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Owner orderedto demolish it

By Eileen KennedyStaff writer

WARE – SelectBoard mem-bers unanimously declared the Hitchcock Building, at 114 Main St., a nuisance and a danger, and ordered its owner, Main St. LLC, to pull it down. The board also agreed to hold a special meeting next Tuesday so it can schedule a one-article warrant for a Special Town Meeting that would approve taking the building down in the near future in case the town must pay to have it removed. The STM would likely be held on Aug. 17.

One of the owners, Daniel Barenboym, attended the meeting through Zoom, the videoconfer-encing platform, and said he and his partner would have to consult their lawyers before doing any-thing. They have three weeks to appeal the decision.

“This is completely ridicu-lous, there is no logic here,” said Berenboym. He said selectmen had already made the decision to declare it a danger and have it pulled down.

Bui ld ing Inspec tor Anna Marques recommended to the board several weeks ago, at the start of the public hearing on the condition of the building, that it be declared a nuisance and a

danger. At its last meeting, the SelectBoard gave Barenboym two weeks to forward any engineer-

ing reports to the town that could counter the town’s structural engi-neering report detailing the build-

ing is in very bad condition and could fall down.

While the building was deemed

unfit for occupation in 2011 after a partial roof collapse, the start of the $2.1 million Main Street rede-sign project this spring meant the town had to figure out what should be done with it. The Main Street redesign contractors, Ludlow Construction, informed MassDOT it was concerned about the build-ing falling down when heavy road work begins later this fall.

If they have to stop work on the project and return later after the building comes down, the town will have to pay those additional costs as there is a $200,000 con-tingency fund. Anything over that amount is the town’s responsibility.

In May, Tighe & Bond engi-neers hired by the town determined there have been additional failures with the roof and the roof mem-bers, which carry and distribute the weight of the roof, as well as the weight of any rain and snow. These members are beginning to collapse, and as they do, portions of that weight are being transferred to the brick wall, which is having trouble holding it. The water run-ning down the inside of the build-ing is also compromising the foun-dation. The failing roof members are causing the building to lean toward its neighbor, which hous-es Niko’s restaurant and several apartments.

As SelectBoard members ques-tioned Barenboym about the build-ing Tuesday, Department of Public

Hitchcock Building deemed dangerous

Turley Publications staff photo by Paula OuimetteThe building at 102, which is owned by Duk Ha, will be accessed by Building Inspector Anna Marques in the next few weeks to determine what condition it is in. It is the building with the Workshop13 communi-ty art in the shape of wings. The portion with the white door at 100 Main St., is connected to 102 Main St.

By Eileen KennedyStaff writer

WARE – Ware Schoo l Superintendent Dr. Marlene DiLeo told SelectBoard mem-bers Tuesday that she and the school district’s school reopen-ing committee have been meet-ing every couple of days as they develop a plan with three differ-ent options for school starting in the fall.

She said all school districts are tasked with developing their plans with a preliminary version due to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on July 31, and the final version due on Aug. 10.

“To say that it is a Herculean task is an understatement,” said DiLeo. “But we’ll keep at it until we have a plan in place.”

DiLeo provides update

“THE VIRUS COULD CREATE HAVOC WITH US. WE MAY HAVE TO SWITCH TO OTHER MODES AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE.”

DR� MARLENE DiLEOWARE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Diana Gliniecki makes sergeant

By Eileen KennedyStaff writer

WARE – Four new police officers were hired Tuesday during the SelectBoard’s meeting and Ware Police Officer Diana Gliniecki was made a sergeant.

Town Manager Stuart Beckley said he and members of the Palmer Police Department inter-viewed candidates before put-ting forth the candidates, which included Ware Police Chief Shawn Crevier’s son, Jacob Crevier, as well as Troy Turpin, Derek Ames and Scott Romani. Crevier, Turpin and Ames must still complete the Police Academy, which will start on Sept. 28, and continue for about 21 weeks, according to the chief.

The room broke out in a round of applause after the board voted

to appoint Gliniecki a sergeant. Crevier described her as having an exceptional work ethic and she would be a tremendous asset as part of the department’s rank and file. She has been a Ware police officer since 2012.

Crevier told the SelectBoard he appreciated their support.

A l s o t w o p e o p l e were added to the Pol ice Depar tment’s l i s t of par t -time officers: Patrick Kackley and Nicholas P. Newman. Later in the meeting during pub-lic comments, resident Cathy Cascio said she thinks there are problems with family members supervising other family mem-bers in a work situation and ref-erenced the Fire Department’s issues, where former Chief Thomas Coulombe hired and supervised his son, Lt. Brian Coulombe, who recently stopped working for the town.

“Now we’ve done it again, and I will be watching,” she said.

Four new police officers hired

By Jonah Snowdenjsnowden@turley.com

PALMER – On Thursday, July 9, members and attendees of the Palmer Rail Steering Committee were ecstatic to get together virtu-ally and celebrate that the town of

Palmer has been selected as a rail stop in all three alternatives of the East-West Passenger Rail Study.

Benjamin Hood, chairman of the committee, said this discov-ery, which he said was announced through an email on June 25, was “wonderful news.”

“All of these alternatives also run down the old right-of-way, which for those of us who really started on this campaign a long time ago to make it a downtown Palmer issue, that’s the best possi-ble news, because it’s not a Mass Pike right-of-way” said Hood.

“They’re not even going near alternative six and the Mass Pike option, which was a $25 billion option.”

Following the thoughtful com-ments and preferences on which three alternatives should be carried into the final analysis phase from

the advisory committee, the deci-sion was made.

Responses conveyed that there should be no bus option. Alternative six reduced impacts to

Palmer included in final three East-West rail alternatives

By Ellenor DownerStaff writer

BARRE – The Department of Education has required all school districts to prepare a feasibility study for school opening this fall, and at last Thursday’s Quabbin Regional School District Committee meet-ing, School Superintendent Dr. Sheila Muir gave a presentation on what she and other adminis-trators have developed.

T h e D e p a r t m e n t o f Elementary and Secondary Education requested a plan for in-person instruction, a second for remote learning and a hybrid model of the first two options. Muir said her presentation was not a recommendation model to be adopted by the School Committee, but a plan required by state and filed by all school districts. She called the plan flexible as no one knows what the future holds.

She said the extended school year for the district started this

Muir discusses school plans

Sweet sounds of summer

Please see RAIL, page 3

Please see UPDATE, page 3

Please see BUILDING, page 5

Please see QUABBIN, page 3

A precocious reader

Turley Publications staff photo by Paula OuimetteNot much can beat sweet treats and music on a hot summer night and these youngsters seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves at the first Ware Lions Club summer concert last Thursday in Grenville Park. See more photos on page 6.

Page 2, Ware River News, July 23, 2020

The Ware River News will gladly correct factual errors that appear in this paper. Corrections or clarifications will always appear on Page 3. To request a correction, send information to ekennedy@turley.com, or call 967-3505. Corrections may also be requested in writing at: Ware River News, Attn: Editor, 80 Main St., Ware, MA 01082.

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obituaries.

One is a free, brief Death Notice listing

the name of deceased, date of death and

funeral date and place.

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Each week the Ware River News digs into its submitted photo archives and selects a people

photo to publish� We need your help to help identify those pictured�

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Last week’s photo from the Aug. 1, 1991 edition of the Ware River News was of Scottish exchange

students with their Ware counterparts. Left to right in the back row were Scottish advisor Jimmy

Campbell, Edinburgh; Stuart Green, Edinburgh; Mike Woz, Ware, Mark Coates, Dunfermline.

