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PAGE 2 A Turley Publication • www.turley.com I Thursday, February 9, 2012 Budget management workshops planned FOR RENT Quabbin Estates 41 Church Lane Wheelwright, MA 01094 Accepting applications for immediate openings. Handicap accessible unit available.The apartment features - w/w carpeting, kitchen appliances, maintenance coverage, laundry facilities. We specialize in Senior Housing and “Barrier Free” accessible units. Rent is $615/mo. or 30% of adjusted income, whichever is greater. RD regulations. CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT 413-477-6496 TDD (800)439-2379 By Jennifer Grybowski Turley Publications Reporter -EAST BROOKFIELD- Feeling the fi nancial pinch these days? Having to do more with less money? Looking for ways to stretch your dollars? Then the East Brookfi eld Public Library has got a program for you. Running one Wednesday a month through June, Library Director Gwyneth Payette is running a “$aving a Dollar at a Time” program. Wednesday, Feb. 15 will feature “Why buy that, make this;” Wednesday, March 28 will feature “Clutter Control” with guest speaker Dave Downs; Wednesday, April 18 will feature “Meals and recipes for $5/person or less;” Wednesday, May 16 will feature “Garden Savings.” Wednesday, June 20 will feature “Making Dollars and Cents Make Sense” a fi nancial literacy class presented in collaboration with the Spencer, North and East Brookfi eld Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant. All programs will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the East Brookfi eld Public Library, 122 Connie Mack Drive. The fi rst program, last month, featured “Couponing 101.” “People can gain a handle on some unique ideas,” Payette said. “We’re seeing some, “‘Gee, I can do this’ moments that brings it in perspective. It can be as simple as don’t buy individual lunch snacks – buy in bulk and put in baggies immediately and then you have them. Things people say, “‘Oh, I can do that.’” Payette said there has been a great interest in the program. “We have considered doing a series on job seminars or getting businesses in that are looking to hire, but a lot of other places are already doing that so we needed to try to do something unique,” she said. “I think this is an important series for people to come to this helpful series because it’s going to help them in their everyday.” Payette said the idea for the program was borne out of people coming into the library talking about the economy. “They were saying, ‘We have got to make our dollars stretch and how do we go about doing it,’” Payette said. “This is a good series that we all need.” So she decided to pick what she felt were relevant topics and, while she’s no fi nancial expert, she did her research. “I do research; I use my library,” she said. “I research the topics and formulate hand-outs because I think that’s what people really walk away with happy because it reminds them of what we’ve gone through.” Payette said only fi ve people showed up to last month’s event. Afterward, some people came to her saying the wished they had known about the program but mostly, she said, people couldn’t fi nd childcare in order to attend the program. So Children’s Librarian Mary Gershman has volunteered to host childcare, including stories, activities and crafts. On the night Coordinated Family Engagement is hosting the talk, they will provide the childcare. The program is mostly free to run, but Payette is using a portion of her small programming budget to pay for the guest speaker March 28. The Friends of the East Brookfi eld Public Library is providing funding for the printing of handouts. Registering for the event is preferred, so Payette knows how many handouts to make, but it is not necessary. For more information, contact the library at 508- 867-7928 or ebplibrary@gmail.com. Local pastor publishes new fantasy book NORTH BROOKFIELD - North Brookfi eld resident Ken Winters will be one of six new local authors signing books at the Barnes and Noble in Millbury, in the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley. It will be held on Friday, Feb 17 starting at 7 p.m. Ken has served as the associate pastor at the First Congregational Church of North Brookfi eld since 2004. Prior to that, he served a 20year career in the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. He recently published his fi rst book, The Lost Crown of Colonnade. His new book is a fantasy novel somewhat reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien and The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. In a recent interview the author said, “I love C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. Their books are very different, yet pack a message that is deeper than just the story. I hope TURLEY PUBLICATIONS COURTESY PHOTO PASTOR KEN WINTERS those who read my book will enjoy the story, but I also hope, along the way, they’ll fi nd some new insights into life, friendships and faith.” Ken summarizes his novel this way: “In one inexplicable moment, @QuaboagCurrentTownCommonNewspapers.com Winter Is Not Over Yet! 14-year-old Davey Johnsen exchanges the comfort of his beautiful New England home for the rugged terrain of the unknown land of Colonnade. There he meets six faithful companions, Bundiggle, Snuffl es, Bertrand, Sergeant Farmer, Captain William, and the lovely Princess Alisande. Guided by an ancient prophecy, the faithful band of seven sets off on a quest to regain the Lost Crown of Colonnade. Is it a dream, or are his new friends and enemies very real? Will Davey’s party accomplish their quest, or will they fall victim to the overwhelming forces of the evil King of Necrus and his Master, Dagron?” Voter