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Mailed free to requesting homes in Charlton, Charlton City and Charlton Depot Vol. V, No. 25 PROUD MEDIA SPONSOR OF RELAY FOR LIFE OF THE GREATER SOUTHBRIDGE AREA! COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.CHARLTONVILLAGER.COM Friday, June 24, 2011 Tornado’s long-term impact on ecosystem limited Southbridge’s McKinstry Brook ‘NATURE IS INCREDIBLY RESILIENT’ trail is a good example of where that might be an option. There, the heart BY GUS STEEVES to have a swath of early succession- half-jokingly dubbed “rabbitat.” of the tornado’s path is essentially VILLAGER STAFF WRITER al habitat.” Along the 30-odd mile path the tor- impassable with huge trees sprawl- If forests had funerals, the trees In other words, the destruction nado took from Westfield to would still be holding ceremonies will provide an opportunity for the Southbridge, there will be plenty of Turn To IMPACT A13 well into next year sometime. forest’s rebirth by creating areas “rabbitat,” for some time. Peter page But even the destructive June 1 where the sun can actually reach Church, the director of fire control Gus Steeves photo tornado, which left thousands of the soil, allowing seeds that cannot for the state Department of trees uprooted, splintered, or grow in deep shade to germinate. Conservation and Recreation, said Some of the destruction that makes stripped of their limbs, won’t have That attracts a different group of his agency is mapping the damaged Southbridge’s McKinstry Brook Trail much long-term effect on wildlife or bird and animal species than does areas of Brimfield State Forest and essentially impassable through the heart the larger ecosystem. forest; among other things, it might other DCR land to identify how the of the tornado’s path. The downed trees, “Nature is incredibly resilient,” mean a population explosion of deer tornado affected animal habitat, however, provide cover for small animals said Opacum president Jennifer in coming years. Beyond that, she especially for endangered species. and the newly opened skyline will pro- Ohop. “What I’m sort of excited said, the fallen trees create havens In some areas, DCR will consider mote the growth of a new forest over about over time is that we’re going for small animals — something she removing the downed trees. coming years. Business group ‘comes batteries not included’ The key element of BNI, he said, NEW BNI CHAPTER is becoming familiar enough BORN IN CHARLTON with each other through required BY GUS STEEVES weekly meetings VILLAGER STAFF WRITER to develop enough CHARLTON — For a couple dozen trust to share area businesspeople, a newly form- business referrals ing group could be their way to and clients. In weather the economic mess a very part, that evolves old-fashioned way — by getting to within a group know each other. because they “What makes you different?” said specifically rule Gus Steeves photo organizer Brett Malofsky. “I don’t out competition BNI “Gateway to want to hear ‘We’re a full-service — only one per- Success” chapter company.’ Is the other guy a half- son in a certain President Lisa service company?” line of work can Finkel. Malofsky is an area director for be a member. Business Networking International, That doesn’t mean just one generic an organization that trains small attorney, for example; it means only businesspeople how to expand their one defense attorney or one probate businesses by word-of-mouth. Last attorney. week, it kicked off its new “Gateway In that sense, it’s distinctly differ- to Success” chapter at Overlook ent from a Chamber of Commerce with about 40 people from several (to which most members also area towns. Joy Richard photos Turn To BNI page A13 Wales resident and Relay for Life participant Dianne Piazzo sits with one of the many cancer survivors during dinner at the Relay. Walking for hope Legislature to reimburse towns for RELAY FOR LIFE RAISES $218K, AND COUNTING BY JOY RICHARD Cheers and even bagpipes research. According to Relay for STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER could be heard as rain poured Life Co-Chairman Ron Ravenelle, 6th Worcester race SOUTHBRIDGE — Don’t think down on McMahon Field at there are still two more months for one minute that rainstorms Southbridge High School, Friday, to raise money for the cause, and OUTHBRIDGE is more than twice what the Friday, June 17, dampened the as the Relay marched on into the any other donations will go to the S second-place town — sprits of participants in the night and into Saturday, June 18. American Cancer Society to help BOASTS Spencer — has outstanding Relay for Life of the Greater The two-day event drew more fund future cancer research. ($6,890). The other towns’ Southbridge Area. than 50 teams and raised $218,009 Ravenelle said during an inter- LARGEST COST election deficits were: In fact, it seemed the opposite. as of press time for cancer Charlton, $5,780, East Turn To RELAY page A12 Brookfield, $4,980.29, and FOR SPECIAL Oxford, $4,654.80. Daoust said she doesn’t ELECTIONS know where such funds go first, but assumes they go BY GUS STEEVES VILLAGER STAFF WRITER to the town treasurer “and Towns exploring new water routes Peter Durant who knows when we’ll get The five 6th Worcester the check.” That timing BY GUS STEEVES were planning on doing a redun- Southbridge residents,” Daley said District towns will be getting checks could be important, because VILLAGER STAFF WRITER dant line in 169,” Lemansky said. Friday. “We still need to look at the from the state to cover the costs of Southbridge has its town election to CHARLTON — Charlton, He was referring to the original pros and cons of doing each [route], the recent special election, after the run June 28. Southbridge and regional planners idea of simply installing a larger with pump stations, the size of Legislature approved an amend- “We took [that money] out of dif- are exploring four alternative water line next to the existing one, mains [and other needs].” ment to last week’s supplemental ferent accounts” to fund the special routes for bringing water to addi- but retired Southbridge DPW He predicted the towns would budget allowing that. election process, she said before tional areas of town. Director Hamer Clarke raised con- have a better idea of feasibility According to new State Rep. Peter hearing of the approval. “We don’t “Everyone’s got their bayonets cerns about that plan. Under some later this year, noting it’s “way too Durant, the plan provides about have any money left to run this elec- pointed in the same direction and circumstances, Lemansky recalled early” to guess at cost. $40,000 — $25,000 of it specially des- tion. We’ll have to go to the Council have the same uniforms on,” Water- Clarke saying, it might be possible Lemansky, however, admits ignated for this use and the remain- to get enough.” Sewer Commission Chairman Rob to “blow out both lines,” thus caus- Charlton cannot afford to pay for its der redirected from funds the Durant said the Legislature had to Lemansky told the Planning Board ing all of Charlton to lose water. share of the bill directly, so his Secretary of State’s office had re-designate the secretary’s remain- last week. “The true purpose of the study is board is negotiating with remaining from paying for its ing share because it “wasn’t allowed According to the study area map for town councilors of Southbridge ExxonMobil, the firm whose sta- aspects of the election. The bill to be distributed to the towns” as from Central Mass. Regional who ask ‘Can we afford to give up tion on the MassPike spilled the gas passed the House on Wednesday and originally worded. Now, the towns’ Planning Commission, the longest this water?’” Lemansky said, pre- that caused the contamination Senate on Thursday. expenses need to be certified by the route would run up Guelphwood, dicting the answer will be “yes.” nearly 30 years ago. As the contam- “I’m elated. That’s very, very, very state auditor before they’ll get their Denfield and Burlingame; a second Essentially, Southbridge’s cur- ination plume slowly spreads good. We’ll take the money,” said funds. would take Southbridge’s rent DPW Director Thomas Daley southward through the under- Southbridge Town Clerk Madaline If a bill currently in committee Commercial Drive around the land- agreed, saying he sees the ideas as ground aquifer, it has been making Daoust. “… It’d be great if it comes gets approved, this may be the last fill and weave back roads to Route “very realistic.” numerous wells undrinkable, thus in before fiscal 2012 begins” on July time towns have to go through this 20; a third cuts across T. Hall Road; “The primary issue on our end is fueling the town’s long-term quest 1. process. House 193, filed by a group and a fourth loops around Old that, as long as they build an appro- for water. Most recently, there have As the district’s biggest town, of representatives and senators led Worcester and Muggett Hill roads. priate distribution system, the been high levels reported on Old Southbridge had the largest cost for by Rep. Sean Garballey, would “[This is] a discussion we’re hav- more we can use our [water], the Worcester Road, meaning Exxon the April 12 and May 10 elections — require state funding in the future. $15,323, all of it unfunded. That sum ing with Southbridge right now. We more we can keep rates down for Turn To NEW ROUTES page A13 Turn To REIMBURSE page A13 SCOUTS RETIRE SWCL AND MMLL Almanac ................