NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS
Monday, June 9th at 7pm: FOL Spring Gratitude Event (IN PERSON). All 2025 FOL Members and past Book Sale Volunteers are invited to register. Please...
Rowley Public Library Seeks Your Input on Strategic Plan
Rowley Public Library Needs Your Input! All are invited to participate in a 90-minute focus group on Tuesday, June 10, from 6 to 7:30pm. The ideas...
NEWBURYPORT Adult and Community Education (NACE)
REGIONAL – Looking for a fun, maybe life-enriching experience this summer. Try learning to make pottery or fulfill that childhood dream of shooting...
Upcoming Events
AMESBURY 2025 Chocolate Tour! Saturday, June 7th, 12 to 4 p.m. - an afternoon of delicious tastings, local charm, and community fun—all while...
Groveland Yard Pirates
To the Editor: On Mother's Day May 11, 2025, I left for a few hours with my friend to get lunch and when I returned, the patio set I had placed it...
Town of Merrimac Seeking Volunteers to Assist with Old Sawyer House Trail Work
MERRIMAC – Residents and visitors are invited to join members of the Town Improvement Society as it cleans a quarter-mile, in-and-out trail located...
Support for New Whittier Campus Grows
REGIONAL — Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School has moved closer to getting the state to help build a new building on the campus of...
Georgetown Eagle Scout Court of Honor
An Eagle Scout Court of Honor will take place in Georgetown on Saturday, May 31st at 2 pm at the First Congregational Church. Three Eagle Scouts...
Merrimac Police/Fire and Amesbury Police Rescue 7-Year-Old Boy Stuck in Swamp
MERRIMAC — A young boy is home and safe with his family after a quick and cooperative response between Merrimac and Amesbury first responders....
Pentucket School District Updates
WEST NEWBURY, MERRIMAC – The Pentucket Regional School District is pleased to announce some reorganizing meant to give more consistency and...
GROVELAND: Quick Updates!
By Michael Dempsey Special to The Town Common GROVELAND – Last month the town announced the release of a Request for Expression of Interest or REI...
SALISBURY/GLOUCESTER/BEVERLY and Beyond: Latest Complicated Rules for Massachusetts Fishermen
REGIONAL – Last week, the Division of Marine Fisheries is enacted several changes to the commercial summer flounder management program for 2025. The...
Beverly Police Arrest Man on Warrant for Attempted Murder
BEVERLY – Chief John G. LeLacheur reports that the Beverly Police Department located and arrested a New Jersey man on a warrant for attempted murder...
Local Scholars
AMESBURY: Jessica Cortez named to the Troy University Chancellor's List. Piper Brown was named to the Dean's List at Emerson College. Safiya Tarbell...
DANVERS: Historical Society’s Art Collection
DANVERS – Salem State University students Alanna Niemczura and David Spalding-Aguirre are discovering 19th and 20th century artists from Danvers....
WENHAM: Sgt. Marsh Retires
WENHAM – Police Chief Kevin DiNapoli is pleased to share that the Wenham Police Department is recognizing the 20-year career of Sgt. David Marsh...
GROVELAND Town Meeting Voters Embrace Future ‘MBTA’ Housing Developments
GROVELAND – About 120 residents gathered at the Elmer Bagnall School on Monday April 28 for our Groveland Annual Town Meeting. The meeting started...
Russell E. Hoffses
Russell E. Hoffses, age 81, peacefully passed away on April 22, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Rowley. He was born on September 3,...
Derek McGregor
Derek McGregor passed away in a unexpected and tragic accident on April 20, 2025, in Salisbury, MA. Born on April 28, 1981, in Rowley, MA, Derek was...
Charles P. Rousseau
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Charles P. Rousseau on April 15, 2025. He passed away peacefully with his loving family by...
Alice M. (O’Brien) Perley Reed
Alice M. (O’Brien) Perley Reed of Rowley, MA passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at the age of 88, surrounded by loving family members....
Nichole D. Raftopoulos of Nvest Financial, LLC Honored in Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors; Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors
Nichole D. Raftopoulos of Nvest Financial, LLC Honored in Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors; Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Portsmouth,...
