Poignant moments at Bishop Guertin ceremony

SLS_0606_Pmaster Pages 3, 06/06/11 00:52:34LS SUBURBANCYAN YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN 3COLOR▼▼LocalNewsSign of the timesin Tyngsboro/5Raises in Shirley /5THE SUN, LOWELL, MASSACHUSET TSSEE A PHOTO YOU LIKE?Order reprints online atlowellsunphotos.comBy Jocelyn RouseySun CorrespondentWILMINGTON — On acloudless Sunday afternoonin the Wilmington HighSchool football stadium,Town Manager Michael Cairaopted for quoting Yogi Berrarather than Robert Frostwhen addressing the school’s244 graduating seniors.“When you come to a forkin the road, take it,” he said,emphasizing that the pathone chooses in life, whethermore or less traveled, isn’t asimportant as simply enjoyingall that life has to offer.“But come back and be apart of this community thatthinks so much of you,” headded.True to his words, Wilmington’sceremony was asmuch about sending the studentson their way as it wasabout encouraging them toremember and possiblyreturn to their roots.“Find your own uniqueway to contribute to this society,”advised Superintendentof Schools Joanne Benton.GRADUATION 2011Message to Wilmington grads:‘Return to your roots’Please see WILMINGTON/4Wilmington High senior Cody Nilsen performs at commencement.Principal Eric Tracy explained that he gaveNilsen his spot in the ceremony when the studentoffered to write an original song for the occasion.PHOTO BY JOEBROWNPHOTOS.COMPoignant momentsat Bishop Guertin ceremonyMONDAY, JUNE 6, 2011dailyDEALDEALPAGE 3Westford’s Leong sisters workto relieve Mass. tornado victimsBy Robert Millsrmills@lowellsun.comWESTFORD — When a pair of tornadosleft much of Hampden County devastated lastweek, a trio of Westford sisters sprung intoaction, collecting about $1,000 and 500 piecesof clothing and delivering them to tornado victimsin hard-hit Brimfield and Monson.Taylor Leong, 12, Jessica Leong, 10, andMadison Leong, 8, went out after school on Fridayfor about two hours, and went for anotherfew hours on Saturday, going door-to-door inWestford to collect the cash and clothing,according to their mother, Laura Goodman.They didn’t have to make a very hard sell.“We just explained we were trying to collectsome money for the tornado victims, andpeople gave a lot of donations,” Taylor said.Yesterday, Goodman drove the girls toMonson and Brimfield to distribute the cashand clothes.They also took along about 50 toys todonate to children affected by the tornado,Taylor said, but did not hand all of them out,since many kids who live in the area werenot around.Taylor was prepared to see uprooted treesand damaged houses, she said, but not forwhat they ultimately came across.“I didn’t expect (to see) a whole house tocome off its foundation,” she said. “That wasreally surprising.”Taylor first became interested in charitywork when she volunteered on an annualtoy drive known as “For the Love of Erika.”The toy drive is named for Taylor’s bestfriend, Erika Gould, who lost a battle withcancer in 2005.Earlier this year, Taylor was one of 100students nationwide to win the PrudentialSpirit of Community Award for her work on“For the Love of Erika.”Jessica and Madison have also embracedcharity work. This summer, Jessica and herswimming coach are going to offer freeswimming lessons to children in the care ofthe Department of Children and Families.Madison has been collecting used clothing.The sisters are already planning to makeanother trip to Central Massachusetts, theyhope on June 12, and a third trip once reliefagencies have compiled a more complete listof children in need.Anyone interested in making a donationto the girls’ effort should email Laura Goodmanat ljgoodman3@fbcglobal.net.By Jessica K. WilsonSun CorrespondentNASHUA — “Faith, trustand a little bit of fairy dust”is, according to Peter Panand Bishop Guertin HighSchool valedictorianWilliam Morrison, all youneed to fly.Flying, taking chancesand regretting nothing wereMorrison’s prescriptions for“making life meaningful.”Morrison sent off the 213members of the Class of 2011with the challenge to keeptaking risks.