Friday, June 12, 2015
(978) 297-0050 • www.winchendoncourier.com
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Problem from 2014 now sends town to special meeting
WINCHENDON — Though
the special education busing
contract when finalized in
February 2014 was definitely
more than already budgeted by the town; and there are
emails available to prove Supt.
Dr. Salah Khelfaoui reached
out to the town to increase the
amount to cover the contract;
action was not taken at that
time. Now the most recent payments to the small company
were pulled from the warrants
by town accountant Donna
Allard, who realized the payment would put the budget into
the deficit; not allowed by the
state Department of Revenue
with its focus on town.
It means, unfortunately, the
bus company might not make
its payroll, the drivers might
not pick up students for the
final weeks of school.
A joint meeting of the Board
of Selectmen and School
Committee Monday night could
not come to a viable solution
to the matter. BOS Chairman
Michael Barbaro did state the
special education busing is
mandated by federal law, and
should there be a problem with
getting the students to school it
could result in legal recourse.
“I don’t want someone at
my door with a warrant,” said
Barbaro emphatically.
A few solutions, shunting
funds from in town transportation to cover the shortfall
until a solution can be found
and perhaps using Finance
Committee reserves if any
still exists were considered;
the FinCom was meeting on
Tuesday and representatives
of both BOS and SC intended to
attend to present the problem.
In the end, any solution will
require a town meeting vote to
change budget amounts, and
so a special town meeting is set
Tuesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. This
was announced as June 29, but
it was discovered new interim
town manager Bernie Lynch is
unavailable Mondays, so BOS
met Thursday to rescind the
original vote and revote the
date to June 30 to make certain
Lynch could attend.
The warrant was opened
Monday night and will close
June 15 at 5 p.m., should any
other articles be considered for
the same meeting.
The actual reason for calling
the joint meeting, to consider
candidates for the two open
seats on the school committee,
welcomed three of the four to
the microphone for brief introductions. Andrea Suchocki,
who was a member of the com-
mittee and came in third in
the last election, also expressed
an interest in continuing to
serve on one of the open seats,
but was unable to attend the
meeting.
Susan Cochran, Amanda
Grubb-Davidson and Janet
Corbosiero were all given a
chance to explain their reasons
for wishing to be chosen to
serve. After discussion, nomination and voting, GrubbDavidson and Corbosiero were
elected to occupy the two seats
until next May’s’ elections;
when they each will have the
Turn To
MEETING
page
­­­A10
Lynch makes
first foray
Morgan St. Pierre photo
The traditional hats in the air for the 63 Murdock graduates of 2015.
Graduates ready
for next steps
BY JERRY CARTON
COURIER CORRESPONDENT
WINCHENDON
—
Emotions ran high last
Sunday as the Murdock High
School class of 2015 took their
final bows and graduated
on a sun-splashed afternoon
before a large crowd gathered
at Alumni Field.
Class president Vicky
Marshall’s
voice
broke
repeatedly when she noted
the day marked a “completion and celebration. It’s
heartbreaking for me to say
goodbye,” she said quietly.
Marshall acknowledged she
and her classmates are leaving “our comfort zone” but
urged them to “go after your
dreams.” The four-year class
president mused that senior
year was “the best year of my
life,” but added she was ready
to take the next step, feeling
she’d been well prepared at
MHS.
“I’m forever going to
be grateful to have been at
Murdock,” Marshall assured.
Valedictorian
Brandon
Jinn (4.21 gpa) was reflective
when he said one of the most
positive aspects of having
attended Murdock was the
small class size which frequently enabled teachers to
become “more like friends.
In their own way, each teacher taught us not only their
subject, but valuable life lessons.”
“We’ve worked hard to be
here,” he said, adding, “That
hard work has made us grow
as students and people.”
Jinn closed his remarks by
imploring fellow graduates
to “have fun this summer —
do something you normally
wouldn’t do and spend as
much time with your friends
as you can. Enjoy this moment
of bliss because life will never
be the same again.” He also
took a moment to thank his
own parents “for all they sacrificed” for him.
Rachel Dickens (4.16 gpa)
is headed to Northeastern
in the fall. The salutation
laughingly said she knows
she’s going from being “a
big fish in a very small pond
in Winchendon to being a
microscopic” one in Boston.
“I will be okay, though. We
all will be okay,” she said and
Turn To
GRADUATES
page
­­­A6
This week’s performance
The second performance of Winchendon Winds
concert band takes place Sunday, June 14 outside the Clark Memorial YMCA Field House at
1:30 p.m. Bring a picnic and enjoy the variety of
pieces performed by this professional level band
under the direction of career music educator
and Winchendon resident Jon Nicholson. This
Sunday’s concert selections are as follows:
Procession of the Nobles: Win Winds opens
with a brilliant trumpet fanfare and processional
march by Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov.
Nimrod from the Enigma Variations: British
composer Edward Elgar wrote this beloved and
moving tribute to a dear friend and mentor. First
performed in 1899, Nimrod is still enjoyed today.
Slavonic Rhapsody: Carl Friedemann’s technical showpiece for woodwinds winds up to a
dazzling, brassy finish.
Reflective Mood: The smooth and rich sound of
trombone soloist Steve Piermarini will be heard
in this soulful piece written by Sammy Nestico in
1964 and dedicated to his trombone teacher.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: Steve follows with
a balladic, then jazzy rendition of this favorite
American spiritual.
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine: “March King”
John Philip Sousa composed this piece in 1923
to celebrate his membership in the Shriners’
Temple. The march has a joyful, circus-like flair.
Variations on a Shaker Melody:This popular folk tune, also known as Simple Gifts, was
arranged for band by American composer Aaron
Copland in 1958.
La Forza del Destino: Opera maestro Giuseppe
Verdi wrote this overture to his dramatic tragedy
La Forza del Destino (“The Power of Fate’) which
has been arranged into a powerhouse piece.
Water Music Suite: George Frideric Handel
composed this celebration music in 1717 at the
request King George I for a lavish barge party
on the River Thames. This oft-performed work
is used in commercials, weddings and numerous
variations.
Just a Closer Walk: Don Gillis’ arrangement of
this American gospel evokes Preservation Hall
style New Orleans jazz.
Theme from Romantic Symphony #2: Win
Winds closes with the beautiful theme from
American composer Howard Hanson’s Symphony
#2. This theme is played at the close of every concert at the prestigious Interlochen Center for Fine
Arts in Michigan.
The concert series continues every Sunday
afternoon in June and the first Sunday in July.
Sponsored by the Winchendon Parks & Rec
Commission with a grant from the Robinson
Broadhurst Foundation.
LOCAL
6
56525 10431
2
WINCHENDON — Interim
Town Manager Bernie Lynch
spent his first full day in town
Tuesday, meeting with department heads and, in his own
words, getting his feet wet.
“It was a very
busy day. I spent
a couple hours
first off with the
DOR, learning
the
financial
picture, then I
was completely
immersed
until I left at 6
Bernie Lynch p.m. It’s a great
town,”
said
Lynch.
He accepted a contract as
an employee, not a consultant,
because procurement laws
preclude using a consultant in
that capacity. His contracted
pay is $1,875 per week, for 90
days; with the possibility of an
extension to the contract for an
additional 90 days if necessary.
Lynch has worked as town
manager in cities as large as
Lowell, as financial manager,
auditor and as consultant in
financial areas. He currently
is faculty at Suffolk University,
teaching state and local
finance. He laughs, saying he
can use Winchendon as a great
example for his classes.
He is very optimistic about
Winchendon’s chances, now
that he has had his first exposure to its people and its problems.
“I’m very optimistic we can
get through this. I can immediately see some things that are
fixable, we just have to get the
town moving forward,” said
Lynch.
He did say he could see some
real problems with fiscal management, and a lot of it has to
Turn To
LYNCH
page
­­­A10
Kathleen Bennett photo
Jon Nicholson directs the newly formed Winchendon Winds at its inaugural
performance
Win Winds debuts its
June concert series
BY KATHLEEN BENNETT
COURIER CORRESPONDENT
WINCHENDON — What better way is there to spend a pristine, 73-degree Sunday afternoon than at a free outdoor
concert in late spring?
Sponsored
by
the
Winchendon
Parks
and
Recreations Department and
the Wendell Clark Memorial
YMCA with financial support
from the Robinson Broadhurst
Foundation,
Winchendon
Winds has formed a 40-plus
orchestra under the direction
of Winchendon resident Jon
Nicholson. The formation of
this ensemble was a labor of
love for Nicholson, the conductor, who called on several of
his friends and colleagues to
start making music for the Toy
Town.
Emceed by his daughter,
SPORTS
Bonding by
nature: a week
in the woods
Coach recaps
softball season
appreciating young
players
PAGE 3
PAGE 8
Inanna Arthen, the 90-minute
show began at 1:30 p.m. last
Sunday behind the playground.
Over the course of the concert,
more and more folks set up
their chairs or blankets in sun
or shade. Approximately three
dozen did so, with many more
nearby denizens utilizing the
playground, fields, and pathways benefiting as they walked,
played, biked, or enjoyed their
razor scooters.
The band opened with Block
M March, a lively number from
the days that Nicholson attended University of Michigan.
Second Suite in F for Military
Band followed, which consisted of three British folk songs
featuring full band, solo baritone, and woodwind section.
A melancholy lovers’ ballad, a
blacksmith’s song, and a jolly
Turn To
WIN WINDS
page
­­­A10
WEEKLY QUOTE
“Don’t give up.
Don’t ever give up.”
Jim Valvano
­­2
Winchendon Courier
Friday, June 12, 2015
Monty Tech holds 44th commencement on school grounds
FITCHBURG — The weather may
have been a bit threatening, but it didn’t
dampen the spirits of the 317 members
of Montachusett Regional Vocational
Technical School’s Class of 2015, as they
were all smiles marching onto the athletic field May 27, to receive their diplomas and certificates of vocational-technical proficiency at the school’s 44th
Commencement Exercises.
Junior class marshals led the graduates to their seats, while Principal
Thomas R. Browne got the ceremony
underway.
Members of Monty Tech’s Marine
Corps JROTC Color Guard presented
the flags, and Tamara A. Rotelo-Rivero
of Leominster, class vice president, led
the Pledge of Allegiance. Michael J.
Thomason of Gardner sang the National
Anthem.
Class officers, Alyanna M. Giuliano of
Fitchburg, president; Tamara A. RoteloRivero, vice president, and Paige D.
Imprescia of Athol, secretary/treasurer, presented the class gift, a check to
purchase a new rug for the front lobby
of the school building, to Eric J. Olson
of Phillipston, School Committee chairperson.
Superintendent-Director Dr. Sheila
M. Harrity congratulated the graduates
on their accomplishments during their
four years, and stressed how their education has prepared them for success in
the real world.
“Our students are truly graduating
career and college ready, and I am confident that you have been prepared to
be successful in your future. Schools
in the past taught the three R’s, reading, writing and arithmetic. This is no
longer sufficient in our 21st century.
Monty Tech’s mission is to properly
prepare our students both academically
and technically with 21st century skills
to be successful and competitive in a
global economy.”
She told the students that because
of their accomplishments, Monty Tech
continues to have one of the highest
graduation rates and the lowest dropout rate in the state. “Your MCAS
scores are the envy of many school
districts. We have so much to be proud
of,” she said.
She thanked the students for helping to make her feel so welcome at
the school. “You will always be a very
special class to me....my first here at
Monty Tech. Let me be the first to congratulate you and to wish you success
in the future.”
Class president Giuliano told her
classmates that the road to success isn’t
always easy. “Graduation is a big step
in our lives, and with it comes a fear
of the unknown. Let me reassure you
it’s natural to be afraid of failure, to be
afraid of the uncertain.”
She reminded her classmates that
they are part of a bigger picture.
“Although we are all individuals, it’s
important to remember we’re a part
of the bigger picture, and we all have
something great to contribute to the
world,” she said. She urged them to step
out of their comfort zones and not be
afraid of failing.
Class salutatorian Tiffany M.
Cunningham of Gardner began her
speech by reminding her classmates
that she does not like to be the center
of attention. “I stand before you today
with the greatest urge to run away from
this podium, but I can’t leave just yet. I
know how easy it would be to accept my
fear of failure, but I know that I can’t
quit after making it this far.”
She spoke about the people in the
graduates’ lives who never gave up on
them, who supported them and encouraged them to never give up on their
dreams and ambitions despite the negative aspects attempting to hold them
down.
“It is time for all of us to accept new
challenges and persevere....moving to
the future of each of our lives. Life is
all about choices. Every day you have
the choice to stay where you are or to
move forward. What you choose will
determine where you will end up. Make
it count!”
Class valedictorian Brian J. King of
Westminster received a standing ovation for his moving and heartfelt speech
about loss and learning to accept what
you have and not let the small stuff in
life get to you. “I have recently been
put in the position to see the importance of enjoying and appreciating each
moment in life. On Dec. 10, 2014, at the
age of 45, my mother lost her battle with
ovarian cancer.”
He went on to say that as her illness
progressed, she didn’t have the strength
to do the everyday things people take
for granted. “Especially toward the end
of last year, catching her awake and
alert enough to hold a conversation
became increasingly rare. Instead of
finding the obvious joy in events such
as vacations and late-night conversations about the future, the little things
became more important. I began to
understand how important it is to enjoy
and appreciate the small pleasures in
life,” he explained.
Following the speeches, Barbara
Reynolds of Lunenburg, School
Committee Vice Chairperson, assisted Olson in presenting diplomas
and certificates of
vocational-technical proficiency to
the following local
graduates:
Ashburnham:
Austin Bornstein
( p l u m b ing),
Heather
Champagne
(cosmetology),
Real Estate Brokerage
Brandon Chicklis
& Consulting
(drafting
techEarning the public’s Trust
nology), Jessica
Cormier (cosmeone consumer at a time
tology), Theodore
for over 30 Years
Dancause (information
techwww.morinrealestate.com
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Enright* (graph978-297-0961
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Graham (information technology),
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(graphic communications), Noah
Glenwood is a 55+ community
Hebert (masonry),
consisting of 54 new manufactured
Michael Hildreth*
single-family homes with
(cabinetmaking),
independent living all on one
Amanda Johnson*
floor. This is a quiet community
(dental assisting),
setting abutting Millers River and
Ashley Maloney
is surrounded by open space.
(culinary arts),
Hours are:
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Stonebridge Press photo policy
Members of Monty Tech’s Class of 2015 celebrate receiving their diplomas.
Dylan Burgess (masonry), Jai Clark
(automotive technology), Erin Cregg*
(graphic communications), Justin
Dennis (masonry), Maria Diaz Santos
(health occupations), Neiva LaBrecque*
(business technology), Jonathan Morin
(masonry), Sarah Rusch (cosmetology),
and Jeffrey Spaan (plumbing).
Gardner: Scott Batchelder* (early
childhood education), Casey Beaton
(machine technology), Samantha
Berkes (culinary arts), Eric Bourque
(engineering technology), Sara Brown
(culinary arts), Chelsea Caron (culinary arts), Owen Castonguay (industrial technology), Tiffany Cunningham*
(dental assisting), Emilee Flynn (culinary arts), Joseph Gallant (welding,
metal fabrication), Briana Hansen
(early childhood education), Hannah
Koula
(automotive
technology),
Nicholas LaBarge (culinary arts),
Christopher LaBarge Jr.* (industrial
technology), Brandon Landry (culinary
arts), Adrienne LaRoche* (early childhood education), Jamison LaRoche*
(engineering technology), Brittney
Lawrence (electrical), Jack Marabello*
(engineering technology), Jessica
McGrath (graphic communications),
Gabriel Melendez (information technology), Zachary Miller (information
technology), Joshua Nguyen (house
carpentry), Jared Orzel (engineering
technology), Nicholas Pike (plumbing),
Connor Quick* (information technology), Owasif Rahman (engineering technology), Mykala Rogers (cosmetology),
Shayna Rolon* (business technology),
David Ross (electrical), Tyler Russell
(cabinetmaking), Cristian Sanchez
(business technology), Ryan Shaw
(welding, metal fabrication), Kiaya
Shea (early childhood education),
Seann Silvia (information technology),
Joshua Smith (industrial technology),
Cheyanne Taft (business technology),
Michael Thomason (graphic communications), Samantha Vartesian (culinary
arts), and Ryan Walker (electrical).
