Survey Results Shed Light on Economic Goals
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Mailed free to requesting homes in Webster, Dudley and the Oxfords 508-764-4325 COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.STONEBRIDGEPRESS.COM Friday, December 1, 2017 Survey results shed light on economic goals BY JASON BLEAU came around rather quickly some thought into their com- cultural land, and creating a survey seeking input into how TIMES CORRESPONDENT was we were trying to get about ments, questions, and answers restaurant district. The survey the town should handle such DUDLEY – The results are in 10 hours out of the Central and I want to thank them for also asked questions specific businesses in the future. Briare for Dudley’s recent economic Massachusetts Regional doing that. It’s only because to economic development and said voters seemed open-mind- development survey, and now Planning Commission. They of them that we kind of know education spending going for- ed as to how these businesses town officials will examine had 10 hours invested in what to do going forward.” ward among other major topics are managed, especially with the results to determine the a public forum. As a board, Around 93.45 percent of of consideration. “That’s what the growing market for online best course of progression as we decided that we wanted the submissions came from our plan is going to focus on sales. Voters also showed sup- the Economic Development CMRPC to spend that extra 10 Dudley residents who collec- and the good news is, it was port for bed and breakfasts in Committee formulates a five- hours not on a public forum, tively listed the education sys- in sync with what we’ve been the town but presented mixed year plan. but researching what’s the tem, low taxes and the natural hearing along the way,” Briare reactions to limitations mari- The survey ran through best way to get our agricultur- habitat among Dudley’s great- said. “This just gave us some juana dispensaries in the com- the month of October and in al lands out of hibernation and est assets. Among the major confirmation on what we’d munity. early November Economic what programs are available. weaknesses were a lack of local been hearing - The common One “elephant in the room” Development Committee Chair We still wanted formal public jobs, few recreational opportu- theme here is not maintenance, as Briare called it, was the John Briare presented the find- opinion, so we created the sur- nities, and the location. but improvement. People want questions about whether or ing to selectmen with 229 sub- vey,” Briare told selectmen. Top priorities for econom- to see that happen.” not Dudley should examine missions recorded throughout “The people of Dudley really ic development from the sur- One of the major topics on embracing a separate tax bill, the length of the survey. talk quality. A lot of people vey included revitalizing West the survey was the acceptance effectively creating two bills, really took their time and put Main Street, reusing agri- of home occupations, with the “The reason why the survey Turn To SURVEY page A10 Shepherd Hill earns the gold at national championship BY JASON BLEAU VILLAGER CORRESPONDENT DUDLEY – The members of the Shepherd Hill marching band have come home cham- pions after several hard fought Jason Bleau photo competitions spanning the best of New England and beyond. The Black Stones perform The Wall as part of their interpretation of Pink Floyd’s concept album. After receiving perfect scores and a gold medal in the Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association finals in October, the band has won and even bigger honor, first place in their division Black Stones bring in the US Bands National Championship in New Jersey over Veterans Day weekend. The band competed in an event with more than 50 bands The Wall to life from across the country at Metlife Stadium, and repeat- Courtesy photos BY JASON BLEAU The band has previously performed The ed past success by taking the TIMES CORRESPONDENT Beatles “Abby Road,” “Tommy” by The Members of the Shepherd Hill band Turn To SHEPHERD HILL page A15 WEBSTER – For years a local group of Who, and “Led Zeppelin II” by Led Zeppelin. mug a bit with the trophy. Blackstone Valley teenagers has worked to However, lead singer Monahan explained bring classic and legendary albums to life The Wall might be the most challenging and on Saturday, Nov. 26 the band known as work they have tried to capture. the Black Stones tackled possibly the most “It originally started off as maybe we are challenging album to date, Pink Floyd’s leg- going to play ‘The Wall’ and we’ll have a endary 1979 double album “The Wall.” wall there. Then it just kept getting bigger The band is composed of five members, and bigger and now we have