“Risks were what madehigh school memorable,” hesaid, “and are what we willPlease see GUERTIN/4By Pierre ComtoisSun CorrespondentGROTON — In his keynoteaddress at the Groton School's126th commencement exercisesyesterday, conflict mediatorthe Rev. Canon Andrew P.B. White said taking risks forothers is “doing the work ofthe Almighty.”“You must achieve the mostin life and you can do that bytaking risks,” said White, asthe sun shone brightly from ablue, cloudless sky while cooltemperatures made for a perfectPrize Day.From left: Abigail Crane, of Pelham, chats with MauraFee, of Nashua, and Marie-Anne Hobeika, of Merrimack,N.H., before the start of Bishop Guertin’s graduationceremony yesterday.SUN / BOB WHITAKERGroton School grads told to take risksPlease see GROTON/4The Groton School Sixth Form processed out of the chapelto be seated for the 2011 Prize Day, led by the Senior ClassPrefects, from left, Adrianna Pulford, Orme Thompson,Hannah Reeve and Ross Julian. NASHOBA PUBLISHING / KAREN RIGGERT52% OFF A UNIQUEFATHER’S DAY ORGRADUATION GIFT IDEA$1752 HOURS IN A SIMULATOR1 HOUR IN A PLANENashua Flight SimulatorNashua, NHavailable only at:SunDailyDeals.combuy today!REG.$ 368You will receive your certificate via email. This newspaper ad is NOT a coupon.1334817Brought to you byLOWELL’S BESTPIZZAPIZZA • SUBS • DINNERSServing The Finest Since 1962978-452-8160220 Central St., Downtown Lowell1291612REMEMBERING LOCAL HISTORY THROUGH THE SUN’S ARCHIVES By Tyler DumontWeek of June 5 to June 1150 YEARS AGO (1961)■ A $4 million fire breaks out at Hartnett Tanning Co. in Ayer,leaving 700 without jobs and 15 families homeless.■ Constance Bruno is crowned Miss Tewksbury.■ The Rev. John B. Finnigan of Nashua is ordained topriesthood.25 YEARS AGO (1986)■ Unemployment rate rises more than half a percentagepoint to 4.6 percent.■ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is released.■ 20-lb. bag of KingsfordCharcoal at Alexander’sSupermarkets: $3.99.10 YEARS AGO(2001)■ Unemployment ratedrops to 5.8 percent.Skakel Kerouac■ Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel found guilty in the 1975murder of his teen neighbor.■ Priest sex abuse is reported to be “off the charts,” withmore than 300 lawsuits in 16 states.■ C-SPAN broadcasts special on Lowell’s Jack Kerouac.

SLS_0606_Pmaster Pages 4, 06/06/11 00:52:35LS SUBURBANCYAN YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN 3COLOR4 MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2011 LOCAL NEWSTHE SUNMany poignant moments atBishop Guertin commencementGUERTIN/From Page 3be remembered for in futureyears.”Morrison, who will startNorthwestern University inthe fall, commended hisclassmates for their achievements,including award-winningconcerts and three consecutiveDivision II statefootball championships.Graduates were surroundedby a packed gymnasiumfull of hundreds of theirparents, relatives and friendsyesterday afternoon.Katie Wong served as themistress of ceremonies. Thehonor is given to the seniorwith the third-highest gradepointaverage.Before the ceremony, PrincipalLinda Brodeur herdedstudents into the field housewith smiles and pats on theshoulder.“Smile, go slow, and leteveryone see your face,” shetold them. “Let your familiesgive you those shout-outs.”Brodeur borrowed from aspeech by Microsoft cofounderBill Gates for herown address, and amongother bits of wisdom, counseledthe graduates to “benice to nerds. Chances areyou’ll end up working forone.”She said that while it isalways hard for her to saygoodbye at commencement,this graduation was specialbecause her son, TylerBrodeur, was among thegraduates.When he accepted hisdiploma, Tyler gave his moma bear hug. The gym wasfilled with a resounding,“Awww!”Salutatorian AshleyMcCoy likened her four yearsat Bishop Guertin to a longcar ride in unknown territory.