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Mailed free to requesting homes in East Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Brookfield, Leicester and Spencer Vol. 34, No. 26 Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: WWW.SPENCERNEWLEADER.COM ‘Life is a horizontal fall.’ Friday, June 25, 2010 Hicks to school board: Redo evaluation SCORE DISCREPANCIES RAISE A FEW EYEBROWS BY TERESA A. FRANCO Tuesday, June 8, Hicks told the error in his evaluation was in the calculations for the evaluation. A match. For example, on the sheet NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER board there were inaccuracies in responsibility section. In that sec- copy of Rock’s evaluation Hicks that Hicks provided (with figures SPENCER — Spencer-East his evaluation from board tion, he said Rock only commented presented at the meeting — and compiled by central office staff) Brookfield Regional School Chairman Peter Rock. A couple of on the controversial block schedule later provided to the Spencer New Rock gave him a 3 for “applies cur- Superintendent Ralph Hicks is ask- months ago, the committee voted at David Prouty High School. Leader — did not mirror the num- rent principles, practices and ing the School Committee to grant not to renew Hicks’ contract past “He’s talking about apples when bers from a worksheet used by Rock research to foster effective class- him another evaluation, claiming August 2011. Hicks and Rock have he was supposed to be talking about and the chairman’s evaluation, room instruction.” On Rock’s sheet, there were errors in his original both said they plan to meet soon to oranges,” Hicks said in an inter- both of which were provided to the a 2 is listed for that section. For one. discuss the matter further. view last week. newspaper. Turn To HICKS, page A15 At the School Committee meeting An example Hicks gave of an There were also issues with the Out of 35 questions, 20 did not Search for Welsh bids Highway farewell to head nears Brookfield end of road POLICE SGT. HEADING TO PALMER DALEY TO TAKE OVER BY DAVID DORE FOR BENOIT NEXT WEEK NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER BROOKFIELD — Police Sgt. Christopher Welsh, who has led his department on an BY JOY RICHARD NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER interim basis for the last year, is leaving next week to take a job closer to home. WEST BROOKFIELD — Come next week, He told the Spencer there will be someone new leading the New Leader Friday, Highway Department for the first time in June 18 he will “My five more than a decade. become a patrolman years here [in The Board of Selectmen Tuesday, June 15 in Palmer, where he offered the job of highway superintendent to lives — “nothing Brookfield] New Braintree resident James Daley, pend- exciting,” he said. have been ing a clear background check. That is stan- The police station is extremely dard procedure when hiring any new town “about a block” from employee, according to Selectmen Chairman his home, said interesting, David Eisenthal. Brookfield Selectman and my last Board members went behind closed doors Peter O’Connell. last week with Daley to negotiate his con- Welsh’s resignation year it was a tract, and then reconvened in open session to as acting chief and challenge.” sergeant is effective Turn To SEARCH, page A15 Wednesday, June 30. —Christopher Welsh Welsh has overseen the Brookfield Police Department since June of last year, when Police Chief Ross Ackerman went on med- ical leave for the second time since January Towns ready 2009. Selectmen signed a letter of non- appointment last month stating Ackerman would retire June 30. Welsh also served as interim chief when Ackerman was on med- for meeting David Dore photo ical leave in January and February 2009. O’Connell said he got Welsh’s resignation letter an hour before last Friday’s Annual AN HONORABLE SENDOFF Town Meeting, where the news was announced. According to O’Connell, select- WEST BROOKFIELD —A member of Boy Scout Troop 257 from North Brookfield is partially law changes men were aware Welsh was interested in the obscured by smoke and waves of heat as he places a flag on the fire during a flag disposal cer- emony Thursday, June 17 at the Quaboag on the Common nursing home. For more photos, please turn to Page A14. Turn To WELSH, page A15 PROPOSAL COULD PUSH BACK FIRST DAY A decade of missing Molly BY TERESA A. FRANCO NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER Changes to the Open Meeting Law across the Commonwealth were originally sup- EVENTS TO MARK SOMBER ANNIVERSARY posed to take effect Thursday, July 1. But with a law currently moving through the BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY Sunday, June 27, the day of draw family and friends from Legislature that would push back the date to STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER Nov.1, many local officials are still preparing Molly’s Ride for Child Safety, all over the country, including WARREN — In Central as though the law will take effect at the will be 10 years to the day since Colorado, Mississippi, Arizona, Massachusetts, there