Athol-Royalston School Committee Faces Outcry Over Bullying and Behavior Concerns

Overview: During the Athol-Royalston Regional School Committee meeting, issues surrounding student behavior, bullying, and policy enforcement took center stage as parents and staff voiced their concerns. Claire Butler, a parent, highlighted bullying incidents at Athol-Royalston Middle School, which have left her daughter feeling unable to attend. Butler pointedly described the situation as “really difficult,” advocating for an update to the homeschooling cap from 1% to a state-aligned 2%.

Greenfield City Council Grapples with Zoning Amendments and Infrastructure Challenges

Overview: The Greenfield City Council meeting focused on critical zoning amendments for multifamily housing and the city’s infrastructure issues. The council deliberated on the implications of zoning changes for housing development, especially concerning multifamily dwellings, and addressed significant infrastructure concerns, including a potential temporary closure of City Hall due to plumbing issues.

Lunenburg School Committee Explores New Activity Fee Models Amid Financial Strain

Overview: At a recent Lunenburg School Committee meeting, discussions centered around the ongoing challenges of funding extracurricular activities amidst rising costs, sparking a debate on the fairness and sustainability of current student activity fee structures. The meeting also addressed developments relating to the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s program updates, capital project funding, and legislative advocacy efforts.

Lakeville Board of Health Considers Tight Tank Solution for Garage Bathroom

Overview: During the Lakeville Board of Health meeting on December 18, 2024, members engaged in an extensive discussion about a variance request from Title 5, Section 15.260, for a proposed project on Asel Road. The project involved installing a tight tank for wastewater management associated with a bathroom in a newly constructed garage. The representative from Sharon Associates, presenting the request on behalf of property owner Brian Fisher, explained that a tight tank was necessary due to Title 5 regulations that prohibit discharging wastewater from floor drains to a leaching field.

Bridgewater-Raynham School Committee Faces Staffing Challenges Amid Budget Constraints and Safety Concerns

Overview: The recent Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School Committee meeting underscored significant challenges facing the district, particularly budgetary constraints impacting staffing levels and educational quality, alongside pressing safety concerns following incidents at Raynham Middle School.