Charlton Newscharltonr.us/CharltonNews/2014/03.26.2014CharltonNews.pdf · The Charlton News is an online publication presented to the community as a vehicle ... Ann Marie Giaquinto

Charlton NewsCharlton, Massachusetts March 26, 2014Vol. 2 No. 6

Index

Charlton News 1965Report of the Finance Committee - Foreword

As is the case in every community in the Common-wealth, the school situation in Charlton continues to be asource of major concern to your Finance Committee. Thecontinuing increase in school population brings with itcontinuing increases in expenditures, some for salaries, fixedby the State, others for classroom space-now at a level ofemergency need if double sessions are to be avoided.

Included in the school committee budget for this TownMeeting is an item for $10,000 to lease three portableclassrooms to help bridge the emergency until permanenthousing can be planned and built.

Your Committee voted in majority-not unanimously-torecommend against the appropriating of this sum. It voted,instead, to apply this $10,000 plus $15,000 in addition to theStabilization Fund in anticipation of providing capital for thenew school building that must be built.

Your Committee feels that the school question takes top

The ‘Good Old Days’ - Maro Carringtion stands next to Charlton'snewly delivered FWD Tractioneer. (1969)(Maybe we can still get parts for this truck on Ebay.)

On Thursday, March 20th, the stranglehold of winter continued bydelivering freezing rain and ice as seen here on HK Davis Rd.

(photo by Charles Cloutier)

To be completed

Selectmen NotesOn Tuesday, February 18, 2014 the

Board of Selectmen met in a regularlyscheduled meeting in the BOS room ofthe Town Hall.

Present: Chairman - Frederick C.Swensen, Vice-Chairman - David M.Singer, Clerk - Joseph J. Szafarowiczand Member - Kathleen W. Walker.Also in attendance: Town Administrator- Robin L. Craver, Absent: Member -Brent Sellew and Student Selectperson- Emily Sprague.

Karen Spiewak came forward and stated that there will be(continued on page 4)

(continued on page 8)

Karen Spiewak

Mrs. Craver says “Press the top button to access the files on your polka dot device.”These don’t always give us the right answers, but with these covers, they sure do look cute at your stations.

Page 2 Charlton News March 26, 2014

We’re all in this together.

Charlton News

Email: [email protected] Charlton News is an online publication presented to the community as a vehicle for education,entertainment and sharing.

Donationsare welcome, provided they be sent to the Town of Charlton general fund to assist inadvancing the services to the community.

Advertisers: If you are interested in advertising in the Charlton News, email to the address above.Limited space is available at no cost for a business located in Charlton.

Articles: If you wish to contribute to the Charlton News, submit your stories to the email addressabove. Submissions on community issues,entertainment , short stories and poetry are welcome.Other contributions may be ‘how to’ articles, a birth announcement with a baby picture, afavorite holiday recipie, entertaining photos,and links on the web to educational web pages.

Editorials: Submissions of editorials are accepted. Well written commentaries on current topicsare welcome. Balance of positions about issues is a goal.

I like criticism, but it must be my way.

- Mark Twain's Autobiography

If you are new in town and wish to vote in thisupcoming election, you need to register to vote at theTown Clerk’s office by April 14, 2014. The office will beopen for this purpose on the last day from 9 AM - 8 PM.

Election Slate for Annual Town Elections(Reminder - Candidates for electionmay withdraw up until Friday,March 28, 2014 until 12 noon.)

Selectman (Seat 4) 3 Years - Vote For 1John P. Mcgrath, 10 Ponnakin Hill Rd.

Selectman (Seat 5) 3 Years - Vote For 1Kathleen Walker, 96D Baker Pond Rd. Candidate For Re-ElectionCynthia B. Cooper, 190 Berry Corner Rd.

Town Clerk 3 Years - Vote For 1Darlene L. Tully, 138 Stafford St. Candidate For Re-Election

Moderator - 3 Years - Vote For 1Peter S. Cooper, Jr., 194 Berry Cr. Rd. Candidate For Re-Election

Assessor 3 Years - Vote For 1Richard H. Vaughan, 6 Lakeview Dr.

Cemetery Commissioner 3 Years Vote For 1Donna L. Neylon, 193 Partridge Hill Rd.

Water & Sewer Commissioner 3 Years Vote For 2Robert F. Lemansky, 157 Sunset Dr., Candidate for Re-electionShabana S. Gagner, 128 Freeman Rd.

Planning Board 5 Years Vote For 1Patricia A. Rydlak, 58 Daniels Rd., Candidate for Re-electionRoss E. Lemansky, 157 Sunset Dr.

Planning Board 1 Year Vote For 1 (To Fill A Vacancy)Alycia D. Dzik, 18 Old Worcester Rd. Ext.

Recreation Commissioner 3 Years Vote For 1Board Of Health 3 Years Vote For 1

Matthew P. Gagner, 152 Freeman Rd., Candidate for Re-electionMichael J. Ellis, 91 Berry Comer Rd.Terri L. Gough, 43 Casey Rd. 2RPeter J. Lancette, II, 49 Baker Pond Rd.

Tree Warden 3 Years Vote For 1Todd Burlingame, 199 Freeman Rd., Candidate For Re-Election

Library Trustee 3 Years Vote For 2David A. Caron, 36 Main St.

Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee 3 Years Vote For 1Raymond J. Chalk, 85 City Depot Rd., Candidate for Re-election

Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee 1 Year Vote For 1Stephanie A. Reed, 10 Clark Rd., Candidate for Re-election

So. Worc. County Regional Voc. School Dist., 3 Years Vote For 1Olaf R. Garcia, 8 Dodge Ln., Candidate for Re-election

Annual Town MeetingCharlton Middle School, Oxford Road

Monday, May 19th, 7 pm

Town Elections May 3rd, 2014Heritage School, 38 Oxford Road

8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Very important Notice!

Hear ye! hear ye!

See candidate listing on this page.

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The Board of Selectmen, as statutory Issuing Authority for the Town of Charlton, willconduct a public ascertainment hearing on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 7:00 PM, in theSelectmen’s Meeting Room at the Charlton Town Hall, 37 Main Street, Charlton, MA.The purpose of the hearing will be to review the performance of the current cabletelevision operator, Charter, during its current license term and to hear testimony onfuture cable-related needs and interests of the Charlton community. Interested partiesare encouraged to attend and offer testimony on any cable-related matters. Any appli-cations and reports to be considered at the hearing are available for public inspection atthe Charlton Town Hall during regular business hours and for reproductionat a reasonable fee. For more information on the public hearing, please call the TownAdministrator’s Office at (508) 248-2206.

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a presentation tomorrow in the senior center from 1:00 - 2:15called prepared, not scared. This is a free seminar for seniorcitizens but any attendeesare asked to bring in anon-perishable food itemfor Chip In.

John McGrath,Chairman of the PlanningBoard came forward. Hestated that at the Board’slast meeting, there weresome comments madeabout the Planning Boardand EDC. He took offenseto some of the commentsmade. He stated that theyhave worked to positionthe town to attract devel-opers, listing a few of theEconomic Development projects in the last few years.

The Planning Board strives to make Charlton Businessfriendly. He stated that until the water issue is straightenedout, it will be hard to get anyone in for a big business. Mr.McGrath went on to talk about the discussion of the PlanningBoard not attending the round table. He stated that they feelvery robust with what they do. They have a process thatafter a development is done, they ask those same questions,how did we do? How do we make it better? He also re-viewed “Ted’s” site plan and what happened so that every-one would know. The Planning Board reviewed the plans forTed’s and they brought a change to the zoning bylaws toallow what they were looking for. The plans looked good butthey had to send it to the engineer and Mass Highway whoboth stated that the Old Ted’s had to be removed.

Mr. McGrath stated that there were never any argu-ments with the owners of Ted’s. He stated that they had tofollow the laws in regards to the project. He thanked theboard for allowing him to come forward. Mr. Szafarowiczthanked Mr. McGrath for coming forward and providing thisinformation which has been very helpful. He also stated thatthis is why they wanted the Planning Board and EDC toattend the roundtable for this type of information. ChairmanSwensen thanked Mr. McGrath for coming forward. Mr.McGrath stated that the Board is always welcome to come to

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(continued from page 1)Board of Selectmen Notes

John McGrath

the Planning Board meetings. All the information on projectsis there and easier to access. Ms. Walker asked if thePlanning Board would have any interest in someone comingthere and televising their meetings?

Mr. McGrath stated that the reason the Planning Boardstays in their office for meetings is because all the plans andthings they need are in there. He stated that if anyone wantsto come down from the cable committee to tape the meet-ings, they can.

At 6:45pm Fire Chief Cloutier came forward to discussburning permit fees. Chairman Swensen stated that at thelast meeting, Mr. Szafarowicz asked if Chief Cloutier couldreview and discuss the fire burning permit fees. ChiefCloutier came forward and provided the board with someinformation. (attached) He stated that the fee of $20 thatthey now charge is a little low compared to other towns. Heexplained that permit fees have not been changed since 2008.The Fire Department is responsible for 45 permits under 527CMR 1. Permit fees are statutorily at $25.00 or by the Boardof Selectmen and may not exceed $50.00. The breakdownshows all the costs for employees and vehicles for each call.He would recommend that we stay at the permit fee. Mr.Szafarowicz thanked the Chief for the report. (See CharltonNews Story, February 25, page 2-3)

Chairman Swensen stated that he saw an email aboutthree weeks ago about three engines being out of service.Chief Cloutier stated that they are very grateful and Spencerwas the first to respond to loan the Fire Department theirvehicle. It did go back yesterday so we are down to twovehicles out of service. He stated that it’s getting to that pointwhere they have to look at replacing the apparatus. Mr.Singer would like to have the Board send a letter of thanks tothe Spencer Fire Department for their help. The Boardagreed.

At 7:00 pm - Terry Burke Dotson - request for supportfor GLASS-STEAGALL. Ms. Burke Dotson from Millburyand also a candidate for State Representative for Charltoncame forward. She was hoping the Board had time to reviewthe links she sent and would also be in support of sending aletter of support. She explained that Bill 5.1824, Millbury’sCitizens’ Petition, a Resolution petitioning the MassachusettsGeneral Court to urge Congress to enact H.R. 129, the“Return to Prudent Banking Act of 2013” is in the JointCommittee of Financial Services awaiting a Public Hearing atthe State House on Wednesday, February 26, 2014. She



stated that restoring the Glass-Steagall Act provisions wouldprotect the public from theses “Bail-Out” costs and freecredit resources to be directed into large-scale infrastructureand other physical economic investments, with attendantrestoration of skilled employment and the tax base.

Mr. Singer has three reasons not to support this. Helooked into this for more information. He was told this was afederal issue. He also stated that Ms. Burke Dotson men-tioned she was running for State Rep and he thinks it wouldbe dangerous for the Board of Selectmen to support this andthe third was regarding the emails that were sent. Ms. BurkeDotson stated that she started working on this project beforeshe decided to run for State Representative. She did notmean to offend anyone. Ms. Walker did her research andwould support this herself personally. She has in the past,been against this board sending letters to legislatures andother towns. If the whole board agreed, she would but shealso stated that the other issue was supporting a candidate isproblematic. Mr. Szafarowicz agrees with what’s been said.He feels that we should only send letters of support whenthey affect our town. Chairman Swensen stated that he feelsthis GLASS-STEAGALL is an important thing and eachtaxpayer should address it on their own. Chairman Swensenthanked Ms. Burke Dotson for coming.

VI. New Business:1. Request for toll road - Ribbon Rockettes. Mrs. Craver

stated to please find attached a letter from the Relay for LifeTeam: The Ribbon Rockettes. They are requesting permis-sion to hold a toll road in Charlton Center on May 3, 2014from 8:00am - 2:00pm. This request was also forwarded toChief Pervier who is in support of the toll booth contingentupon the following safety precautions:

All volunteers must wear bright colored vests;

Orange traffic cones must be set out on Masonic HomeRoad for a distance of not less than 50 feet on each respec-tive way prior to reaching the toil station. A minimum of 5traffic cones on each roadway should be put in place at adistance no greater than 10 ft. apart;

Signs warning “Voluntary Toll booth Ahead” must beerected on both Masonic Home Road and Main St. not lessthan 75 feet from the toll station.

The Ribbon Rockettes have noted that they will complywith the safety precautions as recommended by ChiefPervier. Should the Board approve this request, pleaseconsider adding the recommendations from Chief Pervier tothe motion. Motion by Mr. Szafarowicz to approve thisrequest for a toll road with the recommendations by ChiefPervier in the memorandum, seconded by Mr. Singer, motioncarries unanimously.

2. Change of owners on Common Victualler’s license forGulf Oil Limited Partnership. Mrs. Craver stated that at-tached is a request from Global Montello Group, Cop.Requesting approval of a common victualler’s license to beused at the Massachusetts Turnpike, East and West. As youknow, the board approved the renewal of the commonvictualler’s licenses for Gulf Oil Limited Partnership which isoperated under the name Gulf Express. The sublease forGulf Oil Limited Partnership for these locations was notrenewed. The lease has been given to Global MontelloGroup, Corp. who will still run the stores as Gulf Express. NoCORI checks were required as the management has notchanged. Mrs. Craver would recommend the board approvethe requests. Motion by Mr. Singer to approve the change,seconded by Mr. Szafarowicz, motion carries unanimously.

3. Scholarships 2014 - Questions. Mrs. Craver statedthat it is time to get the scholarships to the schools and in

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doing so, the Board chooses the question(s) each year. Lastyear the Board chose the following questions:

Cooking question: “People today have instant access tocooking recipes and techniques through food network chan-nels. You are requested to research three cooking shows andwrite a brief essay comparing the show’s focus, value to thepublic and helpfulness”.

All others: “A renewed debate over the people’s right tobear arms has been spurred by the tragedy in the Sandy Hookschool. Some people have asked for armed guards to beplaced in schools. Some people have asked for more controlof guns. What do you think is thegovernment’s role, if any, in addressingpublic safety and people’s access toguns?” Does the Board have anyrecommendations for this year’s ques-tions?

Mr. Szafarowicz stated that hethought because we have the opengovernment and other towns are differ-ent that the question could be: “Do youthink the Town of Charlton should staywith an open government meeting formator would it behoove the town to switch toone of the other formats in othertowns?” Ms. Walker feels we areinundated with sugar and she would liketo see the cooking question have some-thing to do with sugar and part of ourdiet. Ms. Walker will work on it and haveit ready for the next meeting.

4. EDC Roundtable update - (See related story in theCharlton News, March 11, 2014 “Roundtable Meeting Holds

Planning Board/EDC Hostage”).Ms. Walker brought up a point of order. At the last

meeting Mrs. Craver encouraged her to point out that Mr.Lally is her husband and she did. A resident also cameforward during the meeting and stated that she shouldn’t beinvolved because of her husband. Ms. Walker called the StateEthics and she has an email from them which asked her if herhusband receives any compensation from the Town and shesaid he did not. They also asked her if he received anybenefits such as health care and she said he did not. Ms.Walker was told from that end of it, she should be able toinclude herself in the discussions.

She was asked if she could be objective in talking about

the EDC and she responded that she certainly felt like shecould be objective about the EDC if however, the subject washer husband in his role and something to do with him person-ally on the EDC, then she would not participate in the discus-sion because she could not be objective. The State Ethics toldMs. Walker that she should file a disclosure for the conflict ofinterest with the Town Clerk and she has that in front of herand will file it. She just wanted to mention that. ChairmanSwensen stated that the Board did have an EDC Roundtablemeeting last Tuesday. It was generally agreed that it was agood start and a good discussion. The hope is to have another

meeting and see where we gofrom there.

Mike Lally came forwardand stated that he has been onthe EDC for fourteen yearsand it’s been a privilege. Hestated that they attend the allboards meetings twice a year.Mr. Lally explained what theEDC is responsible for andwhat they have been doing.They work to change thezoning when needed for thepurpose of Economic Develop-ment. They attend an expo atthe Worcester Centrum andhad a lot of interest frombusinesses and residentsregarding the Route 20 corri-

dor.They also develop the Economic Development Guide

Book. The Planning they do is long range. The EDC feelsthey are business friendly and very helpful. Mr. Lally feelsthe Board owes an apology to the public and to him and toanybody else that’s been involved with EDC or Planning. Hebrought up the water that we have with Southbridge and howit’s put on hold again. There is quite a bit of potential develop-ment if we get the water through. Mr. Szafarowicz statedthat we can’t say enough for all that you and your wife hasdone for the community. He said his comments about mud-dling around was not meant for one specific board or person.His reasoning is because there is a stigma of Charlton aroundthat he’s heard from so many different people that this is nota good place to do business. He appreciates that Mr. Lallycame forward to give an update of what they have been

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Mike Lally, of the Economic DevelopmentCommission, reviews the EDC progress andemphasizes that the lack of water to the economicpipeline has held development up considerably.



doing. John McGrath came back to the table and stated thatthe comment that Mr. Szafarowicz made about how we arenot friendly for development and that there’s problems withthe process. Any time that someone has a problem with thePlanning Board, he invites them to come to the meeting and to

that’s been gathered so far? Mr. McGrath will bring it back tothe Planning Board. Mr. Lally stated that if you want thingsto go forward, we need water. The Board thanked them forcoming.

5. Joint Financial meeting with Town of Dudley andDudley Charlton Regional School District. Mrs. Craver statedthat as the Board is aware, there was a Joint FinancialMeeting at the Dudley Charlton Regional School with thetowns of Dudley and Oxford as well as the Bay Path Schooland you have been briefed on why Charlton officials werenot in attendance. She would ask the Board whether theywould like her to work with the School District and Dudley toset up a meeting for the original purpose - namely, to have abudget kickoff meeting for our school district. Mrs. Craveralso stated that she had an opportunity today to talk toRepresentative Paul Frost who suggested that this meetingwas early because there’s very little known about the budgetand what the state numbers are. She would recommendlooking at March to do this. The Board agreed and recom-mended the end of March for a meeting. It was recom-mended to have a separate meeting with Bay Path.

VII. Old Business:1. Annual Town Meeting (a) Warrant (b) BudgetMrs. Craver stated that she is working on compiling the

Annual Town Meeting warrant and will provide it to theBoard once the deadline of March 10, 2014 ends. She is alsocompiling all budgets as they come in and will present them tothe Board at the next meeting.

2. Water IMA Legal Representation - Mrs. Craverasked to put a hold on this item at this time.

VIII. Committee ReportsMr. Singer stated that Fire Negotiations have been

completed and we are getting ready to start with HighwayNegotiations.

Ms. Walker stated she went to an MMA meeting lastweek. She reviewed a few of the things that she heardregarding the Governor’s budget and how much moneyshould be held in stabilization. Lottery revenues should becoming to us and they are not. She also stated that there is alegislative breakfast coming up in March at the Library.

Chairman Swensen - REAS foundation had their annualtaste of the towns and it looks like it was a very successfulevent. He thanked everyone who attended and put it to-gether.

