Romano Takes Job in Douglas
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
(978) 297-0050 • www.winchendoncourier.com FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2017 Newsstand: 75 cents Romano takes job in Douglas who work in this building. ogy program, and the ‘live lab’ AMERICA’S PRINCIPAL LEAVING WINCHENDON They’re 100-percent for the stu- as foremost among the school’s dents,” he asserted. improvements. BY JERRY CARTON steady leadership he has pro- essary comment. It was com- COURIER CORRESPONDENT Reminiscing about the suc- “I like to think we’ve been vided. He has been unwaver- pletely unfair to the students cesses during his years at the in the forefront of the move- Murdock High School is in ing in his dedication to making and to what these people who helm, Romano pointed to the ment to not tolerate bullying. the market for a new principal Murdock a school of superior care so much about the kids increase in the number of What happened here a couple after Josh Romano announced academic achievement.” are trying to do,” he said. Murdock grads attending four years ago made national news earlier this week he is leaving While praising what he “I went home that night and year colleges. because we came together as after three years to take the called a “fantastic, dedicat- made up my mind,” Romano “One of the highlights was a community and projects like same position at Douglas High ed, committed” staff, Romano added. seeing Chandler (Torres- Blue Hands and the Benches School. lashed out at the town’s While irate at the Finance Pagan) go to Harvard,” and the whole commitment we Superintendent Steve Finance Committee, saying it Committee, Romano had noth- he beamed. Romano men- made to fight bullying says a Haddad said no successor, was after the panel called the ing but kudos for MHS person- tioned the spike in Advanced lot about everyone here.” interim or permanent has been school system “cannibals” that nel. Placement classes, the develop- “We have so many positive selected but lauded Romano. he decided to move on. “We’ve made great progress ment of an innovative technol- “I want to thank Josh for the “That was such an unnec- and it’s because of the people Turn To ROMANO page A8 Police advise traffic delays BY KEITH KENT tractors and the project man- COURIER CORRESPONDENT ager on the Cumberland Farms The Winchendon Police building project has been very Department has advised the good. They call us up with continued use of both patience notice for every detail request- and caution as the Central ed, so we know what we need to Street business district and do the next day.” Chief David surrounding areas will have Walsh added, “We have been continued traffic congestion doing them just about every due to construction for the fore- day since the project started.” seeable future. When discussing the detail Currently there are three costs Walsh confirmed, “Not simultaneous projects which only does the company pay for include Cumberland Farms, the required police details, but the Walnut Street betterment we also bill them a process- project, and Gardner Road to ing fee for us doing the work. Teel Road along Route 140. There is no cost to the com- In addition, the High Street munity for all the necessary Bridge just outside the busi- details required for the project. ness district will also soon be Any time you see a detail, it is seeing repair construction. always privately paid, except Lt. Kevin Wolski said, “The for town details such as elec- communication with the con- Turn To DELAYS page A7 Keith Kent photo A semi-trailer is loaded with debris as the work begins on the Walnut Street project Events at the properties WINCHENDON — Spend overstock from the collection a morning at the Murdock and lots of fun stuff. It’s the Walnut Street project Whitney and Morse houses one sale not to be missed this this Saturday, June 3 and you year. Organizers say there will find bargains, plants, art was consideration to doing and more. this sale as an auction, but adds to downtown chaos The Winchendon Historic doing an estate sale seemed a and Culture Center is hosting bit easier. Be sure to stop by. BY GREG VINE get under way on improve- part through a Community a yard sale 8 a.m.