Well, at least it's rain and not snow is about all one can say. I had hopes that we might get in a bit more summer weather, but I guess that’s not the case. In things going on in Hamilton and Wenham, the saga of birch trees on the lawn at Wenham Town Hall continues. Whether the trees will be saved or taken down was again a subject of further discussion with town officials this week. The tree warden is still staying with his plan to dig up a large section of the lawn around the two trees and to change the dirt around the roots to allow the roots some more air and see if it would help stop the …

I hate to say it, but the fall weather just showed up this weekend, with temperatures that are a bit chilly and may stick around for a few days. In goings on around the two towns, there several interesting items to talk about and hear what folks are saying about them. One item that folks in Wenham are discussing is the fact that the nice white birch trees in front of Town Hall are in need of some treatment, since a tree borer is in them and is causing them to slowly die. A plan to save these trees has been outlined by the tree warden for the town, who wants to dig up the area around the two …

Hopefully, the rain has finally stopped so we can get on with enjoying the nice fall weather. The rain did keep the dust down, as the man says, if nothing else. So, on to things happening in the two towns. And judging by the recent story in Patch.com regarding the pay-as-you-throw trash plan - and the many comments made by folks in both towns - this is one plan that does not enjoy much support with town folks. In reading the many comments, the impression is that most folks feel that it’s a tax, regardless of how its listed. And most folks who made comments on the possible trash plan also felt…

Well, we lucked out with Irene, but keep your fingers crossed as another storm is sitting out there and could be a problem later in this week. However, there are things going on in the towns that have gotten comments from several folks on both sides of the issues, so let’s get right to them. At a recent combined meeting of the selectmen from both towns, one of the ideas was to hold town meetings on the same day. It was discussed by the boards and several selectmen did see that it might work, as now and then items that concern both towns are listed for action at these town meetings. Now, the …

I think the daily rain showers are finally over and now can we get some summer weather before its time to have white stuff around. The coming weekend should be busy one for folks in both Hamilton and Wenham. The annual Wenham Day celebration will take over most of the area around the Town Hall, with many displays and events. The Fire Department will be topping off things with their big barbecue, which has folks waiting in line to enjoy the meal. A yard sale will be also in full swing at the lawns at the Wenham Tea House, so plan to come early and stay late so you don’t miss all the events. …

Now if we could get rain to stop its daily visits, the weather would just be fine and with its cool nights and warm days, it would be just perfect. In happenings around the two towns, I got quite a few comments about my column in regards to both selectmen boards getting together and discussing a merger plan of both towns. Most of the folks in Hamilton said that Wenham would never go along with any merger plan, as they would need to discuss it and drag it around for months. A case in point was the meetings and discussions on a plan for a new sign for the front of the Town Hall, and this has …

The weather feels almost like fall, with warm days and cool evenings. We hope summer hasn’t give up just yet. In happenings around the two towns, it was again a fairly quiet week for news. But there are several items that should produce some interesting stories, so will pass along the details. The word from the Board of Selectmen in Wenham at their last meeting is that they want to have more meetings with the Hamilton Board of Selectmen. Right now, these combo meetings are only held now and then. Molly Martins, chairman of the Wenham board, said that there are more and more items that concern…

Well, there goes another month and summer is fast headed down the road for the next season. Seems to me that summer just arrived here; must be a mistake someplace. In happenings around the two towns, there's several small items but nothing so-called major, at least right now - unless we include a possible closing of one of the three post offices in Hamilton and Wenham. So far, neither post office in Hamilton or the post office in Wenham has been on any list of offices that may be closed. The concern locally is that the three post offices are barely a mile or so apart and the population of …

In case you haven’t been outside, there is what is known as a heat wave, which means it's hot out there. Regardless of the high temperatures, the results are showing up at the Community Gardens at Enon Village in Wenham. Vegetables in all shapes and sizes are ready for harvesting. It's the result of some tender and loving care from the many volunteers at this project. Back in May, Susan Carp, Council on Aging director for Hamilton and Wenham, was able to locate two plots of open land near the senior housing units, known at Enon Village. Combining donations for supplies and local volunteers …

