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Kraft, Wynn call off Foxboro casino plan Bird Middle School Weather  Bird Middle School weather

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Mercandetti honor
Stephanie Mercandetti, Walpole economic development officer and newly elected Framingham planning board member, has been named an unsung heroine by the state Commission on the Status of Women. The Framingham Patch has a story.

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Kathleen Turner of Walpole, a French teacher at Sharon High, has been named the state's teacher of the year, Boston.com reports.

Jones still in
Sam Obar reports on his blog May 7 that Russell Jones now says he will serve as selectman if elected. Last month, Obar reported Jones' statement that he was withdrawing his candidacy.

Continuing his campaign to unseat one of the two incumbent board members, Chris Donovan has posted answers to questions from WalpoleWord users on the election 2012 thread.


Override request
Here's the resolution of the selectmen, school committee and finance committee regarding the proposed $3 million override. pdf

The school department has outlined the school committee vote March 22 for student fee increases and additional staff cuts that would be implemented if Town Meeting or voters turn down an override request. pdf

The school department has posted charts predicting class sizes with and without an override. pdf

Walpole Pride schools discussion on Facebook

Boston.com posts a story Dec. 15 about the school committeee's proposed $2.7 million override.

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Walpole weather
April continued the warm string. John Anderson's column

updated 5/8
From the Rec
The Walpole Recreation Department will host proms for pre-schoolers and older adults on Thursday, May 17. More information on these and other programs at From the Rec

Obituaries
Notices from Alexander F. Thomas and Sons Funeral Home.

Notices from James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home

Notices from Ginley Funeral Homes. (Includes Walpole, Franklin and Medway funeral homes)


School menus

A schools page has the menus weekly. pdf

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Christine Cochrane photo

The Girls Softball and Little League seasons got off to a damp start April 27 with the annual parade through downtown.

Parade slideshow



Shield announces for school committee

From Patrick Shield:
Three years ago, motivated by devotion to my community and the aspiration to answer the call of public service, I set out for a seat on the Walpole Board of Selectmen.  Although unsuccessful, the experience was rewarding and with the help of many of you, we brought a number of important issues to the forefront of public debate and discussion.

This year, after much consideration I have decided to shift my focus from the municipal side of town government to the school department and it is my pleasure to announce my candidacy for the Walpole School Committee.  Quality public education is the key to preparing today's children for the competition of the 21st century and I want to work hard to create a safe environment that allows all students to learn, grow and achieve their full potential. 

My number one priority is to serve the people of Walpole while working to promote the same level of character and integrity in the school system that raised and educated me.  I had the privilege of being educated in the best public schools available and it is important to sustain Walpole as a desirable place to live and raise a family.

The pathway to success begins with a plan for long-term fiscal stability.  The best approach begins with assessing the community’s needs, establishing goals to address those needs, developing financial policies, and monitoring, measuring and evaluating performance.  Further, in order to move government forward it is essential to build relationships at all levels of government and listen for points of agreement.  I believe that I am in an ideal position to develop that base and continue to build towards consensus.

What sets me apart from other candidates is my professional work experience and ties to the community.  I am ready, able and willing to roll up my sleeves and advocate for our number one stakeholder - the students.  I navigate decision-making with my moral compass so you will always know which way I am leaning, and you can always count on me to be accessible, dedicated and objective.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to run and participate in this election.  On Saturday, June 2 I humbly ask for your consideration and support.  I truly love Walpole and look forward to picking up the torch of public service and upholding the promise of good government at Town Hall.  For questions or more information, please feel free to contact me directly at Patrick.Shield@gmail.com

Thank you for your consideration.


Blogs, links
Got a Walpole-related blog or site? Send the link here:

Here's Sam Obar's blog,

The library building project

Potters Place

Mike Iwanowicz
Walpole columnist

Walpole Town Meeting (Jon Rockwood)

The Walpole Peace and Justice Group

The Walpole Public Library's young adult blog

Walpole Friends of Music

More Walpole links, including MCAS results and commuter rail schedule.


updated 5/13
Foxboro casino
Boston.com May 13 ponders the future of the site now that the casino plan is dead.

Robert Kraft and Steve Wynn have dropped their casino plan. Here are reports from the Sun Chronicle of Attleboro and Boston.com

Casino opponents win in Foxboro May 7 town election, Boston.com reports. Here are the Attleboro Sun Chronicle report and its voter interviews.

Boston.com offers a page linking to months of its casino stories.

Foxboro residents have made and posted a half-hour YouTube video explaining why they do not want a casino.

Here's the letter Walpole selectmen have sent to the chairman of the state gaming commission, seconding Rep. John Roger's position that Walpole has the legal rights of a host community under the state casino law. pdf

Foxboro selectmen voted 3-2 Dec. 27 against a casino at the Patriots stadium. Here's the boston.com story.

Foxboro opponents' site

Foxboro commuter rail

Walpole's website posts a presentation on the casino law by the firm that serves as town counsel to it and many other communities. pdf

Registration might be necessary at boston.com. It's free..

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Rail comments


Bird Machine site
This town page about the former Bird Machine property offers links to a slide presentation from a Dec. 6 public meeting, the draft cleanup report and other information.

Sunny Rock Farm
Boston.com has a story about the campaign to save Sunny Rock Farm from development.

The campaign's Facebook site has a map showing envisioned conservation land and playing fields.

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Historical Society
Walpole Historical Society has posted a link on its site (at bottom) to the results (more than 1,000) of a search on Flickr for Walpole photos.

Council on Aging
Here's the Walpole COA May newsletter and the May calendar. both pdf

COA web page

Hessco serves the elderly in Walpole and neighboring towns.

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