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PAGE 6 A Turley Publication • www.turley.com I Thursday, February 9, 2012 Who said town reports are boring? Brookfi eld honored by MMA for robust publication By Jennifer Grybowski Turley Publications Reporter -BROOKFIELD- In a great example of town offi cials working together for the common good, the town of Brookfi eld was recently recognized with an award certifi cate for placing fi rst in the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s (MMA) Annual Town Report Contest, in the 4,999 and under population category. Selectman Rudy Heller accepted the award during the MMA’s 2012 Annual Meeting and Trade Show at the Hynes Convention Center and Boston Sheraton Hotel Jan. 21. According to the MMA, “Town reports serve to communicate important information to town residents, and to promote an understanding of and involvement in local government.” Brookfi eld’s Annual Town Report is a compilation of reports submitted by the leaders of various departments, boards and committees in town. Board of Selectmen Administrative Assistant Donna Neylon compiles these reports to create the fi nal product. “I would like to point out that the bulk of the work done for this annual report, and every year, was done by Donna Neylon’s exemplary work,” Heller said. “Were it not for her effort, this would not have happened.” The judge for the contest was Janet Wilkinson, director of the executive program, offi ce of executive education at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. She is also a former member of the Littleton Board of Selectmen. “I think that Brookfi eld’s town report is an excellent model for other communities as one of the best ways to display large amounts of often dry information to a community in a manner that makes it easily readable and useful,” Wilkinson said. Judging criteria include attractiveness of the report cover and layout, material arrangement, presentation of statistics and data, summary of the year’s achievements, evidence of local planning for the future and the report’s practical utility. Wilkinson said the fi rst thing she noticed about Brookfi eld’s report was the cover. “It clearly shows a pride in the histo- DONORS I FROM PAGE 5 viduals and businesses throughout the area participate without any public knowledge or fanfare and are greatly appreciated by our club. We have included a list of many of our supporters and we hope that we have not missed any as they are all equally important. We hope to see everyone at next year’s event. Ice conditions will be great and we can once again have a successful derby. Rich Kennan Brookfi elds’ Lions Club Contributors who gave donations or sold tickets: D&G Bait & Tackle – Leicester Hillside Bait & Tackle – Webster Wickaboag Valley Bait & Tackle – W. Brookfi eld Marier’s – Palmer Bob’s Deli – N. Brookfi eld Pops – Charlton K&S – Barre R&R Sports Shop – Belchertown Granby Bait Shop – Granby Whistle Stop Restaurant – Gilbertvile Fisherman’s Cove – E. Brookfi eld Klem’s – Spencer Lamoureux Ford – E. Brookfi eld Herrick & Sons - N. Brookfi eld Steve’s Collision Center – Sturbridge Barnes Sanitation – E. Brookfi eld Ware Radio TURLEY PUBLICATIONS PHOTO BY JENNIFER GRYBOWSKI The poster of winners at the MMA’s Annual Meeting and Trade Show. ry of the town,” she said. “Adding to the sense of history was the dedication to a resident at the beginning and to those who had been lost in the past year. As an outsider, it immediately gave me an understanding of what is important to Brookfi eld.” She said she also liked the overall look of the report. “There were also pictures scattered throughout to break up what is often monotonous reading,” Wilkinson said. “Someone clearly spent a lot of time fi nding appropriate pictures and clip art to help the reader easily identify sections. The layout was also easily readable with the use of multiple columns and a serif font.” But it wasn’t just the looks Wilkinson was impressed with. “Each department presented a clear and concise report about its recent activities,” she said. “The sections were brief and provided only the content necessary to inform the reader. One thing that I fi nd particularly important is evidence of a focus on the future. I found that in the report, especially the work on the Master Plan. Many communities forget to not only report the past, but the very important plans for the town’s growth and development.” Transparency, Wilkinson said, was another sticking point for her. “The fi nancial reporting was clear and concise,” she said. “Residents of See TOWN REPORT I PAGE 15 BROOKFIELD - Bonnie Keefe- Layden, chief executive offi cer of Rehabilitative Resources, Inc. (RRI), last week presented Rick and Dick Hoyt, and their Hoyt Foundation, with a “Certifi cate of Appreciation” for their continued support of the Elm Hill Center in Brookfi eld. The Hoyts, who together have completed nearly 70 marathons, including 29 Boston Marathons, were the guests of honor at the Blanchard Means Foundation annual gala, which was held on Jan. 19 at Elm Hill Center. Established in 1989, the Hoyt Foundation aspires to