e Upton & Mendon Town Crier Town Crier Publications, Inc. 48 Mechanic Street Upton, MA 01568 POSTAL PATRON WS CAR-RT-SORT MENDON, MA 01756 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #35 UPTON, MA 01568 Est. 1993 • Mailed FREE to all 5,800 addresses in Upton and Mendon. April 15, 2016 Vol. 24 No. 7 www.TownCrier.us TOWN CRIER UPTON & MENDON, MASSACHUSETTS Celebrating the Experience of Picking Up a Book Mendon’s FY17 Budget Estimated at $17.8 million Selectman and Housing Authority Contests on Upton Ballot Local author and illustrator Lauren Scheuer who has written several books including Once Upon a Flock: Life with My Soulful Chickens stars Scheuer’s backyard chickens gave a demonstration on the illustration process during the March 31 Mendon Upton School District Family Literacy Night. Miscoe Hill 8 th grade student Justin Metcalf helps with Sports Trivia Bingo during the 1 st Annual Family Literacy Night. By Melissa Orff Staff Reporter e Mendon Upton Regional School District hosted their first annual Family Literacy Night on March 31; an event to celebrate the importance of reading and writing in all forms. Hundreds of students and their families came out for an evening at Nipmuc Regional High School to take part in a number of activities including story-times, craſts, trivia games, a book swap, and a visit from a local author and illustrator. e students began the evening with a Literacy Night passport, which they could get stamped as they traveled from activity to activity throughout the school. Completed passports were entered into a drawing for Barnes and Noble Giſt certificates at the end of the night. In the Media Center, families could meet LITERACY NIGHTY p 18 Mendon Upton Elections and Town Meetings Upton residents will vote in the Annual Town Election on May 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Nipmuc Regional High School and at their Annul Town Meeting on ursday, May 5 at Nipmuc Regional High School beginning at 7 p.m. Mendon residents will vote at the Annual Town Meeting on Friday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at Miscoe Hill School and at their Annual Town Election on Tuesday, May 17. e poll at Miscoe Hill School will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. By Michelle Sanford Staff Reporter/Columnist Upton’s registered voters are reminded to head to the polls on May 2 to determine who will sit on the Board of Selectmen for the next three years and who will represent the Housing Authority for the next five years. Ken Picard is again seeking another term for the Selectman’s seat aſter serving on the Board for the last nine years. ALso running is Gary Daugherty, is a full time firefighter in Hopkinton and previously served as on-call firefighter in town. e other race, for the Housing Authority’s five year seat, is between incumbent Mildred Morin Galeone versus Pamela Goodwin. Unchallenged seats on the ballot will include incumbent Dorothy Scally for the three year seat on the Regional District’s School Committee, incumbent David Loeper for the one year moderator’s seat, incumbent Richard Robinson for the Board of Health for three years, newcomer Bill Taylor for the three year Assessor’s seat, James Earle for the one year Assessor’s seat; Earle previously served on the Assessor’s three year seat, incumbent Glenn Fowler for the Cemetery Commission for three years, incumbent Raymond Smith for the Planning Board for five years, and incumbent Judith Katz, incumbent Kathleen Kelley, and newcomer Camille Hamlet for the three Library Trustee seats for three years. James Bates, Jr., Steven Driver, Sandra Hakala, and Michael Moran for Constable for three years are also running. Several seats will be vacant on the ballot and include the three year seat on the Recreation Commission, the three year seat for Board of Commissioner of Trust Funds, and the fiſth Constable’s seat is also vacant again. Write in candidates could be contacted to inquire if they would be interested in serving on a vacant seat. e last day for residents to register to vote in the Town Election is Tuesday, April 12. e Town Clerk’s office will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day. Anyone with questions on their voter registration should contact the Town Clerk’s office at 508- 529-3565. e polls will be open on May 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Nipmuc Regional High School. Just days aſter the election, Upton’s Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for ursday, May 5 at Nipmuc Regional High School beginning at 7 p.m. Upton Twn Officials Finalizing $22 Million Budget By Michelle Sanford Staff Reporter/Columnist e Mendon Finance Committee continues to plug away at the new Fiscal Year budget which as of April 8 is estimated at $17.8 million; an approximate 3.2 percent overall increase from last year. Residents will vote on the new level service budget next month during the May 6 Annual Town Meeting which is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Miscoe Hill School. One of the drivers behind the rise is an 11.5 percent increase in health insurance costs, which is partly due to additional employees who are now on the health plan. Another increase concerns the new North Ave. library’s expense budget which is recommended to increase approximately $30,000. Because the size of the new library has doubled, an increased budget is needed to cover expenses. “Fortunately, because of new growth, we have the money to pay for it,” said Finance Committee Chair Mike Merolli. Another notable increase is the purchase of water from Hopedale which shows an approximate $24,000 increase in the new budget from $114,800 to $139,000; this due to the ongoing issue of water loss, which has continued to increase over the last several years. ere will be an article on the warrant to replace old water meters in town and the Water Board is hiring an individual to detect any water main leaks. It is hoped both measures will explain the water loss and stop the need to continue to increase the line item. Overall, employees received a 1.75 percent salary increase. According to Town Administrator Kim Newman, the fact that successful contract negotiations took place for Town Hall, Police Department, Dispatch, and Highway Department union employees, “was real progress,” and certainly helped to budget salaries rather than having to estimate wages should negotiations be ongoing. According to Merolli, the Finance Committee MENDON BUDGET p 9 By Michelle Sanford Staff Reporter/Columnist Upton town officials are saying one of their main goals when planning the new Fiscal Year 2017 budget was trying to keep the tax rate from increasing. A discussion on the subject took place between the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen as they continue to finalize the new budget which will be presented to residents during the May 5 Annual Town Meeting. According to Finance Committee Chair Paul Flaherty, the budget process this year, like all the others years, is a guessing game when it comes to determining new revenues for the town. “It’s a constant moving target because everything we estimate for receipts is pure speculation until the recap is complete in the fall,” he said. “When the value of the town goes up, the tax rate goes down and with all this new growth, we are hoping it will make the tax rate go down, but it’s all speculation right now until the fall.” In an effort to take a cautious approach concerning spending, the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee agreed to push a number of capital purchase articles to a fall town meeting instead of voting on them in May. is way, free cash can be used when it is certified. Nevertheless, during the upcoming Annual Town Meeting, a balanced budget, Article 3 on the warrant, must be brought forward and voted on. A draſt copy of the budget shows an approximate $22 million Fiscal Year 2017 budget and reflects a one percent Cost of Living Wage Adjustment (COLA) that was approved during a November Special Town Meeting and another one percent adjustment approved during a March Special Town Meeting. Contractual obligations were also part of wage UPTON BUDGET p 8
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April 15, 2016Vol. 24 No. 7
www.TownCrier.us
TOWN CRIERUPTON & MENDON, MASSACHUSETTS
Celebrating the Experience of Picking Up a Book
Mendon’s FY17 Budget Estimated at $17.8 million
Selectman and Housing Authority Contests on Upton Ballot
Local author and illustrator Lauren Scheuer who has
written several books including Once Upon a Flock: Life with
My Soulful Chickens stars Scheuer’s backyard chickens gave a demonstration on the illustration process during the
March 31 Mendon Upton School District Family Literacy Night.
Miscoe Hill 8th grade student Justin Metcalf helps with Sports Trivia Bingo during the 1st Annual Family Literacy Night.
By Melissa OrffStaff Reporter
The Mendon Upton Regional School District hosted their first annual Family Literacy Night on March 31; an event to celebrate the importance of reading and writing in all forms.
Hundreds of students and their families came out for an evening at Nipmuc Regional High School to take part in a number of activities including story-times, crafts, trivia games, a book swap, and a visit from a local author and illustrator.
The students began the evening with a Literacy Night passport, which they could get stamped as they traveled from activity to activity throughout the school. Completed passports were entered into a drawing for Barnes and Noble Gift certificates at the end of the night.
In the Media Center, families could meet
LITERACY NIGHTY p 18
Mendon Upton
Elections and Town Meetings
Upton residents will vote in the Annual Town Election on May 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Nipmuc Regional High School and at their Annul Town Meeting on Thursday, May 5 at Nipmuc Regional High School beginning at 7 p.m.
Mendon residents will vote at the Annual Town Meeting on Friday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at Miscoe Hill School and at their Annual Town Election on Tuesday, May 17. The poll at Miscoe Hill School will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
By Michelle SanfordStaff Reporter/Columnist
Upton’s registered voters are reminded to head to the polls on May 2 to determine who will sit on the Board of Selectmen for the next three years and who will represent the Housing Authority for the next five years.
Ken Picard is again seeking another term for the Selectman’s seat after serving on the Board for the last nine years. ALso running is Gary Daugherty, is a full time firefighter in Hopkinton and previously served as on-call firefighter in town. The other race, for the Housing Authority’s five year seat, is between incumbent Mildred Morin Galeone versus Pamela Goodwin.
Unchallenged seats on the ballot will include incumbent Dorothy Scally for the three year seat on
the Regional District’s School Committee, incumbent David Loeper for the one year moderator’s seat, incumbent Richard Robinson for the Board of Health for three years, newcomer Bill Taylor for the three year Assessor’s seat, James Earle for the one year Assessor’s seat; Earle previously served on the Assessor’s three year seat, incumbent Glenn Fowler for the Cemetery Commission for three years, incumbent Raymond Smith for the Planning Board for five years, and incumbent Judith Katz, incumbent Kathleen Kelley, and newcomer Camille Hamlet for the three Library Trustee seats for three years. James Bates, Jr., Steven Driver, Sandra Hakala, and Michael Moran for Constable for three years are also running.
Several seats will be vacant on the ballot and include the
three year seat on the Recreation Commission, the three year seat for Board of Commissioner of Trust Funds, and the fifth Constable’s seat is also vacant again. Write in candidates could be contacted to inquire if they would be interested in serving on a vacant seat.
The last day for residents to register to vote in the Town Election is Tuesday, April 12. The Town Clerk’s office will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day. Anyone with questions on their voter registration should contact the Town Clerk’s office at 508-529-3565. The polls will be open on May 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Nipmuc Regional High School. Just days after the election, Upton’s Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 5 at Nipmuc Regional High School beginning at 7 p.m.
Upton Twn Officials Finalizing $22 Million Budget
By Michelle SanfordStaff Reporter/Columnist
The Mendon Finance Committee continues to plug away at the new Fiscal Year budget which as of April 8 is estimated at $17.8 million; an approximate 3.2 percent overall increase from last year. Residents will vote on the new level service budget next month during the May 6 Annual Town Meeting which is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Miscoe Hill School.
One of the drivers behind the rise is an 11.5 percent increase in health insurance costs, which is partly due to additional employees who are now on the health plan. Another increase concerns the new North Ave. library’s expense budget which is recommended to increase approximately $30,000. Because the size of the new library has doubled, an increased budget is needed to cover expenses. “Fortunately, because of new growth, we have the money to pay for it,” said Finance Committee Chair Mike Merolli.
Another notable increase is the purchase
of water from Hopedale which shows an approximate $24,000 increase in the new budget from $114,800 to $139,000; this due to the ongoing issue of water loss, which has continued to increase over the last several years. There will be an article on the warrant to replace old water meters in town and the Water Board is hiring an individual to detect any water main leaks. It is hoped both measures will explain the water loss and stop the need to continue to increase the line item.
Overall, employees received a 1.75 percent salary increase. According to Town Administrator Kim Newman, the fact that successful contract negotiations took place for Town Hall, Police Department, Dispatch, and Highway Department union employees, “was real progress,” and certainly helped to budget salaries rather than having to estimate wages should negotiations be ongoing.
According to Merolli, the Finance Committee MENDON BUDGET p 9
By Michelle SanfordStaff Reporter/Columnist
Upton town officials are saying one of their main goals when planning the new Fiscal Year 2017 budget was trying to keep the tax rate from increasing. A discussion on the subject took place between the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen as they continue to finalize the new budget which will be presented to residents during the May 5 Annual Town Meeting.
According to Finance Committee Chair Paul Flaherty, the budget process this year, like all the others years, is a guessing game when it comes to determining new revenues for the town. “It’s a constant moving target because everything we estimate for receipts is pure speculation until the recap is complete in the fall,” he said. “When the value of the town goes up, the tax rate goes down and with all this new growth, we are hoping it will make the tax rate
go down, but it’s all speculation right now until the fall.”
In an effort to take a cautious approach concerning spending, the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee agreed to push a number of capital purchase articles to a fall town meeting instead of voting on them in May. This way, free cash can be used when it is certified. Nevertheless, during the upcoming Annual Town Meeting, a balanced budget, Article 3 on the warrant, must be brought forward and voted on.
A draft copy of the budget shows an approximate $22 million Fiscal Year 2017 budget and reflects a one percent Cost of Living Wage Adjustment (COLA) that was approved during a November Special Town Meeting and another one percent adjustment approved during a March Special Town Meeting. Contractual obligations were also part of wage
UPTON BUDGET p 8
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER2 April 15, 2016
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Three BVT Teams Qualify for Robotics World Championship
Fundraising efforts are underway after three teams comprised of ten Valley Tech students qualified for the 2016 VEX Worlds Robotics Competition in Louisville, Kentucky, April 20-23, 2016. To help,
contact BVT VEX Robotics Project Manager Michael Faticanti at 508-529-7758 ext. 2160. Seen here are (left to right): Drafting & Engineering Technology junior Joseph Skowronski and senior Tyler Church, both of Douglas; Drafting & Engineering Technology junior Antonio Romeo of Millbury;
Lamberson of Northbridge; Electronics & Engineering Technology junior Jonathan Lynch of Mendon; Drafting & Engineering Technology junior Alden Payne of Milford; and Drafting & Engineering
Technology junior Jacob Novick of Northbridge. BVT photo
Submitted by Andrew MorrisonValley Tech
Of the 16,000 teams worldwide that competed in the 2015-2016 VEX Robotics program, only 1,000 are advancing to this summer’s VEX Worlds Robotics Competition. Of those 1,000 teams, three are from Blackstone Valley Tech.
After qualifying for the international competition during the Southern New England VEX Championship on March 5, ten Valley Tech students comprising three teams are set to represent the United States in the 2016 VEX Worlds on April 20-23. The Valley Tech crew will join high school students from 37 nations in Louisville, Ky., to see which VEX robotics team is the best in the world.
The 2015-2016 series of VEX robotics events featured a Nothing But Net challenge in which teams operated mobile robots of their own design and construction to see whose robot could earn the most points by catapulting foam balls into goals of varying height, difficulty, and point-value. In addition to remote control, each robot was required to autonomously compete via student-designed programming for a portion of each event. Blackstone Valley Tech VEX Robotics Project Manager Michael Faticanti explained that over the course of the VEX season, BVT students had numerous opportunities to apply the
engineering principle of trial and error. “They can modify their robots at
any point during the season,” Faticanti said. “They can look at other robots at a competition and say, ‘Oh, I like that. Let’s use those wheels on our robot.’ Then they come back to shop and go about refining their robots. Teachers supply leadership, but it’s the students designing and programming the robots.”
Faticanti said that this year, Valley Tech increased student-access to VEX robotics, thanks in large part to a $5,000 donation from EMC Corporation that allowed for the purchase of kits to construct 12 new VEX robots. Now that three of the school’s teams have earned spots at the world championship, the Valley Tech robotics program is on the lookout for other sources of financial support.
“They earned their spots in Louisville, but they still have to buy their plane tickets,” Faticanti explained. “Between travel, food, and lodging, it’s about $5,000 per team to compete at VEX Worlds. The students are doing everything they can to get there.”
Business owners and other Valley Tech supporters interested in donating to the fundraising effort can contact Michael Faticanti by phone at 508-529-7758 ext. 2160, or by email, [email protected]. Proceeds raised will be distributed evenly among the three Valley Tech teams.