registration set for Feb. 15 STURBRIDGE - Extended Sturbridge voter registration hours for non-registered voters to become eligible to vote in the Presidential Primary scheduled for Tuesday, March 6 will be held on Wednesday, WE HAVE • String Lights • Lamp Oil • Snowblower Shear Pins • Water • Batteries • Generators • Generator Cords • Plugs • Weather Radios • Flashlights • Gas Cans • Propane Tanks EVERYDAY LOW PRICES! CHECK US OUT! 90 Worcester Road, Charlton, MA 508-4346 x107 Fax: 508-248-4353 111 E. Brimfield Road, Holland, MA 413-245-3712 265 Grafton Street, Worcester, MA 508-792-1030 29 Summer Street, Lunenburg, MA 978-343-3202 WWW.HOWLETTLUMBER.COM HOWLETT CARRIES THOUSANDS OF ITEMS YOU NEED FOR YOUR HOME, YARD AND GARAGE YOUR LOCAL ✓ A weekly source to local happenings. Send all community calendar items to the editor at tkane@ turley.com, or through regular mail at 80 Main St., Ware, MA 01069. Final deadline for all calendar submissions is Friday at noon the week before intended publication. CURRENT EVENTS Compiled by Tim Kane tkane@turley.com THE WEEK AHEAD VALENTINE’S DANCE will be held for Warren and West Brookfi eld Elementary 4th, 5th, and 6th graders on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 – 9 p.m. in the Warren Municipal Building Gymnasium. Donation of $5 at door to sponsor the Dance Factory’s Freshman and Junior Dance Teams. Refreshments will be available for an additional fee. YOUTH GROUP MEETING of the Blessed John Paul II Parish. Friday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. Location: 20 Marcy Street, near St. Mary’s Church. Any Jr. High and High School Student is welcome to come join the fun! FRIENDS of the NORTH BROOKFIELD PLAYGROUND ANNUAL SPAGHETTI SUPPER will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the North Brookfi eld American Legion. Serving 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with dancing to follow. $8 per person. Proceeds to benefi t the Friends of the Playground Scholarship. Tickets at the door, at the American Legion, Still Hart’s or by calling 508-867-2134. DEMOCRATS IN WEST BROOKFIELD WILL HOLD A CAUCUS to elect delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s 2012 nominating convention on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. in the Lower Meeting Room of the West Brookfi eld Town Hall, 2 East Main Street. All registered Democrats are eligible to participate. The convention will be held on Saturday, June 2 at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfi eld. GIRL SCOUT TROOPS # 30477 and #30390 PANCAKE BREAKFAST will be held on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Hayden Lodge, New School Drive, North Brookfi eld. Cost is $7 per person all you can eat and kids under 6 are half-price. There will be pancakes, sausage and bacon. The breakfast will help the girls raise money for their trip to Washington, DC for the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts. YOUTH GROUP MEETING on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Blessed John Paul II Pastoral Center, Hamilton St. near Trinity School, Southbridge. Any Jr. High and High School Student is welcome to come join in the fun. THE EAST QUABBIN LAND TRUST at 120 Ridge Road in Hardwick will be building bluebird and wood duck nesting boxes for its preserves on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. Various bird populations in the northeast are on the decline. There are a variety of reasons for this decline, but one key element is a lack of appropriate nesting sites. This is an opportunity for skilled and unskilled bird enthusiasts to work together so bring the whole family. If you have a portable drill and hammer, please bring them. We have the wood and instructions to create several boxes of each style. If there’s time we will install the bluebird boxes at Mandell Hill. Contact us at 413-477-8229 if you have questions. Many thanks to W.R. Robinson Lumber for donating the pine boards to make the boxes. MERRICK PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING on Monday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Weather reminder: when Tantasqua, Union #61 schools are closed due to weather the public library is also closed. Feb.15 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Town Hall Town Clerk’s offi ce and 4-8 p.m. at the Joshua Hyde Library. If you have any questions, feel free to call the offi ce of the Town Clerk at 508-347-2510. NOTICE ERRORS: Each advertiser is requested to check their advertisement the first time it appears. This paper will not be responsible for more than one corrected insertion, nor will be liable for any error in an advertisement to a greater extent than the cost of the space occupied by the item in the advertisement. PHONE 413.967.3505 Fax: 413.967.6009 EMAIL Advertising Sales Jack Haesaert jhaesaert@turley.com Tim Mara tmara@turley.com Office Manager Pam Moen pmoen@turley.com Editor Tim Kane tkane@turley.com WEB www.quaboagcurrent.com www.tantasquatowncommon.com @QuaboagCurrent TownCommonNewspapers The Quaboag Current and Town Common newspapers are published by Turley Publications, Inc. • www.turley.com
