September 20, 2012 pdf edition - Quaboag Current

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PAGE 4 A Turley Publication • www.turley.com I Thursday, September 20, 2012 - opinion - editorial The watershed belongs to all of us It’s important to note that as the Quaboag Quacumquasit Lake Association moves forward with its welcomed campaign to reduce point-source pollution on North and South ponds by targeting Spencer’s Waste Water Treatment Plant, all of us will still have to play an important role in improving the quality of this critical Seven Mile River Watershed. It is well documented that effl uent fl owing into North Pond is the direct result of Spencer’s plant not being able to handle the incoming load during some storm events. Thus, plant runoff nutrient fl ows are negatively affecting both water bodies by feeding the creation of algae blooms and invasive species of plants and weeds. North Pond has been considered endangered for almost 10 years now by the state. On the surface level, the simple fact is the Department of Environmental Protection and federal Environmental Protection Agency absolutely need to set more stringent discharge requirements for Spencer’s plant, which is thankfully in the works. While we understand that upgrades to the plant could amount to millions of dollars, Spencer could potentially fi nd alternative solutions like Ware with its major commercial and industrial employers in town. Ware voters recently approved a measure to upgrade its aging sewerage plant by partnering with the town’s largest employer and major wastewater discharger, Kanzaki Specialty Papers, which kicked in millions of its own to help that effort. Beyond the Spencer plant’s own needs to upgrade and come in to compliance with a forthcoming new DEP permit review process, we need to recognize that nutrients come from other places as well, including the impact of boaters on these at-risk water bodies. Both North and South ponds are well-used fi shing and boating hot spots. And the summer cottages that line their shorelines are mostly on private septic systems, which can and do fail from time to time. You also have to factor in other non-point source pollution areas such as local and state road runoff, abutting farms rich in fi eld nutrients, and even the chemicals people dump on their lawns. All of this adds up to a process known as eutrophication, the most pervasive of water quality problems in ponds and lakes. Not surprisingly, we are directly responsible for two additional stresses on lakes: overuse and invasive species. Quabbin Reservoir did itself a huge favor a few years ago in limiting boating activity in critically sensitive areas and requiring licensed fi sherman to clean the bottom of their watercrafts before fl oating on the reservoir. The reservoir also now rents boats that are clean to avoid the threat of introducing invasive species. Many invasive plants, such as watermilfoil, spread by attaching to boat motors and trailers. Neither North nor South ponds have the resources to institute a boat monitoring system or bring every failed private septic system into compliance. However, it’s no secret that motorboats operating in shallow water stir up bottom sediments. This resuspends sediments, and releases nutrients back into the water. So boats and jet skis are external factors infl uencing the end game of the upstream nutrient release problem at the plant. If Spencer is going to have to upgrade its plant discharge protocols - and it absolutely should - we all need to upgrade our thinking about what impacts our local ponds in terms of recreational and living conditions. It’s all connected, but the watershed’s major source of lake pollution at the Spencer plant must be solved before the in-lake problems can even be addressed through possible dredging and chemical treatments. Letter to the Editor With heartfelt gratitude TO THE EDITOR: Again and again Hannaford Supermarket proves their commitment to the community; this summer they sponsored the 3rd annual Hearts for Heat Cookout to benefi t North Brookfi eld’s emergency fuel assistance program. Under the direction of store manager Dianne Lincoln, several staff donated their time to set up the tent, cook the dogs, and help make the fundraiser a huge success. Hannaford’s also provided a $50 gift basket of Inspiration products for the popular raffl e. The store’s contribution goes a long way in helping Things that gardeners can do to reduce mosquito exposure By Roberta McQuaid Columnist I spent some time this past week completing a research project on mosquitoes: their life cycles, habits and most importantly, their ability to transmit disease. Most of what I gleaned was incredibly interesting, and pertinent to those of us who enjoy outdoor activities, especially gardening. Let’s read on to learn what we can do to reduce our exposure to these potentially dangerous pests. In an effort to avoid the heat of the sun, I prefer to garden at dawn