Nick Maffeo

Canton Co-operative Bank President & CEO Nicholas Maffeo was elected to the DIF’s board of directors at their Annual Meeting on April 2.

“Customers definitely look for the combination of FDIC and DIF insurance coverage,” Maffeo said. “It gives them peace of mind. With the combination of FDIC and DIF coverage, no depositor has ever lost a penny in any Massachusetts savings or co-operative bank.”

“The DIF served as a model for the FDIC almost 100 years ago, and to this day, no other state has anything like the DIF,” Maffeo added. “I am honored to serve as a director of the DIF.”

A Canton resident, Maffeo joined Canton Co-operative as vice president in 2003, and in 2014 he was named the bank’s president and CEO. Prior to joining Canton Co-op, he spent 10 years as an examiner with the FDIC.

Located next to the Post Office, Canton Co-operative Bank has been Canton’s hometown bank since 1891. The bank has earned a five-star rating for strength and stability from bank-rating service BauerFinancial, and all deposits are insured by the FDIC and the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). Canton Co-operative is an Equal Housing Lender (NMLS #721437). The phone number is 781-828-8811.

Senior Shannon Lane is vying for a 3rd straight Hockomock League scoring title. (Mike Tureski photo)

The wins have kept coming for the red-hot CHS varsity field team as the Bulldogs put the finishing touches on another Hockomock Davenport Division title with a 9-0 drubbing of Milford last week at Canton’s Memorial Field.

While the winless Hawks proved no match for the hosts, the big story of the night centered on senior captain Shannon Lane, who further cemented her place as one of the program’s all-time greats by reaching the 200-point milestone for her career.

A four-year varsity player and the reigning Davenport Division MVP winner, Lane needed only one quarter of play to complete the career accomplishment as she racked up an early hat trick to help put the Bulldogs comfortably out in front.

Including their most recent game — a 4-1 victory earlier this week over the 12th-ranked Norwood Mustangs — Lane now has 204 career points with five games to go plus what the team hopes will be another extended playoff run.

As it stands, she already has 38 points on the season through 13 games, putting her at or near the top of the Hockomock League leaderboard. She is also in the running to lead the entire league in both goals and assists, and if she were to accomplish this feat, it would mark the third consecutive season that she has led the Hock in all three major categories (goals, assists and points).

Even as a freshman in the fall of 2023, Lane was already an impact player, finishing that season eighth in the league in scoring with 29 points.

She has also led the Bulldogs to the Division 2 state semifinals in each of the last two years and is hoping to cap her illustrious career by hoisting the state championship trophy this season.

“Reaching 200 career points is an incredible accomplishment, and I couldn’t be prouder of Shannon,” commented head coach Chrissy O’Connor. “She’s an exceptional player who works hard, competes every day, and makes everyone around her better. What she’s meant to Canton field hockey goes far beyond the goals and points, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to coach her.”

While Lane’s individual brilliance is truly generational, she also has the good fortune of playing on a talented roster that is both battle-tested and hungry. What’s more, she has someone who O’Connor has described as the perfect running mate in senior captain Cassidy Lyons.

Perhaps just as critical to the team’s success, the Bulldogs also boast one of the stingiest defenses in the entire state, led by captains Grace Martinek and Ava Starr, fellow veterans Ellie Young and Tabitha McCready, and new starting goalie Sophia Carlton.

With an overall record of 11-2, the Bulldogs finished in a tie with Davenport newcomer King Philip for first place in the division, and they are currently right behind the Warriors at the top of the Division 2 power rankings. (The two rivals rank 1 and 2 out of a field of more than 50 teams.)

The two will actually square off again tonight at CHS in what is technically a non-league contest as Canton looks to sweep the season series after edging the Warriors 2-1 at their place on October 5.

That’s a lot to consider, especially given that most ballot question topics haven’t been widely publicized.

Early voting begins October 17 at Town Hall.