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Congratulations to a Sharp ShooterCongratulations to Sam Balzanelli, a fourth grade student at Clough School
who won the Knights of Columbus Massachusetts free throw competition in the nine-year old division on April
10. Sam had to make it grade at through three rounds – local, district
and regionals – to get to the state level. He initially competed in the contest held
by St. Gabriel’s Knights of Columbus. The Knights of Columbus Free Throw
Championship is open to boys and girls ages 9-14. Every year over 120,000 boys
and girls worldwide compete in the event. Here Sam, the son of Jennifer and Joe Balzanelli, is shown with the Nichols
College mascot where the competition was held and State Deputy Russell E.
Steinbach of the Knights of Columbus. Balzanelli family photo
Supporting the Military at Thanks to Yanks Breakfast
Shown, l-r, are: State Rep. John Fernandes, D. Milford;
Michael Shain, Founder of Thanks To Yanks; and SFC. Anthony Parente at
the recent Thanks To Yanks All You Can Eat Breakfast.
Thanks To Yanks is a 501c3, nonprofit, which supports
military families, and veterans. For additional,
information, visit Thanks To Yanks Facebook, or on the
web at ThanksToYanks.org. Contributed photo
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER4 April 15, 2016
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Student Artists Honored for Unique Perspective and Composition
Nipmuc senior Carly Thibodeau received an Honorable Mention Boston Globe Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program presented by the School of The Museum of Fine Arts,
Boston
Nipmuc senior Megan Davey received an Honorable Mention from the Boston Globe Scholastic Art and
Writing Awards program presented by the School of The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
By Melissa OrffStaff Reporter
Two Nipmuc Regional High School students have received recognition for their artwork by the prestigious Boston Globe Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program presented by the School of The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Nipmuc seniors Megan Davey and Carly Thibodeau both received Honorable Mentions for their pieces which were judged on their “originality, technical skill, and personal vision” according to the awards program.
The girl’s pieces were chosen for the honor from over 15,000 submissions from across the state, both that fit the criteria perfectly per Nipmuc Art Teacher Alison Clish.
“Both of the pieces were very unique in their perspective and their composition,” she said.
Megan’s award-winning artwork is a self-portrait collage made of torn magazine pieces. It also incorporates a theme that is very important to her – bringing awareness and an end to shark finning. Shark finning refers to the removal of a shark’s fin while the remainder of the shark is discarded in the ocean. The fin is sold at high costs for use in food or medicines.
“It is very bad ethically,” said Megan. “I really like the ocean and I think people should respect all that comes from it,” she said.
Megan will be attending the University of Massachusetts, Amherst next year where she will be studying Landscape Architecture.
Carly’s award-winning piece is a painting of a field hockey player. What makes her piece interesting, said Clish, is the perspective of the painting, which makes the viewer seems as they were looking at the player from the ground.
“It took me a few months to complete it,” said Carly about her artwork, which was why she said she was surprised when she found out it had received an award from the Scholastic Art competition. “I had completely forgot I had entered it…it was awesome,” she said.
Carly is still making her final determination on what school she will be attending in the Fall, but plans on studying to become an elementary school teacher.
Although it was hard for Clish and Art Teacher Kevin Campbell to narrow down their submissions to only 20 for this contest, they were happy that Megan and Carly’s work was recognized by an outside organization.
“We are very proud of these two girls and their pieces,” said Clish.
Nipmuc Art students will have another opportunity to have their artwork recognized by independent judges during the annual Nipmuc Fine Arts Festival. Hundreds of pieces of artwork created by students from grades 9-12 will be on display for the public and will be reviewed by a panel of independent judges. Opening night of the Fine Arts Festival is scheduled for May 24 and the Open House will be on May 25. Both events are open to the community and the teachers are hoping for a good turn-out. “Art is meant to be seen,” said Campbell. “This is why we hold a Fine Arts Festival every year.”
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UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER 5April 15, 2016
These are the businesses that contract to adver-tise in The Upton and Mendon Town Crier at least 12 times a year. They receive a frequently discount, feature article about their business (minimum 1/16
page ad) and listing in this directory.
Business Name ............................. Ad on PageAdvantage Siding .............................................. 14Boucher Energy Systems ................................. 13Bright Insurance Agency. ................................ 23C.J. Cilley Construction ................................... 12Cancun’s Mexican Restaurant ......................... 23Cornerstone of Milford .................................nextCountry Bumpkins .............................................nextCPR Etc. ..........................................................nextCrystal Industries ............................................. 15Crystal Room ...................................................... 4Dewey Pest Control .......................................... nextDiane’s Doghouse ................................................. 19Duraclean Services ........................................nextElizabeth Blake Orthodontic .......................next ERA Key Realty, Theresa Sannicandro .............nextExtra Mile Tutoring .............................................. 21ET Home Maintenance .................................nextFlooring America ..........................................nextFrank's Appliance ............................................. 14Gibson Natural Pet Resort ............................... 19Dr. Janet Goguen, DMD .................................. 21Heritage Siding & Window ..........................next Hopedale Country Club ...................................... 15 Hopkinton Physical Therapy ........................nextHopkinton Eye Associates ............................... nextIadarola Plumbing & Heating ......................... 13Imperial Cars ................................................3, 24J.C. Parmenter ................................................... 14J.L. Darling Septic Tank Plumbing Co ............... 12Jolicoeur Overhead Door .............................nextJoyce Plumbing ................................................. 13Just-A-Wee-Day ................................................ 10LaRose Muscular Therapy ............................nextLiquor Plus. ......................................................... 2Little Coffee Bean ............................................. 23Lynch Wine and Spirits .................................... nextMaple Farm Dairy ............................................ 10Mazzone Electrician ......................................nextMcCormick Properties ........................................ 11Medway Oil & Propane Company ................. 14Mendon Motors ................................................ 23Metrowest Oral Surgical Associates ............nextMilford National Bank and Trust ................... nextMill House Wine and Spirits ........................... nextNathans’ Jewelers .............................................. 23New England Steak & Seafood ......................... 5Park Place Dental ............................................... 4Paw Planet ......................................................nextPhipps Insurance Agency ................................ 22Reliable Pet Sitting ............................................ 19Rita’s Home & Gift Store ...............................nextRiteway Power Equipment .............................. 12Robertson Floor Covering .............................. nextRobyn Nasuti, Century 21 Realtor ................. 11Rose Garden Restaurant & Lounge .............nextSafeside Chimney ............................................. 12Salon Richard Anthony ................................nextSecond Nature Landscape ............................... 12Simoneau Electric ..........................................nextSky Hook Tree Care.......................................... 10Templeman Tree Service. ................................ 13United Parish Nursery School .....................nextUpton Foreign Motors ..................................nextUpton House of Pizza ...................................nextUpton Recreation Commission ...................... nextUpton Self Storage .........................................nextWagner Window Service ..............................nextWanokura Japanese Restaurant ........................ 5Wayne Grenier Electric. ................................... 14Webster First ..................................................nextWestHill Properties, Tina Cote ....................next Whitcomb House ..........................................nextWilliams-Pedersen Funeral Home ..............nextWolf, DDS .......................................................next
The Advertiser’s Club Directory
Nipmuc 2nd Massachusetts School in STEM Consortium
By Melissa OrffStaff Reporter
Nipmuc Regional High School has been granted membership into the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS), becoming the second only high school in Massachusetts to have been accepted into the “prestigious” consortium.
The NCSSS is a national organization that aims “to prepare students for success and leadership in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).” Established in 1998, there are currently over 100 member schools across 32 different states that are members of NCSSS, providing a forum to exchange information and program ideas.
Nipmuc joins the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute as the only Massachusetts high schools to receive the distinction as NCSSS schools.
The two high schools came together on April 1 when Michael Barney, Headmaster of the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science visited Nipmuc to officially welcome them into the NCSSS.
“This is a big day for the consortium and for Nipmuc,” said Barney, who is also a Board of Director Member for NCSSS.
Barney commended Nipmuc’s Administration team on their efforts in expanding the school’s STEM initiatives over the past few years including new course offerings and Nipmuc’s STEM Scholars Program, which is now in its third year.
“We know things are going to continue to expand, and we look forward to a long and productive partnership,” said Barney.
Nipmuc’s Principal John Clements said that applying for membership to the NCSSS was a school-wide effort that was undertaken as a way to “enhance our blueprint.”
Over the past three years, Nipmuc has introduced 19 new STEM-related course offerings as well as the STEM Scholars Program, which provides students with “rigorous academics, workplace readiness training, connections to colleges, and career experiences in STEM-related fields.”
Nipmuc Regional High School was recently granted membership in the National Consortium of Secondary
STEM Schools (NCSSS) and is welcomed into the organization by Michael Barney, NCSSS Board of
Director Member and Headmaster of the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science (second from left) on April 1. Barney is pictured with (l-r) Mendon Upton
Superintendent Dr. Joseph Maruszczak, Nipmuc Principal John Clements, and Associate Principal Mary
Anne Moran.
“We know that we are not done but we see this partnership as an opportunity to grow, connect with people, and provide kids with STEM experiences they want and need,” said Clements.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Maruszczak called Nipmuc’s admission into the NCSSS as an “honor and a privilege.”
“I view this as a real asset for Nipmuc, but also for the Mendon Upton Regional School District,” said Maruszczak during the presentation. “STEM does not start with grade nine. It starts with our little ones,” he said.
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Town Crier Publications, Inc. reserves the right to reject material it deems unfit for publication in a family newspa-per. We reserve the right to edit any submitted articles as needed. We regret typographical errors in ads but will not take financial responsibility for them. We will reprint at no charge that portion of the ad in which the error appears.
Thanks to Ed Sullivan for our April 1 Mystery Photo. As former Upton Police Chief Tom Stockwell wrote in the “photo [was] taken 1978 in the Upton State Forest, [It shows] Upton Police recovering a stolen car driven over a cliff. Police Officer Bob Paine [is] holding wrecker owned by Bob Lambert’s Auto” Stockwell was the photographer. Rick Morrell also correctly guessed the identity of Paine. Additionally, a teen age Bruce Rivard was behind the wheel of the wrecker but not shown in this photo.
NOTES & NOTATIONSBy Jane Bigda
Giving Students the Gift of TimeWhen my son was a
freshman at St. John’s High School, two incidents occurred that I grumbled about at the time but I am now very happy to have experienced. The first was the decision by the school’s crew team to hold practices at the rowing tanks at the College of the Holy Cross. Brian was a member of the team, which meant my carefully crafted carpool was shot and I was regularly driving each afternoon to Worcester. The second event was an assembly for parents about the college application process. What did we need to know about college admissions as freshmen parents I asked?
Well I was wrong to grumble on both counts. Brian’s experience of visiting a college campus on a regular basis opened his eyes. He realized with some work and planning he too could attend a school like Holy Cross. And the parent assembly opened my eyes about what we needed to do to help him achieve his goals.
Both experiences taught us that making a decision about college admission or any post high school plan was a process that could only be achieved over a period of time, not jammed into a few months of hectic activity. The process meant selecting the right classes during high school; becoming involved in experiences that mean something to the student; and calmly reviewing options when the opportunity arose.
Based on my own experience, I applaud the Mendon Upton Regional School District for the recent efforts to make students more aware of planning for their futures. This issue of the Town Crier documents the district efforts.
The first is the article on Nipmuc Mathematics and Computer Science teacher, Ronald Cochran, who received the Partners in Excellence Award by Mass Insight Education. Cochran has been instrumental in the district expanding its offerings of Advance Placement (AP) courses in math
and technology. Currently 50 percent of the junior and senior classes take AP courses.
The second is the article on the district’s membership as the second Massachusetts school in the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS). Besides expanding the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) offerings at Nipmuc, which added 19 new courses to the curriculum, the membership recognizes the school’s STEM Scholars Program, which offers students college and career experiences.
Much like my son’s visits to Holy Cross and the AP courses he took during high school, these efforts give students a taste of what college is like and through their experience they realize with a little work, this is something they can do.
The STEM Scholars Program and the second 21st Century Learning Conference that we covered in our March 18 issue also gives students the opportunity to see how their post high school plans can affect their lives. The Learning Conference offered students a chance to speak with professionals, leaders and college reps about future plans.
While students have to make the decisions about their future, parents also need to be involved beginning in freshman year. Nipmuc Guidance has offered a series of breakfasts with parents so they can help their children make choices about courses, study habits and extracurricular activities that will give them options when they graduate. Much like the freshmen parent meeting at St. John’s these breakfast can help parents become aware of what they need to do during their child’s high school years to help make the transition to life beyond much easier and more rewarding.
Giving students and their families the time to build an academic resume, to calmly look at their post graduation choices and to make well-informed decisions is a gift. I applaud Nipmuc for its efforts.
MENDON MUSINGSBy Kevin Rudden
All's Well in Mendon?All’s well in Mendon. How else can you characterize the lack of
contested races in the next month’s town election?If no one is challenging any incumbent, it must mean that everyone’s
happy with the status quo.Funny… When property tax bills were issued, I heard an awful lot of complaints about
how the school override drove bills sky-high. At the recent Special Town Meeting, there was a lot of resentment about the town administrator’s raise. But, no one ran for office.
The publisher of this newspaper frequently points out that “they” don’t seem to teach civics anymore. My two cents on top of his is that democracy is not a spectator sport. You have to get involved to change things.
But, we’re all busy with work and our kids and someone else can do it. Or, we don’t like the idea of local politics, because it’s messy and full of lying back-stabbers. Someone might verbally attack us.
And so, we get the government we deserve.I was thinking about my father the other day and the others who made what journalist
Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.” When my father learned his only cousin had been killed in Saipan, he quit school and enlisted in the Navy. He never missed an opportunity to vote in any local, state or federal election. As a senior citizen, he ran for – and won – an elected Town Meeting Member seat in Shrewsbury (like Milford, it has a representative town meeting, not an open one like Mendon and Upton).
Since his passing, I often ask myself, “What would Frank do?” I know that Frank would have looked at the lack of candidates and say the town is getting what it deserves.
That’s not to say that the incumbents are bad people or doing a bad job. But when no one runs against them, it sends a message that no one’s unhappy with what they’re doing. A challenger can keep an incumbent on his or her toes.
Local elections typically don’t descend to the level of rancor like we’re seeing at the national level. Millions of dollars aren’t spent on campaigns. At the local level, it’s more of an “I think I can do that better” idea that gets people to run.
But, I guess it’s easier to sit back and complain than actually do something about it. Right?
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Community MealsAREA-A number of local churches are offering free, nourishing meals to the local community. All are welcome to these meals.
Trinity Episcopal Church, 17 Congress St., Milford, with sponsorship from volunteers of the First Methodist Church of Milford, offers dinner including an entrée, soup, salad, bread, dessert and beverage on the last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. For more information
contact the parish office at 508-473-8464 or [email protected]. Volunteers to help prepare and serve meals are always needed and most welcome.
Community Brown Bag lunch / dinner is offered on the last Saturday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 23 Pine St., Milford. Please enter by the side door, next to the Laundromat. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish of Milford sponsors the meal.
United Parish of Upton members are offering monthly Community Suppers the third Thursday
of each month to bring local residents together at 5:30 p.m. at the church, 1 Church St., Upton. Please call 508-529-3192 to reserve a spot. There is no fee, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Food with Friends Meals program at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, 27 Pearl St., Milford, offers lunch every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and dinner the second Tuesday of the month from 4:45 to 7 p.m. The full course dinners are open to all in the diverse Milford community. Meals are offered in the Parish Center’s Small Hall.
TAX RETURN PREPARATION: Grey, CPA in Mendon. 508-478-9000. Individual and Business. Financial Statements. Quickbooks.
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LETTERSUpton Voters Encouraged to
Attend Annual Town MeetingTo the Editor,
Were you surprised to see the increase in your last tax bill? Most people keep a close eye on their investments, such as stock portfolios and retirement investments, but sometimes miss one of their most important investments, home values. Decisions are being made at Upton Town Meetings that affect our funding for our children’s education, increases in tax rates, and the value of your home, which may be your largest investment.
I’ve learned many things about town government over the past 20 years, especially that government-formed committees are almost always driven by committed volunteers while private industry is generally top-down and profit driven. If you do not attend Town Meetings, you do not participate in decisions that affect your home, education, and taxes. We should all participate and understand how our well-meaning neighbors are deciding to spend our money. View the complete town meeting warrant at UptonMa.gov.
