On behalf of the Norton Parks and Recreation Department, we would like to thank the community for participating in a fun family night this past Sunday at our Festival of Lights. The turnout was tremendous, due to the warmer weather.  We would also like to thank our sponsors: North Easton Savings Bank, Roche Bros. Supermarkets and Honey Dew Donuts. Without their support this event would not be possible. Also a big thank you to Santa and Mrs. Claus, Bob Kimball, Master of Ceremonies; Tim Brown, singer; The Norton Singers, Rev. Bernie Hinkley, Trinitarian Church; Junior Girl Scout Troop 80443 …

Even in the toughest of times, the human spirit never fails.   Just this past weekend, I was honored to attend a variety of events around my district where the generosity of our friends’ and neighbors’ time, talent and resources was on full display.  In Foxborough, the Annual BIT school fundraising event saw a turnout of 400 parents, school administrators, and supporters. Simultaneously, parents in Mansfield were doing the same good work for their elementary schools. Both events are run by extraordinary volunteers, primarily hard-working mothers, who spend months planning and finding new ways…

The Norton Parks and Recreation Department would like to thank the entire community for coming out and supporting our largest yearly event – the 20th annual Chartley Halloween Parade.  This year, the parade’s 20th anniversary, was another huge success (despite the rain)!   First and foremost, we have to thank Ribeiro Enterprises for (once again) sponsoring the parade, so that we can continue with this wonderful tradition.  We would also like to thank the Norton Police and Fire departments, the Norton Honor Guard, and the Norton Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)  for all of their help.  In …

Joe Kennedy III, a 31 year old with no qualifications and very little experience in business or politics is a candidate for the  4th Congressional District.  Sean Bielat, a Marine reserve officer and small business CEO with a proven track record of success and personal integrity is also running for this seat. Sean’s resume, charisma and economy – driven positions on fiscal responsibility would make him a heavy favorite in most congressional races across the country.  That being said, we are in Massachusetts, where there is a belief, however illogical, that a candidate’s name outweighs a …

To the editor:   During the October 29th Fall Town Meeting Norton voters will have a unique opportunity to complete a process started 26 years ago.  In 1986 the Town of Norton purchased the Norton Reservoir from the Wading River Reservoir Corporation for the purpose of preventing the Reservoir from being drained and then developed for commercial use.  The goal also was to restore it for regional recreational use for everybody.  A vote for a citizen's petition to purchase Pheeny's Island will almost complete the protection of the Reservoir, a municipal treasure that secures open space, …

In the September 12, 2012 Sun Chronicle article titled: ‘Wrangling Over Landfill Fight’, I take issue with one paragraph: “The material (which EndCap proposes to haul in) is considered slightly contaminated, but is not nearly as contaminated as what is already in the dump, and is a threat to leach into groundwater if the dump is not capped, according to DEP.” If that is the case, MassDEP needs to document it in writing.  While there is indeed paperwork listing the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): including dangerous carcinogenic chemicals in the ‘Phase A’ Mound, and US EPA has documented …

The Patch is a great source for following the Dump News. To Attleboro City Councilor Richard Conti, I applaud your math (and reasoning)! $2.52 Per Ton for Attleboro. Norton will not name a price.But does it not strike anyone as really stupid to accept an offer of 25 Cents a Ton, when the 'Standard Fee' is at least $1.00?!And the nerve of EndCap to lowball this, not only in their 2009 'Mitigation Agreement' signed by Mayor Dumas, but that same miserable figure is part of the agreement which EndCap Attorney Richard Nylen has been trying to get Norton's new Town Manager to sign since January of …

Letter To The Editor: There will be an important public information meeting for Norton and Attleboro sponsored by EndCap Technology of Braintree: Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m in the J. C. Solmonese School, 315 West Main St., Norton. The topic will be EndCap’s latest proposal for Capping of the Phase B Portion of Attleboro Landfill Inc. (ALI). Information provided thus far indicates the plan is almost identical to ones submitted in 2008, 2006 and 2002. All of which were rejected by the Town of Norton. The proposal includes the hauling of 650,000 cubic yds. (1200 tons) of ‘slightly contaminated’ …

To the Citizens of the Bristol and Norfolk District; First and foremost, let me take the opportunity to wish everyone and their families a safe and joy-filled summer season as many of you take some time away with the kids out of school. While you take in well-deserved time at the beach, campground or some of the other beautiful places that the Commonwealth and New England have to offer, the Massachusetts Legislature will be finishing up formal debate for the 2011-2012 legislative session into the late hours of our July 31st deadline. If you are taking the time to read this note, there is no …

It is with great sadness that I report that a Norton student, Angel Pina, passed away yesterday, Thursday, July 12th, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Route 24 near the Stoughton/Avon line. Angel was a fifth grader at the H.A. Yelle School and was scheduled to attend Norton Middle School in September. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angel’s family and friends. Arrangements for services will be posted on the school district website, when they are available. School counselors will be available for students on Monday, July 16th from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Yelle School…

