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FALL RIVER Play ball!
That’s what Fall River City Council President Cliff Ponte said, in a manner speaking, when asked if social distancing restrictions will be lifted for council meetings starting June 8.
“With Fenway Park opening on May 29 for 40,000 people, I don’t see why the City Council would put additional restrictions in place,” Ponte said.
The first Fall River City Council meeting scheduled to be held after that date will be June 8.
Baker also announced that the state of emergency in Massachusetts, which took effect in March 2020, will end on June 15.
The governor in April had announced that restrictions would be lifted on Aug. 1, but improving coronavirus health statistics convinced him to push the date up by two months.
While some pandemic-related restrictions are lifting, local high schools have still had to find creative ways to continue important traditions for this year’s graduates, like prom and graduation.
“The seniors deserve that. The kids have really been amazing and resilient,” said Susan Brelsford, principal at Somerset Berkley Regional High School.
The state released guidelines this spring discouraging schools from holding typical proms and encouraging them to hold events where social distancing is more feasible instead. If they do hold them, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is advising they wait until after the school year has ended, when more people will have had a chance to be vaccinated.
Ken Matias
Special to the Taunton Gazette
SOMERSET The Old Rochester football team never forgot its 42-15 opening-day loss to Dighton-Rehoboth five weeks ago.
In Saturday’s South Coast Conference semifinal game, the Bulldogs picked the perfect time to get their revenge.
“It was a battle … Old Rochester is much more improved,” Dighton-Rehoboth head coach Dave Moura said. “They have some great athletes over there. Basically, [it] came down to drive-for-drive and [we] just ran out of time.”
The Bulldogs advance to the SCC Blue Division championship game after beating the Falcons, 36-35, in an exciting semifinal game at Somerset Berkley Regional High School.
Newcomers vie for incumbents seats in Somerset town election
Melissa Santos
SOMERSET The residents of Somerset will soon welcome a new selectman following the town elections in April.
Incumbent Steven Moniz is not running for re-election, but there are two hopeful candidates with eyes on that open seat. Former selectman David P. Berube and Allen Smith are both running for town selectman.
Moniz is not the only incumbent not seeking re-election. Roger Benevides, the current member of the Water and Sewer Commission, is not on the ballot, leaving candidates Christopher Carpenter and Steven Cadorett facing off for that three-year seat. Playground and Recreation Commission Incumbent Stephen Boland is also not on the ballot. Jeffrey Kardel and Jack Tickel will both seek out the votes to take over that position.