IX. BOS Policy Review - Mrs. Craver stated that at theBoard’s September 17, 2013 meeting, it was discussed to

discuss it.Chairman Swensen stated to be clear on one thing, the

purpose of the round table was not to be a meeting for peopleto vent or do personal attacks. In his mind, his hope was toget all parties together and see what we could learn from thisand how can we make it better. Mr. McGrath feels this is anattack on the Planner. He has never seen the Planner loosehis cool. Chairman Swensen stated that this was not anattack on the Town Planner. It was to get together to seewhat we could do better. Mr. Singer stated that in regards towhat Mr. Lally has said, everyone has their opinions. He’sthankful for all the information that was provided tonight. Ms.Walker thanked them as well for explaining it all. She statedthat she wanted to clarify because she’s the one that saidthere was yelling and screaming, it came from a disgruntleddeveloper, it did not come from Mr. Gordon. She stated thatMr. Gordon is very knowledgeable and very careful abouteverything he says. He stays on point and she has never seenhim loose his temper. The other thing that troubles her moresince the last meeting is that the EDC roundtable meetingwas held without her knowledge. Mr. Lally wanted to empha-size that the interest of the community of Charlton has alwaysbeen kept up front. Mr. Szafarowicz asked what kind ofmeeting would be good to put all the information together

Rick Swensen, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen



have the BOS Policies divided by each member of the Boardfor review and have them on each agenda for discussion untilcompleted with no more than 5 policies per meeting forreview. The following are what has been reviewed withrecommendations if needed:

Policy #20 - Employee Parking in Front of MunicipalBuilding. Mr. Singer has recommended some changes. He isrecommending the following in bold:

Parking for all employees of the Town Hall MunicipalComplex will be on the West Side of the street only along theTown Common during their normal working hours. Allparking spaces immediately in front of the Town Hall are 30minutes only and are for visitor’s parking. These spacesimmediately in front may be used by town hall employees forattendance at evening/night board and committee meetingsthat arc not part of their normal work hours. Employees withdisabilities or temporary injuries may request a waiver fromthe Town Administrator’s Office.

Motion by Mr. Singer to adopt the changes, seconded byMs. Walker, motion carries. Policy #24 - Exit InterviewPolicy and Form. Mr. Singer recommended no changes. Ms.Walker would like to add after the Town Administrator or herdesignee, “and at least one to two Selectmen”. ChairmanSwensen asked Ms. Walker to work with Mr. Singer forlanguage. Policy #57 - Winter Parking Ban. Mr. Singerrecommended some changes. Chairman Swensen asked i fwe could forward this to the Chief of Police to get hisfeedback and bring it back to the next meeting.

X. Student Selectperson Report: AbsentXI. Town Administrator Re ort: Mrs. Craver reviewed

her report.XII. Other Business: (unknown at time of posting)

Chairman Swensen stated that he, Mrs. Craver and Mr.Szafarowicz attended the topping off ceremony at Bay

Path. It’s great to see progress going so well there. He alsothanked all the public safety personnel for all their workduring the snow storms that we’ve been having.

XIII. Next Meeting Announcement:XIV. Adjourn/Executive Session:Motion by Mr. Szafarowicz to enter into executive

session at 7:40pm under M.G.L. c. 30A, Sec. 21, #2 - toconduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations withnon-union personnel or to conduct collective bargainingsessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel ifthe chair declares that an open meeting may have a detri-mental effect on the negotiating position of the public bodyand to exit executive session for the purpose of adjourningand the chair so declares, seconded by Ms. Walker. Roll callvote taken: Ms. Walker - aye, Mr. Szafarowicz - aye, Mr.Singer - aye and Chairman Swensen - aye.

The Chair declares that an open meeting may have adetrimental effect on the negotiating position of the publicbody and that the Board will reconvene to open session forthe purpose of adjourning.

Motion by Mr. Szafarowicz to adjourn at 9:00pm, sec-onded by Ms. Walker, motion carries unanimously.

priority in all consideration of major expenditures if a fantasti-cally soaring tax rate is to be avoided. In this regard it statesthat the article seeking to establish a water district for thetown, while acceptable in itself since it involves no expendi-tures, should in no way be read as an inducement to theconstruction of a water system until the school problem issolved. (Article 41. To see if the Town will authorize Boardof Selectmen to petition Legislature for establishment of awater district.) To attempt both under present conditions is toinvite a tax disaster.

While on the subject of taxes and tax rate, it should bebluntly stated that in spite of the town being fortunate enoughto have a diligent and active Tax Collector, the backlog ofuncollected taxes still presents a major financial load forevery resident of the town. This becomes especially critialwhen the need to borrow heavily for a new school building ispresented-as it must be. It means that the town will pay ahigher interest rate, will penalize itself unnecessarily for thenext twenty years. Your Committee recommends that thecooperation of every resident in the use of full action, legaland otherwise, by the Collector be given. It could easily be acase of survival.

In considering the article which asks that the town vote aminimum limitation on house lots of 15,000 square feet, yourCommittee has made a recommendation which appearsunder the article. It feels, further, that the continuation ofhaphazard building in the town underscores the need for amaster plan for town development out of which a variety oflimitations, each suited to the use to which a given area willbe put, will arise. This, your Committee has come to feel, is afundamental step toward healthy and progressive communitygrowth.

In voting to disapprove the article seeking cumulative sickleave for town employees based on 15 days a year, yourCommittee feels that the article as now written would be aninvitation to numerous problems, difficult of solution.

Were the article written to conform to the length of sickleave permitted by the School Department (7 days) and wereit to require a physician’s certificate in order to qualify forsick leave, and were it to do away with the clause whichwould permit an employee to accumulate leave over anumber of years, then the Finance Committee would be gladto review its recommendation.

In summing up the financial picture, your Committeefeels that if every citizen cooperated in an overall drive toreduce the tax backlog, considerable grief in the future mightwell be avoided.

Respectfully,Harold Davidson, Chairman,

William Gillespie, Reed Grimwade, Edward KnowltonRobert Maynard, Nelson Wheeler

Charlton News 1965 (continued from page 1)



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Town Administrator Submits Report toBoard of Selectmen on February 18, 2014

Town Administrator, Robin Craver submitted a summaryof a number of issues facing the town on February 18th, tothe Board of Selectmen.

Below is a partial summary of her report.Site Visits to Review Capital - February 3rd and 7th

members of the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmenattended site visits to the Fire Station, Police Station and FayMountain Farm to review capital needs including looking atthe buildings, equipment and vehicles.

We had a snow cancelation on that Wednesday wherewe were supposed to go to the Highway Department andLibrary. The Highway Operations Building site visit will beFebruary 19th at 9 am, but the Library has decided not toparticipate although they may be asking for funding for achiller. I have heard, but not receive any written communica-tion that they are planning on a roundtable on the Chiller. Atthis time I do not believe they any other capital issues.

Historical Commission - We have begun to move theHistorical Commission from the attic to the office vacated bythe last Veteran’s Agent. As you know, the new agent has anoffice downstairs near the COA as he is also the AssistantDirector.

MMA Energy and Environmental Policy Committee -1attended the MMA’s Energy and Environmental PolicyCommittee meeting. I presented a case study on Great Pondsto them and the other discussion was about the bottle bill.

Solar Net Metering Credits - As you know, we signed a 3month letter of intention to purchase new metering creditsfrom a proposed solar project in Spencer. That was nearly ayear ago. I am now looking to see if there are any projectsthat are closer to being completed. I have concerns that wewill have a repeat with the cell tower- a company was givena contract and since he can’t get an anchor, we have notreceive the revenue promised.

CIC Grant for Stormwater Management - I am happy tosay that the Central Mass Regional Stormwater ManagementCoalition has received a CIC grant for the 3‘d year forstormwater management. We will be receiving $80,000 tocomplete the next tasks. As you know, Spencer is the leadand Charlton is second contact for the 30 towns.





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Veterans’ War Monument PolicyThe Charlton Board of Selectmen have adopted a new

Veterans’ War Monument Policy. This policy allows eligibleveterans to have his or her name added to the appropriatemonument. The following war monuments are applicable tothis policy: Korea, Lebanon-Grenada, Persian Gulf, Vietnam,World War I, and World War II.

Any veteran who meets the criteria of this policy mayhave his or her name added to the appropriate monument.Please see Paul Derany in the Charlton Veterans’ Servicesoffice or view the policy on the Web site for a list of eligibilitycriteria. Applications must be submitted to Charlton Veterans’Services by April 1st to be added to a monument.Paul Derany, Veterans’ Services, 37 Main Street, Charlton,MA 01507, 508-248-2244, http://www.townofcharlton.net/veteransservices.htm

Brewer - Veterans’ Aid BillOn March 20th, Senator Stephen M. Brewer an-

nounced today that the Senate passed S.2052, an ActRelative to Veterans’ Allowances, Labor, Outreach, andRecognition. This bill contains proposals aimed at helpingthe Commonwealth’s veterans and their families, by provid-ing greater outreach and recognition. It is the result of workby a conference committee, made up of three members ofthe House of Representatives and three members of theSenate including Senator Brewer, to settle differencesbetween the Senate and House versions.

“This conference report will establish better services forour veterans returning from deployment,” said SenatorBrewer. “For example, one of the provisions contained inthis bill is the development, by the Department of Veterans’Services, of a training program for veterans’ service offic-ers.”

The bill, which was passed by the Senate on Thursday,maintains important Senate initiatives, including a blueprintand seed funding for special “veterans’ courts,” as well asthe extension of a volunteer veteran property tax credit tospouses of veterans who are deceased or have a service-connected disability. It also gives options to students whoare called to active duty while enrolled in school, allowingthem to complete the coursework they missed at a laterdate, or withdraw from the course with a full refund oftuition and fees.

“One of the most important means of supporting ourveterans is to provide greater career opportunities for thempost-deployment,” said Senator Brewer. “This bill allowsthe private sector to establish a hiring preference for veter-ans, and waives certain fees for a veteran seeking a licenseor professional certification. These measures should helpdecrease the unemployment rate among our returning

veterans.”Some other initiatives the bill supports include the following:

· It streamlines the property tax exemption for paraplegicveterans and their spouses

· It increases punishment for demonstrations at militaryfunerals, ensuring that grieving families, friends andcommunities have sufficient space to honor those whohave made the ultimate sacrifice

· It includes the establishment of a 25-member Massachu-setts Servicemember Post-Deployment Council to makerecommendations for a program to support servicemembers transitioning to civilian life after deployment

· It names a portion of Rt. 44 the Gold Star HighwayThe House of Representatives will now have to act on

the bill, after which it will be sent to the Governor for finalapprobation.



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Brewer Announces Local Aid Agreementfor Fiscal Year 2015

Senator Stephen M. Brewerrecently announced a local aidagreement between legislative leaders for Fiscal Year 2015.The plan, which covers both Unrestricted General Govern-ment Aid and Chapter 70 education aid, guarantees approxi-mately $125 million in funding increases for these two ac-counts. In addition, this early agreement provides cities andtowns with budget certainty regarding their largest sources ofstate aid.The joint local aid resolution ensures that FY 2015 will markthe third consecutive year in which both Unrestricted LocalAid and Chapter 70 have been increased, the first time thishas occurred since the Great Recession.“As a former selectman, I know that it’s critically importantfor cities and towns to get these numbers early in theirbudgeting processes, whether the numbers are good, bad orindifferent,” said Senator Brewer. “However, I am pleased tosay that these numbers are good. They represent our contin-ued increase in support for our local governments and

schools.”The agreement calls for $4.4 billion in the Chapter 70 fund,the largest appropriation in the program’s history, and a $99million increase over the FY 2014 funding level. This fundinglevel will not only ensure that all school districts reach theirfoundation budget, but also provides additional state aid tocommunities who receive less state aid than called for by theformula. Under the joint agreement, every school district willreceive a state aid increase of at least $25 per pupil.“It is essential that we fund our schools with robust aid, inorder to ensure a strong Fiscal Year 2015,” said Brewer.“Currently, school systems are creating their budgets for theupcoming year, and need to know how much state aid theywill receive. This joint resolution allows them to makeinformed projections. In addition, they will be happy to learnthat this funding is more than in previous years. When ourcities and towns have well-funded schools, our childrenthrive.”The Joint Agreement also includes $945.75 million in Unre-stricted General Government Aid, an increase of more than$25 million over the FY 2014 appropriation. This is thelargest amount of unrestricted local aid since Lottery Aid andAdditional Assistance were consolidated in FY 2009.“The Unrestricted General Government Aid increase will leadto more municipal services that are critical to our cities andtowns, including police and fire services,” said SenatorBrewer. “I am committed to ensuring that our cities andtowns are able to meet their financial needs in the upcomingfiscal year.”Brewer also noted that this agreement covers only the twolargest sources of state aid to municipalities, and that thereare many other forms of aid to cities and towns that are stillto be resolved by the Legislature throughout the budgetprocess. “Whether it is special education reimbursements,regional school transportation costs funding for our locallibraries, or any of the other local aid accounts that I havechampioned over the years, I look forward to debating thesecauses with my colleagues and delivering the resources thatmy communities need,” said Senator Brewer.

(It should be noted however, that the promise of returning LotteryFunds originally intended for communities has never been fullyimplemented, a request fully supported by the Massachusetts Munici-pal Association.)

Senator Brewer at a recent American Legion Ceremony.



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Board of Assessors NotesThe Charlton Board of Assessors met on Tuesday, March

4, in the Assessors Office at the Town Hall at 6:00 P.M.Present at the meeting were Board Members, Keith Johnson,Richard Vaughan, and Nancy Landry. Also present wereAssessor, Deborah Ceccarini and staff members, JanetCrockett, and Amelia Morin.

Routine signing of the warrants, commitments, monthlyreports and payroll were done intitially. This was followed bya motion made by K. Johnson, 2nd D. Vaughan to acceptminutes from last meeting of Feb. 18, 2014.

No votes or discussion on Real Estate or PersonalProperty abatements, and due to inclement weather, inspec-tions have been postponed. Abatements should be inspectedby next meeting.

Discussion ensued on an update from Assessors requestto Patriot Properties. For compliance with Department OfRevenue, the town must complete the recommendations forthe FY15 Revaluation, Patriot Properties has notified Town ofCharlton that they will provide at no additional costs the dataentry necessary to complete this recommendation. Thisinvolves changing the land use lines to reflect current zoningof each parcel.

Nancy E. LandryRichard Vaughan Deborah Ceccarini, Principal Assessor

Keith A. Johnson, Chairman of Board of Assessors

Discussion ensued on the Tax Work Off AbatementProgram for Elderly and new Veterans Work off Program.As voted at the previous Annual Town Meeting, the numberof income eligible Seniors had been increased to twenty.Subsequent to this, the Veteran’s Agent has requested an

additional five Work Off opportunities for Veterans. (Possiblearticle on May town meeting warrant.) The concern here isthat the amount of credited funds was decreasing the amountof funds available to meet budget obligations.

Richard Vaughan brought up a discussion with a con-cerned taxpayer regarding a conversation with Data Collec-tor upon an inspection of the property.

It was noted that vacation weeks would be as follows:Lea Morin out March 10th to March 17th, DeborahCeccarini out March 17th - March 21st, Janet Crockettwould be out from March 24th to March 28th.

Due to the vacation schedule, the next Assessors meet-ing was postponed one week until March 25 instead ofMarch 18th.



Anne Gobi Votes to PassAnti-Bullying Legislation

Representative Anne Gobi (D-Spencer) voted onWednesday to pass legislation building on the 2010 landmarkanti-bullying legislation by creating new reporting measuresand recognizing certain populations as more vulnerable tobullying.

The refurbished legislation is constructed to raise theeffectiveness of the original legislation which prohibitedbullying and cyber-bullying, and required schools to installrelated programs. The bill is in place to help educators,administrators and legislators identify trends and respond tothem appropriately by creating a data collection and reportingmechanism.

“I appreciate the work that has been done in the schoolsto ensure that all students are treated with respect and theadded prevention and intervention plans will help to augmentthat work,” said Rep. Gobi.Provisions of the bill are as follows:

• Schools must annually report bullying data to the Depart-ment of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)and submit aggregate data on bullying to the AttorneyGeneral and Legislature;

• DESE is required to inform parents about its ProblemResolution System and the process for seeking assistanceor filing a claim;

• School bullying prevention plans must recognize thatcertain enumerated categories of students may be morevulnerable to becoming targets of bullying.

The House overwhelmingly voted 143-4 to pass the bill.

Got Cats?Charlton Animal Control started to assist with the town’s

stray cats in 2008. A big part of our cat program has includededucation on the importance of spaying and neutering. Beingable to offer resources and referrals to Charlton residents is agreat way for us to help reduce pet overpopulation.

Here is some interesting information on cats. Cats can gointo their first heat as young as 4 1/2 - 5 months of age. Heatlasts about 7 days, but can go on for 3 weeks. Females maygo into heat repeatedly until impregnated (or spayed). Theaverage gestation period is 63 days. Cats can get pregnantagain while nursing a litter. A common statistic: one femalecat and one male cat and their kittens can produce 470,000cats in seven years. Neutering male cats reduces fighting,roaming, and spraying behaviors as well as the spread of catdiseases such as feline leukemia and aids.

Having your new cat or kitten spayed or neutered, if itisn’t already, is imperative to reduce cat overpopulation. Cats6 months and over are also required to have a rabies vaccina-tion. Spaying and neutering can be expensive, but low costspay/neuter/vaccination programs are available near Charltonat Second Chance Animal Shelter’s Pet Wellness Center,North Brookfield, 508-637-1333,www.secondchanceanimals.org and Worcester AnimalRescue League, Worcester, 508-853-0030, www.worcester-arl.org. Other spay/neuter/vaccination information is availableon our webpage at www.townofcharlton.net/animalcontrol.htm.

With your help, the number of friendly homeless cats inCharlton will continue to decrease. Spring is kitten season.Please help us “fix” the cat overpopulation problem and spay/neuter your cat today!

Visit: www.townofcharlton.net/animalcontrol.htm orcontact Charlton Animal Control Officers, Ann Sellew, BrentSellew and Lisa Westwell, 508-248-2266.

Charlton Rabies ClinicSaturday, April 12, 2014

1 PM - 3 PMCharlton Municipal Animal Shelter

15 Old Town Road$12 each (NO checks or credit/debit cards accepted)

Dogs MUST be on leash and cats MUST be in carriers.

Please bring previous rabies certificate to determine if you are eligible for a 3 year rabies vaccina-tion. State law requires that all dogs and cats over 6 months of age have a valid rabies vaccination.



Town of Charlton Fishing Day

May 3, 2014 10:00 A.M—2:00 P.M.Fay Mountain Farm-Snows Pond

Cemetery Road Charlton MA 01507

Come enjoy a day of Free fishing.Bring the whole family for an entertaining outing of whopper proportions.

All Gear Provided Free - No License NeededNo Experience Necessary - No Age Restrictions (Children to Adults)

- Instructors Available -- Food and Drink Vendors Present –

Sponsored by:

Town of Charlton Conservation CommissionContact: Todd P. Girard (508)-248-2247

[email protected]

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & WildlifeContact: Jim Lagacy [email protected]



Do you want to let people know moreabout your organization?

Give us a call at: 508-248-2206Or Email us at:

[email protected]

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If you or someone you know is a victim of Domestic Violenceyou can call the Charlton Police Department Violence Unit at

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Board of Health NotesOn March 4, 2014, the Board of Health held their regular

meeting in their office of the Town Hall at 6:00 pm. Memberspresent were Chairman, Matt Gagner, Willy Stevens, ViceChair, and Nelson Burlingame, Member. Also present wereJames Malley, P.E., Engineer for the Board of Health, andJames Philbrook, Health Inspector, as well as administrativeassistants, Eleanor Beaudry, and Lani Criasia.

The meeting opened at 6:00 pm with Animal InspectorAnn Sellew submitting a copy of her letter of resignation thatwas sent to her director, Mike Cahill, Director of AnimalResources for the State.

Previous notice had been forwarded to the Board ofHealth from Ann Sellew and Lisa Westwell that they felt thatany fowl should be inspected on a regular basis. After acomplaint from a resident, the Board contacted officials fromthe State of Massachusetts for a determination of cause. Arepresentative from the State returned a letter which did nothave clarity of explanation, requiring a second letter request-

ing further explanation.In the interim, AnneSellew may have per-ceived that her reputa-tion was at risk forfailing to carry out hertask as inspector.

The Board wasupset at the tone of theletter and composed aresponse to be sent toher. They took issue withthe sections of MGL 129she referred to and felt

Willy Stevens and Matt Gagner.

they had no bearing onthe subject. It was notedin the letter that the votetaken on December 3,2013 was for her tocease checking chickenswhen they were the solereason for entering aproperty, Matt laterinformed her via a phonecall that if the hens wereseen while inspectingother animals on aproperty, she couldinclude them in her report.