The Norton Founder’s Day Committee would like to thank the entire community for coming out and supporting our First Annual Founder’s Day Picnic & Fireworks.  The day was a huge success despite the terrible weather forecasts all day! First and foremost, we have to thank our local businesses, sponsors, and vendors because without them this day would never have happened.  We hope you are able to support the list of businesses that helped make the picnic a success, whether they were at the picnic or helped behind-the-scenes: GOLD SPONSORS:  Horizon Beverage and Roche Bros. SILVER SPONSORS: North …

Ms. Kelly Mello:  Jimmy Fund Golf extends its sincerest thanks to the organizers and sponsors of the Quality Beverage Golf Tournament held on June 7, Norton Country Club in Norton, Mass. Special recognition and appreciation goes to Conrad Wetterau, owner of Quality Beverage, along with Stephen Doherty of Franklin, Mass., and Jenn Nolan of Taunton, Mass., who organized the 21st annual event.     The dedicated sponsors, participants, and volunteers helped raise critical funds to support research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.   The Quality Beverage Golf Tournament is one of the many …

Dear Residents of Norton and the Norton School Community, How fortunate for me that I “landed” in Norton! You’ve heard me say that Norton is a great place to live and work. I sincerely hope that I have helped to make Norton a great place to learn too. We focused on educating the whole child!  In recent years, the Norton Public Schools has had successes in athletics, winning State Championships in wrestling, golf, basketball and baseball, and even making a marvelous trip to the Super Bowl. Most importantly, our scholar athletes seem to have Good Sportsmanship Awardsall sewn up.  Many of our …

Hats off to Roche Bros. and the many Norton shoppers who supported the Class of 2012 “Grad Cap” Graduation Night Fundraiser at Roche Bros. Supermarket.    Norton High Seniors graciously collected cash register receipts in graduation caps from store patrons from 5pm to 8pm at the supermarket, and Roche Bros. generously donated 5% of all receipts tallied.   The annual “Grad Cap” donation event is a key fundraiser for the All-Night Graduation Party.  The April 6th fundraiser generated $1,126.00 due to the Norton shoppers who participate loyally at this annual event and the generosity of an …

On April 17th, our Brownie troop went to visit the Norton Fire Department and talk to Firefighter Andy. When we got there, most of the firefighters had to leave because there was a car accident.   We got to see the boats that they use to rescue people in the water such as when they are in a kayak.  We also got to see the inside of fire trucks and watch the ladder go up on the ladder truck.   We even got to see Firefighter Andy slide down the pole.  But most importantly we learned what to do when there is a fire and how to prepare for a fire. To prevent a fire:  Make sure not to play with …

Dear Editor,   After reading Kenneth Leavitt’s condescendingly titled opinion piece I was left what apparently is an increasingly  common impression of him.  He thinks everyone but him is an ignorant bumpkin.  His piece implies that after he works his magic on the Reservoir, Norton residents will have something that we can finally be proud of.  This notion is insulting.  Insulting because he implies that prior to his arrival The Reservoir was used as a combination dump/jet-ski park and that no one took any pride in her.  Long time residents of town know that this simply isn’t true.    60 …

I would like to take this opportunity to extend a humble thank you to everyone who supported me in my bid for re-election to the Norton School Committee.  Beyond voting, support came in the form of signs on lawns, well wishes and vocal support leading up to the election, and I am grateful for all of it.  I would also like to congratulate Phillip Lynch who will be joining the School Committee for the first time.  Mr. Lynch will replace Tom Golota, who decided not to seek re-election this year.  Mr. Golota’s service and dedication to our schools will be missed.  I also hope that CJ McMahon will…

On Tuesday, April 24th, Norton residents will go to the polls. The School Committee race has three candidates vying for two positions.  One of those candidates, Deniz Savas, is up for re-election. Having worked on the School Committee with Deniz for the past three years, I can tell you first hand that he is an incredible School Committee member.  He is bright and articulate and is capable of asking the difficult questions. Deniz has a financial background.  He can look at the budget and ask very detailed questions of the superintendent and of the rest of the Committee. I am very impressed …

On two separate occasions the Board of Selectmen sent information on all three Charter change questions to every voting household in the Town.  Both of these mailings contained erroneous and confusing information.  The second mailing was not received by the voters in the time frame allowed by law. Both mailings are paid for by the taxpayers, perhaps the Board of Selectmen could provide the public with the costs incurred for printing, mailing and Town employees.   The Water/Sewer Commissions ask that the proper concise information is presented to the voters and allow them to make the proper …

On April 24 2012, the Norton voters will have the opportunity to vote on questions concerning Charter changes. Question 2 seems to be the most controversial of the three questions. I understand the importance of and I support all three questions.  I am writing to address Question 2 because I believe the issue is being misrepresented. The Water/Sewer Commissioners have misrepresented Question 2 in Letters to the Editor and “vote no on Question 2, protect your right to vote” signs to mask the actual issue and lead voters to believe they will lose their right to vote by voting  “Yes” on Question…