Recent spending appropriated at Town Meetings has driven the Upton tax rate from $10.63 in 2008 to $18.56 in 2016. Average tax bills have gone from $4,800/year to $6,891/year during those last eight years. Not only are your taxes increasing, but the value of your home is impacted by these increases.
I know that Town Meetings can sometimes be dull and sometimes they can be enlightening. If you don’t participate, you don’t have a voice or a vote. You don’t participate in how our tax dollars are spent, and what operations justify tax increases.
The annual town meeting is May 5; I encourage you to attend and participate.Kenneth GlowackiUpton Treasurer/Collector
Changes at Coach Road Apartments in Upton
To the Editor,Coach Road Apartments run by the Upton Housing
Authority, looks quaint: old brick buildings with a few plants and a historic water fountain. There is a great mission statement in the annual report. You’d think it was a fine place to live but there are problems.
Upton Housing Authority consists of five elected Commissioners, who serve five-year terms and are accountable to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The commission manages the housing complex, making sure residents are heard and their needs and rights considered.
A person is entitled to lifelong security and dignity. People in subsidized housing have already lost their own homes. As the body ages it is more crucial for Commissioners to be sensitive, caring and supportive. People living with disability may need accommodations to live independently.
But there are serious problems that need to be fixed. The commission has to change. Officials from DHCD, MA Union Public Housing, State Sen. Michael Moore and State Rep. Dave Muradian have looked into matters in Upton. Secretary of State William Galvin’s Office is involved regarding the release of public records. Lawyers have been hired and Tri-Valley Protective Services have been called in.
As a concerned resident and grandmother of five, I find myself acting as an advocate for the impaired and the timid. It is my nature to expect a just environment and to move toward improvement. I have succeeded in getting the Housing Authority to replace 40 toilets and showerheads; the Community Room will get a ramp and be made suitable for disabled people; the meetings are videotaped and Medicare mandated grab bars installed. Impaired tenants are now aware of how to file for a Modification of Reasonable Accommodation. A new tenant Association (MA Union Public Housing Org.) will protect the elderly against eviction, abuse and give them a say in policies. These are only some of the changes. I have not done it alone. Leaders must investigate; be proactive.
Coach Road residents look forward to planting flowers, feeding the birds, hanging a wind chime, sitting on a bench in the yard and watching cable in our Community Room. Change is in the wind.Pamela GoodwinUpton
Beginning May 4, Rock Hill Farm Studio will offer after-school kids art classes for grades 2-10. Classes meet
once a week for 6 weeks from 3:30-5:00pm. Cost is $200 per session
During an April 5 meeting, the Upton Board of Selectmen agreed to support two bylaw articles on the Annual Town Meeting warrant that would regulate maintenance of trees on public properties and address discharge of water on public ways.
DPW Director Vincent Roy first discussed the tree bylaw with the Selectmen. According to Roy, there is already a state statue in place concerning regulating trees but “We’ve taken it a bit further and molded it so it makes sense for Upton.”
The state statue prohibits the cutting and removal of trees within a public way and contains rules for tree plantings, imposing penalties, and enforcement, which is done by the Tree Warden; Roy is Upton’s Tree Warden. “The tree bylaw is a balanced approach which addresses the needs to protect trees and public properties,” he said to the Board.
Concerning Upton’s tree bylaw, Roy explained if there was a tree that imposed a risk to the public, “I would have the authority to have that removed.”
Roy said he has had several meetings with the Planning Board as some of the bylaw concerns future development and the selection and location of trees going into new subdivisions. “Ultimately, we’re talking about trees that the town will be responsible for so we want to have a say in that,” he said.
Another section discusses trees in a public way and states they must have a minimum clearance of 16 feet over a road as well as 10 feet above a sidewalk so not to cause obstructions of residents walking or running. The bylaw also considers sight distance.
Fines could be imposed for those who violate the bylaw. For a first offense, a written warning would be issued. A second offense would result in a $50 fine and for a third and any subsequent violations, $200 fines. Town Manager Blythe Robinson said it’s hoped after a written warning was issued—that would be the end of it.
“This puts into writing what the legal authority of the tree warden is,” said Selectman Robert Fleming.
“It defines what rights or prohibitions a citizen has relative to cutting down a town tree; that’s not an option... I think it’s a good bylaw; it makes sense and clarifies anything that may have a misunderstanding so citizens have a point of reference.”
The second bylaw on the warrant concerns water discharge and prohibits anyone from knowingly or purposely directing water into a public way. Roy explained this act is most worrisome when it’s done in the cold weather, thus causing safety issues and damage to public property. “We’re not looking to go after people who have a problem with natural water falling into the road, but people who knowingly direct water into the road,” said Roy.
Selectman Chair Ken Picard explained further. “You can’t take water from your cellar and pump it out into the road. If your yard has a contour of certain type and the water flows from your back yard into the front and goes into the road—this doesn’t apply to that,” he said.
The Selectman agreed to support both bylaws, which will be posted on the town’s Web site when they are finalized. The May 5 Annual Town Meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Nipmuc Regional High School.
Public Safety Apparatus and Mosquito Control Program Among Articles on Upton’s Warrant
The Upton Center is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staff is available by phone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities are subject to change. Please call 508-529-4558 with any questions. Friday, April 15BVT Salon Visit, 9 a.m. Super Stress Strategies, 11 a.m. Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, 11:45 a.m.Singer Paul Lamoureaux, 12:45 p.m. Monday, April 18Upton Center Closed for Patriot’s Day Tuesday, April 19Shopping Trip to Price Chopper, Hopkinton, 9:15 a.m. Trinity Big Band, 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 20SHINE Appointments, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Lunch Trip to Jube’s Family Restaurant, Whitinsville, 11:30 a.m. Blood Pressure Checks with Town Nurse, 12:30 p.m.Friday, April 22Shopping Trip to Salvation Army, Shaw’s, Job Lots, Walmart Loop, Northbridge, 9:15 a.m.Creature Teacher Visit, 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 26Shopping Trip to Market Basket, Oxford, 12:30 p.m. Personal Training Appointments, 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 27Birthday Bash, 12:45 p.m.Friday, April 29Men’s Club Supper, 5:30 p.m.MondayTai Chi, 1 p.m.TuesdayCard Players Group, 10 a.m.Wii Games, 12:30 p.m. WednesdayStretch and Strength, 10 a.m.Library Table, 11 a.m.Canasta, 12:30 p.m.Afternoon Movie, 1 p.m. (no movie April 27) Computer Class, 2:30 p.m. (no class April 20)ThursdayKnit and Crochet, 10 a.m. Bingo, 1 p.m.FridayBlood Pressure Checks with EMT, 10:30 a.m.
Upton Candidates NightOn Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. the
Upton Bloomer Girls are sponsoring an opportunity to meet the candidates running for offices in the Annual Upton Town Election, which will be held on Monday, May 2. All candidates are invited to give a brief statement and respond to questions from the audience at event, which will take place at Upton Town Hall in the Main Hall. It will be recorded and broadcast on Upton Cable, channel 192, the week preceding the election. All Upton residents are welcome.
increases. For instance, the Police Department’s overall budget is recommended at $1,669,006
in the draft budget; an increase resulting from the COLA, which increased wages from $1,422,407 to$ 1,480,328. For the most part, the Fire Department’s budget remained level serviced with the exception of a small increase in utilities and building maintenance. The largest increase in the budget concerns the wages line item recommended at $670,250 from last year’s at $642,148.
The Department of Public Works also shows a moderate increase of approximately $30,000 from last year of $889,949 to a recommended $920,269. Part of that increase includes the cost of living adjustment as well as increases in stormwater management and snow removal budgets.
The Mendon Upton Regional School District’s will see an increase in its total overall budget from $11,060,062 to $11,392,531 mostly concerning town funded operating expenses. According to School Committee Chair Phil DeZutter, the Regional School District recently learned of a large 20 percent increase in health insurance costs totaling approximately $330,000. However, DeZutter assured the Selectmen and the Finance Committee that the School Committee won’t put that burden on the town and will absorb that funding from its own budget. Blackstone Valley Tech.’s school overall budget had a slight decrease in its request from last year’s $1,228,630 to $1,201,228; the decrease is mostly due to a decrease of Upton students attending the school.
Projected overall receipts for the town shows a total of $21.4 million, up from last year’s figure of $20.5 million; this includes debt exclusions, local receipts, and the town’s levy limit increase.
The new budget as well as approximately 27 articles will be voted on during the May 5 Annual Town Meeting which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Nipmuc Regional High School. The finalized warrant and budget should be posted on the town’s Web site in the coming weeks.
◆ UPTON BUDGET from front page
Second Annual Upton Agricultural Day
The 2nd Annual Upton Agricultural Day sponsored by the Upton Grange 125 will be held on Saturday April 30 at the Grange Hall, 26 School St., Upton beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running until 3 p.m. The free event will include activities for all ages including a Plant Swap & Sale, refreshments and raffles to benefit the Grange Building Restoration Fund.
A series of agricultural workshops will be held beginning at 9 a.m. with Large Crop from a small Garden by Gary Neves; Bees and Pollinator Flower Gardens by Ed Szymanski, President of Norfolk County Beekeepers at 10 a.m.; Upton Town Line Dairy Farm by John Lindquist at 11 a.m.; an animal presentation by 4-H Troup with Farm Animals & Ponies at noon; and Organic Gardening for Everyone by John Root at 1p.m.
The Upton Grange will be presenting the 2016 Upton Citizen of the Year Award to Ellen Arnold, Founding member of Friends of the Upton State Forest at 2 p.m. All invited to enjoy the day.
By Michelle SanfordStaff Reporter/Columnist
A preliminary draft shows a total of 27 articles on Upton’s Annual Town Meeting warrant that will be acted upon by voters on May 5. The Board of Selectmen reviewed the draft document during an April 5 meeting. Among the articles being brought before voters are several capital purchases for the Public Safety Departments and a request to join the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Program.
Articles 15 through 17 are requests to purchase various equipment items for the town’s Police and Fire Departments. Because the Police Department’s existing radios are more than 25 years old and often in need of repair, Article 15 is seeking $25,000 to purchase 18 portable radios and seven mobile radios.
If passed, Article 16 will fund 13 replacement defibrillators and one training unit for the Police and Fire Departments totaling $27,000 and for Article 17 the Fire Department is seeking $21,150 to purchase turnout gear to replace those sets that are no longer usable. Article 18 is requesting $18,000 to replace worn out carpet and tile for the second floor of the Fire Station.
Article 12 on the draft warrant asks voters to determine if the town will join the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Program for a three year period; the first year cost is $52,000. During the 2013 Annual Town Meeting, residents voted down the measure. However, town officials are bringing the article forward once again over concerns of mosquito borne illnesses, including the Zika Virus.
Other money articles include Article 19, a request for $70,000 that will fund one half of the engineering costs needed to make repairs to the Fisk Mill Bridge; the bridge is jointly owned by the town of Milford.
Article 20 is a request to supplement funding, another $6,600, to purchase a vehicle that is in compliance with the Green Community’s program for the dog
officer. Town Manager Blythe Robinson explained this article may come off the finalized warrant because the initial amount approved, $20,000, may be enough. And Article 21 is seeking $1,000 to purchase and install a gate for the entrance of Heritage Park.
A number of other articles on the draft warrant include those that are voted on each year and include Article 1 which chooses the officers for the next fiscal year and Article 2 is to accept the reports of each town office, Board, or Committee. Article 3 is the new Fiscal Year budget which is currently estimated at $22 million.
Articles 4 and 5 concern funding annual budgets for the Water and Wastewater Enterprise Accounts. Article 6, if passed, will fund the town’s obligations to the Regional Retirement System totaling $409,206. And Article 7 will set up revolving funds for the Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Upton Town Library, Council on Aging, Recreation Commission, Conservation Commission, and Upton Land Stewardship Committee. Article 8 also seeks to set up a revolving fund for the Treasurer/Collector.
Article 9 will authorize the Board of Selectmen to spend the town’s Chapter 90 funding and Article 13 is seeking $10,000 to reconcile shortfalls into various accounts. However, Robinson noted the Board may request this article be passed over.
Article 14 concerns Community Preservation Act funding and is requesting to transfer $15,000 of CPA funds into its Administrative Expense Account. Article 22 is to transfer $100,000 to the Other Post Employment Benefits account, Article 23 will set the Senior Work Off program limit at $15,000, Article 24 will utilize $350,000 to address road repairs, and Article 25 will transfer $25,000 into the Finance Committee Reserve Fund.
The May 5 meeting is scheduled to take place at Nipmuc Regional High School and begin at 7 p.m.
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER 9April 15, 2016
Mendon News
Mendon Assessors Looking to Provide
Tax Relief By Michelle SanfordStaff Reporter/Columnist
Mendon’s Board of Assessors will bring forward a number of articles during the May 6 Annual Town Meeting meant to provide tax relief to certain residents, including qualified veterans and in need residents and seniors. The Town Meeting will take place at Miscoe Hill School at at 7 p.m.
Article 16 on the draft warrant is seeking approval to appoint one of the members of the Board of Assessor as the town’s designated data collector. Assessor Kevin Rudden explained each of the three Assessors currently receives an annual stipend of $2,600. As a result, if Article 16 passes, two of the Assessor’s have agreed to reduce their stipends and give that funding to the data collector as a part time position.
Article 17 seeks to increase the amount of the qualifying maximum gross receipts from $20,000 to $40,000 in accordance with Mass. General Law pertaining to residents in need of a tax deferral.
Articles 18, 19, and 20 on the draft warrant also concern tax relief for qualified residents that according to Rudden are being brought forward in the “spirit of the Taxation Aid Committee; we want to make sure we’re offering everything we can to people.”
Article 18 is seeking to exempt from excise taxation those vehicles owned by residents who are on active duty and fulltime military service as members of the armed forces or National Guard serving overseas for at least 45 days.
Article 19 is a real estate and personal property tax abatement for members of the Massachusetts National Guard or military reservists on active duty serving overseas. And Article 20, if passed, would exempt those residents who qualify for low income housing or low or moderate income senior housing from the Community Preservation Act surcharge; Article 20 would also need to be passed by a ballot vote in November.
Another article is requesting a number of streets in the Cobbler’s Knoll subdivision be accepted.
Two other articles, Article 27 and 31 are connected. Article 27 is a 20 year PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreement with BlueWave Capital for a solar facility to be located on three parcels of land on 128 Providence St., 67 Bates St., and 72 Thayer Road, also known as Varney Farm. However, Article 31 is a citizen’s petition from residents who are opposed to the solar arrays being constructed in the residential area. As a result, Article 31 is seeking to amend the town’s zoning bylaws to place additional restrictions on where solar arrays can be constructed.
The last article on the warrant includes another zoning bylaw amendment request from a Cape Road business looking to rezone all their land to commercial in order to relocate a construction garage on their property.
◆ MENDON BUDGET from front page
provided really conservative estimates for revenue projections in the new budget. The Fiscal Year 2016 levy limit is projected at approximately $13.7 million and the 2.5 percent growth is estimated at $330,000. Merolli said local receipts, which include motor vehicle excise tax, building permit fees, and meals tax, definitely showed a positive gain estimated at $2.19 million and new growth is anticipated at $180,000. The town’s debt exclusions total $1.38 million and state aid is projected at $475,000. Newman also said additional revenue can be expected from the solar projects in town.
The approximate funding totals for the
Mendon’s Annual Town Meeting Will
Vote on CPA ProjectsBy Michelle SanfordStaff Reporter/Columnist
During a March 30 meeting, the Mendon Board of Selectmen reviewed a draft warrant for the upcoming May 6 Annual Town Meeting. The draft warrant shows a total of 32 articles for voters to act on. Of that number, six are being brought forward by the Community Preservation Committee and Land Use Committee for various projects, including upgrades to local ball fields and weed control.
One of the Community Preservation Committee’s articles, Article 24 on the draft warrant, is seeking $30,000 to install a drainage system on Tetreault Field as well as for other repairs to the nearby Veteran’s Park outfield. An engineering study has already been completed concerning the upgrades. If approved, this funding would follow through on the study’s recommendations.