ConCom eyes Cooley Hill Reservoir sale By Jennifer Grybowski Turley Publications Reporter -BROOKFIELD- The dam at the Cooley Hill Reservoir is a potential problem for the town. The property, about 15 landlocked acres, while owned by the town is actually located in North Brookfi eld, about a mile from the town line. The town voted at the Nov. 18, 2011 Special Town Meeting (STM) to dispose of the Cooley Hill Reservoir property, with the condition it be sold to a non-profi t organization so that it could still be used by residents for recreational purposes. The property is valued at around $21,000. Before the STM, Selectman Rudy Heller said his main interest in disposing of the property is eliminating liability. “The potential liability of the town is so much greater than value of the property,” he said. O’Connell also pointed out that it was the recommendation of the water commissioners to dispose of the property as soon as possible because of condition of the dam there, and the work of the beavers changing the level of the water behind it. At their joint meeting Jan. 31, the Board of Selectmen and Conservation Commission (ConCom) discussed the status of the dam. The ConCom reported that it had unanimously voted for three options: Do Fiddle Center FIDDLES, MANDOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, DOBROS New Supply of Loar Mandolins & Gold Tone Banjos Lots of Lesson Times Available In Piano, Drum, Guitar, Fiddle, Mandolin, Flute & Banjo 300 Main Street, Route 9, East Brookfield 508-867-6600 • www.fiddlecenter.com SKIN PROBLEM? Trust a Dermatologist! JOEL P. GORDON, M.D. Certified, American Board of Dermatology Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery Skin Cancer, Moles and Other Skin Growths, Acne, Warts, Rashes 85 South St., Ware • (413) 967-2246 WARE OFFICE QUABOAG CURRENT SEEKS FREELANCE REPORTERS The Quaboag Current is looking for an experienced freelance journalist to produce news and/or feature stories of local interest. Must be able to cover evening meetings. There is flexibility in the schedule but applicants must be dependable, mature, possess professional-level people skills, have passed a college-level journalism class and be able to meet strict deadlines. Photography skills and own camera a plus. We pay freelancers a flat rate by story and photo. We will consider less experienced applicants but must have proven writing skills. Three writing samples required. Send with resume to: The Quaboag Current, Editor Tim Kane, 80 Main St., Ware, MA Or e-mail directly to tkane@turley.com. No phone calls or drop-ins, please. www.turley.com nothing; clean the spillway and monitor it; or sell it with conditions, such as allowing hunting, fi shing and the prohibition of erecting new structures. “By law, we are required to report to Offi ce of Dam Safety any dam that exists in town,” Heller said. Heller said at a previous meeting that he was anxious to dispose of the property so that the town didn’t end up in the same situation as it is in with the Saw Mill Pond dam. Select Chair Peter O’Connell agreed. “The concern of the cost of repairing that dam, based upon what we’ve learned about repairing Mill Pond Dam, is that we’ve decided to pursue transfer of property,” O’Connell said. The ConCom asked for expressed interest in taking over the property. O’Connell pointed out that according to the Town Meeting vote, the property must be sold to a non-profi t. So, he said, if citizens want to band together and make a non-profi t, they could do so. “What we’re looking to do is avoid same issue that pertains to dam that we’re under the order to fi x [Saw Mill Pond],” O’Connell said. “We think Cooley Hill Dam is going to be subject to that same regulation. I would think any private group that wanted to acquire that would have that same concern.” O’Connell said that if the ConCom was to seriously consider purchasing the land, they should do so quickly. �� A Turley Publication • www.turley.com I Thursday, February 9, 2012 PAGE 3 �� •�� •�� •�� Saw Mill Pond Dam’s future still murky By Jennifer Grybowski Turley Publications Reporter -BROOKFIELD- The town has been struggling with its dam issues for more than a year now, and though the town is plugging steadily along trying to fi x them, it looks like there is still a long way to go, and a lot more money to be spent, before it will all be cleared up. The Conservation Commission (Con- Com) and the Board of Selectmen met jointly on Jan. 31 about the Saw Mill Pond Dam, located at the junction of Lake and Rice Corner roads. ConCom member Timothy Simon said the commission is unanimous in two options: One is do nothing with dam and monitor it; the other is fi x the overfl ow pipe only and monitor it. “Do nothing is not an option,” Selectman Rudy Heller said. Heller has been working with the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Offi ce of Dam Safety for over a year now concerning the dam, facilitating the orders mandated by the offi ce, submitting reports as mandated and meeting with various representatives. Board of Selectmen Chair Peter �� O’Connell explained that the Offi ce of Dam Safety is concerned about a 100year fl ood. “They are trying to determine whether the dam will pass the water from a 100-year fl ood from the whole watershed area so the roadway was not washed out as it was in 1938 when there was a similar fl ood event,” O’Connell said. The dam has been evaluated to be a “signifi cant” risk of failure in that 100year fl ood circumstance. ConCom members also talked about breaching the dam. “I can’t see if the state is going to put in money on the bridges in town, how we’re going to get any money to do the repairs,” ConCom member Kenneth Cleveland said. “It’s in pretty bad shape. We think it would be a good idea to let it go back to pasture.” O’Connell made it clear that it’s not really the town’s decision what to do with the dam. “Before we can consider breaching or doing anything to repair that dam, we are now under order by Offi ce of Dam Safety to do a Phase II study,” O’Connell said. “The purpose of that is to make recommendations about repair or breaching See SAW MILL I PAGE 6 � �� MEMBER FDIC MEMBER DIF N. Brookfield · Belchertown · W. Brookfield · Palmer · 866-711-6272 · www.banknbsb.com ��
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