North Brookfield Police

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Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: WWW.SPENCERNEWLEADER.COM Friday, July 27, 2012 THIS WEEK’S Arson eyed in Spencer fire that killed three pets QUOTE “A mind troubled PARSONS: ‘SOMEONE HUMAN LIT THAT FIRE’ by doubt cannot focus on the course BY DAVID DORE fire marshal’s office, were Nobody was home when NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER to victory.” continuing their investiga- people who live near 57 SPENCER — According to tion earlier this week to Grove St. first noticed the Arthur Golden Fire Chief Robert Parsons, a determine who was respon- fire, which caused an esti- fire Friday, July 20 at sible. Parsons urged anyone mated $60,000 in damage. But Michael and Sherry who saw anything unusual they knew there were four McWhorter’s house at 57 in the area around the time pets inside — three cats and Grove St. was intentionally when the fire started (about a dog. Pat Tellier said one of set and is being investigated 10:40 a.m.) to report it to their neighbors and a police as a case of arson. Police Officer Norman officer went inside to try to “We consider it an incendi- Hodgerney at (508) 885-6333. save the animals, but the INSIDE ary fire,” Parsons said Through the Arson Watch flames prevented them from Monday,July 23, adding later, Reward Program, a reward getting more than one cat. Obituaries ..............B2 “Someone human lit that of up to $5,000 is being “It’s just so heartbreak- David Dore photos fire.” offered for information leading,” Tellier said. “My heart Calendar ................B3 Spencer police and fire ing to an arrest, Parsons Firefighters make their way away from 57 Grove St., which was dam- officials, along with the state said. Classroom Corner A6-7 aged by a fire Friday, July 20, and onto the ground. Please Read FIRE, page A12 Viewpoint ..............A8 Sports ............A10-11 Police Logs ..........A16 Stanger’s personal CCoonncceerrtt oonn tthhee CCoommmmoonn LOCAL effects taken in Bish case POLICE GETTING READY FOR PRISON INTERVIEW WITH FORMER LOCAL RESIDENT BY DAVID DORE NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER WARREN — Investigators plan on returning to Florida to question a former local resident who might be involved in the dis- Senior Center move appearance and death of Molly Bish. Page A4 Paul Jarvey, a spokesman for Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr., said Friday, July 20 David Dore photos LEARNING Massachusetts State Police detectives have not spoken BROOKFIELD — The Village Maid with Rodney Stanger Band rocked the town common at recently, but “they plan to the weekly Concerts on the Common series on Friday, July 20. do that.” They did speak Rodney Stanger with him “some years back,” Jarvey added. Molly’s sister, said Sunday, Above, Damien Sargent, 7, of Stanger, 64, is serving 25 July 22 Kiernan called her Brookfield served up hot popcorn for 5 cents a serving — or however years in prison after accept- the previous weekend to much money people wanted to pro- ing a plea deal in 2010 for discuss her discovery. vide. killing his girlfriend, Inside the trailer, which Crystal Morrison, in the Heather Bish said was still Right, Lola Riordan of Worcester trailer they shared in stained with blood from Morrison’s death, Kiernan holds a hoop as Penelope, a stan- Summerfield, Fla. dard poodle that performed during State Police detectives found Stanger’s wallet. It contained his birth certifi- intermission at the July 20 concert, will head to Florida know- jumps through it. ing they have pieces of evi- cate (which indicates he was born in Warren) and a dence they got last week For more photos, turn to page A9! from Morrison’s sister, firearms identification card Valedictorian fiasco Bonnie Kiernan of Douglas, and fishing license from Page A6 who found them in the trailer last month. Heather Bish, Please Read STANGER, page A14 SPORTS Evans ready to lead at Town Meeting North Brookfield High scheduled for FIRST-TIME PRINCIPAL TAKES REINS AFTER FIVE Brookfield bridge YEARS IN SOUTH HADLEY BY DAVID DORE stage) would replace the cur- BY DAVID DORE NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER Summer hoops NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER rent 33-foot-wide bridge, built BROOKFIELD — Although in 1936 and owned by the NORTH BROOKFIELD action the language has not been town, with one measuring 45 — Although it’s the middle