Upton Fire Receives $170K Grant Goodnow Named Mendon's Senior
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Lake Nipmuc, Mendon, will be treated for a nuisance weed Monday, August 10. TOWN CRIER Town Beach closed August 7, 2015 August 10, reopens UPTON & MENDON, MASSACHUSETTS Vol. 24 No. 13 August 11. Est. 1993 • Mailed FREE to all 5,800 addresses in Upton and Mendon. www.TownCrier.us Upton Center Celebrates 35 Years Upton Fire Receives By Michelle Sanford approximately 25 residents gathered later, the Council on Aging held a Staff Reporter/Columnist together to celebrate the Center’s grand opening of the current facility In 1978, a proposal was drawn 35 years of service to the town. which was known as the Upton $170K Grant up to establish a Council on Aging Entertainer Greg Curtis sang a variety Senior Center and now, the Upton By Michelle Sanford Drop-in Center in Upton to be of patriotic and show tunes that had Center. Staff Reporter/Columnist located at the Unitarian Church. the group up, clapping and even Today, the Upton Center provides The Upton Fire Department recently learned they Now, 35 years later, several names waving American flags. Following seniors, low income, and disabled were one of a handful of fire departments to be awarded changes and a different location, the the show, some delicious strawberry citizens an array of resources and grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Upton Center continues to grow and shortcake was served. services including monthly blood Agency (FEMA). On July 30, Congressman Jim McGovern prosper by providing hundreds of Over its 35 years, serving Upton’s pressure clinics, annual flu shots, announced the recipients. citizens much needed services and senior residents has become a full home visit assessments, tax work The Upton Fire Emergency Medical Services received a daily programs and activities. time endeavor for the town and the off programs as well as SHINE FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant totaling $173,334 On July 10, Upton Center Director establishment of the drop in center in Counseling, fuel assistance, and food that will be used to fund the purchase of 28 Self-Contained Janice Nowicki, her staff, Town 1978 marked the beginning of those Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for the Department. An SCBA Manager Blythe Robinson, and day-to-day efforts. Just two years UPTON CENTER p 9 is used by firefighters and other rescue workers to provide breathable air when entering dangerous life or health situations. The Upton Fire Department has been utilizing their current SCBA equipment for a significant period of time and are now outdated. This is the fourth consecutive year the Fire Department has applied for the grant, and finally receiving it this year was great news for the Department. “I guess the fourth time really is the charm; I couldn’t be happier,” said Upton Fire Chief Ron Goodale. He said last year, they came close to being awarded a FEMA grant but the total amount of funding be given to various fire departments ran out. “That’s how it works, but this year we crossed the finish line,” he said. Goodale said the FEMA grant application process is a very competitive one as so many fire departments must rely on these grants to finance their equipment and gear needs. “Funding has decreased over the years while apparatus costs have gone through the roof.” He added that each time a Singer Greg Curtis (back row, middle), the Upton Center staff, and a number of residents came together to celebrate the 35th year of the Upton Center. UPTON FIRE GRANT p 10 Goodnow Named Mendon’s Senior of the Year By Michelle Sanford year. However, he continues to involved in Neighbors Helping Staff Reporter/Columnist provide hair cuts to those residents Neighbors, an organization that PRSRT STD PRSRT PAID US POSTAGE #35 PERMIT MA UPTON, 01568 He quietly and unassumingly who are unable to leave their provides assistance to local in need likes to do what he can to help homes. “If a person is unable to get families and individuals. others. Whether it’s volunteering out, I’ll go cut their hair; it helps the For the last ten years, he’s at the Senior Center or giving caretakers,” he said. participated in the Jimmy Fund haircuts to those who are house Paulette Lawrence worked with Walk to raise funds for the Dana bound, Mendon resident Warren Goodnow for a number of years Farber Cancer Institute, and as a Goodnow likes to stay involved and bought his barber shop with bicycle enthusiast, he also used to in his community and help out co-owner Lynne Stacy. Lawrence ride the Pan Mass Challenge to when he can. And that’s why the said there aren’t enough words to raise funds for cancer as