“Friendship and laughtercomposed the oil I needed toHAVE A GRADUATEIN THE FAMILY?MARK THE OCCASIONWITH A CONGRATULATIONSTO YOURGRADUATE IN OUR.Appearing in The Sun onSUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2011(Deadline: Tuesday, June 21, 2011)Ads will be 6” (2col x 3”) with color • $25.00 ea. add Broadcaster or Valley Dispatch for additional $5 per pub.INCLUDING A PHOTO, PHOTOS WILL BE RETURNED.Appearing in Dispatch & Broadcaster June 24, 2011(Deadline: June 20, 2011)Please call Paula at 978-970-4724 if you have any questionsGRADUATE’S NAME: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..SCHOOL/COLLEGE NAME: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MESSAGE: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mail Form & Payment to:Advertising Dept. - Paula Hammond, 491 Dutton Street, Lowell, MA 01854Name_________________________________________________________________________Address_____________________________________________Phone_____________________My check for _________ is enclosed (Made payable to The Sun)prevent my car’s engine, mybrain, from becoming overwhelmedand exhausted,”she said. “It was a necessityto complete my journey.” Inthe fall, McCoy will attendthe University of Vermont.Among the several awardspresented at the ceremony,Austin Caito received themost prestigious, the All-Guertin Award, and wasrewarded with a standingovation. The award is givenin conjunction with theBoland Scholarship, whichhonors the memory of 1986Bishop Guertin graduateStephen J. Boland, who waskilled when Pan Am Flight103 exploded over Lockerbie,Scotland, in 1988.The award and scholarshipwere presented byBoland’s mother, JaneBoland, and his sister andher daughter, Kelly andEmma Boland Wood.Groton School grads told to take risksGROTON/From Page 3“Today,” began White, “welook at the past, the present,and the future, and thefuture is you.”White warned graduatesabout sitting on their laurels.It was not enough some dayto simply do their jobs whateverthey were, because ifthey did so, they would endup the way most people did.It was the small fractionof people who refused to donothing, he said, who becomethe achievers and gamechangers.“You must be one of the 4percent that count,” Whiteinsisted. “I want you to be the4 percent that make thingshappen.”White, who has receivednumerous internationalawards for his efforts in conflictresolution, mostly inthe Middle East, is currentlyserving in Iraq,where hundreds of his owncongregants have beenkilled as a result of Muslimon-Christianviolence.Nevertheless, he hasrefused to give up on reconciliationbetween the twogroups and has managed tobring Sunnis and Shiitestogether to declare a commonfatwa against such attacks.Calling graduates “greatlyprivileged” and “greatly honored”to have been the beneficiariesof an education at theGroton School, White saidtomorrow was their presentand next week, their future.He assured them thatthey could do great things ifonly they dared take the risk.Earlier in the ceremony,class speaker Matthew Hennrikusreminded his fellowgraduates that while theywere lucky to have had parentswho cared, as well as aGroton School education,they still needed to approachlife with a degree of humilitybecause, ultimately, thatmade them no better thananyone else.“Life and people are complicated,”concluded Hennrikus.“We all make mistakes”and “we never stoplearning.”“We’re all such goodfriends,” said senior prefectHannah Reeve of the Class of2011. “After four yearstogether, we’ve had our upsand downs, but in the end,we’ve remained close.”“I think that like a lot ofgraduating classes, this onehad a lot of energy, enthusiasm,commitment and readinessto take on the next stepin their lives,” said FredBeams, dean of students.“Over the past year, they’vehad a chance to mature, evenfaced with circumstancesthat they had no controlover.”“Still, they don’t takethemselves overly serious,”said Carol Santos, assistanthead of school. “They managedto find ways to havefun, and that helped bringthem closer together as aunit.”Of the 91 students whograduated, most will go on tocollege and one will enter themilitary.Please charge _________ to my VISA / MC / DISC / AMEX (circle one)#_____________________________________ Exp. Date:__________ Sec. Code:______Signature:_____________________________________________________1327895Messages to Wilmington Class of 2011:‘Enjoy life,’ ‘Return to your roots’WILMINGTON/From Page 3“You are graduating in a century still in itsinfancy.”Drawing on Harry Potter author J.K.Rowling, Benton urged the students to takerisks and detours, and to not live so cautiouslythat they might “fail by default.”