Article 25 is another CPA-related article and involves the town’s 350th anniversary celebration slated to begin in the fall. Article 25 is seeking $1,000 from the CPA’s Historical Preservation Account to digitize the town’s 300th Anniversary 16 mm film. According to Anniversary Committee member Kevin Rudden, the owners of the Mendon Drive In have agreed to show the old anniversary film footage to movie goers during some part of the year-long 350th
Anniversary celebrations. There is a chance the Historical Commission may fund this article. If that’s the case, then it will not be on the finalized warrant.
Article 23 concerns extending Affordable Housing Coordinator, Bill McHenry’s, annual part time salary of $20,000 and is requesting that funding come out of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. Selectman Rich Schofield said the Finance Committee will want an update on what McHenry has been able to achieve before supporting the funding. And Article 26 is an annual article that is seeking to$98,397 to pay for the Fino land debt.
The Land Use Committee is also sponsoring two articles on the warrant. Article 21 is an annual article seeking the approval of the town’s Land Use Committee’s Five Year Land Use Plan.
Article 22 is also a Land Use Committee article but is seeking $2,445 of CPA funding to continue to tackle the removal of water chestnut weeds at Inman Pond. According to Anne Mazar of the Land Use Committee, the Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) group is contributing $9,000 toward this year’s weed project. It was also noted, the TTOR has funded the majority of the costs toward the weed control thus far. The May 6 Annual Town Meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and will take place at Miscoe Hill School.
Living with Neurological Disorders
The Mendon Council on Aging will host an informative workshop sponsored by Salmon VNA and the Mendon Board of Health on Thursday, April 28 at 11 a.m. to explore ‘Living with Neuromuscular Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis or Nueropathy.’ Please stop by the Mendon Senior Center or call 508-478-6175 to register for this free program. All ages welcome; transportation is available to Mendon residents only.
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Fiscal Year 2017 budget are broken down as follows: The Regional School District and associated debt totals $9.42 million, making up 53.46 percent of the town’s budget; the Police Department totals $1.32 million, or 7.48 percent of the budget; employee benefits total $1.39 million or 7.91 percent of the budget; Blackstone Valley Tech. and associated debt totals $920,000, or 5.21 percent of the budget; Public Works (Highway Department) totals $720,000, making up 4.08 percent of the budget; Fire Department totals $642,000 or 3.64 percent; Debt Service totals $600,000 or 3.42 percent, Public Welfare (Board of Health, Council on Aging, etc.) totals $529,500 or 3 percent of the budget; Culture and Recreation
(Library, Parks Department, and Historical Commission) totals $323,000 or 1.83 percent of the budget; Other Public Safety (inspectors, etc.) totals $296,000 or 1.68 percent; Regional Dispatch totals $228,000, making up 1.29 percent of the budget; and Public Works (all other) totals $199,000, or 1.13 percent of the budget.
Newman said the current draft budget does not include any “asks” from departments but several are being considered including additional hours for the Board of Selectmen’s Administrative Assistant and air packs for the Fire Department which are set to expire in 2018. The Finance Committee expects to finalize the recommended budget in the coming weeks.
Fourth Quarter Tax Bills Due in
MendonThe fourth and final installment of
Fiscal Year 2016 Mendon real estate and personal property tax bills is due by Monday, May 2. The Collector’s office will be open that day from 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Payments can also be made online at MendonMa.gov until the end of the day on May 2, by mail, or in person. Credit cards can be accepted at the office. Please refer to your bill for normal window hours. Payments not received in hand by the close of business on May 2 will be assessed interest. Please provide for mailing and/or processing time.
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER10 April 15, 2016
Mendon Meetings
Mendon News
Mendon Senior Center
Friday, April 15 Last day to register to vote at Annual Town Meeting, Town Hall, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. or OnlineMonday, April 18Town Hall Offices Closed for Patriots DayTuesday, April 19Master Plan Committee, Town Hall, 7 p.m.Thursday, April 21Conservation Commission, Town Hall, 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 25Cultural Council, Senior Center, 7 p.m.Planning Board, Public Hearing, Town Hall, 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 26Local Historic District Study Committee, Town Hall, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27Last day to register to vote at Annual Town Election, Town Hall, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. or OnlineMonday, May 2 Board of Selectmen, Town Hall, 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 6Board of Selectmen, Miscoe Hill School, Time to be DeterminedAll meeting dates and times are subject to change. For the most up to date information on Mendon meetings, log on to www.mendonma.gov.
The Mendon Senior Center serves Mendon residents 60 years of age or older, people with disabilities, and care givers. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, or call 508-478-6175.Monday, April 25Planning for Medicare, Countdown to 65, Sponsored by BCBS, 11 a.m. Thursday, April 28 Living with Neuromuscular Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis or Neuropathy, Sponsored by the Salmon VNA and the Mendon Board of Health, 11 a.m. MondayFood Pantry (First Monday of the Month), 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.Whole Foods, 9 a.m.Cribbage and Bridge, 9 a.m.TuesdayStretch and Flexibility, 9 a.m.Fall Prevention Exercise, 11 a.m.Lunch Club, $3, 12 p.m.Wii Bowling, 1 p.m. SHINE by Appointment, (Alternating Tuesdays)WednesdayShopping Van, 8 a.m. (Alternating Wednesdays)Panera Bread, 9 a.m.Yoga, 9 a.m. T’ai Chi, 10:15 a.m. ThursdayCribbage, 9 a.m.Stretch and Flexibility, 9 a.m.Lunch Club, $3, 12 p.m.Wii Bowling, 1 p.m.Yoga, 5:45 p.m. Pitch League, 7 p.m.
Selectmen Take First Pass at Annual
Town Meeting Warrant
By Michelle SanfordStaff Reporter/Columnist
During a March 30 meeting, the Mendon Board of Selectmen took a first pass at reviewing the Annual Town Meeting warrant with Town Manager Kim Newman. The draft warrant shows a total of 32 articles, however, that number could decrease or increase as the Finance Committee and Selectmen continue to finalize the document. The Town Meeting is scheduled for May 6 and will begin at 7 p.m. at Miscoe Hill School.
Article 9 on the draft warrant shows a yet undetermined amount for the Town Administrator’s salary line item. During a March 21 Special Town Meeting, residents rejected adding $14,768 to Kim Newman’s salary. The Selectmen supported the increase stating that Newman had been offered a higher paying position in Canton but wanted to keep her in Mendon. In addition, a recent salary survey stated she was underpaid for her position. Still, Selectman Rich Schofield said placing Article 9 on the final warrant was not a certainty and was still being determined.
Article 7 is a capital purchase and is seeking a yet undetermined amount in order to purchase a fleet vehicle for the town that will be shared by different town departments. Schofield stated he was not in favor of the article and wanted to debate it further when Selectman Chris Burke was in attendance. “If you look at our capital expense needs, I would say this is not on the top of our list,” he said.
Newman explained Article 8 on the draft warrant was a possible placeholder in anticipation of the town receiving an IT grant from the Community Compact. Newman explained that Mendon is asking for $372,000 worth of IT upgrades and of that number $267,000 is for municipal software needs. The grant doesn’t require a match, but state officials asked Newman if the grant cannot be fully funded, was there a possibility the town could match a portion of it.
A number of other articles on the warrant are considered standard and voted on each year and include Article 2, which authorizes the town to utilize its Chapter 90 monies and Article 3 will fix the salaries and compensation of elected officials. Article 4 is the new Fiscal Year budget which is estimated at $17.8 million this year.
Article 5 is to fund the Assessor’s Cyclical Inspection for $6,500 and Article 6 is for $10,000 Update Valuation Account.
Articles 10 through 13 are to set up revolving accounts for the Taft Public Library, the Planning Board, the Highway Department, and the Conservation Commission and must be approved each year by residents. Article 14 is to fund the Police Matching grant for $2,500 and Article 15 will add a sum of money to fund the Other Post Employment Benefits account.
A number of other articles are nonfinancial and include tax relief for qualified residents and street acceptances. Zoning bylaw changes include a request from a Cape Road business looking to rezone all its land to commercial in order to relocate a construction garage on the property.
New Water Meters on Annual Town Meeting Warrant
By Michelle SanfordStaff Reporter/Columnist
The Mendon Water Commission and the Board of Selectmen came together during a March 30 meeting to discuss problems concerning the town’s excessive water loss. At the end of the discussion, it was agreed to add an article to the Annual Town Meeting warrant to replace or retrofit water meters for users.
The town currently purchases water from Hopedale and for sometime has been getting billed for more water that is being used. According to Commission Chair Allan Kent, Mendon pays Hopedale $6 per 100 cubic feet with the town charging $9 per 100 cubic feet to its customers. “That ought to be plenty of headroom for loses and things but in fact it’s not enough because our system is currently losing as much as 60 percent and most quarters more like 30 percent of the water we buy from Hopedale and we don’t know why at the moment.”
Selectman Rich Schofield said according to his calculations, the town’s water loss has consistently increased over the years. In 2011 and 2012, the town lost 16.5 percent of its water; in 2013 it was 25 percent and 32 percent this year. “So it’s increasing; it’s out of control,” said Schofield.
According to Mendon’s Water Operator Tim Watson, the 32 percent loss this year adds up to 3 million gallons. “Three million gallons sounds like a lot of water to you all—it’s really not; Hopedale lost 10 million.” However, he did say the loss in terms of funding is costing the town $42,000. “It is an issue.”
Kent said there could be several reasons for the water loss, one being the age of many of the town’s water meters, which are not registering the correct amount of water passing through them. The industry recommends water meters be replaced every 10 years, however, Kent said some meters could date back to 1949. He said one solution is to replace all the meters which have not been replaced in the last few years for an estimated $28,000.
Another reason for the water loss could be leaks in the water mains. Kent added it is a possibility that citizens are taking water from the hydrants. “We could just put locks on the [hydrant] valves and give keys to the Fire Department and the Highway Department.”
Watson said he would rule out water being taken from the hydrants because large amounts of water loss haven’t registered on the master meter. “You’d need a lot of people stealing water to get three million gallons of loss.”
One thing Watson did encourage was hiring someone to test the water mains for leaks at a cost of $1,200. “Hopedale does it every year,” he said. “It’s worth every penny.” Watson stated certain roads such as Hartford Ave., Bates St., and Cape Road may prove to be difficult to test on because they contain transit pipes, which do not transmit a lot of noise and vibrations; one of the ways to detect leaks.
The Board agreed to place an article on the May 6 Annual Town Meeting Warrant to replace or retrofit water meters. The Water Commission will fund the $1,200 water leak detection project.
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Growth Capital Corporation held its annual Small Business Technical Assistance Grantee Mid-year meeting at Babson College in Wellesley.
The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce was awarded a $55,000 grant from Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MBCC) to fund technical assistance programs for small businesses in the Blackstone Valley.
With over 60 attendees from community development corporations, chambers of commerce and micro-lending organizations across the Commonwealth, the group covered a wide range of topics emphasizing the importance of providing technical assistance to help the growth of small businesses. “The attendees represented the “best of the best” of small business assistance providers from across the Commonwealth and it is a privilege to have MGCC partnering with their efforts” said Larry Andrews, President and CEO of MGCC.
Homefield Credit Part of Federal Home Loan Program Homefield Credit Union has opened the doors to many more
potential homeowners as it has once again been approved to participate in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s 2016 Equity Builder Program.
The federally-sponsored program issues grants to member financial institutions to provide assistance to income-qualified buyers in the purchase of housing units that they will occupy as their primary residence. For 2016 Homefield has been awarded a total of $150,000, which can be disbursed to qualifying members in amounts of up to $15,000. And the program is flexible. Assistance can be in the form of a down payment, closing costs, homeowner counseling and even rehabilitation assistance.
Lloyd Hamm, President and Chief Executive Officer of Homefield is enthusiastic about the program and anxious to see it get under way for the second year in a row. He said, “We operate in a diverse economic community and there are many income-qualified people who just need a little help in buying a home. By being an approved institution with the Federal Home Loan Bank’s program, we can now provide the help they need. We’re thrilled to be able to do that and we know that while the immediate impact will be on the new homeowners, the community will also benefit by the increased home ownership and all the positive aspects that placing permanent roots in the community brings.”
Interested parties should call or visit Homefield Credit Union. The lending staff is well versed and trained in the program and is ready to put their knowledge to work.
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The Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra invites YOU to:
Take a walk down memory lane with the CHSO and experience the nostalgic “Golden Age” of the American Dream! Frank Sinatra was at the top of his form, Camelot and West Side Story were hits on Broadway, and all was “right with the world.”
Saturday, April 30th at 7:30 p.m. Milford Town Hall, 52 Main Street, Milford, MA
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Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story” Lerner & Lowe: Music from “Camelot” Boyer: The Dream Lives On: A Portrait of the Kennedy Brothers PLUS all your favorites from The Frank Sinatra Songbook and more!
We have been to the Boston Pops, Tanglewood and many other concerts so what could the town of Milford offer? Well over the top! We were both blown away with the quality of the performance. Claflin Hill Concertgoer
American Dreamscapes is Corporate Night at Symphony! Please thank our sponsors when you visit their establishments or use their services. The UPS Store Milford & Franklin, Hillview Equipment, Benjamin Moore & Company, Charles River Bank, Consigli Construction, and Medway Oil & Propane. Print media sponsor: The Town Crier. Radio sponsor: WMRC. Thank you for your support.
Business & Real Estate
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER12 April 15, 2016
Spring Spruce-Up
Friends of Milford Upper Charles Trail
MILFORD- The Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail, a non-profit all-volunteer organization helping promote the use of the trail and supporting its maintenance, meets on the first Tuesday of the month at the Ruth Anne Bleakney Senior Center, 60 North Bow St., Milford at 7 p.m. All meetings are open to the public and new members are always welcomed.
Trail Cleanup is April 30.
Free First Time Home Buyers Seminar
On Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, The Milford National Bank and Trust Company is hosting a First Time Home Buyers Seminar at its 300 East Main St., Milford office. Expert speakers will present information on qualifying for pre-approvals, financing, working with a Real Estate agent to find a home, the home inspection process and closing process. Attendees will receive a free gift and entry into a drawing for a garden gift basket!
Continental breakfast will be served. Seating is limited, so please reserve your space today.
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Upper Charles Trail Being Improved for Visually Impaired
The Milford Commission on Disability plans to make a section of the Upper Charles Trail along Louisa Lake the first bike path/walkway in the state that visually impaired persons can enjoy. Beals and Thomas, Inc.
By Kevin RuddenStaff Reporter/Columnist
The popular Upper Charles Trail will soon become the first bike path/walkway in Massachusetts with features installed to allow the visually impaired to enjoy it. That’s the message delivered by Harold Rhodes, chair of the Milford Commission on Disability, the Board of Selectmen on March 21.
Starting at the Louisa Lake parking lot – where a new kiosk will offer trail information in English and in Braille – roughly a mile and a half of the trail will have “tactile plates” and accessible benches added and taped programs will describe information on the history of the trail, geographical facts, bird listening and wildlife information as well as information on Milford’s famous granite quarries, Rhodes explained. The improvements are scheduled to be completed by the end of August, he said.
The new features will make the bike path “a trail that would be the first bike path/walkway for the visually impaired in Massachusetts,” Rhodes said. Funds for the work are being raised by the Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail and being taken from the fines levied on people who illegally park in handicapped-designated parking spaces, he explained.
“This is the most meaningful project in all that we’ve done,” he said, referring to his nearly three-year tenure as the commission’s chair. He described his reason for making that statement: “It’s cooperative and collaborative across all town departments,” Rhodes said. “We’re doing this as a town working together,” he continued, naming all of the groups helping out on the project: the Upper Charles Trail Committee, the Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail, Town Engineer Vonnie Reis, Highway Surveyor Scott Crisafulli, the Commission on Disability, the Parks Department and the Beals and Thomas, Inc. civil engineering firm in Southborough.
“How do we help?” asked Selectman William Buckley. “Show up in August,” when the improvements are unveiled, Rhodes responded.
