Shepherd Hill
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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, July 6, 2018 Emergency services reassure seniors concerning medical issues BY GUS STEEVES are not a burden,” because such care is for what TIMES CORRESPONDENT ambulance crews are trained. WEBSTER – Nobody likes to call 911, seniors McKenna, a Leominster firefighter and EMT probably most of all. spoke as part of the Sheriff’s Senior Summer “You come from a different generation. You used Celebration event at Webster Senior Center recent- to be able to take care of yourselves,” said Shawn ly. Alongside him, several dozen seniors learned McKenna of the Sheriff’s Department. While some about heart health during aging and the impor- younger people overreact to minor medical issues, tance of humor in healing, played a couple rounds seniors often feel “embarrassed” to call for help of of “safety bingo,” spent time browsing tables of any kind, he noted. information on senior-related services, and dined But since many medical issues can be hard to on breakfast pastries and an Italian lunch. clearly identify, McKenna urged seniors to call From his experience, McKenna said the most 911 if they experience pain, dizziness, changes in common injuries EMTs see among seniors typ- motor skills and balance, or a variety of other signs ically come from falls – head trauma, wrist and that might indicate a serious medical issue. ankle sprains, and fractures. But he urged people “Raise your hand if you have X-ray vision,” he to pay attention to a wide range of health signs, asked. Obviously, no one did, to which he added, particularly those affecting the “holy triumvirate” “I was hoping someone would. Because we’d get of heart, brain and lungs, and “be very, very cau- Gus Steeves photos together and make a lot of money.” tious about dizziness, especially if it’s coupled with Seniors check out the table of one of the many services who partic- Until that happens, emergency medical services pain.” ipated, as seen through a window. via 911 remain the best way to get checked out, and he reminded those present a few times that “you Turn To SENIORS, page A3 Town Buildings come in pieces and parts BY GUS STEEVES meeting OKs STONEBRIDGE CORRESPONDENT CHARLTON – How do you move a building? If it’s made of Legos or Lincoln Logs, it’s no big deal. But if it’s made of three 70-ton sections of con- pot and other crete, the answer is very, very carefully. That’s what contractors at Buffumville spent their day doing recently, as the park closed for the week to install new bathrooms. In previous generations, changes they’d have built them on site, but in this case the new building was made in a factory and shipped here BY GUS STEEVES on three big trucks. TIMES CORRESPONDENT Trucking them here was the (relatively) easy part. WEBSTER – In a vote that was among “A lot of thought goes into the calculations,” mostly the shortest of the evening and with no on computers, necessary to transfer those sections to debate, town meeting voters approved their final location, Army Corps of Engineers Safety 90-30 amending the town’s marijua- Officer Kane Turmelle said. While watching makes it na moratorium before it expires this look easy, even stately, that apparent ease requires December. a lot of basic physics based on multiple load charts Town Administrator Doug that show how much mass the crane can handle at Willardson told the roughly 125 meet- various distances, how fast it can turn safely, how Gus Steeves photos ing attendees doing so would allow the much weight it needs for balance, and other issues. town’s existing medical pot grower, Workers orient the section to the rest of the building. Curaleaf, to also grow for the recre- Turn To BUILDINGS, page A12 ational market, since it already has town approval. Any other firm seeking to do so, however, would still have to go through the formal process, including Shepherd Hill auditorium to be renamed getting a letter of support or non-oppo- sition from the selectmen and Planning BY JASON BLEAU where Desto revealed an official letter Desto said it is the first time in Board hearings. The town’s recreation- STONEBRIDGE CORRESPONDENT announcing the upcoming change was his tenure with the district that he al zoning bylaw should be complete by After much deliberation, the Dudley- sent out on June 5. Committee mem- received such a request. Normally indi- the year’s end, he said. Charlton Regional School District has bers made the decision on the change viduals are honored posthumously for That vote was by far the closest one made good on a request from a parent during a meeting on May 23 in a unani- their contributions, but Galli is a rare of the hour-long meeting. Curiously, to change the name of the auditorium mous decision. individual who will be alive to see her because of a technicality (Moderator in Shepherd Hill Regional High School “The Constance V. Galley Auditorium name adorn a room in a building where Thomas Ralph didn’t get the Planning to honor a now retired teacher long will be officially unveiled at a ceremo- she has spent many of her professional Board’s report beforehand), voters associated with the school’s success. ny at a later date,” Desto read from a years teaching. actually got a second bite at the apple. In June Superintendent Greg Desto letter sent to Galli informing her of the “It’s not frequent because I think After Ralph read it into the record (the officially announced the renaming of honor. “This decision to forever link people generally understand that this board voted unanimously approve the the school’s auditorium, a location of (Galli) to the Shepherd Hill Auditorium isn’t something that you do lightly,” change), he called for a re-vote, and it numerous musical productions and where she served so well and with dis- Desto said. “There is, on occasion, a passed 92-25. even town meetings, to the Constance tinction was spurred by a heartfelt let- person who comes along who has had Later, a bylaw prohibiting public V. Galli Auditorium. Known to stu- ter written to the committee by a music such an unusual impact on a particular consumption of marijuana “anywhere dents and staff as Connie Galli, the parent and colleague. The committee part of the school district that this is former music teacher was present for did not make its decision lightly as Turn To TOWN MEETINGS, page A12 a meeting of the School Committee befitting and honor of this magnitude.” Turn To SHEPHERD HILL, page A3 Dudley-Charlton requires waiver to hire Nash BY JASON BLEAU Nash on board for the foresee- fully aware of the situation as Superintendent Gregg Desto, “I honestly feel that (the com- STONEBRIDGE CORRESPONDENT able future. is Nash. who is exiting the district offi- mittee) has done the best they Following questions from In June committee mem- “The committee has been cial on July 6 to lead Auburn can do and now it’s a waiting a previous meeting at which bers did discuss the possibili- updated along the way with High School as principal, gave game,” Desto said. “If there’s the Dudley Charlton Regional ty of needing a critical short- emails. I did speak to Dr. Nash credit to the members of the anything that the committee School Committee approved age waiver from the DESE to and she is expecting to start School Committee for their needs from me in July I’ll help the hiring of Kristine Nash employ Nash and now that on July 9 with or without the diligence in finding a tempo- anyway that I can.” as interim superintendent requirement has been con- waiver confirmation because rary successor for his post and The School Committee decid- of schools, it has been con- firmed with the district send- she still can make a little bit of showed confidence that the ed to make good on that offer firmed the district will be at ing an application for the salary. She understands that if DESE has what they need to by agreeing to keep Desto on the mercy of the state and the waiver on Wednesday, June we do not get the waiver that make a decision hopefully in call for the first week of July Department of Elementary and 20. Committee Chair Pauline she will not be working here,” favor of the district’s waiver Secondary Education to keep Aucoin said the committee is Aucoin said. application. Turn To NASH, page A12 Dudley picks KP Law as new town counsel BY JASON BLEAU issue of 2016 to court. and in May, a represen- business. That’s all they while advising selectmen TIMES CORRESPONDENT Brackett’s termina- tative of KP Law served do. Their other strong on the candidates DUDLEY – The Board tion was effective June as attorney for the town point was the attorney Selectmen seemed to of Selectmen has chosen 30, and now a new agen- during the spring annu- that they said would rep- show confidence in KP new town counsel after cy has been brought on al town meeting. Town resent Dudley, Michele Law, and specifically cutting ties with the board to fill the gap. Administrator Greg Randazzo. I have a lot of Attorney Randazzo, to do previous attorney in the Selectmen interviewed Balukonis told select- confidence in her abil- the job and do it well.