Town Talk
Jonathan L'Ecuyer
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The Manchester Board of Health will be distributing a community health survey to all residents in the coming weeks.
The town's Board of Health is conducting the survey as part of an ongoing mission to focus its efforts on Manchester's most pressing health needs. Results of the survey will help health officials pursue appropriate wellness grants with which to fund different health initiatives.
"The survey will give us a greater chance of hitting the target with an effective comprehensive health program," said registered nurse and Manchester Board of Health member Betty Benn.
The survey was authored by Emily Johnson, an Master of Public Health degree candidate at Boston University's School of Public Health, who has been interning in the health office since June. Johnson was assisted in preparing the survey by former Board of Health member Lynn Warnock.
The surveys will be available at Allen's Pharmacy, Family Medicine Associates, Gurley Eye Care Associates, the office of Dr. David Bush, Manchester Public Library, and in Town Hall, at the offices of the town clerk, treasurer, and Board of Health.
The survey, which organizers say takes about five minutes to complete, is also available on the town's Web site.
Anonymity is guaranteed, officials said, adding large envelopes will be left at the various survey locations in which the completed questionnaires may be inserted and returned by mail or by hand-delivering it to the Board of Health mailbox or office at Town Hall.
The results will be tabulated and made available to the public.
"We will then be able to plan programs that will benefit life in Manchester," Benn said, adding, "please be a part of this project — it's important to all residents."
Lucky 13 for schools
Boston magazine has named Manchester Essex Regional High School the 13th best public high school in Massachusetts.
Boston magazine crunched the numbers for its September issue in an exclusive ranking of the best public schools and biggest values in the area. Rankings were based on data gathered from consulting school officials and Web sites, as well as the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Determining factors of the school rankings includes MCAS scores, SAT scores, per pupil spending, student to teacher ratio, graduation rate, percent of students who continue into college, as well as the number of sports teams and clubs.
George Recck, director of the Math Resource Center at Babson College, calculated mean scores for each data category and then ranked schools based on their distance from the average.
Vendors, artisans wanted for Essex Clamfest
The Essex Division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is seeking vendors for the 28th Essex Clamfest Artisans Fair, on Saturday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Memorial Park off Martin Street. Rain date is Oct. 24. Cost for participation is $45, $20 for nonprofits.
This event attracts thousands of visitors each year. Highlights include a chowder-tasting contest, entertainment, children's activities, artisan's wares and more. (Please note, drug paraphernalia, poppers, stink bombs, Silly String, invisible ink and weapons are not allowed.)
To participate, contact Susan at the chamber at 978-283-1601 or susan@capeannchamber.com.
Quick hits
All six of Manchester's beaches — including West Manchester Beach, the lone beach still closed to swimming earlier this week due to a high bacterial count — passed this week's beach water testing.
Beach water testing results are updated on the town Web site, www.manchester.ma.us, as well as on the Board of Health's recorded phone message at 978-526-7385.
Manchester's regularly scheduled curbside rubbish and recycling collection will be delayed by one day due to the Labor Day holiday. Monday's pickup will be on Tuesday, Sept. 7 and Tuesday's pickup will be on Wednesday, Sept. 8. The town's transfer station will open as usual on Saturday and Wednesday.
The Manchester Cultural Council is accepting applications for grants to support programs in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. The postmark deadline for applications is Oct. 15.
For more information, click on the link at www.mass-culture.org/Manchester.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer compiles information about events, services and programs in Manchester and Essex. If you have a news tip or submission for for the weekly Town Talk column, you can reach him at 978-283-7000 x3451 or jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
