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2 • THE WEBSTER TIMES • Friday, March 18, 2011 www.webstertimes.net Student club leads charge behind tobacco sales bylaw BY JOY RICHARD TIMES STAFF WRITER OXFORD — Students are embracing a victory in the fight against smoking. Students in the I Connect 84 HBU club at Oxford High School recently celebrated the change they helped create in the regulations of the Oxford Board of Health’s Sale of Tobacco Products to Minors bylaw. The group went before the Oxford Board of Health for the first time in September and as of Monday, Feb. 7, the board passed the vote to ban tobacco products from being sold in Oxford pharmacies. Oxford High School Health teacher Dixie Lawrence said this bylaw change currently affects CVS, Rite-Aid and Wal- Mart. She said the group was not only surprised that the vote passed, but how quickly the process happened. “We are obviously quite happy that it went through,” said Lawrence during an interview last week. “There are 24 people that die each day in Massachusetts from tobacco-related diseases. A lot of the kids in the organization have been touched, at least 90 percent, by tobacco. So, that why this is so close to them.” Lawrence said in the three years the group has existed, they have worked to collect information from the community about smoking trends among teens, and she said both students and members of the Board of Health were surprised to learn just how many advertisement for cigarettes are placed at three feet or lower, which could be in the eye sight of a child. Lawrence said it also shocked students to find out that when polled there are fewer teens that smoke at Oxford High School then they would have thought. She said this knowledge would hopefully help younger students realize that smoking is not a trend and if they are thinking about starting they should reconsider. “This [new] perception makes the choice easier,” said Lawrence. She said the group hopes to continue to work in the community and currently had a Kick Butts Day planner for Wednesday, March 23, where they will clean up cigarette butts around town. Oxford High School sophomore and I Connect 84 HBU Vice President Ryan Donovan, 16, said he is happy with the achievements he and his peers have made in the last six months. He said they are looking forward to continuing their work in the future, and hopes this bylaw change will affect future generations positively. “I feel it was a good accomplishment for us,” said Donovan. “It makes no sense to sell harmful products in a place that should be making you healthy. Despite the critical reception I think it went well.” Oxford High School junior and fellow I Connect 84 HBU member Cassandra Pastier, 16, said she agreed with Donovan, and that this success is something she and the others will be proud of for years to come. “It has been interesting to learning all of the different methods of smoking, and shocking at the same time,” said Pastier. “I am really happy that it passed. I think every town should have this.” Joy Richard may be reached at 508-909-4129 or by e- mail at jrichard@stonebridgepres.com. Joy Richard photo Oxford High School sophomore and I Connect 84 HBU Vice President Ryan Donovan, 16, stands for a photo with junior and fellow HBU member Cassandra Pastier, 16. Collectively the group was able to convince Oxford Board of Health members to vote for a bylaw change so tobacco produce could not be sold at Oxford pharmacies. NEWS BRIEFS Relay for Life auction is coming soon The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of the Greater Southbridge Area in conjunction with Stonebridge Press, the Southbridge Evening News and it’s affiliated weekly publications (Sturbridge Villager, Charlton Villager, Spencer New Leader and Webster Times) will be conducting our fourth annual silent auction beginning Thursday, March 17, through Thursday April 7. We feel that this year we have some really great auction items that we have had in previous years and also some new and interesting items. This year we do have a hot air balloon ride for two; two Red Sox tickets, a gift certificate for a one year subscription to the Southbridge News, a Kinect system for Xbox 360, a 22” LCD TV with DVD player and about 100 other items including gift certificates to various businesses and many more great items all donated by great supporters of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of the Greater Southbridge Area. All money