Phillipston: David Aukstikainis
(masonry), Brett Grant (information
technology), Noah Roy (engineering
technology), Ashley Scaplen (business
technology), and Bethany Valois (cabinetmaking).
Royalston: Emily Mangum (health
occupations), Ryan Sawyer (plumbing),
and Sophia Zeena (cosmetology).
Templeton: Shelby Arseneau (cosmetology), Matthew Elsevier* (machine
technology), Abigail Felton (engineering
technology),
MacKenzie
MacAdams* (cosmetology), Rebekah
Provencher* (cabinetmaking), Joshua
Shepard (machine technology), Melissa
Swenson (auto body, collision repair
technology), Dana Symonds* (automotive technology), Tashonn Tallman
(cabinetmaking), Kati White (health
occupations), and Nathan Winters
(electrical).
Winchendon: Devin Abramo (health
occupations), Nico Amenta (masonry),
Ashley Arsenault* (early childhood education), Kayla Beauvais (health occupations), Adam Becotte* (culinary arts),
Andrea Bickford* (machine technology), Hollie Bilodeau-Stacy (health occupations), Cody Caley (automotive technology), Alex Cantin (electrical), Logan
Common (welding, metal fabrication),
Raymond Dexter (plumbing), Elizabeth
Duval (health occupations), Brandon
Ellis (electrical), Kailey French (business technology), Zachary Hachey
(auto body, collision repair technology), Rachel Haley*
(house
carpentry), Joshua Helie
(graphic communications), Toby
Helie
(graphic
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communications), Danielle Martin
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*National Honors Society
Members of the 2015 graduating class
at Montachusett Regional Vocational
Technical School were honored recently for their accomplishments the last
four years in the areas of academics,
vocational-technical studies, community service, and athletics.
Due to the large number of awards
and scholarships presented, two award
ceremonies were held. One ceremony
was held during the day and another in
the evening. Both ceremonies were held
in the school’s Performing Arts Center.
The Monty Tech Foundation, which
sponsors the school’s two major annual fundraisers, the Superintendent’s
Dinner and fall golf tournament, awarded a total of $34,000 in scholarships
to the graduates. Another $6,000 from
the foundation is going to graduates
of Monty Tech’s Practical Nursing
Program.
The following is a listing of local
recipients and their awards:
Cody Caley of Winchendon was
named most outstanding student in
automotive technology, Monty Tech
Foundation.
Amanda Johnson of Ashburnham
was named most conscientious student
in dental assisting; Gerry Flynn memorial scholarship; Bemis Associates
scholarship;
Erin Cregg of Baldwinville was
named most outstanding student in
graphic communications, Monty Tech
Foundation award.
Matthew Elsevier of Templeton
was named most outstanding student
in machine technology; Class of 1991
award; Peter W. MacDonald memorial
award;
Sarah Hosnander of Winchendon
was named most improved student in
machine technology.
David Aukstikalnis of Phillipston
was named most outstanding student in
masonry; Massachusetts Trowel Trades
scholarship; Ladies Benevolent Society
of Phillipston Congregational Church;
Monty Tech Foundation;
Austin Bornstein of Ashburnham
was named most improved in plumbing; Monty Tech Foundation.
Zachary Lee of Winchendon was
named most dependable in welding-metal fabrication.
Academic awards included the following local students:
Ashburnham: Julia Enright (graphic communications) in mathematics;
Jessica Cormier (cosmetology): Monty
Tech Foundation; Michael Hildreth
(cabinetmaking) JROTC honor graduate and Ryan Patrick Jones Heart of a
Hero award.
Baldwinville: Erin Cregg (graphic communications) in Spanish and
English;
Phillipston: Noah Roy (engineering)
in business; Bethany Valois (cabinetmaking): Monty Tech Foundation;
Templeton: Dana Symonds (automotive) in physical education; Mark
J.Haven Jr. memorial scholarship;
MacKenzie MacAdams (cosmetology) Monty Tech Foundation; Shelby
Arseneau (cosmetology) Monty Tech
Foundation;
Winchendon: Cody Husselbee (auto
body) Jake Bratkon memorial award
and Monty Tech Foundation; Adrienne
LaRoche (early childhood education):
Cliff Beebe memorial outstanding
female award; Jordan Richard (graphic communications) 2015 yearbook
scholarship; Ashley Arsenault (early
childhood education) Monty Tech
Foundation; Olivia Lore (graphic communications) Monty Tech Foundation;
Rachel Haley (house carpentry) Monty
Tech Foundation; Carly Treshinsky
(culinary arts) Monty Tech Foundation;
Adam Becotte (culinary arts) Monty
Tech Foundation; Joseph LeBlanc (electrical) Monty Tech Foundation.
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Friday, June 12, 2015
Winchendon Courier
­­­3
Accuracy
Watch
Thumbs WAY up by Owen Benedict after completing the challenge
of riding the zip line across the pond.
A group of students, with their counselor, take the voyager canoes
across the pond on the way to the bog for ecology study.
The Winchendon Courier is committed to accuracy in all its news reports.
Although numerous safeguards are
in place to ensure accurate reporting,
mistakes can occur. Confirmed fact
errors will be corrected at the top
right hand corner of page three in a
timely manner. If you find a mistake, call (978) 297-0050 during normal
business hours. During non-business
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your phone call. Or contact the editor at the following email: ruth@
stonebridgepress.com.
Courtesy photos
It requires real team work to move smoothly in this game.
Emily Burns is just relieved to be back on solid ground
Bonding by nature: a week in the woods
WINCHENDON — Remember the monthly can and bottle collections on Central Street the past few months? There was
a goal for the funds raised; and the students have tales to tell of the adventure.
The seventh grade at Murdock Middle School recently returned from a four day-three night trip to YMCA Camp
Takodah in Richmond, NH.
This is the second year the students have attended camp and this event has quickly become a popular, annual event. 63
students participated in the trip. While at camp, the students participated in a variety of activities as part of the outdoor
education program provided.
The goal of the camp programs is to help develop a sense of community and cooperation for students that supports the
same efforts in the classroom. Students were invited to participate in a number of different and challenging activities,
including nature hikes, a zip line, ecology, team building activities, low and high challenge courses and athletics. The
program works on the concept of “challenge by choice,” which encourages students to participate in as many of the
activities with which they are comfortable.
The camp also asks students to experience camp unplugged – leaving their cell phone and other electronics at home.
Needless to say, this was not welcomed at first, but the students were so busy, the electronics weren’t even missed.
New friendships were made, face to face and one on one.
Plans for next year’s class trip to Camp Takodah will begin in September and will launch in the late fall.
And watch for that recycling truck in the future, every penny helps.
Gearing up for this
year’s Solstice event
BY JERRY CARTON
COURIER CORRESPONDENT
WINCHENDON — It may
not have had the buildup as
did last year’s 250th celebration, but the Summer Solstice
remains an annual staple in
Winchendon and the 2015
edition is scheduled for next
Saturday, June 20 when, as
usual, the Morin 5K road race
will launch the festivities.
Throughout the day, there
will be the traditional array
of activities and of course
there will be food — all kinds
of food because, after all, you
can’t have a big festival without lots of food.
That, at least, is the contention of Clark Memorial
YMCA sports director Lisa
Crossman, who organized the
food vendors for the event.
“Kiwanis will be here,
of course, and so will Pop
Warner, like they always
are,” she said, “and we have
other interesting vendors
too.”
Those would include Dough
Boys from Fitzwilliam, Split
my Banana from Leominster
(frozen
dipped
bananas), Five Buck Truck from
Gardner, the Away Café from
Weymouth, which will feature pulled pork, and others.
“Bottom line, there will be
lots of food choices.”
The food vendors will set
up shop on the grass on the
Clark’s front lawn on Central
Street.
Once again, the 5K will
kickoff the day with registration at 8 a.m. and the race,
which tends to draw several
hundred runners, to follow.
In addition, there will also
be the usual McDonaldssponsored Mile McFun run
and the 1/3 mile McFun run
for kids starting at 9:30.
And
that’s
not
all,
explained Clark business
manager Kelli Pixa.
“This year we’re going to
have a train for the little kids
to ride. That will be fun for
them. We’re bringing back
the face-painting and petting
zoo too.”
“Last year things were a
little different because we
collaborated with the 250th
committee, but this year
we’re adding things like the
train and having traditional
things that are popular,” she
said.
There will be a couple
of bands playing: Deacon
Express, which is a veteran
of previous Solstice, and Ear
Meds, fronted by Carolyn
Salls.
The parade will kick off at
11 a.m. and while it might not
quite match last summer’s
extravaganza, “it’s going to
be fun to watch,” said Pixa.
A blow-up obstacle course
is also expected to garner lots
of attention as well.
“Hopefully the weather
will be nice,” mused Pixa.
Courtesy photo
REPRESENTING STUDENTS
Emily Repaal of Ashby, a soon-to-be-senior in the cabinetmaking program at Montachusett Regional Vocational
Technical School, has been appointed the student representative to the School Committee for the 2015-16 school
year. A cabinetmaking major, she is a member of the
National Honor Society, Marine Corps JROTC program,
Drama Club, and is a SkillsUSA medalist. She is replacing Jack R. Marabello of Gardner (left), who recently
graduated and will be attending Worcester Polytechnic
Institute in the fall. With them is Mark Haschig, school
counselor and advisor to Monty Tech’s Student Advisory
Committee.
TheHeartOf
Massachusetts.com
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­­4
Winchendon Courier
Winchendon Courier
President/Publisher: Frank Chilinski
Editor: Ruth DeAmicis
Friday, June 12, 2015
VIEWS
Opinion and commentary from Winchendon and beyond
Editorial
Letters to the Editor
New lives, no clue
BOH: hearing on homelessness
We know, because even at this age we remember. All those intense, involved
speeches delivered with such heart at all those graduations?
No one you intended to really hear your words is going to remember them. No
one was listening.
The parents, friends and family were busy trying to find their loved one in the
crowd of robed figures seated in front of them. They were planning the parties or
the dinners; wondering if the people expected for the next phase of celebration
were going to be on time; checking the game scores; playing Angry Birds when
mom wasn’t watching; texting the BFF.
The teachers, administrators and school officials were thinking about their next
steps too. Dinners, lives outside their jobs, how many of these they’ve attended,
though to be fair they probably were also focused on the students because they
knew these kids and liked them. Recognized the ones they either were proud of,
or were glad had made it; pleased to see some had gotten to this milestone in their
lives.
The students. At least the ones at Murdock, have had two days of parties already.
Prom on Friday, alumni dinner and probably parties with friends on Saturday.
Sunday afternoon, in the sun, is not an attention grabbing time. Behind some
of those sunglasses may well have been sleepy eyes. Classmates have kept their
attention, but adult speeches...not so much.
As for college graduations, even big name speakers can’t hold the attention of a
graduate for long. And when colleges are paying
enormous fees for some of these people we have
to ask...why? Who are you trying to impress?
Certainly not the students, who trust us, are not
listening. The alumni you hope will dish out some
big bucks? Why, if they know the money is going
into a speaker’s pocket? One another? Most likely.
Educators, especially at that level, have a tendency to do that.
It’s a little like showing of the size of your bass.
My speaker is more important than yours.
Who cares?
The students, trust us, don’t.
Before colleges and universities start down
that path planning next year’s commencement exercises, we
suggest those who donate to Ol’ Alma Maters they designate
none of the funds be used to bloat the pockets of speakers
or speaker bureaus for clueless commencements. If your
school is any good at all, it should be good enough to attract
a speaker willing to donate an hour or two of their time (ok,
you might have to put them up for the night) to impress graduating students.
Who won’t remember what they say anyway.
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Winchendon Board
of Health, I am pleased to invite you to
participate in a one day public hearing
and meeting to assess our current state
of homelessness in Winchendon. The
meeting will be held at Old Murdock
Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave. on
June 24 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Board of Health is interested
in gathering information from agencies that deal with the homeless in
Massachusetts. The BOH would like to
complete this public hearing with the
goal of creating a local task force to help
identify ways to help reduce the homelessness rate before the winter season
arrives.
All of our invited partners will play
an important role in identifying, promoting, and preserving the homeless’
health and safety of the themselves and
the town.
The issue was raised by the community and after a board’s unanimous
vote; this is one issue that needs to be
addressed. Currently, Winchendon has
no funding to support building or maintaining a homeless shelter, however
we are interested in finding alternative
ways to cut down on the rate of homelessness. Your experience and expertise
in this area will be helpful to our small
town.
Old Murdock Senior Center has parking onsite.
Please email Jason Moury at [email protected] by June 22 or by
calling (978) 514-7558. We look forward
to having you join other community
partners to talk about homelessness
issues in Winchendon.
Lionel Cloutier, chairman
Winchendon Board of Health
Morrison: why no vaulters?
To the Editor:
I had the opportunity to attend the
Murdock Alumni banquet this past
weekend. Although it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, there was one
note that I found disappointing. I was
talking to a relatively recent graduate
(the son of a classmate), and we started
discussing the track team. I told him
that I’d been at best a mediocre athlete
in my day, but that I had been one of the
“crazy pole vaulters.” He indicated that
nobody was interested in pole vaulting,
and the current team did not have any
vaulters.
Living in another state, I’d already
discovered that my local area track
teams also had few (if any) pole vaulters. I find it sad to know that an event
that I so enjoyed has apparently fallen
by the wayside. So I’d like to encourage
the students of Murdock to think about
getting involved in track and field. It’s
a sport where you don’t have to be a
jock to participate (I certainly wasn’t),
and it allows both individual and team
successes. And if you like being a little
different, try pole vaulting!
Wayne (“Grasshopper”)
Morrison
Class of 1971
The sport of Pharoahs
Horse racing has long been
called the Sport of Kings. I
looked for a king for a long
time at Belmont but could only
find a Pharaoh. So perhaps
as in all things we may have
arrived at a new designation
for horse racing.
Seriously there are few
things more beautiful than
watching undulating muscles
of race horses traveling that
fast and look both beautiful
and dignified.
I hate horses.
Well, not really hate them in
the common sense of the word.
I love looking at them, I hesitantly pet one now and then, I
never mucked out a stall and it
is not on my bucket list.
My extended family purchased some land in the country and we all went there every
weekend to picnic, play and
enjoy one another. I met a
neighbor lad there, his name
was Wayne, and his family actually owned a farm. In
addition to other animals they
raised goats and they drank the
milk of those goats. So I got an
early lesson in milking goats.
Because he and I were under 12
we each selected a goat to be our
“horse.” His was a large white
goat named Lightening. My
goat was was called Chocolate
and was about the size of a
Great Dane. I remember we
did not have saddles but we did
have reins to guide the goats. I
also remember when you want
your goat to move forward you
had to pull its tail.
Those were fun, carefree
days and falling off a goat was
hardly possible. Pretty social
creatures.
I came close to a horse for
the first time when dating my
wife, Pam. She liked to ride
and had a friend with horses so
up onto the back of this horse
I climbed. Pam got onto her
horse and explained we would
just ride slowly around the pasture.
