Jonathan Beder, the Assistant Superintendent of the Stoughton DPW, was hired by Plymouth Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz to be the new DPW Director for the Town of Plymouth. Stankiewicz, the former Stoughton Town Manager, said Beder will be starting his new job in mid-March. Stankiewicz told About Town, "We were grooming him in Stoughton to take over when [Stoughton D.P.W. Superintendent] John Batchelder retired. He's not yet fully groomed, but the timing is right. We [Plymouth] need a DPW director now. He brings a great skill set to the job. He has a bachelor's degree in construction …

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:  Belated Happy Birthday to Selectman John Anzivino, who celebrated yesterday.  John has been working at National Grid for close to two decades. His wife Barbara, is a member of the Finance Committee.  COHEN TRIAL: The re-trial of former Stoughton Police Sgt. David Cohen in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham should be coming to an end today.  Defense Attorney William Sullivan and Special Prosecutor George Jabour are giving their final arguments in the trial this morning, and it will then go to the jury. Cohen is again charged with extortion, two counts of witness intimidation, …

AL LIPKIND IS SMILING:  The late Al Lipkind has got to be smiling at us from above. The defibrillators he worked so hard to put in every police vehicle and town building have already saved a life.  While he was battling bravely against the cancer that eventually took his life, he fought for the defibrillators and the Community Preservation Act.  One saved a life, another has saved the town future spending.  Meanwhile, the Stoughton Lions Club is donating four Zoll Automated External Defibrillators to the Stoughton Police Department. FROM CLINTON TO STOUGHTON: The Town's new Human Resources …

PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEMORIES: “Hank Herbowy Presents” at Stoughton Historical Society,  6 Park St.  in Downtown Stoughton. It all happens on Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m.    Hank Herbowy, former curator of the Stoughton Historical Society and recent recipient of the Jack Sidebottom Award, will present a narrated slide show of pictures he has taken over the last twenty years including the demolition of the old Town Spa, the construction and opening of McDonald’s and Ikea, a Nascar race, Sarah Palin’s visit to Boston, a tour of the Armory, Town events, Historical Society activities and more.   Hank…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Anne-Marie Lambert, who celebrated her birthday yesterday at Little Theatre of Stoughton's "Annie," which featured her husband David and daughter Hannah.  She works for Christmas Tree Shops.  Also, Happy Birthday to Paul Greenfield, a retired Homeland Security employee, and an active volunteer for Ahavath Torah Congregation. Paul is married to the former Barbara Winkler. KUDOS TO MORE KIDS WHO ARE WORKING HARD AND SUCCEEDING!  The endless parade of successful Stoughton children and young adults continue.  Kimberly Foley and Samer Kaddour both made the Dean's List for Fall …

A THESPIAN IN OUR MIDST: Stoughton resident Dale Appel is a working actress and writer.  The former real estate salesperson, is getting more and more into the movie business.  Internet Movie Data Base (IMDb) lists her filmography to include the film "The Rude, the Mad, and the Funny", which is currently in post production (where she plays an audience member); the just-released "Oxy-Morons", where she plays an attorney; and, Appel is listed as a writer and the character "Wendy Wiccan" in the 2009 release, "Cooking in Salem", a short.  HAS IT BEEN THAT LONG? Pages Food & Liquor Mart at 458 …

Stoughton Teachers Association president Sue Cogliano sent an exclusive statement to Snyder's Stoughton and About Town columnist Mark Snyder.  She thought that the reasons for the recent teacher's action to cease volunteer activities should be explicitly stated so residents can understand the teacher's concerns.  Here is her statement: Stoughton Teachers Seek Fair Contract and Back Pay:   "Stoughton teachers are frustrated. We have been trying to resolve some important issues out of the press in the hopes that they could be settled at the bargaining table, but we have come up against a brick …

ANOTHER 40B OPENS ITS DOORS: Alta at Indian Woods, a 40B Apartment Complex on the Stoughton/Canton line (just off Rt. 138 on Stagecoach Road), held an Open House last night in their clubhouse.  Three buildings with approximately 150 units will be opening there, with one (with 50 units) ready now for immediate occupancy. Along with its sister locations Alexan Pembroke Woods in Pembroke, and Faxon Park in Quincy, owner Riverstone Residential Group bills these as "Luxury Apartments." They own these facilities all over the country. I took a tour with Slava Freyman, the Property Manager, who is a …

MCKENNA'S RAVE REVIEWS ARE IN-- I wasn't alone in raving about Stoughton singer-songwriter Lori McKenna's new CD, "Lorraine."  Maverick Magazine, an international country music periodical, gave "Lorraine" it's highest rating (5 stars!) in their March edition. A reviewer for Country Standard Time couldn't stop raving about every track on the CD, ending his review with, "By the time the album closes with Still Down Here, a song modeled after the prayer a young McKenna would recite every night, we know the song, and maybe the album itself, is a personal plea from a daughter to her departed …

HONORING THE HONORS STUDENTS: Richard Chisholm, Principal of Catholic Memorial School, has recognized the following students for achieving placement on the second quarter honor roll:  Tyler Bates First Honors 9 Matthew Provost First Honors 8Daniel Shulman First Honors 9Michael Brown Second Honors 10Daniel Daniluk Second Honors 12 Stephen Pike Second Honors 12 Ryan Skiba Second Honors 12  Kevin Warren Second Honors 10 To be recognized on the Principal's List, students must achieve a 94.5% average or higher in all classes with no grade below a 90. For First Honors: an 89.5% to 94.4% average …