In the fourth row were Mary Lussier, Ware, SarahWalker, Christin Broadbent, Barry Wright

and Lorne Callaghan, all of Edinburgh. In the third row were Julie Bosse, Ware; Sarah Turner, Sarah

Breaks, Kirsten McKenzie, all of Edinburgh. In the second row were Niccola Cooke, Edinburgh; Angie

Rucki, Ware; Catriona McEwen, Edinburgh; Sarah Mouser, Ware. In the front were Kirsty Tulloch,

Kathryn Angus, Sarah Crook and Katie Inglis, all of Edinburgh; and Beth Patierno, of Ware. They came over from Scotland and stayed with local families. They got tour New York and Boston, and went to a barbecue on Beaver Lake before heading home.

Cornerstone Bank contributes to Worcester Together Fund

WORCESTER — Corners tone Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee is pleased to announce its recent donation of $2,500 to the Worcester Together Fund. Once again, the Bank has provided support to assist those in our com-munity impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Worcester Together Fund is a partnership between the United Way of Central Massachusetts, the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and the City of Worcester. The fund was created to address urgent needs resulting from the impact of the coronavirus public health crisis and will address immediate and long-term needs of the local com-munity.

To date, the Worcester Together Fund has pro-vided over $3 million in grants, focusing on areas of food and shelter, health, economic security, child nutrition, mental health, arts and culture, and enhancing operations to local non-profit organiza-tions.

“The Worcester Together Fund has provid-ed vital support to our local community during such an uncertain time,” said Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee Todd M. Tallman. “We are pleased to give back to our community at a time when it’s needed most.”

For more information or to contribute to the Worcester Together Fund, please visit www.unit-edwaycm.org or www.greaterworcester.org, or by texting worcestercovid19 to 243725.

Cornerstone Bank is an independent, mutual savings bank serving the residents, businesses, and communities throughout Central Massachusetts from offices in Warren, Sturbridge, Charlton, Holden, Leicester, Rutland, Southbridge, Spencer, Webster, and Worcester along with a Loan Center in Westborough. Deposits are insured in full by a combination of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Depositors Insurance Fund. The bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Equal Housing Lender, and SBA Preferred Lender. For more information, visit online at cornerstonebank.com, on Facebook, or call 800-939-9103. H O LYO K E — H o l y o ke

Community College president Christina Royal and Amanda Sbriscia, HCC vice president of Institutional Advancement, will kick off a re-imagined monthly Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series on Wed., July 29.

The following session on Aug. 26, called “Empowering Women in the Workplace,” will feature Hardwick’s own Julie Quink, managing partner, Burkhart, Pizzanel l i PC, and Denise Jordan, executive director of the Springfield Housing Authority.

The 2020 Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series, postponed from spring due to COVID-19, will now take place virtually over Zoom on the last Wednesdays of July, August, September and October from noon to 1 p.m.

The series is sponsored by

HCC and Training and Workforce Options – TWO – a collaboration between Holyoke and Springfield Technical community colleges.

“ Wo m e n l e a d e r s a n d up-and-comers will be joined by pane l s o f l ike -minded women each month for small group discussions and open dia-logue,” said Tracye Whitfield, TWO’s director of Business Development.  “Participants will have the opportunity to form a supportive network of women leaders, discuss topics of interest and enjoy a brown bag lunch, vir-tually.  Professional development, networking and socialization over a delicious meal – does it get any better?”

Each lunch-time event will fea-ture two presenters leading dis-cussions on different topics:

July 29: “Leading Through C h a n g e , ” C h r i s t i n a Royal (presi-dent, Holyoke C o m m u n i t y Col lege) and A m a n d a S b r i s c i a

(vice president of Institutional A d v a n c e m e n t , H o l y o k e Community College; executive director, HCC Foundation).

A u g . 2 6 : “ E m p ow e r i n g Women in the Workplace,” Denise Jordan (executive director, Springfield Housing Authority) and Julie Quink (managing part-ner, Burkhart, Pizzanelli PC).

Sept. 30: “Comfortable in Your Own Skin, Finding Your Voice,” Tanisha Arena (executive direc-tor, Arise for Social Justice) and Pam Victor (owner, Happy Valley Comedy Theater).

Oct. 28: “Women Leaders in Non-Traditional Businesses,” Colleen Loveless (president and CEO, Revitalize Community Development Corporation) and Nicole Palange (vice president, V&F Auto).

The July 29 session is free. The remaining three sessions are $20 each, or $50 for the full series.

Registration is required. Space for each luncheon is limited to 25.

To register, please go to hcc.edu/womens-leadership.

Virtual Women’s Leadership Luncheon series to include Julie Quink of Hardwick

Turley Publications courtesy photo

A PRECOCIOUS READERWARE – Ella St. George, great-granddaughter of

Ware residents, Loretta and Gilbert St. George-Sorel, “reads” advice from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Her parents are Evan and Erin St. George, of Rochester, New York, and her grandparents are Wendy and Fred Piche, of Ware.

July 23, 2020, Ware River News, Page 3

SEEKING FULL TIME REGISTERED SCHOOL NURSE

Eagle Hill School is seeking a professional, motivated, and energetic individual for full time registered school nurse. The position allows the appropriate candidate the opportunity to directly make a difference in the lives of our high school students. Appropriate candidate will possess working knowledge of computers, medication, triage, as well as strong interpersonal skills and the ability to multi-task. Hours vary, including weekends. Will also maintain a valid Nursing license in Massachusetts.

Resumes can be faxed attn: Jamie Caban at 413-477-0304 or emailed to jcaban@eaglehill.school

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WARE – Country Bank, a full-service financial institu-tion serving central and western Massachusetts, today announced the grant recipients associat-ed with its Community Heroes Campaign, an effort to recognize exceptional acts of service by local individuals in the region and the continued fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

After seeing the significant efforts local community mem-bers were making to help others through these challenging times, Country Bank vowed to ensure their heroics didn’t go unrecog-nized and created a campaign to honor them.

As part of the campaign, more than 200 heroes were nom-inated through an online sub-mission process explaining why they should be chosen. A new hero was selected each week and awarded a $250 gift card to the local business of their choice. In addition, a donation to a COVID-19 relief organizations was made in their name.

“This campaign aims to com-memorate local heroes while also supporting local businesses and COVID- related relief ser-vices,” stated Paul Scully, presi-dent and CEO of Country Bank.

“As a longtime part of the com-munity, we consider it our duty to stand by and be of support to our neighbors in times of need.”

Community Heroes chosen were:

· Noelle Grace Efantis, reg-istered nurse at Baystate Wing Hospital

· Michelle and Jay Demore, Demore’s Automotive Center

· Paula Perrier, director of Child Development Services at the YMCA Tri-Community Child Development Center

· Benjamin Mead, opera-tions manager of Environmental Services at St. Francis Hospital

· Alan Tracy, Pioneer Valley USO director at Westover Air Reserve Base

· The directors and transit care specialist at Beers & Story Funeral Home, of Palmer

Country Bank continues to be one of the many businesses sup-porting its communities through-out the pandemic. The bank has made $450,000 in donations to local COVID relief efforts and continues to look for ways to give back in a meaningful way during these challenging times.

To learn more about this pro-gram, visit www.countrybank.com/community-heroes.

Country Bank recognizes community heroes Authorizes over

$16 billion to accelerate transportation projects

BOSTON – The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday, July 16, 2020, passed legislation to jumpstart investment in transportation infra-structure and make the common-wealth’s transportation system more reliable and accessible to residents.

“Our Main Street businesses cannot be successful if customers can’t get to them safely, commerce can’t be conducted on unmaintained roads, and emergency vehicles need to be able to travel over our roads and bridges,” said state Sen. Anne Gobi, D-Spencer. “This bond bill helps to make the necessary invest-ments in our infrastructure, while also assisting our towns on some of their critical projects.”