Horses don’t speak English
and mine definitely did not
hear the suggestion of a slow
ride round the pasture because
Journey
of the
Heart
JERRY
CARTON
Wow! That was my reaction to the
response which followed the publication of last week’s story on Brittany
LaPointe and her efforts to fight the
stigma of mental illness. Over the last
13 years, I’ve written some 2,400 stories
and columns for this weekly paper and
none of them generated or inspired the
level of immediate response as did this
piece. A few, like the 2011 column when
Courtney graduated high school and a
2013 article on how civic participation
can make a difference, those ignited
quick reaction too, but not to the degree
this one has. That, of course, is a tribute
to her, not me, and it’s been heartwarming to see the level of thought and caring that is already pouring in. Some of
those responses, though, cited the scarcity of help available and the too-often
insurmountable cost when treatment is
found. In the second decade of the 21st
century, we should be horrified this is
still the case. It’s unconscionable, but
it’s not inexplicable. Sadly, we seem to
live in another so-called Gilded Age and
Notes of
Concern
JACK BLAIR
he took off at high speed with
me holding on while looking
for a brake pedal. I was terrified. When they tell you just
to pull on the reins to stop a
horse: do not believe them. I
could have pulled the reins
on my steed from between his
teeth clear back to his tail and
he wasn’t stopping.
I did not fall off. The horse
finally slowed. I dismounted promising myself I would
never again mount a horse, or
anything without a brake pedal
or handbrake.
Fast forward to after our wedding. We both had positions
at Culver Military Academy
which had, to the great hap-
piness of my wife, a School
of Horsemanship. So she had
lots of opportunity to ride. One
night I got a call that her horse
had taken a jump, Pam was
thrown, and taken to the hospital by ambulance. I raced to
the hospital and found she had
been transferred to a larger
facility in another city because
of concerns for her spleen.
I reminded myself I would
never mount a horse and I
prayed she wouldn’t either.
Fat chance where she was
concerned. She continued to
ride throughout the summer.
On weak moment she suggested I try it again as the evening
riding was going to take place
indoors, at a large riding rink,
and would consist of a column
of two, horse and rider, simply
circling the arena. I admit it
was a weak moment but I said
OK.
All of us were assigned a
mount, paired off in twos, and
a column of horses and riders
began to encircle the arena.
I suppose I should have
assumed something could go
wrong. Seems they paired me
with a horse who really hated
the horse riding along side us.
They spoke a few profane horse
words then began to fight.
Enough instructors around
to get me safely off the horse
that was now definitely the last
horse I would ever ride.
My wife’s sister also liked
horses. She resided on a farm
in Ohio and loved to ride. We
got a call one night that something had scared her horse,
it reared up and toppled over
backwards and landed with
full weight between her legs.
Hospital again.
Now my wife still likes horses and I know she would accept
an offer to ride anytime. My
sister-in-law gave up horses for
cats.
It might be possible if my
sister in law were to saddle up
one of those cats I would give it
a try. But as for horses, I bet on
them. I don’t ride them.
The courage of convictions: making a difference
the human costs are enormous. Tell
me again about supposed “American
exceptionalism”?
Speaking of responses, on a whim I
checked out some left-wing social media
sites after Vermont Senator Bernie
Sanders, a self-described, “socialist
Democrat” announced his intention to
seek the Democratic presidential nomination. What I found, in a word, appalled
me. I often sharply and, I think, justifiably, criticize the far right sites and
pundits and correspondents for their
hate-filled unrelenting and often abusive personal and character attacks on
people with whom they have ideological
differences.
I found the same on some of these
alleged progressive sites. The despicable lack of civility extends to both
extremes. You don’t have to like or buy
into what Jeb Bush or Scott Walker or
Marco Rubio say or believe, and I certainly don’t, but to resort to name-calling and hurling insults like you’re
stuck in a third-grade sandbox makes
you look petty and childish and ignorant. You should be ashamed.
There were also those on those sites
who seem to really believe Sanders is
our next President. I suppose these wideeyed idealists are 2016’s equivalent of
the “Clean for Gene” McCarthy student
brigade which stormed the Democratic
Party in 1967 and 1968. McCarthy, of
course, was a vehicle through which
primary voters could express their displeasure with LBJ and Vietnam, but
he was never going to be nominated.
That ‘68 nomination was always going
to be won by Hubert Humphrey or,
had he lived, possibly Bobby Kennedy.
McCarthy’s naïve supporters deserved
respect for their energy, enthusiasm
and commitment, but winning was
never in the cards.
Same goes for Sanders. He has a lot
of interesting ideas which, in a perfect world, ought to be implemented.
Unfortunately, we live in a world in
which, come January 2017, conservative, often Neanderthal-thinking
Republicans will dictate the action in
the House, frequently to the consternation of some other Republicans. So
unless there’s some beyond-belief, completely unforeseeable political tsunami
that somehow sweeps Sanders to the
White House and enables the D’s to
steal 40+ seats, his ideas aren’t going to
translate into actual policy. Remember,
while McCarthy’s movement did
launch a civil war within the party,
that campaign season ended with the
election of Richard Nixon, and no, I’m
obviously not linking Hillary Clinton
to Nixon, even though there are occasional moments when she sure seems
equally duplicitous and shady. Hell, she
might even have, no, she probably does
have, her own enemies list, though to
her “credit” I’m assuming membership
on that list isn’t automatic based on
religion as was Nixon’s. Presumably it
can’t be, not with Sidney Blumenthal
running interference for her every time
yet another questionable Clinton “scandal” pops up.
Snarkiness aside, it is, however, reasonable to ask about the connection
between the Clinton Foundation, some
of its more-than-generous donors, and
policy decisions. The other day, Dana
Milbank noted in his Washington Post
column the chronology of how Boeing
got the contract to build airlines for the
Russians. Bidness is bidness, as they
say in the great state of Texas, but it all
feels and smells unseemly to me. Then
again, I’ve never been a Hillary fan anyway, but I just don’t see how Sanders or
Martin O’Malley or Lincoln Chaffee can
pose a serious threat to the inevitability
of her nomination next summer. Bah.
On a better note, congrats to last
Sunday’s grads. Your energy and optimism are encouraging to see in a cultural and political climate all too often
bleak and disheartening. Go out there
and make a difference!
Friday, June 12, 2015
­­­5
OWC: always manage!
Letters to the Editor
Ward: learn the right OM procedures
To The Editor:
Campaign promises of inclusive
governance are silent. ThecChair of
the newly elected Selectmen continues to limit public input at meetings.
Massachusetts open meeting law states:
The list of topics must be sufficiently
specific to reasonably inform the public of the issues to be discussed at the
meeting.
It even goes on to say that should a
subject come up AFTER the meeting
agenda is posted, although it may be
discussed, the AG STRONGLY encourages public bodies to postpone discussion AND action on topics that may be
of particular interest to the public, if
the topic was not listed in the meeting
notice.
The agenda for the Selectmen (and
School Committee) post public comments at the very beginning of the meeting. Reports by different departments:
DPW, superintendent, finance, etc are
all done orally with no detail as to what
is going to be presented OR if any action
will be required by the governing body
detailed on the agenda.
An example of this is the last regular meeting of the BOS where interim
DPW director discussed the possibility
of road closures and/or repairs and
requested that the BOS vote that evening on their preference. Road closures
and/or disruptions definitely affect
those residents using the selected roads,
yet no notice was given prior to board
action. The public comment window of
opportunity was closed by the time the
report was given and the chair refused
any questions or comments from the
audience prior to board action.
Winchendon Courier
At the last meeting the chair read
the agenda to the public. Of course, he
did not include any detail as he had no
idea what details would be brought up
during presentations or discussions.
Each member of the newly elected
boards ran on a campaign of providing
open, transparent, and inclusive governance. Continuing to have public comment BEFORE oral reports is counter
to that campaign promise. It does make
the meetings go faster but that should
NOT be the purpose of either of these
elected bodies.
Two possible solutions: ALL reports
must be written and posted with the
agenda so all residents have an opportunity to research issues before the board,
OR move the public comment section of
the agenda to AFTER all oral presentations have been given but BEFORE
any discussion or action is taken by the
respective boards.
This last solution would clearly
demonstrate that both boards do, in
fact, respect and encourage public participation as stated in their election
campaigns. It is a simple change that
would reflect the intent of the board to
not just let the public speak but would
also indicate that public comments are
valued and HEARD by each board and
their respective members.
I ask that both the Selectmen and
School Committee find a way to engage
the public in authentic participation.
Current agenda format pays lip service
to inclusion.
Maureen Ward
Winchendon
Photo: Some of the work created by school
children to include in packages to service men
and women by Operation Winchendon Cares.
The next mailing will happen in the fall. Plan
now to be part of the hometown pride in our
own people serving.
To the Editor:
In spite of the fact that my contact
list was wiped out, there was hardly
any advertising and it was a holiday
weekend, we managed to send out two
packages to each of our military personnel stationed overseas and one package
to all of those stateside.
As usual we need to say a huge “thank
you” to the American Legion Post 193
for allowing us to use the hall and
covering the postage for our overseas
troops; Will Brown for providing our
website and Sweet Treat Bakery for the
76 dozen cookies.
“Thank you” for the donations that
came in after our last mailing had
been published in the Courier: Tom &
Paula Crager, Jean Olsen and Michele
Comeau.
“Thank you” to our crew that sorted
donations, packaged them up and loaded them into the van for transport to
the Post Office: Marcus Allen, Stephen
Ashmore, Joni Gorecki, Lisa & Abigail
Field, Aidan Provost and Ann Marie
Slomcheck.
A special thanks to Ann Marie who
brought this project to her principal
and we saw some amazing projects by
the local school children.
Thanks to all of our donators: Betty
Allaire; Marcus Allen; Anonymous
Woman; Steve Ashmore; Lisa & Abby
Field; Bud & Carla Fletcher; Ida May
George; Joni Gorecki; Kayla Maine and
boys; Mary Ellen Mansfield & Betty
Tarpey & Helen Dockum & all the
Broadview residents; Memorial School
Classes: Mrs. DelBono’s Library/
Technology Classes, Mrs. Leroy’s Art
Classes/After School Group, Mrs.
Madison’s OT Classes, Kindergartens
- Mrs. Boucher & Ms. Paige & Mrs.
Keney, 1st Grades - Mrs. Fleming & Ms.
Lyon & Mrs. Johnson, 2nd Grades - Mrs.
Robichaud & Mrs. Dupery & Mrs. Smith
& Miss Smith; Aidan Provost; Mark
& Elaine Robichaud; Saint Anthony
School: Mrs. Terho’s 1st Grade, Mrs.
Crawley’s 3rd Grade, Mrs. Russo’s 6th
Grade and Mr. Gauvin’s 8th Grade and
Ann Marie Slomcheck.
Our next mailing will be in August
and then again in November. Please
check our Operation Winchendon
Cares Facebook page or our website
www.winchendoncares.com for finalized dates.
As always, we are looking for names
of any military members with ties to
Winchendon to add to our list. Give us
a call if you know of any.
Thank you.
Larry & Linda Sordoni
Winchendon
Pet of the Week
Meet Bella: she is 8 years old and a big round ball of
love:) She is THE ultimate lap kitty, she will literally
take up your whole lap and be happy to sit there all
day being worshipped:)
She is very pretty with gorgeous calico markings.
Sadly, she was surrendered through no fault of her
own, .her family decided they no longer had time for
her as they want to go camping more this summer.
Meet her at Petsmart! While we think she would
do great in any home, she also happens to be available for our Senior to Senior
Program in which she is available for no adoption fee to a senior citizen (over 60).
Application process and co-signer required. Her regular adoption fee is $100.
All Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue pets are spayed/neutered, micro-chipped
and have appropriate shots. Applications can be downloaded at our website and
emailed in. Check us out on Facebook; our website: www.ahimsahaven.org and
Petfinder. Address: 381R Baldwinville Road, Templeton. Phone: )(978) 297-2673.
Hours: Friday 6-8 p.m., Sunday 2-4 p.m. or by appointment.
Photo & text by April Clow.
Finnish
Coffee Bread
Courtesy photo
From left are Paul Richard and Makaylah Vaillancourt of Ashburnham (who also submitted
a video), Chelsea Deveneau of Athol, Isabella Marinelli of Hubbardston, Emily Celona of
Fitchburg, Ben Berkes of Gardner and Ethan Graham of Harvard with teacher Kimberly Lecuyer.
The students were recognized for their efforts raising awareness on behalf of mental health.
Students take top honors in awareness campaign
REGION — As part of National Mental Health Awareness month, Paul Richard,
executive director of the SHINE Initiative, contacted high schools in the area
about participating in a poster campaign the organization was sponsoring to help
raise awareness about mental health.
A total of 46 posters were submitted. Top winners were posters, and a video,
submitted by Monty Tech graphic communications students. The work was done
under direction of teacher Kim Lecuyer.
Richard visited the school recently to thank the students “for their outstanding
work,” and to present checks, totaling $800. He recognized Monty Tech administrators, particularly student support services director Victoria Zarozinski, for the
school’s on-going efforts in support of SHINE’S mission to promote mental health
awareness among students and adults.
He added that all the posters done by Monty Tech students would be included in
an upcoming marketing campaign the agency is planning for the fall.
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Weekly Crossword
June 12, 2015
Across
1. Admission
7. Diagonal-moving
chess piece
13. Fitting a metal plate
to a horse’s hoof
15. Dry gulches
16. In a hypocritically
righteous manner
18. Appear
19. Austere
20. Order to attack,
with “on”
21. Achy
23. “Come in!”
24. “Portnoy’s
Complaint” author
25. Animal catcher
27. Manages
28. Impossible to figure
34. After expenses
35. Chapel at entrance
to medieval English
church
36. Death on the Nile
cause, perhaps
39. Unconditional
authority (2 wds)
41. Head of city government
44. Hyperion, for one
45. Microwave, e.g.
46. Larceny
51. Gentle
52. Oolong, for one
53. Atomic no. 92
55. Formerly known as
56. Arrangement of
music for an orchestra
59. Power failures
60. Wandering
61. Fit together
62. Hardly ever
Down
1. Murderer
2. Old dance in Spain
3. Agreement between
two parties
4. Common Market
inits.
5. Takes a seat
6. Marsh bird
7. Pipe material
8. “Pumping ___”
9. Former French coin
10. European mint used
in perfume
11. Sedimentary rock
consisting of tiny
spherical grains
12. Puts into right
frame of mind
14. Fed (hyphenated)
15. A chip, maybe
17. Crumb
22. Victorian, for one
24. ___ v. Wade
26. “Enigma
Variations” composer
27. Traction aid
29. “Wheels”
30. Final: Abbr.
31. Deception
32. Priestly garb
33. ___ canto
36. Any of a series of
radioactive elements
37. Kerogen oil (2 wds)
38. Condition of awaiting a decision
39. Voting “nay”
40. Game with matchsticks
41. Formal proposal
put to a vote
42. Park, for one
43. Leavening agents
46. Aligned
47. Radio operators
48. Charlotte-toRaleigh dir.
49. Certain
Scandinavian
50. Coach
53. Advocate
54. Mother (informal)
57. Sylvester, to Tweety
58. Toni Morrison’s
“___ Baby”
­­6
Winchendon Courier
Friday, June 12, 2015
Murdock Class of 2015
Dominic Allard
Marcus Allen
Dylan Austin
Mikayla Bailey
Taylor Barrows
Torianna Belko
Gage Benson
Myranda Bishop
Chelsea Bitter
Juliana Bollick
Kate Bordin
Zachary Burchfield
Chelsea Bussiere
Keisha Casey-Black
Frances Castro-Cintron
Jocelyn Cormier
Melanie Cranfill
Tristan Cutting
Bethany Desilets
Rachel Dickens
Amber Dignan
Evan Drake
Dmitri Eddy
Nicole Eliason
Genis Flores
Michael Flynn
Anthony Galiano
Leo Gallant
Samantha Gordon
Dallas Hamel
GRADUATES
continued from page A
­­­ 1
thanked teachers “for pushing me on
my lazy days.”
