The Bellingham Bulletin September 2010 : Page 1
Bulletin ~ Read The Bulletin online at www.BellinghamBulletin.com • Become a friend on Facebook! Bellingham’s Hometown “Good-NewsPaper” Bellingham Bulletin Since 1994 Thanks for delivering to: Volume XVI, Issue 12 Cultural Council Hosts Series of “Fun Sundays” Bellingham’s Hometown Newspaper Since 1994 A Storybook Proposal— in a Comic Book Store SEPTEMBER 2010 Primary Set for Sept. 14 Town Clerk Ann L Odabashian announces that on Tuesday, Sept. 14, the state primary election will be held. The polls will open at 7am and remain open until 8 pm. Following is a list of precinct and polling locations: Pct. 1—Stall Brook School, 342 Hartford Ave.; Pct. 2—Clara Macy School, Monique Dr.; Pct. 3—Bellingham Library, 100 Blackstone St.; Pcts. 4 & 5—Primavera Educational Center, 80 Harpin St. Any resident in doubt of their designated polling location should call the town clerk’s office at 508-657-2830. The senior van will be available to transport senior citizens and handicapped residents on Election Day. Contact the Se-nior Center at 508-966-0398 and arrange a suitable time for transportation to the polls. In conjunction with the Help America BULLETIN photo by Marjorie Turner Hollman In a somewhat unique move, David Jasmin takes Margaret Huhn completely by surprise when he drops to his knees and proposes marriage in the middle of Friendly Neighborhood Comics. (See Marjorie Turner Hollman’s story on page 9.) Daniel Mealey, 4, happily makes a sponge painting at the Town Common on Fun Sunday Sponsored by the Bellingham Cultural Council and spearheaded by Arts Center Director Linda Trudeau, a series of Sunday afternoon family fun times took place on the Bellingham Common throughout the month of August. Various groups of musicians performed, and Linda had set up tables for kids to do a variety of crafts—making potato prints, making banks out of peanut-butter jars, using a Spin Art® machine to create designs on recycled paper, making neck-laces out of old gimp rope, doing sponge painting—whatever Linda could think up to do out of the recyclable materials she has collected. “Everything’s recycled,” she said. photo & caption by Dr. Florence Ames, Bulletin Editor Bellingham Awarded $800,000 Housing-Rehab Grant At a recent local ceremony, town officials gathered to hear the news firsthand from Governor Deval Patrick, Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield) and State Representative Jennifer Callahan (D-Sutton) that Bellingham will receive a substantial affordable-housing grant totaling $800,515 from the Community Development Block Program. “This is great news for the town of Bell-ingham and residents of Wrentham Manor. This is the largest amount of housing rehab money the community of Bellingham has ever received. Like local officials, I see meeting the continual needs of affordable housing as a major priority. Knowing that Wrentham Manor’s aging roofs will be re-paired and many low-to moderate-income residences will also undergo rehabilitation and repair is terrific news,” said Representa-tive Callahan. Attending the announcement from the Bellingham Housing Authority were long-term state-appointed Commissioner Billieg-ene Lavallee, Vice Chairman Ernie Taft and Executive Director Monique Bergeron. HOUSING GRANT— cont. on page 8 Vote Act, an AutoMark Voter-Assist Termi-nal will be located in all precincts to assist any disabled resident and encourage the handicapped to participate in the election process. There will also be handicap-access voting booths and poll workers to assist anyone needing assistance with their ballot. Once the polls close, final tabulation of votes will take place in the Municipal Center. Jamison Mendall Tree Removal Postal Patron Bellingham, ma 02019 September 2010 PRST-STD U.S. Postage P A I D Bellingham BULLETIN Permit No. 107 Bellingham, MA Business in Town! Still FREE! Direct-Mailed to every Home & 1 “Serving all your tree needs” Pruning, Storm Damage, Aerial Bucket & Bobcat Services Stump Grinding, PLOWING & more... Licensed & insured• Free estimates 1-508-958-0747 Hardwood & Ceramic Flooring • Replacement Windows Kitchen & Bath Remodeling & Repair • Painting Masonry Work • Trim Carpentry • Celling Fans Electrical Work • Roof Repair • Chimney Maintenance Basement & Attic Upgrade • Gutters • & Much More! Bellingham: 508-207-8313 www.hometownhandyman.com Nous parlons Francais 15% OFF Any Project Coupon must be presented at time of estimate; applicable to labor only. Expires 12-30-10. HOMETOWN HANDYMAN 508-207-8313 Quality Work Free Estimates Member, Bellingham Business Association Competitive Pricing All Jobs, Large or Small Great Customer Service Licensed & Insured 2010-’11 SCHOOL BUS ROUTES available at our website, www.BellinghamBulletin.com
Cultural Council Hosts Series of “Fun Sundays”
Florence Ames
Sponsored by the Bellingham Cultural Council and spearheaded by Arts Center Director Linda Trudeau, a series of Sunday afternoon family fun times took place on the Bellingham Common throughout the month of August. Various groups of musicians performed, and Linda had set up tables for kids to do a variety of crafts—making potato prints, making banks out of peanut-butter jars, using a Spin Art® machine to create designs on recycled paper, making necklaces out of old gimp rope, doing sponge painting—whatever Linda could think up to do out of the recyclable materials she has collected. “Everything’s recycled,” she said.
