3-03-2024 11:21pm

In Other News

Alan Earls Editor

Mass GOP Chair, Amy Carnevale Visits Region

In a down-to-the wire effort to elect a supportive Republican state Committee in Tuesday's primary election, party chair Amy Carnevale, joined by newly elected Republican State Senator Peter Durant, (both pictured above) came to Bellingham Saturday morning. The meet-and-greet was organized by State Rep. Mike Soter (shown above at left) and the Bellingham Republican Town Committee

Nothing More to Report

A noisy incident at the Big Y on Feb. 19 that concerned a reader turned out to be less than it sounded... The report provided by the Franklin Police states: ”At approximately 1420 hours I, Officer Young along with Officer Rosa were dispatched to the parking lot of 340 East Central Street for the report of suspicious activity. Dispatch advised that a female was sitting in the drivers seat of a vehicle, and there was a male outside of the vehicle yelling on the phone. They also noted that the rear window of the vehicle was smashed. Sgt. Palmieri responded to assist as well. Upon my arrival I located a black Chevrolet Malibu ( ) in the rear of the parking lot. There was a female (Alexia Bell 03/23/02) and a male ( ) sitting calmly in the vehicle. Bell informed me that it was her uncle's vehicle and that the window was already smashed prior to today. stated that he was outside the vehicle talking to his girlfriend on the phone. He was yelling at her over the telephone, due to her thinking that he was out cheating on him. also stated that the window was already smashed. Both parties were separated and stated that they were friends, and were attempting to bring the Malibu to a repair shop in Medway. Bell did not have her drivers license in her possession, and we were unable to locate it in the registry for MA or RI. Shawn McDonald (brother of the registered owner of vehicle) arrived on scene with an active license and took possession of the vehicle. father and stepmother (Shawnta Smith) arrived to transport Bell and back to Woonsocket, where they stated they reside.”

And About Those Water Meters

A reader, who claims to have had a problem with one of the town’s new water meters, asks whether the town is investigating whether said meters actually meet quality standards and to what extent a ski trip figured in the decision to purchase them. Presumably this will be part of the eventual airing of facts referenced in town administrator Jamie Hellen’s original posting about the matter (“rest assured that, when appropriate, all information that led to this decision will be made available to the public in full view.”)

Design Review Quorum Troubles

It happens to most boards at one time or another, and it happened to the Design Review Commission on Tuesday...a full docket or hearings to tackle and no quorum. Chair Sam Williams kept things in a holding pattern for 10 minutes but eventually had to ask all the applicants to return for the next scheduled meeting.

Party Like it’s 1778

Franklin Historical Commission members, led by vice-chair Mary Olsson, shared birthday cake and refreshments at the Museum Saturday morning with more than two dozen residents who share the town’s March 2 birthday – though not the 1778 part!