The bill, An Act Authorizing and Accelerating Transportation Investment, authorizes more than $16 billion in bonds for a wide variety of infrastructure projects, including both upkeep and mainte-nance, as well as modernization. In addition to addressing issues such as construction, regional initiatives, traffic congestion and transportation network company data sharing, this legislation addresses equity in the transportation system by requiring a low-income fare program, which will provide discounted transit fares to qualifying riders on MBTA trans-portation and commuter rail, start-ing on Jan. 1, 2022.

Gobi was successful in securing five separate amendments to the bill, amounting to $5.25 million in bond authorizations for the district. The projects advocated for are listed here:

$500,000 for costs associated with repairs of the Old Belchertown Road bridge in the town of Ware

$1 million for costs associated with the survey, engineered design

and construction of roadway and infrastructure improvements along Gay Road in the town of Brookfield

$750,000 for costs associated with repair of the Mad Brook Road and Horse Pond Brook Bridge in the town of North Brookfield

$1 million for costs associated with the replacement of corrugated metal pipes along Old Ashby Road Bridge in the town of Ashburnham

$2 million for costs associ-ated with the replacement of the Pinedale Avenue Bridge in the towns of Athol and Orange The full breakdown of the over $17 billion dollars in bond authoriza-tions included in the bill is as fol-lows:

$5.6 billion for federally aided highways

$2 billion for non-federally aided highways

$150 million for the pavement improvement program

$90 million for the municipal bridge program

$50 million for the local bottle-neck reduction program

$100 million for the municipal pavement program

$50 million for the complete streets program

$50 million for the bus transit infrastructure partnership

$1.25 billion for the next genera-tion bridge program

$400 million for the rail and transit access program

$330 million for regional transit authorities

$60 million for the transit mobil-ity assistance program

$3.43 billion for the MBTA$300 million for a direct capital

transfer to the MBTA$250 million for rail improve-

ments$89 million for aeronautics safe-

ty and modernization$475 million for multi-modal

transportation planning and imple-mentation

$250 million for the Allston multi-modal project

$50 million for transportation information technology

$20 million for a public realm

improvement program in response to COVID-19

$75 million for electric vehicle grants for municipalities and region-al transit authorities

$574 million for local and regional transportation projects

$30 million for water ferry grantsThe bill represents an import-

ant step in reducing traffic con-gestion, and tasks the Department of Transportation with collect-ing new information and creating expert-driven plans to respond to the issue. These include seeking federal approval to join the Value Pricing Pilot Program, which provides state agencies with options to manage congestion.

Reducing congestionTo further aid the Department

in reducing congestion, the bill establishes a special commission on roadway and congestion pric-ing, which would also investigate and recommend options for region-ally equitable roadway pricing mechanisms. Additionally, the bill allows public authorities to more clearly include time as a factor in evaluating private bids for construc-tion projects. The Department is required to conduct a study exam-ining the potential of mileage-based revenue-collection as an alternative to the current system of toll roads. In a move that will give regions bet-ter control over their transportation infrastructure, the bill allows cities and towns, upon local acceptance by local government and local voters at the ballot, to utilize certain revenue sources for transportation-related projects within the municipality or region. These regional ballot initia-tives are utilized across the county to allow cities and towns to raise money locally to invest in local transportation projects.

New officesA t t h e M a s s a c h u s e t t s

Department of Transportation, two new offices are created by the bill:

An Office of Bus Transformation and an Office of Rail Enhancement. Each office would be dedicated to improving the productivity, equi-ty and environmental sustainabil-ity of its respective system. The Department is given new author-ities in establishing speed limits in construction zones and in using blue lights to mark construction activities, where permitted by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. Furthermore, the Department would be authorized to enter fixed-price job order contracts with a contrac-tor for the contractor’s performance of a specific construction project. The bill addresses the growth of transportation network compa-nies, and the public’s need to be informed. It requires that such companies submit monthly reports to the Transportation Network Companies Div is ion of the Department of Public Utilities. That division is then required to make an annual report, publicly available on its website, posting the total number of rides provided by all transporta-tion network companies along with other related data. The bill would also establish scooter and e-bike regulations.

FinesThe bill also defines and reg-

ulates the amounts of fines for a several transportation-related activ-ities. Penalties are defined for improper use of a designated bus lane, for railroads who fail to pro-vide timely and sufficient flaggers, speeding in an active construction zone, nonpayment of citations and failure to move a vehicle involved in a crash from a travel lane on a public way. Passengers who fail to pay or prepay fares would be sub-ject to less punitive punishment and arrest for fare evasion on the MBTA transit system would be prohibited. The bill must now be reconciled with legislation previously passed the Massachuset ts House of Representatives.

Senate passes transportation investment bill

freight services and could be trans-formative for the Commonwealth and the majority felt that this deci-sion should not move forward, due to its longer-term nature for imple-mentation, and expected high cost.

The decision to advance alter-native three (Pittsfield to Boston), alternative four (Pittsfield to Boston) and alternative five (Springfield to Boston) was selected by most of the committee.

The hybrid option will include rail service for the full corridor from Pittsfield to Boston; Station stops at Pittsfield, Chester, Springfield Union Station, Palmer, Worcester Union Station and Boston.

This hybrid is expected to go from Pittsfield to Springfield, with construction of some double track

sections along the CSX tracks/alignment for shared freight and passenger rail service, and from Springfield to Worcester with the construction of a new passenger-on-ly track in CSX right-of-way sep-arate from freight service. In the Springfield to Worcester segment, additional track realignments will be implemented to achieve reductions in travel time.

Regarding the next steps, as said by MassDOT rail and transit admin-istrator Astrid Glynn, the study team will refine the cost estimates, fore-cast a ridership range based on the town proxy scenarios presented at the June 10th Advisory Committee meeting, which consisted of the ‘Enhanced’ Hartford Line and Downeaster, conduct Rail Traffic Controller simulation modeling, conduct Benefit-Cost Analyses and

assess opportunities for funding and revenue sources for each of the three alternative options.

Hood also thanked Palmer town planner Linda Leduc for her work in constantly keeping the town of Palmer as a rail stop.

“I think this is the result of her hard work,” said Hood. “This par-ticular decision was because she was the one person in the room who always pushed and focused on Palmer. We had some other peo-ple who were good for us, I don’t want to forget (Rep.) Todd Smola, Senator (Eric) Lesser often was in our corner, but I think that Linda knew that the goal was to make sure Palmer was in these plans, and that’s what we have achieved as of June 25th.”

RAIL from page 1She said the plan would

be presented to the School Committee the next day, July 22. The state has mandated districts to develop a plan for in-person education, remote education and also a hybrid of the two, she said.

“One of the outstanding fac-tors is how many students can be put on a school bus,” she said, while others include the lack of a budget from the state and the trajectory of COVID-19. She said it remains unknown if addi-tional bus route runs will have to be added if only so many stu-dents are allowed per bus.

“The virus could create havoc with us,” she said. “We may have to switch to other modes at a moment’s notice.”

DiLeo also said it would be important for the state to pro-vide at least the same amount of Chapter 70 money as it did last year. It is unclear when the state will develop a budget, but with less revenue due to COVID-19 restrictions affecting the econ-omy, but it is hoped it will be available by August.

SelectBoard member Nancy Talbot asked about how the hybrid model would work, and DiLeo said time would be split between remote learning and in-class learning. It might be a one week on and one week off model alternating between the two.

She also said the state has said classrooms can be set up with three to six feet between

students, based on World Health Organization’s guidance as well as from DESE. SelectBoard Chairman Alan Whitney said he was concerned to hear of three feet spacing and asked an eye be kept on how far apart the stu-dents will ultimately be.

DiLeo said the schools would have students wearing masks, washing their hands and school staff would keep surfaces clean. There are also daily deep clean-ing procedures that have been developed.

“First and foremost we have to make it safe for all students and all faculty,” she said.

She also said the district had purchased personal protection equipment for students and staff, 740 Chromebooks for students, hot spots that would allow fami-lies without Internet connections to have online access as well as plexiglass barriers for library counters and other areas in the schools.

