Region Roundup: Town Meeting Dissolves, Norton Interim Superintendent Chosen in Wrentham, Marathon Response Praise [And More..]

Lack of Quorum Dissolves Town Meet After 37 Articles are Discussed and Voted

Easton Town Meeting was dissolved after approximately four hours Monday night after there were not enough voters present to reach a quorum.

Voters did not schedule another date to resume the meeting. As a result, the remaining articles (38-44) will likely be put on hold until a Special Town Meeting in the fall, town clerk Jeremy Gillis said.

Residents still voted on 37 articles, however. Thirty two passed as written. Two were dismissed. One was amended and two (Articles 33 and 37) failed.

Norton Interim Superintendent Selected For Wrentham

Norton interim superintendent Dr. Christopher Martes is continuing his work in Wrentham, moving from Norton after assisting the district in selecting Joseph Baeta as permanent superintendent.

“You folks need to see if I’m a good fit,” he said. “I like interim work, I bring a set of skills and I’ve that I do like doing this work.”

Martes, who served in Norton for the 2012-13 school year, said he’s looking forward to coming to a new town and a new situation.

Cellphone Battle Erupts in Council Chambers in Attleboro

Last month's hot topic during an Attleboro City Council meeting was when councilors take their bathroom breaks. This week it was whether councilors were using their cellphones during meetings. Councilor Jeremy Denlea alleged Monday night that some of his colleagues were "texting, emailing and playing games during every meeting." Councilor Jonathan Weydt, one of the alleged cellphone users, said he was "very upset and disgusted" by the allegation.

Mansfield Police and Fire Praised for Response to Boston Marathon Bombing

When Boston needed the help of local police and fire departments in the wake of the Boston Marathon Bombing, Mansfield answered.

Like many other towns, Mansfield sent four members of their police department as part of a call up by the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council to provide security and investigative support to the City of Boston in the days after the Boston Marathon Bombing.

Being recognized for their work in front of the selectmen, Mansfield Police Chief Ron Sellon praised the members of his department for their efforts to help Boston in the days after the bombing.

“Members of the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Counsel stood fixed posts for extended periods of time in heavy gear while knowing that a dangerous terrorist had struck once, and would likely do so again,” Sellon said.

The police chief added that some of the Mansfield members of the counsel put in 17 hour days during their time in Boston.