Fenwick Grad Killed in Newton Car Accident

Foster’s Daily Democrat reports that Dennis Casagrande, a 22-year-old Rochester, N.H. man who was struck and killed by a pickup truck in Newton on Sunday, was a 2007 graduate of and had family ties to the North Shore.

Casagrande had recently graduated from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and was visiting Massachusetts for the weekend when he went to a Brighton bar with some friends late Saturday night into early Sunday morning

Foster’s reports Casagrande had apparently become lost trying to walk home to a friend’s apartment when he was hit by the pickup truck around 3:30 a.m.

He was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, officials said.

State police are still conducting an investigation into the accident, but have not filed any charges yet against the driver, a 21-year-old Mendon man.

Casagrande was an honor roll student at Fenwick, an athlete, devoted to his friends and family and loved by all, Foster’s reports. His father lives in Danvers.

---

Genualdo says ‘so long’ for now

School Human Resources Director Louise Genualdo bid a fond and at times, tearful, “so long” to the School Committee last Tuesday.

Genualdo, who left Everett five years ago to take the Peabody job and now lives just a few minutes from the Kiley School, is moving on to the Marblehead Public Schools to take a job as Director of Human Resources and Professional Development.

Genualdo characterized the move as a professional one for her, saying she is a “proud member” of the community and will greatly miss working in Peabody, and of course, the people. She thanked former Superintendent Dr. Milt Burnett in particular for hiring her and Interim Superintendent Dr. Herb Levine for his mentorship over the past year.

“For now, I will not say ‘goodbye,’ I will say ‘so long’ because I know I will be back,” said Genualdo.

Levine, in return, said he “could not have had as pleasant or successful a year without Louise… You never hear anyone saying [anything] bad about Louise because [she] treats them with respect and dignity.”

Mayor Ted Bettencourt and School Committee members likewise praised Genualdo for her dedication, hard work and bringing a “tremendous” amount of compassion to her work. They said she has always treated everyone with kindness, empathy and sensitivity.

Genualdo’s last day is June 15 and work begins in Marblehead July 1, which is also when incoming Superintendent Joe Mastrocola returns to Peabody.

As for finding a replacement, Levine said earlier this week Mastrocola plans to postpone the search until later this summer after he has reviewed the position and spoken with Bettencourt about possible changes.

Human resources functions across city departments were one area identified for possible consolidation in a study last year. Consultants reported there was a significant level of duplicated services in HR between the city, schools and light plant that could be centralized and achieve significant savings over time.

Levine indicated Mastrocola may want to review those options first.

---

Busy agenda coming up for city liquor board

In addition to the late in April, another six failed a random compliance check last week, reports the Salem News.

These six are the , , , , and downtown eatery .

All that and likely another hearing soon for a brawl over at Oliveira's Steak House that actually occurred more than a month ago. Police say there is criminal investigation into that incident, however, and there will be a decision soon on whether a crime actually occurred and if charges will be filed.

---

Summer with the Recreation Department

The city's staff has a whole host of programs lined up for this summer, both for adults and kids. Have you signed up yet?

Here's the list: Acting for Young Stars, Young Picasso Art Workshops, Lego Workshops, Summer Stars Tennis/Playground Program, Shooting Stars Junior Tennis League, Teen Tennis Club, Adult Tennis, Playground Programs, Counselor in Training, Special Needs Playground Program, Summer Basketball League, Youth and Adult Golf Lessons, and last not but least the 9th Annual Father Daughter Ball.

Call 978-536-7130 for more information or email peabodyrecreation@gmail.com. You can also register online.

---

Champions for life

is hosting an all-day fundraiser June 5 to benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life later this month at .

The pub will be open from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and 20 percent of sales, be they from lunch, dinner or snacks, will be donated to the Peabody chapter of the relay. 

The relay itself gets underway at the PVMHS track June 15 at 3 p.m. and lasts until 9 a.m. on June 16. The event is open to the public.

---

Do evil spirits lurk in your home?

If you have any old cans of paint, cleaners or propane gas cylinders out in the garage, bring them with you to the city's annual Household Hazardous Waste Day on June 9.

The event, which runs from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. rain or shine at the , is an opportunity for Peady residents to dispose of just about any hazardous wastes and chemicals they may have lying around their homes in an environmentally responsible manner. Residents are limited to one full car load or 25 gallons or 25 pounds, and proof of residency is required.

There is a $20 fee per household, which should be made payable to "Clean Harbors Environmental Services." TVs, monitors and other electronic items can also be dropped off for an additional $20 per item.

Clean Harbors, however, won't accept commercial or industrial waste, latex paint, ammunition, asbestos, radioactive material, fire extinguishers, or medical or biological wastes.

For more information, call the Peabody Health Department at 978-538-5926 or DPS at 978-536-0600. The event is co-sponsored by the .

---

Volunteers keep things running

The School Committee took time to honor more than 1,000 volunteers for their service at the district's 10 schools on May 22. Committee members said they rely on parents and other volunteers to provide a whole host of services to students and they wanted to make sure to thank them properly.

Official certificates of appreciation were given to principals or heads of parent teacher organizations to distribute to the volunteers themselves.