They went on to say that the Board would never inten-tionally voted against a State law; but had a different interpre-tation of the wording of that law. (Board is still waiting for aresponse from the State regarding factual interpretation of the

law.) The Board had based theirdecision strictly on MGL 129,Sec. 19, but had not delved intothe sections Ann sited in herresignation. Nelson wondered ifanything had to be done abouther position as Animal ControlOfficer.

The Board accepted Ann’sresignation, and discussed areplacement as soon as possible.For now, Jim Philbrook willrespond to calls. Matt and Jimwill contact inspectors in sur-Nelson BurlingameJames F. Malley Jr., P.E. Board of

Health Engineer



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rounding towns to see if they cancover Charlton’s area untilanother is appointed by the State.The process, qualifications andjob description will be on theagenda for March 18th meeting.

Jim Philbrook reported that16 Old Stafford St. has beenbrought up to code.

He also reported that hisinspection of Unit 20 wascancelled again due to illness.

The situation with theCharlton Housing Authority will be discussed at the next

meeting with Atty. CherylSbara present. This meetingwill be posted as meeting at5:30pm.

The new owners of theYankee Diner have madeseveral improvements at thefacility and will soon beready to open.

Jim Malley mentionedthe maintenance at thelandfill. The contractor isresponsible for this for oneyear from completion. It wassuggested the board mem-bers seek a ball park figuresfor the mowing of the landfillin the future.

Matt reported he hadattended the meeting of theLibrary Trustees and felthopeful a solution is in sight.They discussed a foammaterial that would reducethe noise considerably. Thematerial alone costs$32,000.00. The Trusteesplan to write a grant, andpossibly have students fromBay Path High School do theinstallation. The barrier willcome in large panels whichwill be installed by interlock-ing adjacent pieces. Theproposal would be to some-how attach these pieces tothe existing fence areaaround the chiller unit. Mattsaid he hopes this materialwill solve the problem andbring it to an acceptable levelfor the D.E.P.

James Philbrook HealthInspector

Support Your CommunityPay It Forward!

Whether you donate your time or give through yourtaxes, what you give back to the community opens doors tothe poor, the underprivileged, your neighbors, customers andfriends. It links you to your fellow human being. Your realestate tax contribution is an investment in the Town ofCharlton. The Town works with and funds public services inone of the most efficient delivery systems that exists. Thetown promotes healthy living, provides education for thechildren of the community, provides emergency services ofpolice, fire and ambulance. The town, through the highwaydepartment maintains the roads, clears them of snow in thewinter and prunes the trees and cleans them in the fall.

It really is amazing at the number of people who dovolunteer to make Charlton a better place to live. Theyvoluntarily join in efforts, committees, organizations and evenrun for public office, sacrificing a part of their lives to benefitthe town.

We need to be willing to open our hearts, our arms andyes, our wallets to continue the cycle of giving.

Many times it has been said that if you are not a part ofthe solution, then you are part of the problem. Good thingsdon’t just happen. Some folks complain that this is not goodenough, why don’t they do this? Why don’t they do that?

The cartoon character Pogo says “We have met theenemy and he is us.”

This spring, as the Charlton Earth Day celebration takesplace in the vacation week in April, many will volunteer towalk along the road picking up papers, bottles and trash,including tires, washers, stoves, couches and other debrisstrewn about but inconsiderate fellow human beings. Who isto say that they live or don’t live in Charlton? Regardless, thetask is at hand. Where will you be during that clean-up?

You don’t have to participate expecting praises to belauded upon you, but whereever your abilities or skill setslead you, the mere feeling from within, that you have helpedyour community, your fellow human beings, will warm yourheart as you look back in life at what you have accom-plished.

For those who live in Charlton and consider your realestate tax too high, remember those same tax dollars arematched by other sources and that MOST averagehomeowners are NOT paying the brunt of those taxes.

Not only that, most other towns are paying MORE thanthe residents of Charlton. Remember that those hard earneddollars that you do pay in real estate taxes COME BACKTO YOU in the form of benefits and services, especiallywhen, and if, you are struck by hard times.

So join in now, while you still have the ability to get upeach morning and work, participate in activities and perhapsraise a family.



Roadside Clean-Up in the MorningSign up at Senior Center or online.Road registration begins April 1st.

Earthfest - Booths on the Common11:00 AM until 2:00 PM

Charlton Earth DayCelebrationApril 26, 2014

8 AM - 2:00 PM

Pet Show MusicTree Planting Animal Displays



Fay Mountain Farm OffersFresh Vegetables

Farm Fresh VegetablesBe a part of something special.......

You don’t know what you’ve got till its gone.....

Why settle for fruits and vegetables imported fromMexico and sprayed with pesticides when you canget them picked right here in Charlton?

Located north of Stafford Street off of 12 CemetaryRoad, a Town designated Scenic Road, the 65 acre FayMountain Farm was purchased by the Town of Charlton in2002 with a grant provided by the Mass. Division of Conser-vation Services (DCS) and funding provided by the MasonicHome through a state agricultural mitigation fund require-ment. The Town preserves this unique property as an activefarm resource via leasing for continued apple orchardproduction.

The on-site open space also offers passive recreationalopportunities via a segment of the Midstate Trail that passesthrough the site. In addition to the 32 acre on site orchard, theproperty includes a historical barn, Snow Pond, blueberry andraspberry plantings and over 28 aces of natural wooded andfield open space.

The Fay Mountain Farm Committee reports directly tothe Charlton Conservation Commission. The Committee isresponsible for the oversight of the open space, maintenance,and future activities of the orchard.

Become a member of the Fay Mountain Farm CSA(Community Supported Agriculture)

We have a “market –style” CSA. Rather than making upa standard box of vegetables for every member every week,we lay out baskets of the week’s vegetables allowing you toload your own boxes with some degree of personal choice.

Our membership for the Summer CSA is now open.Once again, space will limit. So please, download the form

below and return it with your check. Or drop it by the farm.This summer we plan to have winter squash, potatoes, leeks,lettuce, greens mix, herbs, onions and garlic and a variety ofother vegetables as well as PYO fruits.

Membership for the summer CSA is $600 and producewill be available weekly starting in June and going untilOctober 2014. If you are interested, stop by the stand oremail [email protected]. Phone:(617) 981-2051Wed - Sunday 10-5

!!Fishing Derby!!Fay Mountain Farm-Snows Pond,

Cemetery Road, CharltonMay 3, 2014 10:00 A.M—2:00 P.M..

Come enjoy a day of Free fishing. Bring the wholefamily for an entertaining outing of whopper proportions. AllGear will be Provided Free - No License Needed, NoExperience Necessary - No Age Restrictions (Children toAdults) - Instructors Available -

- Food and Drink Vendors Present –Sponsored by: Town of Charlton Conservation Commission

(Contact: Todd P. Girard (508)-248-2247,[email protected]), Massachusetts Division of

Fisheries & Wildlife, Contact: Jim [email protected]



The genius of the mind is not to look at something for what it is,but to look at something for what it could be.

Earthfest AnnouncesA Contest of

Art from Recycled Materials

Open to all ages.

Drop off must be by 11 AM on Saturday morning.Pieces must be titled, with artist name and contact information.

Judging will be at 1:00 PM.

Artwork must be picked up by 2:00 pmor pieces will be ‘recycled’.

Prizes for First, Second and Third will be awarded.



Earth Day Program PlannedThe Earth Day Committee met on February 21 at the

Senior Center to outline their plans for the upcoming celebra-tion to be held on April 26th from 8 AM - 2:00 PM.

During the week of school vacation, April 21-25 initialclean-up of roadsides in town will take place and on Saturdaymorning the all out effort to clean things up will take place.Participants in the clean-up will bring or have volunteers bringthe trash filled bags to the dumpster located behind the TownHall. Later, they will be treated to a light lunch at the SeniorCenter and receive their Earth Day T-shirts for participation.

Starting around 11 AM there will be booths setting up onthe Common with a variety of displays and wares includingsome favorites from the past.

There will be a Pet Show, and new this year an ArtContest with artwork made of recyclable materials. For theArt Contest, Project or Art must be made from recycled

materials. Drop off of the artwork must be by 11 AM onSaturday morning. The pieces must be titled, with artist nameand contact information. The judging will be at 1:00 PM. andartwork must be picked up by 2:00 pm or pieces will be‘recycled’. Prizes will be awarded for First, Second andThird place.

Booths to look for this year may include Alpaca FarmAnimals, Audubon Society, Capen Hill, Casella Waste Man-agement, Cedar's Mediterranean Foods, Inc., CharltonHeritage Preservation Trust, Electric Company Energy Van,Solar Flair, Environmental Class from Shepherd Hill, FayMountain Farm, the Charlton Garden Club, HarringtonHospital, Heaven's Harvest Farm CSA, Heifer International,Girls Scouts, Karl Storz Endovision - Tree seedling giveaway,Next Step Living, Wegman’s and their beautiful reusable bagsfor grocery shopping, and hopefully we will again welcomeMr. John DeRose with some of his retired horses for display.

And there could be others like the Turtle Rescue League,Worcester County Bee Association, Northeast OrganicFarming Association, Last Green Valley, Thaddeus Szkoda,thinker and tinkerer on Energy, Techniart, SouthbridgeSavings Bank, and of course, Suzy Q’s ice cream. Some maynot be able to make it, but there will be something to entertainthe entire family and its all FREE.

Of course, there will be music played from the Gazeboand some food vendors available for those who get a littlehungry.

The Police and Auxiliary will probably do the Car Seatprogram again, so if you have a young child or infant andneed to be set up with a car seat to fit, then this is an excel-lent opportunity to have it done right.

Mike Dabrowski will return, perhaps with an electric carand some other unique ‘off the grid’ technology.

Todd Girard, Charlton Conservation Commissioner mayreturn with his demonstration of water management andcontrol and Techniart may return with their - MASS SaveCombo Kit which they sold for only $10 last year.

Be sure to sign up for road assignments. The chance todo so will be available, both in person at the Senior Center oron line. This will assure that we cover all sections of Town.

And, as a part of the tradition, the 5th graders at CharltonMiddle School will participate in a tee shirt logo contest.

The Pet Show will follow the same routine as last year.The Contest will run from 11:00 AM to 2 PM.

Petagories (Choose One) ____ 1. Best Behaved ____ 6. Smallest 4- legged animal ____ 2. Best Costume ____ 7. Most Unique ____ 3. Cutest ____ 8. Cuddliest ____ 4. Happiest ____ 9. Most Rambunctious ____ 5. Largest ____ 10. Friendliest

Taking the lead for the Earth Day/Earthfestactivities here are Linda Davis and Cathy Kuehl

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Charlton Heritage Preservation Trust (CHPT)Charlton Heritage Preservation Trust (CHPT) was

formed to protect the natural beauties and rural characterwithin the town of Charlton, Massachusetts. In order toachieve these broad goals, the CHPT will work to educatethe public on the value of open space, the wise use of naturalresources, and the advantages and principles of land useplanning.

CHPT seeks to protect, conserve, and preserve landsand waters in Charlton, namely, rivers, streams, wetlands,wildlife habitat, agricultural land, historical sites, ecologicallysignificant regions as well as other scenic, natural andproductive areas. In order to further these conservational,historical, educational and scientific objectives, the CHPT willseek to acquire by donation or direct purchase real andpersonal property in the town of Charlton. CHPT can acceptassignation of a town's right of first refusal for propertiesunder M.G.L. Chapter 61.

"Natural and cultural resources are a fundamental part ofa town's character, beauty and environmental well being.Charlton is rich with such resources as water, fish andwildlife, scenic roadways and vistas, historic and archeologi-cal features."

(Master Plan for the Town of Charlton, page 36).Charlton Heritage Preservation Trust is a 501(c) 3 non-

profit land trust located in Charlton, Massachusetts. Contactinformation:

Charlton Heritage Preservation Trust (CHPT), P.O. Box92, Charlton Depot, MA 01509. (Lisa Westwell, Tel. 508-248-5121) Web site at: http://www.charltontrust.org/

Regular Member, $10

Name: _______________________________________

Street:_________________________________________

Town: __________________ State: ____ Zip: ________

Phone:_________________________________

Email:_____________________________________________________

Charlton Heritage Preservation TrustPreserving for future generations.

____________________________________.(please print your name and phone number)

Make checks payable to CHPT and mail with form to:Charlton Heritage Preservation Trust

P.O. Box 92, Charlton Depot, MA 01509

Donor, (Includes Membership)Oak, $2500 or more per yearPine, $1000-2499 per yearMaple, $500-999 per yearBirch, $100-499 per year

Contact Me. My employer will match my donation.

I am a landowner - Contact me about land preservation options.

I do not wish to become a member at this time, but I haveenclosed a donation.

I am purchasing a gift membership and have indicated therecipient’s name and address in the space provided below.Please let he/she know that this membership has been given tothem by

Consider making a donation orbecoming a member today!

National PrescriptionDrug Take Back Day:

On April 26, 2014 from 10 AM - 2 PM the CharltonPolice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration(DEA) will give the public another opportu-nity to prevent pill abuse and theft by riddingtheir homes of potentially dangerousexpired, unused, and unwanted prescrip-tion drugs.

Bring your medications for disposalto the Charlton Police Department at 85 Masonic HomeRoad, Charlton, MA. The service is free and anonymous, noquestions asked. Safely dispose of your unwanted or unusedprescription drugs.

Charlton/Dudley Women’s BasketballOn Monday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:00

PM, women's pick up basketball is is going on atThe Heritage School. There are no set teams orfees. Come for the fun, exercise, andcomeraderie.

Participants must be at least 18 years ofage. We have various ages and skill levels. CallDeb at 508-248-3600 for more information.

Water Connections AvailableWater/Sewer Commission: Water connections now

available for properties on Main Street, North Main Street,Northside Road, and Route 20. Call the Water and SewerCommission at 508 248-4953 for information.

Ted's Package Store

TEL 248-5538ROUTE 20

GROCERIES AND DELI

P.O. BOX 910CHARLTON CITY, MA 01508

THE LOTTERY



MARK YOUR CALENDARS!Residents of Southbridge and Charlton, Massachusetts ONLY

Household Hazardous WasteCollection Day

Saturday March 29, 2014 ~ 9 am to 1 pm

Casella Waste Services FacilityAt 165 Barefoot Road (across from the landfill)

Open to Southbridge and Charlton residents only.

No pre-registration is necessary.Proof of residency will be required

(i.e. Driver’s license or current utility bill).

** Limit of 10 gallon per household for paint and chemical wastes. **

Some of the various materials accepted at the event (No Charge):Acids, Aerosols, Antifreeze, Batteries (auto and household), Cleaning Fluid, Degreasers, Disinfec-tants, Drain Cleaners, Dry Gas, Herbicides, Insect Repellents, Lacquers, Lubricants, Mothballs,Oil Based Paints, Paint Removers, Paint Thinners, Pesticides, Rat Poisons, Turpentine, Varnish,Weed Killers, Fluorescent Light tubes, Mercury containing products. Yard wastes will be accepted(leaves, brush or shrubs). Household rubbish will be accepted including stoves, dishwashers,washing machines, dryers. (No food or sanitary wastes please!)

Materials That Will Be Accepted For A Charge:Small Appliances $20 each (computer monitors, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, televisions, air condi-

tioners, water coolers, or freezers).Propane tanks $10 each. Automobile Tires $10 each. Truck Tires $25 each.

Materials That Will Not Be Accepted:No food or sanitary wastes, no commercial waste or latex based paints. No asbestos, PCBs, explo-

sives or shock-sensitive materials, ammunition, compressed gas cylinders, radioactive wastes,pathological wastes, infectious waste, or medicines.

If you have any questions about the event or acceptable materials,please call Casella Waste Services at 888-532-2735



On Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 7:00p.m., the Shepherd Hill Regional High SchoolChapter of the National Honor Societyinducted a large number of new students intothe organization.

The Shepherd Hill Chapter of theNational Honor Society strive to promote anenthusiasm for scholarship, a desire torender services and the development ofcharacter and leadership. Members of theSociety are inducted each spring fromstudents in grades 10, 11, and 12. A minimumscholastic unweighted average of 3.5 isrequired for eligibility. Selection is made by aFaculty Council on the basis of service,leadership, and character.

ProgramProcessional ...............................Anthony Battista, PianistNational Anthem ...........................NHS Chorus MembersGreeting .................................Allison Chevalier, PresidentOpening Remarks ............... Mrs. Pierangeli, Principal, and

Mr. Gilrein, SuperintendentNHS Speakers:

Scholarship ............... Anthony Battista, Vice-PresidentLeadership .................... Anna Sullivan, Vice-PresidentService ........................... Miranda Melikian, SecretaryCharacter ....................... Thomas Heywosz, Treasurer

Introduction of New Members ............... Allison ChevalierOath of Membership ......................................... InducteesClosing Remarks ................................... Allison ChevalierCandle Lighting......................................... NHS MembersRecessional ............................... Anthony Battista, Pianist

New Inductees for the EveningSeniorsShanzah Chaudhry Samantha Curtis Roshani PatelRebecca Davison Devin Pietz Isabella dos SantosMeghan Pratt

JuniorsBriana Ellis Michael Rapoza Monika Kicilinska Tin ErlichJohn Raucci Logan Filo-Loos Emily Rusack

SophomoresZachary Fournier Rachael Schulman Olivia AtchueCatherine French Ryan Silk Beatrice Berthiaume JasmineInim Caitlyn Starr Rachel Bianculli Haley Jarosz FrancheskaTorres Gunnar Bjorkland Alena Kimble Deborah WadkinsNinamarie Blaise Ayala Olivia Kiritsis Kyle WatkinsSamantha Bodo Amanda Lane Michaela WhiteJustin Carbonneau KimberlyMazejka Aidan WhiteheadHaley Chupka MoiraMcDonough MaxwellWinalski Brittany ComoNicholas Ostrowski

National Honor Society Inducts Shepherd Hill Students

2014 National Honor SocietySeniorsAnthony Battista Mehgan Beckman Alexandra BelleriveNatalie Cadarette Brett Carbonneau Allison ChevalierMichelle Courtney Megan Donovan Samantha Dumas AshleyFagan Kevin Falcone Brenna Foley Claire Frederick JakeGelb Caitlin Gunagan Thomas Heywosz Wyatt HigginbothamBenjamin Hoke Daniel Hutchinson Christopher JohnsonScott Kauppinen Katie Konieczny Natalia Kurpiel NicholasLane Congke Li Jenna Libera Allison Malerbi Gabrielle MannHeidi Marrier Stephanie Mazejka Patrick McGee MirandaMelikian Alexis MenardJoseph Mielinski JordanMiglionico Brianna MillettKimberly Morrissey ErinMurphy Thomas MurphyStephen Notley LaurenO’Loughlin Daniela O’ReganJacquelyn Pack MatthewPavone Allie Pysell Emily

Reynolds Rebecca Rulnick Andrew ShoreJeffrey Spahl Madison Stevens AnnaSullivan Emily Thibaud Valerie Thibaud JulieThorpe Kelsey Tucker Adriana VesovskiSarah Wade Kelsey Whipple Stella WortersAlexander Zielinski

JuniorsMark Barton Riley Bishop Victoria CroweRoisin Donnelly Chase Flibbert MichaelFoss Taylor Gallegan Darien Gaudet JesseGaulin Evan Gaylord Lucy Harmon AbigailHoward Emily Ijams Zoe Kiritsis RyanMahan Talia Manzi Benjamin Martin BrianMayville Christopher Merrill Kendra O’ Malley Abigail Packard Rachael Pollier Eliza-beth Potter Kacper Puczydlowski

Ashley Quadarella Gabrielle Ray Erin Rohr Caitlin SmithJuleanna Schultz Justyna Sudyka Shawn Tarasiak DanielVangos Fay Wang Benjamin White

Ryan Silk and Kevin Falcone



Sisters, Stephanie and Kim Mazejka.

