Acton Board of Selectmen hold goal-setting meeting

ELECTION FOR NEW SCHOOL BOARD — School Committee members Daniel Gleason, Patrick Kelly, and Brenda Magno were chosen as the town’s first representatives on the newly formed Ayer-Shirley Regional School Committee, after running unopposed in Monday’s special election. As a way to stagger future elections for the regional board, the length of the terms on last week’s ballot are being based on the number of votes each candidate received. Kelly will serve for three years, after tallying 92 votes; Gleason has a two-year term, with 89 votes; and Magno, with 79, gets one year. The election drew just 113 out of the town’s 4,752 registered voters. The regional school district is expected to be operating by September 2011. — Davis Bushnell

REPORT CARDS FOR SCHOOLS — In accordance with requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, school officials have submitted report cards evaluating each of the town’s public schools on criteria including student assessment results, dropout rates, and teacher qualifications. Details on the reports for Bedford High School, Glenn Middle School, Lane Elementary School, and Davis Elementary School, as well as a comprehensive districtwide report card, have been posted on the school district’s website, www.bedford.k12.ma.us. — Nancy Shohet West

BIG CHECK — State Treasurer Tim Cahill and Katherine Craven, executive director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, were in town last week to present the school district with a check for nearly $21.2 million to go toward the new Tahanto Regional Middle/High School. Several lawmakers also attended the check presentation. Voters recently approved the town’s share of the $43 million school, which is expected to be ready for the start of classes in the fall of 2011. “A new Tahanto will mean a better learning and teaching environment for the students and teachers of the district, and it is another example of the commitment, collaboration, and the partnership the MSBA has with districts,’’ Craven said to mark the presentation. — Jennifer Fenn Lefferts

NEW SUBDIVISION — The Planning Board has approved a new 15-lot subdivision on Sugar Road, says Town Planner Jennifer Atwood Burney. The developer, High Oaks Realty Trust of Groton, will set aside 44 acres of the 72-acre property as open space as part of the plan, said Burney. There will also be a community garden as part of the designated open space for residents to use for recreational purposes, she added.

FIFER’S DAY EVENTS — The town’s annual Fifer’s Day celebrations will take place on June 19. Festivities will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a 4-mile road race, followed at 11 a.m. by a parade from Blanchard Memorial School to Flerra Field The Golden Fife award will be presented to a distinguished citizen in town, and the fair will kick off at noon at the field. The lineup of events includes a crafts fair, food, music, children’s games and activities, a volleyball tournament, and booths set up by local organizations.

GRANT REQUEST DENIED — Fire Chief Joseph Flanagan is expecting to ask voters next year for a new firetruck, after his request for a $500,000 federal grant was turned down recently. “It will probably be a hard sell’’ in this economy, he noted. Flanagan said the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected the request because his department has already received about $2 million in federal grants since 2002, which is more than many other fire departments. — Matt Gunderson

GORECKI WINS RACE FOR BOARD — In the only contested race on the annual town ballot, lawyer John Gorecki beat local business owner Larry Bearfield for a seat on the Board of Selectmen. Gorecki garnered 482 votes to Bearfield’s 385 in the May 18 election. All four ballot questions passed, including authorization to raise property taxes through a Proposition 2 1/2 debt-exclusion override to pay for feasibility studies for improvements to both Concord-Carlisle Regional High School and Minuteman Career & Technical High School. Voters also approved funding for a new firetruck, and a nonbinding referendum to take up a discussion on the Community Preservation Act surcharge. — Nancy Shohet West

SPECIAL ELECTION FOR OVERRIDE — The Board of Selectmen has called a special town election for June 8, when residents will vote on a request to raise property taxes through a Proposition 2 1/2 debt-exclusion override. The vote follows last month’s decision by Town Meeting to approve spending $1.3 million for a feasibility study and schematic design for a Concord-Carlisle Regional High School construction project.

SPRING DANCE AT CLUB — There will be a spring dance at the Groton Country Club on June 6, featuring waltzing, swing dancing, salsa, and many more styles of dance and music. The gala will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Cocktails and appetizers will be available. Tickets are $10 and should be purchased in advance. Call 978-302-8488 for ticket information.

