RANDOLPH, Vt.

New wastewater treatment plant is set to nix nitrogen

The Vermont town of Randolph is getting $7.6 million for a new wastewater treatment plant.

Construction on the new plant will begin in August or September.

WCAX-TV reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program announced the town was getting the money.

The town’s current plant is 40 years old and is outdated. Plans for a new one have been in the works for several years.

Engineer Tom Doty said the plant is designed to remove nitrogen, which is important not just for the state, but for the region.

He said states like Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts have been meeting stricter nutrient levels for a while and the effort has worked its way up the Connecticut River Basin.

PROIDENCE, R.I.

Rhode Island Senate to vote on legalizing gay marriage

The Rhode Island Senate is poised to vote on whether the state should join the rest of New England in allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.

The Senate is expected to decide the contentious issue Wednesday.

Dozens of supporters cheered Tuesday as the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-4 to forward the bill to the Senate floor.

Ken Fish, a gay man from Warwick, says he expects the Senate to pass the bill. The 70-year-old says he is elated – and a little stunned – that gay marriage may soon be the law of the land.

The bill has already passed the House and is supported by Gov. Lincoln Chafee .

Nine states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriage.

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.

These Greeks bear big gifts: Habitat for Humanity homes

Current and former members of the University of Rhode Island’s Greek system have donated nearly $107,000 to the South County Habitat for Humanity.

The university said Tuesday that more than 500 students from all 24 of the university’s fraternities and sororities participated in the annual “Pound the Pavement, Pound a Nail” walkathon. The event raised more than $53,000. Two anonymous URI alumni who were part of the Greek system on campus matched the funds.

The money was given to the organization over the weekend at a house dedication at Old North Village on the edge of campus. The funds will help build two more homes.

Executive Director Lou Raymond says the local Habitat affiliate is inspired and overwhelmed by the support from the university’s Greek community.

CONCORD, N.H.

Integrity and intellect count for N.H. judicial nominations

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan is appointing a Judicial Selection Commission to advise her on judicial nominations.

By executive order, Hassan on Tuesday created the 11-member commission and named its members – including Manchester’s police chief and Nashua’s mayor.

Hassan said the commission will seek out and evaluate qualified candidates and make recommendations on appointments.

She said the commission should consider potential candidates’ integrity, legal intellect and ability, temperament and commitment to justice, among other factors.

The commission will be co-chaired by Attorneys Emily Rice and James Rosenberg. Its first task will be to come up with potential nominees for three circuit court judgeships.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.

Casino referendum not on Massachusetts ballot June 25

There will be no casino referendum in Springfield on June 25, the day Massachusetts voters will be electing a new U.S. senator.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno announced Tuesday that negotiations with two prospective casino developers –MGM Resports International and Penn National Gaming — will not be completed in time to facilitate a referendum in conjunction with the special election.