EXCITING FUN FOR TONIGHT: Why stay home, warm and cozy by the fireplace on a cold night, when you can go into the deep freeze outside and hit the fun at Town Hall?   Yes, it's your chance to really experience what life's about.  It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the immense thrills of the Town Code Publication Committee. Yes, it's all happening early this evening, at precisely 4:45 p.m. in the Fitzpatrick Room on the First Floor of Town Hall.  You won't need Sominex tonight.  Listen in as the Committee discusses the Town Code. <yawn>  Sleepy yet?  Well, if you don't nod off in a …

DECA STUDENTS A HIT From Mr. Rodrigues, DECA Advisor for Stoughton High: DECA Districts in Mansfield last Friday was a success for Stoughton High School. Thirty-seven (37) out of 44 of our students are moving onto State Competition, March 10-12 in Boston. We took 10 first places, 9 second places and 8 third places. The following students will be moving on to States: Student Category Place Nicholas Aliquo Hotel and Lodging Management 4 Ross Andler Principles of Marketing 5 Heather Baeta Quiz Bowl Damani Barboza Principles of Hospitality & Tourism 3 Brianna Berry Principles of Finance 2 James …

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS TO:  Audrey Goodman Blanchard, a broker at Coldwell Banker Real Estate. Audrey grew up in Randolph in the same neighborhood that I did; and to Randi Barroll Renzi, another Randolph girl turned Stoughton woman. Randi is the Owner, Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist, and Nutritional Counselor at Why Weight Fitness, located by the rail station at 2 Canton Street; and to Kristy Curtis, a 2008 graduate of Stoughton High, and a former Black Knights Cheerleader. She turns 20 today. THE TEACHERS SPEAK:  Sue Cogliano, president of the Stoughton Teachers Association, spoke with About …

Stoughton Fire Chief David Jardin will be retiring on April 2, 2011. Jardin has served as the Chief for seven years, and has worked for the Town of Stoughton for 38 years. Jardin was also the Emergency Coordinator for the Town, and a member of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. I'm sure the town will conduct a "nationwide search", but let me tell you something. There ARE people currently working at the Stoughton Fire Department that are qualified and more than able to be named to that position. Town Manager Francis Crimmins Jr. is the appointing authority for the Fire Chief…

RESTAURANT FORCED TO CLOSE:  The roof collapse the old Cheng-Du restaurant has dealt a financial blow to a neighboring restaurant.  Said Safai, owner of Kabob House, tells About Town that he was forced to close.  "The Building Inspector told me that because of the cave in next door, we had to close up our place for 30 days, while they repair the adjacent walls and roof."     Safai said he has worked hard to build up a crowd of regular customers who enjoy his Middle Eastern delicacies, and he is afraid of losing them.  "Please tell my customers that I WILL be re-opening as soon as we can."  …

TEACHERS HAVE THEIR SAY: So, the opinions of the Stoughton Teachers Association will finally become public.  As readers know, I have reached out to EVERY leader, negotiator, and board member of the Stoughton Teacher's Association to learn why they have taken a "job action" (a directive to teachers to cease afternoon "club" activities) that hurts students, while not helping their case at all.  I have received nasty anonymous emails, but nothing from the people in power at the STA.  One of the people I wrote to, requesting a "sit down" to learn his side of things, was John Gunning of the O'…

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO: Ryan LaCasse, one of the best players that ever played for the Stoughton High Black Knights grid squad.  LaCasse went on to star at Syracuse University, and played in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts, where he won a Super Bowl.  He lives in Clifton Park, New York and works in the financial industry. His birthday was yesterday. NOW THAT'S A STACKED DECK:  Jean Deveber couldn't believe what the heavy snow and rain did to her house.  She posted a photo of her collapsed deck on Facebook (see photo gallery in this article). Friends helped to prop up a corner of the …

Happy Birthday to Leo Mellyn, a frequent contributor to the Snydersstoughton.com website. Leo takes a great interest in the inner workings of the town, and shows amazing insight into the problems and solutions, with a particular emphasis on public safety. Not surprising, with Scott Mellyn serving on the Fire Department, and Stewart Mellyn serving on the Police Force! He has been one of Stoughton’s biggest defenders, in print, via letters to the editor of numerous newspapers, as well. IT'S NOT THE SIZE THAT COUNTS: An exhibit of extreme miniature paintings at the SAART Gallery that opened on …

IS IT 50 YEARS ALREADY?  Time DOES fly, and the Stoughton High School Class of 1961 is heavy at work planning their 50th reunion. The shindig will happen on September 24 at the Radisson in Plymouth. The Committee will be releasing details on time, price, entertainment and menu shortly. We'll let you know!   STOUGHTON DEMOCRATS TO ELECT DELEGATES TO STATE CONVENTION: Registered Democrats in Stoughton will be holding a caucus at the Stoughton Public Library on February 5th at 10 a.m. (top floor, Wales French Room). Doors open at 9:30 a.m.  15 delegates and 3 alternates will be elected to attend…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:  To Stoughton native Elizabeth Dembrowsky, the author of two incredible novels. The B.U. grad is a novelist, playwright and producer, living in New York City. She's the daughter of Attorney Jack Dembrowksy, a frequent co-host and panel member of Cable's "The Local News." KUDOS TO DPW: Even though I got mad at one driver who I felt wasn't too nice (and spoke about it on Facebook), we all have to give thanks for the men and women of the Stoughton DPW who worked practically around the clock making our streets safe to drive on during the recent storms. With the unprecedented …