STICKERS FOR SALE — Transfer-station stickers allowing access to the town’s trash disposal site for the upcoming fiscal year will be available beginning Tuesday. For residents who purchase a sticker by June 30, the cost is $235, $25 less than the price in July. More information is available in the tax collector’s office at 978-456-4100, ext. 17. — Davis Bushnell

CPA GRANTS AVAILABLE — The town’s Community Preservation Committee has almost $350,000 available for local nonprofit groups and other organizations seeking funding for eligible projects. The money, which is raised through a local property-tax surcharge and matching funds from the state, can be spent only on affordable housing, open space or historical preservation efforts. The deadline to submit applications is Aug. 6. Town Meeting will have the final say on projects approved by the committee during its November session. For information about applying, contact committee chairwoman Jennifer Burke at 978-562-9963. — John Dyer

SHARE THOSE PHOTOS — Want to relive a little bit of last summer before this summer begins, without applying sunscreen? A monthly photo-sharing workshop will be held in the Tarbell Room at Lincoln Public Library on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Show off your favorite pictures from this graduation season, springtime, or from your vacation at the beach last summer. Bring them on a laptop, USB drive, or CD. For more information, call the library at 781-259-8465.

REZONING TO BOOST VILLAGE — After months of discussion, Special Town Meeting voters recently approved amendments to the zoning map and zoning bylaws that were proposed as a way to support business growth in the center of town while preserving its character. The changes, recommended by the town’s Common Overlay District study, involve rezoning the designated Area A in the Littleton Common Overlay District for village zoning, and the designated Area B for overlay zoning. Both articles passed with more than the two-thirds vote required for changing zoning laws. As explained by Town Administrator Keith Bergman, “Passage of these two articles promotes economic development consistent with community character, and helps achieve important community goals, including strengthening the Village Center.’’

MARKETING OFFICE SPACE — The Marlborough Economic Development Corporation, a public-private business group formerly known as Marlborough 2010, is developing a database of vacant properties to help attract investors to the city. About one-third of Marlborough’s available office space is vacant, according to the corporation’s marketing manager, Ajita Perera. The corporation’s board elected lawyer Arthur Bergeron as chairman on May 12, and launched a website, www.marlboroughedc.com. The website features information about parcels the city has identified as open for speedy development.

FORMER DUMP GOING GREEN — Town officials will issue a request for proposals this week to study erecting solar panels, wind turbines, and methane-capturing facilities on the former landfill, said Town Manager Michael Sullivan. On May 17, hoping to eventually save money on utility bills or sell electricity back to the grid, Town Meeting members appropriated $15,000 for the study. The projects would take up around 10 acres of the 30-acre landfill on Waltham Street. Because the property can’t be used for athletic fields or other public purposes, green energy-generating projects could be a perfect fit for the site, Sullivan added. The study would determine whether the town should build the facilities, or lease the area to a company that would develop the projects and provide income for the town. — John Dyer

PARADE ROUTE CHANGES — In February, the Board of Selectmen — after a heated debate and split-vote decision — approved changes to the Memorial Day parade route and starting time. As a result, the parade will assemble tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Gale and Monroe streets. The first observance will be at the Civil War monument at Monroe and Main streets at 10:45 a.m. The parade will then proceed east along Main Street, or Route 20, to Church Street, and continue to the World War I monument at Church and Whitney streets for the second observance. From there the parade will continue to the Howard Street Cemetery, and end by traveling on Main Street to the combined World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War monument at Pierce and Hudson streets for a flag-raising ceremony. The changes, according to veterans agent Richard Perron, will minimize traffic disruption on Route 20 and increase attendance at the event. Parking is available for residents participating in the parade at Assabet Park, near the start of the parade route. — Jennifer Roach

