West Brookfield Line 413-967-4210 Or 800-793-2078 •
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For an appointment, call 508-885-6366 or visit our website at www.ostromecky.com HOURS: Mon, Tue, & Thu 8am-6pm Payment Plans Available Through Wed 7am-2pm • Fri 7am-Noon CareCredit and Retriever Mailed free to requesting homes in East Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Brookfield, Leicester and Spencer Vol. XXXVIII, No. #10 COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.STONEBRIDGEPRESS.COM Friday, March 9, 2018 Deaths in West Brookfield ruled homicides BY KEVIN FLANDERS Investigators did not initial- assigned to the Worcester Investigators remained at the and grief counseling has been NEWS STAFF WRITER ly confirm multiple reports County District Attorney’s scene overnight and through- made available at the school. WEST BROOKFIELD – that the bodies were found Office, along with West out the day on March 2, with a Counselors from surround- Police continue to seek the burned. However, District Brookfield Police, are leading heavy police presence visible ing school districts were also public’s help as they investi- Attorney Joseph Early said the investigation,” District across town. brought in to assist as well. gate the homicides of a mother police are seeking information Attorney Early said. “It is very Already heartbroken fol- “I was informed by the West and her three young children from anyone who has seen a early in this investigation.” lowing the deaths of three Brookfield Police of a tragedy last week. discarded plastic yellow fuel Early would not confirm Quaboag Regional High School involving two West Brookfield At about 3:30 p.m. on March can. Investigators said a yel- by press time if police were students in a car accident this Elementary School stu- 1, police were called to 10 Old low diesel can appears to be searching for a specific sus- past fall, the Warren-West dents,” stated Quaboag Public Warren Road. Inside the house, missing from the home, and pect, though investigators Brookfield school community Schools Superintendent Brett officers discovered the bodies they are requesting assistance asked area residents to be is once again coming togeth- Kustigian on the night of the of homeowner Sara Bermudez, from anyone in the area with vigilant. Police declined to er to grieve. School officials tragedy. “I am in constant com- age 38, and her three children, home or business surveillance comment on the investiga- confirmed that two of the vic- munication with the police and Madison, age8, James, age 6, cameras. tion, referring all inquiries to tims were West Brookfield will provide information as it and Michael, age 2. “State Police detectives the District Attorney’s office. Elementary School students, Turn To HOMICIDES page A3 Question of ownership stalls any action on deteriorated property BY KEVIN FLANDERS Upset about declining prop- NEWS STAFF WRITER erty values and dangerous con- WEST BROOKFIELD – Town ditions, neighbors have called officials have been getting plen- on town officials to tear the ty of complaints about a vacant house down. However, there house on Foster Hill Road. But is a lot for selectmen to review before anything can be done and consider before they even about the problematic proper- have a conversation about ty, selectmen first need to iden- demolition. Town lawyers are tify its owner. currently researching own- The 5 Foster Hill Road prop- ership of the property, as the erty has been the subject of house reportedly has multiple many complaints from neigh- liens on it. bors in recent months. The “There is a long process you house became vacant last year have to follow with this kind of Kevin Flanders photo. after the death of its previous situation. The first step is find- owner, and the property has ing out who owns the house,” Tom and Donna Chirillo, the owners of Car Finder Now, hope to continue growing their customer base steadily deteriorated due to said Selectman Philip Landine. in town. neglect. A barn on the property “We can’t just go over there collapsed over the winter, but and take down a house.” officials said the house itself is Renovation of downtown still structurally sound. Turn To PROPERTY page A2 influenced decision Three towns teaming to locate here for CDBG funding BY KEVIN FLANDERS cials and learning about the the business offers quality NEWS STAFF WRITER downtown transformation, pre-owned vehicles for those BY KEVIN FLANDERS programs in the Tri-town area SPENCER — When decid- it didn’t take long for them searching for their next set NEWS STAFF WRITER indicate a need for septic and ing where to open their new to make their decision. of wheels. No matter which Three area towns are team- water well improvements, as business last year, Tom and And just one year since the vehicle you’re in the market ing up to submit a Community there are no public water and Donna Chirillo had plenty grand opening of Car Finder for, the Chirillos and their Development Block Grant wastewater systems.” of local communities from Now in town, the business is staff can likely find it by application aiming to increase Additional types of housing which to choose. But after off to a hot start with over 100 working with area dealers. housing rehabilitation oppor- assistance covered by grant speaking with Spencer offi- sales. Located at 16 Main St., tunities. funds include roof projects, Turn To BUSINESS page A5 Brimfield, Holland and siding repairs, weatherization, Wales are partnering to submit and replacements of heating the application, which seeks systems. The program can approximately $800,000 in provide up to $40,000 of assis- CDBG funding for three major tance per homeowner through Students honing skills to display projects. These fall under the a deferred payment loan, with categories of housing rehabili- the project starting out as a lien tation, community food pantry for the needed improvements. services, and senior housing. The lien amount is reduced at Evening with the Arts The towns have been work- over time and forgiven after 15 ing with the Pioneer Valley years, per state requirements. Planning Commission (PVPC) The CDBG application also throughout the grant submittal seeks assistance for the Tri- BY KEVIN FLANDERS Paintings, ceramic creations, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. process. Town Community Food Pantry. NEWS STAFF WRITER and drawings will all be on dis- For teachers and staff mem- “The grant will primarily Located in Wales, the pantry LEICESTER – Hard at work play during the April 11 event bers, the event marks the cul- focus on housing rehabilitation provides food assistance to res- all year on their art proj- at Leicester High School, in mination of an entire year of efforts throughout the three idents in need throughout the ects, students throughout the addition to the district’s hard work for the students. towns of Wales, Holland and three towns. Thanks to previ- school district can’t wait to bands, choruses, and theater Too often student artwork is Brimfield,” said Christopher ous CDBG funding, the food show off their creations to the groups performing. rarely seen, but this program Dunphy, a principal planner pantry was recently able to public next month. To celebrate the 20th anni- gives them an opportunity to with the PVPC. “If funded, expand its operations and ser- For the 20th straight year, versary of Evening with the showcase their projects. assistance will be made avail- vices by providing fresh food to the district’s Evening with Arts, the event will also fea- “Students and teachers able to a minimum of 24 eli- area families in need. Previous the Arts program will com- ture an alumni art gallery and work all year preparing for gible homeowners – approxi- CDBG funds were also used to bine all forms of art created an alumni band and chorus. this event in art classes, taking mately eight per town – to help purchase storage equipment with basic home repairs. Past by students in grades K-12. The program will take place Turn To ARTS page A5 Turn To CDBG page A9 2 SPENCER NEW LEADER • Friday, March 9, 2018 SPENCER SNIPPETS On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Senior Center and Town Complex 11:00 song. Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m. St. information Monday through Friday 8 Irish! a.m.-noon John’s Church, 121 Blaine Ave., East a.m. to noon at (508) 885-2149. Call to find The Harrington Auxiliary invites the Tuesday, March 20 North Brookfield Brookfield and Sunday, March 25 at 4:00 out what the soup of the day is. Enjoy general public to its annual tradition- Senior Center 10:00-11:00 a.m. p.m. at East Brookfield Baptist Church, your lunch in our dining room or call al, all-you-can-eat Irish Feast, which Constituents and town officials are East Brookfield. Admission is free. ahead for delivery or pick up 10 a.m. to will be held at the Publick House on invited to meet with him to express any BROOKFIELD KINDERGARTEN noon orders ONLY (508) 885-5098. We Monday, March 12. There will be two concerns, ideas, or issues that they may BROOKFIELD – Students who are will deliver to business and individual seatings: 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.