She said the district is also investigating a remote learning platform called Canvas to see if it would be useful.

“If there is a silver lining to this it is that it has afforded the school district to provide a one to one ratio,” she said.

A second family survey is also underway about what par-ents prefer for their children, including whether they will send their children back to school in the fall.

DiLeo said the survey results will be posted on the district’s website along with the education delivery options.

UPDATE from page 1 Local students make the UMass Amherst dean’s list

AMHERST, Mass. – Several local students who were named to the dean’s list at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for the spring 2020 semester.

In order to qualify, an under-graduate student must receive a 3.5 grade-point average or better on a four-point scale.

Those students include Mary Apessos, Alicia Louise Famulari and Haylee Wetnicka, of Warren, and Priya Atiyolil, of West Warren.

WESTFIELD – Join the Westfield Homeless Cat Project for  a fun-filled day on the links at WHCP’s Golf Tournament on Sunday, Aug. 2. The tournament will be held at the Oak Ridge Country Club in Feeding Hills. Registration fee is $100 per player, which includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner and prizes. Not a golfer? You can donate a raffle prize, sponsor a hole for a $50 donation or join us for a wonder-ful dinner for only $25. People can try their luck with one of our

many raffle prizes. Registration begins at  11:30 a.m., with a Shotgun Start at 12:30 p.m. For more information please contact Anna Laporte at either 413-454-7275 or 413-568-5143, or email her at LAPORTE.R@comcast.net. Please make checks payable to WHCP and mail it directly to Anna at 36 Elisabeth Ave., Westfield MA. 01085. Registration and sponsorship deadline is July 30, and all pro-ceeds benefit WHCP.

Golf to help homeless cats

WA R E – Wo r k s h o p 1 3 and Northeast Fine Arts have announced their annual juried exhibition of traditional realism will be held on Sept. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Workshop13, 13 Church St.

Online submissions are due Aug. 29, by 9 p.m., with awards in seven categories. There will also be a best of show award, which brings with it $1,000. The categories include oil, acrylic (including casein and egg tem-pera), and water color painting,

sculpture, drawing/graphics, pastel and mixed media.

The plan for a live exhibit is pending current circumstances. If necessary, the venue may be changed to an all online exhibi-tion.

For more information go online to www.workshop13.org/gallery.

Juried Exhibition of Traditional Realism to be held Sept� 26

Page 4, Ware River News, July 23, 2020

By Russell GloorGuest columnist

Dear Rusty: I have been a widow since November 2019. I retired under the Federal Civil Service Retirement System. Before my husband died, I made an appointment with Social Security to see if I could receive his Social Security if he passed on. I was told I could. Since he passed, Social Security has adamantly refused to let me have my hus-band’s Social Security. I have had many prob-lems with them. Who is correct here? I have lost $1,400 per month. My Social Security check is about $126 per month. Signed: Frustrated widow

Dear Frustrated widow: First, please accept my condolences on the loss of your husband. Unfortunately, I don’t have good news for you.

Because of your federal Civil Service Retirement System pension, you are subject to the “Government Pension Offset” provision of Social Security. The GPO reduces the survi-vor benefit for anyone who also has a pension from an employer which did not participate in Social Security (neither the employer or the employee paid into Social Security), and your federal CSRS pension falls into this category. GPO reduces any survivor benefit you might otherwise be entitled to by two thirds of the amount of your CSRS pension, which often eliminates the survivor benefit. For clarity, GPO also applies to a Social Security benefit from a living spouse.

As you probably already know, your CSRS pension caused your own Social Security ben-efit, earned from other work outside of your federal employment, to be reduced by the Windfall Elimination Provision. Unfortunately, whoever you previously spoke with at the Social Security Administration prior to your husband’s death gave you some incorrect

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SERVIN

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E REGION FOR 129 YEARS

viewpoints

By Lee H. HamiltonGuest columnist

I’ve spent a long time in politics, and over those years one thing has remained constant: There are a lot more Americans who criticize government than there are who serve and do something about it.

I’ll admit, there have been times when I’ve felt a bit resentful. It’s hard to enter the fray, be expected to listen patiently to criti-cism from all comers, and then look around to find that many of them are nowhere to be found when it comes to the hard work of improving our communities and our system.

But far more than annoyance, what I’ve felt is amazement at the immense but often un-grasped opportunity our system offers. This is especially acute these days, as mil-lions of Americans take to the streets and to social media with passionate intensity, driv-en by deeply-held beliefs or newfound con-viction and a sense that it’s time to weigh in. I agree—but then, I think it’s always time to weigh in. That’s what our system asks of us as citizens. And in particular, I’d argue that it asks us to do it from the inside, not just from the outside.

We desperately need citizens to enter the public arena—people who are not afraid to plunge in and try to improve our democratic institutions. To be sure, critics and ordinary engaged citizens have an important role to play in shaping the public discourse. But if at some point in their lives they and others do not also see a duty to serve, our nation is in trouble.

I know the arguments you can find against it. You have to compromise your values. It’s thankless. The system turns you into a cog. You make yourself a target of scrutiny. You can’t actually accomplish any-thing.

To all of this, I say: So? There is no question that our governing institutions need improving. But it’s not going to happen unless people with the power to change them roll up their sleeves and set about doing so. And those people are the ones inside those institutions, who’ve learned how they work and who understand that actual change happens by dint of legislation, administration, and the nitty-gritty details of reform.

There are plenty of other things you can do, too: vote, spend time learning the issues you care about, make informed judg-ments about your elected representatives, get involved in organizations that advocate for the causes you value. But as writer Andy Smarick put it recently in “The Bulwark,” “[G]overning is formative. Knocking on doors as a candidate is not just about win-ning votes. Sitting through a long bill hear-ing is not just about following the legislative process. Taking part in public debates is not just about self-expression. Making a tough governing decision is not just about resolv-ing a policy matter. Through these activities, the public servant listens to fellow citizens, learns of competing priorities, and witnesses principles in conflict.”

In our democracy, these and other skills are vital, not just for public officials, but for any citizen who wants to be involved in the community. Listening to our peers, understanding their hopes, appreciating the differences among them, grasping why accommodation and compromise are crucial to resolving those differences, and learning how to accomplish them are part and parcel of making a representative democracy work. People who do this feel in their bones how hard it is to govern in a large, diverse repub-lic, and why we depend on large numbers of ordinary people to step forward, find their niche, and participate on town boards, in state legislatures, and in Congress.

So, as I look about at the remarkable levels of public engagement in this intense political year, I find myself hoping that more comes out of it than simple public pressure. I hope that people who’d never considered it before decide it’s time to step forward, serve in public office, and help their fellow citizens make this a better coun-try.

Lee Hamil ton is a senior advi-sor for the Indiana University Center on Representa t ive Government ; a Distinguished Scholar at the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies; and a Professor of Practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.

2020 Turley Election Policy

This newspaper will print free self-submitted statements of candidacy only four weeks or more out from the election. All candidates running in both contested and uncontested races are asked to submit their statements to the editor to include only bio-graphical and campaign platform details. Total word count for statements is lim-ited to between 300-500 words maximum. Please include a photo. We will not publish any statements of candidacy inside the four weeks from election thresh-old. To publish any other campaign publicity during the race, please contact our advertising representatives. We also do not allow per-sonal attacks against other candidates or political par-ties in statements of candi-dacy, nor do we publish for free any information about key endorsements or politi-cal fundraisers.

Letters to the editor of no more than 250 words from supporters endors-ing specific candidates or discussing campaign issues are limited to three total per author during the elec-tion season. No election letters will appear in the final edition before the election. We reserve the right to edit all statements of candidacy and letters to the editor to meet our guidelines.

This is a common question about the cracks that often occur on tomatoes: “most of the fruit have circular cracks, almost all the way around, up near the stem end. Is this a disease or nutrient deficiency?”