TAX WORK-OFF — The town is offering a property tax work-off program that will help senior citizens pay their tax bills and increase involvement for seniors in municipal government. To be eligible for the program, residents must be age 60 or older, and own and occupy property that taxes have been paid on for a minimum of 10 years. Only one abatement is allowed per household. The income limits are $35,000 for singles and $50,000 for married couples. Applications are available at the SENIOR Center, 37 Nashua Road. For further information, call 978-433-0326 or e-mail coa@town.pepperell.ma.us. — John M. Guilfoil

DEADLINE FOR SCHOOL FUND-RAISER — An event to raise funds for textbooks and educational equipment in the town’s public schools is scheduled for June 12. The second annual Celebration in the Garden — held at the historic Pease Tavern, home of Hannah and Jim Kane — will feature the “auctioning off’’ of School Committee members; that is, members will contribute their time and labor for the highest bidder. Kane, a member of the fund-raising committee, said that last year, an auction of similar time from the Board of Selectmen — won by the owner of a Dunkin’ Donuts shop — helped raise $9,000. This year, the event will also feature music, food and drink, and raffles. Tickets to the evening are $50 and must be obtained by Tuesday. To purchase, contact Kane at 508-842-2894. — James O’Brien

ONE MORE SUMMER FOR YOUTH CAMP — Due to the town’s budget crunch, this may be the last year for local youths to enjoy the town’s Youth and Family Services annual summer camp. Funding for the 25-year-old program was cut this winter to help lower the town’s budget. For this summer at least, however, the town’s Trust Fund Committee stepped up and is subsidizing the camp program. This year’s camp is titled “Sizzling Summer Scene” and consists of three sessions during July and August. Campers can sign up for Session 1 (July 12-23), Session 2 (July 26-Aug. 6) or Session 3 (Aug. 9-20). The camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday camp days will consist of indoor/outdoor games, arts and crafts, and other activities, while Tuesday and Thursday are field-trip days, with visits to places like Southwick’s Zoo, Fenway Park, Old Sturbridge Village, and Canobie Lake Park. Each session costs $300 and some scholarship aid is available. More information is available at www.southboroughtown.com.

MOSQUITO CONTROL IN TOWN — Members of the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project have made plans to continue a round of visits to town to investigate residents’ complaints about the local insect population and plan their spraying efforts, according to the town website, www.stow-ma.gov. Visits are slated for the next four Thursdays, starting this week. Complaints about mosquitoes can be registered at the control project’s office by calling 508-393-3055 during regular office hours.

PARADE ROUTE OUTLINED — The town will continue a 100-year-old tradition of honoring veterans on Memorial Day with its annual parade tomorrow. The local ceremonies will cite the contributions of local veterans beginning with King Philip’s War in 1675-1676, according to the town’s Memorial Day Committee. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at Rugged Bear Plaza, and will follow Route 20 and Concord Road, stopping at the Civil War Monument, World War II Monument, Vietnam Monument, and King Philip Monument. Marchers will include Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, a delegation of Native Americans, the American Legion, the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute, the Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companies, and Sudbury veterans. Organizers are recommending that veterans without a uniform wear dark dress pants, white dress shirt, and a hat that shows a branch of service or veterans organization. — Amanda Fakhreddine

STATE PARKING PASSES — The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is offering free day-parking passes to use at all state parks or properties, according to the town’s website, www.wayland.ma.us. The passes can be reserved by calling the Recreation Department at 508-358-3660. Residents can pick up the passes on weekdays at 10 a.m. and must return them by 10 a.m. the next day. For weekend use, residents must pick up the pass after 10 a.m. on Friday and return the pass by 10 a.m. on Monday. For a complete list of parks, visit www.massparks.org.

PROGRAMS TO FIGHT BULLYING — The town’s schools are sponsoring a daylong event Wednesday to educate students and parents about bullying and cyberbullying. Students in grades 6 through 9 will attend a lecture by John Halligan, a national speaker on the topic of youth bullying, who lost his own son to suicide in 2003 after being taunted by bullies at school and online. Parents can attend an adults-only presentation by Halligan, “Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Youth Depression,’’ at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Mill Pond School auditorium, 6 Olde Hickory Path. For details, contact Kathy Martin, director of technology for the school district, at 508-836-7724 or kmartin@westborough.k12.ma.us. — Jennifer Roach