Zach Fournier with his folksBen White, Michaela White, Justina Sudyka and Rachel Pollier

National Honor Society Members march through the ceremonials.

A group of friends gather after the ceremony for a littleconversation and socializing.



Jake Gelb and Thomas Heywosz attendBoys State

Two students from Shepherd Hill were honored at theAmerican Legion Past Commanders Dinner on Saturday,March 8th. Jake Gelb and Thomas Heywosz werenominated for the Boys State Award. The two spentone week at Stonehill College where being up at 5AM meant getting hot water in the shower andearly preparation for the days events before goingto breakfast. They spent the day partaking in teambuilding workshops as well as lectures on govern-ment and the economy.

Thomas describes the routine as follows:“My typical day at Boys' State included starting at 5;15 am toget into the showers prior to everyone else. Then I wouldprepare for the day by getting together my notes and infor-mation for my various activities. Then we would either go tocolors of breakfast depending onthe day.From there were town municipalmeetings at which I served as therole of town treasurer. After thatwere the electives of which I tookthe economics class during which apartner from Goldman & Sachs anda member of the FED spoke withus. The following activity was thegeneral education lecture whichwas a large overview covering stategovernment.From there was lunch and thenrecreation period during which Iparticipated in the College Bowlevent. From there was a free periodand then dinner. After that eitherelections or more town meetingsoccurred.”

Thomas Heywosz, Senator Brewer, and Jake Gelb at the AmericanLegion Commanders Dinner. The two young men were honored,

having been participants in the Boys State program.

At Shepherd Hill, Thomas ranks third in his class, he iscaptain of the academic decathlon team, co-captain of themath team, a member of the Student Council ExecutiveBoard, NHS treasurer, Leos' Club treasurer, and a member ofthe High School Quiz Show team.

Jake Gelb is now an 18 year old senior at Shepherd Hill.He has been one of the captains of the football team and is amember of the National HonorSociety. He is planning onattending college, but he is notsure where yet, and would liketo become a doctor when he isolder.

For nearly 70 years, theAmerican Legion Department ofMassachusetts, with the assis-tance of many others, hasproduced Boys State. They lookto continue a long tradition ofsuccess. American Legion BoysState programs throughout thecountry have produced a United States president, senators,congressmen, governors, and leaders of business and industry

throughout our nation.Coupled with academic achievement, Boys State

can be an attractive component to a dynamicstudent profile. But more importantly, for manyBoys State citizens, the lessons learned at Boys

State serve as the first glimpse of issues they willface on a much grander scale as they grow as

citizens.Students may seek out a principal or guidance counselor

for a recommendation to attend this program.The host campus for the week of Boys State is Stonehill

College, located in North Easton, Massachusetts. Recognizingthat this may be the first glimpse of college campus life

afforded to students, Boys State has chosenStonehill College for its first-class campusand facilities, which provide a fine examplefor students and parents as they begin thecollege selection process

Boys and Girls State is for high schooljuniors and candidates are usually nominatedby their junior history teachers for the sum-mer of their junior year. At this point they canthen be nominated by their camp counselorsto become counselors themselves. Theprogram began in 1937 and is held in each ofthe U.S. States (excluding Hawaii), usually ona college campus within that state. Boys’ andGirls’ State here in Massachusetts are held onthe same campus on the same week.

Program participants are first divided upinto subgroups referred to as cities. Thecitizens of each of these cities elect mockmunicipal officials and representatives to the

Jake Gelb’s AmericanLegion Certifcate ofAppreciation Award

Thomas Heywosz describes his dailyroutine at Stonehill College.



John Heywosz, his son Thomas, Senator Brewer,Jake Gelb, and Lance and Susan Gelb.

mock state legislature. If enough citizens are present, then acounty level is added to the program between city and state.The participants also elect state officials, such as governor,lieutenant governor, and other state-level officials that theirreal state has. The legislature meets to organize, electleaders, and to pass bills, in a way that is similar to how theiractual legislature operates. Some programs tend to have amore traditional education focus, providing speakers andtraining throughout the week and then concluding with mockpolitical functions.

Other programs take a more hands-on approach byrunning the mock government activities all week.

All programs generally follow a similar pattern, but varyby state. Some states hold mock trials, the participantsvolunteering as lawyers, accused, and juries. Some statesinclude a journalism component that represents the FourthEstate in the political process. North Dakota includes aclassroom-based emergency management simulation thatrequires participants to respond to various large-scale disas-ters by managing communication, resources and personnel.Other programs include creative and fun activities such asband, choir, and athletic competition.

The American Legion runs the Boys State program. Thestaff oversees the curriculum, presides over debates, umpiressports, monitors elections, and maintains the daily order of theprogram. They are college and graduate students, attorneys,education professionals, investment advisors, accountants,teachers, economists, and business people of many disci-plines, all volunteering their time to give back what BoysState provided them. Boys/Girls State is typically staffed byLegion members and community leaders who volunteer theirtime and effort. Administrative costs are defrayed by theirthe state Legion organizations.

Congratulations to these fine young men and good luck inyour future endeavors, no matter where they lead you.

Theatre WorkshopsPasture Prime Players, Inc. will be conducting Theatre

Workshops for youths aged 6-15 this summer. The work-shops well be held in two separate 2 week sessions with anoptional third session if interest warrants. Each two-weekworkshop will run from 10 AM to 3 PM Monday throughFriday and will teach all skills associated with theater produc-tion and culminate in a performance. Mornings will bedevoted to specific skills, and the afternoon will be used totransfer those skills to the full-scale production. The cost foreach 2 week session is $200. Session 1, for ages 6-11, willrun June 30th through July 12th. Session 2, for ages 10-15,will run July 14th through July 26th. Session 3, for ages 7-12,will run July 28th through August 9th. All activities will beheld at the Charlton Arts and Activities Center, 4 Dresser HillRoad in Charlton, MA.

The instructor, Mr. Jeremy Woloski, is a certified TheaterArts teacher at the Worcester Magnet School for the Artsand has been running children’s theatre workshops for thepast thirteen years. He is also an experienced performer,director, and singer. For more information, contact JeremyWoloski at (774) 230-7456 or [email protected]

Pasture Prime Players Announce OpenAuditions for “Out of Order”

Pasture Prime Players, Inc. is proud to announce openauditions for “Out of Order” by Ray Cooney and directed byCarole Hayes. Auditions will be held Saturday, March 29that 1:00 PM and Sunday, March 30th at 6:00 PM at theCharlton Arts & Activities Center, 4 Dresser Hill Rd., Charl-ton, MA. Performances will be held June 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 &15.

When Richard Willey, a government junior minister, plansto spend the eveningwith JaneWorthington, oneof theopposition’stypists, things godisastrouslywrong in thishilarious RayCooney farce.

There areroles for 6 men 20’s-60’s and 4 women20’s - 50’s. Auditionswill be cold readingsfrom the script.

For moreinformation, contact us (508) 764-1450, [email protected] or our websitewww.pastureprime.org



Elizabeth Heywood and Amanda Pecyna playing “Summertime”.

Chris Ball, a former student at Shepherd Hillwho came back for the performance.

Mr. Flynn and Jill Lane in a duet.

Jazz Ensemble Performs at Shepherd HillIt was a pleasant evening with unusual temperatures

reaching a balmy 50 degrees with sunshine here at the Hill onMarch 20th.

Inside the auditorium, the Shepherd Hill Jazz Bandcombined with the Dudley Middle School Jazz band topresent a delightful performance of brass and drums alongwith the keyboard and bass with returning graduate ChrisBall. The Middle School did their numbers first, followed bythe High School and then, small groups did their specials likethat of “Summertime” done by Elizabeth Heywood andAmanda Pecyna.

Lastly, in an impromptu session, Teacher James Flynninvited audience members up to join in the fun.

What’s jazz without saxophones? Mr. Flynn conducts Charles Hill,Gabby Grondalski, Liz Heywood, and Amanda Acena on sax.

Scott Beaudry on keyboard.



Matt Waterhouse and Jake Marrier on drums

The Dudley Middle School trumpet line.

Jill Lane, Chris Hanks, and Kyle Quadrilla

Charles Hill

Ed Stefanik on trombone

Kyle Quadrilla

Jazz Ensemble Performance at Shepherd Hill Includes Dudley Middle School



Cheryl Hansen, Library [email protected]

Tel. 508-248-0452

The Charlton Library in Dexter Hall, Main Street, Charlton.

Charlton Public Library Newsby Cheryl Hansen, Director

The warmer weather is on the way (we hope)! Lookingto get out a bit and do something fun and educational? Youmight want to consider using one of the library’s discountedmuseum passes. It’s a good idea to reserve passes inadvance by calling the library at 508-248-0452 x10. Someof the passes are day specific so you must tell us the daythat you’ll be using the pass. Here’s what’s available:

Old Sturbridge Village1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd.Sturbridge, MA 01566www.osv.orgReceive a 50% discount off DAYTIME admission for up to4 individuals per visit.

USS Constitution MuseumCharlestown Navy YardBoston, MA 02129(617) 426-1812http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/Free admission for up to 9 guests with the museum pass.

Museum of ScienceScience ParkBoston, MA 02114617-589-0100http://www.mos.org/Each discount coupon admits a maximum of four people. Anadmission fee of $7.00 per person will be charged whenentering the museum.The pass does not include separately-ticketed venuesincluding the Mugar Omni Theater, the Charles HaydenPlanetarium, 3-D Digital Cinema, Butterfly Garden, andspecial exhibits.

Mystic Aquarium55 Coogan Blvd.Mystic, CT 06355-1997860-572-5955

http://www.mysticaquarium.orgThe library pass provides discounted admission to theaquarium.2 adults $23.00 each, 2 children $17.00 each (ages 3-17)

Ecotarium: A Center for Environmental Exploration222 Harrington WayWorcester, MA 01604508-929-2700http://www.ecotarium.orgThe library coupon provides a discounted admission (halfprice) to the Ecotarium for up to 2 adults and 2 children inone vehicle. There is no charge for children under 3.

Roger Williams Park Zoo1000 Elmwood AvenueProvidence, RI 02907401-785-3510www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org

The library pass provides a $3.00 discounted admission forany combination of 4 adults, seniors, and/or children.

____________________________________________________________________________

Massachusetts State Parkswww.massparks.org

The Massachusetts Parks Pass entitles the bearer tofree parking for one carload of visitors at over 50 facilities inthe MA State Parks system that charge a day-use parkingfee.

Looking for something to do in April? Here’s what’sgoing on for adults at the library. To register for a programcall 508-248-0452 x 10:

April 1st and 15th at 6:30 in the Sibley Reading Area onthe Main Level: Knitting group- this is an informal group ofknitters who meet to knit and socialize.

April 8th & 22nd at 6:30 on the Main Level: Scrabblegroup- new members are always welcome.

April 15th at 6:30 in the Local History Room: Bookgroup- this month we will be discussing Still Alice by LisaGenova. Call the library at 508-248-0452 x10 if you need acopy of the book.

April 24th at 6:15 in the Community Room: Cookiedecorating class for teens and adults. Registration is limited.Call 508-248-0452 x10 to register.

April 29th at 6:00 in Dexter Hall: Movie Night for teensand adults- we’ll be showing “Saving Mr. Banks.”





Grade 5

High HonorsAllison Anger, Samuel Bailen, Cutter Beck, Dylan

Berk, Andrew Bitar, Abigail Boria, Molly Brodeur, AbigailBullard, Andrew Bullen, Ella Ceppetelli, Alissa Cloutier,Olivia Cloutier, Michaela Cluett, Annalyse Degon,Alexandra Delano, Nathan Dexter, Fiona Doiron, ColinDrake, Helena Duke, Ashley Figueroa, Christian Figueroa,Thomas French, Grace Gamelli, Matthew Gard, MichaelGard, Brooke Garrepy, Sofia Hargrave, Jacob Heywood,Owen Hughes, Connor Johnston, Chloe Lanier, MarynLaPlante, John Lehmann, Ethan Lilley, Sydney Lizotte,Flora Marderosian, Jenna Miller, Christopher Nuttall,Ariana Rizzo, Christopher Rogalski, Aimon Shaw, KylieSullivan, Serena Veilleux, Henry Weiland andMackenzie Woods

HonorsDylan Abate, Michael Alicea, Albin Anderson,

Jared Barrows, Cameron Bodamer, Maya Bond,Skyler Bond, Evan Borgeson, Rebecca Boucher,Natalie Boutiette, Kylie Breen, Gavin Briggs,Dylan Brown, Sean Burchstead, Megan Burdett, BrentBurlingame, Rahni Bussiere, Jessie Calkins, BriannaCanty, Kayla Canty, Alexandra Capuano, AudreyCarragher, Liam Coleman, Danielle Como, MeganConstantino, Camden Cooper, Megan Costa, CourtneyCristo, Jordan Daigneault, Kathryn Davison, JoranDeFosse, Faythe Eisnor, Joshua Faubert, Mark Fields,Shannon Flynn Richards, Ashley Foley, Nicholas Fredette,Carol Garcia, Emily Gelardi, Isabella Greenberg, ColinGunter-Donaghy, Camden Hackett, Devin Hanlan, EliHarmon, Ryan Hennessey, Zachary Higgins, EmmaJaffarian, Jenna Johnson, Sean Kirwin, Hailee Krasnecky,Alexis LaCroix, Emma Lanpher, Aidan Lis, Brad Luciani,Chase McKenney, Elizabeth McLam, Kevin McManus,Samuel Messier, Austin Michaelson, Hannah Morrill,Michael Mullaly, Anna Murray, Eric O’Loughlin, JosephPalermo, Elise Palfreman, Sarah Popsuj, Sean Rabbitt,Michael Raymond, Matthew Reed, Tyler Reinke, WilliamRoss, Madison Rynne, Jackson Schumaker, Abigail Shaw,Dylan Smaltz, Kyleigh Sutherland, Jordyn Szretter,Karyssa Thompson, Damian Wielgorecki and Cole Wilson

Grade 6

High HonorsMichael Acquaah-Harrison, Lindsay Albright, Lauren

Alicea, Lauren Bigelow, Julia Blauvelt, Emily Brindisi,Abigail Cofsky, Alexandra D’Arcangelo, Madeline Davis,Lauryn Dawson, Samantha Doktor, Nicholas Falcone,Catherine Fengler, Pavlos Goulas, Kerry Greenough,Anya Grondalski, Sierra Grybowski, Hannah Guerin,Madison Hill, Madison Hughes, Taylor Johndrow, EmilyJohnson, Abigayle Jones, Emily Kania, ThomasLombardi, Johanna McAuliffe, Ashton Monahan, RyanMoore, Madeleine Mulcare, Ceilidgh O’Brien, AnthonyOriente, Andreas Papoutsides, Gianna Peluso, JackRacicot, Olivia Richardson, Brant Savage, Olivia

Sciarappa, Jacob Scotti, Elizabeth Stone,Christopher Sullivan Acevedo,Alexandar Vesovski, Haylee Wagner,Rachel Whipple, Madison White andKiley Wong-Li

HonorsChase Abbott, Julia Antocci,

Jacob Bachand, Caitlin Baer, Cameron Bonin, EmilyBoraccini, Abbey Burdett, Juliana Callahan, Ryan Casey,Jack Cicero, Cassidy Clement, Zackary Cook, BramanCronin, Jack Davis, Gabriella Dillenback, Emily Dodos,Amber Duncan, Kaley Eaton, Gabrielle Eberhart, TaliaEckbold, Savannah Fahl, Jaydon Fisher, IsabellaFitzgerald, Jacob Fortin, Max Ginsburg, Marci Giorgio,Liam Gordon, Chance Heaphy, Kaley Hibbert, AbigailHolden, Emma Hurley, Kobe Jean-Guillaume, ZacharyJohnson, Garrett Jones, Collin Jyringi, Megan Kennedy,Willam Kinnes, Edward Knopf, Payton Krukonis, JosephLafrenais, Andie Lee, Samantha LePage, VeronicaLevesque, Jake Lizotte, Hannah MacLellan, FrancescoManzi, Jordan Maple, Tyler McKeen, Patrick McManus,Benjamin Morin, Kendall Mullen, Isabella Nascimento,Jordan Phillips, Anthony Pingeton, Alaina Plourde, KarenRocha, Milena Rogalski, Shannon Ross, Cian Savage,Janelle Schulman, Nathan Shoemaker, Luke Snay, OliviaSokowaski, Cady Stevens, Benjamin Thomas, AlanaTorres Rodriguez and Rylee Trinque, Johnathan Tucker

Mr. Dean Packard, Principal, Charlton Middle School, has announced the honorroll for the second quarter of the 2013-2014 school year.

Honor Roll



Grade 8

High HonorsElizabeth Acquaah-Harrison, Dominic Battista, Kyle

Belmonte, Karl Benkert, Zachary Blauvelt, NicoleCapielo, Katelyn Chalupka, Tyler Cierpich, Shane Clardy,Julia Dandridge, John Davison, Kylie Deem, EricDileone, Kaitlyn Dodos, Aeryn Fahl, Isabel Ferreira,Marissa Fontaine, Lily Frappier, Diana Giorgio, GwynethGould, Jacob Greenough, Megan Hueras, Bethany Irish,Briana Johnson, Jack Krukonis, Tyler Lizotte, JacobMorin, Maia Romanelli, Reagan Sanborn, Bailey Savage,Jenna Savoie, Sophia Sciarappa, Emily Snay, JillianSpillane, Meghan St. Pierre, Eric Sutherland, KristinTagg, Abigail VanDeMark, Bryce Winsky and JamieWoods

HonorsJoshua Banach, Aiden Bishop, Allison Bolton,

Isabelle Boria, Camden Brooks, Melissa Burke, ColinBussiere, Emily Butkus, John Calcagni, Jesse Caswell,Benjamin Cathcart, Cameron Cox, NicholasD’Arcangelo, Anthony D’Elia, Benjamin Dacey-Render,Meaghan Daniels, Mikhaela Daniels, Zachary Darling,Hailey Delphia, Benjamin Eberhart, Mathieu Ellis,Matthew Faubert, Alexander Fengler, Emily Girouard,Amber Grybowski, Joseph Hennessey, Leah Hibbert,Elliott Hunt, Nora Ilacqua, Angela Kaperonis, Christo-pher LaFortune, Breanna LaHair, Kathleen Landry,Salah LaTulippe, Hunter Lavigne, Caroline Lawson,Jacob Leo, Jillian Luke, Cameron MacLellan, DanielMancini, Olivia McAleer, McKenzie McLarnon, ErinMcMenemy, Hailey Mendez, Alexander Mulcare, TracyMurray, Aidan Neilly, Kayla Nystrom, Seamus O’Brien,Jason O’Regan, Megan Ouellette, Kyle Pastore, AdamPelic, Katelynn Peterson, Stephen Porth, KennethRacicot, Lucas Roberts, Toni Rubin, Chloe Ryder,Cristina Sage, Isabelle Samko, Hayley Shoemaker,Morgan Silk, Andrew Smith, Abigail Snopkowski,Meghan Thomas, Noah Thompson, Bennett Wisniewskiand Chloe Zastrow

Honor RollMr. Dean Packard, Principal, Charlton Middle School, has announced the honor

roll for the second quarter of the 2013-2014 school year.

