Regional Roundup: Drug Bust in Foxboro, Attleboro Students Denied Lunch, and More

Motor Vehicle Stop in Foxborough Leads Police to Massive Drug Bust

A motor vehicle stop on Mechanic Street Thursday turned out to be much more for Foxborough police as officers made a drug trafficking bust after discovering 119 grams of cocaine in the operator’s vehicle.

Foxborough Police Sgt. John Chamberlin stopped a vehicle on Mechanic Street earlier in the day Thursday where indicators of criminal activity were present, according to the police department’s Facebook page.

“Sgt. Chamberlin subsequently scanned the vehicle with assistance of Foxborough Police K9, Marley, who alerted to the presence of narcotics,” Foxborough police said on Facebook. “The vehicle was brought back to the Foxborough police station where it was further searched by Sgt. Chamberlin, Marley, and the Massachusetts State Police.”

During a search of the vehicle, a hidden electronic compartment was discovered, according to police.  Inside the compartment was 119 grams of cocaine and also discovered was approximately $2,000 in cash.

The operator of the motor vehicle was arrested on a number of charges including trafficking in cocaine, according to police.

Mansfield Football Player Admits to Assaulting Student

Mansfield High School student and football captain Alex Ruddy admitted in Attleboro District Court yesterday to assaulting another student with his belt according to the Sun Chronicle.

The peal-bargain deal, where Ruddy admitted to committing assault and battery, a misdemeanor, will allow Ruddy to return to school.

The case was continued without a finding for one year with probation and will be dismissed if Ruddy is able to stay out of trouble.

Easton Town Administrator’s Capital Budget Fully Funds Technology Request For Schools

Easton Town Administrator David Colton told selectmen Monday night that he is recommending the town fully fund the school department's capital budget request for technology.

His decision overrides Easton's Capital Planning Committee, which recommended the town include $50,000 worth of the School Department's $173,000 request, the majority of which was dedicated for wireless internet funding in Easton Middle School and the Olmsted-Richardson schools.

Colton's Capital Budget also differs from the Capital Planning Committee in that it will not include pavement management road funding for the Department of Public Works. He said his decision is based on the fact that a bill is currently before the State Legislature that could increase state aid for roads by 1/3.

"Although it’s unlikely that the entire packet will be passed, I do expect some increase so I think we better see what that is before we recommend more funding," he said.

In all, Colton's Capital Budget is $2.9 million - slightly less than the $3 million recommended by the Capital Planning Committee. The Capital Budget is funded by a combination of borrowing and available funds.

Norton South Shore Millwork Looking for Expansion Loan at Town Meeting

The South Shore Millwork made a proposal to the Norton Board of Selectmen for a Tax Increment Finance to expand the business Thursday night.

Tax Increment Finance (TIF) is essentially a loan from the town to a company based on projected future tax revenue from the expansion based on an increase in property value. Selectmen were receptive to the idea, but it will be up to the town to decide at town meeting May 13.

Owner Jeff Burton said the TIF and the expansion project already have approval from the planning board.

Attleboro Students Denied Lunch for Outstanding Balances

A group of students who did not have lunch credit at Robert Coelho Middle School in Attleboro were recently told to throw their lunches away, according to media reports. 

Employees of Whitsons School Nutrition, the school's lunch vendor, denied lunches to students with outstanding balances or in some cases forced them to throw their lunches away, school officials told Fox 25 this week. 

School Principal Andy Boles said he became aware of the issue around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, shortly after a parent contacted him about it, according to MyFoxBoston.