this whole vocalist and guitarist Joey Monahan, key- setup with sound effects and lights. It’s just boardist and vocalist Vito Caccavelli, bassist, awesome. It went from us in a basement just vocalist and mandolin player Nick Bernier, playing ‘Abby Road’ all the way to setting out guitarist, saxophonist and vocalist James a whole show. It’s been awesome,” Monahan Briand, and Jesse Mosczynski on drums said. and vocals. All five are 21 years of age or The band called it one of the biggest shows younger and have made a habit of utilizing they’ve ever done considering it was a sold past iconic works or rock legends to perform their shows. Turn To BLACK STONES page A10 Courtesy photos Kicking off this year’s campaign by setting up the thermometer at Webster town hall including representatives of United Way Agencies, United Way President Bill Keefe, Executive Director Janet Scheffler and Webster Town Administrator Douglas Willardson. Investigation results United Way kicks off in hefty settlement its 2017 campaign BOSTON — A Dudley employees for — and keep prop- imum wage, hindrance, and The United Way of Webster Town Administrator Doug contract packager of aero- er records of — the time they paystub violations, for which and Dudley is entering its 52nd Willardson appeared for a sol containers and the U.S. spent putting on and removing the company will pay more year of service to the commu- photo op in front of the empty Department of Labor have safety equipment required for than $564,000 in wages and pen- nity. goal thermometer on the lawn reached a settlement agree- their jobs. The FLSA requires alties. “Our local United Way rais- at Webster Town Hall on ment resolving alleged vio- that employees receive one- “This cooperative feder- es funds in a community wide Friday Nov. 3 and then headed lations of the federal Fair and-one-half times their regu- al-state effort and the result- appeal and helps to fund 17 up to Gentex Optics in Dudley Labor Standards Act. Shield lar rates of pay for hours they ing settlements compensate health and human service part- for the annual Campaign Kick- Packaging Co. Inc. has paid work beyond 40 in a workweek these employees for wages they ners that provide support to Off Breakfast. $210,227 and an equal amount and that employers maintain rightfully earned but did not over 7,000 Webster and Dudley Gentex Optics hosts the in liquidated damages to 205 accurate records of employees’ receive. As the Department of residents each year. We can breakfast each year that brings employees and pledged future wages and work hours. Labor enforces the Fair Labor only accomplish this task with together agency partners, compliance with the FLSA. The Division’s investigation Standards Act, we encourage the help and generosity of the United Way directors and key The Department’s Wage was part of a joint enforcement all employers to take advan- donors who live and work here campaign volunteers. Director and Hour Division found that effort with the Fair Labor tage of the Division’s education and believe in the work we do” of plant operations Bill Van the company failed to pay the Division of the Massachusetts and outreach efforts to help noted Executive Director Janet Wieren greeted guests and employees overtime based on Attorney General’s office. The them understand their respon- Scheffler. thanked them for all they do their regular pay rates between state’s investigation identified sibilities and how to properly To mark the start of the to help support the people and April 1, 2015, and Oct. 31, 2016. alleged violations of state laws comply with the law,” said the annual appeal agency repre- families of the community. The company also failed to pay including failure to pay min- sentatives along with Webster Turn To INVESTIGATION page A15 Turn To UNITED WAY page A10 2 • THE WEBSTER TIMES • Friday, December 1, 2017 www.StonebridgePress.com TIME CAPSULES Our CHRISTMAS CONCERT with a free-will offering being collected during the Christmas To help bring in the season of Advent, come to concert. Following the performance there will be a Gift to you our annual Christmas Concert, filled with holiday reception downstairs in Jacob’s Hall, providing a $50 Gift Card favorites of days gone by, as well as contemporary time for socializing while enjoying delicious treats for Only $40 pieces of joy, love and peace. Step away from the provided by members of the church. Save the date! Till 12/24/17 Christmas madness and be filled with a true sense TREE LIGHTING of the reason for the season. Join us on Sunday, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Wednesday, Dec. 17th, 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of our church, Dec. 6, at 6 pm. at the Dudley Municipal Complex, The First Congregational Church of Dudley at 135 Center Road.