are few beginning of next month. the Warren teen’s disappear- Michigan and Florida, who will names that can conjure emo- The new law requires that meetings be ance from her lifeguard post at share their sorrows on missing tions as deep as that of Molly posted two days in advance, not including Comins Pond in Warren. the girl they loved, and their tri- Bish. weekends, as it was previously. The new law Three years after Molly’s umphs in working to keep the This weekend, the Molly Bish also asks for boards and committees to post abduction, her remains were nation’s youth safe in Molly’s Foundation will host its annual their agendas along with descriptions of found in a remote area of honor. vigil and motorcycle rally, each topic being discussed. Palmer known as Whiskey Hill. “When I look back at this though this year’s events mark Auburn Town Clerk Ellen Gaboury said To date, no one has been held whole journey that Molly’s put a significant milestone for the accountable for her death. Turn To OPEN MEETINGS, page A18 foundation, and the Bish family. This year’s vigil is expected to Turn To MOLLY, page A18 INSIDE THE NEW LEADER ON PAGE A3 ON PAGE A10 Calendar......................B5 Police Logs....................A Classroom Corner ...........A Public Meetings .............A MESSAGE OF HOPE FC NAPOLI GIRLS Obituaries ....................B2 Sports ...........................A HEADED TO NATIONALS Our Towns....................B4 Viewpoint ..................A8-9 2 SPENCER NEW LEADER • Friday, June 25, 2010 Accident claims life of Southbridge man ALMANAC BY DAVID DORE turning left, police said, it crossed the east- 39, and Amanda Blanchette, 19, both of NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER bound lane and into the path of a Harley- Worcester. All three were transported to the QUOTATION OF BROOKFIELD — The investigation into an Davidson motorcycle operated by Cesolini. University of Massachusetts Medical Center accident that took the life of a Southbridge He and the motorcycle struck the van, with in Worcester. THE EEK motorcycle enthusiast could wrap up as soon Cesolini suffering fatal injuries. Traffic at the scene was diverted the after- W as this week, a State Police spokesman said The van driver, 20-year-old Jacob Bradley noon of June 15 to allow state troopers to Saturday, June 19. of Greenville, N.H., suffered minor injuries complete their work. “It has been a remarkable journey, Paul J. Cesolini, 76, of Therese Avenue was — as did his passengers, Stacey Blanchette, State Police Troop C in Brookfield is inves- but I think at the end you’d trade it all pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, tigating the crash, assisted by the State to have one day with Molly. I’d love to which occurred at 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, June 15 Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction touch her, and feel her, and smell her, in front of Carmella’s Italian Kitchen on Section, the State Police Crime Scene but I guess God has a purpose we don’t South Maple Street (Route 9). For Cesolini’s Services Section and the state Medical always understand.” According to a press release from the Examiner’s Office. — Magi Bish of West Warren, mother of Massachusetts State Police, a 1997 Dodge obituary, Molly Bish, reflecting on 10 years without Ram van was traveling westbound on Route David Dore may be reached at (508) 909- her daughter. 9 when the driver turned left to enter the please see Section B. 4140, or by e-mail at ddore@stonebridge- Carmella’s parking lot. As the vehicle was press.com. THE STATS MAJOR ANCESTRY GROUPS (%) REPORTED BY RESIDENTS New Bandstand Committee makes its mark SCOTTISH Auburn.................................................1 SUMMER CONCERTS TO RETURN FOR SECOND YEAR Brimfield ............................................ 5 Brookfield .......................................... 3 Charlton...............................................3 BY ELISA KROCHMALNYCKYJ and said they just couldn’t add Even though the concert series They also said they may consid- NEW LEADER CORRESPONDENT Douglas ................................................2 the responsibility of the con- only takes place during the sum- er renovating the ramp at the Dudley..................................................1 EAST BROOKFIELD — East certs to their already full agen- mer, the committee will have Senior Center at the same time. Holland................................................ 2 Brookfield will have a summer das. They are relieved to have charge of the gazebo year-round, “If the price is right, we might Leicester ............................................. 2 concert series this year, thanks the committee, and will do what which would mostly mean coor- want to look into doing more Northbridge ........................................2 to Amanda and Dan Lambert they can, they said. dinating scheduling for the gaze- than one,” Fish said. Oxford ................................................. 2 and a handful of other volun- “We’ll help with things like bo.

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