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• LOCAL NEWS LOCAL STORIES LOCAL ADVERTISERS • E WARE REGION FOR 1 ING TH 29 YE SERV ARS Vol. 135 No. 16 12 Pages (Plus Supplements) USPS 666100 $31 PER YEAR - $1.00 A COPY THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 www.warerivernews.turley.com A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com Ware man assaulted by juveniles in park LETTER TO THE EDITOR would be comforting a young autis- wishes he did so he could make ulated park, when he was assault- He said Skerritt had a difficult day Baseball coach and tic man who was attacked by sever- sure they’re recognized. ed by two minors, a 15-year-old after the incident but was recov- Violence will al youths, one of whom is allegedly Ware Police Department male and an 11-year-old male. The ering. Skerritt suffered a broken onlookers comfort him 11-years-old. A 15-year-old boy received a call reporting a physi- minors involved in the assault were shoulder blade and incurred numer- not be tolerated has been charged in connection cal altercation at Grenville Park, part of a larger group of 12 to 15 ous bruises to his chest and back Over this past weekend, an By Paula Ouimette with the attack on Shiloh Skerritt, on Saturday, May 8, at approxi- youth. Skerritt, who is autistic and from being kicked and punched alarming act of violence and and Eileen Kennedy 26, who is a Ware resident. mately 3:30 p.m. The altercation has Type 1 diabetes, often takes during the assault. Skerritt was cowardice toward an innocent Staff Writers “I was in the right time at the occurred just outside of centerfield walks through the park, sometimes taken by ambulance to Mary Lane disabled resident occurred in right place,” Kusnierz said Tuesday at the first baseball diamond, while more than once a day for regular Hospital for treatment of his inju- Grenville Park. Thankfully, the WARE – When Josh Kusnierz in a phone interview. “There were baseball practice was taking place. exercise. He wears an ID card on ries. “We wish him a speedy recov- Police Department has identified arrived at Grenville Park Saturday also three other ladies who were Kusnierz witnessed the assault and him in case of an emergency. ery on behalf of the entire police the responsible parties, and has afternoon to throw baseballs with there, and they stayed with Shiloh intervened. “We look out for Shiloh, we and fire departments,” Crevier said. begun the process of bringing jus- his boys before leading a team to be sure he was all right.” He Skerritt was taking his daily all know him,” Ware Police Chief tice to the affected family. practice, he did not expect he doesn’t know their names, but he walk alone through the well-pop- Shawn Crevier said of the victim. Please see ASSAULT, page 9 The Parks Commission has banned those involved from the Parks’ properties. To restore respect for people and the facil- ities, the Commission will close the basketball courts for 30 days. Town administrator The Police Department and Parks Commission will increase patrols and the use of cameras to assure position created safety. There will be zero toler- ance for these wrongful, hurtful trator can write grants that can pay acts. This response is a commu- Fire, police to get for their position.” nity responsibility. If you see He said three part-time select- something, say something. new vehicles men, all of whom work, cannot This act is not what Ware is respond quickly to the day-to-day about. Grenville Park and all By Eileen Kennedy areas of the town are to be safe Staff writer issues of running a town, and deci- sions sometimes wait for the next and open to all. Ware is a commu- selectmen’s meeting. nity where we care and watch out WARREN – Voters took up a for everyone. We are all neigh- total of 43 warrant articles at One resident questioned what the selectmen would do once a bors. We need to respect each a Special Town Meeting and the other, no matter any differences. Annual Town Meeting, which town administrator was in place, but Dufresne said the administrator It is not acceptable in any terms were held Tuesday back-to-back in this town to be fearful, to feel in the gym at Quaboag Regional would report to selectmen and act as a liaison between the board and unsafe, to be attacked. We as a Middle High School, with the help town will do better. We have to. of Moderator Vincent McCaughey, town departments. “They would provide the day- Treating citizens poorly - any and who kept the meetings moving all citizens - will not be tolerated. along. to-day operations of the town,” he said. “We’re behind the times, it’s Be thankful tonight for a During the ATM, voters unan- Turley Publications staff photo by Eileen Kennedy Police Department that