Citizens who plan to vote in person on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, have over two weeks to learn about these questions (and the candidates). Anyone using mail-in ballots also has time — but early voting begins this Saturday, October 17.

The first eight questions regarding proposed laws were added to the ballot through initiative petition. Established by Amendment Article 48 of the Massachusetts Constitution as a way for people to propose laws, the initiative petition is a lengthy, multi-step process, including the collecting of petition signatures, and submission to the attorney general’s office and the state legislature.

Question 1 would expand the public records law by making most records held by the legislature and the office of the governor public records. Documents related to the development of public policy and certain communications between legislators and their constituents would be exempted.

State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who’s a proponent of auditing the legislature, states that Question 1 will contribute to greater transparency by giving “every taxpayer the ability to access public records directly.” She adds that other government entities — including cities, towns and other state agencies — must already follow the public records law. Countering this, some claim the proposed law is too broad, poorly defined, and could threaten constituent privacy and open communication by lawmakers.

Question 2 would allow collective bargaining for employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS). The argument in favor is that CPCS employees should have the same right as other state employees to organize and collectively bargain over wages, benefits and working conditions. (A “public defender crisis” received media attention in the summer and fall of 2025. Criminal case defendants were released because of a shortage of public defenders and private attorneys who would accept the low pay.)

Opponents of the measure argue that collective bargaining creates risks for the judiciary by disrupting management frameworks and causing unintended consequences, including potential impact on state finances from collective bargaining results.

Question 3 would eliminate separate political party primaries and substitute a single, all-party primary. Supporters claim that making elections more competitive will force politicians to listen, thereby increasing accountability. Naysayers argue that such a system tends to favor prominent, wealthy candidates and reduce the chances of third-party and independent candidates and those from underrepresented groups.

Question 4 would permit eligible citizens to register to vote or update their voter registration address on Election Day rather than 10 days before, which is the current requirement. Points in favor of this proposed law are that the change would give more people the chance to vote while also enhancing election security through strict registration rules. Yet arguments opposed to it say that same-day registration could increase fraud by ramping up time pressure and cutting windows for verification.

Question 5 would change the limit on how much revenue the state can collect each year. The allowable amount would be tied to prior year collections plus average wage and salary growth. The argument in favor is that the law would not cut state spending for services like education, transportation or healthcare but would prevent the state budget from growing faster than inflation, instead returning refunds to the taxpayer. Opponents of Question 5 contend that setting a limit on revenue would jeopardize those services and require higher property taxes or layoffs to offset budget cuts during recessions.

The creation of a Nature for All Fund supporting natural resource conservation is the focus of Question 6. The fund would receive some state taxes collected on the sale and use of sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and the use of golf courses. Some funds supporting the state operating budget would be diverted; there would also be implementation costs. Support for water, land, wildlife and public access without raising taxes is the main argument in favor of the law. The opposition raises questions about fiscal impacts, threats to other priorities, and loss of flexibility.

Question 7 would allow single-family homes to be built on lots of 5,000 square feet or more, subject to local regulations. (Current minimum lot sizes vary, but requirements for an acre — or even two — are common.) Supporters argue that reducing lot sizes would help increase the supply of affordable houses. Detractors dislike the idea of overriding local planning to the potential detriment of existing neighborhoods, infrastructure capacity, and environmental protections.

Prohibiting the retail sale of adult recreational use of marijuana is the goal of Question 8. This law would repeal the law passed in 2016 that legalized and taxed the retail sale of recreational marijuana. Legal possession of one ounce or less and medical use of marijuana would still be allowed. Supporters of the measure hope to reduce workplace injuries, fatal car accidents, and severe mental health conditions in young adults. Opponents say that state tax revenue would decrease and public health and safety issues would increase if the production and sale of marijuana is unregulated. They argue that law enforcement resources would be redirected away from serious crime and that many small businesses and jobs would suffer.

