Experiencing college amidst a global pandemic: Stories told through students’ eyes...

Jan 14, 2021 by

Published January 14, 2021 By ALLIE HASTINGS MANY COLLEGES have added green space to their campuses to encourage students to socialize safely outdoors. Monika Stantcheva (center), a junior at Boston College, enjoys a socially-distanced picnic with friends on the converted grounds of an old gymnasium. (Courtesy Photo) NORTH READING — When COVID-19 first took the country by storm in March of 2020, schools all across the United States shut down, tasking teachers and professors with the mission to finish off their spring terms remotely in accordance with CDC guidelines. As the year started to approach the fall months and a new school semester, many undergraduate students were left to wonder what kind of decision their college or university might make – would they be forced to take Zoom classes from home, or be encouraged...

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Final tally of 2020 Christmas fund for CCS: $43,837...

Jan 14, 2021 by

Published January 14, 2021 By MAUREEN DOHERTY NORTH READING — We could not me more thrilled with the community’s response to the Transcript’s 31st annual Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund (NHNF). Generosity is certainly more bountiful than the coronavirus in our little town. With so many more people needing to turn to Christian Community Service (CCS) to make ends meet during this pandemic, it is comforting to know that those who are fortunate to have their health and their wealth are willing to share their good fortune by assisting neighbors in need. It is the balm that our society needs now more than ever. We have passed along the $43,837 donated to the fund this year to CCS, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs the North Reading Food Pantry and also provides other vital services to...

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Town Election season officially opens Jan. 19...

Jan 14, 2021 by

Published January 14, 2021 By MAUREEN DOHERTY NORTH READING — Who’s ready for another election? Ready or not, a new election season gets underway next Tuesday, January 19, which is the first date candidates for political offices in town may officially take out nomination papers. The town’s annual election is Tuesday, May 4. Seats on three boards plus the town moderator’s position are up for election this year. There are two seats with three-year terms on the School Committee, Select Board and Community Planning Commission (CPC) and one seat for a one-year term for Town Moderator. There are no vacancies for an elected five-year seat on the town’s Housing Authority this year; this is the year the appointed position to that board is made, state Town Clerk Barbara Stats. Election Day: May 5 The...

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First responders ready for COVID vaccine...

Jan 13, 2021 by

Published January 13, 2021 By DAN TOMASELLO LYNNFIELD — Local first responders will be receiving the first injection of the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday. Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Glenn Davis informed the Villager that first responders are part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Phase One vaccine distribution plan. “A plan for Region 3B communities, which Lynnfield is a part of, was submitted by Andover’s Health Department,” said Davis. “The communities in Region 3B are Andover, Lynnfield, Lawrence, Methuen, North Andover, North Reading, Reading and Wilmington.” Davis said firefighters, police officers, dispatchers and school nurses will be receiving the first injection of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, Jan. 14 at Lynnfield High School. “All firefighters, police officers and dispatchers in town will be vaccinated,” said Davis. “School nurses will also be vaccinated...

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Barrett out, Connell in for Select Board...

Jan 13, 2021 by

Published January 13, 2021 By DAN TOMASELLO LYNNFIELD — In a surprising turn of events, Select Board Chairman Chris Barrett announced on Friday, Jan. 8 that he will not be running for a third three-year term. Barrett was elected to the Board of Selectmen in April 2015 after previously serving a term on the School Committee. He was re-elected to a second term three years ago. “After nearly 20 years of service to the town of Lynnfield, I made the decision to not seek re-election to the Lynnfield Select Board,” Barrett stated in a Letter to the Editor. “This has been a very difficult decision for my family and me because of the pride and joy I take from serving the town I love so much. With a young family and increased professional responsibility,...

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SC honors late Lynnfield High educator...

Jan 13, 2021 by

Published January 13, 2021 By DAN TOMASELLO LYNNFIELD — Late Lynnfield High School Social Studies Department Head Mike Boulay always went above and beyond for his students and his colleagues. The School Committee decided to recognize Boulay’s contributions to the district when it named him as the winner of the second annual Dorothy Presser Award on Jan. 5. Chairman Jamie Hayman said the award recognizes Boulay’s accomplishments during the 2019-2020 academic year as well as his entire 21 years of service to Lynnfield Public Schools. MIKE BOULAY  Late LHS Social Studies Department Head Boulay passed away unexpectedly at Massachusetts General Hospital last August after a brief illness. He was 61. He worked at the high school for 21 years. “Mike was the head of the Social Studies Department at the high school for more...

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