ANDOVER — Despite an appeal from State Sen. Sue Tucker, D-Andover, the Massachusetts Highway Department will not pay to replace new curbing on North Main Street near Elm Square.

The curbing, located across the street from the Mobil gas station on North Main Street, was installed last year as part of the state's Route 28 redesign project.

Town officials contend the curbing is too wide and occasionally restricts the flow of northbound traffic travelling through the square.

MassHighway denied the town's initial request to have the curbing reinstalled, prompting an appeal of the decision from Tucker, according to Town Manager Reginald "Buzz" Stapczynski.

That appeal has since been denied by the state, he told selectmen June 22.

"If they're going to do it, we have to pay for it," he said.

Gift makes summer fun at Boys & Girls Club

LAWRENCE — The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Greater Lawrence Summer Fund, a fund of the Essex County Community Foundation.

The club will use the grant to support the summer program for hundreds of youngsters.

Since 1990, the Greater Lawrence Summer Fund has linked agencies that need money for summer programming with donors.

Originally administered by the Stevens Foundation, the ECCF became the GLSF's administrator in 2001. Its mission is to increase local philanthropy and provide support to non-profits serving Essex County.

ECCF stewards 80 charitable funds held in more than $10 million in assets, and since its inception has awarded over $7 million in grants to organizations.

To learn more about The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, visit www.lawrencebgc.com. To learn more about the ECCF, visit www.eccf.org.

Valley hospice gets boost from Sal's owner

HAVERHILL — Sal Lupoli, president and CEO of Sal's Pizza, Salvatore's Restaurants and Riverwalk Properties, gave $5,000 to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House.

The 14-suite Hospice House opened at 360 North Ave., in June so that terminally ill children and adults could live with their families in a pristine setting.

It is among six licensed hospice houses in the state, offering 24-hour care, but the only one that cares for children.

Others can get involved by making a donation or purchasing an inscribed brick which will be used to form a Remembrance Walkway at the facility. To donate, call Victoria Kelley at 978-552-4162.