Question 9 isn’t a new law but a referendum on an existing law regulating firearms. A ‘Yes’ vote would keep the existing safety-focused law passed in 2024, while a ‘No’ vote would repeal it. Unchanged, the law will continue to outlaw devices that turn semi-automatic weapons into machine guns, promote the development of data to address gun trafficking, and support other anti-gun violence efforts. Detractors claim that the existing law is confusing and causes financial and administrative waste in addition to limiting civil rights.

Early voting at Town Hall will take place October 17-30. For more information, go to cantonmavoterguide.com/2026-state-election or or sec.state.ma.us.

The Bulldogs celebrate after their statement win over the rival Warriors Friday night. (Mike Tureski photo)

Canton football shocks Foxboro behind dominant defense, powerful rushing attack

Amassing nearly 400 yards of offense and with dominant play on the other side of the ball, the CHS football Bulldogs stymied the Foxboro Warriors in a 28-7 rout at home last Friday night.

The upset win brings Canton’s record to 2-3 while dropping Foxboro down to 3-2. It should also boost their standing in the MIAA power rankings, which are used to determine which teams qualify for the playoffs.

Prior to the game, Canton ranked 19th in Division 4 and will need to jump into the top 16 in order to earn their spot in the upcoming state tournament.

An ecstatic head coach Jeff Eckler noted that his team dominated the Warriors on both sides of the line, racing out to a 20-0 advantage after three quarters. Offensively, the Bulldogs rushed for a whopping 356 yards, led by senior co-captain Brody Baldiga, who turned in a career-best performance with 192 yards on the ground, started by an electrifying 80-yard touchdown run on Canton’s first play from scrimmage. Baldiga then added two more touchdown runs of 13 and 14 yards and tacked on a 10-yard two-point conversion for good measure.

Antoine Jamison, who doubles as a receiver and a runner, also topped the century mark with 104 rushing yards. Senior quarterback Dylan Lank also did his part, completing three of four passes for 37 yards while coming up with a key interception on defense in the second half. Senior Gio Thomas Librero also chipped in with a three-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, the Bulldogs were outstanding, shutting down the Warriors’ passing attack until the latter stages of the game. Seventeen Bulldog players had at least one tackle in the game, led by junior Kellen Porter with 10, senior captain Gavin Pushard with eight, and Jamison with seven.

Baldiga’s big run at the start of the game also underscored the impact of the Canton offensive line, who opened huge holes all night behind a group that included Pushard, Arinze Onyemelukwe, Justion Lacey, Noah Laurenco and James Grant McCluney.

Another key play in the game came on special teams early in the third quarter. With the Bulldogs in punt coverage, junior Cooper Millington hit the Foxboro returner hard, forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Bulldogs. The fumble recovery ignited the Canton players and the crowd, who spurred on the offense as it marched down the field and into the endzone while chewing up over eight minutes of the game clock.

Eckler also made a point to highlight the play of senior defensive lineman Julian Tavares, who raced to pressure the Foxboro quarterback, leading to the interception that was hauled in by Lank.

Eckler said this team was prepared for the Warriors and had had a great week of practice. “We were pumped for this game,” said the Canton coach. “We last beat Foxboro in 2019 in a playoff game and it meant a lot to the players and the coaches. The opening play on offense started with great running and blocking by Brody and the offensive line. The defense was unbelievable.”

Baldiga gave praise and credit to the offensive line. “The O-line was great,” he said, “not only the first play but throughout the game.”

After the game, Pushard said the win was a big step forward for the team and he praised and appreciated how competitive and physically the team played.’

With some positive momentum on their side, the Bulldogs will now look to keep it going against the 3-2 King Philip Warriors tomorrow night at home beginning at 6 p.m.

Runners take off at the start of last year’s Canton Fall Classic.

The 37th annual Canton Fall Classic Road Race will be held on Sunday, October 25, featuring new 5K and 10K courses. Close to 500 runners are expected, and many of them are repeat runners.

