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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 www.warerivernews.turley.com A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com Remote Car business requests school special permit about 125 residents who were decision Board allows against the project and 70 indi- ook head o 60 days for vidual letters from residents A L A T against the project. Some of the ahead detailed plans abutters have hired a lawyer to represent them during the pro- By Eileen Kennedy cess, he said. Ware’s positivity Staff writer BHT attorney Mark Bobrowski said about 40 acres rate continues WARREN – BHT Properties of the 145-acre parcel would to rise Group, described as a national be used for the parking lot that company, would store cars, which would By Eileen Kennedy went before be more than 1,500 feet from Staff writer A little bit of normal wanted the Planning the road. There would be an area Board at the entrance to the property Monday where cars would arrive by flat- WARE – The School By Eileen Kennedy don’t have a crystal ball.” He is she said, hoping this year will Committee discussed whether night to bed tow truck, be inspected and Staff writer hopeful the vaccines will kick allow a little more of those request a then moved by truck to the park- to decide on a trigger that would in and allow school to reopen at events, but it remains to be seen lead the school district to move special per- ing lot for storage until they are f area officials are any judge, least for the fall. if that will be possible. mit to run sold. There will be roughly 100 from a hybrid schedule of two they and local residents “I will be glad to be done “I want to be able to see a in-person days and three remote a salvage cars per acre, he said. would like to see some nor- with 2020 and maybe we can smile again, but sharing the air learning days to full remote I car busi- malcy back in everyone’s lives in get back to some kind of nor- is not what needs to happen right learning for all students. ness at 727 2021. After all, 2020 was a year malcy for families and students now,” she said. While she can Would not hire CoPart After discussing what such Turley Publications Brimfield BHT would own and develop filled with the COVID-19 pan- and teachers,” said Ware School tell students and staff are smiling Zoom image a trigger might be, the mem- Road. After the property, according to Ram demic and its effects on almost Ram Adar, an bers were leaning toward two Superintendent Dr. Marlene by their eyes these days, since hearing a Adar, one of the company’s exec- every area of life including DiLeo. they are all wearing masks, she owner of BHT weeks of Ware’s positivity rate Properties Group. presenta- utives, but would hire another being at a 5%. A community is businesses, school and socializ- She said she is concerned looks forward to seeing their full tion from company to run it. In other places considered red by the state if its ing. But they see hope this year about detecting and addressing smiles. the company’s lawyer, asking it has hired CoPart, a national car positivity rate is 5% or above. with the approval of two differ- learning gaps that might appear She is looking forward to the questions of a company execu- salvage and auction company, but The members decided to think ent COVID-19 vaccines, and from hybrid and remote learning, vaccines being available in the tive and board members bringing Adar said it would not be using about it until their next meeting they look forward to life slowly and also the normal events and spring, and the possibility of a up concerns, the board continued that company for its Warren facil- on Jan. 6, when they will discuss approaching normal this year. socialization students are miss- normal graduation that isn’t in the hearing until March 8. At that ity. CoPart already has a property it again and likely vote on what “I’m hoping at some point ing out on. She pointed to the the middle of the football field time, the company will be expect- at 600 Old West Warren Road in the trigger to go to full remote in the coming year students junior prom that couldn’t be held with each student separated from ed to present detailed engineering West Warren. learning will actually be. will be in school,” said Ware last year and the uncertainty if it each other. “That’s the hope, that plans, including those for storm- When asked by Planning Ware remains yellow, and at School Committee Chairman will be held this year, along with these vaccines may allow us do water management systems. Board member Ed Londergan the time of the meeting on Dec. Christopher Desjardins.”I would changed graduations. what we normally do,” she said. Planning Board member 23, Ware’s positivity rate was love to see students back before “These are rites of passage Richard Eichacker said the town 4.17%. As of Dec. 24, Ware’s the end of school this year but I they should be taking part in,” Please see 2021, page 3 had received a petition signed by Please see SPECIAL, page 3 positivity rate was 4.81%, based on the numbers from Dec. 6 to Dec. 22. The rate per 100,000 was 24.6 at the time of the meeting, which is on the high