BOXFORD: 24 Articles for Town Meeting
BOXFORD – The Boxford Select Board has officially closed the warrant for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The final...
Rowley Police Investigates Property Scam, Summons and Charge Washington Man
ROWLEY – Chief Stephen May reports that the Rowley Police Department has summonsed a man from Tacoma, Wash., with multiple larceny charges following...
Newbury Soliciting Bids for Space for Byfield Fire Station
NEWBURY – The Town of Newbury is soliciting proposals to lease space in or around the Byfield section for a fire station. The lease for the current...
SALISBURY: Playing With Fairies and Gnomes
SALISBURY – The Fairy Gnome Discovery Walk brought a touch of magic to the weekend as visitors wandered through one of the most whimsical events in...
Gloucester Fire Department Extinguishes House Fire Caused by Careless Disposal of Smoking Materials
GLOUCESTER – Chief Eric L. Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department extinguished a small fire at a Washington Street home early Saturday...
PORTSMOUTH, NH Sara Bareilles Headlines this year’s Emerging Artist Benefit Concert
The Music Hall is thrilled to announce that Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, Broadway composer, and multi-award-winning artist Sara Bareilles will...
Mike Anderson for Georgetown Light Commissioner
GEORGETOWN – My name is Mike Anderson, and I am running for the position of Light Commissioner. I am a lifelong resident of Georgetown and have...
Clipper Ship Arrives on the Waterfront
NEWBURYPORT WATERFRONT – The arrival home of a clipper ship in the early days of this city meant a lot to the maritime economy. Now, the arrival of Aaron T Stephan’s clipper ship sculpture on the waterfront, heralding the city’s past, is likely to draw cash-totting tourists for the shops and restaurants. Stephan’s clipper ship has been berthed a few feet from the Merrimack River, just in time for the summer season. Stephan was awarded the commission by the Public Art Commission, beating out 20 other artists. Born...
Select Board to Host Public Info. Session on Potential Membership in North Shore Regional 911 Center
BOXFORD – The Town of Boxford Select Board will host a public information session at its meeting on Monday, June 16, 2025, to discuss the Town’s ongoing evaluation of potentially joining the North Shore Regional 911 Center (NSR911). The session will take place at Boxford Town Hall beginning at 6:30 PM, and residents are strongly encouraged to attend and learn more about this important initiative. The June 16th session will offer an overview of the NSR911 Center’s services and operations, the potential benefits of...
GRADUATION: Senior Spotlight
by Lexirose Aulson Special to The Town Common Gabrielle Aulson is a graduating senior in the Georgetown Class of 2025. Like many of her peers, she has some impressive accomplishments—Honor Roll, Vice President, and Volleyball Captain. Yet, these achievements are not what truly define Gabrielle. For those who don't know her, here’s a little insight: She’s a proud, slightly crazy cat mom to her beloved girls—Pishoe, Esmeralda, and Bluette. She is a Harry Potter and Top Gun fanatic. She can guess anyone’s...
‘The Graduation Address I will Probably Never Be Asked to Deliver’
by Kevin McCormick Special to The Town Common Congratulations to all of you and thank you for having me here at one of your major life achievements. We humans need ceremonies to mark milestones but then we humans must move on. To the next thing. Whatever that is will certainly find you if you don’t know what, when or where that will be. As I stand here before you, gazing out on all of your faces, I now know what it must be like to host the Oscars. I’m looking at a roomful of stars, figuratively and literally....
Georgetown Memorial Day Parade Photos
NEWBURY: Food Bank Turns 10!
REGIONAL – First Parish Newbury Food Bank, which celebrates its 10th year this month serving needy households in the region, stands as a shining example of community spirit and volunteer-driven compassion. Entirely staffed by volunteers, the food pantry boasts more than 200 members who dedicate their time to serving hundreds of others. The food pantry has come a long way. Founded by church members Jane Merrow and Sue Boccuzzo, when Steve Fram, a Newbury health inspector, asked for help in relocating the food...
BOXFORD TRASH & RECYCLING RENEWAL DUE
BOXFORD – The Town of Boxford's Automated Trash and Recycling Program is now open. Residents who wish to continue participating in the program for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, must submit their annual $175 payment by Thursday, June 12, 2025. The program, which began in FY25 following a Town Meeting vote to transition from sticker-based collection to a more efficient annual user fee system, continues to be administered in partnership with G. Mello Disposal Corp. The...
