MOVING SALE/GARAGE SALE SAT. MAY 16th
RAIN OR SHINE: 10 AM THRU 3 PM, 3 Larkspurk Circle, GEORGETOWN What are we selling? If it's not listed here "we probably don't got it." We do have a good variety of "stuff." BEDROOM STUFF: A one-year-old DELUXE KING SIZE BED (sadly we must part with it because we are...
Invitation to Local Candidates
The Town Common invites local candidates for town positions to introduce themselves - in their own words - to our readers. Please limit submissions to approximately 400 words so that we may fit in all candidates. (Candidates can always purchase advertising space for...
Donald Francis Crosby, who lived a life marked by humor, courage, and creativity, was born on May 21, 1933, in Brookline, Massachusetts, and passed away on March 21, 2026, only 61 days shy of his 93rd birthday, in Griffin, Georgia, leaving behind a legacy that...
Nancy McElroy Gormley
Nancy McElroy Gormley, 67, of Rowley, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026, her birthday, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on March 31, 1959, in Beverly, Massachusetts, Nancy lived a life defined by warmth, humor, and deep devotion to...
New IRS Data: More Than 150,000 Residents Left Massachusetts
BOSTON – The Mass Opportunity Alliance (MOA) highlighted the findings of the latest Internal Revenue Service (IRS) “Statistics of Income” data, which shows steep taxes continue to fuel the state’s outmigration crisis. Released last week, the report provides...
Goats to Go Upcoming Events
UPCOMING EVENTS https://goatstogo.farm Georgetown, Mass. Winter Hike with Little Goats & Alpaca Greetings Sunday, February 22 · 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Winter Goat Hike & Alpaca Greetings Sunday, February 22 · 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Winter Adventure: Guided Farm...
David Scott Thibodeau
David Scott Thibodeau, a man of profound kindness, intelligence, and gentle spirit, left this world on February 4, 2026, in Rowley, MA, leaving behind a legacy of love, and unwavering dedication to his family and passions. Born on June 1, 1958, in Millinocket, ME,...
The Salisbury Democratic Town Committee is pleased to announce the 17th Annual Lou Masiello Leadership Scholarship for Salisbury seniors attending Triton Regional High School.
The Salisbury Democratic Town Committee is pleased to announce the 17th Annual Lou Masiello Leadership Scholarship for Salisbury seniors attending Triton Regional High School. Criteria for the scholarship are completion of an essay, possibly participating in an...
Upcoming Agricultural Committee Events
Upcoming Agricultural Committee Events Essex County Greenbelt, Farm Bureau, and American Farmland Trust are hosting a joint meeting on March 4th, 2026 from 6-8pm at the Topsfield Fair Grounds on Planning for the Future of Your Farm. Register Here (Planning for the...
Get a Sneak Peek of America’s 250th Exhibit at Old North Church Historic Site This February School Vacation
Get a Sneak Peek of America’s 250th Exhibit at Old North Church Historic Site This February School Vacation Opens Saturday, Feb. 14 to Saturday, Feb. 21. BOSTON – Step into the story that launched a revolution. During February School Vacation Week, Old North Church...
Memorial Day Events Carry On Despite Downpours…
by Lonnie Brennan Rains cancelled many parades in the region, but in Boxford and Georgetown, like elsewhere, Memorial Day remembrance ceremonies shifted indoors, as together, we honored those veterans who gave their lives in defense of our liberties. In Boxford, Ian M. Fitch, Commander of the James L. Melvin Post #379 American Legion welcomed all into the First Church Congregational in East Boxford Village. Members of the community streamed into the large venue, where Reverend Gene Heacock gave the Invocation,...
Boxford Transitions Emergency Calls to North Shore Regional 911
BOXFORD −The Town of Boxford officially transitioned emergency dispatch operations to the North Shore Regional 911 Center (NSR911) last week. Boxford’s transition to NSR911 followed nearly two years of planning, evaluation, and implementation work. During the first year, town officials and public safety leadership conducted feasibility analysis and operational review of regional emergency communications options. Last summer, the Boxford Select Board entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with NSR911 for Boxford...