Principal Josh Romano pointed out,
“I have the greatest job in the world
working with these incredible students.” Recalling “my 15 minutes of
fame” earlier this year when Romano’s
strong stand against bullying earned
him national attention, he said, “that
convinced me this is where I want to
be.”
Outgoing superintendent Dr. Salah
Khelfaoui told the graduates, “four
years ago, you all walked into Murdock
very nervous. Today you leave confidently. There will be fears ahead, but
you can push through them. You must
find your purpose in life and define
your own success. Be a first-rate version of yourself.”
School Committee Chair Dawn Harris
acknowledged she hasn’t held that post
long and she didn’t know all the graduates but, “I certainly know of you all
and am proud of you.” Harris was also
the parent of a graduate as son Jacob
was among those receiving his diploma.
Graduation week festivities kicked
off with Thursday’s traditional Class
Day, where, in addition to a slew of
scholarships being awarded, each class
lampooned the one behind or ahead of
it with cutting humor, all performed to
the good-natured cheers of the crowd
in the bleachers, including parents, as
well as the graduates seated on folding
chairs in the school gym.
There were serious moments as well.
Myranda Bishop had been honored as
Massachusetts National Honor Society
Student of the Year and she told the
Courier she was both “surprised and
grateful” to have received that accolade,
and noted the MHS Honor Society “has
worked hard to increase involvement in
the community,” with over 1,500 service
hours. Bishop thanked honor society
advisor Sherry Fairbanks “for keeping
us on track.”
Class advisor Bridget Marinelli told
the outgoing seniors, “you kids have
shined,” and urged them, “don’t ever
assume you can’t do something.”
Friday saw the promenade and senior
prom and by Sunday, anticipation was
keen. Ceremonies were slated to begin
at 2 p.m. but by 1:15, bleachers erected
on both sides of the stage were filled and
people were setting up folding chairs or
Ruth DeAmicis photo
The Barrows family gave two scholarships
in appreciation for the years of dedication
in daughter Taylor’s education. Both Renee
Rogers and Melanie Cranfill are planning to
work in special education and early childhood
education as career goals.
sprawling on the grass under a warm
sun punctuated by an occasional cooling breeze. Sue Polcari of the Murdock
Boosters was distributing water bottles
as guests began the trek up Antonellis
Way from the parking lot to the field.
Almost on cue at exactly 2:00, one of
those breezes stirred up as applause
started to build when the graduates-to-be marched onto the field to the
strains of “Pomp and Circumstance”
played by the school band. The chorus,
directed by Aly Galipeau delivered its
rendition of the National Anthem and
Graduation Day, 2015 was underway.
Little more than an hour later it was
over and some 60-plus caps were airborne, signaling the end of a four-year
journey and the start of new ones.
“Another great day,” concluded
Romano.
Those who won scholarships included:
Torianna
Belko:
Winchendon
Firefighters Relief; Myranda Bishop:
Arthur Bastille memorial Elliot &
Hattie Tucker memorial; Chelsea
Bitter: Anthony Lapointe Memorial
Lions Club, Elliot & Hattie Tucker
memorial, John S. Lafortune, Murdock
Student
Council,
Winchendon
Secretaries Association, Winchendon
Support
Personnel
Association,
Winchendon Women’s Club, Sound
of Murdock; Chelsea Bussiere: Irene
& Zigmund Maliska memorial, Sons
of American Legion Squadron 193,
Winchendon Teacher’s Association;
Frances
Castro-Cintron:
Abbott
memorial; Arthur Bastille memorial, Ernest H. Trombly memorial, Fire
& Iron Station 857, Lawrence ‘Pepe’
Chagnon memorial; Melanie Cranfill:
John S. Lafortune, Murdock Alumni
Life, Murdock Alumni, Taylor Barrows
Achievement; Bethany Desilets: Elliot
& Hattie Tucker memorial, Murdock
Alumni; Rachel Dickens: Elliot &
Hattie Tucker memorial, Kiwanis
Club, Murdock Alumni, Winchendon
Historical Society; Amber Dignan:
Elliot & Hattie Tucker memorial; Nicole
Eliason: Arthur Bastille memorial, Carl
Wennerberg, E. Belle Robinson memorial, John S. Lafortune, Kiwanis Club,
Murdock Sports Boosters, Winchendon
Firefighters Relief; Olivia Heim: Arthur
Bastille memorial, Elliot & Hattie
Tucker memorial, Helen Skorko Fund,
Patricia E. Kirsh memorial; Daniel
Huff: Elliot & Hattie Tucker memorial;
Breanna Jackson: Winchendon Garden
Club; Brandon Jinn: Murdock Alumni,
Winchendon Historical Society; Holly
Johnson: Arthur Bastille memorial; Austin Landress: Arthur Bastille
memorial, Murdock Sports Boosters;
Sabrina Leahey: Elliot & Hattie Tucker
memorial, Murdock Alumni, Sons
of American Legion Squadron 193;
Victoria Marshall: Arthur Bastille
memorial, Elliot & Hattie Tucker
memorial, Frank A. Rhuland Science,
Gardner Rotary Club, Lawrence ‘Pepe’
Chagnon memorial, Murdock Alumni,
Murdock Student Council, Winchendon
Historical
Society,
Winchendon
Support
Personnel
Association,
Winchendon Teacher’s Association,
Sound of Murdock; Andrew Pelkey:
Irene & Zigmund Maliska memorial,
Murdock Sports Boosters; Robert Pesce:
Winchendon Secretaries Association;
Renee Rogers: Anthony Lapointe
Memorial Lions Club, Elliot & Hattie
Tucker memorial, Kiwanis Club,
Murdock Alumni, Taylor Barrows
Achievement; Meghan Williams: Ralph
Turn To
GRADUATES
page
­­­A7
Friday, June 12, 2015
Winchendon Courier
Murdock Class of 2015
Jacob Harris
Olivia Heim
Daniel Huff
Breanna Jackson
Brandon Jinn
Shannon Lachance
Austin Landress
Sabrina Leahey
Devin LeBlanc
John Lindfors
Douglas MacArthur
Zaskia Makarim
Victoria Marshall
Alexis Mikels
Robert Montville
Brennan Mulligan
Andrew Pelkey
Robert Pesce
Jordan Provencial
Renee Rogers
Hunter Russell
Samantha Strong
Nicholas Swift
Caitie Thayer
Jordan Whelpley
Meghan Williams
Ryen Wood
Rachel Woodman
Lianglingjia Zheng
E. Mathieu memorial; Rachel Woodman: Barbara Ladeau
memorial; Lianglinglia Zheng: Elliot & Hattie Tucker memorial, Kathleen L. Murphy memorial, Murdock Alumni.
Recognizing the academic efforts of the graduating seniors,
the Salutatorian was Rachel Dickens and Valedictorian was
Brandon Jinn
MSSAA Principal’s award for outstanding community service was given to Myranda Bishop
Academic Awards: English: Renee Rogers; French: John
Ramsay; Spanish, calculus and topics in biology: Rachel
Dickens; calculus: Brandon Jinn; technology and engineering: Brennan Mulligan; AP physics: Victoria Marshall; anatomy: Marcus Allen; art: Holly Johnson; chorus: Rachel
Woodman; child development: Chelsea Bussiere; culinary
arts: Genis Flores; and small business management: Hunter
Russell
Murdock Scholars: The following students have completed their high school career with a cumulative GPA of 3.0
or above: Marcus Allen, Myranda Bishop, Chelsea Bitter,
Chelsea Bussiere, Frances Castro-Cintron, Melanie Cranfill,
Bethany Desilets, Rachel Dickens, Nicole Eliason, Olivia
Heim, Brandon Jinn, Sabrina Leahey, Victoria Marshall,
John Ramsay, Renee Rogers, Meghan Williams, Rachel
Woodman, and Lianglingjia Zheng.
McDonald’s of Winchendon
Congratulates
Tristan Cutting, Dmitri Eddy
and all the class of 2015 Graduates.
Congratulations!
Evan Drake
We are so proud
of you
Love
Mom, Dad,
Sam and Maia
!
k
c
u
L
f
O
Be st
235 Spring Street
978 297-3528
Photo Reprints Available
Call for details 508-764-4325
­­­7
­­8
Winchendon Courier
Friday, June 12, 2015
SPORTS
Coach recaps softball season appreciating young players
BY JERRY CARTON
COURIER CORRESPONDENT
WINCHENDON — Pitching
and defense. Whether at
Fenway Park or in high school
softball, teams without those
aren’t going very far — it’s just
the nature of the games.
This spring, the Murdock
Lady Devils missed qualifying for the softball playoffs for
the first time since 2007, and it
wasn’t exactly a shock.
“Other teams were better
prepared, had better pitching
and a back-up pitcher when
they needed one to finish
games,” recalled Coach Mike
Fontaine, who in his first sea-
son at the helm, had taken over
the program at a time when
there was no dominant starter
for the first time in eight years.
Deanna Polcari began the campaign as the Lady Devils’ first
starting pitcher, but Fontaine
acknowledged Polcari was
stepping up essentially because
there was no one else.
“I give Deanna credit,” he
said late in the season. “And
I was impressed when they
stepped up when they realized
Deanna couldn’t pitch every
game and started to practice to
pitch to help out the team.”
“They” were freshman
Molly Murphy and sophomore
Sydnie St. Pierre Their emer-
gence enabled Polcari to return
to center field where her range
and arm strength were keys to
Murdock’s success. Murphy, in
her initial varsity season, even
took a pre-game pitching lesson one afternoon from noted
area coach Phil Lefevre, who
has guided almost all the Lady
Devils successful hurlers over
much of the last decade. St.
Pierre had spent her freshman
year playing shortstop and
moved to second this year when
Tatum Mahoney returned from
Monty Tech to play short.
Inexperienced
pitching,
though, wasn’t the only issue
that led to a 5-15 season.
“We were in a lot of games,
we were down by only a few
going into the fifth or sixth
inning and then a number of
things would happen and we’d
just let the game get away from
us,” Fontaine lamented.
And when “things would
happen” Murdock didn’t muster enough offense to keep up.
Polcari had another strong
season at the plate and so did
Mahoney, but it didn’t help
matters when Haley Jandris
missed much of the second half
of the year, though freshman
Vickie St. Hilaire did a credible job behind the plate in her
absence.
Weather woes impacted a
young team as well.
“We needed to work on
specific areas, mostly live
play situations, but we didn’t
have much time because all
the games were pushed back
and we only had limited time
outside to practice,” Fontaine
pointed out.
But, “we finished strong. In
our last four games, we won
two and everyone played very
well in those games. I was
impressed with the work effort
and thought it was a good way
to finish the season. I’m looking forward to next year,” he
said.
Laid back summer league mixes ages
BY JERRY CARTON
COURIER CORRESPONDENT
GARDNER — Summer basketball is
a pretty casual affair and so it was no
big deal Monday when 2014 Murdock
graduates Amber and Autumn Brown
joined a trio of current players in a
fast-paced 41-39 loss to Narragansett at
Gardner high school.
Anyone so inclined can show up
for summer games and Monday, the
Browns were joined by Becca Graves,
who’s still in middle school, incoming
freshman Julia Shelly and rising senior
Deanna Polcari for the contest against
the Lady Warriors, who brought 11
players of varying ages.
Still, summer league or not, the turnout was barely enough to field a team
Monday and MHS coach Jim Abare,
watching from the bleachers, noted,
“you can never get better until you try
to get better.”
Abare did point out numerous nice
plays from the younger players, though
the Browns, particularly Amber, did
most of the scoring.
“I had fun,” she laughed.
Last Thursday, the turnout was better and the Lady Devils scored 24 points
against a very tough Conant, NH squad
which comes down every summer.
Molly Murphy was the leading scorer
for whatever that matters in June but
what impressed Abare most was the
hustle displayed by Murphy, her sister
Kelly, and Jess Niedjalik, all of whom
are expected to play significant roles
as Abare works to build a competitive
program.
“It’s fine” for alumni to play, he said,
noting the relaxed atmosphere during
summer league, but stressed, “we want
to see who’s committed.” Not everyone
will make every game, but the coach is
hoping to see a steady stream of returnees for the twice-weekly campaign that
will run through early July.
Murdock had a bye last night and
faces Athol at 4 p.m. Monday and a
Monadnock squad 7 p.m. next Thursday.
Consistency marks final game Hail the conquering Pharoah
BY CHRIS MARTIN
COURIER CORRESPONDENT
WINCHENDON
—
After Murdock managed
their first win on Senior
Day a few weeks ago,
they traveled to Athol
hoping to continue the
momentum. It wasn’t to
be, losing 12-8.
They traveled on to
North Brookfield, and the
stars aligned, winning
the final game 18-5 over
the Indians.
Murdock finished the
season 2-17.
Sean Sutton started the
game pitching against
Athol, but struggled
in the fourth. Murdock
was ahead 5-2 for three
innings until the pitching
began to struggle. It was
six walks in the fourth
that allowed Athol to
score five runs without
a hit. Athol would score
an additional five runs in
the fifth inning. Murdock
had nine hits in the
game, with both Calvin
Clinkscale and Jared
Nelson each getting two.
In the North Brookfield
game, Ryan Kaminsky
gave Murdock four solid
inning pitched after
shaking off a slow start,
allowing two runs in the
first inning.
Dom Allard and Will
Iannacone were both
four for five to pace the
offense.
Connor
Clinkscale,
Calvin Clinkscale and
Nelson each had two hits.
This was by far
Murdock’s best hitting
game of the year, collecting 17 hits in the game
including doubles by
Hunter Russell, Allard,
and two by Iannacone;
a triple by Calvin
Clinkscale and an in the
park homer by Evan
Drake.
Coach Polcari said,
“We certainly played our
best and most consistent
baseball of the season.
We won two and had the
opportunity to win two
other games, but couldn’t
get the timely hits we
needed. We should be
a much improved team
going into the 2016 season; we have most of our
players returning.”
He is pleased with the
players returning, knowing he has a good lineup.
“Our pitching staff
looks solid with three
starters and several
relievers returning. The
majority of our infielders
and outfielders will also
be returning. Offensively,
we bring back three who
hit .300 and above this
season.”
Though, he admits
there will always be
work.
“Defensively, our number one area for work will
be at the catcher position,
as we still have work to
do to build depth at catcher. Offensively, we need
to work on hitting in the
clutch and improving our
team speed.”
Hello parents: it’s time for camp
BY JERRY CARTON
COURIER CORRESPONDENT
WINCHENDON — A long, cold miserable winter has made the school year
seem interminable as well for lots of
kids, but it is June and that means summer camp at the Clark Memorial YMCA
is just around the corner.
Both the “regular” and sports camps
will host eight sessions, each lasting a week starting June 29. There is
also a four-session CIT (Counselor-inTraining) program.
“The Y,” asserts the Clark camp brochure, “has been a leading provider of
summer camp for over 125 years and
continues to provide children and teens
with an enriching experience.”
Camp Clark is open to youngsters
between 5 and 12 years old while the
sports camp is for kids between 7 and
13. The CIT program age eligibility is
13-15.
The first week of sports camp, running from June 29-July 3, will feature
boys basketball. Subsequent sessions
will include multi sport gymnastics,
girls basketball, karate, multi-sports
and dance, flag football, multi-sports
and finally soccer.
“It’s a wide range of options,” noted
Clark sports director Lisa Crossman.
While Camp Clark and Sports camp
are week-long sessions, the CIT programs each run for two weeks. The
first goes from June 29-July 10, then
July 13-24; then July 27-Aug. 7, and Aug.
10-21.