build the individual character, self-confi dence and self-esteem of America’s disabled young people through inclusion in all facets of daily life, including family and community activities, especially sports, at home, in schools and in the workplace. SAWMILL I FROM PAGE 3 and steps required to do that. Any action on our part has to wait for a recommendation on that report.” The town has prepared a Request For Proposals (RFP) to select an engineer to do watershed mapping and study and to present to the town three possible solutions to the problems that have already been identifi ed, and recommend a preferred solution and cost of implementation. Phase II analysis includes subsurface investigations, topographic study, stability and seepage analysis, up/downstream slopes, internal materials/erosion potential and spillway inadequacy solutions. O’Connell said that within those alternatives, one of them will be breaching the dam and the steps required by DEP to breach a dam. “You can’t just breach a dam,’ O’Connell said. Currently, the town has until March 11 to notify the Offi ce of Dam Safety who they have selected to complete Phase II of the project, and work must begin by March 25. But because the town has no money allocated for Phase II, which is expected to cost about $40,000, Administrative Assistant Donna Neylon, who serves as the town’s chief procurement offi cer, said she was concerned about putting out a Request for Proposals (RFP) without any authorization to pay for it. “We may not get as many bidders,” she said. So at their meeting Jan. 31, the board voted to request an extension on those deadlines until July 1, so that the town could secure authorization for the project at the Annual Town Meeting. That way, the RFP can be put out in mid-March or early April and bids can be in TURLEY PUBLICATIONS COURTESY PHOTOS Bonnie Keefe-Layden, chief executive offi cer of Rehabilitative Resources, Inc., presents a Certifi cate of Appreciation to Rick and Dick Hoyt of the Hoyt Foundation for the continue support of programs at the Elm Hill Center in Brookfi eld. The presentation was made during the Blanchard Means Foundation annual gala at the Elm Hill Center on Jan. 19. The Blanchard Means Foundation is the charitable arm of Elm Hill Center. RRI honors Hoyts’ charitable giving NORTH BROOKFIELD – NB Destination Imagination Team Blanket Program is a project to collect and donate quilts and blankets to programs for individuals without stable housing around Massachusetts. The team is trying to collect at least one hundred quilts and blankets to donate. We will be collecting blankets to donate at the end of February, but will keep the do- Last year, the Hoyt Foundation donated $50,000 to the Blanchard Means Foundation, the charitable arm of the Elm Hill Center. The funds were mainly used for the restoration of mansion on the grounds of the farm. RRI, one of the largest providers of supports and services for people living with developmental disabilities in Central Massachusetts, oversees operations at Elm Hill, and is committed to providing inclusive programs for all people, including those with special needs. This is done through hands-on activities, including horticulture, horsemanship and a petting zoo. Animals have proven to be highly effective in helping with the treatment for people living with developmental disabilities, particularly the stimulus that occurs when petting animals. High school sponsoring blanket collection for needy families nations going as long as we keep getting them. Blanket or monetary donations of any kind and size are extremely helpful. Donations can be sent to the North Brookfi eld High School at 10 New School Drive, North Brookfi eld MA 01535 c/o Principal Robin Whitney. Any questions can be e-mailed to rwhitney@nbschools.org or called to 508-867-7131. hand at the Annual Town Meeting and the contract can be awarded immediately. “We’re drafting an RFP, we’ve done the authorized inspection, we’re clearly intending to follow the process,” O’Connell said. After that, the town has one year to complete whatever is recommended be done in the Phase II study. The town completed Phase I of the project in late 2010, at a cost of $4,000. Phase I projections for the entire cost of the project ranged from $250,000 to $600,000. “It’s a big order we have to do this,” Heller said. The ConCom assured selectmen they were on board with the project and would help out in whatever ways possible. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast to be held Feb. 21 BROOKFIELD – The Brookfi eld Congregational Church invites the public to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. The event will include a traditional Mardi Gras King Cake, and the children will be hiding the “alleluias” until Easter Sunday. On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the beginning of Lent will be highlighted by the Ash Wednesday Worship Service at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. The service will include special music, a Lenten message, intinction of ashes and Holy Communion. All are invited to join with us as we begin this holy season.