Bellingham Awarded $800,000 Housing-Rehab Grant
At a recent local ceremony, town officials gathered to hear the news firsthand from Governor Deval Patrick, Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield) and State Representative Jennifer Callahan (D-Sutton) that Bellingham will receive a substantial affordable-housing grant totaling $800,515 from the Community Development Block Program.<br /> <br /> “This is great news for the town of Bellingham and residents of Wrentham Manor.This is the largest amount of housing rehab money the community of Bellingham has ever received. Like local officials, I see meeting the continual needs of affordable housing as a major priority. Knowing that Wrentham Manor’s aging roofs will be repaired and many low- to moderate-income residences will also undergo rehabilitation and repair is terrific news,” said Representative Callahan.<br /> <br /> Attending the announcement from the Bellingham Housing Authority were longterm state-appointed Commissioner Billiegene Lavallee, Vice Chairman Ernie Taft and Executive Director Monique Bergeron.<br /> <br /> “Working with these elected officials has been a true and very successful partnership over many years. I was thrilled to once again see that Bellingham’s senior and affordablehousing needs were heard and helped by our legislators. It was great to attend the ceremony and to thank Rep. Callahan, Congressman Neal and Governor Patrick in person,” said Ms. Lavallee.<br /> <br /> The Community Development Block Grant program is the Commonwealth’s largest available resource providing municipalities with funding to support neighborhood revitalization projects, meet the housing and public service needs of low- and moderate-income populations, and build and repair infrastructure vital to the health and safety of all residents <br /> <br /> “These grants will help communities get to work on a variety of projects that will make a real difference in people’s lives and our Commonwealth stronger in the long run,” said Governor Patrick. “Whether they are used to spruce up homes or storefronts, better public services, or replace streets and sidewalks, these funds will generate jobs and make neighborhoods better places to live, work and conduct business.” <br /> <br /> “The popularity and importance of the Community Development Block Grant program cannot be overstated.Cities and towns in Massachusetts depend on this federal assistance each year for economic development, infrastructure improvement and improved housing. As a former mayor, I know firsthand how this program can dramatically change the quality of life for residents of a community,” said Congressman Neal.<br /> <br /> The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and funds are distributed by the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to cities and towns in Massachusetts with populations of less than 50,000.
Primary Set for Sept. 14
Town Clerk Ann L Odabashian announces that on Tuesday, Sept. 14, the state primary election will be held. The polls will open at 7 am and remain open until 8 pm. Following is a list of precinct and polling locations: Pct.1—Stall Brook School, 342 Hartford Ave.; Pct. 2—Clara Macy School, Monique Dr.; Pct. 3—Bellingham Library, 100 Blackstone St.; Pcts. 4 & 5—Primavera Educational Center, 80 Harpin St. <br /> <br /> Any resident in doubt of their designated polling location should call the town clerk’s office at 508-657-2830.<br /> <br /> The senior van will be available to transport senior citizens and handicapped residents on Election Day. Contact the Senior Center at 508-966-0398 and arrange a suitable time for transportation to the polls.<br /> <br /> In conjunction with the Help America Vote Act, an AutoMark Voter-Assist Terminal will be located in all precincts to assist any disabled resident and encourage the handicapped to participate in the election process. There will also be handicap-access voting booths and poll workers to assist anyone needing assistance with their ballot.<br /> <br /> Once the polls close, final tabulation of votes will take place in the Municipal Center.