or dusk. Unfortunately, many mosquito species are on the prowl then. Researchers report that a good portion of them are drawn to dark colors. For that reason wear light-colored, loose-fi tting clothes when working in the garden. Long sleeves and long pants are a must. Use DEET or other repellents registered for mosquitos sparingly on all exposed areas of the body, avoiding the eyes and mouth, wounds and skin irritations. Follow the directions on the can especially when using on children. Women that are pregnant or nursing should avoid the product altogether. Also note how long protection will last based on the concentration you have chosen. Wash off the repellent once you come indoors. Over the years there have been many claims regarding certain scents or products that when used either cause us to be more or less attractive to mosquitoes. Garlic may repel vampires, but as far as mosquitoes go, the proof was not there. Folks that consumed alcohol, on the other hand, were indeed more appealing - as were those that ate limburger cheese. Mosquitoes are naturally drawn to fl oral scents - they consume plant nectar for food, but it is unproven whether scented shampoos or aftershaves and the like will cause you to be bitten more than your unscented counterpart. We can reduce mosquito populations in our home landscape quite easily by simply getting rid of anything that pools water for more than a few days. Why? Because the mosquito is dependent on water for its various life stages. After reading this, I assessed my own yard. The old galvanized wash tub that was never used as a planter had several inches of water in it, and some mosquito larvae to boot. I dumped it out. The over-turned kid’s pool had also accumulated water. It’s time to defl ate it and put it away for the season. What does your fi ll an all important fuel disbursement during the cold winter months. 100% of the proceeds from this event will be used to provide heat (oil, natural gas, propane, pellets, cordwood, or electricity) to qualifi ed North Brookfi eld residents during the 2013 heating season. Hearts for Heat cannot thank Hannaford enough. Without their assistance with most every endeavor, our organization would be unable to help as many families. With heartfelt gratitude. Sue Lewandowski NB Hearts for Heat Founder and President yard contain? Buckets, tarps, plant saucers, neglected bird baths or other garden accents can all trap water. Double check your gutters, and clean them if necessary. Many of you will wonder: will my water garden breed mosquitoes? You will likely not have a problem if your water feature contains fi sh - they eat mosquito larvae. There is also some research that suggests small bodies of water draw dragonfl ies and damselfl ies. Both eat adult mosquitoes and dragonfl y larvae consume mosquito larvae as well. Bats and purple martins also have the reputation for eating large quantities of mosquitoes, but from my research I learned that in natural settings both are opportunistic feeders and all in all eat a variety of insects, a small percentage of them being mosquitoes. As homeowners, we should keep our lawns clipped to within 4 inches to remove resting grounds for mosquitoes, as well as reduce weedy vegetation from up against the house. Repair broken window screens as needed. Researchers are skeptical about bug zappers and ultrasonic devices; traps offer more hope, not as a sole means of control but for use in conjunction with other methods. For more information consult the American Mosquito Control Association at www.mosquito.org. This newspaper is published every Friday by Turley Publications, Inc., 24 Water St., Palmer, Mass. 01069. Telephone (413) 283-8393, Fax (413) 289-1977. PATRICK H. TURLEY Publisher KEITH TURLEY Executive Vice President DOUGLAS L. TURLEY Vice President of Publications EDITOR Tim Kane ADVERTISING SALES Jacky Haesaert, Tim Mara and Jeanne Bonsall SPORTS EDITOR Dave Forbes SOCIAL MEDIA @QuaboagCurrent TownCommonNewspapers WEB www.quaboagcurrent.com www.tantasquatowncommon.com www.turley.com Turley Publications, Inc. cannot assume liability for the loss of photographs or other materials submitted for publication. Materials will not be returned except upon specific request when submitted. OPINION PAGE/ LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should be 250 words or less in length, and guest columns between 500 and 800 words. No unsigned or anonymous opinions will be published. We require that the person submitting the opinion also include his or her town of residence and home telephone number. We authenticate authorship prior to publication. We reserve the right to edit or withhold any submissions deemed to be libelous, unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks, or defamation of character. Send opinions to: Letters to the Editor, 80 Main Street, Ware, MA 01082 OR e-mail to tkane@turley.com. Deadline for submission is Monday at noon for the following week’s edition.