raised will be going to the 2011 American Cancer Society Relay For Life of the Greater Southbridge Area to benefit cancer research, education, advocacy and patient support services. Please join us in the comfort of your home for some great auction fun while also supporting a worthwhile cause. If you would like more information about the auction please feel free to contact Ron Ravenelle at 508-347-3826 or ronrave@charter.net. DCEF thanks supporters of Annual Appeal The Board of Directors of the Dudley- Charlton Education Foundation, Inc. would like to thank all who supported their Second Annual Appeal. The foundation is pleased to announce the Challenge Appeal Match of $12,000 has been met. The Board would like to extend a very special thank you to the local banks that stepped-up and offered the initial major gift commitment: Southbridge Savings Bank, Webster Five Foundation, Country Bank for Savings, Savers Bank and UniBank for Savings. To date the appeal has raised $24,000.00 through donations made by very generous contributors. Thank you to the DCEF family of donors: Karen & Joe Spiewak, Charlton; Hyde/Dexter Foundation, Southbridge; Randy & Donna Becker, Webster; Brenda M. Bianculli, Charlton; Daphne & Matt Teguis, Dudley; Linda E. Denault, Charlton; Brian & Lori- Ann Ravenelle, Dudley; John Meciak, Dudley; Hometown Bank; Heritage School Sunshine Club Charlton in honor of the school’s principal, secretaries, nurse, library coordinator, custodians, and cafeteria staff; Ed & Wendy Knopf, Charlton; Lisa Lavoie, Dudley; Jostens, Charlton in memory of Ron Denault; James F. Cosgrove, Worcester in memory of Richard A. Carmignani; Timothy & Debbie Schur, Dudley in memory of Albert Thibaudeau; Dr John Kalinowski, Dudley; John & Carol Perkins, Charlton; Leo & Patty Biron, Dudley; Shepard Hill Regional High School Administrators; National Telecom Systems, Norwood; Alexandra & Doug Smith, Dudley; Michael Kestigan & Monique Lemaire, Charlton; Catherine & Stanley Kabala, Dudley; The Peck-Ouellette Family, Southbridge in honor of students Cody & Caitlin Peck; Brian & Monique McCoy, Dudley; John & Christine Grondalski, Charlton; William & Andrea Trifone, Dudley; Member of DCEF Board of Directors; Member of DCEF Board of Directors; Steve & Gerrie Nowicki, Charlton; Sean & Sarah Gilrein; Webster First Federal Credit Union, Charlton; Richard Lundgren Honda, Auburn; Dave & Deanie Sherry; D. Mason Paving Inc, Webster; Virginia DiDinato, Dudley; Bill & Janet Blasius, Charlton; Gabriella & Anya Grondalski, Charlton in honor of Sister Rouillard; Gabriella Grondalski, Charlton in honor of Anna Hill; Gabriella Grondalski, Charlton in honor of Kristie D’Arcangelo; Anya Grondalski, Charlton in honor of Robin Parmley; Christine & Lyle Bowser, Dudley; David Tonkin, Dudley; Susan Gunnell, Charlton; Brian & Tamra Cloutier, Charlton; John & Sheryl Zablocki, Dudley; Joe & Michele Szela, Oxford; John J. Canavan, Sturbridge; Matt & Suzanne Hall, Charlton; Derek LaPlaca, Dudley; David & Melissa Lotter, Dudley; W & B Meservey, Charlton; Services In-Kind, Phil “BygByte” Reynolds, Consultant. The DCEF will host its 2nd Annual Gala Dinner-Dance and Auction on Saturday, March 26. The evening begins at 6:30 with appetizers and a full cash bar. To date, there are 22 tickets available for purchase. Tickets will not be sold at the door. To purchase tickets for this dazzling evening, please go to www.dcedfoundation.org. ALMANAC QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I don’t even know how to describe it, it is an appealing attitude. You say these are great kids, and I would be happy to work in a school system for them.” SMALL SHED/ BARN REMOVAL FREE ESTIMATES - Webster Superintendent Gregory Ciardi, commenting on why he chose to work in Webster. OPEN TO CLOSE LICENSED & INSURED 413-530-2002 DUDLEY DUDLEY TOWN HALL (508) 949-8000 Board of Selectmen (949-8001) Monday-Thursday . . .8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening appointments if needed. Note: Office hours are for selectmen’s secretary and town administrator. Selectmen do not hold office hours. Town Clerk (949-8004) Monday-Thursday . . . . .8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday nights . . . . . . . . . . .5 to 7 p.m. Fridays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 a.m. to 1 p.m. TO PLACE A RETAIL AD: SANDY LAPENSEE, EXECUTIVE (508) 909-4110 - sandy@stonebridgepress.com AMY DAIGLE, ASSISTANT (508) 909-4112 - amy@stonebridgepress.com SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES: KERRI PETERSON - (508) 909-4103 kjohnston@stonebridgepress.com TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD: (508) 765-6940 TO FAX THE WEBSTER TIMES: (508) 764-8015 VISIT US ONLINE: www.webstertimes.net TO PRINT AN OBITUARY: E-MAIL: aminor@stonebridgepress.com OR send to Webster Times, 25 Elm St., Southbridge, MA 01550 TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR: E-MAIL: aminor@stonebridgepress.com OR send to Webster Times, 25 Elm St., Southbridge, MA 01550 TO SUBMIT CALENDAR ITEMS: E-MAIL: aminor@stonebridgepress.com OR send to Webster Times, 25 Elm St., Southbridge, MA 01550 TO SOUND OFF: CALL 508-909-4079 PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER FRANK G. CHILINSKI (860) 928-1818, EXT. 104 frank@stonebridgepress.com CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER RON TREMBLAY (800) 367-9898, EXT. 102 rtremblay@stonebridgepress.com EDITORIAL STAFF MANAGING EDITOR - ADAM MINOR (508) 909-4130 aminor@stonebridgepress.com STAFF WRITER - JOY RICHARD (508) 909-4129 jrichard@stonebridgepress.com HOW TO USE A STONEBRIDGE PRESS WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING STAFF ADVERTISING MANAGER JEAN ASHTON (800) 367-9898, EXT. 104 jashton@stonebridgepress.com LOCAL ADVERTISING STAFF SANDY LAPENSEE, EXECUTIVE (508)909-4110 sandy@stonebridgepress.com AMY DAIGLE, ASSISTANT (508)909-4112 amy@stonebridgepress.com PRODUCTION MANAGER JULIE CLARKE (800) 367-9898, EXT. 105 julie@villagernewspapers.com THE WEBSTER TIMES (USPS#024-928) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY STONEBRIDGE PRESS, INC., 25 ELM ST., SOUTHBRIDGE, MA 01550. PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT SOUTHBRIDGE, MA 01550. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO WEBSTER TIMES, P.O.BOX 90, SOUTHBRIDGE, MA 01550 DUDLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT (943-4411) Staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week DUDLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT (949-8040) Monday-Sunday . . . . . . .6 a.m. to 6 p.m. OXFORD OXFORD TOWN HALL (508) 987-6027 Board of Selectmen Monday-Friday . . . . .9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Town Clerk (987-6032) Monday-Friday . . . . .9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. OXFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT (987-0156) For emergencies, call 911 OXFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT (987-6012) Monday-Friday . . . . . . .8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. WEBSTER WEBSTER TOWN HALL (508) 949-3850 Office Hours: Monday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday . . . . . .8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. WEBSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT (943-1212) For emergencies, call 911 WEBSTER FIRE DEPARTMENT (949-3875) Monday-Friday . . . . . . . . .8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
www.webstertimes.net Friday, March 18, 2011 • THE WEBSTER TIMES • 3 ACCURACY WATCH: The Webster Times 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 in a timely manner on page A3. We cannot run corrections based upon differences of opinion or unconfirmable facts. We will, however, print letters to the editor from area residents who wish to add their comments to our news coverage. If you find a mistake, please call (508) 764-4325. During non-business hours, leave a message in the editor’s voicemail box. PUBLIC MEETINGS Editor’s Note: Meetings as listed are retrieved in advance from multiple sources, including Town Hall and the Internet. The Webster TImes is not responsible for changes and cancellations. Monday, March 21 DUDLEY Board of Selectmen meeting, 6:30 p.m., Room 321A, 71 West Main St. Wednesday, March 23 Planning Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Room 321A, 71 West Main St. OXFORD Thursday, March 24 Board of Appeals Meeting, 7 p.m., 325 Main St. Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting, 7 p.m., 325 Main St. Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing, 8 p.m., 325 Main St. Police seize more than $10K of prescription pills WEBSTER — On Saturday, March 12, at 6:56 p.m., Detectives James T. Hoover and Gordon Wentworth concluded a four-month investigation by executing a search warrant at 59 School St., Apt. C. This apartment is rented by Rodney Lechert, 64. Detectives found a large amount of prescription type pills for which Lechert did not have a prescription for. Also found was approximately an ounce of marijuana along with evidence of narcotics distribution of both the pills and marijuana. Police also discovered a “stun gun,” which is illegal to possess in the state of Massachusetts. Also charged in conjunction with the investigation was Jeanne Germain, 61, of 2 East Main St. Ms. Germain was also found to be in possession of a large amount of numerous types of prescription pills for which she did not have a prescription for. It is believed that Lechert and Germain would travel to a location in Florida, pick up the pills, and travel back to Webster where the pills would then be sold. Detectives believe that as a result of the investigation, more than $10,000 worth of pills were seized ($10,500 is the estimated street value). Germain was charged with trafficking in opium, drug violation near a YOUNG OXFORD MEN SAVE DOG FROM ICY DEMISE BY JOY RICHARD TIMES STAFF WRITER OXFORD — Being in the right place at the right time and some quick thinking may have saved the life a family’s beloved canine earlier this month. Oxford Animal Control Officer Sheila Donohue echoed these sentiments last week during an interview at Hodges Village Dam with a group of four Oxford residents who put their safety on the line earlier in the month to help save a canine in need. Oxford High School seniors Thomas Steven, 18, and Kyle Brady, 17, were walking with friends, and fellow Oxford residents Michael Palumbo, 20, and Ronald Pilski, 21, on the evening of Saturday, March 5, when they came across a dog who had gotten loose from its owner. The dog, which they later found out was an Irish Setter named Riley had run away from its group and was walking on the ice at the opening of the French River. Brady said the group watched Riley closely as they feared the dog would fall in at any moment, because he knew the ice would be thin, as it had formed over running water. “We were freaking out — we didn’t want to watch it fall through, but [Riley] did,” said Brady. Brady said after the dog fell through the ice the group panicked, and called back to Pilski who was walking back to his house. He said when they started walking toward the dog the group did not realize they were walking on ice, because of the snow cover. “We did panic,” said Brady. “We tried to have it bite a branch, but that did not work. It was pretty intense when happening, it seemed like forever.” Steven said when police arrived the group had already started to dry the dog off, and collect their thoughts after their ordeal. “The owner was really happy,” said Donohue. She said during the winter months the event of a pet falling through ice is common, but not something that happens every day. Donohue said she was proud that the group had the ability to not only help, but also call the authorities for back up. She said the dog’s owner was so pleased with the effort to bring his dog back he made a $100 donation to the current Oxford Animal Shelter building project in the group’s name. “If they weren’t here the school/park (she lives in close proximity to St. Anne’s School on Day Street), possession of class B substance and conspiracy to violate a controlled substance law. Lechert was charged with the following — trafficking in opium, drug violation near a school/park, conspiracy to violate a controlled substance law, possession of an electric stun gun, possession of a class D substance with the intent to distribute-subsequent offense, possession of a class B substance-subsequent offense. Also assisting in the search was Sergeant Michael Shaw, Sergeant Rodney Budrow, and Canine officer Aaron Suss and his canine Red. Auburn Family Dental 4 Albert St., Auburn, MA • 508.832.4141 www.AFDDMD.com Experience the difference of relaxation dentistry. Are you fearful or anxious? Do you have a strong gag reflex? You can get the smile you’ve always wanted in the most comfortable way possible. We are certified to offer our patients different levels of sedation from light oral to deeper IV sedation. Through this unique service we are exceptionally qualified to meet all your dental needs. Our caring and professional team will be happy to explain the options. Call for your complimentary sedation consultation ($65.00 value) To the rescue dog probably would have gotten exhausted and perished,” said Donohue. “You hear so many negative things about youth in the community, but they saw a potential problem, and they were able to come