Sal’s Pizza “Batter Up at Fenway” Giveaway for Mass. & N.H. Little Leaguers
Two lucky Little League players will get the chance to step into the batter’s box at Fenway Park As the Official Pizza of the Boston Red Sox, Sal’s Pizza is giving Little League players across Massachusetts and New Hampshire the opportunity to experience Fenway Park in a way few ever will with the launch of its “Batter Up at Fenway” giveaway. Two winners will be selected to participate in an exclusive batting practice experience at Fenway Park on Friday, June 5, 2026. The selected players will each receive one of...
Beach Management Community Forums!
Community Forum 1: Thursday, June 4th from 5:00-6:30pm at Blue Ocean Event Center (4 Ocean Front S, Salisbury, MA) Community Forum 2: Friday, June 5th from 10:00-11:30am at PITA Hall (8 Plum Island Blvd., Newbury, MA) The coastal communities of Salisbury, Newbury, and Newburyport have been working collaboratively on a regional beach sediment management study! Through funding from Coastal Zone Management, and technical assistance from Sustainable Coastal Solutions, the team has explored different sediment...
TA’s Hiring and Firing ConCom Agents?
GEORGETOWN – The town’s Conservation Committee will hold a special meeting Thursday to discuss hiring a director to replace Michele Grenier, who was fired by Town Administrator Orlando Pacheco in a controversial action that left a key town board with no staff. The issue, which was intensely debated at the ConCom meeting last week, is whether the Georgetown town administrator has the authority to hire and fire the commission’s agent. State law, Mass Gen Laws 40C, states: The (conservation) may appoint a director,...
Gloucester Color Guard at Fenway Park
Last week, the Gloucester Fire Department Honor Guard presented the colors in front of the Green Monster at Fenway Park on Thursday before the Boston Red Sox faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies. From left are Honor Guard Commander Firefighter David Elwell, Firefighter Jason LoCoco, Firefighter Jason Thibodeau, Firefighter Lukas McRobb, Firefighter Tyler Philbrook, Firefighter Ishi King, and Capt. Pat Legro. (Photo Courtesy Gloucester Fire Department)
25 New Banners Added This Month!
by Kay Lee Ogden We want again to thank the Kiwanis and the Municipal Light Dept for their maintenance and care of of the Hometown Heroes Banners, who, along with the Kiwanis do so much for our town. Kudos to Jon Pingree who was the catalyst for putting this program together! Our town looks beautiful, with all the hanging banners, honoring all our service men, women, and families, that have served to protect all our freedoms!! Happy Memorial Day to all!
Pentucket Superintendent ‘Dr. Bee’
Pentucket Superintendent Dr. Justin Bartholomew became "Dr. Bee" for the afternoon for PreK students at Bagnall School, as he gave presentations to them about beekeeping, a personal hobby of his. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
West Newbury G.A.R. Memorial Library Upcoming Events
submitted by Rebecca Shea Assistant Librarian, G.A.R. Memorial Library Herbal Wellness Series, Tuesday June 2 at 2:00 PM Join local clinical herbalist Hannah Sparks on a journey towards better health. The final segment of the six-part wellness series will review several herbs that we can work with to support our body's natural healing processes. June focuses on Natural 1st Aid. Hang out with Frasier Wednesday June 3 from 4:00-5:00 PM Please come and make friends with Frasier, our very mellow retired seeing eye...
Dover High School Navy JROTC Awards Ceremony
DOVER, N.H. − Dover High School held its annual Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) awards ceremony and Change of Command early this month at Service Credit Union Headquarters, celebrating the cadets' achievements and community service. The ceremony, primarily planned by the cadets, highlighted the students' leadership skills, organization and teamwork. The event opened with the Presentation of the Colors by the Dover NJROTC Color Guard. Guests then enjoyed a dinner prepared by the Dover Regional...
Piano Concert to Benefit Newburyport’s Historic Belleville Meetinghouse
NEWBURYPORT – Belleville Church will host piano soloist Sergei Novikov on Sunday, May 31 at 4 p.m. for a concert benefiting the fundraising efforts to reopen the historic Belleville Meetinghouse. Music will include classical, jazz, Broadway tunes, and more. Tickets are available at the door for a suggested donation of $25. Cash and credit cards accepted. Since immigrating from Russia to the United States in 1990, Novikov has become a major force in contemporary composing and has a large following. His music...