Next year, he added, the Commission on Disability plans two steps further. First, it plans to add the enhancements for the visually impaired to another mile along the trail. Second, it will fund development of a smart phone application that will use global positioning system (GPS) data to provide handicapped people with information about the trail based on where they are along it. “How slick will that be?” Rhodes asked.
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER 13April 15, 2016
Volunteers Needed for Earth
Day CleanupIn celebration of Earth Day,
the Blackstone River Watershed Association (BRWA) is sponsoring its annual river cleanup on Sunday, April 17, from 1 to 3 p.m.
The BRWA plans to work with volunteers in, and along, waterways in Auburn, Blackstone Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Have fun outdoors while protecting your local water resources. You can make a difference by volunteering just a few hours of your time. This project also meets community service requirements for many organizations.
After the cleanup, volunteers will meet at River Bend Farm Visitor Center, Oak St., Uxbridge at 3 p.m. for pizza and drinks.
Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. will be sponsoring it’s annual Clean and Green Fair from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Visitor Center with environmental demonstrations and children’s activities. Events will be held rain or shine.
The BRWA wants to thank the major sponsors of this year’s EarthDay Cleanup: Savers Bank and Control Point Mechanical.
For more information, to let us know of a local site that needs cleaning, or to register for the cleanup, contact the BRWA at 508-278-5200 or [email protected].
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will be joining the Department of Conservation and Recreation for their annual Park Serve Day at Upton State Forest on Sunday, April 24. This is an annual volunteer event to give back to our state parks by helping with spring clean-up, and to get them ready for the summer recreation season. The Friends have participated in this annual event since 2006.
The group will meet at the Upton State Forest CCC Camp located near the intersection of Westborough and Southborough Roads in Upton. The GPS address is 205 Westboro Rd. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. with work going from 9 a.m. until noon. The Friends will provide water, and a light lunch for volunteers.
Participants should come dressed for the weather, and for work, including gloves. Don’t forget insect repellant and sunscreen. Bring hand tools such as loppers, shovels, and rakes. No power tools. Everyone must sign a liability waiver. Youth over 12 are welcome with parental attendance and signature. Youth groups are required to pre-register and the adult in charge must come with the signed waivers.
For more information contact the Park staff at 508-278-7604 or [email protected]. Youth groups can contact the staff for the waiver forms to bring with them that day.
For more information about the Friends email [email protected], or check out FriendsofUptonStateForest.org.
Upper Charles Trail Being Improved for Visually Impaired
The Milford Commission on Disability plans to make a section of the Upper Charles Trail along Louisa Lake the first bike path/walkway in the state that visually impaired persons can enjoy. Beals and Thomas, Inc.
“This is the most meaningful project in all that we’ve done,” he said, referring to his nearly three-year tenure as the commission’s chair. He described his reason for making that statement: “It’s cooperative and collaborative across all town departments,” Rhodes said. “We’re doing this as a town working together,” he continued, naming all of the groups helping out on the project: the Upper Charles Trail Committee, the Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail, Town Engineer Vonnie Reis, Highway Surveyor Scott Crisafulli, the Commission on Disability, the Parks Department and the Beals and Thomas, Inc. civil engineering firm in Southborough.
“How do we help?” asked Selectman William Buckley. “Show up in August,” when the improvements are unveiled, Rhodes responded.
Next year, he added, the Commission on Disability plans two steps further. First, it plans to add the enhancements for the visually impaired to another mile along the trail. Second, it will fund development of a smart phone application that will use global positioning system (GPS) data to provide handicapped people with information about the trail based on where they are along it. “How slick will that be?” Rhodes asked.
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER14 April 15, 2016
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With the arrival of spring in the National Heritage Corridor comes a multitude of migrating birds, and to celebrate, Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. (BHC) is presenting a new program for bird enthusiasts, Birding on the Blackstone.
Rosanne Sherry, a member of BHC’s Volunteers-in-Parks Program, will lead casual walks throughout the Blackstone River Corrider on the Blackstone River Bikeway to search for returning migrant birds on Sunday and Thursday mornings at 8 a.m. on April 24 and 28, May 29, 22, 26 and 29, and June 2 and 5. The walks
will depart from the Captain Wilbur Kelly House in Lincoln, R.I.
Sherry is a lifelong birdwatcher and naturalist and her horticultural career has spanned three decades in Rhode Island. Over that time, she has worked in garden centers, written for local newspapers and magazines and appeared on radio and television as a horticultural educator. She is also the former Cooperative Extension Rhode Island State Master Gardener Coordinator. She is a long time member of RI Audubon and founding member of the Ocean State Bird Club.
“Some birds we are likely to see include the Eastern Phoebe, Red Wing Blackbird, Downy Woodpecker, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Chipping Sparrow and Song Sparrow,” Sherry shared. “The Eastern Phoebes like to nest under the footbridge.”
The first event on April 24 will also mark the end of National Parks Week, so it is appropriately taking place in one of the nodes of the new Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.
“The event is also a great opportunity for photographers,” notes Charlene Perkins Cutler, BHC’s Executive Director. “Over
the years, we have received many submissions of stunning bird photos taken in the National Heritage Corridor for our calendar photo contest. Now they can also be submitted for our Photo of the Week contest on our website.”
To register for one of the Birding on the Blackstone walks, send an email to BlackstoneBirds@gmail or call 401-765-2211. A complimentary Blackstone Valley Adventure Pack will be given to those who register. Participants must be 14 years of age or older and are encouraged to bring binoculars and field guides. The walk will be cancelled if it is raining at the time of the walk. To learn about the Volunteers-in-Parks-Program and other BHC events, visit BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
A photo taken by local photographer Allan Sluzdak of a male mallard duck
on the Blackstone River in Cumberland. Allan Sluzdak photo
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER 15April 15, 2016
Summer FunMy One Wish Golf Tournament
My One Wish Golf Tournament will be Friday June 24 at Blissful Meadows Golf Club, Chocolog Rd., Uxbridge For more information email [email protected]. Or contact the following individuals: Julie [email protected], 508-473-1207; Dave [email protected], 508-922-9644; Christine [email protected], 508-478-3131; or Kara [email protected], 508-922-9130. The tournament will help support the group, which works to fulfill the wishes of critically or chronically ill children.
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A Gem for All on Shores of Narragansett Bay
Beautiful views of Narragansett Bay are on tap for those who use the bike and walking trails in Colt State Park.
By Jane BigdaEditor
Called the gem of the Rhode Island State Parks System, Colt State Park in Bristol is a perfect place for a day trip any time of the year. Located about one hour away on the east side of Narragansett Bay, the free park offers 464-acres of groomed fruit trees, flowering bushes and manicured lawns. Beautiful any time of the year, it is spectacular in May and June when the massive displays of rhododendrons are in bloom.
The entire western border of the state park is open to the panorama of Narragansett Bay. Watch sailboats go skimming by, tankers heading to Providence or military jets flying low during the Rhode Island Air Show, June 11 and 12. A paved path follows the shore allowing visitors to stroll, rollerblade or bike next to the water. Fishing is also allowed along the rocky shore, although swimming is not. Swimmers can pay a fee to enjoy the adjacent Bristol town beach.
The shore path is part of four miles of off-road, paved trails through the park, which are accessible to all. For the more adventurous, bike or walk to the park’s entrance and join the East Bay Bike Trail that runs along the whole length of the bay from Colt State Park in the south to India Point in Providence to the north. It will soon be linked to the Blackstone River State Park and Bikeway route stretching all the way into Milllville and Blackstone and ultimately
onto to Worcester.Other activities at Colt State Park include 10
large playfields for almost any type of game, acres of open land for flying a kite, a historical museum, six picnic groves containing over 400 picnic tables for an al fresco meal, and the open air Chapel-By-The Sea. Use of the tables is free, though a fee system and reservations are needed to hold events in the pavilions, chapel or for daylong use of tables with fireplaces. Wooden and stone benches dot the park offering everyone a perfect spot for a rest.
Originally the Colt family farm, created by Samuel Pomeroy Colt, an industrialist and banker who helped establish Uniroyal and Fleet Bank, not the arms maker, the land was acquired by the state in the 1930s. After decades of fundraising and disputes Colt State Park was dedicated in 1968.
The open vistas of the park are nestled at the edge of Bristol, one of Rhode Island’s most charming and compact colonial seaports. Every July 4th since1785, Bristol has hosted an extravagant Independence Day parade that draws thousands from across New England.
Located on Rt. 114, Hope St. in Bristol, Colt State Park is open year round from sunrise to sunset. For more information visit RIParks.com/Locations/LocationColt.html or call 401-253-7482.
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UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER16 April 15, 2016
School News
Whitinsville Christian School Third Quarter Honor Roll
Whitinsville Christian School announces the local students who have been named to the Third Quarter 2015-16 Honor Roll.
Nipmuc’s Cochran Partners in Excellence
Award Winner for Second Time
By Melissa OrffStaff Reporter
A Nipmuc Regional High School teacher is being recognized for the second time as a Partners in Excellence Award Winner by Mass Insight Education.
Ronald Cochran, a Mathematics and Computer Science Teacher at Nipmuc, was chosen for this prestigious award for his “outstanding” work as a teacher of Advanced Placement Calculus and Computer Science. He is one of only 54 teachers in Massachusetts who are being honored by Mass Insight Education for their work during the 2014-2015 school year.
Cochran has been teaching at Nipmuc since 1998 and according to school officials, has been an integral part in the expansion of the school’s Advanced Placement(AP) program as the teacher of AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and AP Computer Science.
“I am very proud of Mr. Cochran for receiving this prestigious award for a second time,” said Nipmuc Principal John Clements in a recent statement. “It is a testament to the hard work he’s put into designing courses that give students a competitive advantage in their preparation for college.”
Clements said that students who choose to enroll in Cochran’s classes know that they will be “challenged, engaged, and prepared for success.”
“I’m thrilled to see him acknowledged with this honor,” he said.
Mass Insight Education (MIE) is a national non-profit organization “dedicated to improving student achievement and increasing college success.” For the past five years Nipmuc has worked with MIE through a grant to provide professional development, Saturday study sessions for students, mock exams, and resources to grow programming.
Since receiving the grant, Nipmuc has stated that they have been able to expand their AP program by tripling the number of AP class offerings, increasing the number of AP students by 71 percent, and increasing the number of AP tests by 102 percent, all in the past five years. In the past three years, Nipmuc has seen an increase of 130 percent in the number of AP Scholars and an increase in student achievement with over 77 percent of students earning qualifying scores. This school year, more than 50 percent of Junior and Seniors are enrolled in AP level courses.
Cochran will be honored at a reception hosted by MIE at the Seaport Hotel in Boston on April 5.
Ronald Cochran
Warriors Walking for Warriors 5K
The Nipmuc Regional High School Student Council is holding the Warriors Walking for Warriors 5K to help support veterans in need on April 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Nipmuc Regional High School, 90 Pleasant St., Upton. Registration to participate in the 5K is $10 for adults and $7 for children. After completing the walk, both participants and spectators can engage in numerous activities on the soccer field, including inflatable obstacle courses, a bouncy house, face painting, hamburgers and hot dogs, chips and drinks, cotton candy, and popcorn. A portion of all proceeds from the event will be donated to veteran services. Please come support veterans as well as Nipmuc’s Student Council.
Grade 6HonorsEthan Smith – Mendon
Grade 7HonorsJacquie Cornwell – MilfordMadi Paul – Mendon
(Top) The Mendon Upton Regional School District hosted their 2nd Annual
Community iFair on April 7 which was open to the entire community. The iFair featured technology sessions and showcases to highlight how technology
is used in the classrooms and to educate community members about
technology resources available to them. Pictured is Nipmuc High School senior Robert Johnson (left) and junior Jack Meath demonstrating new technology
at the Nipmuc Help Desk. Melissa Orff photo.
(Bottom) Miscoe Hill School Mathematics Teacher Liz Kadra and Miscoe students (l to r) Emma Cote,
Coby Asselin, and Abby Adams host a technology session on iXL for Math and ELA during 2nd Annual Mendon Upton Community iFair.
Melissa Orff photo.
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER 17April 15, 2016
School News
DISTRICT: Sixty-six students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade had their artwork chosen to be displayed at the annual Blackstone Valley Art In The Valley art show the weekend of April 8-10. The following students’ pieces were chosen for this honor: Memorial Elementary - Clara Smith, Kayla Vallecillo, Allie Martin, Dalton DeMarzo, Grace Medina, Blade Ferris, Max Labonte, Julia Lenfest, Molly Dishington, Allie Basoli, Maxwell Bennett, Connor Mann, Zachary Duplessis, MaKenna Walls, and Jessica Casey; Clough Elementary - Jeremy Jordan, Kiara Simpson, Gavin Kaye-Kuter, Kyah Montano, Kaycie Gardner, Avery Allcock, Ava Lozeau, Lincoln Shupert, Matthew Graves, Grace Sabo, Sergio Dimas, Julie Claro, Conor Belleville, Linara Miller, and Sienna Usher; and Miscoe Hill - Colin Fitzgerald, Katelyn Steele, Lucie Nicholson, Chloe Terrell, Allison Clemons, Tanner Russ, Kayla Antonelli, Anna Wyndham, Meghan Lawrence, Grace Balzanelli, Aaron Labastie, Anna Claro, Lily Turenne, Ralph Langdon, and Ryan Michaud.
CLOUGH: March Madness, the first and second grade Reading Incentive Program was a slam dunk at Clough this month. The program was organized and implemented by Reading Specialist Carol Sullivan and assisted by Kelley Ramsey and the first and second grade teachers with the support of all of the parents. Each student was a winner and received a special reading ribbon. The two top teams that received reading medals were: First Grade – the PC Friars with 5,751 points (minutes of reading) and Second Grade - the Boston College Eagles with 12,409 minutes of reading.
Clough’s Annual Arbor Day Ceremony will be held on Friday, April 29 at 1 p.m. in the gymnasium. Community members are welcome to attend.
In keeping with Clough’s Kind, Caring and Respectful (KCR) motto, the third grade students hosted a Senior Breakfast, on the morning of April 13. This event took place in the Cafetorium for the friends of the Mendon Senior Center. In addition to providing and serving them breakfast, they made pictures frames, worked together on word searches and the students treated their special guests to a special poem about kindness.
The second session of the new Pilot FLES Program started on April 11. This program is in place as an effort to expand world language programming for elementary students, grades K-4.
School HighlightsMendon-Upton RegionalCompiled by Melissa Orff
MEMORIAL: Students from Valley Tech visited first grade students on April 13 for Project Smile. During the visit each student was given their own mask to try on and keep and received a goodie bag which consisted of a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, flosser, act rinse, a timer and stickers.
Memorial School will be conducting kindergarten screening on April 26 and 27. By screening in the spring, any potential areas of concern can be identified early and provide parents with suggestions for strategies to support those skills during the summer months. The early screening process will also provide the newest students with the opportunity to meet the kindergarten team and our specialists prior to beginning kindergarten. Parents of students who are registered for kindergarten in the fall of 2016, and do not currently attend the Memorial School Preschool Program and have not already scheduled a screening appointment; will be contacted by telephone to arrange a time to bring their student in to Memorial School. Current preschool students will be screened during the school day. The screening will assess fine motor skills, language skills, gross motor skills, and early academic skills. Kindergarten teachers and speech language pathologists will be conducting the screenings. The school nurse will also do a vision and hearing screening. Please feel free to contact the Memorial School Office for more information.
National Library Week was held the week of April 11-15 and Memorial celebrated with several themed days complete with special books including crazy hat day and sports day.
MISCOE: On Friday April 29, Miscoe will be holding a Social from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to welcome the incoming 4th grade students and for the 5th and 6th grade students. All proceeds will go towards expenses for the Hoff Family, a family in Mendon who is in need of assistance due to a health crisis.
Eighth Grade dates to remember: May 13 - Renaissance Faire, June 9 - Engineering Day, June 11 - Semi-Formal, June 15 - Six Flags, June 16 - Field Day, June 21 (or last day of school) - Commencement at 9 a.m.Please take note of the following MCAS testing dates: Grades 5-8 Mathematics – May 10 and 11, and Grades 5 and 8 Science and Technology/Engineering – May 16 and 17. All makeup tests will take place upon the student’s return to school.