-2 p.m. with COURIER CORRESPONDENT ments to Beals Memorial Development Block Grant. items from the Meyer estate, Turn To EVENTS page A5 Crews from GEG Library. Some $390,000 of a $666,000 Construction of Springfield “I’m very excited,” said grant was committed to the recently began work on the Murphy. “It’s going to spur work which, according to reconstruction of Walnut interest in people going public works Director Al Street, and Winchendon through town. When they Gallant, includes new sewer Scenes from the lock up Development Director see the things that are hap- and water lines, improved Tracy Murphy couldn’t be pening, it sparks interest, drainage, new sidewalks, and LOCAL POLICE REMINISCE and that’s what we want. We a bike lane, in addition to the more pleased. In addition to BY JERRY CARTON “I really liked police work. I want people asking, ‘What’s complete resurfacing of the the Walnut Street project, COURIER CORRESPONDENT found, or people found, that I work is underway on a new changing, what’s evolving, roadway. To help improve He’s Winchendon’s chief of was able to communicate very Cumberland Farms at the what’s going on’?” chances of the grant being police now but there was a time effectively with victims of sex corner of Central and Front The Walnut Street proj- approved, the town commit- when working in law enforce- crimes, especially young, elder- streets, and work will soon ect is being funded in large Turn To WALNUT page A10 ment might not have been on ly and handicapped. I think Dave Walsh’s radar. Walsh my manner was comforting to had started college but wasn’t them and I liked being able to thrilled with it and decided help people who were going work was a better option. He through very difficult situa- became a produce manager at a tions. I suppose you could say I NOW WHAT…? Victory supermarket but there was victim-friendly in a sense,” was, he said, a gnawing sense he reflected. Keith Kent photo that wasn’t the right fit either. Like most chiefs, Walsh is “I wanted to do more than concerned about the opioid cri- A very sticky situation for this heron, as just collect a paycheck,” Walsh sis, fueled largely, he thinks, he managed to capture a horned pout, but recalled. “I wanted something by abuse of prescription med- now has the delicate problem of just how that would give me a sense of ication. Winchendon had 34 to get the throny fish down his throat. This accomplishment, like I was reported overdose cases in 2015 might be the time to consider…the one making some difference.” and 38 last year. This year, that got away…rather than risking injury. That was the catalyst for his though, the number had fall- decision to return to school en to four at the end of April, where in time Walsh found which was an encouraging what he wanted to do and sign. wound up at the police acade- “‘You worry about it all the my, eventually being hired in time,” he noted. Winchendon in 1989, in time One of Walsh’s predeces- becoming a detective and lieu- sors in the chief’s office was tenant before taking over as Sal Marinelli, whose son Rick chief in 2015. spent some 22 years on the “We were really busy,” said force between 1977-99. Walsh of the then 11-person “We had one regular cruis- force serving a population of er and a station wagon which more than 6,000. He might’ve served as an ambulance, if I been new but was on an upward track from the start. Turn To POLICE page A7 WEEKLY QUOTE LOCAL SPORTS Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. PAGE 2 PAGE 8 6 5652510431 2 – Hans Christian Andersen Friday, June 2, 2017 2 WINCHENDON COURIER Parade might be canceled but never patriotism Winchendon, the work of the local Scout troops and veterans’ organiza- tions on Friday and Saturday were rec- ognized and applauded. The flags at the town’s cemeteries were placed on the sunny Saturday, and were recognized during the service held Monday at the American Legion Post 193. Services were also held at the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, with Gov. Charlie Baker in attendance. GREG VINE photos Flags adorn the graves of three members of the Powers family, all of whom served in the U.S. military. BELOW: Some members of Winchendon Cub Scout Pack 193 carrying flags to the graves of Winchendon veterans who are buried at Riverside Cemetery. Flags were placed at the graves of veterans in all town cemeteries last Saturday. The placement of flags at the Winchendon Girl Scout Emma Bourque, 11, is Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery joined by her mother Jennifer in placing flags was overseen by the state. at the graves of veterans laid to rest in the town’s cemeteries. Colton Cochran of Winchendon Boy Scout Troop 193 places a flag at the grave of his great-grand- father, William Lemire, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. The gravesite is located in Calvary Cemetery. Denied a look at the annual Memorial Day parade due to impending inclement weather, a large crowd gathered for services at the Winchendon American Legion.