If you haven't already seen the new Manchester Essex Regional High and Middle School, you can educate yourself about the building at tomorrow's Community Open House.
Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. and everyone is invited to tour the new, eco-friendly building at 36 Lincoln St., Manchester.
"We are welcoming everyone in our communities, as well as others, that would be interested in seeing the new building and understanding some of its features, the use of space and particularly its 'green' environmental elements," said School Committee member Susan Beckmann.
A number of local dignitaries will be on hand for a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. State Treasurer Tim Cahill, Executive Director Katherine Craven of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, as well as state Sen. Bruce Tarr, state Reps. Brad Hill and Ann-Margaret Ferrante, are expected to attend.
"It is really a time to take a moment, thank all those that worked the endless hours to make the building a reality and to celebrate this great gift from our communities," Beckmann added.
Tours of the school will be given by the school's Green Team with special focus on energy efficiency in the heating and cooling of the building, reduced electric demand, water conservation and material selections. A video will also be shown on the history of the old high school and construction of the new facility.
In addition to viewing the school, students will be presenting their club activities. The public is urged to come and learn about Debate Club, DECA, the Green Team and others. The high school pep band will be playing, as well as a middle school rock group.
The open house will conclude at 4 p.m. when the Spaulding Education Trust "Night of Stars" talent show will begin. Tickets are required.
Tomorrow's 'collision' only a test
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Manchester Fire Department will conduct a full-scale emergency response exercise at the Sea Street grade crossing in Manchester tomorrow between 8 a.m. and noon.
Regular Sunday commuter rail service will not be interrupted, MBTA spokesman Lydia Rivera said in a prepared statement.
The training exercise will simulate a collision between a motor vehicle and a MBTA train, with injuries to the train crew and riders. Numerous emergency responders will be dispatched to the scene in a calculated manner.
Manchester Fire will utilize the Incident Command System, an emergency incident management structure, for the drill. Working with the Fire and Police departments, are the MBTA Transit Police, MBTA Commuter Rail Safety, Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Administration and DHS Transportation Security Administration.
Firefighting and emergency medical service officials responding to the drill to assist Manchester in treating and removing "victims" from the simulated crash site include Beverly Fire, Essex Fire, Gloucester Fire, Rockport Fire and Ambulance, Northeast Ambulance and Lyons Ambulance.
This type of training is done regularly around the country to assist emergency responders in familiarizing themselves with the techniques required to perform their duties should a real incident occur.
"The purpose of the exercise is to ensure an efficient and professional operational response to the emergency," Rivera said.
Quick hits
The Essex Harbormaster would like to notify all boat owners that floats and buoys are scheduled to be taken out of the water for the season today.
Manchester's Board of Health has run out of flu vaccine, but additional clinics will be scheduled if more seasonal flu vaccine is received from the State. For more information, call the Board of Health at 978-526-7385.
Monster mash at Essex library
TOHP Burnham Library in Essex is hosting a "Where the Wild Things Are" monster get-together today, at 12:30 p.m., in celebration of the release of the Spike Jonze film based on the children's book by Maurice Sendak.
Wild costumes are encouraged. The gathering will feature stories, games and "wild" food.
The event is designed for children ages 3 years and up. Registration is required as space is limited; check with the circulation desk to see if there is room.
Town Talk is compiled each week by reporter Jonathan L'Ecuyer. If you have an item for Town Talk, call L'Ecuyer at 978-283-7000, ext. 3451, or e-mail jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