Grade 7

High HonorsAnna Bagley, Dale Blake, Shelby Blanchette, Jason

Bohn, Alayna Cashman, Peyton Ceppetelli, Julia Cierpich,Thomas Constantino, Mikaylee Dickinson, ShaelynDonovan, Sean Flaherty, MadisonGendreau, Ariel Goharzadeh, NicholasGoharzadeh, Cole Hackett, KaleighHill, Sydney Hill, Kayleigh Irish,Eric Lehmann, Paige Leite,Grace MacGrath, GraceMarderosian, ErickaMardirosian, ShelbyMardirosian, Benjamin Martin-Jaffe, John McCabe,Jonah Messier, Drew Montigny, Christopher Montville,Shawn Murphy, Tyler Rice, Zachary Roland, MinaRoufail, Christopher Sampson, Conor Schumaker, Jack-son Squitier, Sophia Trifone, Emma Whitehead and OliviaWilson

HonorsDanee Arsenault, Kevin Baer, Emma Bailen,

Madisyn Banfill, Isabella Beaulieu, Dominick Berthiaume,Jordan Bousquet, Dayna Brown, Kylie Cohen, ColinDeso, Jarrod DiMasi, Colin Doherty, Timothy Ducey,Gwen Earnest, Cayley Fagan, Andrew Flanagan, JohnFoley, Samuel Gaudette, Riley Gingras, Nikolas Goulas,Reese Hammond, Jared Hayward, Aquinnah Hill, Nicho-las Hill, Zachary Hill, Jake Hughes, Andrew Kallanian,

GeorgeKaperonis, JulieKye, NathanLaBrec, Britany

Larson, TylerLedoux, Sadie

MacGrath, Dean Maesto,Sophie Maker, Erin McKeon,

Charles Morse, Collin Mulcahy,Casey Mullaly, Claire Myers, Joseph Nuttall, SamuelO’Brien, Alexis Radziewicz, Jonathan Rynne, RosaliaSanchez, Mackenzie Shaw, Jaelyn Taylor, Trevor Thomp-son, Alexander Trueman, Alyssa Trueman, VictoriaTuson, Devan Wetherbee and Chelsea Woodcock



Building a Better HeartDr. Charles Antzelevitch, Executive Director and Direc-

tor of Research at the Masonic Medical Research Labora-tory (MMRL) in Utica, NY will be making two presentationsat The Overlook on the Masonic Campus in Charlton, MA on

Tuesday, March 11.Building a Better Heart

through Research in the TwentyFirst Century will be presented at2:00pm and again at 7:00pm in thePerforming Arts Center with eachprogram followed by a questionand answer session. Both presen-tations are open to the public.

Over the past five decades,the MMRL has flourished into aninternationally renowned state-of-the-art medical research institute

highly respected and referenced within the scientific andmedical community worldwide. Few laboratories have beenas progressive, productive or influential in the field of experi-mental cardiology.

The MMRL is unique among medical centers worldwidein its ability to study genetic causes of lethal cardiacarrhythmias responsible for sudden cardiac death and todesign gene-specific therapies. The Laboratory’s scientificbreakthroughs have helped to develop new heart medicationsand diagnostic procedures, as well as novel therapeuticapproaches for the management of cardiac arrhythmias.

Dr. Antzelevitch is a leader in his field and holds thedistinction of being conferred a Distinguished Scientist Awardby the American College of Cardiology, Heart RhythmSociety, as well as the American Physiological Society. Hisstudies have been published in the finest scientific andmedical journals worldwide and he has authored or co-authored over 480 articles and co-edited six books dealingwith function of the heart in health and disease.

“We are honored to have such a distinguished scientistand Freemason at The Overlook and encourage the generalpublic and Freemasons to attend these free lectures. It is notoften that one can hear from such a recognized authority onthe promise and power of medical research,” said organizer,Richard Cornwell.

To RSVP, for more information or directions, call 508-434-2335. To learn more about the MMRL, visitwww.mmrl.edu

Tel. 508-943-1298Fax: 508-949-6763

Roland P. Malboeuf Director

38 East Main Street, Webster, Massachusetts 01570www.scanlonfs.com - www.websterfunerals.com

Looking for an opportunity to make adifference in your community?

The Charlton PTO is looking for a Fundraiser Coordina-tor or team of Coordinators for our annual Mixed Bag sale.Mixed Bag designs offers quality re-useable totes, lunchbags, cell phone and tablet accessories and gift items in funprints and colors. The Charlton PTO is planning to run thisprofitable fundraiser in early April with product delivery intime from Mother’s Day.

Coordinator responsibilities include distributing andcollecting order forms, processing orders, sorting of productsreceived from Mix Bag and coordinating distribution mixedbag products through Charlton school.

This is not your only opportunity to help. Be a volunteerat one of our many events. Help in the schools, or donatemoney. Look for the many programs that the PTO offers andperhaps you could sponsor one. If you have an idea for anew program, bring it forward and maybe it will be a winner!

Please contact the Charlton PTO [email protected] if you are interested in serving asour Mixed Bag Coordinator or can help out by coordinatingthe sale at one of our schools.

Being a volunteerfire fighter offers one

reward few other jobs can match.Few jobs offer you the opportunity to save a life. But as a volunteer fire

fighter, you could be called upon to do it at a moment's notice.That's why we need people with a strong desire to help others. And people

with courage and dedication to the job they do.Because this job is so important, we make sure all of our volunteer fire fighters

are expertly trained and properly equipped.So if you want to do something important for your community and are willing

to take on a challenging job, come down to the fire station and talk to us.And for your efforts, you may receive the best reward any job can give.

Contact the

Charlton Fire Department10 Power Station Road

Charlton City, Massachusetts 01508Telephone 248-2299









School Biography Project Brings PraiseOn Tuesday, March 4, 2014 the fourth grade Heritage

School students participated in a special program as anextension of their assignment of writing a biography. As apart of their report, each student was to dress in costume andact out the part of the person in their biography.

A ‘Museum’ was set up and when guests came in,students were ‘frozen’ in place and stood like a wax figure,dressed in character. When a visitor to the museum pressedthe button on their desk the student came alive as theircharacter and spoke all about themselves and why they werefamous.

Fourth grade teachers guided the students along, assistingin the ‘creation’ of costumes when material or samples werenot immediately accessible. One student commandeered hismotocross outfit and put on insignia to match that of anastronaut. Congratulations to Mrs. Hast and the 4th gradestaff for this spectacular event!!

Comments were emailed to the school by parents andguests as follows:

“I wanted to send a quick note to inform you how much

A group photo of the ‘Wax Museum’ figures of history.

Neil Armstrong stands motionless as a vistor approaches.

my family and I enjoyed the Wax Museum. The time anddedication the children devoted to this event literally broughttears to my eyes. It was a wonderful event, and one I hopewill continue for many years to come.”

“Just wanted to let you know how impressed my parentsand I were with the fabulous show yesterday. It was somuch fun to walk around and “experience” the children. Theyall worked so hard and each and every one of them did aterrific job.”

“Were your ears burning today? If they were, it’s be-cause I came back to work raving to all my colleagues abouthow creative and innovative the Wax Museum event was –and what a testament to the students and teachers forworking hard to conduct the research, organize the conceptsinto a report, practice their oral presentation and then executeso brilliantly! It was informative, engaging, and Connor wasclearly enjoying himself/having FUN – it was a treat to seehim ‘in action’ at this event.”

“I was really impressed with this event – thank you forsupporting innovation such as this in the programming andcurriculum.”

Abigal Adams with her biography by her side.



Shepherd Hill Coach Garnishes AwardLindstrom Lessons for Life Live Long

Announced recently at a School Committee meeting,Chris Lindstrom, a long time coach and teacher at ShepherdHill, was a recipient of the Positive Coaching Alliance givesDouble-Goal Coach Award.

Superintendent Gilrein stated; “It is with great excitementthat I have the honor and privilege to announce to all of youthat Chris has been named one of three national recipients ofthe Positive Coaching Alliance’s Double Goal Coach of theYear.”

Each year, the Positive Coaching Alliance gives Double-Goal Coach Awards to 25 youth and high school sportscoaches from throughout the U.S. who embody the ideals ofthe Double-Goal Coach, striving to win, while also pursuingthe even more important goal of teaching life lessons throughsports.

The award includes $250; a trophy; recognition in PCA’swebsite, newsletters and media campaigns; and the chance toaccept the honor in California during PCA’s National YouthSports Awards Dinner.

The Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profitdeveloping “Better Athletes, Better People” by working toprovide all youth and high school athletes a positive, charac-ter-building youth sports experience.

Below is an alphabetical list of the 25 winners of PCA’sDouble-Goal Coach Award Presented by MaxPreps, chosenfrom a record 1,700-plus nominations from throughout theU.S. Each winner receives $250, a trophy and celebrationand appreciation from all corners of the PCA Movement.

Winners of the Award 2014Rene Ayala, Sir Francis Drake High School Soccer, San Anselmo,

CAVenessa Barnard, Grace Academy High School Volleyball & Alii

Volleyball Club, Georgetown, TXBob Baxter, Menlo-Atherton Little League, Menlo Park, CACharles Bell, St. Joseph High School & One Way Water Polo Club,

Santa Maria, CATim Bristol, Briscoe Junior High School Football & Track,

Richmond, TXSteve Campbell, Williams Field High School Football, Gilbert, AZQuinn Delgado, Crespi Carmelite High School Water Polo, Encino,

CAKaryn Domzalski, Riverside Brookfield Gymnastics, Riverside, ILPaul Eckley, Solid Rock Community School Football, Odessa, FLMichelle Hargreaves, Hidden K Stables Pony Club Riding,

Pfafftown, NCCecil Hinds, Madison Central High School Soccer, Madison, MSMatthew Hittenmark, Harlem RBI, Hyde Leadership Charter

School Basketball, Baseball & Softball, New York, NYJackie Hlavaty, Highland Park High School Soccer, Dallas, TXTiffany Johnson, Bedford Sprint Masters Track & Field Club,

Bedford, OHEric Kartheiser, Rochester Royals Softball, Rochester, MNDeanna Knobloch, Moorestown High School Lacrosse, Moorestown,

NJDawn Lee, Cathedral Catholic Varsity Soccer, San Diego, CAChris Lindstrom, Shepherd Hill Regional High School Football,

Dudley, MASarah Nelson, Powhatan School Field Hockey, Powhatan, VAEdil Pavon, LaSalle High School Soccer, Miami, FLDelwyn Showalter, Mount Ayr High School Football, Mount Ayr, IALisa Sparrow, Overland High School & Achieve Gymnastics,

Aurora, COSophie Waldron, Terra Linda High School & Marin Water Polo,

San Rafael, CADaniel Ward, Winters High

School Football, Winters, CARon Woitalewicz, Dakota Ridge

High School Football,Littleton, CO

Coach Lindstrom comes before the School Committee forrecognition for receiving the PCA Double-Goal Coach Award.

Dave Deremian LandscapingMowing - Mulching - Hedge Trimming

Fertilizing- Spring/Fall Clean-UpsTractor Work - Rototilling - Aerating

Fully Insured

508-769-9811





Garden Club Invites All forGardening Lecture

Come and join us! The Charlton Garden Club’s April 11,2014 meeting will feature Dawn Pettinelli whose talk,‘Compostology’ will cover the basics of backyardcomposting. Charlton Garden Club meetings are open to allinterested in gardening and related themes.

Whether you’re a novice or accomplished gardener, theCharlton Garden Club is a great place to meet other garden-ing enthusiasts, learn about plants and planting, and to shareyour gardening tips and experiences.

Meetings are held at 7 pm at the Charlton FederatedChurch. A $5 donation is suggested for non-members. Ifinterested in joining the Garden Club, please contact VirginiaCharette at (508) 248-7300 or Marcia Liedigk at (508) 434-0507.

Gardening Tips for April Thatch buildup can smother your lawn and provide anenvironment for diseases. Remove thatch with a brisk raking,or with a de-thatching machine When danger of frost has passed, uncover strawberrybeds and keep them moist if the weather turns dry. Aerating the lawn in compacted areas will allow water andair to penetrate deeper into the soil. Use a garden fork andpunch holes over the surface of your lawn. As your direct-seeded crops sprout, be sure to thin them toavoid crowding. As mowing becomes necessary, be certain that the bladeis sharp to prevent tearing the grass tips. Set the blade onyour lawnmower to cut the grass at 2 1/2 inches to avoidscalping. If you have a pond or garden pool you can set out tenderaquatic plants any time after the middle of the month. April is a great time to select and plant fruit trees andberry plants. Both will do best when planted in full sun. Spring-cleaning your houseplants will keep them beautifuland help avoid diseases. Remove any spent flowers, deadleaves or branches, or yellowing leaves. Rinse the dust fromthe leaves with the kitchen sprayer. Clean leaves allow theplant to breathe! Plant new rosebushes before growth starts and budsswell. Celebrate Arbor Day on April 25 by planting a tree!

Health Effects of Secondhand SmokeU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Secondhand smoke causes numerous health problems ininfants and children, including severe asthma attacks, respira-tory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant deathsyndrome (SIDS). Some of the health conditions caused bysecondhand smoke in adults include heart disease and lungcancer.Secondhand Smoke Causes Heart DiseaseExposure to secondhand smoke has immediate adverseeffects on the cardiovascular system and can cause coronaryheart disease. Secondhand smoke causes an estimated 46,000 prematuredeaths from heart disease each year in the United Statesamong nonsmokers.4 Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke athome or at work increase their risk of developing heartdisease by 25–30%.1Breathing secondhand smoke can have immediate adverseeffects on your blood and blood vessels, increasing the risk ofhaving a heart attack. Breathing secondhand smoke interfereswith the normal functioning of the heart, blood,and vascular systems in ways that in-crease the risk of having a heartattack. Even brief secondhand smokeexposure can damage the liningof blood vessels and cause yourblood platelets to becomestickier. These changes cancause a deadly heart attack.People who already have heartdisease are at especially high risk ofsuffering adverse effects from breathing secondhand smokeand should take special precautions to avoid even briefexposures.Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in adults who them-selves have never smoked. Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke athome or at work increase their risk of developing lung cancerby 20–30%. Secondhand smoke causes an estimated 3,400 lung cancerdeaths among U.S. nonsmokers each year.Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke areinhaling many of the same cancer-causing substances andpoisons as smokers. Secondhand smoke contains about 70cancer-causing chemicals. Even brief secondhand smoke exposure can damage cellsin ways that set the cancer process in motion. As with active smoking, the longer the duration and thehigher the level of exposure to secondhand smoke, thegreater the risk of developing lung cancer.

If cigarette smoke is so good, why don’t smokers just lock themselves in acloset and breath it all in? Why do they insist on sharing?



Spring has sprung: (Melting) Water Safety!Just a reminder as the ice on the lakes start to recede,

people enjoying winter sports need totake extra precautions from this pointforward! The ice on BuffumvilleLake is now pretty "old" and the sungets stronger every day. Be safe outthere as the ice can be very unpre-dictable. Use caution, the waterunderneath Buffumville Lake isalways moving. As a flood controlproject, the pool level is often chang-ing. In general, a clear layer of ice 4inches thick is safe for foot traffic,but there are no guarantees. Alwaysconsider ice to be potentially danger-ous.

US Army Corps of Engineerspolicy prohibits cars, trucks, ATVsand snowmobiles on BuffumvilleLake.

The worst case scenario: you ora companion (human and canine)falling through the ice! As with anyemergency, preparedness is the key:

* Don't go alone. Here too,practice the buddy system! Also, let

someone know where and when you'll be out at the lake.* Have the following ON YOU: a life jacket (for both

you and canine companions), icepicks, a cell phone in a watertightbaggie.

* Have the following in yourvehicle or nearby: emergencyblanket, rope tied to somethingbuoyant, additional dry clothing,heat packs.

* Remember the phrase"Reach-Throw-Don't Go-GetHelp." If a companion fallsthrough the ice, throw a rope,jumper cables, reach with a treebranch, etc. If this does not work,go for help; do not risk becominga victim yourself. If a pet fallsthrough the ice, do not attempt torescue the pet; go for help.Panicked pet owners can easilybecome a second victim.

Much of this informationcame from and additional icesafety information is available onthe MassWildlife Website: http://

A duck forages for food along the shoreline of Buffumville Lake.

Rangers found this spotted salamander as one of thefirst signs of spring. The salamander usually makesits home in wooded areas with vernal pools, which arenecessary for breeding. To avoid fish from eating theireggs, these vernal pools are necessary. Salamandersspend most of their time underground and will comeabove ground after a rain or for foraging and breed-ing. During the winter, they hibernate underground,and are not seen again until breeding season in earlyMarch–May.

Buffumville News



Beautiful colors of the sky at sunset and sunrise are always a joy to behold. Here at the Buffumville dam are the wisps of pink cotton candy.

www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/hunting-fishing-wildlife-watching/ice-strength-and-safety-tips.html.

The US Army Corps of Engineers announces AprilPrograms:

Park Ranger Jamie Kordack will be available 3 springevenings for Vernal Pool Walks. April 8th, 9th and 10th at7:00 pm (hoping to land on a "Big Night"- a warm dampevening, perfect for finding critters!), please join Park Jamieat Hodges Village Dam- utility building/conference center fora short slideshow and Q&A before heading out to the poolsaround Hodges. For all walks- Dress in weather appropriateattire (layers), wear good boots and bring a flashlight.And......wish for froggy weather!

This is your invitation to visit the Gatehouse at HodgesVillage Dam. Please join Park Ranger, Jamie Kordack onSunday, April 27th at 12:30 pm for this exclusive tour, insideand out. Dress for the weather, this goes rain or shine.

The US Army Corps of Engineers - Please follow us onFacebook at both Buffumville Lake and Hodges Village Dampages. We are adding new photos all the time and want yourcontributions. Please visit us "virtually" today.

Thanks- the Park Rangers!

Buffumville Dam Offers aVariety of Opportunities

Buffumville Dam is located 1.3 miles above the pointwhere the Little River flows into the French River. Com-pleted at a cost of $3 million, the dam is part of a system ofsix flood control projects designed and built by the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers in the Thames River Basin. Thissystem controls flooding from Oxford, Massachusetts, toLong Island Sound.

Buffumville Lake has a peak storage capacity of 5.2billion gallons to minimize downstream flooding. At maximumstorage, the flood control pool rises 42 feet above the normalrecreation pool. This flood water is stored on approximately500 acres of public land. The U.S. Government purchasedthe rights to store flood waters on another 273 acres ofprivate land. Much of this flood easement lands bordersprivately-owned Pierpoint Meadows Pond.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you toBuffumville Lake for year-round recreation at BuffumvillePark. Open daily from mid-May through mid-September, theoutdoor sports enthusiast can hunt, fish and boat at Buffum-ville Lake or use the 27-hole disc-golf course.

The park has a 300-foot-long beach with an enclosedswimming area for your safety. People over 12 pay a fee forusing the beach. Picnic tables and grills are located through-out the park, and two picnic shelters can be reserved for afee. A volleyball court and horseshoe pits can also bereserved for a fee.



Dog Licenses Now Available!Your current Dog Licenses expired December 31st.

Although you have until March 1st, if you have not alreadydone so, it is time to renew the license for your dog.

Note that there is an underlying penalty for delinquencyin the licensing of your dog. Failure to obtain a dog licensemay result in a $50 fine per dog. Citations must be paidwithin 21 days. Failure to pay the citation within twenty-one(21) days from the date issued will result in a summons toDistrict Court. So, get your dog licensed soon!

The owner or keeper of a dog six (6) months old or overis required to obtain a dog license from the Town Clerk andthe license must be attached to a collar or harness of saiddog per MGL, Ch. 140, § 137.

Dog licenses and Kennel Licenses must be obtainedannually at the Town Clerk’s Office or by mail using the DogLicense Mail In Form or Kennel License Application.

When applying for a dog license the applicant must showproof, by a licensed veterinarian's certificate, that the doghas been vaccinated against rabies, as required by Massa-chusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Sections 137 and145B.

Remember that the Town of Charlton has a 24 hourleash law, which requires the owner to keep their dogrestrained on their property at all times.Fees are as follows:

UnNeutered: Male: $20.00, Female: $20.00, Senior Citizen(65 and 70): $17.00

Neutered Male: $10.00, Spayed Female: $10.00, SeniorCitizen (65 and 70): $8.00.

After March 1st, a late fee of $10.00 will be added to anylicense fee. Any person seventy (70) years of age or older, uponproof of age, shall be exempt from the annual fee for one dog, perhousehold.

The owner of a kennel license, age seventy (70) years of age orolder, shall be excluded from this exemption.

