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Community Corner

Week in Review: Snow, More Snow, and a New School Budget

A look back at Melrose's top stories of the week.

Everyone already knows the biggest story of the past week: the . With more than a foot of wet, heavy snow falling throughout Wednesday morning, power outages cropped up all over Melrose, with a few residents still without power on Thursday morning. Tree limbs fell haphazardly on several city streets, with one tree falling on a Melrose fire truck and causing a Melrose firefighter an ankle injury.

From all over the city, Melrose Patch readers sent in and neighborhoods. Schools were closed on both Wednesday and Thursday, and plenty more Melrose residents headed to Mount Hood Golf Course for some .

Speaking of Mount Hood, at the course are dropping this year, making it more affordable for the 18-and-under golf set. Also, the  got a boost this week when the Melrose Board of Aldermen unanimously recommended a transfer of $245,814 from the city's free cash account.

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Funds were also a subject of conversation around the office of Melrose Schools Superintendent Joe Casey, who proposed a for the 2012 fiscal year.The budget was positively received by Mayor Robert Dolan, who called it "the most transparent budget I've seen as mayor."

Also in city government, the aldermen's Legal and Legislative Committee this week that would call on residents to apply for former Aldermen (now state Representative) Paul Brodeur's seat. The full board of aldermen will take up the procedure at its next meeting this Tuesday, as well as further action on a request for $17,000 for .

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One vacancy that was filled this week was that of Middlesex County Sheriff. On Friday afternoon, Governor Deval Patrick to the office. Koutoujian quickly declared that his top priorities will be .

In local law and order, included reports of credit card fraud, as well indecent assault and battery. Also this week, Melrose Police launched a new anonymous , a tool that local police hope will make it easier than ever for residents to reach and communicate with them.

Despite the snow, preparations remained under way around the city all week for Martin Luther King Day celebrations. "," a new collaboration between the Melrose Human Rights Commission and various other local organizations, brought together residents from across Melrose to volunteer at city worksites on Saturday.

More than a foot of snow tends to make sports schedules sticky, and many Melrose games were cancelled or postponed this week. However, the Melrose-Watertown Raiders found time to and . In basketball news, the Melrose Lady Raiders almost staged a , but came up short by one heartbreaking point.

Not so heartbreaking? News that another local entrepreneur has opened a business in Melrose. Genevieve Martineau, longtime Melrose resident, shared her vision for the on Franklin St.

Also this week: Information on how to not go broke on your eReader, thanks to the . Plus, try on an alternative view of from columnist Kate House.

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