“Just make sure your journey includesfinding the road back to Wilmington,” Bentonsaid.English teacher Lisa Bellavia, votedteacher of the year by the students, is aWHS graduate who launched her teachingcareer there the same year that the Classof 2011 began attending.“We have climbed this ladder together,”she said in her faculty address. “You knowwho you are and what you want to do, andno one can keep you from doing it.”Yet as hopeful and encouraging as thespeeches were, the highlight of the ceremonycame when Principal Eric Tracy, inlieu of giving a speech himself, insteadturned the floor over to senior CodyNilsen.BISHOP GUERTIN GRADUATESThe following students graduatedfrom Bishop Guertin HighSchool:Chelmsford: ZacharyBaker, Timothy Desrochers,Kathryn DiTullio, MatthewLavallee, Joseph Sousa, RobertVecchione;Dracut: Jessica Stevenson;Groton: George Lavallee,Edward Manzi, Michael Spiritoand Alison Stone;Littleton: Wesley Flanagan,Courtney Cox, Charlotte Mason,Derek Vanthan;Nashua: Audrey Abelleira,Jeffrey Auclair, Brandon Aucoin,Alec Babala, Shayan Banerjee,Evan Bedell, Thomas Bond,Andrew Brink, Matthew Carbonneau,Christian Carpinol, EmilyGROTON SCHOOL GRADUATESThe following studentsgraduated from GrotonSchool:Boxboro: Haley Ladd-Luthringshauser;BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATESThe following graduatedfrom Burlington High School:Chen, Erin Chenette, CourtneyCoffey, Maria DelPizzo, AllisonDonovan, AnirudhDwarakanath, William Earley,Casey Feltham, Jenna Francoeur,Matthew Goddu, DanielleHenrich-Brochu, Allyson Hill,Philip Holton, Sam Howe,Stephanie Joerger, Jack Kelly,Emily Lai, Amanda Lajoie,Christopher Lamb, MichaelLatham, Teresa Li, NicoleLipari, Thomas Long, MeghanMaguire, Patrick McGee,William Moore, Nadia Morris,Taylor Owens, Matthew Paradise,Kenneth Parsons, AnthonyPhillips, Nicholas Phillips, VictorPuksta, Meghan Reilly, KathrynReynolds, Patrick Rhodes, ConnorRiley, Allison Romero,Nicholas Solano, ChristianConcord: Blair Amorello,Hannah Reeve, CharlotteBullard Davies;Dunstable: Ross Julian,Michela Mastrullo;Groton: James Conner,Veronika Rita Abkarian,Leanne Marie Aiello, VictoriaMing Alessi, Kylee Marie Arsenault,Samuel Michael Arsenault,Maria Sophia Asdourian,Daniel V. Ayer, Tyler RichardBaczewski, Samantha RenatéBarr, Micala Rose Baumgartner,Irisa Linette Bedros, StaceyMichelle Bezreh, AakanshaBhalla, Tanishq Bhalla, SarahJessica Boari, Justin JamesBonia, Kristen Marie Borgeson,Samantha Ashley Bourdeau,Lauren Elizabeth Boyle, WilliamBarry Brazil, Samantha LeeBressi, Theo Trey Brierley,Colleen Gayle Brine, AshleyLynne Brouillette, Michael R.Brown, Kailey Marissa Bruno,Megan Elizabeth Burke, EricMatthew Calandriello, MichaelRobert Calder, Sean DanielCallahan, Kaila Marie Camilleri,Joseph Rosario Capua Jr., VictoriaRose Carrabino, SamanthaFaith Caruso, Joseph EdwardCentrella, Maylissa Lydia Charmant,Matthew James Coleman,Cody Joshua Collins, KaylaMarie Coluci, Gina Marie Conti,Christopher R. Cordeiro, Kyle L.Crowley, Devin M. D'Auria,Rachel Jean Daly, Priyanka Deb,Peter Michael DeBarros, IsabellaVieira De Bittencourt, VictoriaChristine DeSantis, Emily RoseDickie, Bianca Marie DiGregorio,Matthew Paul DiMarzio, KianaNoel DiMatteo, Cara ElenaDiPerna, Corinna Rose DiSanto,Taylor M. Doyle, Trevor ThomasDutton;Also, Amber Lea Eisenhauer,William James Ellis, Elena MarieSarah Fallon, Daniel Aizic Feldman,Ron David Feldman, JedBateman Ferguson, GiuliannaSante Maria Viegas Fernandes,Ashley Marie Fitzgerald, NikkiM. Flemming, Michaela Fondini,Geoffrey Ken-Yee Fong, Kevin M.Forde, Nicholas FrederickFrancescucci, Jenna ElizabethFrank, Elizabeth Franson, SabrinaAshley Gafken, MunishMunir Gandevia, Kenneth JosephGanley, Christina Marie Gaudet,Micaela Rae Gelormini, RadoslavP. Genov, Liana Nicole Gerardi,Jessica Marilyn Giannelli,Stephen August Goetz, SamanthaRose Goober, Michelle Kelly Gouveia,Daniel Vincent Grassi,Alexandra Nicole Grasso, JenniferAshley Gregorio, ShanicaRaja Gregory Cox, Michael PaulGrinnell, James J. Haded, KathleenShannon Hagan, Brian SeanHalloran, Jennifer Lin Hamvas,Jodi Hae-Ryun Han, AmandaRose Harrigan, Daniel JosephHarrington, Steven Allan Healey,Alyssa Anne Heisler, Mary JoCatherine Herlihy, Joseph DanielHoffman, April