Substitute Tag: $1.00, Transfer License: $1.00Kennel fees are:

Four dogs or less $35.005-10 dogs $75.0011-25 dogs $100.0026 or more dogs $200.00

A late fee of $50.00 will be added to kennel license fees if youfail to license by March 1.

Dog owners who fail to license will be subject to a $50 failureto license citation given by the Animal Control Officer. Failure topay this citation within twenty-one (21) days from the date issuedwill result in a summons to District Court.

Please notify the Town Clerk if you no longer have your dogor your dog has passed away. Failure to do so may result in afailure to license citation.

The address for mailing forms is: Animal Control, c/o CharltonPolice Dept., 85 Masonic Home Road, Charlton, MA 01507.

The Municipal Animal Shelter is located at 15 Old Town Road,Charlton, MA. The phone number is 508-248-2266.

Staff members for Animal Control are: Ann Sellew, AnimalControl Officer (ACO), Brent Sellew, Assistant ACO, Lisa Westwell,Assistant ACO

Town of Charlton Animal Control BylawSection 1. Licenses and tags:

The owner or keeper of a dog six (6) months old or over shall purchase alicense from the town Clerk and shall attach the license to a collar orharness of said dog. If any such tag is lost, the owner or keeper of such dogshall secure a substitute tag from the Town Clerk.

Any person residing in the Town of Charlton, who at the beginning ofthe license period (January 1st to December 31st) is, or who during thelicense period becomes, the owner or keeper of a dog six (6) months old orover, shall cause the dog to be licensed within thirty (30) days.

Any owner or keeper of a dog who moves into the Town of Charlton andhas a valid dog license for his/her dog from another city or town in theCommonwealth, shall within 30 days obtain a transfer license and a tag forsuch dog in accordance with G.L. c. 140,

146 for a fee of one dollar ($1.00) upon producing evidence of theprevious license.

Per G.L. c. 140, sec. 137(a) and sec. 137A, the above licensing provisionsshall not apply to any dog or cat housed in a research institution or keptunder a valid kennel license.

The annual fee for every dog license, except as otherwise provided for bylaw, shall be as follows:

Male $20.00 Female $20.00Senior Citizen (65 and over) $17.00Neutered Male $10.00 Spayed Female $10.00Senior Citizen (65 and over) $8.00Substitute Tag - $1.00 Transfer License $1.00Per Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 140, Section 139 (c), no fee shall be

charged for a license issued for a service animal as defined by the Americanswith Disabilities Act or regulations promulgated thereunder.

Any person seventy (70) years of age or older, upon proof of age, shallbe exempt from the annual fee for one dog, per household, per year. Theowner of a kennel license, age seventy (70) years of age or older, shall beexcluded from this exemption. These exemptions shall take effect upon theTown’s acceptance of the provision of Mass. Gen. Law Chapter 140, Section139 (c) reading as follows: “No fee shall be charged for a license for a dogowned by a person aged 70 years or over in a city of town that accepts thisprovision.” All other fees and fines as otherwise provided for in the AnimalControl Bylaws or MA General Laws will apply.

When applying for a dog license the applicant must show proof, by alicensed veterinarian’s certificate, that the dog has been vaccinated againstrabies, as required by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Sections 137and 145B or must provide certification per said statutes that such animal isexempt from this requirement.

The fee for each kennel license shall be as follows:Four dogs or less $35.00Kennel with 5-10 dogs $75.00Kennel with 11-25 dogs $100.00Kennel with 26 or more dogs $200.00Per Mass. General Laws Chapter 137A (b) to determine the amount of

the license fee for a kennel, a dog under the age of 6 months shall not becounted in the number of dogs kept in a kennel. Per Mass. General LawsChapter 137A (c) there shall be no kennel fee charged a domestic charitablecorporation incorporated exclusively for the purpose of protecting animalsfrom cruelty, neglect or abuse or for the relief of suffering. And per Mass.General Laws Chapter 140, Section 137C any person maintaining a kennelafter the license to maintain a kennel has been so revoked, or while such alicense is suspended, shall be punished by a fine of $250.



Per Mass. General Laws Chapter 137(c) no license fee or any partthereof shall be refunded because of subsequent death, loss, spaying, neuteringor removal from the Commonwealth of other disposal of the dog.

Any owner or keeper of a dog failing to license it before March 1st, shallpay a late fee of ten dollars ($10.00) per dog. Any person required to obtaina kennel license (or any person eligible and electing to do so in lieu of a doglicense or licenses) who fails to obtain same before March 1st shall pay a latefee of $50.00.

In accordance with Mass. General Laws Chapter 140, Section 141, anyperson failing to license a dog as prescribed by this section or otherwiseviolating Sections 137, 137A, 137B or 138 of said Chapter shall be assessed apenalty of $50 per dog.

Section 2. Definition of Terms:To the extent that M.G.L. c.140, §§136A to 137A contain definitions of

words used herein all words and terms as used herein shall be as set forth insaid statutes.

Unless otherwise defined by such statutes, the terms as used in this Bylawshall mean the following unless the context otherwise indicates.(1) “DOG” means: Any domestic animal of the canine species, both male

and female. (2) “CAT” means: Any domestic animal of the felinespecies, both male and female.

(3) “OWNER” means: Any person or persons, firm, association, orcorporation owning, keeping or harboring a dog, as herein defined.

(4) “NUISANCE DOG”, as defined in General Laws Chapter 140, Section136A, shall mean a dog that: (i) by excessive barking or other distur-bance, is a source of annoyance to a sick person residing in the vicinity;or (ii) by excessive barking, causing damage or other interference, areasonable person would find such behavior disruptive to one’s quiet andpeaceful enjoyment; or (iii) has threatened or attacked livestock, adomestic animal or a person, but such threat or attack was not a grosslydisproportionate reaction under all the circumstances.

(5) “RUN-AT-LARGE” means: Any dog which is permitted to wander onprivate property of others or on public ways without proper restraint.

(6) “RESTRAINT” means: The dog will be on a leash or a substantial chainand under the control of a person competent to restrain it so that itshall not be a threat to public safety. The mere muzzling of a dog shallnot prevent it from being deemed a nuisance dog.

(7) “KENNEL” is used as that term is defined in Mass. General LawsChapter 40, Section 136A. See that statute for definitions of varioustypes of kennels.

Section 3. Prohibitions:No owner or keeper shall violate any provision of this Bylaw, nor permit

any dog whether licensed or unlicensed to become a “nuisance dog” or to run-at-large within the Town of Charlton any time day or night.

No person owning or keeping a dog shall chain or tether a dog to astationary object including, but not limited to, a structure, dog house, pole ortree for longer than 24 consecutive hours. Owner/Keeper must abide by allother requirements and prohibitions as to restraint, access to clean water andappropriate shelter and other matters addressed in Mass. General LawsChapter 140 Section 174E. As specified in Section 174E, any person whoviolates same “shall, for a first offense, be issued a written warning orpunished by a fine of not more than $50, for a second offense, be punishedby a fine of not more than $100 and for a third or subsequent offense, bepunished by a fine of not more than $300, and be subject to impoundment ofthe dog in a local shelter at the owner’s or guardian’s expense pendingcompliance with this section, or loss of ownership of the dog.”

Section 4. Field Trials:No person shall conduct a Field Trial involving dogs in the Town of

Charlton without first procuring a permit thereof from the Animal ControlOfficer. Any such permit shall contain such limitations, as the AnimalControl Officer shall deem reasonably necessary to prevent such dogs frombeing a threat to public safety.

Section 5. Penalty:Any owner or keeper found in violation of this by-law shall be subject to a

fine according to the following schedule, unless the fine for a violation isotherwise established by state law:

First Offense $25.00Second Offense $35.00Third Offense $50.00Fourth Offense $75.00Fifth and each subsequentoffense(in a calendar year) $100.00Failure to vaccinate for rabies $25.00Failure to obtain dog license $50.00 per dog

Section 6. Enforcement:Enforcing persons:

Animal Control Officer, suchOfficer’s designee, the PoliceChief and and/or CharltonPolice Officer

Fine schedule: Thespecific penalties set forth invarious sections of saidAnimal Control Bylaw assame may be amended fromtime to time, and any such asmay be established byapplicable Mass. GeneralLaws.

Section 7. ProcedureFollowing Impoundment:

The Animal ControlOfficer shall immediately

notify the owner or keeper of any dog or cat impounded under theprovisions of the By-law if such owner or keeper is known by him or her. Ifsuch owner or keeper is not known by him or her, no notice shall benecessary.

Section 8. Notice to Owner and Redemption:The owner may then reclaim the dog or cat by reimbursing the Animal

Control Officer for expenses, fines and fees, and for boarding and care ofthe impounded dog or cat per Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 151A(a). Theboarding and care cost shall be ten dollars ($10.00) for each twenty-four(24) hour period or any part thereof, plus thirty dollars ($30.00) as aninitial pickup fee. However, as required by Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter

140, Sections 137 and 145B, each dog six (6) months old or older musthave been vaccinated for rabies and licensed and each cat six (6) months oldor older must have been vaccinated for rabies before the Animal ControlOfficer may release it to its owner absent certification per said statutes thatsuch animal is exempt.

Section 9. Disposition of Unclaimed Dogs and Cats:Any dog which has been impounded and has not been redeemed by the

owner within seven (7) days shall be disposed of a provided by Massachu-setts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 151A, and any amendmentthereto. Any unclaimed dog or cat adopted from the Charlton AnimalControl Officer shall be spayed or neutered and vaccinated for rabies at theowner’s expense absent certification per Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 140,Sections 137 and 145B that such animal is exempt. The adoption fee for allunclaimed dogs or cats regardless of sex, breed, or age shall be twenty dollars($20.00).

Section 10. Collection of Fines and Fees:All fines and fees collected by the Animal Control Officer while

enforcing the provisions of this By-law shall be collected in the form ofpersonal check, money order or registered check made payable to the Townof Charlton. In any event the Animal Control Officer will not accept cash,unless bonded to do so.

Section 11. Disposition of Collected Fines and Fees:All fines and fees collected by the Animal Control Officer shall be

accounted for and paid over to the Town Treasurer at such time and in suchmanner as may be designated by the Town Treasurer.

Section 12. Non-Waiver of Statutory Remedies:The provisions of Bylaw are intended to be in addition to and not in lieu

of those contained in M.G.L. c.140, Sec136A, et seq., as amended byChapter 193 of Legislative Acts of 2012 and as such may later be furtheramended. Nothing contained in this Bylaw shall deprive the Town or anyenforcement officer from exercising its or their rights and employing theremedies provided in those sections, including but not limited to dispositionof a dog found to be a dangerous dog or nuisance dog, as provided in Sec.157of c.140 as so amended.



Earth Day - CharltonCharlton Earth Day will be celebrated April 26, 2014 with the

annual Town-wide clean-up from 8 am – 12 pm and Earth Fest onthe Town Common from 11 am – 2 pm. This year

marks 30 years since Charlton’s firstroadside litter collection campaign,according to coordinator Cathy Kuehlwho helped organized that initial eventin 1994.

It also marks the 5th anniversary ofthe Earth Fest, an event to promote greenliving and to celebrate and honor the

Earth! Earth Fest will include a pet show,informational vendors, live music, and other

activities. Registration for road clean-up and for the pet showwill begin April 1st, on-line or at the Charlton Senior Center.

Earth Fest planners are looking for volunteers ! The nextmeeting will be March 6 at 6 pm in the Charlton Senior Center. Allare welcome!

Local Runner Runs in Boston Marathonfor Team Eye & Ear

Dear Friends and Family,I am honored to announce that I will be running the

Boston Marathon this year with “Team Eye & Ear.” Thischarity was primarilychosen due to their directand selfless connectionduring last year’s marathonbombing. The Massachu-setts Eye & Ear infirmaryserved as a “safe zone”immediately after theincident, but more impor-tantly, rehabilitated manyvictims. This non-profitspecialty hospital has alsoserved members of myfamily through preventativelaser surgeries to stop theearly onset of hereditaryglaucoma.

This race will takeplace during “MarathonMonday,” April 21, 2014. Itwould mean a great deal tome if I knew that I hadyour support. In conjunction

with Harvard Medical School, Mass. Eye and Ear is commit-ted to the education of future health care professionals, aswell as the education of the public concerning the prevention,diagnosis, and treatment of the diseases in its specialties (eye,ear, nose, throat, head and neck regions) concerning therehabilitation of patients handicapped by these diseases.

Your gifts help to fund advances in care, innovationthrough teaching, and breakthroughs in research - all of whichlead to a better quality of life for patients throughout NewEngland and the world. Simply click the link below to visit mypage and make a donation. Every act of kindness matters!

https://fundly.com/sandy-garney-with-team-eye-ear#_I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted

on this marathon journey! Warmly, Sandy Garney

You are living in the last Green ValleyQuinebaug - Shetucket Heritage Corridor



Welcome To The Southbridge/CharltonResidential Convenience Drop-Off

This Drop-Off is open to Residents of Southbridge and Charlton, Massachusetts ONLY.Proof of residency will be required (i.e. Driver’s license, registration or current utility bill).

Hours of Operation: Every Saturday 7:00 AM to NoonWhat We Can Accept:

• MSW/Trash (please place trash in the marked bin for your Town)• Recycling (please place recycling in the marked bin for your Town)• Scrap Metal• Yard Waste• Bulky (furniture, plastic, wood, mattress, etc.)

Space is limited by the facility permit.Multiple loads and bulk loads can not be accommodated.

What We Can NOT Accept: (No Exceptions)• Commercial Waste• Hazardous Waste (paints, chemicals, oil, etc.)• Bulbs • Batteries • Televisions or Computer Monitors• Electronics (unless they are scrap metal)• Propane Tanks• Refrigerant Containing Appliances• Tires• Other Regulated Materials

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events will be held onthe following days ONLY:

These materials may only be acceptedduring scheduled Household HazardousWaste Collection Events.

Household Hazardous Waste CollectionEvents require notification to and approvalby the Massachusetts Department ofEnvironmental Protection.

The LAST Saturday in: MARCH, JUNE and SEPTEMBERThe FIRST Saturday in: DECEMBER



Planning Board NotesThe Charlton Planning Board met on March 5, in the

Planning Board room of the Town Hall. Present were Chair-man, John P. McGrath,Vice-Chair PatriciaRydlak, and membersJean Vincent, PeteStarkus, Alycia Dzik aswell as staff members,Planning Director, AlanGordon, and Adminis-trative Assistant JayneGarney.

The meeting openedwith the usual house-keeping chores ofreviewing bills andpayroll by ChairmanJohn P. McGrath.

Vouchers were voted and approved to pay for the bills.The memo from Town Administrator, Robin Craver informingthe Town that there is a Charlton/Dudley Regional Schoolregional special election scheduled on March 18 at the

Charlton Heritage Schoolfrom 12pm to 8pm toconsider funding to addrecreational fields wasbrought to the groupsattention.

John read a memoinviting all the Boards andCommissions to an April8th Semi-annual AllBoards and Commissionsmeeting at 6:30 pm at theCharlton Senior Center.Mr. McGrath stated hewill be attending the

Alan Gordon, Planning Director forthe Town of Charlton

John McGrath

meeting to represent the Planning Board.Alycia Dzik made a motion to approve the request by

American Tower Corporation to add an additional antenna tothe existing stealth communications facility located off of J.Hammond Roadwhich was favor-ably voted.

Regarding theproposed solarproject on Carpen-ter Hill Road,Alycia Dzik madea motion to ap-prove an ANR toadjust lot lines onCarpenter HillRoad. All membersvoted in favor.

In regards tothe Hill Roaddevelopment,(AKA: Major HillRoad), Alycia Dzikmade a motion toapprove the ANR to create 2 lots with a note stating on allplans: Lot #2 does not have adequate roadway accessrequired under M.G.L. Chapter 41 or minimum requiredroadway frontage under M.G.L. Chapter 40-A. All membersvoted in favor.

Ms. Paula Thompson, from Waterman Design Associateswas present to discuss a Preliminary Plan for a proposedSenior Living Community to be located on Northside Road.

Ms. Thompson gave an overview. She stated the pro-posed location is on Northside road with 23.5 Acres. Thereare 27 units proposed for 55 and over with 10% AffordableHousing. The housing units will be proposed for ranch stylesingle family units with one or two bedroom units.

Ms. Thomas stated the proposed plan will be designedMember, Jean Vincent (Jean is also

the Charlton Housing Director.)



Charlton is Looking Ahead to Good Growth, Planned Growth

using a subdivision road that will remain private, town waterfrom Southbridge, MA, and DEP design for an on-sitetreatment for septic.

The Board thanked Ms. Thompson for discussing thePreliminary 55 and over Senior Plan with them.

Ms. Thompson stated she will be submitting the Defini-tive Subdivision Plan and the Special Permit, and trafficreport in the spring time.

Growth Management was reviewed and the Boarddiscussed several proposed projects that will be submitted inthe near future for site plan or special permit review.

The Board discussed a future site plan revision to theGeoPeak Energy to amend the previously approved site planon Carpenter Hill Road. The proposed revision is to reducethe solar array lay-out approximately two (2) acres. Thedevelopment of more efficient solar panels have reduced the

footprint necessary tomeet their needs, thusreducing the impact uponthe lot, saving work, timeand money in the pro-cess. The GeoPeakEnergy public hearing willbe scheduled for April 2,2014.

The Board discusseda request from TownAdministrator, Ms.Craver asking the Plan-ning Board to map outproposed development ona Town map and color Member, Patricia Rydlak



Squeezing in More Businesses and Maintaining Quality of Life

Business Development Accomodations are in PlaceCharlton has areas where business can expand or start new. There are anumber of areas zoned in the community ready and waiting for developersto come along and start projects. How do you start?Just drop in to the Planning Board Office at the Town Hall during businesshours and discuss your potential project. If it looks like a go, it can bebrought to the Planning Board for further advice and recommendations.

Planning Board member, Pete Starkus.



Economic Development already has roots here in Charlton and with water and sewer expansion, things will improve evenmore. The Town of Charlton is currently attempting to resolve the water loop which would include supplying water to the MuggetHill area down Oxford Road and perhaps to include the Charlton Middle School and Heritage School. (Here the problem ofstagnant water in the lines during the summer arises due to the schools not being in session.)

code the years for reference. Ms. Craver stated this will helpher plot-out future water line usage.

Discussion ensued, and the Board stated that Mr. MattFranz, the Towns mapping consultant will be contacted tomap-out actual built-out and to database of the extent ofdevelopment in the past several years.

The Board did not agree to map proposed development,as it had not been created as of this time. They felt that Ms.Craver can easily review the list that the Board provided toher last week with the Water/Sewer Department to locatethose properties in conjunction with the Town water lines.

It was indicated that Mr. Gordon and Ms. Rydlak would

be attending the Holy Cross Planner’s Conference scheduledfor March 15th.

Town Planner Alan Gordon stated he will be contactingMr. Rob Lemansky from the Water/Sewer Department toattend a Planning Board meeting for their annual Water/Sewer update with the Board.

Member Pete Starkus made a motion to approve theFebruary 19, minutes as written. Member Jean Vincentseconded the motion. All members were in favor. MemberAlycia Dzik abstained because she was not present at themeeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:35p.m.



The Dudley-Charlton Regional School District is pleased to announce the second annual,district-wide, student art exhibition; Splash of Spring, Art Through the Ages. This gala event willfeature over 2,500 pieces of artwork from district students in grades kindergarten through 12.

The exhibition is Friday, May 2, 5-8 pm at Shepherd Hill Regional High School andincludes performances by the Shepherd Hill Jazz Band and the all girl pop group ‘Mystique’.

Light refreshments will be served and it is open to the public, free to all. Again, this year willfeature a silent auction of works by student artists and, new this year, selected student artwork forsale.

Come and see the works of art created by our own proud artists!