up with a came plan, call 911, and complete their plan successfully. I am very proud of them.” Palumbo said at the time the ordeal seemed to take longer than it actually did. When asked if they would go back and do the same in a similar situation, he and the others agreed that they would, because they could never stand to the side and watch an animal suffer. “I just kept saying I can’t watch a dog die,” said Palumbo. Joy Richard may be reached at 508-909-4129 or by e-mail at jrichard@stonebridgepress.com. Pinwheel campaign to raise child abuse awareness BY JOY RICHARD TIMES STAFF WRITER WEBSTER — On Monday, March 14, the Board of Selectmen passed a vote to help bring awareness to the problem of child abuse and neglect to residents in the community. Board of Selectmen Chairman Deborah Keefe announced the news of the unanimous vote made by the board to Community For Success Council representative Leslie Baker during the Monday, March 14, Board of Selectmen meeting. Keefe said the board made the choice to personally pay for 143 pinwheels to place on the front lawn of the Webster Town Hall as a way to honor the 143 substantiated cases, and 359 reported cases of child abuse found in Webster as of 2009. The pinwheels will be on the front lawn starting Friday, April 1, until elections in May. Keefe said she and the other members of the board thought the pinwheel display would be a fitting way to inform residents in the community of the problem of neglect and child abuse in the area. Keefe said Baker approached her with the pinwheel idea earlier in the month, as she and the council were looking for a location of the display in time for April, which is National Child Abuse Prevention month. Baker said the council was informed of the ongoing matter of abuse and neglect in Webster after looking into local various local statistics, and she said one “jumped” out to both she and the committee. “Webster holds the dubious distinction of being number nine out of the top 10 communities in Massachusetts for abuse and neglect in 2008,” said Baker during the latest board meeting. “This is to raise awareness that there is an ongoing problem, and it is not just our town, [and] we are not immune from it.” Baker said she and the council retrieved this information from the Department of Children and Families. She said the group is currently looking into different ways to identify and help in the prevention of the problem for children in years to come. In other business Monday, selectmen discussed the issue of turning streetlights back on. Selectmen made the vote to turn the majority of lights off in town last summer as a cost saving move for the town. Highway Superintendent Kenneth Pizzetti and Department of Public Works Director J.T. Gaucher came before selectmen last Monday to speak with them about turning two lights back on. Keefe said the lights, which are located in the parking lot behind the Main Street Dunkin’ Donuts and at the corner of East Main Street and Witcombe Street were suggested by the Webster Police Department for safety reasons. Keefe made the suggestion to the board that with the amount of requests from residents to turn specific streetlights back on, the idea of turning every other streetlight on might be a feasible idea. “I don’t think that makes the most sense logistically,” said Webster Town Administrator John McAuliffe. “The way we have done it makes sense, and the imput we have received from the community [has been positive.]” McAuliffe said it would cost approximately $30,000 to $40,000 to turn all of the lights back on. He said after driving through town on several occasions he thought it would be best to continue the way the town has by reviewing each light request as it comes through. “The goal is to get them all back on,” said Keefe. Joy Richard may be reached at 508- 909-4129 or by e-mail at jrichard@stonebridgepress.com. Joy Richard photo Oxford residents Ronald Pilski, 21, and Michael Palumbo, 20, stand for a photo with Oxford High School seniors Kyle Brady, 17 and Thomas Steven, 18, at Hodges Village Dam. The group of friends braved the cold waters of the French River last week in order to save a dog that had fallen through the ice. 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Send your letters to: Letter to the Editor Webster Times 25 Elm St. Southbridge, MA 01550 We’d Love To Hear From You! “If it’s important to you, it’s important to us!”
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