Peabody/Lynnfield Weekly News

by John Castelluccio

PEABODY – Joseph Mastrocola is headed to Groton July 1.

The assistant superintendent was hired to lead the Groton-Dunstable School District on Feb. 20. All that’s left now is finalizing a contract, which Mastrocola expected to wrap up by Wednesday (after press time for this edition).

“I’m walking into a tremendous situation. There’s a very strong leadership team, an outstanding, dedicated teaching staff and a wonderful, committed community,” he said on Monday.

by John Castelluccio

PEABODY - By the time they got into discussion on rezoning, after some technical audio issues, city councilors were already a half-hour behind on their review - not a good omen.

by Jeff Shmase

LYNNFIELD – Parents planning their summer vacations take note: The School Department is considering starting the next academic year the Wednesday before Labor Day.

Superintendent of Schools Robert Hassett presented his tentative calendar of the 2010-2011 school year recently to the School Committee for their review. Barring an unforeseen circumstance, the opening day of school will be Sept. 1. (The schools started school before Labor Day this year as well). Labor Day next year is Sept. 6.

The committee will vote on the calendar at a future meeting.

by Jeff Shmase

LYNNFIELD – Last Thursday’s wind-driven rainstorm brought an unwelcome site to a Hutchins Circle home: a tree.

The tree pierced two holes into the house – one through the ceiling of a bedroom, and a second branch cut into the ceiling on the second floor. The tree also fell on a truck outside the home, doing extensive damage.

Meanwhile, power lines were stretched across the street. Nobody was injured in the accident.

by Jeff Shmase

LYNNFIELD – After a long discussion, selectmen Monday night somewhat begrudgingly selected the middle school as the new polling site for next month’s town election. The move is contingent upon the School Committee authorizing the site, a decision that is expected since the School Department has been actively involved in the site selection process.

by Jeff Shmase

LYNNFIELD – It would appear townspeople are quite content with the proposed school budget for next fiscal year, based on last week’s feedback during the annual public hearing of the School Committee budget.

Only two residents commented on the 2011 spending plan, and they are voices the School Committee knows well. Patricia Campbell, a frequent contributor to such events, and Harry LeCours, a former Finance Committee member and selectman, raised issues the board has heard from them before.