Splash of Spring, Art Through the Ages

Dudley-CharltonRegional School District

Announcingthe

Second AnnualDistrict Wide

Student Art Exhibition



Spring Cleanup - Composting or Burning?Composting

Doing spring clean-up around the yards may involveeliminating fallen limbs. One option is to simply break limbsor cut them into as small as convenient and pile them up torot on their own. By mixing with leaves and grass clippings,mother nature will do her job decomposing them over time.

Another option is to chip and compost the debris intolandscaping material. Chippers may be attachments to alawn mower or may be purchased as stand alone devices.Follow the manufacturers instructions for proper use of thedevice.

BurningIf open air burning is the only option, there are limits on

when you can burn and what you may burn. Burning hasdistinct disadvantages. First, combustion releases largeamounts of carbon dioxide, other gases, and solid substancesdirectly into the air for people to breathe. Also, when the airis stagnant, open burning can pose smoke and odor nui-sances and health risks to nearby residents, particularly indensely populated areas.

Even a small fire can create problems. If you havechildren, consider their reaction to whatever option you take.Remember to supervise them, as well as any fire you ignite.

What May be BurnedHomeowners are allowed to burn brush, cane, driftwood

and forestry debris from January 15th to May 1st, with thepermission of the local fire department between the hours of10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Fungus-infected elmwood and other materials normallyassociated with agriculture and agricultural land clearing -such as tree prunings, dead raspberry stalks, blueberrypatches for pruning purposes - and disease-infected beehivesmay also be burned with fire department permission.

What Not to BurnYou may NOT burn grass, hay, leaves or stumps - The

Permit is NOT valid for the burning or reduction by fire ofany material NOT included in the permit. Materials thatcannot be burned include: tires, trash, hay, grass, leaves andstumps. Also burning of brush, trees, limbs, driftwood, caneand any other debris from commercial or industrial landclearing. Burning at landfills or refuse disposal areas isstrictly prohibited.

Getting a Burning PermitA new permitting process has been established in 2014.

The Fire Department encourages the public to file for apermit on-line from their home computer. Go to the link onthe Town’s website - Permit Online(charltonma.geotmsweb.com). Your payment may be doneby electronic check or credit card. The permit will be issuedvia email. (Which you would print out to have on hand.) Toavoid extra charges, you may go to the Town Hall duringnormal business hours to a kiosk computer outside theBuilding Inspector’s Office. The Town Collector may acceptthe payment and the proper identification may be attached tothat permit for inspection and/or activation. The fee is $20.00and is good from January 15th to April 30th. This permitdoes not release the holder from any liability for damages.

GuidelinesPrior to Burning

1. Obtain a season permit to burn brush.2. Check the Daily Air Quality Forecast - MassAir Online (also

available at the MassDEP Open Burning Hotline at 617-556-1021) to be sure that weather conditions in your community'sMassachusetts Fire & Incident Support (ISU) Response Districtare suitable for open burning.

3. On the morning of each day you wish to burn, you must callbetween 9 am and Noon for permission to do so. Tel 248-2299(After the attendant answers press 7.)

4. You may burn only between 10:00 am and 4 pm, at which timethe fire must be completely out. Plan to stop adding brush toyour pile after 3 pm.

5. Burning must be done when the air is circulating well butwithout high winds, and the daily air quality forecast is "good"for ozone. In the case of heavy wind or otherwise dangerousconditions the permit shall be invalid. Don’t burn if it is windy!

6. Before starting the fire remove all grass from the area where youwill be burning. Place the materials to be burned in a pile that iscontrollable on your land as close as possible to the source ofmaterial(s) to be burned. You must be no less than 75 feet awayfrom all dwellings, on your own property.

7. The person holding this permit shall have sufficient manpowerand fire controlling equipment available all during the fire. (Havean available water supply such as a hose, pump can, shovel anda rake to help assist in controlling the fire. Enough water must bepresent for complete extinguishment at all times.)

Starting the Fire8. Try to start the fire with natural "kindling". Try breaking a few

small, dry branches into 5”-8” pieces for kindling. Take a sheetof newspaper and ball it up. Put the kindling on top of thepaper. Pile remaining branches above this. Light the paper at thebottom, allow the natural draft to draw the flame up to thekindling and the branches above. If it fails to ignite, repeat withmore kindling. If this fails, and you must use an artificial helper,kerosene is probably safest. NEVER use gasoline or charcoallighter fluid.

While Burning9. While burning, never add brush that is green or wet. It will

reduce the efficiency of the fire and produce thick smoke.10. Be sure that the fire does not cause a nuisance. (smoke trailing

onto neighbors property)11. Attend the fire until it's completely out. You will need a hose or

other supply of water and a shovel or rake for controlling thefire. Never leave the fire unattended at any time.

12. When putting the fire out, allow the brush to burn down to thecoals, then drown them with water, spread them out, then drownthem again.

Other13. The burning permit shall be shown to anyone who may request

to see it.14. This permit may be revoked by properly identified personnel

authorized to enforce the above laws.* Any persons found to be burning outside of the parameters of the

permit may be subject to fines. The fire department conductsroutine checks of locations that have been given permission toburn.

For further information, visit the Fire Department Web page.(www.townofcharlton.net/fire.htm) A link may be found from theTown of Charlton Home page. or, you may contact the CharltonFire Department directly at the non-emergency number 508-248-2299.



The ‘Drum Line’ of Shepherd Hill. (photos by Patty Mackay)

Band Competition at Shepherd HillOn Sunday March 23, the Shepherd Hill Regional High

School Music Parents Association hosted the New EnglandScholastic Band Association Winter Color Guard & Percus-sion Ensemble Competition.

Schools competed in Percussion and Color Guard perfor-mances from the New England area and did they put on ashow! Clearly students spent many hours devising not onlycostumes for the occassion, but the props as well.

Part I PercussionPercussion Festival Class ConcertPortsmouth High School Winter PercussionPercussion Scholastic Concert ABishop Feehan High School Winter PercussionBillerica High School Winter PercussionJoseph Case High School Winter PercussionShepherd Hill Concert Winter PercussionPercussion Scholastic Concert OpenMansfield High School Winter PercussionPercussion Scholastic Marching ABishop Hendricken Hawks Winter PercussionOakmont-Overlook Winter PercussionPlymouth North/South H S Winter PercussionPercussion Scholastic Marching AASomerset-Berkley Regional H S Winter PercussionShepherd Hill Winter PercussionPercussion Scholastic Marching OpenBlackstone-Millville Regional H S Winter PercussionPM Percussion Scholastic Marching WorldDartmouth Indoor Winter PercussionPercussion Awards no critique

Hannah Brumby sings the National Anthem

Hannah Brumby, Michelle Courtney, and Joey Billis at the awardsceremony, Shepherd Hill took First Place in their division.



Part II Color GuardColor Guard Guard Festival ClassDudley Middle School Winter Guard BPanther Junior Winter GuardGuard Novice ClassTantasqua Regional High School Winter GuardDudley Middle School Winter Guard ADartmouth JV Winter GuardGuard Local Scholastic Regional AMillbury High School Winter GuardGansett Winter GuardPlymouth High Schools Winter GuardGuard Scholastic Class AASomerset-Berkley Regional H S Winter GuardGuard Local Scholastic AJoseph Case High School Winter GuardShepherd Hill Winter GuardGuard National Scholastic ADartmouth High School Winter GuardBlackstone-Millville Regional H S Winter GuardGuard Independent APanther Winter GuardUniversity of Connecticut Winter Guard

Shepherd Hill Winter Percussion PerformersJoJo Alex, Mike Awad, James Bilis, Sam Bodo, Hannah Brumby, Jack Bugan, Meaghan Casey, Wyatt Caswell, Michelle Courtney,Vinny Cartagirone, Kat Doyle, Zach Fournier, Gabby Grondalski, Andrew Haggerty, Emily Johnson, John Keyes Heather Kupstas,

Lily La Phranasith, Emily LeClerc, Austin McKinlay, Mike Mackay, Don Mahan, Kirk Morrison, Aisha Mufti, Dev Patel, DanPavone, Ashley Quadarella, Maeghen Reilly, Ed Stefanik, Alli Walker, Maddie Walker, Cole Wilk, and Josie Zielinski.

Shepherd Hill Concert PercussionJames Bilis, Sam Bodo, Hannah Brumby, and Kirk Morrison.

Shepherd Hill Winter GuardWinter Guard Captains and seniors: Maddie Walker and Jo-Jo Alex.

Other team members include Robin Awad, Katie Cabon, HeidyCuevas, Heather Kupstas, Alex Macaruso, and Ashley Quadarella.

Shepherd Hill Winter Guard took 2nd place.



New Robotic Course Big Hit With StudentsShepherd Hill Regional High School has been in full swing

with a new robotics course. The use of educational robots asa tool for exploratory learning is a great way for hands-on,project-based learning. The ingenuity, mathematical reasoningand scientific analysis of robotics will be called upon asstudents design and build mechanical to perform a specifictask. The project-based learning will develop the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills needed for success inhigher education and the workplace. Students learn to workwith teams to bring success to the project. Not only do theyhone their skills in mathematics, but use applied principals ofphysics to bring the best functionality to the finished robots.Understanding basic ideas of friction, inertia, rotationalvelocity, electricity and continuity, as well as power are allaspects of succeeding with robots.

This year Shepherd Hill students have competed atmultiple events at QCC. This years challenge Toss Up.

VEX Toss Up is played on a 12’x12’ square field config-

Robotics and Engineering - Fundamentals in New STEM Curriculumured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one“blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matchesconsisting of a fifteen second autonomous period followed byone minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.

The object of the game is to attain a higher score than theopposing Alliance by Scoring your colored BuckyBalls andLarge Balls into the Middle Zone and Goal Zone, by Stashingyour colored BuckyBalls and Large Balls into the Goals, andby Hanging or Hanging With A Ball, at various heights, off

your colored Bar at the end of the match.There are a total of twenty (20) BuckyBalls and eight (8)

Large Balls available as Scoring Objects in the game. MostScoring Objects begin in designated locations on the field,while some are available to be loaded prior to the Match.

Each Robot (smaller than 18”x18”x18” to start) begins amatch on one of their Alliance Starting Tiles. There are two

(2) scoring Zones and (2) Goals that Alliances can ScoreObjects into. Alliances also earn points for having Robots oftheir own color Hanging from their Hanging Bar at the end ofthe Match. A bonus is awarded to the Alliance that has themost total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.

Robots are already a fundamental part of our society andthe future is only there for the imagination of what can be.We have the iRobot vacuum cleaners, floor scrubbers, and



even lawnmowers. Factories are using robotics to construct,move and load on an assembly line and workers are able to‘train’ these robots to do new tasks. Robotic surgery inhospitals is now commonplace and all of these aspects willflourish in the future.

The world will be needing designers, repairmen/women,programmers and users of these devices, so enrollment in

such a course maybecome routine asstudents completetheir high schoolcourses. (Of coursemath, computerprogramming, andphysics will also needto be there for betterunderstanding of theway things work!)

A future iRobot?



Paired Reading at Heritage SchoolAs the finale of the program started by Nancy Esinor,

reading specialist at the Heritage School in January, the finalevening was a ‘celebration’ of reading accomplishment in themonth of February. Students met theirgoals and their parents joined in theeffort to stress the joy and love ofreading.

Dr. Seuss was on the menu withall of his famous lyrical stories as apart of the fun. No ‘Green Eggs andHam’ though in this celebration, onlycake!

The goal of the program is toimprove the reading skills of the children and to create a ‘loveof reading’.

Read a story outloud to your youngchild and intentionallyput the emotionalexpressions on yourface while they areobserving. As theysit on your lap orsnuggle close to you,it won’t take long,and you will see thatthey are copyingyou.

This is true withreading developmentas well. If your childlistens to you readout loud, they willlearn the techniquesof pronouncing,sounding out words,

and knowing when to pause at the end of sentences. Theywill learn to announciate words, and to express emotionsexhibited in the written word as you read to them.

(See the story in the October 28, 2013 issue of theCharlton News on page 12 - “ReadingAloud to Children”.)What can a parent do to help theirchild learn to love reading?

Paired readingFor a beginning reader, sit side by

side so that you can read together. If youare reading something new, start bytalking about the front cover, the illustra-tions and what your child already knowsabout the subject matter. Read at the

same pace together. If your child is reading too slowly orquickly, encourage them to match your pace. If he/she makesa mistake, give them about four seconds to correct it. If theydon’t, then say the word for them and ask them to repeat itback to you and continue to read together, using praise as youread. At some point the child might want to read alone. Theycan simply tell you they want to do this, or use a signal suchas a tap on your arm or knock on the table.

Read AloudReading aloud to children as they follow can allow you to

model good habits. They can listen to how you use expres-sion to bring reading alive and see that punctuation affectshow you read.

Echo ReadingThis is very similar to reading aloud, but here you read a

section and then the student echoes or repeats what youhave read. They get the chance to practise using expressionand pronouncing new words etc.

Silent ReadingEach of you read silently from time to time, either sharing

the same text or reading different texts. You can then discusswhat you have been reading and ask each other questions.

Aryanna Sheehan picks up her bookmarks. Alex Lanpher gets his certificate.

Cats were wearing their hats.



Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat



Bay Path Student Named StatewideVocational Student of the Year

Christopher Hawes, Senior Health Technologies Student,Honored at Massachusetts Vocational Association Convention

Christopher Hawes of Spencer, a senior in the HealthTechnologies program at Bay Path High School in Charlton,Massachusetts has been named the Massachusetts Voca-tional Student of the Year. The award and $500 scholarshipgiven by the Massachusetts Vocational Association, thelargest vocational teacher organization in the Commonwealth,recognizes outstanding achievement by a graduating voca-tional student in Massachusetts.

Chris Hawes has maintained a straight A averagethroughout his high school career while being involved inmany extracurricular activities. Chris is the student represen-tative to the Southern Worcester County Regional VocationalSchool District Committee. He has done an outstanding jobrepresenting the 1,100 students to the twenty member SchoolCommittee. He has been a member of the National HonorSociety for the last three years and is President of the SeniorClass. Additionally, Chris has been active with the StudentCouncil, Year Book Committee, Students Against DestructiveDecisions, the Prom Committee and Skills USA.

In addition to his school activities, Mr. Hawes will receivehis Boy Scout Eagle Award on April 5, 2014 in Spencer. Healso stays busy volunteering at his church’s vacation bibleschool and its volleyball team. Chris is CPR certified andearned his CNA certification as a Junior at Bay Path. He iscurrently pursuing his EKG certification through the HealthTechnologies program.

Chris has been accepted into the nursing program atWorcester State College and plans to attend the college in thefall.

Principal Cliff Cloutier, Christopher Hawesand Superintendent, John Lafleche.

Christopher Hickman Chosen forNew Teacher of the Year Award

Mr. Hickman is a Programming and Web Developmentteacher at Bay Path. Chris started his career at Bay Path inAugust of 2011 as an aide in the P&WD program. Heimmediately became a well-respected member of the staff.Mr. Hickman was hired full-time in February of 2012.

Mr. Hickman earned a Bachelor’s Degree in ComputerInformation Science from Western State College in Gunnison,Colorado. He graduated with a 3.94 GPA. Chris brought awealth of computer experience with him to Bay Path. Heworked at several Colorado computer employers and at YaleUniversity prior to running his own computer service com-pany. His varied experience makes his a well-roundedteacher, lending credibility to the insight shared with studentson a daily basis.

Mr. Hickman has transformed the Programming and WebDevelopment shop during his two years teaching. He hasbrought significant live work to the shop. He and his studentsworked with both MVA and the school to redesign andmaintain each organizations websites. In addition, he wrote afunded proposal to the Bay Path Education Foundation and alocal businessman, bringing new technology into the shop sothat students can develop applications for myriad mobiletechnology platforms. As a result of the grants, each studenthas two monitors to develop and simultaneously test “apps”for use on the newly acquired mobile devices.

Due in a large part to his enthusiasm and expertise, theP&WD shop is at capacity. His students successfully com-pete in Skills USA and are highly employable. Those studentswho wish to pursue further education are well prepared andaccepted at desirable 2 and 4 year colleges.

In addition to reinvigorating his shop, Mr. Hickmancoaches soccer, volunteers for many extra-curricular activi-ties at the school and reaches out to the community, bringingin new projects for students. He has accomplished all of thisat the same time he has become a new father. His dedicationto Career and Technical Education, his students and theschool is outstanding.

Principal Cliff Cloutier, teacher, ChristopherHickman and Superintendent, John Lafleche.





Eagle Scout ProjectsLast month a story about Charlton scouts receiving Eagle

Awards did not include the photographs of the project doneby Ryan Mayhan. They are included here.

Ryan Mahan did his project for the Salem CovenantChurch at their camp on South Charlton Reservoir. Thefacility needed some upkeep because the church hadn’t usedit in quite a while but planned to start using it again. Heplanned on doing an overnight, which is unusual for an eagleproject, because he felt it was an ambitious project and knewhe might need the extra help he could get by doing so. Helead the scouts and a few adult leaders to stain two cabinsand two sheds that needed it, remove a fallen tree from afield going down to the shore, scrapped and replaced (withthe help of Bay Path) three picnic tables that were rotting,painted three benches to protect them from further rot, andmoved the campfire ring to a safer area that was also easierto access.

American Legion Easter Egg HuntThis year, the American Legion Annual Easter Egg Hunt

will be on April 19th at10:30am. at the Charlton MemorialField.

Writing - Side by SideThe “Side by Side: A Parent-Child Writing Project” was

funded by a grant from the Dudley-Charlton EducationalFoundation. It is being implemented by Lorinda Allen, SpecialEducation Team Chairperson, Carolyn Bates, Gr. 2 Teacherand Tina O’Donnell, Gr. 3 Teacher.

The implementation of this program hopes to provideparents experience with writing expectations. It is intended togive parents hands-on, practical experiences that will helptheir child implement writing strategies to make his/her besteffort towards, meeting or exceeding grade level writingstandards.

The program which begin October of 2014, meetsmonthly and is teaching the 6+1 traits of writing including

• Ideas( the main message)• Organization (the internal structure of the piece)• Voice (the personal tone and flavor of the author’s message)• Word Choice (the vocabulary a writer chooses to convey meaning)• Sentence Fluency (the rhythm and flow of the language)• Conventions( the mechanical correctness)• Presentation ( how the writing actually looks on the page)

At these sessions parents and students are systematicallytaught about the 6+1 traits, and participate in an interactivewriting project that is modeled after picture books. Togetherthey are working to build writing development throughout theschool year, resulting in a keepsake book that records aspecial family trip or adventure.

This paired writing project will end with a celebrationevening in May that includes a published children’s author asthe keynote speaker. Finished student/parent books will be ondisplay for all participants to celebrate success together.

Pictured here, the students are working on tweaking theirstory about a family trip by checking the first two traits ofideas and organization.

Then we moved into a story called “The Day the CrayonsQuit” by Drew Daywalt to introduce the topic of voice.Students and parents then completed a “quick write” from theperspective of a crayon to practice implementation of writingthat includes this trait.

Adriana Stanley with her mom Amy



Writing - Side by SideParents, Children and Staff Work-ing together for a Common Goal...improving the writing of children

as it relates to everyday life.

The story of the Day the CrayonsQuit because their color seemedboring. Their jealousy was de-

scribed in their own voice.



Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

April 2014Please Note:All Lunches are served with MilkMenu is subject to change without notice.Variety of Sandwiches is at Shepherd Hill only.

Note: We offer daily, a salad bar or individually made salads, in each school that includes:Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Peppers, Onions, Greek Olives, Feta Cheese,Shredded Carrots, Beets, Chick peas, Boiled Eggs, Tuna, Egg and Chicken Salads etc.

