College, and Wellesley College have all closed their doors.
A Wellesley College spokeswoman sent the following statement by email:
"At this point, there is no direct threat to the town of Wellesley or Wellesley College, but due to the continually changing nature of events that are unfolding today, the College made the decision to close," said Sofiya Cabalquinto in the email.
The Regis College website this morning advised those already on campus in Weston to stay on campus, which is in lockdown, and instructed those who have not already come in to stay away.
Mass Bay closed its three campuses in Ashland, Framingham, and Wellesley. The school’s service area covers 27 cities and towns, including most of those on lockdown, said Jeremy Solomon, spokesman for MassBay.
“In the interest of public safety for our campus community, we felt it would be best to close all three campuses at this time,” he said by phone.
Other schools outside the lockdown communities remained open but advised students who live in the lockdown area to stay put.
Such was the case with Babson College and Framingham State University.
Framingham State sent out an alert by phone or text message to students telling those who live in the locked down communities to stay where they are, according to Dan Magazu, university spokesman.
The Globe reported earlier that the following schools are closed: MIT, Harvard, Brandeis, BU, BC, Boston Conservatory, Bentley, Suffolk, Northeastern, Simmons, Berklee, Wheelock, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Tufts, Emmanuel, and Emerson have canceled classes today.
Two express trains are added to Worcester/Framingham commuter rail schedule
The MBTA’s new Worcester/Framingham line commuter rail schedule includes the addition of two express trains, Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail announced Thursday. The changes will take effect April 29.
One train will be added inbound to South Station and another outbound to Worcester, according to a press release.
The inbound express train departs Worcester at 6:20 a.m., makes one stop
in Framingham at 7 a.m., continues to Back Bay, and arrives at South Station at 7:43 a.m.
The outbound express train departs South Station at 5:35 p.m., makes stops at Back Bay (5:41 p.m.) and Framingham (6:13 p.m.), and arrives in Worcester at 6:43 p.m.
Other schedule updates include: Outbound train departure from South Station will change from 7:38 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., and from 5:35 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
Pocket schedules will be available at South Station by Wednesday, April 24th.
For more information, as well as updated online schedules for the Framingham/Worcester line, visit www.MBCR.net and www.mbta.com.
Waiting for Twitter to feed in the latest...