News

Sherwood won't run again for District 6 seat

Amesbury Town Notebook
Lynne Hendricks
Published: July 13, 2009

After taking out papers to run for re-election to his District 6 Municipal Council seat, Jonathan Sherwood announced yesterday he's had a change of heart and will not seek the seat after all.

"This has been a very hard decision to make," Sherwood told voters in a letter released yesterday. "Meeting and working with so many dedicated and involved residents and town employees to better our community has been one of the most satisfying things I have ever done."

Citing new work commitments and the impending arrival of his first child, Sherwood decided he could no longer give his full attention to the demands of councilor, though he hoped to return to public office in the future.

"I truly hope to return to office in the future and have the chance to serve Amesbury again. At the moment, though, my family and job will up take my attention and energy."

Long-time resident Derek Kimball of 4 Moody St. has taken out papers to run for Sherwood's seat, and will campaign with an endorsement from Sherwood.

"I am confident Mr. Kimball would represent the district well and I hope that he has the opportunity to serve," Sherwood wrote. "These are difficult times for Amesbury and many communities in our nation. We will have more challenges and opportunities ahead, but we are fortunate to have many citizen-leaders in our town with whom I have been proud to serve."

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Our Neighbors' Table will be hosting another SNAP Clinic on Tuesday, July 21, helping residents in need fill out the necessary paperwork to take part in the program formerly known as the Food Stamp program. The clinic is a free information and pre-screen eligibility session offered by Project Bread, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit agency. Its purpose is to pre-screen potential applicants for SNAP, a nutritional assistance program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After the pre-screening, interested clients can receive assistance applying for SNAP online.

Our Neighbors' Table Administrator Rosemary Werner advises those interested to call the office to make an appointment for a time slot. "They will need to call the office (978-388-1907) and an appointment will be made," said Werner. "We will let them know what kind of paperwork is needed to complete the application online."

Our Neighbors' Table plans to continue offering this application assistance to interested families. Appointments will begin on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Guests attending the clinic will have access and help signing up on one of the on-site computers.

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Amesbury Little League's Williamsport team will be playing in Amesbury today at 7 p.m. on Joe Packer Field (Cashman Elementary School). Come and cheer on the local youth baseball players as they fight for the chance to continue on to the semifinals. The snack shack will be open with hambugers, hotdogs, chicken fingers, Naples Pizza and Hodgies Ice Cream.

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Munters of Amesbury reported this week its secured a lucrative contract with the Air Force, selling eight Munters ICA dehumidification systems to a company doing work for Arnold Air Force Base in Tullahoma, Tenn. The systems are valued at $4.75 million and will be sold to CB&I, an engineering procurement and construction contractor working to upgrade the turbine engine dry air capability at the Air Force base. The Munters equipment is needed to supply low dew point air for jet engine testing.

The test cells in question operate at low temperatures and pressures to simulate high altitudes; therefore, they need dry air to prevent buildup of ice on the equipment responsible for producing the low temperatures. The Munters ICA products are scheduled to ship from the Amesbury manufacturing facility in December and January.

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There are still openings in the New England Soccer School/Everton Football Club soccer camp, being offered at Amesbury Sports Park from this week and next. Children participating will train with Tony "Tosh" Farrell. He brings with him a number of coaches from England's premier soccer club, Everton FC, as well.

To reserve a spot or receive for more information, contact the New England Soccer School at nesoccerschool.net or call 978-388-5788. There will be special appearances by professional soccer players from the Boston Breakers.

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The following meetings are scheduled this week:

Today

Conservation Commission, Town Hall, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday

Municipal Council, Town Hall, 7 p.m.

*Board of Health Meetings that have previously been held on the third Thursday of the month will now be held on the fourth Thursday of the month beginning with next week's July 23 meeting.

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Lynne Hendricks covers Amesbury for The Daily News. She can be reached at lhendricks@newburyportnews.com, or call 978-462-6666, ext. 3254.

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