Neither! What you are describing are growth cracks. Tomatoes gener-ally crack when a droughty period is followed by lots of rain. Cracks tend to be worse if the weather has been hot. The tomatoes on two of the nine plants I am growing in my vegetable garden are exhibiting this problem as well. Some varieties tend to be more “crack tolerant” than others, and are labeled as such in seed catalogs. To prevent future cracks, be sure to water on a regular basis. Don’t be afraid to eat damaged fruit; while they aren’t pretty, they are edible. More prone to rot, however, so use them quickly.

Autumnal sunflowersA perennial aficionado from Brimfield

is curious about the autumnal sunflow-er (Helenium autumnale), otherwise known as Sneezeweed. “I absolutely love this plant for the late season color that it adds to my perennial border. My only problem is that it is too tall. I have pinched back perennial asters for years with success. Can this same

technique be used to make a stouter clump of Sneezeweed?”

It certainly can. Like you, I love everything about Sneezeweed, except for its height, which can top off at four feet! It is a native plant, which is not both-ered by insects or diseases to speak of, has lovely long-lasting yellow or rusty orange flowers and despite what its name implies, doesn’t make you sneeze. Years ago I experiment-ed with reducing the height of my own plants and pinched them back twice. They were about 18 inches

shorter at bloom time than they would have been and still flowered abundantly. Next year try it for yourself. When the plant is about a foot tall, remove the top few nodes of each shoot. Repeat the pinching process a couple of weeks later, finishing by the end of June. This will give the plant ample time to grow to a respectable height and initiate buds in time for its debut come August.

Yew bushes“I have some yews growing along the foun-

dation of my house. They are the perfect size right now, but I am worried they will get out of hand. Do you have any pruning tips to pass along?” inquires a Palmer homeowner.

Sure! For this job you will need a pair

of hand clippers, not hedge trimmers. New growth is obvious: it is very flexible, lighter in color and extends several inches from the shrub’s silhouette. With clippers in hand, grab a branch, and instead of removing just the new growth, make a cut well within the body of the shrub. This process is called “making win-dows.” The windows allow light to penetrate the plant’s interior causing regeneration to occur. Repeat in various spots on each shrub for a balanced appearance. Any straggly growth that remains can be nipped back. By pruning in this manner each year, healthy, new growth is encouraged, yet height and width control is maintained. Too labor intensive for you? Alright, use the hedge trimmers first, then make a few windows, for nearly the same effect. Yews were quite popular foundation plants decades ago and are nice evergreens if managed properly and not left to their own devices.

Roberta McQuaid graduated from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts. For the last 28 years, she has held the position of staff hor-ticulturalist at Old Sturbridge Village. She enjoys growing food as well as flowers. Have a question for her? Email it to ekennedy@turley.com with “Gardening Question” in the subject line.

Common questions regarding tomatoes, shrubs and more

Roberta McQuaid

N THE GardenI

socaL security Matters

information, because you are also subject to the GPO. And that is why Social Security will not now pay you a survivor benefit from your husband.

I’m afraid you have no recourse on this, as both the GPO and WEP have been the law for decades. The federal government has now changed to a “Federal Employee Retirement System,” which fully participates in Social Security (both employees and the employ-er contribute to Social Security), so more recent federal retirees are not subject to the WEP and GPO rules. But there are still many U.S. state and local government employers which, to varying degrees, do not participate in Social Security, and whose employees are

still impacted by both GPO and WEP.This article is intended for informa-

tion purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association. NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/pro-grams/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.

Russell Gloor is a Social Security advisor for AMAC.

Guest coLuMN

Time to learn the system from the inside

The earliest home site and scene of a car wash is when a toddler picks up a sponge, dips it in a bucket and helps wash the family car. When a parent holds the hose, spraying the car and kids – the work of a car wash becomes fun.

Yet, it seems that past Saturday chore times are being wrung out.

Another popular site and scene is a fundraising car wash. These often charitable, labor-intensive work efforts benefit and bless countless organizations for worthy causes. But, before that event happens, hours of preliminary work takes place: organizing vol-unteers, finding a good traffic spot with avail-able water outlets, publicity, buying cleaning supplies, welcoming cars, ushering vehicles through the car wash brigade and then after-ward, the all-important cleanup.

Other common sites, scenes and sounds of car wash businesses are in nearly every town and definitely in all cities complete with auto-mated car wash systems and helpful operators. Vehicles glide through multiple sprays. Huge-fettuccini-like sponges swath soap. Minutes later there is a royal rinse. Seconds later there

is a mammoth blow-dry. Then your vehicle slides out of the tunnel sparkling clean.

The earliest industrial, car wash site and scene began in Detroit, Michigan in 1914, where the first cars were pushed through a garage and hand washed. That car washing idea became so popular that within decades more businesses opened up. Over the years more developments included the automatic conveyor-belt systems, soap sprayers, brushes and powerful blow dryers, and even car wax options.

Back on a local level, every time we glide through an automatic car wash – especially when sponges are washing the windshield and side windows – a unique car washing memory surfaces.

It happened years ago. After taking a dear, deaf senior friend on errands, I told her that I’d like to get my car washed. Although we often communicated through writing, this time “car wash” seemed easy to explain. So with my limited sign language ability I signed: “Car. Wash.” (I tried hand washing gestures for wash and steering wheel motions to show driving.) She nodded her head in approval.

And, as always she appeared eager to learn something new.

Sitting beside me in the front seat, she enjoyed every moment. Surprised! Delighted! Amazed at sponges, soaps, water streams and a vibrating blow dry! As my little car glided along, we giggled like young girls in a pool of puddles.

But, the most unusual car wash episode thankfully has not happened. Well, not yet.

After going through a local, fully automat-ed car wash recently, the conversation flowed something like this:

“The car looks so much better! The green pollen that was all over the windshield is gone!” said The Hub.

“Great. And, every time we go through a car wash, I remember how Janie liked it.”

“Great memories! ‘Been thinkin’… Maybe on the next hot, humid day – if we dressed for the occasion – we could open the car windows …”

Roof-raising laughter exploded at such an improbable thought. But the imagined shower, shampoo and massive blow dry was absolute-ly hilarious. And, thus an imagined car wash scenario inspired the sites and scenes of a car wash.

Sharing the sites and scenes of a car wash

GUESTc o l u m n i s t

Joan E. B. Coombs

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

www.warenewsonline.com

(Plus Supplements)

Vol. 130 No. 2 16 Pages

$31 PER YEAR - $1.00 A COPY

USPS 666100

SERVING THE WARE REGION FOR 129 YEARS

• LOCAL NEWS LOCAL STORIES LOCAL ADVERTISERS •

By Sloane M. PerronStaff writerWARE – Baystate Health has

proposed merging Mary Lane

Hospital and Wing Hospital, with

in-patient services to be at Wing and

out-patient services to be at Mary

Lane Hospital. Michael Moran, a

Baystate Health officer, was recently

appointed to be president of Baystate

Health’s Eastern Region, which

includes the two hospitals, and the

Ware River News interviewed him

on the subject of the merger.

WRN: Please explain the fac-tors that led Baystate to decide combining the hospitals would be the best option going forward.

A: The changes we’re proposing in Ware and Palmer are not unique.

Similar changes are underway in

many organizations as part of the

evolution of our country’s approach

to healthcare. Bringing the two

facilities onto a single license

while maintaining a strong comple-ment of services in each location

allows us to provide the most value

and the broadest array of services

for the region. Rather than hav-ing duplicate services a short distance apart, we’d like to offer as wide an array of services as pos-sible between the two locations. In addition, a single license allows for a single team to care for the patients in our com-munities.

