Chelmsford schools issue flu policy

ZWICKER JOINS FORCE - Justin Zwicker, a reserve officer since July 2007, was sworn in as a full-time police officer recently. In late September, Zwicker completed 26 weeks of training at the police academy offered by the Municipal Police Training Committee. He filled a long-time vacancy in the Essex Police Department.- David Rattigan

TOWN MEETING CONSIDERS SPENDING - The town will hold a Special Town Meeting in the Middle High School at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 to vote on eight articles to amend the 2009 Annual Town Meeting warrant. Two high-ticket items include a request for $125,000 from the Water Department Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings for the purchase of engineering services to upgrade the town’s water system, and $225,000 for engineering services to upgrade the town’s well and associated equipment. In addition, residents will vote on whether to raise, through free cash and other resources, $115,000 for the removal and replacement of an inoperable boiler at the Penn Brook School. - David Cogger

HE KNOWS THE DRILL - The Board of Selectmen recently hired Tom Groux of Groux Associates, North Chatham, as the town manager search consultant. Hamilton is changing its government structure and replacing the town administrator with a town manager, and the board hopes to make the hire by the spring. In addition to his recruiting background, Selectman Bill Bowler noted, Groux has been a town manager for a town making a similar transition four times. - David Rattigan

FINANCE COMMITTEE OPENINGS - The town has announced two openings on the Finance Committee. The committee’s responsibilities include meeting with departments and boards to review budgetary requests and recommending a uniform budget before annual Town Meeting. Residents interested in applying should have experience with town meeting, and be familiar with budgeting and local government services. According to bylaws, elected officials are not allowed to serve on the Finance Committee. For more information, contact moderator Robert Bender at 978-346-4529. - David Cogger

FESTIVAL OF TREES - Tickets are now available for Taste of the Festival, the gala opening night celebration of Methuen’s Festival of Trees. Celebrity hosts Matt Siegel of Kiss 108 and Billy Costa of NECN’s “TV Diner’’ will be on hand for the event, which takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 20 at Valley Office Park, 13 Branch St. Tickets are limited to 300 attendees at a cost of $50 per person, and include a sampling of specialty dishes from many of the area’s finest restaurants. Over 200 decorated trees will be on display for the kickoff of the festival, an annual event that raises funds for historic preservation in the city. For more information, call 978-685-8878 or e-mail info@methuenfestivaloftrees.com.- Karen Sackowitz

A TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING - The Topsfield Historical Society will hold its annual Thanksgiving Open House from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 26 at the Parson Capen House on Howlett Street. The Barrett family, dressed in period clothing, will greet guests, roast a turkey in the open fireplace, and offer hot and cold cider and popcorn as refreshments. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. For more information, call Alison D’Amario days at 508-641-8814 or evenings at 978 887-8321. - David Cogger

SUPPORTING THE TIGERS - Crafters are needed for the Friends of Tyngsborough High School Athletics Sixth Annual Holiday Marketplace, taking place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Tyngsborough Elementary School. Table rentals are available for exhibitors of handcrafted pieces or gift and decorative items, as well as representatives of business services and home-based businesses. For information on exhibiting, e-mail holidaymarketplace@verizon.net, call Karen at 978-649-9751, or visit www.tyngsborosports.org. Friends of Tyngsborough High School Athletics is a nonprofit booster club that provides communication and fund-raising in support of all athletics at the high school.- Karen Sackowitz

TROUBLE OFFSHORE - A new report by the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership has found population growth to be a continuing threat to Seacoast waters. The 32-page report released late last month found increased nitrogen levels and 10 other environmental factors indicating the declining quality of the waters in Great Bay and the Hampton/Seabrook estuaries. The group attributed the decline to population increases. - Tom Long

APARTMENTS REJECTED - The zoning Board of Adjustment has rejected a proposal to build two three-story apartment buildings on Pine Hill Road. The board unanimously rejected the hilltop development despite a determination by the Federal Aviation Administration that the buildings would not be a hazard to navigation at nearby Boire airfield. Opponents of the project, led by former Nashua mayor Don Davidson, a retired airline pilot, persuaded the board that the housing might interfere with navigation after an expansion of the runway at the airfield expected in 2011. - Tom Long