Camp Clark runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
and costs $60 for members per session
and $85 for non-members. A $10 fee will
be assessed for extended morning (7-9
a.m.) or afternoon (4-5:30) stays.
Sports camp offers multiple options.
One would allow youngsters to attend
sports camp in the morning and day
camp after lunch. That costs $85 for
members and $110 for non-members.
The second option is to register for
sports camp only, which runs from 9
a.m. to noon during weeks 1, 3, 4, and 8
and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. weeks 2, 5, and
7. and will cost $60 for members and $85
for non Clark members.
“Either way, these are great values,”
said Crossman.
The CIT program costs $120 for members and $170 for non-members.
Crossman is also planning a grades
1 through 8 basketball program,
which will be held on Mondays and
Wednesdays between 6 and 7 p.m.
beginning July 6. Games will be played
on the outdoor courts and will cost
$25 for members and $50 for non-Clark
members.
“We’re looking for coaches, we’re desperately looking,” implored Crossman.
A non-refundable nor transferable 50
percent deposit per camper per session
is required when campers register. The
Clark brochure says “the remaining
balance of each session is due no later
than three weeks prior to that session’s
start date.”
Registration forms can be downloaded at theclarkymca.org, picked up at the
front desk, or be mailed to prospective
applicants.
More information is also available by
calling (978) 297-9622.
TheHeartOfMassachusetts.com
Seventeen springs ago,
when Real Quiet spurted away to a four length
lead turning for home in
the 1998 Belmont Stakes,
immortality
looming
less than a quarter-mile
away, I was standing in
the clubhouse at Pimlico
in Baltimore, silently
lamenting a blistering 95º already miserable because of a power outage at the
track earlier that afternoon...was about
to get even worse.
A horse who had lost twice at bush
league tracks in New Mexico was
moments from winning the Triple
Crown and having his name etched
in history alongside Secretariat and
Citation and Seattle Slew and Affirmed
and the others.
Since Affirmed had become the last
horse to sweep the classics in 1978, I had
rooted against several potential successors. I rooted against the Maryland colt,
Spectacular Bid, in 1979 for reasons I
still can’t articulate and I had rooted fervently and emotionally against Sunday
Silence a decade later because I was a
fervent and passionate fan of his great
rival, Easy Goer. In 1989, there was no
middle ground. You were either 100-percent for Sunday Silence or you were
100-percent for Easy Goer and you rooted against the one you didn’t support
with an intensity perhaps matched only
in Durham and Chapel Hill, NC.
Easy Goer thwarted Sunday in that
Belmont, which delighted me, and
while I had been indifferent to Pleasant
Colony in 1981, I had rooted hard for
Alysheba in 1987 and Silver Charm ten
years later. They had failed and now,
horrors, it looked like Real Quiet was
going to accomplish what they hadn’t.
Big-time bummer. The Triple Crown
was about to be tarnished, probably for
eternity.
But fortunately, Victory Gallop came
roaring down the stretch and caught RQ
at the wire, winning by a nose and saving the day. I was beyond relieved. The
Triple Crown, I judged, should be won
only by worthy champions.
And so it was last
Saturday, the best twoyear old of 2014 proved
he was no fluke nor
left any doubt regarding his place in history.
JERRY
American
Pharoah’s
Kentucky Derby and
CARTON
Preakness weren’t won
in fast times, but won
they were and AP saved the best for coronation day. Under a brilliant tactical
ride from jockey Victor Espinoza, the
pair put the Belmont away in the first
quarter-mile, slowed the pace to a nearcrawl, and then dashed home in a rapid
last quarter-mile to coast under the wire
amidst the bedlam of the 90,000 in attendance (Belmont had capped the crowd
at the 90,000 mark) to end that much-discussed 37-year drought and become racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner and,
not unimportantly, the fifth straight TC
winner who had already been hailed as
champion of his generation at two.
For the moment it didn’t matter that
American Pharoah will be retired at
season’s end and it didn’t matter that
there are a zillion questions about his
owner’s business practices. The only
thing that mattered around 7:00 last
Saturday was that a genuinely gifted
racehorse became a deserving member
of one of sport’s most elite clubs. I’ve
often written a Triple Crown winner
isn’t going to return racing to its once
exalted status on the sports landscape
and it’s true — those days are gone forever, but for that moment frozen in time
last weekend, thoroughbred racing was
the only sport that mattered. It hasn’t
lasted — the NBA and NHL Finals are
in full swing and the US Open begins
on Thursday and Wimbledon looms just
over the horizon, but in the glow of a
warm spring evening on Long Island,
American Pharoah became a legend and
racing counted once again. For those
of us who have spent so much of our
lives loitering around barns and farms
and backstretches, it was a sight to
behold. Triple Crown winner American
Pharoah. Pretty cool indeed.
Talking
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Friday, June 12, 2015
Winchendon Courier
­­­9
Learn Winchendon’s role in the Revolution
Would you like to learn
how the real people of
your town shaped events
in the decade leading up
to April 19, 1775?
During
the past two years, 15
Freedom’s Way communities have done just that,
and now we are pleased to
invite 10 new communities to participate in this
scholar-guided program
that recovers the untold
stories of how their
townsfolk participated
in making history immediately before, during,
and in the wake of the
American Revolution.
As
a Patriot’s Path member,
a volunteer from your
town will work one-onone with historian Mary
Fuhrer to interpret local
records to discover your
town’s stories. All you’ll
need are your town meeting records (transcript
or manuscript) from 1765
to 1775.
Fuhrer will act
as an interpretive guide
to help you understand
these records in light of
revolutionary events and
will help you broaden
your story by bringing in
resources from state and
local archives, courts,
and historical societies.
From these resources,
your town’s story will
emerge!
Participating
communities have discovered the tales of
ordinary people making
choices, taking actions,
and changing history.
As part of the team you
will share your stories
with other Patriot’s Path
towns and identify common themes within a
regional, broad-reaching
narrative that will form
the basis for programs,
exhibits, curricula, video
and other media presentations that will make
our local history broadly accessible and meaningful.
As a multistage
project we also plan to
expand the study of local
records to tell our towns’
stories for April 19th, the
Revolution, and the early
years of nation building.
This is a vibrant, exciting period in our history,
and your town played a
role. Join us in finding
that story!
Please contact Freedom’s Way by
emailing patriotspaths@
freedomsway.org if you’d
like to participate in this
exciting and important
project. We are able to
provide the support you
need to discover the stories unique to your community.
Smith’s Country Cheese celebrating significant anniversary
Tracy Gambill photos
Carol and David Smith have enjoyed their time as proprietors of the family business on Otter
River Road.
BY TRACY GAMBILL
COURIER CORRESPONDENT
WINCHENDON — Over 45 years ago
David and Carol Smith began their life
together living in a barn with 20 calves
at 20 Otter River Road. Two years later
they moved into their home and now
they have three children, four grandchildren, and a successful cheese business.
Though Smith began as a dairy farmer, it can be tough to sell milk because
prices are set by the government, there
are many regulations, and it is a large
volume product. Smith felt he would
have better control over a cheese making business and he saw it as a challenge. He also points out that cheese
gets better with age whereas milk is so
perishable that, “If you don’t sell it, you
smell it.”
Smith first became intrigued with
cheese making when he read an article
about it and flew to Minnesota to visit
such a farm. He ended up buying the
business, including recipes and equipment, which he then drove back to
Massachusetts.
“My goal is to produce value for
the customer,” Smith explained as he
shared his journey into cheese making.
“I’m a simple guy, a meat and potato
guy.”
He wants to offer a farmstead cheese
at a fair price. He also believes it’s
important for people to know their food
source. Customers can visit the store,
see the cows, and know exactly where
their cheese comes from.
Gouda is the signature cheese for the
Smiths but they also make Havarti and
Cheddar. The cheeses come in a wide
variety of flavors, with smoked Gouda
as the most popular. They also make
cheese spreads and the store, managed
by their daughter Jennifer, sells hamburger, specialty foods, and cheeses
from other small farms in the area.
Smith’s cheeses are sold along the
East Coast, from Florida to Maine, to
supermarkets through distributors and
to small wholesalers directly. They are
also sold at farmers’ markets and special events. Though they have an online
presence and send packages throughout
the country, it is only a small part of
their retail sales. Their busiest time is
from Labor Day through Christmas.
The store has expanded over the years and now includes a variety of giftware as well as delicious food.
The farm uses half of its milk production for making cheese and half is sold
to companies like Garelick. Recently
a pharmaceutical company purchased
milk from the farm to research milk
enzymes for possible uses in the future.
The farm outgrew its cheese making
room and added on to the building about
15 years ago. Solar panels were installed
on the roof in 2008 and now provide 33
percent of the power. The next project
is a thermal hot water system.
A herd of 170 cows is milked three
times each day – at 4 a.m., 12 p.m., and
8 p.m. A cow produces between 75 – 165
pounds of milk per day and it takes 10
pounds of milk to make one pound of
cheese. One gallon of milk weighs 8.6
pounds.
Windows of the cheese making room
offer visitors a view of the process. Milk
is pumped into large vats and heated.
Culture (good bacteria) and enzymes
(help in clumping) are added and the
warm milk slowly separates into solids,
called curds, and liquid, called whey.
This step produces about 90 percent
whey, which is drained off and given
back to the cows to drink. The curd
becomes the cheese and will either be
pressed into blocks or round forms. It
will age on a shelf for a minimum of 60
days, and up to two years, before it is
available to customers.
The big seller in the spring isn’t
cheese, however, it is compost.
Sometimes referred to as “black gold”,
consultants are hired to help fine tune
the recipe for this treasured fertilizer
as it is more complicated than one may
imagine. For example, it is important
that it reach 132˚F to kill pathogens and
cut down on weed seeds.
The farm is currently up for sale and
the Smiths are in the process of building their retirement home.
“It would be ideal for a young couple
looking for a challenge,” he said.
“It’s a passion for me, it’s not work,”
assured Smith with a smile.
Smith’s Country Cheese will celebrate 30 years in business on Sunday,
June 14, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tours will
be offered between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and
prices will revert to what they were in
1985. The first 30 customers will receive
a t-shirt and the first 30 children will
receive a backpack.
Ongoing Calendar
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
HORSESHOE LEAGUE: The Snowbound Club
holds its horseshoe league meeting every Friday
night with games starting at 6:30 p.m. and check in
at 6:15 p.m. If interested email Wayne at [email protected]. Or Snowbound Club number (978) 297 0124
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
ITALIAN NIGHT: Immaculate Heart of Mary hosts
an Italian dinner featuring stuffed shells, manicotti,
lasagna or penne with sauce, bread, salad, dessert
and drink. $10 for adults, $5 for children younger
than 10 in the church hall 5-7 p.m.
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
WINCHENDON WINDS: free concert with 40+ piece
orchestra in the area behind the Clark Memorial
YMCA fieldhouse. Bring a lawn chair, a blanket, a
picnic or drinks and enjoy an afternoon of amazing
music. Concert begins at 1:30 p.m. and lasts about and
hour and a half. A gift to the area. Directed by Dr. Jon
Nicholson, includes professional musicians.
MUSEUM OPEN: the Murdock Whitney House
Museum open for tours Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.
$5, free for members. For information call the museum at (978) 297-2142.
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Immaculate Heart of
Mary annual festivities begin 5-9 p.m. with games,
music and family activities. 52 Spruce St.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
SUMMER SOLSTICE: the annual festivities in
down town Winchendon include the 5k Morin road
race, with the children’s McFun Run; the events at
the Clark Memorial YMCA, the Roaming Railroad
sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church, live
TOUGH
BACON!
CHECK OUT THE
SPORTS ACTION!
music, food, fun, and activities at several sites.
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: the Immaculate Heart
of Mary annual festivities continue featuring the
country auction at 6 p.m. (preview begins at 4:30) and
events all day, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
ART IN THE PARK: Cornerstone Christian Artist
Day Apart will be hosting its second annual Art in
the Park Saturday, June 20 at Monument Park in
Winchendon on Murdock Avenue. The art portion of
the event will run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with a time of
praise, prayer and dedication for the first hour and
live music from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Entries will include
traditional art work, photography, knitted items,
Christmas in July ornaments, and other craft works.
There is no charge to enter and artists may enter as
many pieces as they wish. There is no age limitation.
Contact Ken Knowlton at [email protected]
or Wendy Brouillet or Pastor Jay Lillie at (978) 2973125 to enter pieces or for questions. Visit us at artistdayapart.com for more detailed information.
SUNDAY, JUNE 21
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Immaculate Heart of
Mary annual festivities conclude with the drawing of all prize winners at 11 a.m. Father’s Day
Breakfast 9-11 a.m.
SATURDAY, JUNE 27
PIG ROAST: the Winchendon Historical Society
hosts a pig roast on the grounds of the Murdock
Whitney Museum beginning at 1 p.m. Live music and
good food for $10 per person. Call the museum at (978)
297-2142 for reservations.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
FAMILY FUN DAY: annual Massachusetts state
chili cook off and family fun day sponsored by the
Kiwanis of Winchendon is scheduled 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
at Bentley Field, Grove Street.
WHISKEY JOHNSON: Join the band Whiskey
Johnson for a night of good time rock and roll and
help make a child’s wish come true, 8 p.m. to midnight at Winchendon American Legion #193, 295
School St. $5 donation per person. Proceeds benefit
Make A Wish.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
PLAN AHEAD: nothing like making sure you plan
ahead! The Winchendon American Legion Post 193
Ladies Auxiliary is planning a meat shoot at 2 p.m. at
the post, 295 School St. Proceeds will be used to help
defray costs for the annual veterans Christmas party.
Your Guide To Local Fuel Dealers.
Eastern Propane
600 School St.
Winchendon, MA
Phone: 978-297-0529
1-800-522-2000
www.eastern.com
Hi-Lo Oil, Inc.
1335 Alger Street
Winchendon, MA
(978) 297-4456
For advertising information
call us
at 978-297-0050
HI-LO OIL, INC.
3 CHECK OUR LOW PRICES
3 50 GALLON DELIVERIES AVAILABLE
3 AUTOMATIC OR CALL-INS
3 COMPETITIVE RATES
“Keeping You Warm Since 1989.”
(978) 297-4456
OFFICE LOCATED AT
1335 ALGER STREET, WINCHENDON
­­10 Winchendon Courier
MEETING
continued from page A
­­­ 1
choice to run for their
positions.
In other business, the
BOS approved permits
for the Immaculate Heart
of Mary strawberry festival June 19, 20 and 21;
and the Clark Memorial
YMCA Summer Solstice
June 20.
The town has learned
it is eligible for up to
$37.5 thousand in reimbursement funding from
Friday, June 12, 2015
the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
This could be applied to
the $221,000 current deficit in snow & ice removal.
Appointments were
made
as
follows:
state
appointment
to
the
Winchendon
Redevelopment
Authority, David Connor
who currently serves
as a locally appointed
member; Montachusett
Joint
Transportation
Committee, Selectman
Austin
Cyganiewicz;
Montachusett Regional
Transit
Authority
Advisory
Board,
Selectman
Michael
Barbaro.
R e s i g n a t i o n s
were accepted from
Cyganiewicz from the
Cultural Council and
from
Fedor
Berndt
from the MJTC and the
Planning Board.
Planning agent Tracy
Murphy asked the board
to gives its approval to
a district local technical
assistance grant through
MRPC to look at criteria to make the Central
Street area its own zoning district. Murphy
explained in her opinion
the town needs to present
the area as more “business friendly.”
There are some zoning
requirements that make
the process to come into
downtown and set up
shop difficult. Including
special permit requirements, etc. Other motivations include developing design standards for
the area that preserve
what historic resources exist, improve walk-
ability, re-establish the
downtown “Winchendon
Village” aesthetic, and
to devise a realistic plan
to accommodate parking
needs. All in the hopes
of reestablishing the area
as a downtown business
district to distinguish it
from the rest of the community.
