News
Gleasondale Gets Planning Attention
By Ellen Oliver
On Wednesday June 26, residents were invited to hear a presentation on the initial findings of a study by UMass Amherst students on the Gleasondale area of Stow. Gleasondale Village was the focus of a graduate student class from UMass Amherst’s Center for Economic Development. For their semester-long project, the students worked with Town Planner Karen Kelleher and Assistant Town Planner Jesse Nathan Steadman to consider the future of Gleasondale Village, with a focus on the Gleasondale Mill.
“Grandparent Scam” Hits Stow Seniors
By Nancy Arsenault “This is a call from your favorite grandson,” said a man’s voice when Stow resident Eveleth Cowles, 86, picked up the phone at her home. But Eveleth only has one grandson and he has a Southern accent, unlike the voice on the other end of the phone, she quickly thought to…
Committee Closes Its School Year
By Ann Needle During its final meeting of the school year Tuesday night, the Nashoba School Committee finished some year-end housekeeping, completing policy decisions and holding discussions that will impact future policy. After two postponements, the Committee worked through its promised discussion of community responses to the District Improvement Survey. The Survey was conducted this…
Nashoba Grads Stomp It Up
By Ann Needle
The Nashoba Regional High School Class of 2013 collected diplomas on the DCU stage Sunday, leaving what’s likely to be vivid memories of its last days at the school.
The day itself was a beauty, steeped in Nashoba graduation tradition, with green and white caps and gowns, the singing of “Amazing Grace” by the school Chorus, and faculty decked out in academic robes. But, the backdrop of tradition did not stop the new and unexpected from cropping up.
Food for Thought at School Comm
By Ann Needle
Nashoba students and parents can expect stricter rules next year around what they can eat during school hours and beyond.
The district’s Health and Wellness Advisory Council outlined the major changes to its Health and Wellness Protocol effective with the new school year starting in August. Health & Wellness Coordinator Pat Trahman pointed to the “30-minute rule” as perhaps the biggest change. This state mandate means food that does not meet Massachusetts nutrition standards cannot be sold on district grounds from 30 minutes before through 30 minutes after school hours. As an example, Nashoba Food Services Director Tom Houle explained that cake being sold as a fundraiser during lunch must consist of at least 51% whole grain. But if the fundraisers wait until at least a half hour after school closes, the cake ingredients can vary. The 30-minute rule includes carbonated beverages, he added.
Rotaries Launch Wings and Wheels
By Ann Needle
Starting June 6, vehicle lovers everywhere can enjoy a weekly feast of cars, planes, motorcycles — and food — right here in Stow at Minute Man Air Field.
Sponsored mainly by the Rotary Clubs of Nashoba Valley, Acton-Boxborough, and Maynard, the inaugural Wings and Wheels event will launch at dinnertime each Thursday throughout the summer, offering another opportunity to get out and enjoy the summer evenings. Other sponsors include pilots’ organization EAA #196, Friends of Minute Man Air Field, and Nancy’s Air Field Cafe.
Survey and State Funding for Nashoba
By Ann Needle
At last night’s Nashoba District School Committee meeting, the district’s anticipated community survey results were unveiled, though any discussion of the potential impact of this information will not take place until June. With the last day of school a month away, the Committee also heard the latest state funding forecast for the district, elected its 2013/14 officers, and approved a meeting schedule for next school year.
The district survey was conducted this spring as part of Nashoba’s annual update of its District Improvement Plan. Topics focused on Nashoba’s communication efforts in several areas, along with respondents’ feelings on a wide range of possible changes in the district. Nashoba staff and residents of Stow, Bolton, and Lancaster were invited to fill out the two-part survey on the district web site. Of the 556 responses, the largest portion came from Stow, at 32%.
Stow News Briefs
by Nancy Arsenault
A compilation of news items from around town, including the postponement of a Gun Safety Forum, New regulations for dog walkers at Stow Town Forest, Board of Selectmen meeting, a proposed land gift to the town and an update on the progress of the Delaney St. solar field.
Nashoba Moves Beyond the Budget
By Ann Needle
With next year’s budget successfully voted in at all three Nashoba-member town meetings on Monday, the Nashoba School Committee continued to look toward next school year at their Tuesday meeting.
In a report on school council activity at Nashoba Regional High School, Principal Dr. Parry Graham focused on how the school has been working toward two major goals in its school improvement plan. Student Council Rep. Brendan McMullen outlined some of the steps taken regarding the first goal of better understanding and addressing safety concerns and perceptions. These included talking to the Bolton Police about the possibility of putting in a school resource officer, arranging an upcoming safety presentation for juniors and seniors by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, and collecting data from other high schools on their safety set-ups.
Markey and Gomez Win State and Stow
By Nancy Arsenault
The State Primary Election, held on Tuesday in conjunction with the Annual Town Election, saw 1831 voters cast their ballots, according to the unofficial results from the Stow Town Clerk’s office. Stow’s two precincts, representing the north and south regions of town, cast nearly identical votes for all the candidates across the board.
The town’s choice for United States Senator mirrored the state’s choice with Democrat Edward Markey winning Stow with 495 votes and Gabriel Gomez earning the Stow Republican nod with 167 votes.