AVON: Flat roof danger

AVON

FLAT ROOF DANGER - Following the second collapse of a roof inthe Avon Industrial Park at 145 Bodwell St. late last month,Police Chief Warren Phillips is advising that anyone with a flatroof get up there and clear it off. "It happened here, it happenedin Stoughton, it's happening everywhere, due to the amount of snowthis winter," said Phillips. The second collapse at the industrialpark came Jan. 25 as several Avon firefighters were preparing toenter the building to investigate the first collapse. The force wasso strong it threw two men back about 20 feet. - Joan Wilder

BRIDGEWATER

UNIVERSITY'S FIRST GRADUATION - Nearly 600 graduates receivedtheir diplomas at Bridgewater State University's recent wintercommencement convocation, the school's first commencement as auniversity. The address was delivered by Susan Szachowicz, an alumnaand member of the university's board of trustees, who is principalof Brockton High School. President Dana Mohler-Faria awarded anhonorary degree to David B. Jenkins, a Bridgewater native andretired president and chief executive of Shaw's Supermarkets, whohas served as chairman of the university's board of trustees. -Christine Legere

BROCKTON

PARENTS ACADEMY LINEUP - The Brockton schools' Parents' Academy is holding free lectures and events through June, each at 6:30 p.m.at the Arnone School. They include: Feb. 10, Internet safety forchildren; Feb. 17, healthy eating; March 3, drug awareness; March10, family entertainment; March 15, improving children's writing;March 24, health resource fair; March 31, helping siblings get alongbetter; April 5, Best of Brockton family event; April 13, learningabout ADHD; April 27, family fitness; May 19, summer fun resourcefair; June 2, Parents' Academy fifth birthday. For information orto sign up, call Jane Feroli at 508-894-4328. - Steve Hatch

CANTON

NO OPPOSITION FOR INCUMBENTS - A thin slate of candidates islining up for the April 5 town election, with only incumbents inthe running. Bob Burr is seeking another term on the Board ofSelectmen, joining his fellow selectman, Victor D. Del Vecchio, whoannounced his reelection bid previously. Burr, who ranunsuccessfully for state Senate last year, is seeking his third fullterm. "I enjoy the work," said Burr, who is employed in financialservices. Burr said his top priorities will be to continue workingon ways to lower the rising cost of health care and the rezoning ofthe former Plymouth Rubber Co. site. For School Committee, LizSalisbury, who was appointed to the committee a year ago, will seekher first full term, and Jill Stevens will seek reelection.Planning Board member Christopher J. Connolly will seek his secondfive-year term. - Elaine Carroll

CARVER

SCHOOL PROJECT NEEDS VOTE, PANEL SAYS - School officials say thestate's School Building Authority has clearly told the town thatCarver voters must show support at the polls for the elementaryschool building project if the town wants state reimbursement. TownBuilding Study Committee members recently pressed selectmen to askthe School Building Authority whether a Town Meeting vote last fallto fund detailed architectural plans for the project demonstratedvoter support. However, school officials pointed out that in aletter to town officials last month the Massachusetts SchoolBuilding Authority stated that the town "must demonstrate localsupport for funding a school project by passing a ballot questionfor a project with a defined scope and budget." So far no date hasbeen set for a ballot question on funding the school buildingproject. - Robert Knox

DEDHAM

TOWN BIRTHDAY COCKTAIL BASH - They're still working out therecipe for the signature cocktail, but the organizers of Dedham's375th anniversary celebration are inviting the town to its firstevent - a "Cocktails with Cupid" party at the Endicott Estate onFeb. 12. Tickets, at $37.50, are available at Town Hall andvarious places around town. The party will feature music, dancing,food, and that signature cocktail, said Marie-Louise Kehoe, cochairwoman of the Dedham 375 Steering Committee. "This will be thekickoff for the 375th celebration of the founding of the town," shesaid. "We want people to dance to their heart's `content-ment'.Dedham originally was referred to as Contentment. I guess peoplefell in love with the area and were content." - Johanna Seltz

EAST BRIDGEWATER

DECISION TIME FOR SCHOOL PROJECT - A Special Town Meeting toconsider tax increases to build a new high school and senior centerwill start at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in the high school. A specialelection - the second step in the process to approve the taxincreases - has been set for next Saturday, with voting takingplace in the middle school from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those in need oftransportation to either Town Meeting or the middle school forvoting should contact the Council on Aging at 508-378-1610.