NIPMUC: The One Act Plays performed by the Nipmuc Drama group will be held on Friday, April 29.A Senior Breakfast with the Counselors will be held on Tuesday, May 3 at 8 a.m. at Nipmuc. As a teenager graduates from high school and leaves for college, parents can feel numerous different emotions related to this and the upcoming transition to college or the workforce. Please join the Nipmuc School Counseling Staff in the Professional Development Center 8-9 a.m. for a discussion about changing family dynamics and the social emotional impact of this transition.
The Class of 2018 held the annual Sophomore Ring Ceremony on Saturday, April 9. Class advisor Brian Moloney along with Dan St. Pierre from Herff Jones distributed class rings. A reception followed for parents and students.
Memorial School students exhibiting at Blackstone Art in the Valley are (l-r): Top-Clara Smith, Kayla Vallecillo, Allie Martin, Dalton DeMarzo,
Grace Medina, Blade Ferris and Max Labonte. Center -Julia Lenfest, Molly Dishington, Allie Basoli, Maxwell Bennett andConnor Mann.
Front-Zachary Duplessis, MaKenna Walls and Jessica Casey. They are taught by Jessica Fowler. Memorial School photo Memorial School
students exhibiting at Blackstone Art in the Valley are (l-r): Top-Clara Smith, Kayla Vallecillo, Allie Martin, Dalton DeMarzo, Grace Medina, Blade Ferris and Max Labonte. Center -Julia Lenfest, Molly Dishington,
Allie Basoli, Maxwell Bennett andConnor Mann. Front-Zachary Duplessis, MaKenna Walls and Jessica Casey. They are taught by Jessica
Fowler. Memorial School photo
Clough students exhibiting at Blackstone Art in the Valley were, l-r,: Top-Jeremy Jordan, Kiara Simpson, Gavin Kaye-Kuter, Kyah Montano, Kaycie
Gardner, Avery Allcock and Ava Lozeau. Bottom-Lincoln Shupert, Matthew Graves, Grace Sabo, Sergio Dimas and Julie Claro. Not pictured-Conor Belleville, Linara Miller and Sienna Usher. The students are taught by
Chelsea Greene. Clough School photo Memorial School students exhibiting at Blackstone Art in the Valley are (l-r): Top-Clara Smith, Kayla Vallecillo,
Allie Martin, Dalton DeMarzo, Grace Medina, Blade Ferris and Max Labonte. Center -Julia Lenfest, Molly Dishington, Allie Basoli, Maxwell
Bennett andConnor Mann. Front-Zachary Duplessis, MaKenna Walls and Jessica Casey. They are taught by Jessica Fowler. Memorial School photo
Valley Tech SkillsUSA Team Visit to State House
Pictured, l-r are Valley Tech SkillsUSA students: Josephine Burlingame, Mina Dehestani and Mikayla Corda at the Massachusetts State House.
Contributed photo
Founded in 1965, SkillsUSA has served more than 11.2 million individuals and is committed to its mission of “empowering its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.”
State Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) welcomed the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School SkillsUSA Community Service Team to the State House as part of the team’s effort to promote their “GOALS” project.
GOALS, or “Getting Out And Living Smart,” is a student-led initiative which advocates for good decision making strategies to help students throughout their educational careers and beyond. The project includes creative and informational flyers on a range of healthy living tips. SkillsUSA Advisor Francis Petty, who is also a vocational instructor at BV Tech, accompanied the team to the State House.
“Kudos to the BV Tech SkillsUSA Community Service Team for their continued efforts to better the lives of all students,” said Moore. “The information shared by the team helps to ensure both the mental and physical health of youth.”
“As a team, our aspirations are to encourage
students and members of our community to become confident within themselves, stay open-minded, and be determined workers,” said teammate Mikayla Corda of Grafton. “Most importantly, our team’s overall intention is to provide others with the knowledge and skills necessary to visualize their goals and understand that they have an infinite amount of potential.”
The team’s visit to the State House marks one of many stops for the team, which has traveled from various fairs, business expositions and other events throughout the school year to spread the word about GOALS. The students provided informational materials to visitors, legislators and others at the State House in support of their initiative.
The team will head to the state competition being held from April 28 to 30 in Malborough. Teams that advance from the state competition will compete at the national competition in Louisville, Ky. from June 20 to 25.
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER18 April 15, 2016
School News
Support the Miscoe Hill Semi-Formal
Mendon-Upton’s Miscoe Hill Middle School will hold its 8th grade semi-formal on Saturday, June 11. This dance is a wonderful tradition that marks the final celebration of the end of middle school and the beginning of a new chapter in our children’s lives as they enter high school. This dance is not possible without financial support from parents, vendors and other organizations. We are seeking contributions to help defray the costs for decorations, food and beverage, and entertainment. Monetary contributions as well as food and beverage donations will be greatly appreciated by April 30. Donations, made payable to MURSD, may be sent to Miscoe Hill School, 148 North Ave., Mendon, MA 01756. Contact Keli Morford at 774-573-1404 to arrange other donations.
St. Gabriel's Womens Club ScholarshipsSt. Gabriel's Womens Club is offering four $300 scholarships to graduating seniors planning to further their education. The applicant
must be a member of St. Gabriel’s Parish. Application forms are available at St. Gabriel’s Church, at Nipmuc Regional High School and at Blackstone Valley Technical High School. An essay written by the student on how they live a Christian life in their community and their service to St. Gabriel’s Parish will be determining factors in awarding the scholarships. The application should be submitted to Pat Ghelli, President of St. Gabriel’s Womens Club, by May 1.
Swaying Audiences withTheir Words
By Melissa OrffStaff Reporter
Miscoe Hill 7th graders are learning that persuasion is both a skill as well as an art form as they worked this month to create speeches that could sway an audience with their passion as well as their words.
Over the past few months, the students have been working on persuasive writing in their English Language Arts classes after learning about Aristotle’s elements of persuasion. Over 2,000 years ago the Greek philosopher Aristotle argued that there were a few basic ways to persuade an audience of your position: claim, ethos, logos, pathos, and kairos. Claim is stating your position, ethos is making yourself seem trustworthy and educated to your audience; logos is using logic, facts, and data to support your argument; pathos is appealing to your audience’s emotions, and kairos is building a sense of urgency and delivering a call to action.
The students used these elements along with quotes and statistics to build persuasive essay about a topic they felt passionate about. Each student presented their persuasive speech during their English classes, and for the fifth year in a row, one student from each of the eight classes was chosen to present their speech to the entire seventh-grade along with invited parents, teachers, and administrators.
Liam Strom spoke about why everyone should be an organ donor. “123,000 people in the United States are waiting for an organ,” he said. “Just one donor can save a life and change the lives of up to 50 people.”
Ryan Chase spoke about why people should not be bullied over their interests, likes, or dislikes. “Your interests make up your personality and makes you, you,” he said. “Remember to never stop being you.”
Saphie Niane spoke about why students should learn a second language. “Learning a second language is a great confidence booster, you get to meet new people, and visit places you would never have dared to visit before,” she said.
Kyla Lima spoke about how pageants do not debase women. “Beauty pageants are not just about beauty,” she said. “They are about building self-confidence, determination, poise, friendships, and the beauty within yourself.”
Grace Roberts spoke about how the United States should open its doors to Syrian refugees. “Most people don’t realize that refugees fear the same things as you do,” she said. “Syrian refugees are just like you and me, and they should be as safe as you and me.”
Cicely Dunster spoke about why young people should not use social media. “I don’t want our generation to be known as the kids who couldn’t get off the internet,” she said. “I think that technology has changed us – some say for the better, but I don’t think that.”
Chet Simpson spoke about how technology is dangerous. “Technology can have immense potential to do good, but there are just as many hazards,” he said.
Kaylee Lukasek spoke about how the raging hatred between Democrats and Republicans must be calmed for the good of the country. “We need emotion and skill from both parties to be able to succeed,” she said. “Peace and understanding is the best way for our nation to achieve its goals.”
The speeches were chosen by seventh-grade English Teachers Lori Monterotti and Marney Welch, both of whom said it was a difficult task to choose just eight out of 200. “The speeches were wonderful,” said Welch. “They were a nice variety of topics,” she said.
Learning how to craft a persuasive essay or give a persuasive speech is a lesson that the teachers said will serve the students well no matter what profession they choose. “It is important to learn how to get up and present in front of an audience,” said Monterotti. “We hope we are preparing them for high school and beyond.”
Eight Miscoe Hill 7th Grade students (l to r) front: Grace Roberts, Kaylee Lukasek, Cicely Dunster, back: Ryan Chase, Kyla Lima, Saphie Niane, Liam Strom, and Chet Simpson were chosen to give persuasive speeches on April 7 in front of their entire class as well as teachers, administrators, and parents.
The students were chosen by their teachers Lori Monterotti (far left) and Marney Welch (far right) for their “interesting and diverse” speeches.
with town Librarians to see what the local libraries have to offer, or could meet local author and illustrator Lauren Scheuer who gave demonstrations on the illustration process and answered questions about her books including Once Upon a Flock: Life with My Soulful Chickens stars Scheuer’s backyard chickens.
Down in the classrooms, kids could choose to hear a Spooky story, a Fairy Tale, a story from an award-winning book, or read a Dr. Seuss book out loud, all while doing a craft that coordinated with the book. Sports trivia bingo, a photo wall with fun reading prompts, and exploring the many works of Eric Carle also saw a lot of activity throughout the night by Mendon Upton families.
In the auditorium, kids could step into the spotlight on center stage during “Open Mic” time where they had the chance to sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes, or read a poem of their choosing; and in the cafeteria, kids and adults alike could walk away with a new book to read that night during the book swap.
The Family Literacy Night was organized by the Librarians from the four schools as a way to bring the school community together and to promote literacy, said Miscoe Hill Librarian Karen Arnold.
“We wanted to have a district-wide program and we stated putting our heads together and everyone had some great ideas,” she said of the Committee of Karlyn Gale from Memorial Elementary School, Laura Trimble from Clough Elementary School, Suzanne Venkataraman and Susan Roecker from Nipmuc who along with Arnold, worked to bring their event to the district for the first year.
It couldn’t have been successful, said Arnold, without the over 100 student volunteers from the National Junior Honor Society and the National Honor Society who read, supervised crafts, played games and much more with the younger students during the evening.
“That was one of my favorite parts of the evening,” said Arnold. “Seeing the interaction between the little ones and the older ones. It was a great experience for all of them,” she said.
Along with the volunteers, Literacy Night was also supported by the PTO’s from all four schools who donated money for supplies.
Overall, Arnold called the evening a success, and hopes that they can continue to promote the importance of literacy to kids of all ages.
“Even with all of these technological advances that we have, there is nothing quite like picking up a book and reading it,” she said.
◆ LITERACY NIGHT from front page
School Committee Mulls Lunch Program Changes
By Melissa OrffStaff Reporter
The Mendon Upton Region School Committee will be mulling over some proposed changes to the school lunch program including a possible price increase to school lunches beginning next fall.
Director of Finance and Operations Jay Byer and Director of Nutrition Services Dianne Mucci gave an update during the April 11 School Committee Meeting on the School Nutrition Program which is now “solidly in the black.”
Back in FY11, Byer said that the lunch program was running a deficit of $30,882, and today the cash balance for the program is close to $80,000. “I attribute that to Diane [Mucci],” said Byer, who comments that over the past few years has worked to get healthy food at a better price and increased the reimbursements while “serving quality food that people want to eat.”
Byer introduced some policy decisions that the School Committee would need to make in the upcoming months.
The first is on how to handle overdue lunch accounts. The district currently uses a Nutrikids system that allows parents to add money into their child’s “account.” The child would then use a pin number to buy lunch at school and money for the lunch would be taken off the account.
Byer said that to date, there are several overdrawn accounts with negative balances totaling $4,434.23. “Some accounts are $10 overdrawn…some up to $300 overdrawn,” he said.
At the end of the school year, the district is responsible for paying for the overdrawn account out of their operational budget, explained Byer.
In looking at how they should handle overdrawn accounts, Byer said that he looked to other districts to see how their policies are written.
“We do have to do something because those negative balances build up over time,” said Byer.
The School Committee agreed to think on the matter and continue discussions at a later date. “This requires some thought,” said School Committee Member Diane Duncan. “I would never want to deny a child a meal. There has to be a balance here.”
Another decision left in the hands of the School Committee is whether or not to increase the price of school lunches. According to Byer, lunch prices have not increased in the past six years, while food costs have gone up and nutritional guidelines have become stricter. According to the Federal government’s formula on how much a district should be charging for lunch, the Mendon Upton district should be charging a minimum of $.03 more per lunch then they currently are.
“We could stay the same [at the current price of $2.75 per lunch], increase it by $.05 which could cover costs for about a year, or go up $.10 which could cover costs for four to five years,” said Byer.
The Committee agreed to discuss it at a future meeting and make a decision before the end of the school year.
A final item the School Committee was asked to think over is the use of Styrofoam trays in the cafeterias with the upcoming proposed state bill to eliminate the use of Styrofoam. Byer said that the Committee would need to consider the costs associated with moving to reusable trays including potential increase in staffing and repairs for the dishwashers.
Committee Member Diane Duncan commented it was a good idea to move away from Styrofoam in support of the environment and agreed the matter warranted more discussion.
Duncan also asked Byer and Mucci how much food waste the schools saw on a daily basis due to the new nutrition guidelines and asked if there was any way that a local food shelter or senior center could benefit.
Mucci said that at the High School, students could place the pre-packaged items that they were not planning on eating into a giving basket for other students to have for free grab-and-go snacks.
At the elementary schools, changing recess time to before lunch, eliminating ice cream, and the addition of a garden at Clough has significantly cut down on the food waste according to the Principals.
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER 19April 15, 2016
School News
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Spring Tips to Attract Beautiful Birds to Your YardCourtesy StatePoint
“During spring, flocks of birds migrate and are looking for places to refuel and rest,” says Spencer Schock, Founder of WindowAlert, makers of bird-friendly products for homes. “A few small tweaks to your yard, is like placing out a welcome mat.”
Unfortunately, migration is not without peril or hardship, but Schock says turning your home into a refuge for birds can be fun and add beauty to your yard. He offers these tips to keep feathered travelers safe during their migratory journey.
• Protect flight: Millions of birds die annually by striking glass, making windows a hazard to birds in flight. Try applying special decals that reflect ultraviolet sunlight to your home’s windows, particularly those windows that are highly reflective of open sky.
The decals won’t affect your view because they’re virtually invisible to humans, but will help keep birds safe. Those from WindowAlert have patterns that give the appearance of slightly frosted translucent glass, but glow like a stoplight for birds. The brand also makes a high-tech liquid called WindowAlert UV Liquid, which can be applied between decals.
Such ultraviolet decals have been scientifically proven to keep birds safer. A 2015 American Bird Conservancy Study found that the more WindowAlert decals that were applied to a piece of glass covering the departure point of a flight tunnel, the more birds avoided it. A net protected all the birds in the study from actually getting hurt.
• Bed and Breakfast: Birdfeeders come in all shapes, sizes and styles, and simply adding one to your yard can help beautify it and give birds the energy needed to continue their flight.
To avoid bird strikes, position feeders closer than three feet or farther than 30 feet from windows. If your feeder is close to the window, birds fly away from the house. Believe it or not, the safest type of feeder is the kind that attach to the window itself.
Pet Press
District in Good Financial Shape Except for 20% Insurance Increase for FY17
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By Melissa OrffStaff ReporterThe Mendon Upton Regional School District could be looking at a potential increase of almost 20 percent for health insurance costs for the 2016/2017 school year, school officials announced Monday night.
During the April 11 School Committee Meeting, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Maruszczak informed the Committee that the district has received preliminary health insurance costs for next year from their insurance carrier, Harvard Pilgrim Health. The latest quote, said Maruszczak, was a 19.59 percent increase over the current year.
“This would put us in a very challenging situation,” said Maruszczak.
