Wilmington Police introduce new therapy dog, Zena
WILMINGTON — The Police Department has a brand new officer: Zena, the therapy dog.
Zena is an 11-week-old Bernedoodle who will be joining the department’s Health and Recovery unit to help residents who struggle with mental health, substance use or behavioral health issues or are having a hard day. She will undergo extensive training along with Samantha Reid, the department’s in-house social worker, over the next year to become a therapy dog.
The department said in a press release that Zena was selected because of the good nature and learning ability of Bernedoodles. She has an excited but calm temperament and does not shed. She has already learned some basic commands, like “sit,” “lay” and “touch,” and is working on “stay.”
The initiative has been funded by a donation from the International Family Church.
Tewksbury launches survey to assess flooding issues
TEWKSBURY — The town is seeking help from residents as part of a townwide assessment of land that can be used for flood management and stormwater storage to better manage and prevent flooding in roads, businesses and homes using nature-based solutions.
Tewksbury recently received a grant of $193,935 from the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program for the project and is partnering with the Merrimack River Watershed Council and local engineering firm Weston and Sampson for the work.
As part of the project, the town has launched a resident survey focused on areas of town with chronic flooding issues. The town will then determine what town-owned parcels of land could be used for green infrastructure and flood management and identify potential flood-resilient properties suitable for affordable housing.
The survey can be found online at bit.ly/TewksburyFloodingSurvey. Hard copies can be obtained at the Community Development office at Town Hall, the Senior Center, the Housing Authority or Tewksbury Public Library.
For more information, contact Community and Economic Development Planner Alexandra Lowder at [email protected] or Susie Bresney, Massachusetts water resources program manager at Merrimack River Watershed Council, at [email protected]
Billerica seeking Town Meeting representatives
BILLERICA — The town is encouraging residents to get involved by running for the position of Town Meeting representative.
There are currently more than 100 Town Meeting openings. All Town Meeting members must run for re-election this year due to the new precinct map.
Nomination papers are available at the Town Clerk’s Office during office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The town clerk will offer extended hours for people who wish to pick up nomination papers on Thursday, Jan. 27, and will remain open until 7 p.m. that day.
Candidates must receive 10 signatures from registered voters in their precinct and return nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. Feb. 14.
The town election will be held on Saturday, April 2.