W R N : P l e a s e describe Baystate’s commitment to Mary Lane’s emergency room and how

long it will stay open.A: We’re committed to maintaining the cur-rent emergency services at Baystate Mary Lane as long as there is appro-priate demand for those services. We’ve heard the community’s concerns about the emergency room and made a commit-ment of at least two years; that doesn’t necessarily mean that anything will

change after two year

but we do need to acknowledge

that, as with all services, we need

to provide a level of service that

matches the demand.WRN: Some feel Baystate has not tried hard enough to recruit

enough doctors, particularly general

practitioners to Mary Lane. You’ve

publicly mentioned that Baystate

will work on attracting doctors to

Mary Lane. How are you going to

do that and what type of dare you going t

By Eileen KennedyStaff wri

Baystate Health president talks about merger

Mark Moran Quaboag Coalition hosts

W e are excited to announce that starting in our March 3rd issue of the Ware River News, we will once again be including news of Warren and West Warren. The March 3rd and 10th issues of the Ware River News will be mailed forfree to every hoW

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$31/Year | $36 Out-of-State

July 23, 2020, Ware River News, Page 5

anterbury Tails is a full service Veterinary Clinic providing the highest standard of care to Ware and its surrounding communities.

Our clinic is currently accepting new patients. We provide care to dogs, cats and most exotic animals such as reptiles, pocket pets and rabbits. It is our goal to provide a fear free, positive visit for our patients and their owners. We are looking forward to meeting you and your pet.

40 East Main Street, Ware, MA413-967-4545

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C

Works Director Gilbert St. George-Sorel said there were two things that had to happen during the meet-ing.

“One, this board has to declare this building a nuisance and a dan-ger and it has to be taken down, and two, a Special Town Meeting has to be scheduled so it can be taken down,” he said. How the town will pay for the building to come down if it has to do so will have to be explored, he said, should the owners not demolish it.

St. George-Sorel said town officials continue to talk about the problem but no action has been taken. “This building must come down,” he said. “We’ve heard these stories over and over and over again.” He was referring to owners saying they had plans for the building, which have not been acted upon.

“They need unfettered access to the building so they can execute their contract,” he said of Ludlow Construction.

When Barenboym asked what would happen if the owners did not take the building down, Beckley said the town would demolish the building and put a lien on the prop-erty for the cost of the demolition.

Barenboym said the structural engineer he sent out most recently said the building might be beyond saving as more than 20 percent of it is in poor condition, but said the foundation is not failing.

It is unclear how the town will pay for it if the owner does not move forward with demolish-ing it. SelectBoard member Keith Kruckas said it should be deter-mined if there is insurance on the building and if there is, it should be tapped to take it down.

Kruckas also said numerous

times during the meeting that the problem building should have been dealt with long ago.

102 Main St�Marques also reported to the

board that she has contacted Duk Ha, the owner of 102 Main St., which is on the other side of 114 Main St. He told her in a week or two he will provide access to the

building so she can determine its condition. The SelectBoard asked Beckley at the last two meetings to determine the condition of the Hitchcock Building’s other neigh-bors.

The building at 102 Main is the building with the Workshop13 community art in the shape of wings, and it is connected to the building with the white door at 100 Main St.

Readers, local merchants, institutions, municipalities, non-profit groups, and civic organizations are strongly encouraged to send us their hometown news and photos.

• News items and press releases should be sent in an email to the news editor at ekennedy@turley.com as either an MS Word document attachment saved as text only, or pasted directly into your email message screen. Be sure to include who, what,

when, where and why in the submission, preferably writ-ten in the third person unless it is a first person letter to the editor or guest column.

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Turley Publications file photo SelectBoard members declared the Hitchcock Building a nuisance and a danger Tuesday, and ordered its owner to demolish it.

BUILDING from page 1

week at Ruggles Lane Elementary School. She said it was a clean-ing and safety challenge for plants and facilities and nursing staffs. She said Kristen Campione, director of student services, did an outstanding effort to get this up and running on short notice. Before anyone was allowed into the building, they had to answer no to five COVID-related ques-tions. The school set up an iso-lation room and a nurse was on duty. Every staff person had train-ing. There was only one student per van unless the students were family members. The program included three hours per day and alternated between in-person and remote learning.

Muir said she and staff used ideas for in-school learning from the district’s strategic plan, looked at survey data and considered staff and student safety. She said DESE required three-foot distancing for full in-person instruction and that students must all face in the same direction. Students stay in the classroom, with teachers being the ones to move from classroom to classroom. It included no shar-ing of student learning materials. There would be less opportuni-

ty for teacher collaboration and small group instruction. She said in-person learning was the ideal method of learning. She said the district would offer full remote learning for those families that opt not to send students because of health issues or for other reasons.

She said staff have been mea-suring classroom space and mov-ing furniture, and all the schools would have room to accommodate three foot distancing, but not six-foot distancing. Most classrooms could get 20 to 23 students. She said DESE had not yet released transportation guidelines. The education commissioner asked superintendents not to make rec-ommendations on types of learn-ing until the end of July, prefera-bly in August.

Muir said the remote learn-ing would be different from the remote learning that occurred from March to June. Fall remote learning would have more “live” teacher learning as well as a par-ent-learning component. She said some students were more engaged with remote learning. Supervision and teacher evaluation was diffi-cult with remote learning. DESE was working on a remote learn-ing curriculum platform and it just sent out a request for proposal last

week. The school district placed an order for Chrome Books for all students. However, all students do not have Internet access. Muir said the effectiveness of remote learning for young children was not clear. She said many families found remote learning difficult and it involved a lot of responsi-bility for parents.

The hybrid model would put students in school part-time, and participating remotely the rest of the time. She said students would be placed into two groups, but the district did not have a model yet of how the groups would be formed. She said parent survey responses wanted all family mem-bers on the same schedule. She said a remote learning day would be a full day like the in-school time. The superintendent said the strength of the hybrid model put fewer students in school at one time, thus reducing exposure to COVID-19.

Muir said she planned to estab-lish small task forces to address issues. The task forces would include parents, students, com-munity members and School Committee members. QRSD com-mittee chair “Lee” Wolanin said he would like School Committee members on all the task forces.

QUABBIN from page 1

MONSON – Jul ie t Rose Pottery will be celebrating their 16th annual exhibit and sale, T-Pots & Tings, from Aug. 7 to Aug. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in their gardens at 191 Reimers Road. The exclusively outdoor show will feature many new and original ceramic pieces. This year, visitors are invited to enjoy the renovated Japanese Garden and a brand new circular garden.

There is no charge for the exhibit. Visitors are asked to keep a six-foot social distance and wear masks to ensure safety in an out-door setting.

For more information visit Juliet Rose Pottery on Facebook, call 413-563-9916 or go online to electroencephalography.

Turley Publications courtesy photo Juliet Bacchas and Linda Spelko with an original ceramic vase designed by Spelko for the T-Pots & Tings annual exhibit at its studio in August.

Annual T-Pots & Tings August exhibit and sale

SPRINGFIELD – There is a new international debate surround-ing COVID-19 and the spread of the infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health organizations have long thought that the novel coronavirus is spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact within one another or approximately six feet. This spread is through respiratory droplets produced when an infected per-son coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths, noses or eyes of people who are nearby or be inhaled into the lungs. Some recent studies have suggest-ed that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Now in a letter sent to the World Health Organization signed by over 200 scientists, they claim that aero-solized droplets floating in the air can cause infection. They urged WHO to react to what they claim is “mounting evidence.”

“They are raising the specter that COVID-19 could theoretical-ly be transmitted by the airborne route,” said Dr. Sarah Haessler, lead epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist for Baystate Health.

Aerosols are small particles that

can remain suspended in air for longer periods of time than most respiratory secretions and are small and light enough to some-times travel longer distances. Certain viruses such as smallpox and measles, and bacteria, such as the agent that causes tuberculosis, are expelled as aerosols and can therefore be transmitted by the “airborne route.”