acted imously approved the creation time for us to take that step and Warren Town Moderator Vincent McCaughey, standing, ran the Special and Annual Town Meetings make it happen.” He said smaller Tuesday at Quaboag Regional Middle High School. Seated to the right are selectman Richard Eichacker, quickly and professionally to of a town administrator position, David Dufresne and Derick R. Veliz. address this terrible crime. Be and followed that up by approv- towns in the general area, such as Rutland, already have town admin- concerned that this act happened. ing up to $90,000 to fund the posi- Be thoughtful about how we can istrators. in the right direction for this com- Police Chief Gerald Millette III also supported the position. He tion with 62 voting in favor and 16 together make the town better for Fire Chief Adam Lavoie told munity for a number of reasons.” also supported the position, saying did not for run for re-election in against it. all. fellow voters that the creation of He said the person would be boots that someone would be available “This is a crucially needed The town, through its leaders the position “was not a power grab on the ground in providing direc- every day to deal with issues. position,” said Selectman David and staff, will work hard to con- by selectmen” but instead “a step tion for town departments. Former selectman John Nason Dufresne. “A good town adminis- Please see WARREN TM, page 3 tinue to ensure that Ware is a safe, inclusive and caring community. Be safe. Ware SelectBoard, Ware singer/songwriter New rail study celebrated by advocates Ware Parks Commission, Police Chief Would provide new Shawn Crevier, records new album Town Manager area commuter line Stuart Beckley Signs with Dark By Michael Harrison Star Records [email protected] REGION — Advocates of a Budget By Lauretta R. new commuter rail line connecting St. George-Sorel Western Mass. to Boston are cheer- Correspondent ing the release of a new Capitol presented Region Council of Governments WARE – A local singer/ By Paula Ouimette report backing all the main argu- Staff Writer songwriter is eagerly anticipat- ments for public investment in the ing the release of her first major project. HARDWICK – The Hardwick musical album, “Damaged “The study is great for Palmer,” Goods,” for which she wrote Board of Selectmen held a Ben Hood, chairman of the East- joint meeting with the Finance the lyrics of all 10 songs on the West Rail Steering Committee said. album. Selections include “Lies Committee on Monday, May 10, “The inland route between at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. The meet- in His Eyes,” “Outta Control,” Boston and New York City is the and “When Do I Give In?” ing was to further review the pre- key to unlocking the enormous liminary budget for fiscal 2022. Ware native Torie Jock, economic benefits and transit-ori- 20-years-old, has been pursu- ments of negligence over a lack of town Hartford rail viaduct. These ented development that would QRSD assessment ing a career in music for entire progress. Although it hails the 2018 improvements, estimated to cost up accompany restored passenger rail Quabbin Regional School life, and she sees this recent opening of the Hartford-Springfield to $3 billion, would boost speed, to Palmer. We are well-positioned District Superintendent Dr. accomplishment as a huge step- line as a step in the right direction, reliability, and access,” the study at the northeast corner of Metro Sheila Muir presented the ping-stone to recognition as a the service just scratches the sur- states. Hartford-Springfield, closest to school budget for fiscal 2022. serious artist. face, the consultant said, and even The Pioneer Valley Planning Worcester and Boston. The study Hardwick’s assessment is Jock’s aspirations for a that new line needs improvement, Commission also had input on the recognizes the work we’ve done to $2,594,615.08. career in musical theater began prepare for restored passenger rail.” according to the study. report. when she started to take dance Prepared by the international “The work remaining to be done The East-West Rail proj- lessons at age 2, later studying consulting firm AECOM, which includes electrification, addition- ect in Massachusetts would con- Please see BUDGET, page 5 voice, piano, acting and guitar. specializes in infrastructure, the al rolling stock, a replacement of nect Springfield to Worcester and Throughout her teen years, she the Connecticut River Bridge at Boston, and potentially westward Courtesy photos report not only celebrates modern Ware native Torie Jock performs mass transit as a tool for econom- Windsor Locks, double-tracking of at a local music festival.

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