It is also important
that the town recognize
the role Central Street
plays at the terminus of a
highly popular bike path
and as a possible hub to
New Hampshire connec-
tors, and to the proposed
Ingleside project.
The grant will pay for
Montachusett Regional
Planning to do the necessary work for the proposal.
The BOS will meet
again next Monday,
June 15 at 5 p.m. with the
Department of Revenue
for an in house budget
meeting. It’s next regularly scheduled open
meeting is June 22 at 6:30
p.m.
LYNCH
continued from page A
­­­ 1
do with the Munis software. He intends
to bring on board a consultant with
whom he works to address the software
problems and implement changes.
“We also need to make policy changes,
decision making changes and do some
long range forecasting. We need to make
good municipal decisions,” said Lynch.
His schedule, because of commitments continuing at Suffolk mostly, will include definite office hours
in Winchendon on Tuesdays and
Thursdays, for now.
“People should be optimistic. This is
a good beginning. It is a good start, and
I am impressed with the people I met. It
will get better,” he said.
Courtesy photos
Exploring nature and hands on science is a great way to spend summer
WIN WINDS
continued from page A
­­­ 1
country dance tune completed the movements of the Second Suite.
Win Winds, the start-up orchestra, as
if on cue, was christened with a troublesome wind in the air during that jolly
country dance, sheet music dancing off
their easels if not secured with large
enough clips. But the show went on,
musicians and emcee picking up papers
as time allowed.
Other music performed included Thin
Red Line March, Italian Girl in Algiers,
Phantom of the Opera, Sea Songs March,
Romantic Symphony #2, and highlighted that afternoon was an alto saxophone
soloist. Mark Stanaford, a retired Air
Force musician who performed all over
Europe, the Pacific and New England,
played solo or complemented for a couple songs.
Stanaford performed a fast-paced
rhythmic Latin piece, Rumba followed
by a sultry sax on Harlem Nocturne. He
gave a bluesy wind to the band’s good
swing beat, his sax answering authoritatively with all the runs calling for his
sassy notes.
Winchendon Winds was recently put
together by Nicholson, consisting of
Winchendon and surrounding town residents in ages from 16 to 85. Orchestra
talent boasts trumpet, French horn,
trombone, baritone horn, tuba, flute,
oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet,
alto- tenor- and baritone saxophones,
plus percussion (although the percussionist was at home with an illness on
opening day.)
Nicholson has a notable musical
career: PhD in musical education from
University of Michigan, he has spent
many years as a music director for public high schools, as well as a college
in Spokane, WA. He has played baritone and trombone, and retired just last
year after 25 years with the Townsend
Military Band.
“Putting this all together is a lot of
work. We are now looking to build an
audience,” he said, noting that his band
positions are full. “Our ensemble is composed of eight band directors, seven
music teachers, and everyone is dedicated to their music.”
Trumpeter and author, Jeanne Pocius,
said of Jon, “It is a great honor to work
under ‘Doc’.”
The June 14 performance at 1:30 p.m.
will feature trombonist, first chair, Steve
Piermarini, who directs the Leominster
band.
“Every Town
Deserves
a Good
Local
Newspaper”
TheHeartOf
Massachusetts.com
Spend the summer
exploring with
Village School
ROYALSTON — The Village School in Royalston offers
week-long summer programs in July for children ages 7 to 12.
For more information, go to www.villageschoolma.org to
download the brochure and registration form.
Science and Art in Nature is from July 13-17, from 9 a.m. to
1 p.m. daily. Artist and art teacher Kerry Stone joins forces
with fresh water biologist and art teacher Cathy Szal to present science, nature and art as a single creative experience
for children. Children explore lakes and streams, use microscopes, make nature prints and work in clay.
Woodworking with Kids is from July 20 -24, from 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. daily. Teacher Leanne Limoges and woodworker Tim
The woodworking program is a chance to safely learn to use tools.
Cox team up to teach tool skills, guide projects and help children design their own creations.
Summer programs have time for free play, water play and
more.
Flute, recorder, guitar, cello, piano and ukelele lessons are
also available throughout the summer.
The programs are supported in part by a grant from New
Salem Academy. Royalston children receive a discount, courtesy of Royalston Academy.
The Village School summer programs are designed to
enrich and expand knowledge of the natural world through
hands-on exploration in art, science and woodworking, while
providing opportunities for plenty of physical activity, and
making new friends. Local scientists, artists, craftsmen,
teachers and musicians lead the programs, with assistance
from Village School alumni. The programs are fun and engaging, with time for water play.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Winchendon Courier ­­­11
OBITUARIES
Arlene M. (Fontaine) Morin, 79
WINCHENDON —
Arlene M. (Fontaine)
Morin, age 79, of 133
Ipswich Drive, died
peacefully
Sunday
morning, May 31 at
her residence, with
her family at her side.
She was born in New
Boston, NH on March
13, 1936, daughter of the late John and
Clara (Reed) Fontaine and was a 1954
graduate of Keene High School. She
had been a resident of Winchendon for
many years.
Arlene worked at the former Temple
Stuart Furniture Company and later
worked in the Workers Assistance
Program at Mt. Wachusett Community
College in Gardner. She was a member
of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church,
Ipswich Community Drive Tenants
Council and M.A.D.D. Arlene enjoyed
playing cards, bingo, reading, camping,
crossword puzzles and taking trips to
Foxwoods. Her greatest enjoyment was
spending time with her family.
She leaves her husband of 60 years,
Delano A. “Del” Morin; two daughters,
Renee D. Robinson and her husband
Mark of Kennebunk, ME and Tyna M.
Morin of Ashburnham; a daughter-inlaw, Sally-Jo E. Morin of Winchendon; a
brother Edward Fontaine of Keene, NH;
a sister Priscilla Purrington of Troy,
NH; four grandchildren, Michael Del
Morin Jr, Alexandra Morin, Benjamin
Robinson and Max Robinson; a great
grandson Jackson Morin and several
nieces and nephews. A son, Michael
Del Morin, a sister, Edna Miller and a
brother Donald Fontaine, preceded her
in death.
Funeral
services
were
held
Wednesday, June 3 in Stone-Ladeau
Funeral Home, 343 Central St. Burial
followed in Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made
to Winchendon Fire Department, 405
Central St., Winchendon, MA 01475 or
to American Heart Association, 300 5th
Ave., Waltham, MA 01701.
William W. Wirtanen, 52
WINCHENDON —
William W. Wirtanen,
age 52 of 134 Pearl
St., died peacefully
Tuesday
evening,
May 26th, at the home
of his daughter, with
his family at his side.
He was born in
Gardner on July
24, 1962, son of Jeannine (Desrosiers)
Wirtanen of Rindge, NH and the late
Edwin Wirtanen and attended Oakmont
Regional High school. He had lived in
Winchendon seven years and previously lived in Hubbardston.
Bill owned and operated Bee Pallets
of Gardner, worked in maintenance at
Wachusett Village Inn and Van Emden
Management Properties, and most
recently, as a technician at Superior
Communication Services while also
spending his weekends at his antique
store in Hubbardston. Bill was a member of Eugene M. Connor Post 193 Sons
of the American Legion and Higher
Ground Ministries in Gardner. His
hobbies included playing the guitar,
camping, and horseshoes, watching the
Oakmont Spartans Football, and had a
love of the outdoors.
In addition to his mother, he leaves
two daughters, Angie Ward and her
husband Jason of Westminster and
Sonya Wirtanen and her fiancé Ethan
Bigelow of Winchendon; a stepdaughter Sara Mitchell of Ashburnham; his
brothers, John Wirtanen and significant other Linda of Clinton, Edwin
Wirtanen Jr and his wife Tia of Garland
TX, Robert Wirtanen and his wife
Christine of Westminster; his sister,
Anna Green and her husband Donny of
Gray, ME, Kathy Murphy of Gardner,
Lisa Savard and her husband Shaun of
Rindge, NH; A granddaughter Jordan,
five step grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Two brothers, Daniel
Wirtanen and Michael Wirtanen, preceded him in death.
Whether he was Bill, Billy, Will, or
Bee, he was of many names and many
talents. In his 52 years he created a
lifetime of adventures and experiences
that were reflected in the many stories
he told. Bill was hardworking, loving,
energetic and made everyone laugh.
But above all, he was a good man with a
kind heart who will be dearly missed by
his many friends and family members
whom he held so close.
Graveside services were held in
Woodside Cemetery, Narrows Road
Westminster on Saturday May 30.
side.
Edward was born in Fitchburg, Dec.
6, 1926, and resided in East Templeton
most of his life before moving to New
Hampshire. His beloved wife Ruth L.
(Alie) Courtemanche died Sept. 6, 2010.
Edward proudly served his country
with the United States Navy World War
II. He served in the Pacific Theater in
the Philippines and Iwo Jima. Edward
retired from MH Parks Company of
Winchendon as plant superintendent.
He was a member of the Ovila Case Past
905 VFW of Gardner and enjoyed woodworking and gardening.
Edward will be missed by his daughter Betty Roberts and her husband Paul
of Edgmere MD, two grandchildren,
Craig Gobin and Dawn Banting and her
Calvin Samuel Kahn, 55
LEOMINSTER — Calvin Samuel
Kahn, age 55, formerly of Leominster,
died suddenly on June 5, 2015, at home
in Portsmouth, RI.
He leaves his parents, Herbert J. and
Yetta (Ungar) Kahn of Leominster; a
brother Mark Kahn of Leominster; and
several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was born in Miami, FL and was
raised in Leominster.
He graduated the Winchendon School
and from Holyoke Community College,
where he studied art.
taining his family and
many friends in his
home on Great Bay.
They, in turn, greatly
enjoyed his gourmet
meals.
He is survived by
three sons, David G.
Tavares, James R.
Tavares and his wife
Anna, Paul S. Tavares and his wife
Laurel, all of Winchendon; daughter,
Gaynor M. Tavares and her husband
George Ouellette of Fitzwilliam, and
stepson, Scott E. Garland of Dover, VT.
He also leaves 14 grandchildren, 18
great grandchildren and sixteen great
great grandchildren.
The family would like to express their
gratitude for the time, care and love
given to George by Ann and Charlie
Hall, Colleen Garland and Hope Hospice.
Per George’s wishes, there will be no
calling hours. Private military funeral services will
be held in the Massachusetts Veteran’s
Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.
Judith A. (Epps) Clement, 84
WINCHENDON
— Judith A. (Epps)
Clement, age 84, of 109
Hale St., died peacefully Thursday, June
4 in Keystone Center,
Leominster.
She was born in
Auburn, ME on July
25, 1930, daughter of
the late Dr. Franklin S. and Dorothy
(Furber) Epps Sr. and had lived in
Winchendon since 1966.
Judy graduated from Dupont High
School in West Virginia and graduated
from Maine Medical Center School of
Nursing in its first graduating class.
Judy worked as a registered nurse
for many years at Heywood Hospital,
Gardner and then for three years while
living in Minnesota. She returned to
this area and worked for six years at
Burbank Hospital until her retirement.
She was a member of Bethany Bible
Chapel and enjoyed traveling.
Her husband, Walter F. Clement,
died in 2008. She leaves two brothers,
Franklin S. Epps Jr and his wife Carol
of Rindge and William B. Epps and his
wife Barbara of Charlotte, NC as well as
several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday,
June 9 in Bethany Bible Chapel, 727
Spring Street, Winchendon, MA 01475.
Burial was in Massachusetts Veteran’s
Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made
to Bethany Bible Chapel, PO Box 397,
Winchendon, MA 01475.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343
Central Street, Winchendon was
entrusted with arrangements.
Jean M. (Maliska) Woodard, 75
Woodard and his wife Marie of Gardner
and Jeffrey D. Woodard and his wife
Rhoda of Campobello, SC; three sisters,
Arline Tenney of Winchendon, Marilyn
Parks of Winchendon and Jackie
Gilliam of Gardner; 13 grandchildren
and many nieces and nephews. A son,
Michael S. Woodard, died in 2001. She
was also predeceased by three brothers,
Anthony Maliska, William Maliska and
Joseph Maliska and a sister, Phyllis
Demaura.
Private graveside services will be
held in Calvary Cemetery, Winchendon.
There are no calling hours.
Memorial donations may be made to
American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St.,
Framingham, MA 01701 or to charity of
one’s choice.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343
Central St., Winchendon is directing
arrangements.
Dorothy M. Houle, 67
Emily M. Hilow, 71
WINCHENDON — Emily M Hilow,
age 71, of Winchendon, died peacefully
Saturday morning June 6, 2015 after an
illness.
Emily was born in Winchendon, Aug.
5, 1943, daughter of the late Said M and
Shefake A. (Aziz) Hilow, and lived in
Winchendon most of her life.
Emily worked for the city of Gardner
for many years. She is a 1962 graduate
of Murdock High School and a long time
member of Immaculate Heart of Mary
Church. Emily is survived by her sister Marion
Hilow of Winchendon; two brothers;
FALMOUTH
–
George J. Tavares of
Falmouth,
passed
away peacefully at his
home on Patriots Day,
April 20th at his residence, after a long illness. He was 96.
He was born in
Taunton, on Sept. 5,
1918, son of Julio and Flora (Ingargiola)
Tavares. George was preceded in death by his
wife Shirley E. (White) Tavares and a
son, Richard E. Tavares of Winchendon.
George was a veteran of World War
II proudly serving in North Africa and
Italy. He was the owner of several restaurants in the New Bedford area early in
his career as a chef. He later worked as
executive chef for the Foxboro Co, in
Foxboro. Upon his retirement from the
Foxboro Co, George and his wife moved
to Falmouth and established Great Bay
Associates Realty Co. and continued to
work into his late eighties. He loved his
family, the ocean, traveling, and enter-
WINCHENDON
— Jean M. (Maliska)
Woodard, age 75, of 269
West St., died peacefully Sunday morning,
June 7, at the home of
her son in Gardner.
She was born in
Winchendon on April
9, 1940, daughter of the
late Anthony and Florence (Gauthier)
husband Andy, three
Maliska and was a 1958 graduate of
great-granddaughMurdock High School.
ters; Kristyna Roberts
Jean worked for many years at the
Banting,
Emily
former Winchendon Hospital and
Banting, and Amanda
Heywood Hospital in accounts payable.
Banting, his in-laws,
She was an avid bowler and fan of the
James
and
Ruth
Boston Red Sox. Her greatest enjoyAlie of Otter River
ment was spending time with her famand Robert Minns of
ily.
Gardner, and nieces
She leaves her husband of 54 years,
and nephews. Edward was predeceased Charles M. Woodard; two sons, Barry C.
by his sisters; Cecile and her husband
Roland Leberge, and Theresa Hamilton,
brothers; Albert Courtemanche and
Phillip Courtemanche and his wife
Emiline, and his sister in law Betty
PELION,
SC
–
Minns.
Dorothy M. Houle, age
At the family’s request burial with
67, of 1385 Track Road,
military honors will be private. The
formerly of Rindge,
family would like to extend a heartfelt
died peacefully at
thank you to the entire staff at Good
her residence Friday
Shepard Nursing Home for their excelmorning, June 5th,
lent, kind and compassionate care of
with her family at her
Edward. side.
The Fletcher-Hebert Funeral Home
She was born in
(fletchercares.com), 70 Pleasant St.
Winchendon, is assisting the family Wareham, on Aug. 19, 1947, daughter
of Dolores M. (Anderson) Nauman
with the arrangements.
of Townsend, and the late Albert J.
Gallant. She lived in Rindge for many
years and moved to South Carolina two
years ago.