- Christine Legere

EASTON

KEEPING OUT THE CHILL - The Housing Authority has received a$70,157 grant in federal stimulus money through the state forheating system repairs at nine low-income homes. According toMichael A. Forbes, executive director of the authority, the moneywill pay to replace heating systems at homes the authority manageson Chandler Way, Day Street, and Barrows Street. The residents paythe utility bills.

- Steve Hatch

FOXBOROUGH

SAGE ADVICE ON COMPUTER PROTECTION - The Boyden Library ishosting a presentation on safeguarding home computer networks withJorge Vega, technical director of the Sage School, Thursday at 7p.m. The Sage School is a private day school in Foxborough.According to Boyden Library director Jerry Cirillo, Sage Schoolofficials decided to hold the event at the library to become moreinvolved with the town. The event is free and open to the public.For information, call the library at 508-543-1245. - Joan Wilder

FREETOWN

SNOW REMOVAL CHANGES CONTEMPLATED - Selectmen last week agreedto take a hard look at increasing the town's future snow removalbudgets and decreasing the level of road clearing as deficitspending for snow removal in this banner year approached a quarterof a million dollars last week. "This year we've blown out thedefinition of normal," said Jean Fox, chairwoman of the Board ofSelectmen. Fox said the town budgeted $60,000 for snow removal, which only covered the salt and sand needed for the roadways and didnot cover pay for the roughly 35 independent contractors the townrelies on to move snow. Although the town can legally overspend thisline item, the result will be that the money will be taken fromreserve accounts typically used to pay bills at the beginning of thenext budget year. Fox said selectmen will continue to review thetopic and may consider staggering shifts and delaying the deploymentof snow removal equipment during storms. - Elaine Carroll

HALIFAX

CENSUS DEADLINE APPROACHES - Friday is the last day to returnthe town's annual census forms to the town clerk. The resultsprovide proof of residency and information for voting, jury, andschool enrollment lists. Although census form completion does notregister an individual for voting or allow one to change politicalparties, residents who fail to return their forms may have theirnames removed from the active voting list. - Christine Legere

HANSON

EMERGENCY CALL LIST - The Council on Aging is looking for helpwith a list it maintains of elderly and infirm residents so that thepolice and fire departments can provide assistance if needed duringsnowstorms and other emergencies. Anyone in town who knows of afamily member or other resident who they believe would benefit frombeing added to the list is asked to contact the senior center. -John Laidler

MANSFIELD

PHOTOS ON DISPLAY - The Morini Gallery is exhibiting the worksof several area photographers. "Most of the works are for sale, andwe have a large variety of artists from the very accomplished andprofessional to the local hobby shutterbug," said Ken Butler, executive director of the Mansfield Music and Arts Society. Theexhibit will continue until March 11. Morini Gallery is open from10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday, and by appointmentevenings and on weekends. For more information visit mmas.org. -Christine Legere

MARION

AIRING THE PROS AND CONS OF WIND PROJECT - The next publicmeeting on the topic of wind power in the Piney Point area of townis scheduled for Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Marion Music Hall onFront Street. Preliminary studies by the Marion Alternative EnergyCommittee have shown that an optimal location for an energy-generating turbine would be on the Great Hill estate near PineyPoint, but many residents of that area have opposed placing aturbine on the hill, saying it would be noisy, unsightly, and lowerhousing values. Energy committee officials said it is too soon tomake any decision on putting a turbine there, which would alsorequire Town Meeting approval.

- Paul Kandarian

MATTAPOISETT

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP ELDERLY - Friends in Service ofHumanity in Mattapoisett is seeking more volunteers. People areneeded to call volunteer drivers to schedule rides, and as driversto take elderly citizens to local medical appointments. For moreinformation on the program and to volunteer, call Jack McGill at 508-758-3542. - Paul Kandarian

MIDDLEBOROUGH

MACDONALD KEEPS POST - Selectmen voted unanimously last week toappoint Judy MacDonald as treasurer and tax collector, a jointposition MacDonald has held for the last two decades. The position,which was an elected office under the town's charter, was changed toan appointed office by a vote of Town Meeting last June. -Christine Legere

NORWOOD

MOVIE NIGHT AT THE LIBRARY - Monday Night at the Movies celebrates Black History Month tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the MorrillMemorial Library with "The Great Debaters," starring DenzelWashington. Sign up for the free movie at either the libraryreference desk or the information desk. Or call 781-769-0200, ext.110 or ext. 222. The series is sponsored by the Friends of theLibrary. - Michele Bolton