side, according to School Board hears about West New Braintree Superintendent Dr. Marlene DiLeo. It has risen to 30.2 as of man charged Dec. 24, according to the lat- Brookfield and Barre EMS est COVID numbers released by By Paula Ouimette increase the cost of the service Health Director Judy Metcalf with armed Staff writer to $133,000 a year. Ware said and the state. that is the true cost of the ser- At a previous School home invasion HARDWICK — Board of vice. Ware also receives over Committee meeting, Metcalf Selectmen Chairman Kenan $90,000 in health care insurance said it might be necessary to GILBERTVILLE – A 41-year- Young opened the board’s meet- reimbursements for Hardwick go remote after the Christmas old New Braintree man was ing and turned it over to Board patients. holidays if the rates sees a rise arrested and charged with home of Selectmen member Julie Quink introduced Dan in town the way they did after invasion after he used a gun on Quink to go over any updates McCall, President of the West Thanksgiving, when more fami- an 81-year-old resident to enter to potential emergency medical Brookfield Rescue Squad. lies and friends got together for a home on Church Street the day services. McCall provided the board with the holiday. after Christmas. Hardwick is looking for ambulance response times to “How do we determine the On Saturday, Dec. 26, around alternatives after Ware, which various locations in Hardwick. best way to go about this?” 2:30 p.m., Hardwick/New charged them $77,000 for fis- Braintree Police were advised Please see SCHOOL, page 8 cal 2021, said it would probably Please see HARDWICK, page 9 an armed home invasion that had just occurred. Officers respond- ed to an address on Church Street in Hardwick’s Gilbertville sec- tion where it was reported that an 81-year-old male party was the vic- Decorating contest a great success tim of armed home invasion. A male party knocked on the Will return next year door, when the victim answered the door, the male party alleged- By Eileen Kennedy ly forced the resident back Staff writer into his residence at gunpoint, and took cash from the res- WARREN – About 100 res- ident. The suspect fled the resi- idents, including the four class- dence and the Hardwick/New es at Quaboag Regional Middle Braintree police were notified. High School, competed for brag- During the police investigation, ging rights in Warren Parks and a possible suspect was identified. Staff photo Recreation Commission’s Light Up While obtaining that information, the Night decorating contest. Paxton Police Department made “People really enjoyed it,” said a motor vehicle stop and the sus- PARKER STREET BUILDING Parks Commissioner Sue Ramsey. pect was arrested on an outstand- “It was a lot of fun.” ing arrest warrant from Worcester BURNS TUESDAY MORNING She said residents embraced the District Court. WARE – Firefighters responded to a fire at 8 Parker St. Tuesday chance to decorate their homes and Timothy Flores, of Old Wine to drive through town checking out morning around 9 a.m., when fire and smoke was reported on the Road, New Braintree, was charged third floor of the multi-family building. It is unclear what caused all the homes. About 200 voted on with home invasion, armed assault the fire, although it appeared no one in the building was trapped The house at 239 Coy Hill Road won the most traditional display in or injured. Warren and Palmer provided mutual aid and firefighters the Warren Park and Recreation Commission’s Light Up the Night were still fighting a fire on the roof at 9:40 a.m. The third floor Please see CONTEST, page 5 Christmas decorating contest. Please see INVASION, page 8 was burned and the first and second floor suffered water damage.

Inside this edition: HEALTH SPORTS Connect with us Viewpoints��������������� 4 Classifieds�������������� 11 Health tips Boys field for 2021 hockey goes Sports ����������������������� 7 forward Police/Fire ����������������� 8 Obituaries ����������������� 9 Public Notices ��������� 10 Page 6 Page 7 WareRiverNews December 31, 2020, Ware River News, Page 7

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Athlete signs Rollback will ‘not affect winter sports’ for college By Gregory A. Scibelli back business, and has established has been in touch with the MIAA by the MIAA to conduct sports tournament game since that time, [email protected] an attempt at a curfew by closing regarding Baker’s rollback of the safely during the coronavirus pan- and it is unknown when there will restaurants at 9:30, shutting down “re-opening” of Massachusetts. demic, which is hopefully nearing be a tournament game, though the REGION – In a state- alcohol sales at the same time, and “The office (EEA) confirmed its end. spring season is a definite pos- ment released last week by the issuing a stay-at-home advisory with the MIAA that Gov. Baker’s The EEA is mandating sibility as a return to normalcy Massachusetts Interscholastic from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. announcement on Dec. 22 of roll- mask-wearing in all sport envi- could be realized by June. Athletic Association, the rollback The advisory will likely affect backs on certain sectors will