Runners will gather at B’nai Tikvah, located at 1301 Washington Street in Canton. The road race starts at 7:45 a.m. for seniors and the Kids Fun Run, followed by the 5K and 10K races at 8:30 a.m. Walkers and people with carriages and/or dogs are asked to start the race at the back of the pack for everyone’s safety.

A Sponsor Village featuring information and giveaways from some of the race sponsors will be available in the temple parking lot. There will also be kids’ activities, a DJ, and snacks.

Race results will be posted, and prizes will be awarded at 9.45 a.m. at the DJ table.

After 36 years, the beloved classic 10K course needed to be altered to ensure the runners’ safety, but the new course is equally scenic and challenging. The route has been posted on the race website and will be displayed in the registration area on the morning of the race. All races begin and end at B’nai Tikvah.

First-place winners will receive cash prizes, and all other winners will receive gift cards.

A portion of the proceeds from the Canton Fall Classic will go to the Canton Food Pantry, Randolph Food Pantry, and Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, all 501(c)(3) charities. With food insecurity and homelessness continuing to rise, your support has an even greater impact this year.

For more information, contact Karen Reiser at karenreiser@verizon.net.

To register for the Canton Fall Classic, visit www.cantonfallclassic.org. All runners who are pre-registered and will receive race shirts.

“Over the past seven months, much of the work taking place inside the Canton Police Department has happened behind the scenes, and some of that work has involved visible changes,” Daniels said. “Much of it has involved evaluating systems, strengthening accountability, rebuilding internal processes, and creating a stronger foundation for the future.”

The report, which includes the tagline “Learning from the Past; Building the Future,” outlines improvements across six key areas, including accountability and public trust; staffing and leadership; technology and systems; organizational reset and policy modernization; financial and strategic planning; and community and public safety.

In a post accompanying the report, Daniels highlighted some of the notable changes he has made, including:

* Rebuilding parts of the department’s command structure and clarifying leadership responsibilities.

* Strengthening supervisory expectations, internal accountability, notification procedures, and complaint review.

* Launching a department-wide self-assessment focused on reviewing and modernizing policies, procedures, training, and organizational practices.

* Significantly tightening oversight of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR), commonly referred to as Flock cameras, including restricting access, removing federal data-sharing access, and implementing additional auditing and administrative review.

* Continuing to rebuild staffing while managing promotions, retirements, resignations, recruitment, academy personnel, and day-to-day operational needs.

* Performing extensive reviews of overtime, staffing models, scheduling, fleet needs, capital planning, and long-term departmental finances.

* Modernizing critical department systems, including CAD/RMS, policy management, technology access controls, CJIS redundancy, and employee onboarding processes.

* Expanding targeted traffic enforcement based on data, resident concerns, crash history, and officer observations.

* Increasing communication with the public on issues involving traffic, technology, public safety, department operations, and community concerns.

* Launching new community engagement initiatives, including quarterly “Breakfast with the Chief” events in partnership with Diane Tynan and the Department of Elder & Human Services.

Daniels himself boasts an impressive track record of modernization efforts at several Massachusetts police departments, most recently during his time as chief in the town of Oxford, where he worked to create an agency centered on accountability, transparency, and community trust.

Many of the changes implemented to date are also reflective of the recommendations of a department-wide audit that was commissioned by Canton town leaders at the urging of residents and formally completed in the spring of 2025. While not finding any evidence of “conspiracies, coverups or corruption” by CPD officers as alleged by some residents in the wake of the John O’Keefe murder investigation, the auditors did identify several areas in need of improvement and included a list of “actionable recommendations” in its 200-page report.

While Daniels believes that significant progress has already been made, he stressed that not every improvement is immediately visible from outside the police department. “Organizational change often begins with evaluating how decisions are made, how employees are supervised, how technology is governed, how money is spent, and whether existing policies and systems meet the standards our community should expect,” he said.