RAYNHAM

ELECTION PROCESS OPEN - Nomination papers for the April 23 annual election are available in the town clerk's office. The ballotwill include seats on the Board of Selectmen, Board of Assessors,Housing Authority, and Sewer Commission, along with the position oftown moderator. Two seats on the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional SchoolCommittee will also be up for grabs. - Christine Legere

ROCHESTER

TIME FOR TAXES - The town has sent out property tax bills forthe first part of the year. The first-half payment is due Feb. 22, officials said, and the second half by May 2. Anyone not receivingtheir tax bill should contact the tax collector's office at 508-763-3871, ext. 16. Anyone with questions about property values andabatements can call the assessor's office, 508-763-5250. - PaulKandarian

SHARON

EDUCATION WARNING BELL - The Sharon Public Schools and theSharon Education Foundation are sponsoring a free showing of themovie "Race to Nowhere" on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Sharon HighSchool. The movie is a call to families, educators, experts, andpolicymakers to examine current assumptions about the best way toeducate America's youth, according to the foundation. The filmexamines the high-stakes, high-pressure culture now prevalent inAmerican schools. Visit www.racetonowhere.com to learn more aboutthe film. - Matt Carroll

STOUGHTON

IMPASSE PERSISTS ON SCHOOL BUDGET - It appears Town Meeting willhave two different school budgets to consider when it meets on May2. Three lawyers - two consulted by the School Committee and one byTown Manager Francis Crimmins - agree that Crimmins was within hisrights when he set his own figure for the schools in the budget herecommended to the selectmen. That budget is about $2 million lessthan the amount submitted by the School Committee. The lawyers alsosaid that the School Committee's proposed budget, along with the onesubmitted by Crimmins, must be considered by the town's Committee onFinance and Taxation. The committee will make a recommendation toTown Meeting, which will have the final say on the budget. WhileTown Meeting sets the budget figure, only the School Committee candecide how the money is spent. - Rich Fahey

WALPOLE

POLICE OFFICERS HIRED - The Walpole Police Department has madethree new hires to replace three officers who retired, said PoliceChief Richard Stillman. One, Luke Parlon of Norwood, began worklast week, and the other two, Walpole natives Patrick Moriarty andIan Tolland, are expected to join the force after they complete the26-week police academy. As recently as 2004, the department had 41police officers, but the number has dwindled to 37 due to budgetcuts. - Joan Wilder

WAREHAM

LIBRARY GOLF - On Sunday, Feb. 20, the Wareham Free Library will be transformed into an 18-hole miniature golf course for a fund-raising event called "Fore! For The Friends," organized by theFriends of the Wareham Free Library and A.D. Makepeace Co. Theevent will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Golfers will have achance to play mini-golf through the stacks and reading areas, andthere will be face-painting, refreshments, raffles, and games. Thelibrary is located at 59 Marion Road. For more information, visitthe library's website at www.warehamfreelibrary.org. - EmilySweeney

WEST BRIDGEWATER

ROAD PROJECT REDESIGNS REQUESTED - Town officials have asked thestate Department of Transportation to revise the design of itsproject to improve the intersection at routes 106 and 28. The towndelivered the request at a Jan. 27 public hearing state officialsheld at Town Hall on the design, which is 25 percent complete. Onetown request is for a dedicated right-turn lane on Route 28 forvehicles heading south and turning onto Route 106 west, accordingto Planning Board member Hugh Hurley. He said the current designonly calls for replacing the perpendicular turn at that corner witha rounded one. The town is also concerned that the design calls fora realignment of Central Square - a short street perpendicular toRoute 28 - that would bring the square within a portion of thegreen area where the town's Civil War monument sits. And he saidthe town is concerned that the design calls for seven lanes oftraffic at Route 106 west and Route 28 north, too much pavement atone location, and would require too much private land to be taken. - John Laidler

WESTWOOD

COLLEGE PLANNING NIGHT - Weather has postponed College PlanningNight at Westwood High School until Tuesday at 7 p.m. The programwill be held in the auditorium. Juniors starting their collegesearch process and their parents are encouraged to come and hearadvice from Lynne Medsker, the school's director of guidance, andalso Christine Kenyon from Babson College. Sophomores and theirparents are also invited to attend. - Michele Bolton

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