not ronments where it is possible to Winter sports in Western plan by Gov. Charlie Baker will game times for the winter season, have an impact on high school wear masks. There will also be Massachusetts are supposed to not affect winter sports. but the sports that will be allowed athletics.” limitations to the numbers of play- begin for most schools following Baker’s plan decreases capac- for the winter season will still go As a result of that confirma- ers and personnel allowed at bas- the New Year’s holiday on Jan. 4. ities in most businesses and other on despite the restrictions. It is tion, no further restrictions will ketball courts and hockey rinks Games could begin on or around venues, as well as the indoor gath- also possible some of the restric- be added to the EEA’s release of during the winter season. In order Jan. 14. , hockey, and ering size being shrunk to just 10 tions will be lifted as the season workplace safety and re-opening to reduce potential for crowds, swimming are supposed to take people. goes on. standards for businesses and other there will be no winter tourna- place with indoor track being Because of COVID-19 surges Tara Bennett, director of entities providing youth and adult ments. The pandemic cancelled moved to the bubble season and that have occurred over the last communications for the MIAA, amateur sports activities. the end of the winter state basket- wrestling could potentially take two months, Baker has strength- said the Massachusetts Office of The EEA has been responsible ball tournament last March. There place in the spring season. Submitted photo ened mask mandates, and scaled Energy and Environmental Affairs for issuing the guidance utilized has not been an MIAA-sanctioned Congratulations to Alison Michalik, who signed a letter of intent on Dec. 22 to play field hockey at the University of Saint Hall of Fame Joseph in Maine. Michalik is also a announces eligible Boys field hockey moves forward student ambassador to the MIAA. candidates for By Gregory A. Scibelli Quabbin’s the Class of 2021 [email protected] REGION – This spring, the season set to SPRINGFIELD – The Massachusetts Interscholastic Naismith Memorial Basketball Athletic Association Board of Hall of Fame today announced Directors will vote on a proposal to get underway the list of eligible candidates start a boys field hockey program. for the Class of 2021, includ- The rule change has already been By Gregory A. Scibelli ing first-time nominees Doug approved at the committee level in [email protected] Collins, Michael Cooper, votes taken earlier this year, and , Lou Henson, will move on to consideration for BARRE – While the Western , , adoption. Mass. region is not beginning to and Lauren Field hockey has had its share practice until Jan. 11, Quabbin Jackson. of controversy over the course of Regional High School, along with Returning to the ballot are many years as boys are currently several other teams in Central fan-favorite nominees Chauncey allowed to play the sport with girls, Massachusetts, will hit the ground Billups, , Richard the gender that typically dominates running with games beginning on Hamilton, Bob Huggins, Ben the sport. that date. Wallace, , Jay It’s believed boys give many The winter season is set to run Wright, Swin Cash and Becky teams a competitive advantage from Jan. 11 to Feb. 21 with boys Hammon among others. and it has shown in small spurts of basketball, girls basketball, swim- A first look at the list of eli- improvement among various teams ming, skiing, and ice hockey sched- gible nominees was provided over the years. uled to take place. by The Jump on ESPN, hosted Locally, Southwick, South Quabbin will participate in bas- by Rachel Nichols, and Class Hadley, and Holyoke have been ketball and ice hockey, though ice of 2021 nominee Paul Pierce. A among teams that have benefited hockey is a co-op program with complete list of eligible candi- from having males play over the Gardner. According to Quabbin’s recent- dates can be found attached. course of the recent time. File photos Following the Hall of Fame’s Southwick was a Western ly released modified schedule, the traditional timeline, Finalists Massachusetts Division 1 champion Field hockey was ice hockey co-op will have its first from the North American and in the mid-1990’s with boys playing played in a 7v7 game, a home contest on Saturday, Women’s committee for the on the team. The team also enjoyed format due to Jan. 9 at Veterans Rink in Gardner. Class of 2021 will be announced some success in the early 2000’s COVID-19 condi- This year, Quabbin and Gardner tions. A 7v7 for- in the timeframe of NBA All- with boys on the team. will also join forces with Gansett Star Weekend, which is sched- mat has been pro- and Murdock for its co-op program. South Hadley was one of few posed for a boys uled for early March. The entire teams that knock off Longmeadow The team will be playing Littleton field hockey pro- in its first game at 7:30 p.m. Class of 2021, including those one year in the Western Mass. finals gram. selected by the direct elect com- with a pair of boys playing on the The basketball teams will follow mittees, will be unveiled in