The chief also acknowledged that there is still much work to be done. “Our goal is not simply to make changes for the sake of change,” he said. “It is to build systems that are sustainable, accountable, professional, and worthy of the public’s trust. We will continue evaluating where we are, communicating where we are going, and holding ourselves accountable for the progress we make.”

* Twin preemies face long recovery in separate Boston hospitals

* Canton Farmers Market holds annual Youth Entrepreneur’s Day

* Canton schools opt for ‘slow & steady’ approach to artificial intelligence

* Blessing of the Animals at the Congregational Church of Canton

* Tony V to headline ‘Laughs for Legacy’ fundraiser

* Preparations underway for annual Cantonstock festival

* Canton firefighters assist with Braintree truck collision

* Gov. Healey announces new home heating assistance initiatives

* CHS Athlete of the Week and more fall sports coverage

Also, don’t forget to check out our many weekly features, including:

* Police & Fire News Notes

* Senior Corner and letters to the editor

* Cable Guide, Citizen Around Town, and much more

* House of the Week and more local real estate resources

Not a subscriber? Click here to order your subscription today, or check out our digital edition, the e-Citizen.

Born on September 26, 1922, in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland, she was the daughter of Patrick and Catherine Maguire. At 6 years old, she immigrated to Brooklyn, New York. That move was the start of a long, full life shaped by resilience, faith, and a deep devotion to family. She later made her home in Jamaica Plain and Dedham before settling in Canton in 1987, where she remained surrounded by the people and traditions she loved.

Beloved wife of the late George F. Close Sr., she was the proud mother of George F. Close Jr. and his wife, Marcia, of North Carolina, Maureen L. Dickie and her late husband, Bill, of Canton, Paul M. Close and his wife, Andrea, of Canton, Dennis J. Close and his wife, Nancy, of Westford, and the late Kevin A. Close. She was also the sister of Eileen Verderico of Roslindale and the late Patrick Maguire, Mary (May) O’Brien, Emmett Maguire, and Kathleen McCann. Her legacy lives on through 11 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense pride and joy.

Hardworking and dependable, Rosaleen met the loss of her husband with remarkable strength. She went on to work as a waitress until the age of 75, and she was always delighted when family stopped in, especially her grandchildren. She told it like it was, and everyone who knew her respected her for it. And God help anyone who walked into her house, her restaurant, or really any establishment with a hat on, because she made sure it was removed promptly.

Rosaleen found joy in simple pleasures and cherished routines. An avid reader, she was rarely without a good book. She loved trips to Cape Cod and treasured the memories made there with family and friends. To many she was “Nana Cupcake,” never arriving without cupcakes from the local bakery, although there is some speculation about this from the younger grandchildren. Fall apple picking was a favorite, a chance to sit back and watch everyone together, laughing and telling stories.

Family traditions mattered deeply to her, and she kept them alive with love and consistency. She made sure Easter, Christmas, and New Year’s Day dinner were celebrated with care and togetherness — as long as you arrived at 2 p.m. sharp. Her home and her heart were always open to family. She understood the value of gathering around a table, sharing stories, and passing traditions from one generation to the next.

Rosaleen Close will be remembered for her strength, her honesty, and her unwavering devotion to her family. She lived a long and meaningful life, guided by hard work, love, and a deep appreciation for the people around her. Her memory will remain a source of comfort and inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass on Thursday, October 15 (today) at 11 a.m. in St. Oscar Romero Parish in Canton. Visiting hours will be held Thursday prior to the funeral Mass from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street. Burial at Brookedale Cemetery in Dedham.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Perkins School for the Blind, 175 N. Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472, where she received audio books for many years.

At the age of 15, Betty met the love of her life, Richard ‘Snuffy’ Smith, who was driving the Cushman Bakery truck delivering bread to her aunt. They would marry on July 11, 1959, and began building their family of six children.