Michael White Local author Michael White returns LUDLOW – New York Times notable author, Michael White, will be the featured speaker at the Feb. 13 dinner meeting of the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley at the Ludlow Country Club at 5:30 p.m. He will share his experience on researching and writing “Beautiful Assassin” - a breathtaking tale of love, loyalty, and intrigue set in the early days of World War II. As the beleaguered Soviets struggle to hold back the rising German tide at Sevastopol, a fearless female sniper inspires hope during her nation’s darkest hour. Word of the extraordinary Soviet heroine, Tat’yana Levchenko, reaches American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who invites the beautiful assassin to tour the United States with her. For the Russians, Tat’yana’s visit is an opportunity to gain support and valuable U.S. intelligence. But Tat’yana knows she is a pawn in a deadly game of treachery and deceit, forced to question the motivations of everyone around her . . . even the dashing and sympathetic American captain assigned as her translator. And then, as suddenly as she rose to international fame, Tat’yana vanishes without a trace. Michael joined us in 2011 to talk about his novel the “Soul Catcher”. He was a most interesting and entertaining speaker. Guests are welcome. RSVP by email to info@zontaqv.org. Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley assists women veterans to transition from active duty to independent lives. AMHERST/OAKHAM AUTO RECYCLING, INC. USED AUTO PARTS *91 Day Guarantee* ] Junk Car Removal r Free Parts, Locating Service i SAVE BIG! q SAVE 50% OVER RETAIL at Coldbrook Road Off 122 In Oakham 882-5241 1-800-992-0441 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. Wales Irish Pub Music 8-12 pm F RIDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH “THE KINGS” F RIDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH “RT 66” CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK! 413-245-9730 16 Holland Road, Wales, MA SPECIAL OFFER A Turley Publication • www.turley.com I Thursday, February 9, 2012 PAGE 7 Residents won’t gamble on future of town Some Brimfi elders unite to preserve town’s character By Emily Thurlow Staff Writer – BRIMFIELD – As the details are slowly released by a developer working in concert with Palmer Paving CEO David Callahan regarding a potential casino in town, some residents of the town have begun to come together, under the name, “Preserve Brimfi eld,” to do their own research and document the effects such a project could have on the community. “How can you decide something if you don’t know the facts?” said member Sharon Palmer. Member Paul Adams said that he had gathered together in recent weeks with other members from “No Brimfi eld Wind” because they had similar concerns with this development as they did when a proposed wind farm was rejected in recent years. But that has in turn brought additional members that weren’t associated with that mission. “What we aim to do is lay out the facts for the town, so that we can all make a more informed decision,” he said. But he said unlike many of the members of “No Brimfi eld Wind,” there isn’t that same “overwhelming opposed response. “It isn’t at the same level as it was then. People are more willing to consider this initiative,” he said. “But what’s different is that this initiative will have a much greater effect on the town. So we will be doing our homework for the town to quantify the effects.” Adams, like other members of the group – which is currently around 75 – said that he moved to the town to be “away from development.” “We have a responsibility to the town and future generations to consider when ultimately deciding if this development is ‘good for the town,’” said Palmer. “As residents, we’re stewards to the town, and we have a responsibility to take care of not only what we want now, but what we want for our future.” Both Palmer and Adams agreed that the annual Brimfi eld Antiques Show and Flea Market is something that has actually prevented development along Route 20 and has kept the space open. Although the group has no plans to create titles or offi cers, through discussions, each member will conduct research TURLEY PUBLICATIONS STAFF PHOTO BY EMILY THURLOW Paul Adams, David Carpenter, Sharon