Dorothy had worked as a police dispatcher for the town of Rindge for several years. At one time, she operated
John S. Hilow and his wife Louise of Cinderalla Cleaning Business in Rindge.
Keene, NH and David J. Hilow and his She was an avid swimmer. Her greatest
wife Pauline of Leominster, and many enjoyment was spending time with her
nieces and nephews. Emily was prede- family. Her grandchildren fondly called
ceased by two sisters; Theresa Hilow in
2004 and Gemili Hilow in 2012.
At the family’s request funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers donations in Emily’s
memory may be made to a charity of
one’s choice.
The Fletcher-Hebert Funeral Home
(fletcherfuneral.com), 70 Pleasant St.,
Winchendon is directing the arrangements.
Edward J. Courtemanche, 88
J A F F R E Y
—
Edward
J.
Courtemanche, age 88,
of Jaffrey, formerly of
East Templeton, died
peacefully Tuesday
June 9, 2015 in Good
Shepard
Nursing
Home, Jaffrey, with
his daughter by his
George J. Tavares, 96
He was an accomplished artist, painting in numerous medium.
Graveside funeral services were
held Wednesday, June 10 at Agudas
Achim Cemetery on Rollstone Road in
Fitchburg.
Memorial contributions may be made
to Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm
Street, Fitchbrug, MA 01420.
Miles Funeral Home of Holden was
entrusted with arrangements.
her “Gramma 10.”
Her husband, Ernest A. Houle, died
in 1990. She leaves two sons, Daniel M.
Houle and his wife Laura of Pelion, SC
and William A. Houle of Keene, NH;
her siblings, Linda M. Nauman of Ayer,
Ann M. Wilson of Townsend, Larry D.
Nauman of Townsend, and Celeste M.
Gallagher of Townsend; six grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A brother, Herbert Nauman Jr., predeceased her.
Funeral
services
were
held
Wednesday, June 10 in Stone-Ladeau
Funeral Home, 343 Central Street,
Winchendon. The Rev. Joseph Mabe
officiated.
Burial followed in Hillside Cemetery,
Rindge.
Memorial donations may be made to
Lutheran Hospice of S.C., 102 Fortress
Drive, Chapin, S.C. 29036.
SEND OBITUARIES at no charge to Editor
Ruth DeAmicis, by faxing (978) 2972177, or by e-mailing the editor at ruth@
stonebridgepress.com.
We also invite funeral directors and
families to e-mail us a JPEG photograph to print, at no cost, alongside
the obituary.
­­12 Winchendon Courier
Friday, June 12, 2015
Police Log
Winchendon Police Department
Editor’s Note: The information contained in this police log was obtained
through public documents kept by the
police department, and is considered to
be the account of the police. All subjects
are considered innocent until proven
guilty in a court of law.
MONDAY, JUNE 1
1:55-2:08 a.m.: building checks, secure;
5:16 a.m.: tree down on wires (River
Street) refer to other agency; 6:13 a.m.:
DPW call (Front Street) referred; 7 a.m.:
DPW call (West Street) referred; 7 a.m.:
DPW call (Sibley Road) referred; 10:21
a.m.: summons service (Mill Street)
served; 10:22 a.m.: summons service
(Lincoln Avenue) served; 10:24 a.m.: summons service (Mechanic Street) served;
10:25 a.m.: summons service (Melanson
Drive) unable to serve; 11:32 a.m.: vandalism (Mill Circle) report taken; 11:50
a.m.: animal complaint (River Street)
refer to ACO; 11:51 a.m.: assist citizen
(phone) assisted; 12:02 p.m.: suspicious
other (West Street) no cause for complaint; 12:37 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Main Street) advised officer;
12:54 p.m.: suspicious other (Woodlawn
Avenue) checked, secure; 1 p.m.: vandalism (Lincoln Avenue Extension) report
taken; 1:41 p.m.: abandoned 911 call
(Irwin Court) no PD service required;
1:45 p.m.: animal complaint (Lincoln
Avenue) returned to home or family;
2:17 p.m.: officer wanted (Front Street)
spoken to; 5:08 p.m.: suspicious person
(Banner Place) spoken to; 5:14 p.m.: officer wanted (South Ashburnham Road)
refer to other PD; 5:23 p.m.: traffic hazard
(Spring Street) assisted; 5:54 p.m.: deliver message (Brown Street) delivered;
6:15 p.m.: suspicious person (Central
Street) gone on arrival; 6:30 p.m.: general info (Royalston Road South) spoken
to; 6:34 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street)
verbal warning; 7:11 p.m.: warrant check
(Central Street) info given; 7:42 p.m.:
abandoned MV (Gardner Road) spoken
to; 8:06 p.m.: ambulance (West Street)
transport; 8:19 p.m.: summons service
(Bosworth Road) unable to serve.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
1:19 a.m.: building check, secure;
1:23 a.m.: intoxicated person (Spring
Street) arrest: Wesley E. Price, age 66
of 11 Massasoit Drive, Ashburnham:
OUI liquor second offense and negligent operation of MV; 7:51 a.m.: accident (Baldwinville State Road) report
taken; 8:01 a.m.: animal complaint
(Maple Street) refer to ACO; 8:59 a.m.:
fire alarm (Central Street) false alarm;
9:51 a.m.: lift assist (Brown Street) services rendered; 10:41 a.m.: summons
service (Willoughby Avenue) unable
to serve; 10:46 a.m.: summons service
(Central Street) served; 10:49 a.m.: MV
stop (Spring Street) traffic citation; 10:52
a.m.: summons service (Sunset Court)
unable to serve; 10:53 a.m.: summons service (Sibley Road) unable to serve; 11:17
a.m.: ambulance (Elmwood Road) transport; 11:19 a.m.: ambulance (Bemis Road)
transport; 12:01 p.m.: animal complaint
(Lincoln Avenue) refer to ACO; 1:19 p.m.:
fraud (River Street) report taken; 1:41
p.m.: ambulance (Damon Road) transport; 3:40 p.m.: burglary B&E (Chestnut
Street) report taken; 4:15 p.m.: animal
complaint (Pearl Street) refer to ACO; 5
p.m.: extra patrols (Teel Road) services
rendered; 5:18 p.m.: suspicious person
(Spring Street) unable to locate; 5:31 p.m.:
dog bite (Brown Court) report taken; 6:24
p.m.: MV stop (West Street) verbal warning; 6:30 p.m.: be on the look out (School
Street) unable to locate; 7:28 p.m.: animal complaint (Brown Avenue) spoken
to; 7:51 p.m.: assist other agency (Maple
Street) unable to locate; 9:13 p.m.: animal complaint (Brown Court) unable to
locate; 11 p.m.: burglary B&E (Goodrich
Drive) report taken; 11:27 p.m.: extra
patrols (Ipswich Drive) checked, secure;
11:56 p.m.: abandoned 911 call (Mechanic
Street) checked, secure.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
12:23 a.m.: suspicious person (Central
Street) spoken to; 1:17-3:13 a.m.: building
checks, secure; 3:33 a.m.: repossession
of MV (River Street) property seized; 8
a.m.: DPW call (Central Street) referred;
8:22 a.m.: MV stop (School Square) verbal warning; 8:47 a.m.: general juvenile
(Kemp Street) spoken to; 9:12 a.m.: animal complaint (Glenallan Street) refer to
other agency; 12:07 p.m.: MV stop (Front
Street) written warning; 12:27 p.m.: suspicious MV (Ingleside Drive) dispersed
gathering; 12:41 p.m.: investigation
(Maple Street) spoken to; 3:32 p.m.: extra
patrols (Teel Road) services rendered;
4:49 p.m.: accident (High Street) report
taken; 5:24 p.m.: harassment (Cedar
Terrace) services rendered; 7:05 p.m.:
abandoned MV (School Square) spoken
to; 7:41 p.m.: warrant arrest (Ash Street)
unable to locate; 8:15 p.m.: warrant arrest
(Spring Street) unable to locate; 8:31 p.m.:
stolen MV (Alger Street) spoken to; 10:28
p.m.: MV operating erratically (Brooks
Road) gone on arrival; 11:31-11:55 p.m.:
building checks, secure.
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
12:06-3:48 a.m.: building checks,
secure; 12:47 a.m.: registration check
(School Street) info given; 3:45 a.m.:
general info (Alger Street) info taken;
6:08 a.m.: disturbance (Juniper Street)
arrest: Tasha D. Emerald, age 24 of 41
Juniper St., Winchendon: based on warrant; 9:39 a.m.: summons service (Spring
Street) served; 9:57 a.m.: summons service (Sunset Court) served; 10:03 a.m.:
summons service (Sibley Road) unable
to serve; 10:30 a.m.: assist citizen (Elm
Street) spoken to; 11:20 a.m.: assist citizen (West Street) assisted; 12:27 p.m.:
accident (Pinewood Drive) spoken to;
1:34 p.m.: suspicious person (School
Street) spoken to; 2:10 p.m.: threats
(Front Street) report taken; 2:13 p.m.: disturbance (Cedar Terrace) spoken to; 2:15
p.m.: ambulance (Mechanic Street) transport; 3:31 p.m.: intoxicated person (River
Street) spoken to; 4:02 p.m.: sex offender
registration (Spring Street) assisted; 5:33
p.m.: MV operating erratically (Gardner
Road) advised officer; 5:49 p.m.: MV stop
(Spring Street) verbal warning; 5:57 p.m.:
MV stop (Maple Street) verbal warning;
6:27 p.m.: keep the peace (River Street)
assisted; 6:41 p.m.: smoke (Elmwood
Road) no FD service required; 7:18 p.m.:
MV stop (Gardner Road) traffic citation;
7:52 p.m.: suspicious MV (School Street)
no PD service required; 8:56 p.m.: suspicious MV (Glenallan Street) no PD
service required; 9:03 p.m.: brush fire
(Mason Street) no FD service required;
9:13 p.m.: suspicious MV (Cardinal Lane)
unable to locate.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
1:17 a.m.: suspicious MV (East Street)
gone on arrival; 1:18 a.m.: intoxicated
person (Pleasant Street) services rendered; 3:01-3:03 building checks, secure;
6:06 a.m.: burglary B&E (Mill Street)
report taken; 6:19 a.m.: MV stop (Gardner
Road) verbal warning; 7:08 a.m.: animal
complaint (Hyde Park Drive) refer to
ACO; 8:35 a.m.: noise complaint (Second
Street) info taken; 8:41 a.m.: investigation (Krantz Road) spoken to; 9:25 a.m.:
transport (Central Street); 9:53 a.m.: MV
operating erratically (Gardner Road)
advised officer; 11:13 a.m.: summons service (Sibley Road) served; 12:07 p.m.:
burglar alarm (School Square) checked,
secure; 1:37 p.m.: open door (Jameson
Way) refer to other agency; 6:58 p.m.: burglar alarm (Hospital Drive) false alarm;
7:03 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street) verbal
warning; 7:19 p.m.: general juvenile (Teel
Road) removed to hospital; 8:28 p.m.:
MV stop (Gardner Road) verbal warning;
9:21 p.m.: MV stop (Summer Street) verbal warning; 9:31 p.m.: unwanted party
(Juniper Street) services rendered; 10:59
p.m.: suspicious MV (Central Street)
checked, secure.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
12:33-1:02 a.m.: building checks, secure;
12:50 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street) written warning; 1:56 a.m.: unwanted party
(Brown Street) report taken; 7:04 a.m.:
911 hang up (Glenallan Street) no PD
service required; 7:56 a.m.: property lost
(Juniper Street) report taken; 8:53 a.m.:
threats (Brown Street) assisted; 11:27
a.m.: fire alarm (Central Street) false
alarm; 12:20 p.m.: fire alarm (Central
Street) false alarm; 12:24 p.m.: suspicious
person (Spring Street) spoken to; 12:27
p.m.: harassment (Front Street) spoken
to; 1:56 p.m.: officer wanted (Central
Street) spoken to; 2:13 p.m.: investigation (Juniper Street) spoken to; 2:47
p.m.: ambulance (Central Street) transport; 3:02 p.m.: accident (River Street)
report taken; 3:37 p.m.: officer wanted
(Elmwood Road) spoken to; 4:59 p.m.: MV
stop (Baldwinville State Road) written
warning; 6:35 p.m.: disabled MV (Central
Street) spoken to; 7:38 p.m.: ATV complaint (Maple Street) spoken to; 8:16 p.m.:
accident (Mill Street) spoken to; 9:04
p.m.: ambulance (Elmwood Road) transport; 9:40 p.m.: general info (Mechanic
Street) info taken; 9:54 p.m.: officer wanted (walk in) spoken to; 11:46 p.m.: noise
complaint (Central Street) spoken to.
WinClassifieds
chendon Courier
Serving the communities of Winchendon, Ashburnham, Athol, Gardner, Fitchburg, Leominster,
Westminster, Templeton, Phillipston and southern N.H.
•
a
S t o n e b r i d g e P r e ss
HELP WANTED
GENERAL LABORERS
White’s Mill Farms is hiring 2
General Laborers. 40 hour work
week — Wednesday through
Sunday 8 to 430 p.m. Contact us for
application at whitesmillevents@
gmail.com and for more information
MECHANIC/COUNTER HELP
Must have valid driver’s license.
Tri-City Marine, Winchendon. (978)
855-2509.
EXPERIENCED WAITSTAFF
The Southside Grille is looking
for experienced full-time waitstaff
who work hard and have a cheerful
personality. Fill out an application
at our restaurant located at 242 W.
Broadway, Gardner.
FITNESS STAFF
Do you enjoy leading groups
through a fun, safe, and engaging
workout? Do you enjoy social
interaction through exercise? The
Wendell P. Clark Memorial YMCA
in Winchendon is seeking certified
publication
•
instructors to provide members
with a great group exercise
experience. If this interests you,
we would love to hear from you.
Applications are being accepted for
multiple group exercise positions.
Stop by the Y and fill out an
application today!
SEASONED LINE COOK
The Southside Grille is looking for
seasoned line cooks who are capable
of working fast under pressure. Fill
out an application at our restaurant
located at 242 W. Broadway, Gardner.
BOOTH RENTAL
Hair dresser: new shop in
Winchendon. Call for particulars.
(978) 297-1200. TFN
EMPLOYERS
These help wanted ads are FREE!
Contact the Courier to find out how
to get help for your business by
calling (978) 297-0050 x 100 or email
[email protected].
YARD SALES
List your sales in the Courier
FREE.
Send the information to
[email protected]
or leave a voice mail @ 978.297.0050 x100
with dates, time and address.
(Print deadline for Friday’s paper is Tuesday.)
FOR RENT
ROOMS
Rooms for rent: second & third floor.
Shared kitchen, private laundry
and bath facilities. $125 a week.
Security deposit of three weeks
required. Call (978) 297-7144. 11.21
ROOMS FOR RENT
Downtown Winchendon, immediate
occupancy: located on second
floor in secured, peaceful, friendly,
well maintained, quiet & drug
free building. Independent group
of older gentlemen to co-habitat,
hallway & bath facilities are
shared. 1 parking space, dumpster
use, heat/HW included, electric
included (except AC in summer).
$450 per month. References, income
verification, first & last to move in.
Applications available: Dick’s Place
Barbershop, 298 Central St. (978)
297-0005.
GOODRICH APARTMENTS
Now taking applications. Call for
guidelines. (978) 297-0231. TFN
SERVICES
All in One Painting: interior,
exterior, power washing, decks.
More than 25 years experience,
fully insured, free estimates. (603)
305-4974 or leo@allinonepainting.
net TFN
WANTED
WANTED
Motorcycles, ATVs, scooters. Cash
paid for good deals. (978) 297-1800.
8.1.15
WE BUY GOLD
Pattie’s Jewelry, open 10 a.m.-5
p.m.: best prices. Behind Dunkin’
Donuts. (978) 297-3536.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Drum teacher Leon LaPlante seeks
used instruments and drum stands
to help out high school students.