Well, keep your fingers crossed as the hot weather is taking a break. I suspect it will return shortly. Hey, at least its not snowing. In other events around the towns, a recent story in the newspaper about the Dunkin Donut shop in the mall said that the coffee shop would be doing some enlarging and would be adding more space next door, in the former ice cream shop. In listening to comments from folks around both towns, many recall the mall when it was mostly what would be called "locally owned stores." These days, most of the stores are part of a chain operation, and are what are called "…

It's time for the rain to give up and allow summer to begin. We don’t need any more more rainy weather in this area. In events and such happenings in both towns, with the School Committee voting to change the school budget to reflect the amount of $500,000 back to the towns, the need for a Special Town Meeting in Hamilton is no longer needed. In a vote taken at the School Committee meeting on Thursday evening, a proposal was offered by the acting school head, Peter Gray, to recertify the school budget and change the giveback figure to $500,000. The board, after several comments from members …

The storm on Thursday evening had us wondering if it was another tornado, but it was just a thunderstorm and high wind, which did cause some damage in our towns. And speaking of this event, our two towns really do a super job when this type of storm hits the area. Even while the high wind and lighting was going on, the fire and police units were out there, checking reports about trees down in streets and sparking wires on tree limbs. In so many words, the towns were being taken care of, and problems caused by the weather were under control. In other items going on in the towns, there appears …

In case you are wondering, yes we do have tornadoes in this state - it's just that we don’t have them as often as other states. Other events this past week included Memorial Day parades in both towns, and a so-called reorganization of the school board as three new members took their places on the board. One change was that one of the new members, Roger Kuebel, was named as the vice chairman of the school board. With new members, word around town is to see what, if any, changes take place with ongoing school business. So far, it would appear that going into executive session at every meeting …

Another month has zipped by and summer is just about here, even though the weather hasn’t been too good. In events happening in the two towns, there's one event that a lot of folks are likely not aware is happening - the little green worms are back in the trees. What has been a lovely looking scene of trees with great looking green leaves is now slowly turning to a lousy looking brown color. And unfortunately, it's happening in most sections of the two towns. So far, I haven’t heard of any plans to do some wholesale spraying - and actually it's too late, as a lot of the leaves in the trees …

In case you wonder, it is supposed to be spring out there. But so far, it's more like a light winter scene with rain, windy and cold temperatures. Also, if you missed them, both town meetings are over. However, anyone reading the local live blog which covered the Hamilton Town Meeting, and all the comments, will get an idea of just what folks think about our form of local politics. It was apparent from the comments that several people feel this type of town government doesn’t work that well. Several hinted that maybe it was time to go to a representative type of town meeting, where folks are …

It's now the month of May, but Mother Nature is still pushing April showers almost every day. We want sunshine and warm weather, not rain days. It was an interesting town meeting in Hamilton on Saturday morning at the regional high school. In other words, where do we go in regards to the school budget? With our neighbors in Wenham not going along with town officials and voting for a larger budget figure, Hamilton voters went with the budget figures presented by town officials, meaning that the school system does not have approved budget. One of the many comments I have heard around town is …

It is the month of May, and yet today, the weatherman on the TV said that it would snow in the upper states of New England, and that one of the ski slopes would be open for skiing this weekend. Oh well, at least its up there and not down here. On reading a recent story in the Boston Globe about the school budget situation, I read how the chairman of the school board said that she knows how many folks feel about her board. She went on to say that her members are accused of making bad decisions, being uninformed, and just plain stupid. What I am hearing from folks in both towns is that this …

As the saying goes, if you want to see the rainbow, you have to put up with some rain. The rainy month of April is done. Think sun and warm temps. In regards to happenings in the two towns, this coming month it will, to say the least, produce some very interesting town meetings. In Hamilton, knowing which budget will come before the voters, and which one will get the nod, so to speak, is still a good question. In past town meetings, the school budget was a known amount and was either passed or rejected by the voters. This year the budget and amounts will be discussed, as will the amount of …

Well, we now have spring weather. If we could get the cold wind to go away, we would all be happy. The voters in both towns will have several major items to discuss and vote on in the upcoming Town Meetings. Both towns will be talking about and taking votes on the school budget. The issue getting the most attention in the school budget is the figure of $500,000 that both towns' finance boards recommended as a give back to the towns. And one thing that is still in a gray area: Is there a final budget? Or is there still two budgets, one from the superintendent’s office and one from the school …