finalized, voters will be asked feet, 9 inches wide. It would Page A10 of summer vacation, new at a Special Town Meeting in have two 5.5-foot-wide side- North Brookfield September to approve or walks and two 2-foot-wide Junior/Senior High reject easements so the bridge breakdown lanes, Comtois School Principal William on Route 148 over the said. It would be shifted to the PINION Evans has been doing a lot O PINION Quaboag River can be east 12 feet and raised a few since taking the job replaced. feet from its present location, GET YOUR Monday, July 16. A similar request at June’s he said. “It’s been busy, but peo- POINT ACROSS Annual Town Meeting came The road leading up to the ple have been very wel- PAGE A8 nine votes short of passage. bridge would be changed to coming, very helpful,” “It will be identical to what “improve line of sight and to Evans said in a July 19 was presented at the Annual increase water flow under the interview. “And I’m still Town Meeting,” Selectmen bridge,” stated a document trying to find my way David Dore photo Chairman Stephen Comtois handed out at the Annual around” and learn infor- North Brookfield Junior/Senior High School Principal William II said Saturday, July 21, Town Meeting. More than mation that has been given Evans sits in his office Thursday, July 19. adding later, “My assumption 1,100 feet of roadway around to him. “I’ve been busy,but is the same exact article.” the bridge would be resur- in a good way.” Plans presented by the state faced, Comtois said. This is the first time the served as principal of a Evans was assistant prin- school. For five years Department of The estimated $3.7 million 48-year-old Evans has Transportation in May starting in July 2007, Please Read EVANS, page A15 (which are at the 25 percent Please Read BRIDGE, page A12 2 SPENCER NEW LEADER • Friday, July 27, 2012 School, town officials continue talk on FY13 budget PROPERTIES ADDED TO PLEASANT STREET ZONING CHANGE REQUEST BY DAVID DORE Meeting. Armington wondered if have to cut now, and we’re not The Planning Board last month available until mid-August. NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER that much should be set aside, since doing it.” rejected Eager’s original request to Selectmen said the radios would be LEICESTER — The School he could only find one instance in He continued to say that the add one of her parcels to the compatible with the new radio sys- Department could be able to give recent years where the amount budget situation in fiscal 2014 and Central Business District because tem the Police Department will back at least $124,000 from last needed at Town Meeting was beyond would be “a potential prob- members felt it was not consistent soon purchase. year’s budget — but that wouldn’t $270,000. lem” — regardless of whether vot- with the purpose and intent of the • Accepted a payment of $7,853.12 come close to closing a deficit a “I believe we have enough free ers agree to permanently raise district from the Federal Emergency town official said is at least three cash available and funds available their property taxes through an Since Eager added a piece of Management Agency and the times that. to get us through [fiscal 2013],” override — because a $1.5 million property to her request, and since Massachusetts Emergency School Committee member Mark Armington said. override wouldn’t cover the town’s the Planning Board has not decided Management Agency to reimburse Armington told the Board of Town officials, meanwhile, said expected budget gap. on the requests on the Benoit’s the removal of trees after Tropical Selectmen Monday, July 23 “we feel the School Department should Representatives from the Board Lighting land and the parcel Storm Irene in August. pretty confident” the schools could spend down the accounts used for of Selectmen, School Committee between them, another public hear- • Were glad to get a $7,000 check provide that amount and use state School Choice and transportation and Advisory Board met recently at ing will be held. The date had not from the Leicester Cable Access aid for special education expenses fees — which they claimed had a a meeting of the chairs to discuss been scheduled before press time. Corporation to defray some of the known as “circuit breaker” to make combined total of $900,000. the budget. Another session will be Selectmen voted 4-1 — with costs of the town’s negotiation of a up the difference.

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