Meredith Hooper,Melissa Claire Hoover, ChristopherMartin Horwitz, KristinFrances Humphreys, Zachary T.Hurynowicz, Renee ElizabethIodice, Christopher David Irwin,Arianne Chalviré Jean-Jacques,Slaïna Dania Jeanty, StephenThomas Jefferson, Jaclyn MarieJensen, Elizabeth Louise Johnson,Mallory Claire Johnson,Rachel Elizabeth Joyce, ErinMargaret Kelley, Fajila G. Khalifa,Maruf M. Khalifa, NazminJamal Khalifa, Tanvi P. Khatri,Sharon J. Kim, Rachel LynKnopp, Stephen CharlesKolifrath, Roshan S. Kumar,Kathryn Taylor Kurtz, CourtneyDoris Lanfranchi, Christopher R.LaRocque, Daniel Dong KeunLee, Oliver Oliveira Lievore,Michelle Priscilla Levesque,Angela Maria Lumenello, RichardAnthony Lunetta, Patrick J.Lydon, Joseph Oreste Magliozzi,Bianca Maya Majumder, ChristineAllie Mannetta, OhanManoukian, Melissa Anne Mantia,Alissa Marie Caroline Mastracci,Daniel J. Matarazzo,Shane Craig Matthews, JillianRose Mazure, Peter AlbertMcAnespie, Megan MicheleMcConnell, Kyle Kevin McCrobie,Fergie T. Medar, Kierstin NicoleMerlino, Zachary James Miliano,Kristina M. Miller, Eric MichaelMinghella, Laurel Anne Moden,Evan Alexander Moore, MichelleStephanie Morgan, Michael J.Morganelli, Kaitlyn MarieMorneweck, Jessica Marie Murray;Others include Eleni AlexandraNacopoulos, Diego GoncalvesNantes, Paul Amaro Neves,James Natale Nichols, JosephJames Nosack, Katherine CullenO'Connor, Shannon Marie O'Doherty,Sean P. O'Neill, AlyssaGrace Osborne, Yasmeen Osman,Connor John Owens, Nicholas A.Paraskevas, Akash Dhiraj Patel,Anuj Bhupendra Patel, KalpitaN. Patel, Krishna Alkesh Patel,Zill Ashvinkumar Patel, CoryTimothy Pease, Marissa D. Pennachio,Rebecca AlisonTracy explained that Nilsen, who playsguitar, had offered to write a song to playat graduation.Nilsen’s musical skills were just “a smallsample of the talent in this class,” Tracysaid.“This was one of the hardest songs I everhad to write,” Nilsen said, taking his placeon stage with his guitar. “I knew I’d have tobe up here in front of all of you.”His song, “Four Years,” is a reflection onhis time in high school and his hopes forthe future.“Here’s to the teachers for putting upwith me,” he sang, getting a chuckle out ofhis audience.“I hope you find happiness in your lives,”he continued, addressing his peers. “I hopeI have the chance to see you again.”At the end of his song, Nilsen received astanding ovation from his teachers and fellowstudents.Wilmington school officials did not meetthe deadline for publication of its list ofgraduates.Steckler, Ashley Thibodeau,Ryan Turner, Stephanie Ura,Wendy Xiao and Brian Yu;Pepperell: Benjamin Aiken,Meghan Brooks, Lisa Buchholz,Harry Carver, Anthony Ciccone,Nicholas Desmond, Scott Dolan,Erik Faxon, Jacob Faxon, RyanFitzpatrick, Kristen Hudak,Jacquelyn Larsson, ChristopherWilson;Townsend: Kevin Smith;Tyngsboro: Kirsta Adie,Nicholas Brugnoli, Patrick Garzon,Gregory Girtatos, PeterHardy, Erin Heckley, EthanMansur, Carly Morin, KaleighSands;Westford: Grace Cunningham,Walter Kell, Colin Magaw,Elizabeth McKenna, ChristopherPettiglio.Jocelyn Hickcox, Julia Metzger,Adrianna Pulford, DanielRodriguez, Ysis Tarter;Nashua: Michael Storace;Shirley: Rebecca Brown;Westford: Meghan Burke.Perdichizzi, Maria Perfetti, DavidMichael Perloff, ChristopherThomas Pessotti, Caroline Peterson,Clifford Pierre-Louis, JuliePomphrett, Gerard Francis PothierIII, Katelyn Francesca Pustizzi,Ryan John Putney, BrittanyRalph, Rafaela GonçalvesRamirez, Jagruti Rana, KennethE. Reis, Lucas Evan Restivo,Danielle Alyssa Reynolds,Dominique Cierra Reynolds, HayleyElizabeth Ridley, Erin KateRielly, Caitlin Emily Riggs, NicoleM. Ritchie, Matthew ClementRizza, Christina Maria Roberto,Catherine A. Roberts, DavidThomas Rocca, Christopher S.Rolli, John Leonard Romano,Stephen John Rosa, Derek JosephRosberg, Jacob Matthew Rosenberg,Shane Patrick Ryan,William Edward Ryan, NikolasAristotle Saledas, Julien Saliba,Linda Maria Samson, JeffreySanjay, Judy Sanjay, DanielRichard Sapossnek, ChelseaMaria Scola, Maleeha MunafShaikh, Rahil Shaikh, RyanMatthew Shea, Jennifer MarySheldon, Paige Alexandra Sheldon,Jenna Celeste Shiebler,Michael Shipka, Andrew J. Silva,James Michael Silva, SamanthaKeisha Simon, Tal Singer, AshleyBrooke