YWCA Greater Newburyport Celebrates Opening of Their New 48 Units of Senior Housing in Methuen
YWCA Greater Newburyport, in collaboration with Element Care Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a non-profit healthcare organization helping older adults live safely and comfortably in their homes, celebrated the opening of 48 units of senior affordable housing and Element Care’s new PACE site in Methuen, Massachusetts. The new PACE Center will provide essential, comprehensive healthcare services, integrated housing, and engaging activities to allow older adults to stay engaged and to receive...
GEORGETOWN: ‘Nice Way to Start’
GEORGETOWN – Like many towns this spring, the Georgetown SelectBoard last week chose one of its own to be its chair for the next two years. But while most town organization meetings are cordial, get-acquainted sessions, Georgetown’s was highly contentious with the lone new member being told sarcastically, “nice way to start.” When the nominations began, Michael Donahue, the newest member of the SelectBoard, nominated veteran selectman Doug Dawes to be the chair. Laura Repplier, in turn, nominated Robert Hoover,...
NEWBURYPORT: Meet the Commerce Cottages
NEWBURYPORT – The Commerce Cottages, a group of small, colorful shanties in downtown, help artists, students, nonprofits and small businesses sell their products, wares and services – a way to start in business in Newburyport without the high cost of traditional retail spaces. Organized by the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, the cottages stand in the well-located courtyard of the First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist Church on Pleasant Street. The project, which opens next month, is a new...
Town of Merrimac Seeking Volunteers to Assist with Old Sawyer House Trail Work
MERRIMAC – Residents and visitors are invited to join members of the Town Improvement Society as it cleans a quarter-mile, in-and-out trail located...
Support for New Whittier Campus Grows
REGIONAL — Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School has moved closer to getting the state to help build a new building on the campus of...
Georgetown Eagle Scout Court of Honor
An Eagle Scout Court of Honor will take place in Georgetown on Saturday, May 31st at 2 pm at the First Congregational Church. Three Eagle Scouts from Troop 51 will be honored for their achievements: Jaiden Shah, Ian Studer, and Sean Hornberger.
Merrimac Police/Fire and Amesbury Police Rescue 7-Year-Old Boy Stuck in Swamp
MERRIMAC — A young boy is home and safe with his family after a quick and cooperative response between Merrimac and Amesbury first responders. Merrimac Police Chief Eric Shears, Merrimac Fire Chief Larry Fisher and Amesbury Police Chief...
Plum Island Property Owner Moves to Replace Closed 125-Seat Restaurant with Four Multi-Story Condos
NEWBURY – With the former owner of the Plum Island Grille facing a felony criminal charge for vandalizing the popular, but now closed restaurant, property owner Mark Friery is planning to tell the town in the next couple of weeks that he will seek...
NEWBURYPORT Anna Jaques Hospital Community Listening Session
Wednesday, February 12th from 11 a.m-12:30 p.m. Beth Israel Lahey Health and its member hospitals are conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment to better understand the most pressing health-related issues impacting the people living and...
Priced Right Junk Removal
Clipper Ship Arrives on the Waterfront
NEWBURYPORT WATERFRONT – The arrival home of a clipper ship in the early days of this city meant a lot to the maritime economy. Now, the arrival of Aaron T Stephan’s clipper ship sculpture on the waterfront, heralding the city’s past, is likely to draw cash-totting tourists for the shops and restaurants. Stephan’s clipper ship has been berthed a few feet from the Merrimack River, just in time for the summer season. Stephan was awarded the commission by the Public Art Commission, beating out 20 other artists. Born...
Clipper Ship Arrives on the Waterfront
NEWBURYPORT WATERFRONT – The arrival home of a clipper ship in the early days of this city meant a lot to the maritime economy. Now, the arrival of Aaron T Stephan’s clipper ship sculpture on the waterfront, heralding the city’s past, is likely to draw cash-totting tourists for the shops and restaurants. Stephan’s clipper ship has been berthed a few feet from the Merrimack River, just in time for the summer season. Stephan was awarded the commission by the Public Art Commission, beating out 20 other artists. Born...