(978) 297-1250.
YARD SALES
RINDGE
Saturday, June 13 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at
376 East Monomonac Road. On the
lake so lots of boating accessories,
a sailboat, bikes, electronics and
much more.
A1 HANDYMAN SERVICES
(978)297-4670
28 years experience
Home Repairs-Remodeling-Painting
To-Do Lists-Clean Outs-Trucking
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TheHeartOfMassachusetts.com
Turbidity is a measure of the “cloudiness” of the water. It is monitored because it is a good indicator of water quality.
AWJWA Water
Treatment Facility
Lowest Monthly %
of Samples
TT
Highest Detected
Daily Value
Friday, June 12, 2015
LEGALS
Possible Source of
Contamination
1
----
W
inchendon
Courier ­­­13
0.27
N
At least 95%
<0.3 NTU
100
----
Daily Turbidity
Compliance (NTU)
Monthly
Compliance*
Violation (Y/N)
Soil runoff
N
*Monthly turbidity compliance is related to a specific treatment technique (TT). This treatment facility filters the water so that at least
95% of our samples each month must be below the turbidity limits specified in the regulations.
Winchendon Water Department
Lead and Copper
Public Water System #2343000
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with the individual service lines to your home/business and also building plumbing systems. The Winchendon Water Department is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-­‐426-­‐4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead 2014 Water Quality Report
Dear Water Customer,
We are pleased to present you with the 2014 Winchendon Water Quality Report. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that utilities issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to customers in addition to other notices that may be required by law. Contained in this report is information about where your water is drawn from, how it is treated/filtered, how to protect it, levels of any contaminant detected, compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) regulations, residential cross connections, and helpful definitions. The Winchendon Water Department is committed to providing you with the safest drinking water and enough capacity to meet your demands. Lead and Copper Testing
Where? How?
Your drinking water was tested for lead and copper in 2013. Winchendon has a waiver for lead and copper testing due to historically favorable test results and is only required by MA DEP to complete this testing every third year, sampling will be conducted again in 2016. Testing was last completed in 2010. Below are the results from the 2013 sampling:
Winchendon‘s drinking water comes from Upper Naukeag Lake in Ashburnham. Upper Naukeag Lake is a shared water source that provides water to both the Town of Ashburnham and the Town of Winchendon. Water is pumped from the lake to the Ashburnham-­‐Winchendon Joint Water Filtration Plant, which is located on Lake Road in Ashburnham. Here the water is treated and filtered. Chemicals are added to aid in the clarification/filtration process and to disinfect the water. The pH of the water is controlled to prevent corrosion to the plumbing systems of homes and businesses, which can cause lead, copper, and other metals to enter your water through the deterioration of plumbing pipes. Phosphates (corrosion inhibitors) are added to aid in plumbing and water main corrosion prevention as well. Water from the filtration plant is then pumped into the 70 miles of water transmission/distribution mains and two, one-­‐million gallon water storage tanks. The total combined storage of the two tanks of 2 million gallons provides almost 3 days reserve based on average water usage. One storage tank is located on the High Street area and the other is on Elmwood Road. In addition, the system has two water booster pump stations that increase water pressure in the system. A third water booster station on Route 140 provides emergency fire supply protection in that area of town. There are more than 2,100 connections to the water system which supply homes and businesses with clean, safe drinking water. The water filtration plant produced an average of 608,082 gallons per day (GPD) for Winchendon, for a total of 221.95 million gallons for 2014. The statistics for 2013 were 627,945 GPD and 229.2 million gallons total – so the average usage in 2014 was approximately 3.2% less than 2013. Date
Collected
90th
Percentile*
Action
Level
(AL)
MCLG
# of sites
sampled
Exceeds
AL
(Y/N)
# of sites
above
AL
Possible Sources
Lead (ppb)
September
2013
0.002
15
0
20
N
0
Corrosion of
household plumbing
Copper (ppm)
September
2013
0.16
1.3
1.3
20
N
0
Corrosion of
household plumbing
Lead and Copper
th
*Lead and copper compliance is based on the 90 percentile value, which is the highest level found in 9 out of 10 homes sampled. This number is compared to the action level for each contaminant. Protection and Conservation
Unregulated and Secondary Contaminants
Protecting our drinking water is crucial, whether it’s from pollution (rain run-­‐off, improper disposal of hazardous materials or cross connection) or waste due to leaks from plumbing fixtures or corroded pipes. Massachusetts DEP has written a Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) Report for Winchendon’s water system. This includes potential contamination sources near Upper Naukeag Lake. This report assesses the susceptibility of the water system. Winchendon was given a rating of “high” susceptibility due to land use in the area. It is important to understand that a release may never occur from a potential source of contamination provided facilities are using best management practices (BMPs). If BMPs are in place, the actual risk may be lower than the threat ranking. Many potential sources of contamination are regulated at the federal, state and/or local levels to further reduce the risk. This SWAP report can be obtained at the Winchendon DPW Office. For more information, call the Winchendon Water Dept. at (978) 297-­‐0170 or go to http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/2343000pd and download it to your computer. Water conservation is another way to protect our drinking water by ensuring that we don’t diminish our resource. As much as 97% of the world’s water is saltwater, leaving 3% freshwater, two-­‐thirds of which is stored as icecaps or glaciers. This leaves us 1% of the world’s water for drinking. Needless to say, water conservation will help us sustain our precious 1%. Here are a few ways to help out: Unregulated contaminants are those for which the EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to assist the EPA in determining their occurrence in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted. The Winchendon Water Department tested for unregulated/secondary contaminants in 2014 -­‐ these results are shown in the following table. Winchendon was last required to test for these contaminants in 2013. Please note that only those substances that were detected in samples have been shown. All detected substances did not exceed any MCL, SMCL, or Action level. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-­‐
426-­‐4791). Date Collected
Highest Amount
Detected
Possible Sources
Bromodichloromethane (ppb)
5/15/14
1.3
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
-­‐ Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back when you lift your foot, it doesn't need water. This can save 750-­‐1,500 gallons per month. Chloroform (ppb)
5/15/14
7.9
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
-­‐Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. This can save three gallons each day. Sodium (ppm)
5/15/14
9.6
Natural sources; runoff from road salt
Unregulated Contaminants
-­‐Set lawn mower blades one notch higher. Longer grass means less evaporation. This can save 500 to 1,500 gallons each month. Secondary Substances
-­‐Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. This can save 750 to 1,500 gallons per month. Backflow and Cross-Connections
Manganese (ppm)
Massachusetts drinking water regulations state that an approved public water supply may not be connected to an unapproved supply, such as a private well. Such a connection is considered an illegal cross connection. A cross connection is any connection between piping that carries drinking water (also known as potable) and the piping or fixtures that carry other types of water or substances that are not safe to drink (also known as non-­‐potable). Ideally, it is best to not have any cross-­‐connections, but in certain situations they are unavoidable. Examples include residential and commercial fire sprinkler systems, wells or auxiliary water systems, lawn irrigation systems, boilers, swimming pools a nd hot tubs Vacuum Breaker
that are hard piped for filling purposes, and even garden hoses. When an installation requires a cross-­‐
for hose bib.
connection, it must be properly protected with an acceptable backflow prevention assembly or device to eliminate any potential for a reverse flow back into the potable water supply. The vacuum breaker shown is a device that attaches to any garden hose connection and allows water to flow in only one direction. A garden hose placed into a bucket to fill without a device like this could pose a backflow risk if a fire hydrant was operated in the water system. The drop in water pressure could cause the contents of the bucket to be drawn into the water system and possibly contaminate the drinking water. An unprotected cross-­‐connection threatens the health and safety of individuals and may contaminate food or beverage products utilizing water from that system. For more information, please review the Cross-­‐connection Control Manual from the U.S. EPA’s website at http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/drinkingwater/pws/crossconnectioncontrol/index.cfm. You can also call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-­‐4791. Arsenic (ppm)
Chlorine (ppm)
Highest Amount
Detected or
Collected
Highest RAA*
5/15/14
ND
Monthly
0.43*
Range
MCL or
Detected
MRDL
--
0.01
0.02-1.38
Total Trihalomethanes
(TTHMs) (ppb)
Haloacetic Acids
(HAA5s) (ppb)
or
0
sample per
Possible Sources
(Y/N)
Erosion of natural deposits,
N
runoff from fruit orchards,
4
N
Water additive used to control microbes
0
N
Naturally present in the environment
Monthly
0
0–1
Quarterly
51.2*
26.4-78.6
80
--
N
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
Quarterly
22.8*
8.20-31.4
60
--
N
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
Turbidity
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of o ur filtration system. We begin by monitoring raw water turbidity, then we monitor turbidity after the filtration process and, finally, we take a finished water sample. This tells us how much turbidity we are removing. At the treatment plant, these turbidity levels are monitored continuously in addition to manual sampling each day to confirm that the in-­‐line analyzers are accurate and functioning correctly. The average turbidity in the water leaving the plant for the year (2014) was 0.09 NTU (see Important Definitions below). Turbidity is a measure of the “cloudiness” of the water. It is monitored because it is a good indicator of water quality.
AWJWA Water
Treatment Facility
TT
Lowest Monthly %
of Samples
Highest Detected
Daily Value
Violation (Y/N)
Daily Turbidity
Compliance (NTU)
1
----
0.27
N
At least 95%
<0.3 NTU
100
----
N
Possible Source of
Contamination
Sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-­‐occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present include: Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, can be naturally-­‐occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, and residential uses. Organic chemical contaminants include synthetic and volatile organic contaminants that are by-­‐products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems. Important Definitions
Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: The highest level of a contaminant in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. Unregulated Contaminants: Unregulated contaminants are those for which the EPA has not established drinking water standards. Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements, which a water system must follow. 90th Percentile: Out of every 10 homes, 9 were at or below this level. evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL): These standards are developed to protect the aesthetic quality of drinking water and are not health based. ORSG: Office of Research and Standards Guideline. NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Units. PPB: One part per billion parts, 1 microgram per liter, equivalent to one penny in $10 million dollars. Health Information In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA and MA DEP prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-­‐800-­‐426-­‐4791). ***For any additional information about your water system and information about public participation opportunities please contact the Winchendon Water Department, at 978-­‐297-­‐0170. The DPW’s administrative office is located on the first floor of the Winchendon Town Hall at 109 Front Street. Copies of the “Winchendon Water Department -­‐ 2014 Water Quality Report” are available at the DPW office upon request. Current Town Hall hours of operation Monday: 8:00am -­‐6:00pm Tuesday through Thursday: 8:00am -­‐5:00pm Friday: CLOSED We are extremely proud to report that not a single violation of drinking water quality standards occurred during 2014. Your drinking water met or exceeded all US EPA and MA DEP drinking water standards. June 12, 2015
Lead and Copper
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with the individual service lines to your home/business and also building plumbing systems. The Winchendon Water Department is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-­‐426-­‐4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead Winchendon
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Lead and Copper Testing
CLIP AND MAIL COUPON
Your drinking water was tested for lead and copper in 2013. Winchendon has a waiver for lead and copper testing due to historically favorable test results and is only required by MA DEP to complete this testing every third year, sampling will be conducted again in 2016. Testing was last completed in 2010. Below are the results from the 2013 sampling:
4 WEEKS — $20
(AL)
…FAX September
US
2013
Lead (ppb)
978-297-2177
0.002
15
Leaching from natural deposits
Summary of Violation(s) that occurred in 2014 *Monthly turbidity compliance is related to a specific treatment technique (TT). This treatment facility filters the water so that at least
95% of our samples each month must be below the turbidity limits specified in the regulations.
th
--
Sources of Drinking Water and Drinking Water Contaminants
Soil runoff
• 30 words or less
Action
Date
90
Level
• AdditionalCollected
words
50¢
per word
Percentile*
0.05
PPM: One part per million parts, 1 milligram per liter, equivalent to one drop in 10 gallons. month
Lead and Copper
0.001
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known *The running annual average (RAA) is the highest average of four consecutive quarters Monthly
Compliance*
5/15/14
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing Violation
MRDLG
4
Possible Sources
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. >1 positive
Total Coliform
Bacteria
(# of positive samples)
MCLG
ORSG
Radioactive contaminants can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production, and mining activities. Regulated Contaminants
Date(s) or
SMCL
In 2014 your water was tested for total coliform bacteria, chlorine residual, alkalinity, inorganics, nitrate, perchlorate, turbidity (clarity), trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and pH (Treatment Plant Sampling Plan). The results provided in this report are from 2014 or the most recent monitoring period for each contaminant group. Even though contaminants were detected, the presence of contaminants in drinking water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least low levels of some contaminants. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-­‐compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice from their health care providers. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-­‐800-­‐426-­‐4791). EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are also available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-­‐800-­‐426-­‐4791). Frequency
Amount
Detected
2014 Drinking Water Quality Test Results
Contaminant
(unit of measure) Date Collected
MAIL to: The Winchendon Courier
91 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475
Fax Coupon: 978-297-2177
For more info., call 978-297-0050
Write your ad here:
MCLG
# of sites
sampled
Exceeds
AL
(Y/N)
# of sites
above
AL
Possible Sources
0
20
N
0
Corrosion of
household plumbing
Name:
Corrosion of
0
Address:
household plumbing
Noon
th
Town: Zip:
*Lead and copper compliance is based on the 90 percentile value, which is the highest level found in 9 out of 10 homes sampled. This number is compared to the action level for each contaminant. Phone:
Sorry, no refund for early cancellation.
September
0.16
2013
: Friday at
Deadline
Copper (ppm)
1.3
1.3
20
N
­­14 Winchendon Courier
Friday, June 12, 2015
TRADITIONS HAVE THEIR
PLACE
The origins of proms are lost in many places. To most, it is the first real
dress up occasion for young men and women, a dinner, a dance, and maybe
an after party. The origins of it are lost. But Murdock remembers the true
meaning behind “promenade” and the young people are expected to indeed
strut their stuff before the town before heading out for the evening. At 5
p.m. before the dinner is scheduled, the young men and women, decked
in their finery, are at the Murdock High School gym as they have been
expected to be since there has been a high school in Winchendon. In a
choreographed display, first by twos, then fours, sixes, eights and sixteens;
they promenade to show their parents, friends and the town not only their
clothing, but their right of passage. It is a major part of graduation week,
looked forward to not only by the adults who enjoy it, but the students
themselves. Peacocks and proud princesses alike in their gowns. (And the
one with the more casual guys? The next night at alumni banquet, a little
the worse for wear, having a bit of fun as they “promenade” in for another
dinner with generous alums and scholarship donors.)
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49 Central Street, Suite 3 Winchendon, MA 01475
Tel (978) 297-2390 Fax (978) 297-3673
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Each
is insuredby the
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All
depositor insured to at least $250,000
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Apply onl
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Each
is insuredby the
FDIC to at leastEach$250,000.
All
Each
is insuredby the
depositor insured to at least $250,000
to at least $250,000. All
depositsabovethe FDICinsurance FDIC
depositsabovethe FDICinsurance
amount are insured by the amount are insured by the
Depositors
Insurance
Fund (DIF).
Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF).
Each depositor insured to at least $250,000
Each depositor is insured by the FDIC to at least $250,000. All deposits above the FDIC
insurance amount are insured by the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF).
*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is effective
06/01/2015 and is subject to change without notice. 3.717% APR is fixed for 30
years, and will result in 360 monthly payments of principal and interest of $4.60
per $1,000 borrowed at 3.690%. Rate and APR may be different based on credit
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include amounts for taxes or insurance and actual payment amounts will be
greater. Escrow of property taxes required for a loan to value over 70%. Loan
amounts over 80% of purchase price or appraised value require private mortgage
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