Jean and I attended the "Stoughton Reads Together" at Faxon Park on 4/21/12. We wish to commend Pat Basler for the excellence of the entire program, from noontime till 5:00 o'clock. The people that attended, know how great it was, and the people that missed it, lost out on a great day for the Town of Stoughton. The Civil War era drill exhibitions were marvelous. The group "Dixon's Gold Band" sang songs from the Civil war era, they were great. Again I say thank you to Pat Basler for a great day. ~ Leo Mellyn *** Editor’s Note - For photo and video highlights from the Civil War Remembrance …

Editor's Note: A week ago, About Town with Mark Snyder wrote about Paul Berger’s unpleasant experience at the D’Angelos at 2137 Central St. in Stoughton: ABOUT TOWN: Anti-Semitic Slur at Stoughton Sandwich Shop Causes Stir (Stoughton Patch, December 22, 2011) Berger, a Stoughton resident and a regular customer at that D’Angelos, registered for a D’Angelos rewards card during his Dec. 17 visit to the sub shop and then asked the manager, Eric Gurney, if there was a senior discount program, as well.  Gurney responded, “Are you trying to Jew me down?”   Berger said he couldn’t believe what he had…

The Black Knights lost a tough one [Friday] night, falling to Franklin. But that wasn't the biggest loss. That came at the hands of the purported "supporters" of the team. How about this: Homecoming festivities spilled over from the school and ate up halftime as girls in sleeveless dresses minced their way across the field in heels to the garbled announcer reading biographies that seemed to date back to birth. One of the King and Queen's court was a Black Knight, held on the field interminably as the clock froze on zero and half time should have ended. The refs went to the locker room TWICE …

Editor's Note: The following letter is from Scott Mellyn, a Stoughton father and firefighter, who appeared on FOX 25-TV with his two daughters on Sept. 21 discussing their views that the Stoughton Public School buses were overcrowded and it posed a safety risk to the student passengers. Students were said to be sitting in the aisles because there were not enough room to sit three to a seat. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marguerite Rizzi said the complaint was “unsubstantiated.” “In terms of overcrowding, the legal capacity is 77 students [allowing for 3 students to a seat],” she told …

As horrific as 9/11 was, one of the things I thought was so touching and helpful as an American, was the outpouring of support from the rest of the world.  But even more so, was the genuine "niceness" of Americans towards each other and how everyone put things into perspective. We were no longer pre-occupied with trivial things; we held doors for each other.  We didn't sweat the small stuff. We didn't bump into each other on sidewalks & not say 'Excuse me.' We didn't cut people off on the highway, honk horns as much, or extend fingers out the window.  Prior to this tragic event, we as …

I was at the Bank of [America] ATM on Rt. 27 this morning and saw these two [electric] trucks just sitting behind the Jubilee Christian Church. They were just hanging out (see photos in the media gallery).  This was at about 10 past 8 this morning [Thursday].  They were there for the whole 10 minutes I was there.  With most of Stoughton still out of power, I would think they would have something to do. ~ Barb Walsh

Email from Stoughton Resident Jeff Weitzenkorn: My kudos to the Stoughton DPW. On Sunday morning, a large limb was blown from a tree and fell blocking our street (Courtney Ave.). Within 40 minutes of calling it in to the Stoughton Police, a town front end loader came through and cleared the street. Also, [kudos] to the DPW for making the chipper available to us.  I took two truckloads over to the transfer station and the two staffers were most cordial and efficient.  They unloaded my truck both times and made quick work of the branches. *** Comment from Laura Jeffers on a Stoughton Patch …

Editor's Note: Some chain emails can be helpful. Peg Carbone, a  licensed realtor, wanted share the following email she received from a family member about tips to keep your home safe, especially during the summer months when windows are more likely to be left open and people are more likely to go on vacations or spend long weekends away from home. THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU :   1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.   2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was …

As an animal trainer, naturalist and animal rescue team leader, I believe in a balance of population control through hunting and trapping and the preservation of the natural beauty that surrounds us.  One of the balances I believe that has worked so well is the split of hunting days versus non-hunting days during hunting season. This split has long allowed hunters to enjoy their activity 6 days a week and the population to enjoy nature without fear of potential conflicts with hunters one day a week, specifically Sundays. This split has been the law in Massachusetts for 100 years.   Senator …

At the Town Meeting of May 9th, an observation and statement delivered to Town Meeting Representatives was made by Mr. Mark Snyder inferring that there was potentially some bias wherein all members of the Board of Selectman and the Town Manager do not have children in the Stoughton Public Schools thus not having a  vested interest in the School Department. Nothing could be further from the truth.  I will remind all that Member Walsh is a is a thirty year plus retired teacher in the Stoughton Schools. Selectman Anastos, prior to moving to Stoughton 24 years ago, was an elected member of the …