As her children grew older, she returned to work, joining the James Ferrera & Sons Inc. company in Canton, where she worked for several years. She also helped her eldest son, Smitty, launch and manage Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream on Cape Cod. Up until her passing, she was actively managing the financial affairs for the business and was a staple for customers and team members alike. Betty was happy to forego a salary and preferred to be paid in coffee frappes instead.

In 1965, Betty and Dick would purchase a cottage in West Dennis that would serve as the setting for several decades of precious memories with family and close friends. Once in retirement, they began to spend time in Florida and quickly settled in Venice and were delighted to be so close to many Canton friends in the area. They began a tradition as snowbirds that Betty continued for 20 years after Dick’s passing in 2006. Betty had many friends from church and the community center in Venice that she looked forward to seeing each winter when she returned.

Betty was endlessly talented at sewing and created countless Halloween costumes and outfits for her family throughout her life. Her handmade flags and curtains will continue to hang with pride at Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream locations across the Cape. She was affectionately known as Grammy to her many grandchildren and enjoyed attending as many sporting events, musicals, concerts, and graduations as she could. Even at 90, Grammy could be found on the dance floor at any family wedding dancing with her grandchildren and modeling how to continue living life to the fullest.

Betty was the beloved wife of the late Richard J. Smith for 47 years. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Helen Whitty, and her grandchildren Connor Joseph, Grace Louise, and Thomas Richard Smith.

She was the mother of Richard J. ‘Smitty’ of East Falmouth, Mary A. Finn and her partner, Thomas Landon, of Dennis, Elizabeth A. (Betty Ann) Barrera and her husband, William, of Franklin, Joseph W. Smith and his wife, Susan, of Canton, Gerard C. Smith and his wife, Marcia, of Harwich, and James B. Smith and his wife, Cathleen, of Somersworth, NH.

She is also survived by her grandchildren Kaleigh, Molly, Emily, Billy, Katie, Brendan, Kevin, Danny, Jacob, Sean, Graham, Audrey, Sam, Kate and Ben; three great-grandchildren; a beloved sister-in-law, Sister Eleanor Smith of St. Francis, WI; and a dear friend to the Smith family, Paul F. McClellan of Intervale, NH.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday in St. Oscar Romero Church in Canton. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery. Arrangements by the Pushard Family Funeral Home, 210 Sherman Street.

Betty had a deep Catholic faith and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Sisters of Saint Francis Assisi (www.lakeosfs.org) in Betty’s memory.

Her journey of resilience and community impact began in Canton as the oldest of four children born to Mary Croak and Raymond O’Neill.

She studied nursing at the Catherine Labouré School of Nursing, paying her tuition by working at a local gas station. Mary then joined the Air Force in 1959, serving in the Philippines and then stateside until 1963. She transferred to the Army after earning her bachelor’s degree from Boston College in 1966. Her career brought her to Puerto Rico, where she met and later married Lt. Col. Aurelio Zamarripa (d. 2008) in 1969. Together they built a home with an open-door policy for anyone in need of a safe space or honest advice.

Mary successfully balanced raising three young children while earning a master’s degree in nursing administration from the University of Alabama. Her discharge from the military as a captain marked the beginning of a 40-year civilian nursing career that included the director of nursing, geriatric care, and clinical instruction; her courage and dedication inspired many.

Beyond her career, Mary was the anchor of the family and a pillar of the community, serving the American Legion Post #24 and leading Girl Scout troops. Mary’s strong work ethic and compassion was passed to her three daughters, Lisa Zamarripa Longpre, Anna Zamarripa and Jeanie Zamarripa-Lee, stepsons Michael and Joseph Zamarripa, and her six grandchildren. In addition to her immediate family, Mary leaves behind her younger brothers William, John, and James, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

As a trailblazer, she will be remembered as a delightful, independent, force of nature by all who knew her.

Visiting hours in the Pushard Family Funeral Home, 210 Sherman Street, on Saturday, October 24, from 10-12 a.m. followed by noontime prayers and internment with honors at Canton Corner Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warrior Project.