The $32,344,137 budget which was certified
at the Open Budget Hearing on March 14, included an estimated 10 percent, or $382,735, increase in Health Insurance costs, one of the largest drivers of the 1.59 percent increase in the total budget.
Over the past four years, the district has only seen one increase in their health insurance costs, which was of 3.5 percent for the current school year. While building the budget, Maruszczak said they estimated what they thought was a “conservative” number at the 10 percent increase.
If the health insurance line item were to bump up to a 19.59 percent increase, the district would be looking at a deficit of $300,000 from the certified budget.
“Our position is that this is unreasonable and excessive,” said Maruszczak.
Maruszczak told the Committee that they are in the process of using their health insurance agent to continue the negotiation process and to receive quotes from other carriers and hopes to have an update for them at the meeting on April 25.
Director of Finance and Operations Jay Byer also updated the Committee on the status of the FY16 budget for the current school year, stating that the district is “in a good place.”
Byer updates the Committee on the status of the budget on a monthly basis, reporting on any line items that could cause a red flag for the budget.
“I feel confident that we will finish reasonably strong this year,” he said.
The School Committee also heard a report
on the finances of the FY15 school year by CPA Tim Craven of Craven & Associates, who is hired by the district to do an annual audit.
Craven told the Committee that there was nothing out of the ordinary to report, and that he was reporting a “clean audit.”
“The district is in pretty good shape financially,” said Craven. “A lot better shape than a lot of districts.”
Craven said that the district has a “healthy reserve” in their E & D (Excess and Deficiency) Account of $1 million and that he advised it didn’t go much lower than that amount.
Touching on the potential for the district to see a 20 percent increase in health insurance costs in the next year, Craven commented “you are going to have a task ahead of you.”
You can also make your home’s outdoor-spaces more bird-friendly filling your garden with the right plants and flowers for pollinating bird species.
• Watch and record: Grab a pair of binoculars and a field guide book and take note of the types of birds you see and when. This will help you become better prepared for next season. In addition, consider becoming a citizen scientist by submitting your observations to The Audubon Society and Cornell University’s database at ebird.org.
For more tips on making your home and garden a bird haven, visit WindowAlert.com.
“By making a few simple modifications to your yard and home, you can assist birds on their long journey,” says Schock.
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER20 April 15, 2016
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Troop 44 Can and Bottle Drive MENDON-Mendon’s Troop 44 Boy Scouts will be holding their next can and bottle drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at the Mendon Town Hall parking lot. Anyone with cans and bottles that they would like to donate, but are unable to drop them off, can contact the Troop via e-mail at [email protected] or via phone at 508-478-3124 to arrange a pick-up.
Proceeds from both the can and bottle drive will be used to help fund Troop 44’s activities throughout the year. Troop 44 would like to thank everyone for their continuing support of Scouting in Mendon.
Photos by PlatcowMILFORD-Town Crier photographer Harry Platcow is showing some of his many pictures at the Milford National Bank, 146 South Main St. (Rt. 140), Milford through the month of April. Stop by to see photos from the area and Boston. The exhibit will change weekly.
Twice Blessed Thrift ShopHOPEDALE-Sacred Heart Church of Hopedale Twice Blessed Thrift Shop will offer the following April Specials—think Mother’s Day. All women’s clothing and all handbags, shoes and hats will be 50 percent off. There are a lot of gift items for Mom. The shop is open every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon.
MACC EventsAREA- The Milford Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) will be holding the following events. To reserve your place call 508-473-6700 or email [email protected]. For more information about the chamber visit www.milfordchamber.org.
Annual Luncheon Meeting on Tuesday, April 19 at DoubleTree Hotel beginning at 10:45 a.m. Massachusetts Lt. Governor Karyn Polito will be the guest speaker.
Greater Milford Community Chorus 2016 Spring ConcertMILFORD-The Greater Milford Community Chorus will be performing their annual Spring Concert, Songs with Heart, on Saturday evening, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. and again on Sunday afternoon, May 1 at 1:30 p.m. at the Davoren Auditorium at Milford High School, 31 West Fountain St. The auditorium and parking are handicapped accessible. Tickets are on sale now from any chorus member, or at Music & Arts located at 164 Main St., Milford. Presale tickets are $8 by April 29 or $10 when purchased at the door. Children under12 are free.
The Greater Milford Community Chorus is a nonprofit organization sponsored by the Milford Community Use Program and the Milford Cultural Council, which is part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Singers come from many towns in the wider community. More information can be found at the Website at www.greatermilfordcommunitychorus.org or check us out on Facebook at Greater Milford Community Chorus.
Milford Regional Medical Center Auxiliary FundraiserMILFORD-Dairy Queen Grill & Chill of Milford, 190 West St., (Rt 140), Milford will hold a community fundraiser on April 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. The Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, will donate 10 percent of all pre-tax sales from all patrons to the Milford Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.
Stop by and enjoy some good food followed by an ice cream of your choice or a wonderful sundae. Have a fun and tasty evening and help to support the Milford Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.
The Auxiliary conducts many fundraisers throughout the year which provide support to the hospital departments. The public is welcome; men and women are encouraged to consider joining this successful organization. For more information, call 508-422-2099.
Books Are FunMILFORD-On Thursday April 21, Books Are Fun by Kathy Doane will be in the Milford Regional Medical Center (MRMC) Atrium Cafe 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Included are books for adults and children, including Gardening books, Cook books and Self-help topics. Games, Stationery and CDs are also sold. A portion of the sales goes to the Milford Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, which conducts many fundraisers throughout the year.
Fundraisers provide support to hospital departments. The public is welcome and both men and women are encouraged to consider joining this successful organization. For more information, call 508-422-2099.
CHSO American DreamscapeMILFORD-The Claflin Hill Symphony’s (CHSO) 2015-16 season will finish up with the American Dreamscape concert on Saturday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Milford Town Hall.
Take a walk down memory lane with the CHSO and the music that our parents and grandparents thrilled to, during the nostalgic Golden Age of the American Dream – the late Fifties into the early Sixties. Frank Sinatra was at the top of his form, Camelot and West Side Story were hits on Broadway, and all was “right with the world.” Tommy Gatturna will be the vocal soloist.
Tickets may be purchased at ClaflinHill.org, by mail at Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, 54 Claflin St., Milford MA 01757 or by calling 508-478-5924.
Stephen Collins as ShakesepeareMILFORD-There is no better way to celebrate April as National Poetry Month and mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, than by joining the Friends of the Milford Town Library for a one-man Shakespeare performance by actor Stephen Collins on Tuesday, April 19 at 7 p.m. at the library, Spruce St., Milford.
Collins makes Shakespeare’s words come alive for an audience. From the evil machinations of Richard III, to the philosophical bantering of Falstaff, to the brilliant oratory of Brutus and Antony, Stephen brings the Bard’s words to life. Shakespeare’s tragedies, comedies, histories, and Sonnets are all represented in this exciting show. The show conveys an understanding of the impact and reactions of the characters to their respective times, giving the audience not just a performance but an experience.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Milford Town Library, this event is free and open to the public.
Friends of the Milford Town Library Book SaleMILFORD- The Friends of the Milford Town Library will hold their spring Book Sale at the Milford Town Library, 80 Spruce St., Milford, on Friday, April 29 for members of the Friends only ($10 to join at the door) from 4 to 7 p.m. and for the general public on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no admission fee. Browsers will be able to choose among CDs, DVDs, audio books, puzzles and thousands of books. Hardcovers and trade paperbacks are $1, mass-market paperbacks are 50 cents, and all children’s books are 25 cents. Proceeds go to the Friends of the Milford Town Library; to fund programs, materials and museum passes. The event is handicapped accessible.
Blackstone Valley Chamber of CommerceBLACKSTONE VALLEY- The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the following events. For more information or to register call 508-234-9090, x 100, email [email protected], or visit BlackstoneValley.org.Valley Business Network: Referral Group meets the third Wednesday of the month so local businesses can meet and network with other professionals in the Valley. The meetings are held in the Chamber offices, 670 Linwood Ave. Bldg A, Suite 5, Whitinsville. Upcoming meetings are April 20 and May 18.The 27th Annual Golf Tournament sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and Blackstone Valley Education Foundation will be held on Monday, May 9 at Pleasant Valley Country Club, 95 Armsby Rd., Sutton. Player registration begins at 10 a.m., tee off at 11 a.m. and enjoy dinner at 5 p.m.
Community Covenant Plant, Bake SaleHOPKINTON-Community Covenant Church, Hopkinton will hold a Plant Sale, Bake Sale on Friday, May 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. The Plant Sale includes inexpensively priced perennials, specializing in cottage garden favorites. Bake sale will include Swedish baked goods. At the Friday night pre-sale, buyers are lim ted to 10 plants each. Call 508-435-3723 or visit ComCovHop.org for more information
DAV Mobile Service OfficeAREA-The nonprofit DAV (Disabled American Veterans) offers help to veterans and their families free of charge. The DAV Mobile Service Office will be at the following locations to personally provide the best counseling and claim filing assistance available.
Tuesday, April 19, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Holyoke Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke.
Wednesday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Elks Lodge, 1077 Pond St., Franklin.
Thursday, April 21, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Leominster Veterans Center, 100 West St., Leominster.
Friday, April 22, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; New Patriots Veterans Outreach Center, 10 Wachusett St., Fitchburg.
For further information regarding these events, please feel free to contact NSO Mason Sullivan, 617-303-5675.
Hoff Family FundraiserMILFORD-There will be a fundraiser at the Papa Gino’s at 42 Cape Rd. (Rt. 140) and 94 Medway Road (Rt. 109) in Milford plus 144 North Main St. (Rt. 122) in Uxbridge on April 21 from 4 to 9 p.m. to benefit the Hoff Family of Mendon. Candice Hoff, the 43-year-old wife and mother of three, is dealing with an aggressive form of Polycystic Kidney and Liver Disease (PKD and PLD) and is now bedridden. PKD and PLD are autosomal genetic defects in which cysts are formed on the kidneys, and more rarely on the liver, and disrupt the organ function ultimately leading to organ failure.
To participate in the fundraiser, visit the Clough PTO Facebook site and print out the flyer, which must be presented when placing an order in the restaurant or presented when picking up an order placed online. The flyer does not apply to delivery orders. The Hoff family will receive 20 percent of all the orders placed.
National Day of PrayerHOPKINTON- Community Covenant Church of Hopkinton will be having two prayer services on Thursday, May 5, a day designated in our country as the National Day of Prayer. All are invited to come together at 12 Noon or 7:30 p.m. as the needs of the community, country and world are lifted in prayer. The church is located at 2 West Elm St., Hopkinton on the corner across from the Price Chopper Plaza. For more information email [email protected].
Thimble Pleasures Quilt GuildMENDON-Quilter Kris Poor will give a presentation at the next meeting of Thimble Pleasures Quilt Guild, on Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m. at Goss Hall, Unitarian Church, Mendon. In addition, she will have a trunk show and vending. Guests are welcome to attend for a $5 fee.
Calendar
HELP WANTEDGeneral Laborer / Tow Truck Driver
• Some vehicle cleaning, yard cleaning, and house painting (knowledge of carpentry a plus).
• Must have a valid drivers license and clean driving record.
• Tow truck driver must reside in Milford, Hopedale Mendon or Upton.
• Must be able to take direction and work alone.
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St. Camillus Golf TournamentUXBRIDGE-Registration for the St. Camillus 4th Annual golf tournament on May 24 at 9 a.m. at Blissful Meadows Golf Course in Uxbridge is now available at StCamillus.com/4th-annual-golf-tourament. Visit the site to register players, make a donation, purchase a sponsorship, obtain a personalized flag for use during the tournament and buy golf balls for the Golf Ball Drop with a $1000 prize. Credit cards are accepted as payment for any or all of these options. For more information visit the website or call 508-234-7306.
Plein Art ClassesMENDON-Two free plein air art classes sponsored by your Mendon Cultural Council, will be held at Christin’s Art Gallery on April 23 and May 10 at 10 a.m. Paint two historic Mendon locations live, on site.
These two exciting classes are suitable for complete beginners. Register at Christin’s Gallery for location and materials list, 508-381-0017 or [email protected].
Club 21 Car Wash & Bake SaleWHITINSVILLE-Alternatives’ Club 21 Blackstone Valley will hold a Car Wash and Bake Sale at Advance Auto Parts, Church St., Whitinsville on Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Bake Sale will be priced as marked and any donation will be accepted for the Car Wash.
All proceeds benefit Alternatives’ 31st Annual Valley Friendship Tour which funds essential programs at Alternatives, one of central Massachusetts’ leading human service providers. Alternatives annually helps more than 2,000 people with psychiatric or developmental disabilities build successful and satisfying lives in the community – lives that include real homes, real jobs, and real relationships.
Club 21 Blackstone Valley is a social club sponsored by Alternatives for adults with developmental disabilities plus an equal number of non-disabled Blackstone Valley folks. For more information contact Kathy Lyons, [email protected] .
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER 21April 15, 2016
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Sports
Youth Golf ProgramsThe Milford Community School Use
Program is offering golf programs for children at Maplegate Country Club during April Vacation from Monday, April 18 through Thursday, April 21 with Greg Dowdell, Director of Golf, and Kevin Weldon, USTGF Professional at Maplegate, along with other staff members, instructing the classes.
The 4-Day Junior Gold Academy, held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with lunch provided, is for serious junior golfers of all ability levels between the ages of 9 to 17 years. Rain date is Friday, April 22.
Try Golf for Beginners for ages 5 to 12 from 9 to 10 a.m. is a fun-based introduction to golf for new golfers.
Maplegate is also offering a Golf for Toddlers program for youngsters age 1 to 4, who will learn swing fundamentals and golf basics using plastic clubs and balls, which they may keep. This program will be held on Mondays, May 2,9 and 16 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Rain date is May 23.
All program details and registration forms may be found on the Milford Community Program website MCS.milford.ma.us or calling 508-478-1119. All registration forms and fees must be submitted to the Milford Community Program office located at 31 West Fountain St,. Milford MA 01757 by Wednesday, April 13.
Milford Community School Use Football
ProgramsThe Milford Community School Use
Program (MCSUP) will offer two football programs this spring Flag Football and Milford Youth Passing League.
Flag Football, instructed by FAST Ath-letics for students in grades 1 through 4, will teach players game strategies, catching techniques and most importantly how to work together as a team. The six-week program, which is held from 4 to 5 p.m. at Tank Field, Milford, begins Thursday, May 5.
The Milford Youth Passing League, for students in grades 4 through 8, will be in-structed by Joe Todd, MHS Varsity Foot-ball Coach, along with his players. The program will focus on developing skills, techniques and fundamentals specific to offensive and defensive skill positions. All positions are highly encouraged to partici-pate. This five-week program held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Milford High field begins on Thursday, May 26.
Additional details of these and all pro-grams may be found on the Milford Com-munity Program website MCS.milford.ma.us
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Adult Golf ProgramsThe Milford Community School Use Program
will offer Adult Golf Programs at Maplegate Country Club, 160 Maple St., Bellingham this spring with instructors Greg Dowdell, Director of Golf, and Kevin Weldon, USTGF Professional at Maplegate, along with other staff members.
The five-week Golf for Moms program runs from Monday May 2 to Monday June 6 with no class on May 30. Rain date is June 13.
Mothers Day 2 for 1 will be Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. This is a three-hour lesson especially planned for family members - mom and child, dad and child, husband and wife, friend, etc.
The five-week After Work Group Golf Lessons for Adults runs Monday, May 9 to June 13, with no class on May30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Rain date is June 20.
Also for adults, One Day Golf School is offered on your choice of a Saturday May 28, June 25 for Ladies only and summer dates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All details including fees and the registration form may be found at MCS.milford.ma.us. Click on Adult Spring in the left side menu on the home page, then scroll down and click on the program to get the details. The registration form and fee must be submitted to the Milford Community Program, 31 West Fountain St., Milford MA 01757 by the Wednesday before the start of the program. Please call the office at 508-478-1119 with questions.
Rebuilding Year for BVT Boys VolleyballBy Chris VillaniSports Reporter/Columnist
Injuries and absences have impacted the Blackstone Valley Tech boys volleyball program through the early part of the season, but head coach Barbara King hopes a full roster will bring more wins for the Beavers.