Select Board to Host Public Info. Session on Potential Membership in North Shore Regional 911 Center
BOXFORD – The Town of Boxford Select Board will host a public information session at its meeting on Monday, June 16, 2025, to discuss the Town’s ongoing evaluation of potentially joining the North Shore Regional 911 Center (NSR911). The session will take place at Boxford Town Hall beginning at 6:30 PM, and residents are strongly encouraged to attend and learn more about this important initiative. The June 16th session will offer an overview of the NSR911 Center’s services and operations, the potential benefits of...
GRADUATION: Senior Spotlight
by Lexirose Aulson Special to The Town Common Gabrielle Aulson is a graduating senior in the Georgetown Class of 2025. Like many of her peers, she has some impressive accomplishments—Honor Roll, Vice President, and Volleyball Captain. Yet, these achievements are not what truly define Gabrielle. For those who don't know her, here’s a little insight: She’s a proud, slightly crazy cat mom to her beloved girls—Pishoe, Esmeralda, and Bluette. She is a Harry Potter and Top Gun fanatic. She can guess anyone’s...
NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS
Monday, June 9th at 7pm: FOL Spring Gratitude Event (IN PERSON). All 2025 FOL Members and past Book Sale Volunteers are invited to register. Please join us in the Program Room anytime between 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Refreshments will be served. Door prizes will be drawn every 30 minutes, giving everyone a chance to win! Each attendee will also receive a gift as a token of our appreciation for your support. Registration required. Monday, June 9th at...
Rowley Public Library Seeks Your Input on Strategic Plan
Rowley Public Library Needs Your Input! All are invited to participate in a 90-minute focus group on Tuesday, June 10, from 6 to 7:30pm. The ideas and perspectives gathered will be crucial in shaping the Rowley Public Library’s Strategic Plan, guiding the future of the library’s services. The focus group will be an open conversation led by a strategic planning consultant, guided by a series of questions designed to explore how Rowley Public...
NEWBURYPORT Adult and Community Education (NACE)
REGIONAL – Looking for a fun, maybe life-enriching experience this summer. Try learning to make pottery or fulfill that childhood dream of shooting a bow and arrow. There is always try your hand at watercolors or decoupage oyster shell art. Maybe you wish you knew how to protect your email account from the cybercriminals. Or reduce your stress with meditation in Maudsley State Park or take a hike to discover some of Newburyport’s wonderful...
Upcoming Events
AMESBURY 2025 Chocolate Tour! Saturday, June 7th, 12 to 4 p.m. - an afternoon of delicious tastings, local charm, and community fun—all while supporting great local causes. Tickets include a chocolate sample from each participating shop and help fund our amazing beneficiaries: Tough Warrior Princesses, Greenstone Gives, and K9 Officer Meatball. Get tickets: https://chocolatetour.org/tickets/ BOXFORD June 16th public information session on the...
Groveland Yard Pirates
To the Editor: On Mother's Day May 11, 2025, I left for a few hours with my friend to get lunch and when I returned, the patio set I had placed it...
Town of Merrimac Seeking Volunteers to Assist with Old Sawyer House Trail Work
MERRIMAC – Residents and visitors are invited to join members of the Town Improvement Society as it cleans a quarter-mile, in-and-out trail located...
Support for New Whittier Campus Grows
REGIONAL — Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School has moved closer to getting the state to help build a new building on the campus of...
Plum Island Property Owner Moves to Replace Closed 125-Seat Restaurant with Four Multi-Story Condos
NEWBURY – With the former owner of the Plum Island Grille facing a felony criminal charge for vandalizing the popular, but now closed restaurant,...
NEWBURYPORT Anna Jaques Hospital Community Listening Session
Wednesday, February 12th from 11 a.m-12:30 p.m. Beth Israel Lahey Health and its member hospitals are conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment to better understand the most pressing health-related issues impacting the people living and working in the communities we serve. Please join us to hear key themes from our assessment, share your perspective, and discuss potential solutions. All attendees are entered to win a $100 Visa Gift...
Priced Right Junk Removal