High School/Middle School Lunch Menus

Chicken NuggetsRomaine SaladRolls & ButterFruitVariety of Sandwiches

Quesadilla ChickenSaladFruitVariety of Sandwiches

Buffalo Chicken StripsPotato PuffsWheat Roll, FruitVariety of Sandwiches

Chicken Fajita WrapPeppers/OnionsSour Cream, FruitVariety of Sandwiches

Stuffed Shells withSalad, Roll and ButterFruitVariety of Sandwiches

Shaved Steak on RollSweet Potato FriesFruitVariety of Sandwiches

Nachos GuacamoleSalsa/CheeseThree Bean SaladFruitVariety of Sandwiches

Chicken AlfredoWheat FettucciniBroccoliFruitVariety of Sandwiches

Meatball GrinderWhole Grain RollMinestrone SoupFruitVariety of Sandwiches

Teriyaki ChickenWhole Grain RiceOriental BlendVegetablesFruit - Wheat RollVariety of Sandwiches

Sloppy Joe ona Wheat BunSweet Potato FriesFruitVariety of Sandwiches

Chicken ParmesanSpaghettiSalad, FruitRolls & ButterVariety of Sandwiches

2620 21 22 23 24 25

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1 2 3 4 5

On line payments: https://www.mylunchmoney.com/

27 28 30 1 2 329

Good FridayNo School

EasterSunday

No School - Spring Vacation Week

Shepherd’s Pie(Hamburg/corn/potato)Rolls & Butter, FruitVariety of Sandwiches

Turkey Sandwichon Wheat BreadPotatoFruitVariety of Sandwiches

Chicken DippersSaladWheat Roll & ButterFruitVariety of Sandwiches

Roast PorkSweet Potato FriesFruitWheat Roll & ButterVariety of Sandwiches



Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

April 2014Please Note:All Lunches are served with MilkMenu is subject to change without notice

Note: Practice stealth health - sneak veggies into favorite foods. Go light on themeat and top your pizza with vegetables like tomatoes, onions, bell peppers,mushrooms, zucchini, and artichoke hearts.

Elementary School Lunch Menus

Ham and CheeseSandwichMinestrone soupFruit

CheeseburgerWhole Grain RollPotatoFruit

Pizza with CheeseRomaine SaladFruit

Grilled Chicken PattyWhole Grain RollGreen BeansFruit

B.B.Q. RibsPotato PuffsWheat RollFruit

Sausage and PancakesMaple SyrupSweet PotatoFruit

Hot Dog onWhole Grain RollBaked BeansFruit

Chicken NuggetsCelery/Pepper/CarrotsRanch DressingFruit

Sloppy Joes On a RollSweet Potato FriesFruit

Spaghetti w/MeatsauceRomaine SaladRoll and ButterFruit

2620 21 22 23 24 25

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1 2 3 4 5

On line payments: https://www.mylunchmoney.com/

27 28 30 1 2 329

Good FridayNo School

EasterSunday

No School - Spring Vacation Week

Nachos GuacamoleSalsa/Cheese/MeatThree Bean SaladFruit

Shepherd’s Pie(Hamburg/corn/potato)Rolls & Butter, FruitVariety of Sandwiches

Twin TacosLettuce/TomatoRefried BeansSalsa/Sour CreamFruit

Chicken SaladSandwichCelery/Pepper/CarrotsRanch DressingFruit

Meatball GrinderWhole Grain RollSweet Potato FriesFruit

Grilled CheeseSandwichMinestrone SoupFruit



Anne Gobi Celebrates Agriculture DayRepresentative Anne Gobi (D-Spencer) joined state

agriculture officials, farmers and students to celebrate Agri-culture Day at the State House. This is Rep. Gobi’s 4thAgricultural Day as Chair of the Joint Committee on Environ-ment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture.

“It is a privilege to work with and for the men and womenacross our state who areinvolved in various aspects ofagriculture from preservingfamily farms and our naturalresources to producing awealth of quality productsand providing services thatbenefit everyone,” said Rep.Gobi. “I am especially proudof the commitment of ouryoungsters in Future Farmersof America and 4H who willbe the next leaders in agricul-ture.”

Farmers and agriculturalorganizations from across the

state showcased locally grown food and farm products.Legislators were educated about issues affecting the agricul-tural community. Rep. Gobi took some time today to meetwith farmers and members of the agricultural industry todiscuss legislative and budget priorities.

Rep. Gobi has been a constant supporter of local farmsand agriculture and year after year pushes for legislation thatwould aid them. She is the sponsor of an important raw milkbill and FY14 budget amendments that provided funding forapiaries and an elder nutrition farm share program.

More than 45 agricultural exhibitors participated inMassachusetts Agriculture Day, which is sponsored by theMassachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, including representa-tives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and agriculturalassociations such as the Massachusetts Farm Wineries andGrowers Association, Massachusetts Fruit Growers Associa-tion, and the Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers.

~ Specializing in Italian Creme Wedding & Birthday Cakes~

• Wedding Cakes• Birthday Cakes

• Breads & Rolls• Mini pastries

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 6 AM - 7 PM, Sun. 6 AM - 6 PM

FRANCESCO’S ITALIAN BAKERY

Now Serving Italian Pizza slices and 10” RoundSpecialty Orders Accepted

508-248-9900

• Italian Pastries, Cookies

14 Power Station Road, Charlton, Massachusetts(Across from the Charlton City Post Office)

Anne Gobi

On March 19th, the Board of Selectmen held a specialmeeting where they appointed Mr. Richard Vaughan asGeneral Manager of Charlton Cable Programming andoperations for the town.

Following the appointment to this position the Board ofSelectmen had to vote to confirm Richard as a specialemployee to avoid any conflict with him having been ap-pointed to the Board of Assessors last August. (Richard is acandidate for that seat in the upcoming May 3rd elec-tion.) The board approved this motion.

Richard was said to be full of energy, even at the age of78 and that he was anxious to get started. He will work forabout 15 hours a week where he will promote communityprogramming on Charlton’s local channel 12 for a salary of$3,900 per year.

Things he has indicated that could be done are: Discuss-ing the role of the different positions in town such as theTown Clerk, or Town Administrator, or talking about issues,doing a session on cooking, or yoga, reading to kids, anythingof public interest.

Richard previously has hosted similar programs forSouthbridge Cable Access and hosted WESO radio programsfor many years. A resident of Charlton for only six months,he was appointed to the Board of Assessors in He has doneinterviews with local personalities and legislators and mostrecently interviewed Senator Moore.

Richard has been involved with radio and TV broadcastfor over 55 years, having started at radio station WARE inWare, Massachusetts in 1958 where he also served on theFinance Committee.

Richard Vaughan New General Manager ofCharlton Cable Broadcast Channel

Richard Vaughan awaits his appointment at the Selectmen’smeeting. Richard is already on the Board of Assessors.



Conservation Committee Approves NewParking and Septic ReDo’s

A Conservation Committee Meeting was held on March19, 2014, starting at 7:00 PM in the Conservation room of theTown Hall. Present were Arthur Bellerive, Norman Dugas,Edward Nowak, and Karen Robinson and ConservationCommissioner, Todd Girard. Absent: Chairman ThomasO'Malley, Mitch Dunn, Leonard Cardinal

By default, Norman Dugas was designated as chair andhe began the meeting. Minutes were approved for theprevious meeting.

At 7:05 the 28 Southbridge Road, Charlton Welding &Repair, Inc. Map 27 Block D Parcel 3 Notice of Intent forExcavation and removal of petroleum-impacted sediment andwetland soil, with replacement by structurally similar materialwas approved.

While waiting for the 7:10 appointment, Todd Girarddiscussed the examination of the area below Casella’sdesignated EPApolluted wetlands. Hesaid test drills werepeppered around thepond and sampleswere taken. He alsoobserved the waterflow, and thingslooked good so far,although the ‘springrains’ and winter melthad not taken placeyet.

At 7:10 theSandersdale/PiehlRoads, SkarbrosRealty Inc. Map 77Block E Lots 10.2-10.7 AbbreviatedNotice of Resource Area Delineation for 3,390 linear feet ofbordering vegetated wetland and 803 linear feet of river bank

was considered. Rick Para had done a plan and Skarbrosowned the property and (discussing the land at the bottom ofDresser Hill Road, Saundersdale Road.) Years ago the roadhad actually been moved and the ‘old’ road was on theproperty. He was looking at getting the wetland area redesig-nated. Soil borings were done all throughout the wetlands.

Bill Para described what he had thought was a perc hole,but the engineer labeled it as a wetland, possibly a VernalPool. He was asking Todd to come out and look at it to seewhere it is actually designated as wetland and decidewhether a portion of it could be considered for development.That way they would know where they could cut soil. It waspointed out that there are some rare species located in thearea such as the wood turtle.

Mr. Belleriveasked if Todd haslooked at it. Todd islooking for goodweather. Tomorrowis supposed to be 58degrees and maybehe can look then.

Abutters from93 Sandersdaleattending themeeting and livingon the other sidewondering what wasgoing to happen.The answer as tothe intent was notone that the Conser-vation Commissioncould answer, as it was up to the owners.

The engineer did state that it was just residential and lotscould be sold for houses. Whatever is buildable is up to theowner and zoning.

Karen Robinson indicated that prior to anychanges that the abutters would get re-notifiedwhen and if something is done.

Norman Dugas politely asked if the abutterswere satisfied with the answers given at themeeting.

A motion was made to continue until Toddchecks it out.

At 7:15 the site at 391 Stafford Street, MichaelPeters - Map 9 Block A Lots 2 Notice of Intent forconstruction of a garage, grading, landscaping, andassociated utilities in the buffer-zone was scheduledto speak regarding the construction of a garage.Todd asked for a list of abutters. Seth Lajoie wasthe person representing 91 Stafford Street.

He said that the owner wishes to garage histruck in a new building and to put in a parking lot toturn around. The sloping surface would need to be

filled for leveling the surface. Todd visited the site withRonnie Gauthier to see if it was feasible, but he has not

Seth Lajoie representing Michael Peters shows parking layout.

Todd Girard



Conservation Commission Serving You

Mitch Dunn

Karen Robinson

Leonard Cardinal

Conservation Commission Chairman,Thomas O’Malley Edward Nowak

looked at the flagged area, weather pending. Todd did saythat they are not paving much of the ten acre lot, currentlysurrounded by a ring of wetland.

Karen Robinson asked ifthere was a concern aboutwashing the truck and any oilspills. Norman said that trailertrucks usually go to a truckwash. The vote was to con-tinue this until the check wasdone on the wetland.

At 7:20 312 Partridge HillRoad, Wayne Jodoin. Map 82ABlock A Parcel 18 Notice ofIntent for construction of arepair septic system in thebuffer-zone.

Burton engineering broughtthe proposal with two tanks and a presby system. Toddchecked it out and there is no place else to put this and herecommends a standard order of conditions. Thedrainage system is innovative system around for ten

years. They reduce thenitrogen and distributes thewater according to thecontour to the land.

At 7:25 304 PartridgeHill Road, Dora Davis -Map 82A Block A Parcel14 Notice of Intent forconstruction of a repairseptic system in the buffer-zone. You can’t add bed-rooms. It is a two bedroomhouse with a septic tankand a deep location. Theymust now be no more than

two feet deep spread over a much larger horizontalarea.

Todd – best thing to do is to accept the plan as is.

It is as far away from the lake as it can be and an improve-ment. He recommended to accept it with the standard orderof conditions.

Fay Mountain Farm Update - Ed Nowak asked about it.Todd said that Ben has about 600 tires intended for

greenhouse construction material. He walked the barn withBen and noted that it needs work and is waiting on Ben forplans.

For Earth Day, Todd wants all his efforts to go into theFarm.

The goal is to clean it up. Karen Robinson said thescouts would be coming in from noon till 4:00 P.M. Todd willbe there all day and will have them do some raking and cutthe grass.

Norman suggested going to the Worcester CountyHouse of Corrections for some labor. Skip said all you haveto do is feed them. Norm said prisoners are willing becausethey get time off for volunteering for such tasks.

Considering using Vet’s Inc. it was thought that it wouldnot work well.

Norman Dugas, Arthur Bellerive



updated 10/23/13

Selectmen ............................................................................................ 508-248-2206Joseph Szafarowicz, Clerk David Singer, Vice ChairmanRick Swensen, Chairman Brent Sellew, Kathleen Walker, Member

Emergency NumbersPolice - Fire - Ambulance ....................................................................... 911Fire and Ambulance ................................................................... 508-248-2299Harrington Hospital...................................................................508-765-9771Police..............................................................................................508-248-2250State Police................................................................................... 508-347-3352

Superintendent of Schools - Sean Gilrein ................................. 508-943-6888Charlton Elementary Grades Pre-school-1 - Burlingame Road

Principal - Mrs. Lori Pacheco ................................................. 508-248-7774Heritage School Grades 2-4 - Oxford Road

Principal - Kathleen Pastore ................................................... 508-248-4884Charlton Middle School Grades 5-8

Principal - Dean Packard ....................................................... 508-248-1423Shepherd Hill Regional High School Grades 9-12 - Dudley-Oxford Rd, Dudley

Principal - Mary Pierangeli .................................................... 508-943-6700Bay Path Regional Vocational Grades 9-12 - Mugget Hill Rd.

Superintendent - David Papagni .......................................... 508-248-5971Town Hall ............................................................................................. 508-248-2200

Administrator ...............................................................................508-248-2206Animal Control (Dog Officer) ..................................................508-248-2266Animal Inspector..........................................................................508-248-2210Arts & Activities Council.........................................................508-612-0293Assessors.......................................................................................508-248-2233Board of Health............................................................................ 508-248-2210Building Inspectional Services...............................................508-248-2241Cable Access Committee............................................................508-248-2206Conservation Commission........................................................508-248-2247Highway Department..................................................................508-248-2212Library.............................................................................................508-248-0452Planning Board............................................................................508-248-2237Senior Center.................................................................................508-248-2231Town Accountant.........................................................................508-248-2200Town Clerk.....................................................................................508-248-2249Town Collector.............................................................................508-248-2239Treasurer.........................................................................................508-248-2242Tree Warden...................................................................................508-434-0196Veterans' Services.........................................................................508-248-2247Water/Sewer Commission..........................................................508-248-4953

Other Town ServicesCharlton Grange ......................................................................... 508-248-7225Community Interest Center........................................................508-248-3055Hazardous Waste ........................................................................508-248-2211Historical Society........................................................................508-248-7840Housing Authority.....................................................................508-248-5067MOMS Club .................................................................................508-784-1843Zoning Board of Appeals Ext. 2414 ..............................508-248-2200Zoning Enforcement Officer ......................................................508-248-2241

Scouts- Cub ScoutsPack 165 (Grade 1-4) Matt McCabe .................................. 508-248-9229Boy ScoutsExplorer Post 296 - Officer McGrath ....................................508-248-2268Troop 338 (Gr 5 and up) John Roberts ............................... 774-696-6962Troop 165 (Gr 5 or 11 yr +) Joe Gaucher ............................. 508-248-5039Girls ScoutsBonnie Scanlan (?) ................................................................... 508-749-3612

Sports & RecreationField House (Little League).....................................................508-248-2064Field House (Little League)Bond Road ...............................508-248-6686Football (AYF) Scott Fenton..................................................508-847-1091Basketball - Don Montville ...................................................508-248-3338Soccer - Lance Nazer ................................................................ 508-248-7819Lassie League Softball - Joe Osche .....................................508-887-1975Andy Maglione ..........................................................................508-248-6661Instr. - 5-7 yrs.,Intro Pitch 8-10 yrs, Lassiette 10-13 yrs, Lassie - 13-17 yrsLittle League Baseball

John Reed ............................................................................... 508-248-9577T-ball (ages 5-6)Pony (ages 7-8)Minor (ages 9-10)Little (ages 11-12)Senior/Junior (ages 13-16)

Who to call?

Visit charltonsports.org for all the sports online.

Help/Health/Crisis NumbersAbby's House..................................................................................... 508-756-5486Ad Care Hospital............................................................................... 508-799-9000AIDS National Hot Line.................................................................. 800-342-AIDS

Spanish Speaking People.............................................................. 800-344-SIDAProject AIDS (local)....................................................................... 508-756-5532Testing (local)................................................................................. 800-637-5466

Alcohol & Drug 800-252-6465 (24hrs)............................................. 800-327-5050Alzheimer's........................................................................................ 508-765-9771American Cancer Society ............................................................... 800-ACS-2345CHIP IN ............................................................................................ 508-248-3292Child Abuse 800-922-8169 (24hrs.)................................................... 800-422-3035Children's Grief and Loss ................................................................ 508-248-4406Crisis Center...................................................................................... 800-435-9990Day Break (support service for women)........................................... 508-755-5371DELTA Drug.................................................................................... 800-553-DRUGYOUthLink Teen Peer Counseling Hotline...................................... 800-224-6521Missing or Exploited Children (National Center).............................800-843-5678New England Organ Bank............................................................... 800-446-NEOBPoison Control.................................................................. 800-682-9211, 943-8217Rape Crisis (Worcester) (24 Hrs.).....................................................508-799-5700Red Cross........................................................................................... 508-756-5711Suicide Prevention - Harrington Hosp. Psych. Team...................... 508-765-9771Crisis Center, Inc. (24 hrs.) Worc. .................................................. 508-791-6562

U.S. Postal ServiceCharlton City (01508)...................................................... 508-248-6108

9 Power Station Road, Mon. - Fri. 7:00-5:00, Saturday 8:00-12:00Charlton Center (01507) ................................................. 508-248-628958 North Main Street

Who to call?

For Changes email: [email protected]

Bulletin Board

American Legion Post 391 meets on the fourth Monday of the month at the LowerGrange Hall at 7:30 PM

AmVets #391 is seeking donations to benefit the Central Mass. Homeless Shelter.Please contact Gordon Pike 248-5184.

Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary - Open 7 days/week, year round, 9-5- Located off Rt20 1/2 mile west of Rt.169 on left. Includes Nature Trails, Programs, Wildlife,Rehabilitation - and Nature Camp Environmental Education. Barbara Frederick -Office Hours M-F 9:30-5:00. Tel. 508-248-5516

Charlton Garden Club - meets every second Monday of each month at 7pm atCharlton Federated Church (basement), March through December. Call GinnyCharette for more information at 508-248-7300.

Charlton Grange - Meetings at 7:30 PM on the first & third Tuesday of the monthexcept July & August. Upper floor of the Grange Hall. Regular meetings are opento those interested in joining the Grange. The principle function is charitable,educational, and social - All are welcome to join!

CHIP-IN is a food bank for emergency situations and is held on Saturdays from 1-4PM at the Town Annex. Darlene Emco Rollins 508-248-3292

Library Hours - Mon., Wed., 9:30-5:00, Tues.,Thurs. 9:30-8:00, Sat., 9:30-3Phone 508-248-0452

Lions Club meets every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:15 p.m. fromSept. to June. King Lion Carol Duquette 508-341-4992

Parent Teacher Organization PTO -Organization of parents concerned with thewell being and education of their children in the schools. Call the school for moreinformation

Shepherd Hill Alumni Association - Meetings on the 4th Monday of the month atthe gym side of the Shepherd Hill cafeteria. Call the school for more information.

Veterans - Any veteran, from the Korean War to the present time, who entered theservice while a Charlton resident, please contact Jim Howard at 248-6011. Also,any veteran needing assistance can contact Paul Derany, Veteran’s Agent at 508-248-2244. (Web site www.townofcharlton.net/veteransservices.htm)

Women’s Basketball- Monday evenings 7-9 p.m. at the Heritage School Gym.Come for fun and exercise!

Woman In Business Inc. - Breakfast meetings are held the second Wednesday ofeach month at the Rehabilitative Resources Building in Technology Park, Route20, Sturbridge from 6:45 - 8:45 am. A buffet breakfast is catered by HooYa’s ofBrimfield and we have monthly speakers. Tel. 508-764-1657, e-mail:[email protected]. Mail: PO Box 483, Sturbridge, MA 01566

For Changes email: [email protected]

Documents

Charlton Newscharltonr.us/CharltonNews/2014/03.26.2014CharltonNews.pdf · The Charlton News is an online publication presented to the community as a vehicle ... Ann Marie Giaquinto