“It’s not what I expected so far,” King admitted after a 0-3 start. “But two of my seniors belong to the aviation club and they missed a few games with a trip to Florida and our middle hitter suffered a concussion, so I am kind of piece mailing my team together right now.”
That middle hitter, 6’8” Antonio Sullo, is expected to miss at least a week or two while he goes through the concussion protocol. His impact on the floor mirrors his size, and King said the void is palpable.
“Not having him, that really hurts, he is a four-year player who knows what to do and where to be on the court,” King said. “I could really see it against Assabet, not having him there for the blocking, the hitting. All he needs is one or two really big kills and the rest of the team is up and they get pumped.”
King has 25 athletes in the program this season, and expects contributions from both veterans and newcomers in what she called a “rebuilding year.”
“We have some good athletes. It’s a matter of them learning the
rotation, learning where to go, and that part has been a challenge,” she said. “It’s definitely a rebuilding year, and they are still trying to feel their way.”
Junior Cam Thomas will rarely leave the court as the Beavers’ setter. Seniors Brad Vecchione and Connor Belland will both pitch in as outside hitter.
Co-captain Ed Taylor, another senior, will play right side, and fellow captain Justin Robert will step in as a middle hitter. Junior Justin Balanca-Hawkes will set along with Thomas in King’s 6-2 offense. Junior libero Alden Payne is back for a second year starting at that position and King said he has worked hard to improve in the offseason. She also name-dropped Tabor Grose, the team’s only freshman who chose volleyball after also trying out baseball and track and field.
“We were so thankful he came back. We were hoping he could come back to us and he has been loving it,” King said. “He is an athlete with so much potential. He is going to be growing and he’s a sponge, he’s learning the sport and eating it all up.”
Perhaps the biggest path to improvement, King said, comes through mastering the fundamentals.
“We send it over on the second hit and that is just not going to do, we let the other team set up their attack,” she said. “We need to play basic volleyball, nothing fancy. Get your pass, get your three hits, get in position, and attack.”
Nipmuc LAX Shows it Can Play with the Best
By Chris VillaniSports Reporter/Columnist
The Nipmuc boys lacrosse team came up short in a 10-5 loss to Grafton in the second game of the new season, but head coach Eric Brockett said going toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the state for three of the four quarters was a “huge confidence boost” for his team.
“We haven’t played with them like that in four years,” Brockett said. “We were able to possess the ball on offense, execute our defense, and get a lot of defensive stops on them. Really everyone came out of that game feeling positive and seeing that our best days are in front of us.”
While optimistic about the future, Brockett is hopeful his young team can have success this season. The Warriors let a lead slip away in a 10-9 loss to Ashland in the season opener.
“We had a down year last year, but we are going to get some wins this year,” the coach said. “I am excited about this season and the next year or two after that. A lot of our talent is on the younger side. Our seniors are good, but we also have a lot of major contributions coming from the juniors and sophomores.”
Sophomore attackman Max Morrill is the team’s leading returning scorer after a standout freshman season. Crockett described Morrill as a “slippery player who can score goals and also make the assist.”
Junior Ryan Richards returns to help anchor the midfield. “He will be one of our leading scorers,” Brockett said. “He is a big, strong midfielder with a 100mph shot. He draws a lot of attention.”
A pair of seniors, Shane Dougherty and Drew Cannistraro, will be key cogs for the Warriors. Dougherty is a senior captain and the “leader of the team,” according to his head coach.
“He is just a solid all-around player,” Brockett said. “He is not great at one thing, but he is good at everything and he can run forever.”
Cannistraro is a three-year starter in goal, and will be pushed by sophomore goalkeeper Alex Chu, giving Nipmuc more depth than most in net.
Brockett mentioned numerous other younger players who could all have significant roles with this year’s team. Sophomores Connor Morford, George Morrice, and Noah Tolliver, and juniors Mike Manning, Brandon Lefebvre, and Patrick Donelan — one of the team’s captains — are all players to watch on this year’s squad, the coach said.
“The goal is definitely to use our youth and our depth and make a strong run in the playoffs,” Brockett said. “I believe we will make a strong showing. The team to beat is Grafton, but that’s the goal, a strong showing and a deep run in the playoffs.”
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER22 April 15, 2016
Sports
SPORTS FLASHBy Chris Villani
Football Playoff the Right Move for Bay State
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Youth, Numbers Drive BVT Spring Track
The current MIAA football playoff format isn’t perfect, but the ability to crown a true state champion is a step in the right direction; and the format’s critics have wildly overstated the impact it has on Thanksgiving and late season games.
For the decade prior to the new system being ratified in 2012, teams competing for a championship were often forced to play a game on Thanksgiving, followed by a midweek semifinal contest and a Super Bowl that Saturday. Three games in 10 days is a workload NFL players do not even have to deal with.
In a time when concussion awareness and emphasis on player safety are at all-time highs, it placed an impossible strain on young athletes and huge potential liability issue for schools.
There was also a time when the postseason stopped in each division, with one Super Bowl game — essentially a league championship — capping off the end of the year.
Now there is a true tournament feel, November Madness, if you will. And the eight teams that emerge from their respective divisions next winter can call themselves “state champions,” just as a soccer or basketball title team would after winning their tournament.
What are for the negative side effects? Many of them are not as significant as the critics would have you believe. Sure, teams that do not make the postseason play out a string of games with no implications other than pride. But, as Valley Tech head coach Jim Archibald said this week, how is it any different for a two-win team heading into the eighth week of the season? Or, for that matter, a four-win soccer team about to play its 17th game? As long as sports have existed, so to has existed the possibility that your team might not be in contention down the stretch. It’s a fact the guys on Yawkey Way know all too well over the past two seasons.
The criticism that the Thanksgiving Day games “no longer matter” is another head scratcher. My senior year, the Milford High football team only had two wins going into Turkey Day and a home game against Shrewsbury, but if you talk to any of the players on that team, the chance to put the pads on one more time was all they needed to be motivated to get out there and play.
Yes, teams will rest guys on Thanksgiving if it means being healthy for a state title game, but there was even more incentive to do that under the previous format, when not one but two more games awaited potential title teams. Also, only a handful of teams will be competing for the state championship. For the vast majority of the teams, Thanksgiving Day isn’t any different than it was in previous years. There might be instances where a school has already played its Thanksgiving rival earlier in the year, but that has the potential to add to the rivalry if one team goes in with the added motivation of wanting to avenge an earlier defeat.
There are definitely still areas where the playoff system and the football season can improve. Starting the season a week earlier is worth of consideration, especially since many teams are already working out in camps in the late summer weeks and most other fall sports get going at least a week before football. There’s also a challenge for the lower seeded teams in the playoffs, some of whom have said they’d prefer to miss out on the tournament and play competitive games down the stretch, rather than face stronger foes three weeks in a row.
But overall, this system represents progress and a positive step for high school football in the state.
Nipmuc Volleyball Aims for Playoffs in
First SeasonBy Chris VillaniSports Reporter/Columnist
The Nipmuc boys volleyball program may be in its first year playing at the varsity level, but that has not stopped head coach Brian Gerard from setting his sights squarely on the postseason.
“I think this team could go to the playoffs, which would be huge for the program,” Gerard said. “I really like our situation this year as far as the potential when it comes to the wins and losses.”
The Warriors began the season 2-1, and the coach said he thinks his team matches up well with many of the squads on the schedule this season. He has also been impressed by the overall athleticism on his roster.
“One year of experience is an infancy in a sport, but there is a lot of athleticism on this team and because of that, it’s not going to take these kids long to really understand the game,” Gerard said. “Continuing to work together and getting used to each other on the court might be their biggest hurdles, like any team.”
Gerard’s optimism about his team began at a sports awards night this winter, when he met two of Nipmuc’s nine seniors, Justin D’Antonio and John Kossuth.
“They are two very high character young men,” he said. “Right then and there I said ‘this is going to be a good group.’”
A total of 17 players joined the program this season, and Nipmuc will field a junior varsity team with at least five or six matches on the schedule, thanks to a late push by athletic director Chris Schmidt once he and Gerard saw the number of players who had come out for the team.
At the varsity level, the Warriors will be led by co-captains D’Antonio, the team’s setter, and fellow senior Austin Franzosa, one of the middle hitters. Junior outside hitter Ben Evans is “a big kid who can really jump,” Gerdard said, and senior Matt Jacques will also be counted on to bolster the attack.
Gerard called junior libero Mark Jango “impressive.”
“He is a quiet kid, but he does his talking with his skill on the court, he’s really proving himself out there every day,” Gerard said.
The coach said he’d be turning to Kossuth, another middle hitter, to bring leadership to the floor and is looking at a revolving door for the remaining outsider hitter position with seniors Will Applegate, Bernard Broni, and Tyler Calnan all competing for time.
“Will had a great game against Marlboro and Bernard has a lot of natural athletic ability, he’s quick, he can jump, and the skills are definitely there,” Gerard said. “Tyler is just a ball of energy. This kid, he just wants to learn and get better.”
Guiding the rookie varsity season will be Gerard, who is leading his first boys program but comes to the varsity role with a wealth of volleyball coaching experience. He started coaching the Metro West Juniors program in 1991 before leading the Holliston girls varsity team for 15 seasons from 1998 through 2013
By Chris VillaniSports Reporter/Columnist
Captains are often a vital part of a high school sports program, but they are even more important on a team with 118 athletes, including almost 100 underclassmen.
“We have a huge team as per usual,” Blackstone Valley Tech track & field coach Matt Blood said. “I took the captains aside early on and told them, with these numbers, they are just as important as vocal leaders and leaders by example.”
Blood said he also relies on his six captains — three boys and three girls — for direct communication with the coaching staff and taking charge of their respective groups.
“They have taken the younger kids under their wing,” Blood said. “If there are kids who are uncertain about technique, they do a good job helping out. They take attendance, they are really like additional assistant coaches.”
Blood also expects his captains to be solid contributors for the Beavers this season. Senior Adam Coutu will anchor the javelin, and Patrick McGowan will throw the shot and run a leg in the 4x400 relay. Ryan Zanella is one of the boys teams top sprinters, competing in the 4x100 relay and the 100.
On the girl’s side, Madyson Christian will be a competing as a triple jumper. Christian, a soccer standout for BVT, maybe running sprints as well. Liz DeNoncore is a sprinter, as is Karina Ramos, who will sprint and compete in relays for the Beavers.
With nearly 100 underclassmen on the
roster, Blood is counting on some of his freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to score points. Junior Janel McCarty is a jumper and sprinter, and should be able to score for the girls team in the 100 and the 200, Blood said. He is also looking to sophomores Molly O’Mera and Haley Baldwin to add depth in the distance events.
On the boy’s side, Zach Bergeron is coming in off a strong cross-country season, and will be one of the boys teams distance runners. Freshman Andrew Floyd has shown potential in both jumping and distance events, Blood said.
“We are a very young team, so it’s about getting to a point where we get the young kids more experience at events and in practices,” Blood said, noting the Beavers are fielding a junior varsity team to allow for more experience in real competition. “Most of all we want to get them in routines and get them setting goals for themselves.
“A lot of the younger kids are coming out for track for the first time,” he added. “We talked early on about athletes being creatures of habit. They need to know their bodies, track their bodies on a daily basis, and be prepared and committed.”
Blood said he did not set specific goals for his squad in terms of wins and losses, but did set the goal of “maintaining a strong level of commitment and dedication throughout the season.”
“Regardless of our record, we have to move forward with this young group,” he said. “We lost some key components from last year’s team but we can definitely find athletes to replace that production. We have nearly 100 underclassmen to pick from now.”
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER 23April 15, 2016
Latest Sports ResultsFollow Town Crier Sports Reporter and Columnist, Chris Villani on Twitter,
@ChrisVillani44, for the latest local sports results.
Against the TideRegistration is now going on for the
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) 2016 Against the Tide. The one-mile swim, two-mile kayak and three mile walk or 5K or 10K run will be held on Saturday, June 18 at Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton and Saturday, August 20 at Nickerson State Park in Brewster. Both events begin at 8:30 a.m. Participants may take part in one or more of the components of the event.
Funds raised by the event will benefit MBCC’s work toward breast cancer prevention. For more information or to register visit MBCC.org/swim or call 1-800-649-MBCC (6222).
Sports
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Local Coaches Split as Schools Keep Football Playoff
Baseball and Softball
Opening Day Honors Vets
Local baseball and softball players will open their seasons on Saturday, April 23. Since the Mendon and Upton baseball and softball programs have combined this year, the joint Opening Day Parade and Celebration will feature the participation of 50 teams from both communities. It will begin at 10 a.m. with the parade moving from Kelly Drive in Mendon to Memorial Field on Millville Rd. Veterans from both towns are invited to participate and should be at the field by 10:30 a.m. RSVP to Mike Ruggerio, 508-473-8260. Rain date is Sunday, April 24
Upton will hold its traditional Loyalty Day Parade on Sunday, May 1 beginning at noon from Memorial School to the Upton VFW fields where many activities are planned.
By Chris VillaniSports Reporter/Columnist
MIAA schools voted last week to keep the current football playoff system, drawing a mixed reaction from area coaches divided over the goal of crowning a true state champion while also holding onto the importance of traditional Thanksgiving rivalries.
“It’s a good day for football in Massachusetts,” a relieved Milford High head coach Joe Todd said. “I didn’t think going back to the old system made any sense at all, this is what we should be doing.”
The current system, which was ratified in 2012, created a playoff in each district and in each division after the seventh week of the season. Teams that do not qualify for the playoffs are placed in their own bracket, and play a schedule of games leading up to Thanksgiving. Proponents of the new system say it’s better than what had been in place for a decade, which involved squeezing in two playoff games after teams played on Thanksgiving, effectively forcing teams to play three games in 10 days.
Critics argue the new system has turned some Turkey Day games into glorified scrimmages, with teams meeting for the second time in the season in some cases, or resting key players ahead of state championship games.
“I understand the Thanksgiving rivalries have been impacted, but in the spirit of progress, growth, things like that, I think the playoffs are great,” Todd said. “It makes it clear who the winner is. I would say the thing we need to do now is look to having sectional playoffs
and expanding the way we look at the playoffs. It’s definitely not perfect, we can still make improvements.”
Like Milford, Blackstone Valley Tech voted to keep the new format, but primarily because no alternative was presented at the MIAA annual meeting.
“I don’t love the new system, but I also didn’t like the idea of going back to playing three games in 10 days,” said BVT head coach Jim Archibald. “It puts the kids in a tough spot and the schools in a tough spot liability-wise.”
Archibald said he disagreed with critics of the system who slam the fact that teams play meaningless games over the last several weeks of the season if they do not make the playoffs.
“In the old system, you knew by week five or six if you were out of the Super Bowl running, you still played those games,” he said. “I guess it’s a money issue, if the gates are down, but teams have been out of the playoff picture in week six for the last 30 years.”
Nipmuc head coach Shawn Hill voted against keeping the newer format, saying the Thanksgiving Day rivalries do not mean what they used to. “A lot of really good rivalries are gone, I am more a fan of when Thanksgiving meant things and league play meant everything all the way though,” he said. “If you were a good team, you had to win the league all the way.
“How many games are there on Thanksgiving where good teams meet and it doesn’t matter anymore,” Hill added. “You could be replaying someone from your league, or you’re out of the league and the game doesn’t matter. I don’t get playing games that don’t matter.”
Find Sports Flash by Chris Villani at TownCrier.us
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER24 April 15, 2016
SALES EVENTSALES EVENT
52 Acres of Quality Preowned Cars!In “the little town of Mendon!”
Ends 4/22/16. Prices valid on vehicles indicated only, see website for details. Prices may change if manufacturer rebates change. Not valid with prior sales. Monthly/weekly financing rates based on 72 months, 2.99% APR with credit approval and require dealer source financing.Tax, title, registration and doc. fee not included. Must present ad, take same day delivery and pay in full to get advertised price. TAX SAVINGS DISCOUNT based off MSRP or sticker price and cannot be combined with any other discounts. Not responsible for typographical errors.
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