Glenn M. Lavery

Mortgage Rates Inch Up This Week
Freddie Mac reports a jump in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 6.46 percent during the week ended Oct. 30 from 6.04 percent the prior week, as long-term mortgages rates moved in line with long-term Treasury bonds.

The 15-year fixed mortgage rate rose as well, climbing to 6.19 percent from 5.72 percent.

Meanwhile, the five-year hybrid adjustable mortgage rate moved up to 6.36 percent from 6.06 percent; and the one-year ARM increased to 5.38 percent from 5.23 percent.
Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft expects short-term rates to remain low due to the Federal Reserve's recent cut in the discount and federal-funds rates, and he notes that falling home prices have jump-started residential sales in some markets by making properties more affordable.

Source: The Wall Street Journal (10/31/08)

From the Sun Chronicle Online...

Get a flu shot in North

NORTH ATTLEBORO - The North Attleboro Board of Health will host free flu clinics throughout October and November.

On Tuesday, Nov. 4, a flu clinic will be held for high risk individuals and their caregivers, also from 5 to 6 p.m. at the town hall.

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, a flu clinic that will be open to the public including children 4 or older, will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. at the town hall.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, a flu clinic will be held for the public, including children 4 or older, from 1 to 2 p.m. at North Attleboro High School. Also beginning on Oct. 30, daytime appointments for a flu shot will be accepted. Call 508-699-0103 to make an appointment.

From The Sun Chronicle Online...

PLAINVILLE - Jackson School has earned continued accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The association accepted the school's five-year progress report and commended the school specifically for implementing common planning time between and among grade levels, reinforcing differentiated instruction and strenghtening the use of portfolios and alternative assessments to inform curriculum decisions.

The association also acknowledged the school for expanding efforts to include parents and community members in its work, establishing a curriculum review calendar for the district, training teachers to assist English immersion students and developing and implementing a plan to expand the library.

The school is encouraged to continue work on developing common grade level assessments in math, science and social studies, finding opportunities for students to use portfolios for "self-reflection and self-assessment," and developing a K-6 health curriculum aligned to Massachusetts Health Curriculum guidelines.

Principal praised Superintendent David Raiche acknowledged Jackson School Principal Anne Houle for her role in the positive review.

"I think that's a testament to the work that goes on and the leadership that Anne brings to this school," Raiche said.

Jackson School is scheduled to host a visiting committee from the association for 10-year accreditation in the spring of 2013.

You may have noticed that my last few blog entries have had one of two themes. The first being positive real estate news and the second being news about the Attleboro, North Attleboro and Plainville community. I will also be blogging (while simulcasting on Active Rain) at www.attleboro-plainvillehomes.com I am a life-long resident of North Attleboro and this area is my specialty. Of course, I list and sell in other areas and am even licensed in Rhode Island.

I hope to hear from you on either blog.

From the Sun Chronicle Local Section October 13, 2008

NORTH ATTLEBORO - A scholarship program that will reward high school seniors for projects that make a difference in the community is set to begin this month.

Selectman Mark Williamson had announced last month that he planned to form the Make Your Mark Scholarship Foundation to reward students for pitching in by creating projects to better the community.

New details about the program were made public when Williamson met with the school committee this week.

The scholarship is designed "to encourage high school seniors to offer a lasting and measurable benefit to an identified group from the community of North Attleboro," Williamson said.

The scholarship is open to any North Attleboro resident who is a high school senior - and it does not matter what high school the student attends. Students will be responsible for creating and implementing a project that benefits the town. Through the scholarship process, students will have from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15 to submit proposals for projects and on Nov. 20, proposal winners will be announced. Each winner will receive a scholarship. The proposal winners will have from Nov. 20 through March 31 to complete their projects and will be required to submit a report on the project to the scholarship committee by April 20. A winner will be selected from the completed projects to receive more scholarship money.

Williamson said the name of the scholarship is not intended to reflect his first name.

"Make Your Mark is not intended as a ploy for self-promotion. If you search the Web, you will encounter many sites that use the phrase to encourage people to make a difference," he said.

To start off the scholarship funding, Williamson said he will donate the $1,000 annual stipend he receives for serving on the board of selectmen. He plans to do so for his entire tenure on the board. Additional fundraising will also be ongoing.

Foundation officers are Mark Williamson, president; Adele Williamson, vice president; Michael Martin, treasurer. In addition a selection committee has been created to go through the project proposals with members Shirley Nolin, Rita Pastore, Marie Clarner and Tony Calcia - and more members may be added shortly.

High school seniors interested in submitting a proposal or obtaining more information can write to the Make Your Mark Scholarship Foundation at 28 Newell Drive, North Attleboro, MA 02760. Individuals interested in making a donation to the scholarship foundation can also send a check to that address.

AMY DeMELIA covers North Attleboro for The Sun Chronicle. She can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.