Council On Aging Notebook Brookfi eld Council on Aging News BROOKFIELD - Brown Bag Lunch for Brookfi eld seniors are invited to a brown bag luncheon at the Brookfi eld Congregational Church Tuesday, October 9 at 11:30 a.m. Cake will be served to celebrate October birthdays. The Medi Car service is available for a ride to Doctors appointments, call West Brookfi eld 508-867-1407. There is a need for drivers for this service, please call West Brookfi eld Senior Center if you are interested. Tai Chi still continues Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. in the Banquet Hall of the Brookfi eld Town Hall. If you wish to participate in the Foot Clinics with Dr. Quigley at the Brookfi eld Town Hall, please call Rikki La- Monda at 508-867-4578 for an appointment, please leave a message with your telephone number, she will get back to you. Due to the popularity of this service drop ins are not allowed. The Council on Aging has purchased a laptop, which is available at the Merrick Public Library and may be used by seniors on Wednesdays from 2- 4 p.m. if you desire to learn about a laptop. Medicare’s open enrollment period is October 15 to December 7. SHINE services are available at the West Brookfi eld Senior Center, call 508-867-1407 for an PUBLIC MEETINGS BROOKFIELD STURBRIDGE • No meetings posted online Tuesday, Sept. 25 as of press time. • Cable Advisory Committee, 4:30 p.m. EAST BROOKFIELD Monday, Sept. 24 • Board of Assessors, 6:30 p.m. • Board of Selectmen, 7 p.m. • Historical Commission, 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26 • Council on Aging, 3:30 p.m. • Sign Subcommittee, 4:30 p.m. • Planning Board, 6:30 p.m. • Recreational Trail Master Plan Committee, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26 • Zoning Board of Appeals Work Session, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27 • PLAC, 6:30 p.m. • Friday, Sept. 28 NEW BRAINTREE Monday, Sept. 24 • Meet the Selectmen, 9:30 a.m. • Board of Selectmen, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26 • Library Trustees, 6 p.m. WARREN • No meetings posted online as of press time. NORTH BROOKFIELD Tuesday, Sept. 25 • Board of Selectmen, 7 p.m. • Conservation Commission, 7 p.m. CALENDAR I FROM PAGE 2 THE BROOKFIELD GARDEN CLUB will be hosting Heather Bednarz from the Hardwick Farmers’ Coop on Sunday Sept. 23 for a program on bulbs. The program is everything you need to know about the “Care and Planting of Bulbs” and will be held at the Brookfi eld Congregational Church at 3 p.m. The program is open to the public free of charge. Please come and join us. THE WEST BROOKFIELD FARMERS MARKET will be hosting Rich Giordano, of All Hill farm, on Sept. 26 for a talk on seed-saving tips and strategies. The talk will begin at 3:30 p.m. NORTH BROOKFIELD GIRL SCOUT NIGHT Wednesday, Sept. 26 at North Brookfi eld Elementary School, 10 New School Drive, from 6-8 p.m. For more info contact Dawn at dawnlewis867@verizon.net. HIKE MONUMENT MT. IN SEPTEMBER? Explore Herkimer Diamond Mine in October? Camp on the Brimfi eld Town Common to raise food in November? Go on a Sky Adventure at Camp Wansocksett, NH in December? Come join Girl Scout Troop 7 on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at the Brimfi eld Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. for an open house to learn more. UPCOMING WEST BROOKFIELD • No meetings posted online as of press time. BROOKFIELD RESIDENTS may bring Household Hazardous Waste/ products to North Brookfi eld on Sept. 29 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. This service is provided as a free service to Brookfi eld residents as part of Brookfi eld’s participation in the Regional Household Hazardous Waste Coalition made up of the Brookfi elds and Spencer. Brookfi eld BOH pays for this out of our budget every year. The more participation we get the lower the price to all the towns. THE HAYLOFT STEPPERS SQUARE DANCE CLUB is holding a “Getting Cooler” dance on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 