Palmer and Rob Mahlert are a few of the members in the newly formed organization “Preserve Brimfi eld,” whose made it their mission to document the effects that a casino will have on the town. in each of the areas that each individual feels strongest in; for example, member David Carpenter said that he has a fi nancial background and will provide a personal analysis in this area. “Personally I can’t just say that I’ll let another committee do all the work,” said Palmer, referring to the recently reconvened Brimfi eld Casino Study Committee charged with reviewing impacts for the board of selectmen. She added that some areas may overlap the research that’s being conducted by that board, but they may also fi nd things that others miss and they plan to present their fi ndings publicly. “We’re going to look at the facts much like we did with No Brimfi eld Wind,” said member Robert Mahlert. “Is this good for us? What will we lose in our way of life that we love about Brimfi eld?” Mahlert said that he and his wife had moved to town because his wife is a teacher “with a great school” and a “safe community” that he would like to see stay the same. “If Brimfi eld has to grow and change, then we want to be the managers of that, so that we keep the rural character of this town,” said Adams. He also noted that while developers continue to call the Brimfi eld project “small” compared to other neighboring developments in Connecticut, this “small” structure “will be the size of the town with employees alone. “This will be a town within a town,” he said. “Can that happen without making drastic changes to the town?” He said that at this point in the game, he’s personally “open-mindedly skeptical” 13 Month CD 22 Month CD www.saversbank.com 1-800-649-3036 Southbridge / Uxbridge / Auburn / Grafton / Charlton / Sturbridge *APY (Annual Percentage Yield) effective January 7, 2012 and is subject to change without notice. Minimum of $2,500 to open and earn APY. This is a limited time offer and may be withdrawn at any time. Substantial penalties for early withdrawal. Term of certificate is either 13 or 22 months. Member FDIC / Member SIF / Equal Housing Lender and that the group hasn’t offi cially taken a “pro” or “against” stance on whether they want a casino or not and are merely in the studying stage. “Some of our members are inclined to support and some are inclined to object,” said Adams. “But until we learn more about the impacts and hear the specifi c details from the developer, we are united in preserving the town’s unique rural character.” The group as a whole wanted to be clear that they are in no way associated with the group that is sending out slanderous mailings that several residents of the town keep getting. “We are not hiding behind anonymity. We are open and transparent with what we’re doing,” said Adams. Carpenter, who travels a lot for his career, said that he looks forward to the quietness after long trips. “Sometimes after traveling a lot when I arrive home, I get out of my car and I just stand there, in the dark, and listen,” he said. “Do you know what I hear? Nothing. That quiet and calm is one of the reasons that makes me glad to say, ‘I live here.’” He said that watching 250 residents stand up against the No Brimfi eld Wind and talk about how much they love the town makes him believe that many feel similar to how he does. “We hope that developers don’t underestimate the level of passion, love and protectiveness that residents have for this town,” said Adams. For more information about Preserve Brimfi eld, contact the group on their website www.preservebrimfi eld.org or visit their Facebook page Preserve Brimfi eld. 0.85 % APY* 1.20 % APY* Offer also available for IRA contributions.
Page 1 and 2: The ONLY local coverage in Brookfie
Page 3 and 4: ConCom eyes Cooley Hill Reservoir s
Page 5: Letters to the Editor Generous dono
Page 9 and 10: ki tower mpse n history e chance to
Page 11 and 12: WCES Teacher of the Week Karen Bys
Page 13 and 14: TURLEY PUBLICATIONS PHOTO BY JENNIF
Page 15 and 16: TOWN REPORT I FROM PAGE 6 Brookfi e
Page 17 and 18: Your BUYLINE CONNECTION DON’T BUY
Page 19 and 20: Spencer K of C sponsors youth free
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Page 23 and 24: Brookfi eld Police Logs • • •
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