Here's one for Mother Earth
LAWRENCE — Patrick Blanchette wants to save some trees and some money.
Blanchette, the City Council president, this week launched a new committee that's looking at how the City Council can cut down on its paper consumption. He said he's been researching other councils throughout the country that have already gone "paperless."
"It's a very interesting process, but one I think that's both cost effective and nature friendly," Blanchette said.
Both the city attorney and clerk's office have been asked to look at what paper documents City Hall must keep for legal purposes. Last Tuesday night, the committee met with a company that could equip the council with "touch-screen" monitors they could use for agendas, public participation and to cast votes electronically.
"It will automatically scan the minutes for the clerk ,and a screen will be up for the public to see the agenda and what specific item we are discussing," Blanchette said.
No word yet on how much such a system and its installation will cost the city.
But the future goal, for both the council and hopefully everyone at City Hall, is to cut down on paper.
State auditors, in a report released earlier this year, also said City Hall should cut down on its paper use to save money.
Shred paper, avoid identity theft
NORTH ANDOVER — It's shredding time in North Andover.
The North Andover Solid Waste Advisory Committee is sponsoring a shredding event on Saturday so residents can get rid of their papers and avoid identity theft.
From 9 a.m. to noon, residents can bring their paper to 384 Osgood St. The shredding of the first file-size box of paper is free of charge. Additional boxes of paper will be $5 each to shred. The shredding will be done by Universal Shredding of Georgetown. For more information, contact Universal Shredding at 978-352-8567.
Wii auction to benefit Senior Center
NORTH ANDOVER — North Andover United Inc. is offering the chance to get a Wii Nintendo System for just $10.
The citizens group is holding a raffle for the video game system to raise money for renovations at the Senior Center.
The Friends of the Senior Center are trying to raise $80,000 to expand the reception and waiting areas, expand the health services area and reconfigure space more efficiently for the activity and office areas.
Tickets will be available at this Tuesday's Town Meeting, 7 p.m. at North Andover High School. Tickets are also available at the high school's main office, 430 Osgood St.; at the Senior Center, 120 Main St., in the mornings; and in front of the post office on Main Street on Saturday mornings from 9 to 11:30. Tickets are $10 for one or three for $20. The drawing will be June 17.
Put on your hiking boots
ANDOVER — Time to take a hike. The Andover Trails Committee has released its 2008 schedule for the group's hiking series. There are six hikes scheduled this year. The first one will take place on Sunday, May 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. around the ponds of Harold Parker State Forest. The hike will include Stearns Pond, Sudden Pond and Salem Pond. It's approximately five miles. Meet at the Ranger Station at the intersection of Salem Street and Harold Parker Road. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.andovertrails.org or call Jeff Lafountain at 978-470-2980 or e-mail him at jefflaf@comcast.net.
Mason gets in touch with history
METHUEN — Resident Mason Russell attended the 275th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Boston last week.
Russell, the deputy grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, took a moment to pose for a photo while holding an urn made by Benjamin Franklin. The urn contains a lock of George Washington's hair.
Like Russell, Franklin and Washington were freemasons.
The Massachusetts lodge is the third oldest grand lodge in the world and the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. Masonic dignitaries from more than 20 countries gathered for the anniversary last Monday at Westin Copley Place.