8 to 10:30 p.m. (Early rounds at 7:30 p.m.). The caller is Evan Pauley and the cuer is Jo Yakimowski. Admission is $7 per person. The club is located at 232 Podunk Road in Sturbridge. For information on our next beginner class, call Moe at (508) 867-8036 or Al at (413) 436-7849 or visit our website www.hayloftsteppers.org appointment. The next Council on Aging meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. in the kitchen of the Brookfi eld Town Hall. All are invited to attend! Warren Senior Center Menu Monday, Sept. 24 Janik Keilbasa, Potato Casserole, Vegetables, Rye Bread Tuesday, Sept. 25 Garden Salad, American Chop Suey, Garlic bread Wednesday, Sept. 26 Chicken Soup, Chicken Patty w/ Rolls, Pasta Salad Thursday, Sept. 27 Birthday Party: Roast Beef, Mashed Potato, Vegetables, Rolls, Cake, Ice Cream. Only $6. Entertainment by Vic & Stick. Sign Up Required Friday, Sept. 28 Chef’s Surprise Thursday, Sept. 27 11 a.m. Spencer Savings Bank and Police Chief Bruce Spiewakowski present “Avoiding Scams.” Birthday party will follow presentation. West Brookfi eld COA Menu Monday, Sept. 24 Beef & Cabbage Casserole, Spinach, Carrots, Mixed Fruit A Turley Publication • www.turley.com I Thursday, September 20, 2012 PAGE 5 Buying a local home? Get a local mortgage. *For a limited time, we'll even cover up to $350 Tuesday, Sept. 25 Salmon Boat w/ Dill Sauce, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Peas & Onions, Birthday Cake (plain cake) Wednesday, Sept. 26 Baked Chicken, Herb Broth Couscous, Winter Mix Vegetables, Cantaloupe Thursday, Sept. 27 Italian Braised Beef, Egg Noodles, Broccoli, Bread Pudding Friday, Sept. 28 Pork Stir Fry, Brown Rice, Brussels Sprouts, Peaches West Brookfi eld COA Calendar Monday, Sept. 24 9:15 Cribbage 11 a.m. Chair Exercise 11:30 Lunch Tuesday, Sept. 25 Beginning 10 a.m. Fall Fest – All Day Fun. Box Lunch sign-up (508) 867-1407. Suggested donation of $2 for Turkey Salad Sandwich, Soup de Jour, etc. 12:30 p.m. Game Show Mania w/ host Brian Rutherford 5 p.m. Ham Dinner w/ advance ticket only! $10 – Entertainment vocalist David Colucci Wednesday, Sept. 26 11 a.m. Chair Exercise 11:30 Lunch 1 p.m. Silvertones buyers than a local mortgage banker. FamilyFirst Bank serves the local market, makes lending decisions right here and provides personal, face-to-face service. If you’re in the market for a home—and a mortgage— compare rates, compare all costs, then come in to FamilyFirst Bank. towards your appraisal fee.� No one knows more about the needs of local home Uncomplicated Banking, Uncommon Service. East Brookfield, 100 West Main Street 508.867.1322 Ware, 40 Main Street 413.967.6271 Three Rivers, 2060 Main Street 413.283.5681 FamilyFirstBank.com 800.881.3613 Member SIF Member FDIC Thursday, Sept. 27 8:30 a.m. Tai Chi 10:30 a.m. Identity Theft Program w/ Country Bank. Call Senior Center to reserve seat. (508) 867-1407 11:30 Lunch 12:30 p.m. Movie “Tootsie Friday, Sept. 28 10:30 a.m. Blood Pressure Check 11 a.m. Chair Exercise 11:30 Lunch 12:30 p.m. Bridge North Brookfi eld Senior Center Menu Monday, Sept. 24 Tri-Valley: Beef & Cabbage Casserole, Spinach, Carrots, Mixed Fruit Tuesday, Sept. 25 Helen’s Super Sweet & Sour Meatballs, Veggies, Salad, Rolls, Dessert Wednesday, Sept. 26 Pattie’s Terrifi c Turkey Noodle Bake, Veggies, Rolls, Dessert Thursday, Sept. 27 Tri-Valley (reserve by 9.25): Italian Braised Beef, Egg Noodles, Broccoli, Bread Pudding *Applies to appraisals of 1-4 family, owner-occupied dwellings. Fee credited at loan closing. Offer may be withdrawn at any time.
Page 1 and 2: The ONLY local coverage in Brookfie
Page 3: Brookfi eld Board of Selectmen Note
Page 7 and 8: Tantasqua’s Cornerstone Café set
Page 9 and 10: WEST BROOKFIELD Traditional Classes
Page 11 and 12: A Turley Publication • www.turley
Page 13 and 14: just like the first. The defense he
Page 15 and 16: North Brookfi eld Savings Bank anno
Page 17 and 18: Buzzin’ Town Town from A Turley P
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