Towns Beef Up Security At Ballot Drop Boxes: Patch PM

It's Tuesday, Oct. 27. Here's what Patch has been covering in Middlesex County and across Massachusetts today.

Several communities are enhancing security at drop boxes for mail-in ballots after one was set ablaze in a suspected arson in Boston Sunday. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin issued an "urgent election directive" to local officials to improve security around ballot boxes.

Medford has two official ballot drop boxes – outside the side door of City Hall and inside City Hall at the Greeter Desk. The box outside is under video surveillance, and the box inside is at a desk that is staffed whenever the building is open.

Officials are taking steps to secure drop boxes Saturday night into Sunday. This will include locking the outside drop box, which will be reopened on Sunday.

Reading Town Manager Robert LeLacheur could not comment on specifically what security measures are being taken but said the town started following state guidance Sunday night. Mail-in ballots may be returned to the town business mailbox in the Town Hall parking lot, 16 Lowell Street.

The Arlington Town Clerk's office is working with the police department to step up patrols outside the town's three ballot drop box locations. Security cameras have been in place since the spring election.

Elsewhere in Middlesex County

Somerville Bar Going Into 'Hibernation,' Promises Spring Return

A Somerville bar that weathered the pandemic with an assist from a nearby pizza parlor will go into "hibernation" this winter. Sligo Pub, which operates the Sligo Dragon Patio with neighboring Dragon Pizza, will close Oct. 31 as colder weather creeps in. But Halloween won't spell the end of Sligo: "we are hibernating till we open up the patio again in March!!" a statement on the bar's Facebook page reads.

Proposed Pot Shop Seeking Special Permit From Malden

Talks will continue this week over awarding a special permit to Standard Naturals, Inc., a proposed marijuana retailer that wants to build a 3,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility off Route 1 in Malden. The building is proposed at 7 Linehurst Road, next to the Route 1 Kappy's. The plan is unique in that it calls for constructing a new building, instead of retrofitting an old one.

Woburn Hairstylist, Laid Off In June, Starts Own Salon

In June, Woburnite Bernadette Matthews and her friend Denise Tartarini were laid off by Hair Cuttery, which was bankrupt and closing all its New England locations. On Nov. 3, they will open Top Knot Hair Salon, in Woburn's TradeCenter. Matthews admits it's an unconventional move, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and related business restrictions.

"It's absolutely crazy to be opening in the middle of the pandemic," she said.

Across Massachusetts

Coronavirus Leads To Record Month For Cape Cod Home Sales

Real estate experts said more people are choosing to live on Cape Cod and the Islands as working from home becomes the new norm.

Baker Warns Of 'Significant Increase' In Coronavirus Cases Among Younger People

"The share of positive cases between the under 30 crowd and the over 60 crowd has basically flipped," the governor said.

Puppet Showplace Theater Says Someone Emptied Its Bank Account

Brookline police are investigating after the theater's board found its bank account empty.

No Bail For 'Emotionally Disturbed' Man After Ballot Box Burning

Worldly Armand, 39, will have a dangerousness hearing Friday. He had bail revoked in a case where he is charged with a similar arson crime.