New sheriff in town
Peter Koutoujian of Waltham gave up his seat on Beacon Hill last January to take over as Middlesex County sheriff, succeeding the late James V. DiPaola, who had committed suicide amid an ethics inquiry. Appointed by the governor, Koutoujian said he would try to restore public confidence and employee morale in the sheriff’s office. Democrat John Lawn, a Watertown councilor, soundly beat GOP opponent Jim Dixon in a special election in May to fill Koutoujian’s 10th Middlesex District spot in the House.
Business openings
Wegmans in Northborough
Zaftigs Delicatessen in Natick
Business closings
Evergreen Solar Inc. shutters its Devens plant
O’Brien’s 5&10 closes in Northborough
Schools in flux
When Wayland and Wellesley open new high schools this winter, they will be kicking off the largest wave of replacement buildings in area communities since the state lifted a moratorium on funding construction projects in 2007. Next up is Natick High School, due for completion this summer. In November, Concord and Carlisle residents overwhelmingly approved a tax increase to pay for a new $92.5 million Concord-Carlisle Regional High School. The new school, which could be ready in fall 2015, will replace a 50-year-old building.
Wellesley Superintendent Bella Wong announced in November she would resign her post at the end of the school year, after a string of controversies, including uncollected lunch fees, problems with employee background checks, and health code violations in the cafeterias. They inspired the creation of a Facebook page, ConcernedParentsofWellesley.
Gone, but not forgotten