The Civil War Roundtable of the Merrimack June 10 at Hilton Senior Center, Salisbury
The Civil War Roundtable of the Merrimack will meet on June 10, 2026, at 7:30pm at the Hilton Senior Center, 43 Lafayette Rd (Rte 1), Salisbury, MA. Our June program will be presented by Rick Cochran of Hull, who'll discuss his Civil War novel, "True to His Country: a Civil War Novel," which is based on his ancestor in the 10th Connecticut Regiment. We are free and welcome anyone with an interest in Civil War history to visit us! We are a non-profit group founded in 1995. For more info on this meeting and our...
Merrimac Fire Dept. Warns of Local Scam
MERRIMAC — Chief Larry Fisher and the Merrimac Fire Department remind residents to take great caution when receiving phone calls or emails soliciting monetary donations. A resident informed Merrimac Fire recently that they had received a call from an organization asking for donations to support the Department. Merrimac Fire has not hired an outside group to solicit donations, nor has this organization supported or assisted the department in the past. The Department urges all residents to be very careful about any...
ST. JOHN’S PREP GRADUATES – Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Hamilton, Newbury, West Newbury, Newburyport…and more…
DANVERS − St. John’s Preparatory School held its 116th Commencement exercises on Saturday afternoon as Head of School Edward P. Hardiman, Ph.D. P’19 ’21 ’26 conferred diplomas upon 279 seniors during an outdoor ceremony held on the school’s campus. The ceremony was characterized by themes of building upon our commonalities, investing in personal character growth and carrying others in times of need. The valedictory address s delivered by Ryan Yu of Boxford. Religious Studies teacher Steve Ruemenapp of Medford...
Newburyport’s Julia Davis * Valedictorian * Bishop Fenwick
Bishop Fenwick is proud to announce Julia Davis ’26 of Newburyport as the Valedictorian for the Class of 2026. Julia has distinguished herself academically by pursuing one of the school’s most rigorous academic programs, including thirteen AP courses. A Presidential Scholarship recipient and AP Scholar with Distinction, Julia has earned numerous departmental awards across the sciences, humanities, theology, and world languages, reflecting both the breadth and depth of her academic excellence. Beyond the...
Rosary Walk at Great Rock Farm – Sunday, June 14
Peace Love Thrift Going Strong at Fifth Anniversary
by Joe Kelly GEORGETOWN – Peace Love Thrift opened on May 1, 2021, at 22 E. Main Street in Georgetown, inside a building that still holds the vault from an older bank that, according to local legend, burned down sometime in the 1880s. The vault survived, and the town rebuilt around it. Today, you can walk right inside it, though instead of bars of gold, it holds racks of clothing and small treasures that used to belong to someone else and now can belong to you. The vault is such a clean physical embodiment of...
Newburyport Custom House Lands Rare Patriotic Textile
NEWBURYPORT – It was a tense morning at the Custom House Maritime Museum, the adrenalin and hot caffeine flowed as executive director James Russell, his team and a very special donor competed in the Eldred Auction for a rare patriotic textile of the Declaration of Independence. On Cape Cod, Eldred’s, New England’s oldest continually operating auction house, had listed a cloth, printed on copperplate in Glasgow, Scotland between 1820 and 1825 by Richard and Colin Gillsepie. “The more we researched it. The more...
SelectBoard Asks Town Administrator About Outside Work
GEORGETOWN – The SelectBoard met last week for more than 90 minutes in executive session with Town Administrator Orlando Pacheco regarding accusations that he has violated his contract by doing work on behalf of the town of Shirley and possibly other employers. According to sources with knowledge of the discussion in the executive meeting, Pacheco told the SelectBoard that he had taken vacation days when he sent the more than 50 emails to town of Shirley and other officials. Pacheco’s employment contract with...
Standoff: ConCom v. Pacheco
GEORGETOWN – The attorney for fired Conservation Commission (ConCom) director Michele Grenier has demanded the town pay her at least one year of salary at $65,000/year to settle claims of discrimination, retaliation, improper reduction of wages and wrongful termination by Town Administrator Orlando Pacheco. Last week, Pacheco hired John Lopez, a conservation agent in Rockport, who has worked part time for Georgetown before. The administrator wrote that he hired Lopez temporarily for five to seven hours per week...