Most respiratory viruses are transmitted by the “droplet” route, which means that they are expelled as larger particles that are heavier and fall to the ground in a span of three to six feet from an infect-ed person. This is from where the social distancing recommendation of six feet derives, noted Haessler. For these agents, a facemask is appropriate protection (along with eye coverings, gloves, gowns, etc. especially for healthcare workers).

“In the hospital, we use a spe-cial type of respirator mask called N95, which is required for protec-tion when treating patients whose viruses can become aerosolized,” said Haessler.

According to Haessler, the letter to WHO predominantly represents the opinion of laboratory scientists and researchers, many of whom are from “particle science” and other engineering-type disciplines and basic, but importantly not clinical –

science positions.“While it may be accurate that

under certain laboratory condi-tions, the COVID-19 virus can form aerosols, there is scant data to present to suggest that this infec-tion is generally transmitted that way,” said Haessler.

“In fact, the preponderance of actual clinical and epidemiologic information – including data from or own experiences at Baystate over the past four months of the pandemic – strongly suggest that this virus is primarily transmitted by respiratory droplets,” she said.

Haessler has reassurance for the public who may have read about the debate and the letter sent to WHO, and who are worried about their protection from the virus.

“Universal masking, hand hygiene and social distancing are still the main ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 since clinical data strongly suggests the virus is mainly transmitted through respi-ratory droplets, as we have known since the early beginnings of the novel coronavirus data,” she said.

“To further stop the virus and protect yourselves and others, remember to wear a mask when around others, keep a safe distance from others, cover your coughs and sneezes, and to wash your hands often,” she said.

COVID-19 debate:Is the virus transmitted by respiratory droplets or by aerosolized droplets?

Page 6, Ware River News, July 23, 2020

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NOTICEERRORS: Each advertis-er is requested to check their advertisement the first time it appears. This paper will not be responsible for more than one corrected in-sertion, nor will be li-able for any error in an advertisement to a greater extent than the cost of the space occu-pied by the item in the advertisement.

Local nonprofit welcomes 21 dogs to Massachusetts

NORTH BROOKFIELD – Second Chance Animal Services was at Worcester Regional Airport this week to greet 21 dogs escap-ing overcrowded shelters across the country. The dogs, ranging in size from chihuahua mixes to lab mixes were welcomed by Second Chance staff right on the tarmac and trav-eled to the nonprofit’s Almost Home Facility to begin their new lives in the Bay State.

Each dog will complete a 48-hour state mandated quarantine and will be checked out by Second Chance Shelter Veterinarian Dr. Jackie Celmer. Celmer will give them a thorough checkup including bloodwork, update their vaccines and will spay or neuter any dogs that haven’t already been fixed. She keeps an eye out for any medical issues the dogs may be suffering from to make sure they are healthy before she clears them for adop-

tion. Pets with more extensive med-ical issues are often sent to Second Chance. With three nonprofit hos-pitals, they have the resources to help pets that would face a grim outcome at an overcrowded shelter.

CEO Sheryl Blancato said she was excited to welcome Second Chance’s first air transport since the pandemic began. “We saw so many adoptions happen as the stay-at-home restrictions were put in place and it was amazing to see our pets find loving homes, but we worried about all the at-risk pets who wouldn’t be able to get to us with travel restrictions,” she said. “They truly need us.”

Blancato said the dogs will be transferred to the adoption cen-ter in East Brookfield to wait to meet their new owners over the next week. Interested adopters are advised to watch the Second Chance website for more informa-tion on the dogs and resist the urge to call. The phones have been ring-ing off the hook at the Adoption Center, where staff are unable to answer any questions on the dogs because they haven’t met them yet.

This lifesaving mission was coordinated by Wings of Rescue and the ASPCA for Second Chance’s transport program. Those wishing to donate toward the dogs’ care can make a donation online at secondchancenanimals.org, on the Second Chance Facebook page or by mail to PO Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01515.

Second Chance is a nonprofit 501c3 tax exempt organization that began in 1999 in East Brookfield and relies solely on donations from grants to operate. The organiza-tion operates an adoption center in East Brookfield, community veteri-nary hospitals in North Brookfield, Springfield and Worcester. Second Chance helps over 40,000 pets a year through adoption, spay/neuter, veterinary care, community out-reach, educational outreach pro-grams, training and a pet food pan-try.

For more information, visit Second Chance’s website at www.secondchanceanimals.org.

Turley Publications courtesy photo Dogs being unloaded from Wings of Rescue plane for the first time since the COVID-19 restrictions went in place.

At-risk dogs can find forever homes through Second Chance

WARE — The Ware Lions Club started their summer concert series at Grenville Park, 73 Church St., last Thursday with the 70s trib-

ute band Midnight Special. S o c i a l d i s t a n c i n g wa s observed and attendees were limited to 100.

This Thursday, July 23,

Nashville Blue will play from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Grenville Park and on July 30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sidetracked will play.

Summer sounds start up

The band Midnight Special kicked off the Lions Club summer concert series last Thursday at Grenville Park.

Dave and Mary Gravel move to the grooves of Midnight Special.

Jeanne Odiorne, a Lions Club officer, at left, enjoys the concert.

Turley Publications staff photos by Paula Ouimette

Even dogs love the summer concerts at Grenville Park.Folks came out for the first Lions Club summer concert last

Thursday in Grenville Park.

Midnight Special kicks off the summer concerts in Grenville Park.

July 23, 2020, Ware River News, Page 7

acebook.com/turleysports@turleysportssports@turley.com

SPORTSacebook.com/turleysports@turleysportsdforbes@turley.com

A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com SEND US YOUR SPORTS SUBMISSIONS www.sports.turley.com

Field hockey could be a sport that could resume as it was not on the governor’s list of “at-risk” activities.

By Gregory A. Scibelligscibelli@turley.com

REGION – Earlier this year, the high school and college sports worlds were ruined by the cancel-lation of all spring sports at each level, ranging up through Division 1 schools, and professional sports.

There always seemed to be an optimism at the time that sports would be able to resume without an issue this fall and at the high school level in Massachusetts, athletic directors planned a fall schedule, much like they do each spring as most schedules are made out a season in advance.

But as the summer rages on with next to no activity and sports like soccer and football banned (for having games) despite Massachusetts’ improved situation compared to the rest of the coun-try, now fall sports seem to be in doubt.

Several New England colleges and universities have declared that fall sports are postponed due to the recent spikes throughout the rest of the country and concerns over interstate travel and the lack of a vaccine which guarantees the stop of an overwhelming spread of COVID-19.

Massachusetts, as of last week, still maintains a positive test rate of less than 2 percent, but the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is still having to consider the potential impact of allowing high school athletes back on fields, especially with soccer and football contests barred at the amateur level.

The ban does not specifically affect high school players, and the MIAA is working with the gover-nor’s office on guidance.

The MIAA’s board of direc-tors, which recently changed some of its membership around due to re-districting, was scheduled to meet earlier this week to discuss a potential start date for fall sports.

Ludlow High School Athletic Director Tim Brillo was a former

member of the Board of Directors, but lost his seat on July 1 with the re-districting.

“I’m not on the board anymore, but I am hopeful that we will be able to have a fall season,” said Brillo.

While Massachusetts is still on a good trajectory with a low infec-tion rate, fear of a spike or a “sec-ond wave” if too much activity is allowed, is what is driving some decisions about whether to allow athletics and whether or not some school will involve remote learn-ing this fall.

Agawam High School Athletic Director David Stratton said there are other restrictions he will have to contend with. While there is no interstate travel involved, travel is going to be limited.

“We’re only allowed to have a certain number of kids on the buses at a time,” said Stratton. “That could limit our ability to have JV games on the road.”

Will high schools be able to play fall sports?

