Region Roundup: Capital Budget Changes, Football Player Admits Assault, Massive Drug Bust [And More]

Town Administrator’s Capital Budget Fully Funds Technology Request For Schools

Easton Town Administrator David Colton told selectmen Monday night that he is recommending the town fully fund the school department's capital budget request for technology.

His decision overrides Easton's Capital Planning Committee, which recommended the town include $50,000 worth of the School Department's $173,000 request, the majority of which was dedicated for wireless internet funding in Easton Middle School and the Olmsted-Richardson schools.

Colton's Capital Budget also differs from the Capital Planning Committee in that it will not include pavement management road funding for the Department of Public Works. He said his decision is based on the fact that a bill is currently before the State Legislature that could increase state aid for roads by 1/3.

"Although it’s unlikely that the entire packet will be passed, I do expect some increase so I think we better see what that is before we recommend more funding," he said.

In all, Colton's Capital Budget is $2.9 million - slightly less than the $3 million recommended by the Capital Planning Committee. The Capital Budget is funded by a combination of borrowing and available funds.

Mansfield Football Player Admits to Assaulting Student

Mansfield High School student and football captain Alex Ruddy admitted in Attleboro District Court yesterday to assaulting another student with his belt according to the Sun Chronicle.

The peal-bargain deal, where Ruddy admitted to committing assault and battery, a misdemeanor, will allow Ruddy to return to school.

The case was continued without a finding for one year with probation and will be dismissed if Ruddy is able to stay out of trouble.

Motor Vehicle Stop in Foxborough Leads Police to Massive Drug Bust

A motor vehicle stop on Mechanic Street Thursday turned out to be much more for Foxborough police as officers made a drug trafficking bust after discovering 119 grams of cocaine in the operator’s vehicle.

Foxborough Police Sgt. John Chamberlin stopped a vehicle on Mechanic Street earlier in the day Thursday where indicators of criminal activity were present, according to the police department’s Facebook page.

“Sgt. Chamberlin subsequently scanned the vehicle with assistance of Foxborough Police K9, Marley, who alerted to the presence of narcotics,” Foxborough police said on Facebook. “The vehicle was brought back to the Foxborough police station where it was further searched by Sgt. Chamberlin, Marley, and the Massachusetts State Police.”

During a search of the vehicle, a hidden electronic compartment was discovered, according to police.  Inside the compartment was 119 grams of cocaine and also discovered was approximately $2,000 in cash.

The operator of the motor vehicle was arrested on a number of charges including trafficking in cocaine, according to police.

Stoughton Man Bringing Play About Fight for Marriage Equality to Local Church

He's not an actor and hasn't been involved with theater since his college days, but after seeing an online production of "8 The Play," Stoughton's Tom Grenon was moved to action.

"8," which premiered on Broadway in September of 2011 and in Los Angeles in March of 2012, deals with the issue of marriage equality for same-sex couples.

It chronicles the legal effort to overturn California's Proposition 8, a 2008 ballot proposition passed by voters in that state, which defined marriage in California as only between a man and a woman, even though California had previously recognized same-sex marriage.

Grenon, who married his long-time partner, Bill Bunce, shortly after Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage, saw the play on YouTube this past fall, went to the website for the play and saw a link for how to stage it and "just had to do it."

The play will be held at the Christ Congregational Church, 1350 Pleasant St. in Brockton, Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. There will be a talk back session after each performance with representatives from Mass Equality on the panel.