Essex Happenings…. May 11. 2012 Trail Opening information In a previous blog posting an update on this program was included, but it was part of a larger update provided by the Danvers bike group. I have decided to reprint that notice here to bring proper attention to the day. Saturday, June 2, 2012 - National Trail Day and Danvers Rail Trail Dedication Day for Phase 1 - According to the Danvers Rail Trail web site, http://danversrailtrail.org/. ‘VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The Danvers Rail Trail Committee will celebrate the work accomplished to-date on the Rail Trail on Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 (National Trail Day) with a day of events including: a “Swamp Walk & Talk”; pre-dedication coffee & doughnuts or Bake Sale (by Maple St. Congregational Church); a Dedication Ceremony; Ice Cream Walk; and similar events with food, refreshments, and music. We need volunteers in order to make this day a true success, and we are asking you for your help . ‘ Please go to http://danversrailtrail.org/volunteerregistration.htm to sign up to volunteer for what ever time you have to give. Help make the day a fun easy event for all by lending a hand. Not sure where you want to help, if you choose the Tapelyville Ice Cream site you will see other Bi-Peds members there. The RTAC ‘want to get pinnies and railroad caps for all volunteers.’ Not sure what that means. You’ll have to volunteer to find out. Save the date, bring your friends, there will be fun for all ages, great music for the youngsters at Tapleyville area and for others at Danvers Indoor Sports. Activities offered By Danvers Historical Society Please join Danvers Historical Society at its annual Perennial Sale at the Glen Magna Farms Greenhouse, Ingersoll St. Danvers. The sale opened last Saturday from 9 AM -12 Noon. As patron strolled the historic garden rooms and celebrated Spring! The sale continues Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 AM – 12 Noon through May 23. Come visit and buy for your personal gardens. From May 12-16, celebrate 100 Years of Girl Scouting at Tapley Memorial Hall - Crafts, fashion show, exhibits and more. See the event calendar on DHS website danvershistory.org for more information. On Friday May 18, Open Mic Night and Oldies Concert “Spring Has Sprung”. Join Dan Tremblay and the host band “Looking Back Band” for a fun night in a relaxed atmosphere. 7:30 – 9:00 Tapley Memorial Hall. Cabaret style seating. On Wednesday May 23, Salute our Korean War Veterans. Past President Bob Farley leads this program and will share his memories and artifacts from the war. All veterans welcome to participate. 7 PM Tapley Memorial Hall. Free to members and Veterans, $5.00 not-yet members. Reservations are always appreciated for our programs to help with the attendance set up in Tapley Memorial Hall. As always, thanks for your continued support and we hope to see you at a program soon, Danvers Selectmen Organizational Meeting In an earlier blog posting, I noted that my wife and I went to vote at the Town Election on a very inclement day. It turned out that in an election where there were several contested races only 11 % of the citizen of Danvers shower up to vote. I hope that is not apathy, but was a direct result of the very poor weather day. Usually the residents of Danvers are most concerned voters and certainly more participatory than this election. On Thursday evening just prior to a second Finance Committee Meeting that I participated in, the new Board of Selectmen met in an annual organizational meeting. The meeting included the two new members of the Board. Bill Clarke and Gardner Trask were congratulated on their re-election. At the meeting Bill Clarke was elected as the 2012 Chairman of the Board. Mr. Clarke is an elected Commissioner of Essex Heritage and has long been a strong proponent of the development of the Danvers Rail Trail. Andover Re-Allocates Unused Snow Budget Like a number of other communities in Essex County, the town of Andover Board of Selectmen have re-allocated unused snow removal funds set aside for the winter of 2011 to address other needed capital improvements and day to day needs. This past winter was most certainly an abnormality and more than likely will not be matched again, so this opportunity may not be seen again soon. North Andover Working on Master Plan The Town of North Andover is in the process of completing a master plan to deal with town owed and operated facilities. The purpose of the planning process is to reconsider present usage to determine if there is a way to re-organize the present configuration of space used by town employees. Under consideration are police, fire, Senior Services, public works and the school system. This certainly seems to be a positive step at this time for the community. Finance Committee Hears Vocational School updates I recently attended my second meeting of the Danvers Finance committee for 2012 after missing all of 2011 due to illness. The 2012 season is almost over as I am unable to attend any additional presentations, my year is complete. I am very pleased that I as able to attend a couple of meetings this year as I have every intention of seeking a re-appointment by the Town Moderator to the committee in future years. I am also pleased that I was in the audience when the leadership of the Essex County Vocational School visited for their annual visit to the Town of Danvers Finance Committee. I was particularly pleased to learn of their exemplary record of graduation, drop outs, MCAS Testing and general educational endeavors. The current facility that houses about 470 students that is in the process of merging with the Essex County Agricultural School and Peabody Vocational School into a new almost 1500 regional vocational school scheduled to open in 2014. Planning for that new school is well underway and he groundbreaking for that new building occurred in Danvers. Excavation is scheduled soon and as you drive up Route 62 as you approach Middleton please watch, as construction will soon begin. Danvers Finance Committee generally accepted all we heard about the school. Except there are several members of the committee that wishes that participation/activity fees would be charged by the school for athletic teams as has become the norm for students attending public schools in the vast majority of the region served by the school. Salem Partnership Reports Provided MBTA Public Meeting June 12, 2012 – A Public Meeting on the 30% design of the MBTA parking garage has been scheduled. This is a major initiative of The Partnership and all members and Salem residents are urged to attend to offer observations. Further information to follow. "Salute to Senator Fred Berry" June 20, 2012 - "A Salute to Senator Fred Berry" is being planned at the Danversport Yacht Club. As you know, Senator Berry has worked closely with the Partnership for all of our 25 years and has provided much support to Salem. His support has been critical in many of our initiatives. Please Save the Date; invitations will be sent out soon. All Proceeds will benefit the Fred Berry Charitable Fund.