File photosWith football currently banned at the amateur level, will Western Mass. high school football commence in September?

Barre hurler throws gem

BARRE – Nicholas Farrell is a member of the 16U Double Play Invaders out of Leicester, MA. He recently pitched a perfect game in a tournament. The game played at Methuen HIgh School against the JSP Prospects was a total team effort. As every out was made in the field. Teammates Seth Larson (right field), Andy Sansone (2nd base) and Farrell himself made incredible plays to keep the perfect game going. Farrell needed only 50 pitches (33 strikes, 17 balls) to secure the 10-0 win. Mill City Tournaments takes place in the Lowell and surrounding towns. Its goal is to give elite teams a chance to compete in a tournament atmo-sphere.

Submitted photosNicholas Farrell holds the game ball after pitching a perfect game during a recent tournament.

Farrell pitches at Methuen High School. He is a resident of Barre.

Soccer was barred for the summer, with the PVSSL canceling its sea-son. MIAA officials are discussing this week whether soccer can be played this fall.

WINCHESTER, N.H. – Brian Robie (Sunapee, NH) topped a big field of NHSTRA Modifieds Saturday, July 18, charging from row four to score his first win of the season at Monadnock Speedway. Hillary Renaud (Vernon, VT), mean-while, led all the way to earn her first season victory in the ultra-com-petitive Street Stocks.

And, while Renaud was busy scoring her first victory lane cele-bration, Late Model Sportsman star

Aaron Fellows (Croydon, VT) stayed perfect on the year, using a late-race pass to overcome his strongest challenge of the summer en route to victory lane. Vermont pilot Matt Sonnhalter (White River Junction, VT) wired the nightcap 50-lap Mini Stock event.

There are few sounds in life that come close to that made by a big field of Modifieds thundering atop the blacktop in pursuit of Saturday night glory. That thunder is heard

weekly at Monadnock Speedway, where, Saturday, Matt Kimball and Rob Richardi led the 18-car Modified field to battle.

Kimball, gunning to turn a sea-son-long hard luck run around, jumped all over the lead as the 40-lapper went green. Richardi stayed glued to his bumper, with defending track king Todd Patnode quickly entering the hunt.

By lap ten, Patnode held the deuce spot, while two-time 2020

winner Ben Byrne was rocketing up to third. Coming from row five, Byrne took the three-spot on lap 14 but he and Patnode’s battle would be a short one. Coming quickly onto a cloud of lappers on lap 18, the potent pair came together, ending Patnode’s night early for the second week in a row and sending Byrne to the rear.

The turn-one tangle brought Robie alongside Kimball on the restart and, two laps later, he had the point, then dashing off to victo-

ry just ahead of the second-genera-tion hot shoe, with Byrne charging back through the pack to finish third on the night. Robie’s victory moved him to the top of the points parade.

The Curtis twins, Chase and Jaret, did all they could to keep Hillary Renaud from taking her first career Street Stock victory lap but, on this night, the Vernon, VT. driver could not be stopped.

Chase Curtis was all over her back bumper for most of the race,

sometimes even bumping it, without finding a path to the point, while brother Jaret did the same due dili-gence in his shadow. With the white flag in the air, Jaret rocketed low through turn two to claim the deuce, then watching Renaud flash under the checkers just ahead of him. Chris Buffone was fourth on the night, and Mike Radzuik rounded out the top

Robie gets win in modified race, Sonhalter captures mini-stock battle 

WESTFIELD –  Westfield S t a t e U n ive r s i t y a t h l e t i c s announced that the Owls will not have intercollegiate compe-tition for fall sports teams in the Fall 2020 season, in conjunction with the announcement from the

league’s Council of Presidents on Thursday, July 16, 2020 that the entire Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) will not compete in fall sports programs.

The Owls’ fall sports teams

(football, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, volleyball, men’s and women’s cross coun-try and men’s and women’s golf) will have the ability to practice on campus while utilizing the NCAA Resocialization of Sport

Guidelines.“I am extremely disappointed

to have to announce to our stu-dent-athletes and families that our fall season teams will not have the opportunity to play intercollegiate games this fall,” said athletics

director Richard Lenfest, Jr.  “The COVID-19 pandemic has had an extreme impact on public health, and ultimately we need to take the

Mass� State Collegiate Athletic Conference suspends fall sports programs

Matt Sonhalter picks up the win in the mini-stock race Brian Robie came out on top in the NHSTRA Modified race. Aaron Fellows was a winner in the Late Model Sportsman race.

Please see FALL, page 8

Please see RACES, page 8

Please see SUSPENDED, page 9

Page 8, Ware River News, July 23, 2020

Warren Police Log

public safetyEditor’s Note: People

in this country are pre-sumed to be innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Police pro-vide us with the informa-tion you read on this page as public record informa-tion. If you or any sus-pect listed here is found not guilty or has charges dropped or reduced, we will gladly print that information as a fol-low-up upon being pre-sented with documented proof of the court’s final disposition.

Monday, July 136:40 p.m. Alarm Burglar

Osborne Road – Se rv i ces Rendered

7:19 p.m. Fraud North Street – Services Rendered

10:24 p.m. Suspicious Activity/Person Cherry Street – Services Rendered

10 :43 p .m . D i s tu rbance Fisherdick Road – Services Rendered

10:55 p.m. Suspicious Activity/Person Monson Turnpike Road – Area Searched Negative Find

Tuesday, July 143:48 a.m. Alarm Burglar West

Street – Services Rendered11:04 a.m. Parking Complaint

Pulaski Street – Services Rendered11:46 a.m. Alarm Burglar Park

Avenue – Services Rendered12:40 p.m. Ambulance Request

Palmer Road – Services Rendered1:21 p.m. Ambulance Request

North Street – Services Rendered4:06 p.m. Accident, Vehicle

Monson Turnp ike Road – Investigated, Report Filed

5:17 p.m. Disturbance River Road – Advised Civil Action

5:53 p.m. Disturbance West Street – Referred to Other Agency

7 : 1 0 p . m . D i s t u r b a n c e Fisherd ick Road – Arres t , Misdemeanor Charge

8:33 p.m. Welfare Check Valley View – Services Rendered

8:46 p.m. Alarm Burglar Gould Road – Services Rendered

10:30 p.m. Suspicious Activity/Person Monson Turnpike Road – Area Searched Negative Find

Wednesday, July 157:10 a.m. Ambulance Request

Dugan Road – Referred to Other Agency

8:28 a.m. Abandoned, 911 Call South Street – Services Rendered

8:33 a.m. Ambulance Request Hil lside Vil lage – Services Rendered

9:15 a.m. Motor Vehicle Violation Pulaski Street – Written Warning

10:45 a.m. Motor Vehicle Violation Church Street – Written Warning

10:47 a.m. Motor Vehicle Violation East Street – Written Warning

5:34 p.m. Erratic Operator Complaint West Warren Road – Area Searched Negative Find

5:41 p.m. Disturbance Otis Avenue – Services Rendered

6:05 p.m. Larceny, Theft R e p o r t P a r k Av e n u e – Investigation Pending

7:41 p.m. Suspicious Activity/Person Warebrook Drive – Services Rendered

10:33 p.m. Suspicious Activity/Person Monson Turnpike Road – Area Searched Negative Find

Thursday, July 161:05 a.m. Ambulance Request

North Street – Referred to Other Agency

6:39 a.m. Alarm Burglar West Street – False Alarm

9:57 a.m. Ambulance Request Walker Road – Services Rendered

1:07 p.m. Alarm Burglar Greenwich Plains Road – Services Rendered

1:29 p.m. Fraud Greenwich Plains Road – Services Rendered

5:29 p.m. Sudden Death Report North Street – Investigated, Report Filed

6:11 p.m. Erratic Operator Compla in t Pa lmer Road – Referred to Other Agency

7:35 p.m. Alarm Burglar B