Singh, Christyl MarieSkelton, Jason Mathew Smith,Ryan Paul Smith, Sam Solomon,Simi Philip Solomon, KarishmaMukesh Soni, AlexandraGabrielle Sorrentino, KellyFrances Spinali, Briana MarieSqueri, Kyle Kerrigan Stanley,James Daniel Stanton, DarynElizabeth Starkey, Ashley MarieSteadan, Brian Paul Steadman,Taylor Ann Steinberg, KyleEdward Robert Sullivan, SoniaRose Swiszcz, Raghav D. Tanna,Jason R. Tarpey, Kyle ManuelTavares, Daniel Antonio Teo,Christopher James Theriault,Erin Grace Thorstensen, AdamJames Tigges, Katharine NoraTrahan, Katerina Athina Tsingos,Kishan MahendrakumarUghreja, Riza Usta, NicoleMarie Vail, ConstantinosVakalfotis, Michelle Lynn Valerio,Reena Sara Varghese, RyanReilly Vibert, Peter JosephVigneau, James S. Walsh, SheillanneWambui, David A. Whitney,Zachary David Wilkins,Corey Paul Woods, LaurenMarie Woods, Menghan Xu andJoseph Barry Yeadon.

SLS_0606_Pmaster Pages 5, 06/05/11 21:08:15LS SUBURBANCYAN YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN 3COLORTHE SUN LOCAL NEWSMONDAY, JUNE 6, 2011 5SUN/JULIA MALAKIETyngsboro’s only billboard, on Route 3 northbound between Exits 34 and 35, generates$20,000 annually for the town; Town Meeting voters will be asked to give mostof it to the Recreation Department, and the balance to the Senior Center.Recreation, recalls, bluebirds topTyngsboro Town Meeting agendaBy John Collinsjcollins@lowellsun.comTYNGSBORO — Proposals to transferrevenue from the town’s only highway billboardto the Recreation Department andCouncil on Aging, to adopt a recall law toremove elected officials from their posts, andto spend $500 on a bluebird nesting area onScribner Road are three of 34 warrant articlesthat may entice residents to attend thisyear’s annual Town Meeting.Town Meeting begins tomorrow at 7 p.m. inthe Tyngsboro Elementary School Cafetorium.Selectman Bob Jackson said residentswho expressed alarm over what appeared tobe a drastic 75 percent cut in the RecreationDepartment’s annual $20,000 budget shouldbe relieved to read Article 8 on the Town Warrant:“To see if the Town will vote to establisha ‘Billboard Stabilization Fund’ to transfer$20,000 received in Fiscal Year 2011 ... and toappropriate $15,740 (of that amount) to theFY2012 Recreational budget, and $4,620 tothe FY2012 Council on Aging budget.”“If Article 8 is passed, the RecreationDepartment will be funded at, or slightlygreater than, what they requested — it won’tdecrease at all,” Jackson said.The terms of a 10-year, $200,000 deal theBoard of Selectmen struck with developerWalter Erickson in the fall of 2009 called forthe town to receive $20,000 annually fromErickson for 10 years, followed by two percentof the ad revenue the billboard generatesannually thereafter.In exchange, Erickson, a Tyngsboro residentand owner of Applewood Construction,got a variance to erect the 65-foot-high billboardon the seven-acre parcel he ownsbehind Makepeace Road, with 400 feet offrontage along Route 3 northbound, betweenExits 34 and 35.Another warrant item of note, Article 33,calls on residents to adopt a recall law thatwould empower voters to remove elected officialsfrom their posts. The article was addedto the warrant by a petition, submitted byTyngsboro Recreation Director Alison Page.Page said she is not targeting any particularmember of the Board of Selectmen by puttingforth the article.“We need to provide our citizens withsomething like this,” she said. “It was justtime to bring our town bylaws into the 21stcentury.”Selectmen Chairman Rick Reault wasamong 25 residents who signed Page’s petitionto put the recall article before voters.Largely out of respect for lifelong residentLillian Files, 86, who is known as “The BluebirdLady,” town officials have unanimouslyendorsed warrant Article 22: “To see if thetown will vote that $500 will be appropriatedfrom the Community Preservation FundReserve for Open Space for the purpose ofbuilding bluebird houses for the Greene property,to be expended by the Tyngsboro BluebirdSociety.”Wilmington to talk new or rehabbed HSWILMINGTON — Thelast of three public hearingson building a new high schoolor renovating the current oneis scheduled for tomorrow at6:30 p.m. at the WilmingtonHigh School