Free lunch for kids

This summer, the Westbrook School Department is offering free lunches for children.

The new program kicked off this week and will run through Aug. 21. All children, 4 through 18 years old, are eligible for the free lunches, available at Canal School and Wescott Junior High, Monday through Friday from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

The schools are two of 52 new Summer Food Service meal sites in Maine. Funded through USDA, the Summer Food Service Program provides free, nutritious meals to help children 18 and under in low income areas get the nutrition they need to learn, play and grow throughout the summer months when they are out of school.

Also coordinated by the Westbrook School Food Service Program and funded by a grant from the Maine Child Nutrition Program, Canal School will pilot the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Beginning next fall, the program will offer a daily snack of fresh fruits and vegetables to all Canal students.

Paving projects canceled

State paving projects planned for Cumberland Street and County Road in Westbrook next year were canceled by the Department of Transportation last week due to lack of funding.

The Department of Transportation announced Friday that about 75 percent of all maintenance paving projects over the next two years will be canceled in order to meet the reduced funding levels set forth in the state Highway Fund Budget that was enacted this month.

“The reduced level of funding will require us to cancel nearly 40 percent of our maintenance paving projects for this year, and all of our maintenance paving projects for the following year unless more resources are identified,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner David Cole.

Memory Lane hosts fundraiser

Memory Lane Music Hall is hosting a fundraiser for the daughters of Ken and Belinda Taylor, the Westbrook couple who died as a result of murder-suicide in late April.

A bike run begins at Lifestyles Fitness Center in Scarborough at 10 a.m. Saturday. Bikers will then proceed to Bentley’s Saloon in Arundel, Club 302 in Windham and finish the trip at Memory Lane in Standish. Motorcyclists should arrive a few hours early to register. Registration costs $25.

Following the bike run, Memory Lane will host live entertainment from 2 p.m.-1 a.m., which will include eight live bands, two disc jockeys, dance performances, auctions and raffles. A $10 donation is suggested.

Curfew extended

Westbrook children under 18 will no longer have to be in their homes by 9 p.m. The City Council approved Monday to extend the city’s curfew to 10:30 p.m.

The proposal was originally brought about by Councilor Suzanne Joyce, who believed teenagers should be allowed to stay out past 9 p.m. without being hassled by police.

The curfew ordinance now stipulates that it is against the law “for any minor to loiter or to gather in a group of three or more minors upon any street, park, school or other public property” between 10:30 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The exceptions include a child who is accompanied by an adult, on the sidewalk of his or her house, returning from school, working or involved in a religious or volunteer activity.

First day of school

Reza Namin will officially take over as superintendent of the Westbrook School Department July 1, as Stan Sawyer retires after 10 years at the head of the department.

Namin, who immigrated from Iran at 30, has been superintendent at Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District in Orange, Mass. He has a varied background that includes a professional soccer career and a doctorate in math and science education.

Namin, who will earn $125,000 in Westbrook, matching his current salary, will be one of the highest paid superintendents in Greater Portland.