the team. Holyoke, while having a large on Jan. 11 with both teams in action timeframe of the NCAA Final number of talented female players, against Gardner at 6 p.m. The girls Four scheduled for early April. have also had boys on its teams LEFT: Boys playing will play at home while the boys field hockey has will be at Gardner. The game time Event details are forthcoming, during the past decade. been a contro- is earlier in order to comply with and the announcement timeline The addition of boys field hock- versial topic over the governor’s “stay-at-home” advi- is subject to change. ey has been proposed by Sherry the years, with sory that goes into effect at 10 p.m. The Class of 2021 Bryant, the MIAA Associate some believing it The earlier start time accounts for Enshrinement ceremony is Executive Director and Field has given teams the visiting team to travel home scheduled to take place in Hockey Committee Liaison. The a decided advan- following the game. Junior var- Springfield, Mass., in September field hockey committee fully sup- tage. sity contests will begin at 4 p.m. 2021. As previously announced, ported the rule. The basketball teams will play on the Class of 2020 Enshrinement According to Bryant, the ratio- Thursday, Jan. 14 against Gardner ceremony has been rescheduled nale of the rule change is to “to with the girls and boys switching and relocated due to COVID-19 allow the structure of this pathway locations and ice hockey will play and is scheduled for May 13-15, for boys to be created and available on Saturday, Jan. 16 to conclude the 2021 at Mohegan Sun. for individual schools and co-op first week of play. Tickets for the Naismith programs as they look to move versus 7 format, similar to the for- All sport committees approved would not need to be developed Practices began on Dec. 14 at Memorial Basketball Hall of forward. We recognize that in the mat utilized for field hockey during of the proposal and sports medicine as the proposal stipulates boys Fame Class of 2020 and 2021 Quabbin. Quabbin’s schedule pod absence of viable gender specific the abbreviated fall season with and sportsmanship committees of field hockey would play under will include Gardner, Oakmont, Enshrinement ceremonies and programs that all high school play- COVID-19 restrictions. Boys field the MIAA have also greenlighted National Federation of High various events surrounding the Quabbin, Narragansett, Fitchburg ers may participate in the current hockey would be a sport proposed the idea, paving the way for a BOD School rules, which Massachusetts and Leominster. Leominster is an ceremonies will be on-sale at a high school field hockey programs, to take place during the fall season. approval. has now adopted for most sports. later date. For the latest news addition to the pod while Murdock providing equity for all, while gen- It would have a similar 18-con- The rule would go into effect One interesting caveat is that a pro- is no longer part of the pod and and updates, follow @hoophall der specific programs are grown.” test limit with no more than three for the Fall 2021 season, but posal to bar boys from playing on on Twitter and Instagram. ceased playing sports during the According to her proposal, field games per week on the fall sched- it could take a few years before girls teams was defeated. Girls nor- fall due to COVID outbreaks. hockey for boys would follow a 7 ule. teams would be developed. Rules mally play an 11 versus 11 format. Murdock is located in Winchendon.

Relics able to get through 2020 season

LUDLOW – The Western Mass 176 players agree to play and for- * Handshaking and fist pumps Relics, which is a Senior Softball tunately not one person came down wasn’t allowed. League, that’s been in existence with the Coronavirus. Among the * Bats were wiped down and since 1994, was faced this Spring steps taken to play safely were the handled by the barrel. with the possibility of their sea- following: * New balls were frequently son being canceled due to the * Temperatures were taken upon changed. Coronavirus. With the season ques- arrival. The players had to record a * Spectators weren’t allowed tionable and the Relics always con- temperature below 100 degrees. initially, but later in the season cerned for player safety, the Relics * Players were required to wear were allowed to watch the game worked closely with the Board masks in the field. from the parking lot. of Health, the Commonwealth * Social distancing was The Western Mass Relics are of Massachusetts, the Town of observed when a team was bat- looking forward to the 2021 sea- Ludlow and The Fish and Game ting. Players brought lawn chairs to son and welcome all new players. Club to be one of the few sports accomplish this. For further information go to their Submitted photos leagues in Western Mass to play a * There was no tagging out a website: westernmassrelics.org. The Western Mass. Relics, a softball league for senior, had one of the More than 170 players were able full schedule. player. All plays were considered a few successful campaigns in 2020 with no cases of coronavirus during to be a part of the league in 2020. The Western Mass Relics had force play. its season.