Auditorium.Residents voted last yearto pay $1.125 million for a feasibilitystudy of both options.Previously, residentsheard town officials and projectmanagers from generalcontractors Joslin Lesser &Associates advocate for buildinganew, as the most timeefficientand safest choice.Architects Dore & Whittiersupported new construction,and also presenteddesigns for a revampedschool with additions.Some residents wanted toknow the costs before makinga decision. Town ManagerMichael Caira said cost estimatesshould be availablethis week. —JOYCE TSAIElder LawPROTECT YOURHOME AND ASSETSFROM THE NURSING HOMEAttorney Jeff Higgins specializes inprotecting assets, even if a lovedone is in a Nursing Home.It’s never too late to protect yourassets. Don’t fill out a MedicaidApplication until you talk toAttorney Higgins at 978-256-4704or (c) 978-502-6751Guardianships, Probate, Wills,Trusts, Medicaid Applications,Asset Protection.HIGGINS & GIANINO227 Chelmsford St. Suite BThe Zeus BuildingChelmsford, MA 01824SUN/JOHN COLLINSThis bluebird nesting box is one of 28 atthe home of Lillian Files, known locally asthe Bluebird Lady of Tyngsboro. TownMeeting voters will be asked to spend$500 on dozens of similar boxes for theGreene property on Scribner Road.If the article passes, conservationists willpurchase and install dozens of bluebird boxeson the Greene property, a clear-cut section ofland on Scribner Road near the Dunstableline, about a half-mile north of Files’ ownbluebird-nesting sanctuary at her home.Selectmen said the sanctuary will furtherFiles’ “noble” effort to safeguard the bluebird,which was once threatened by extinction.One major budget line-item on the warrantthat selectmen anticipated would raiseeyebrows asks taxpayers to approve$1,237,875 as the town’s share of fundingGreater Lowell Technical High School for thecoming year.That amount represents an increase of$202,000, or 19 percent more than last year,and was dictated by the state’s preset fundingformula, Jackson said.Residents posting on an online messageboard expressed frustration with the increase,noting the town’s own public school districtbudget increase was held to 2 percent.“Our vocational high school raises theirbudget only by the state minimum; we haveno say as a town,” Jackson said.“I have been meeting with our state senatorand representative on this issue,” he said.“It’s my hope and goal that a more meaningfuland fair cost assessment to the towns andcities will be established through the ongoingdialogue taking place.”1331875Medical Director:Dr. Edward Hatchigian,Deaconess Hospital, BostonLose UpTo 40lbs In40 Days!LUNCHTIMELIPO DISSOLVEA non-invasive, medically supervised non-surgical procedure.Official: Shirley to proposeraises for all nonunion workersBy Katina Caraganiskcaraganis@sentinelandenterprise.comSHIRLEY — The fiscal 2012 budget thatwill be proposed at Town Meeting willinclude 2.5 percent salary increases for allnonunion workers, according to ChiefAdministrative Officer David Berry.Nonunion employees have not gottensalary or step increases in more than threeyears, Berry said. Employees also used toget longevity increases, but that hasn’t happenedin recent years, either, he said.The budget has $53,000 set aside for allnonunion raises, according to SelectmanDavid Swain. He called the raises “necessary.”Voters will also be asked to approve adebt exclusion at Town Meeting tonight,Berry said.“Everybody has sacrificed the past fewyears,” Berry said. “What we’re proposingthis year is they do an increase in salariesbut no steps.”“It’s basically just a small cost-of-livingraise,” he said. “The salary increases areincluded in the budget even without the debtNEIGHBORHOOD SCENEHCG DietNo side effects • No hungerFast & SafeTHE ULTIMATEFAT BURNING DIET!FREECONSULTATIONBring in thiscoupon for aFREE consultationon any treatment.Expires 7/10/1163 Park Street Village • Andover, MA978.475.7700www.weightlossandaesthetics.com1334931DRAWDRAWYOUR DADFor Father’s DayThis page will run on Sunday, June 19thWhat does your Dad look like? Draw his face and send it to The Sun. You candraw your Grandfather, Uncle, Brother, or anyone who is like a Dad to you.Glen HammondTyler, Age 13 • Lowell, MADad