A letter from Selectman John Anderson regarding the planned motion at the next session of Town Meeting to “move that the total School Department Line of $35,935,654 be reduced by the sum of $923,374 to the new dollar amount of $35,012,280; and that the total department budget figure of $37,016,735 be reduced by the sum of $923,374 to the new dollar amount of $36,093,361. The amount of $923,374 shall be restored to the available Tax Levy.” *** At the Town Meeting of May 4th I had discussions with numerous TM Representatives and determined there was considerable confusion concerning the timing …

Town Meeting will be voting on adoption of the Stretch Energy Code. The Stoughton Energy & Sustainability Committee distributed a letter to town meeting representatives so they know the details of what they will be voting on. This letter is posted on the committee’s website, http://stoughtonesc.org/stretch-code-adoption.html.  The Massachusetts building code governs all aspects of construction. Since 1997, energy efficiency has been included among the hundreds of provisions that seek to ensure the safety, durability, and long-term economic value of buildings. The most recent update to the …

Hi Jeffrey, I received a call Wednesday from a gentleman who prefers to remain anonymous. He said he wanted to make a monetary donation to the food pantry and we arranged to meet in the late afternoon. We spoke for a few minutes and he wrote a check and passed it to me. When I looked at it I almost cried. This very generous man wrote a check for $1,000!   Anne Havlin who runs St Anthony’s Market (with Christine Gallagher) is currently undergoing chemo and it was an added thrill to bring it to her and add some joy to her day. However, I must say she is very upbeat and positive by nature. I …

The food pantries continue to struggle and need our help. I will pick up food or monetary donations every Thursday, anywhere in Stoughton and deliver to the pantries. The pantries can use non-perishable food items, cleaning products, toothpaste or monetary donations (no cash please). Make checks payable to St. Anthony's Free Market or Stoughton Food Pantry. I have been doing this every week since early December 2010 and your generosity is making a difference. However, just as our supplies at home need to be restocked on a regular basis, so it is with the pantries. This is an ongoing weekly …

On Saturday April 9, the boys and girls of the Stoughton High School golf team held a very successful Black Knights Golf-A-Thon fundraiser at Cedar Hill Golf Course in Stoughton.  The team was seeking to raise funds to defray the cost of the expensive equipment, apparel, and instruction necessary to be competitive in the difficult Hockomock League. The team members began the process of staging the event by soliciting pledges for each hole they were able to complete over a 10 hour span.  On the day of the event, golfers competed to play the most holes and maximize pledges.  By the end of the …

When the people of Stoughton first elected me to the School Committee, I came with an extensive academic background, and vast experience as a manager, scientist, and educator. Being a good School Committee member requires mastering yet another steep learning curve. Over the past three years, I have worked hard and gained a deep understanding of how public school systems work. I researched every important issue thoroughly before voting, brought important issues to committee deliberation, and never hesitated voting my conscience. I have always advocated for the best interest of the school …

I would like to remind everyone to vote this Tuesday, April 5. Do not think your vote does not make a difference. It does, especially in small, local elections like this one. In April 2010, I was appointed to the School Committee and in just 11 months I have already: Become Chair of the Feasibility Committee for School Buildings looking at repair vs.replacement for the buildings identified in the Facilities Master Plan. Organized the first of many field trips to other schools to learn about their building programs. Served on the Race to the Top committee looking at how best to use the …

On March 28 I was at the taping of the Dick Murphy Show School Committee debate.  The Show started with Deb Sovinee calling me a liar. That statement cannot be further from the truth and was completely uncalled for and based on unfounded conclusions. Let me provide some of the background to Deb’s accusation.  At the Snyder Show debate, Jeffrey Pickette asked a question that went something like; there are two open seats, which of the other candidates sitting here would you most want to work with…. While my opponents gave a politically correct type of answer, I answered the question truthfully…

Parents have contacted me with questions about the misinformation that has circulated regarding the Stoughton Education Foundation and Beaton Scholarship Fund. Here are the facts: The Stoughton Education Foundation has NO PAID EMPLOYEES. No one receives any compensation for their work on the foundation. It was founded two years ago by former Superintendent of Schools Anthony Sarno, current Superintendent Dr. Marguerite Rizzi, and School Committee Chair, Tom Colburn. Its purpose is to mimic the model used by some private schools to provide funds forthings needed outside of the regular …

By Dr. Erdem A. Ural Stoughton School Committee Member SSEPAC is an acronym for Stoughton Special Education Parent Advisory Committee. Massachusetts Law enables SSEPAC to be an advisory council to the Stoughton School Committee, and gives it a crucial responsibility for the quality of the Special Education services in Stoughton. Additional information on the role and operation of PACs can be found at: www.doe.mass.edu/sped/pac/guidelines.pdf SSEPAC advises the School Committee on matters pertaining to the education and safety of students with disabilities and meets regularly with school …