your my Hero!Love Tyler(Important: Use medium black pen only for quality reproduction)Dad or other’s name ___________________________________City they live in ________________________________________Your name _________________________________ Age ______Message for Dad ____________________________________________________________________________________________Your address __________________________________________City ______________________ State _______ Zip ____________Your daytime phone #__________________________________Method of Payment:exclusion.”Berry expressed concern that if raises arenot given this year, employees will look elsewherefor jobs.“What we’re afraid will happen if we don’tdo any sort of salary increase,” he said, “ispeople will start leaving.”“The economy is bad,” he said. “I think alot of people are happy to have jobs, butmany people over the last three years havehad some increases. Few people have had togo without increases.”Also, town workers’ contribution to theirhealth insurance has increased 5 percent inrecent years, from 20 percent to 25 percent,Berry noted.“There is a very strong feeling amongeveryone in town that we need to try andprovide some cost-of-living increase — evenif it’s minimal — to the employees, whetheror not we get the exclusion,” Berry said.“The morale of the town is very low,” hesaid. “It was very low when I got here, butit’s even lower now. We’ve identified somepositions that we need to get rid of, whichdoesn’t help.”Pawtucketville to hear about crime, artsLOWELL — The Pawtucketville CitizensCouncil will meet tonight at the WangMiddle School on West Meadow Road at 7 p.m.Police Capt. Kelly Richardson will be onhand to discuss crime and safety issues. Thisyear’s recipient of the PCC’s scholarship willalso be announced.Also, Emily Wiseheart of the LowellMemorial Auditorium will give a presentationon the venue’s 2011-12 season; andLydia Sisson and Barbara Warren will discussthe Community Team Work NeighborhoodFocus Group Survey.In other neighborhood group activity thisweek, the Acre Coalition to Improve OurNeighborhood, ACTION will meetWednesday at 6 p.m. at Club Passe-Temps,371 Moody St.Tewksburytown charterdiscussionsto continueTEWKSBURY — A thirdpublic hearing seeking residents’feedback on somehuge changes to town governmentand the town charteris scheduled for tomorrowat 7 p.m. at Town Hall.Questions on the agendaof the Special Act CharterCommittee meeting include:• Should Tewksburychange from an open townmeetingform of governmentto a town council of five orseven councilors, or shouldit adopt a representativetown government?• Are there some electedoffices, like town clerk, thatshould be appointed instead?• And, when shouldannual elections be held:every April, as they havetraditionally, or in November,when the state can helppick up some of the costs?This public hearing isalso the only one of theseries of four that will betelevised.Town officials calledattendance somewhat lackingat the first two meetings,but expressed hopethat more residents willattend this time around.—JOYCE TSAIWiseheart, continuing her rounds of thecity, will give the Lowell Memorial Auditoriumpresentation. The group will also discussthe recent revitalization of the NorthCommon Amphitheater.Also, the Lower Highlands NeighborhoodGroup will participate in a cleanup ofthe School Street Cemetery, the city’s oldestpublic burial ground, on Saturday, from 9a.m. to noon.Participants are asked to bring sunscreen,work gloves, shovels and any gardening toolsthey may have. Kim Zunino of the LowellHistoric Board will give tours of the site.For more information, contact Zunino at978-446-7200, ext. 1444; or Taya Dixon Mullane,Lower Highlands NeighborhoodGroup, at lowerhighlands01851@gmail.com.Check___ MC___ Visa___American Express___Discover___Money Order____#____________-____________-____________-____________Expiration date: ________________________________________Signature _____________________________________________Send to:Deadline for your drawing isThrusday, June 15thPublishes Sunday, June 19, 2011Only $ 25.00Examples and actualsize of ad.Lowell SunDraw Your Dad,Paula Hammond491 Dutton St., Lowell, MA 018521329758