well. Council on Aging named the describe how wonderful Goodnow Goodnow says he’s not that lifelong Mendon resident Senior of is. “He is such a gentle, humble, comfortable with all the attention the Year. beautiful person,” she said. “I he’s been getting lately from all “I can’t tell you how many could go on and on about him.” the accolades. “When I found out people have come up to me saying Lawrence said when she first about it, I was hoping someone what a great choice he was for began working for Goodnow at else would take my place,” he this year’s Senior of the Year,” his barbershop, he took her right joked. Still, he says he’s only doing POSTAL PATRON POSTAL CAR-RT-SORT WS MA 01568 UPTON, Warren Goodnow is Mendon’s 2015 said Senior Center Director Amy under his wing. “He gave me half things he enjoys—helping others, Senior Citizen of the Year. He will Wilson Kent. “He’s so well loved of his customers. That’s just the way “I like to help people and keep it be honored at festivities on Sunday, around here.” he is; he’s just so giving,” she said. quiet. I enjoy staying under the September 20. Goodnow family photo Goodnow is known to so many As a business owner Goodnow radar.” in town as the barber who cut their also sponsored youth baseball Goodnow will be honored on hair growing up. After years as the teams. “A lot of other people did September 20 with a dinner hosted Reservations for the event are owner of Warren’s Haircutting, he too,” he said humbly. He was by the Mendon’s Lion’s Club at the being taken at the Mendon Senior The Upton & Mendon Town Crier Town Mendon & Upton The Inc. Crier Publications, Town Street 48 Mechanic MA 01568 Upton, retired and sold his business last also one of a number of people Unitarian Church. Center or by calling 508-478-6175. Worcester County DA Supports Blackstone YOUTH OUTDOOR SUMMER CAMP "Last week of the Summer Camp Valley Drug Task Force August 24-27!" FISHING • BIKING • BOATING By Melissa Orff Kayaks • Canoes • Pedal Boats Staff Reporter Rowboats & Archery The local war on drugs received Our exciting Water War is back! some assistance from Worcester LOCATION: 9 am - 2 pm -4 Day Camp Now in Country District Attorney Joseph Hopedale Pond oering an Extended Day option our 6th Early last Friday, when he presented Season! Hopedale, MA Cost: $200 and Siblings $190 the Blackstone Valley Drug Task Force a $5,000 check for their continuing work. DA Early met with the Task Force on the morning of July 31 at the Mendon Fire Department, praising them for their efforts in working together to fight against what has become an “epidemic” – opioid use and abuse. “You guys do great work; this is a great partnership,” said Early. The Task Force is made up of police departments throughout the Blackstone Valley who pool Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early (far right) presents a check manpower and resources to solve to Mendon Chief of Police Ernest Horn and other members of the Blackstone major drug cases. Valley Drug Task Force on July 31. Grafton’s Police Chief Norman Crepeau, who was at the meeting, said that the task force is a way for smaller towns to assist each other on large drug cases, and not just with funds. “It’s about pooling intelligence and experience from other officers,” he said. As well as soliciting ideas from the dozen Chiefs of Police in attendance, Early spoke to the Task Force about the efforts being made district-wide on prevention and about ongoing training for officers on administering Narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. “This is a disease, and we know it is a disease,” said the District Attorney. “We would all much rather prevent a crime then solve one,” he said. Mendon’s Chief of Police and Fire Ernest Horn, who is one of the leaders of the Blackstone Valley Task Force along with Blackstone’s Chief of Police Ross Atstupenas, said that the DA’s office has helped with the funding of the HOME • AUTO •BUSINESS • LIFE task force since its inception in 1989. “The DA [Early] is very concerned about the heroin epidemic, and wants to help keep it under control,” said Horn. “He is extremely supportive of the Blackstone Valley Drug Task Force,” he said. Horn said that the $5,000 check will be used exclusively for salaries for the task force. Addiction is a Family Disease “Addiction is not just about the also have first-hand experience addict who is suffering; it’s about about the devastating effects that the family who is suffering also,” addiction can have on a family. said Amy Leone, licensed therapist The Truitt family lost their son and owner of Community Impact, and brother Matt Bertulli in 2012 a mental health counseling practice to a heroin overdose after a long that specializes in substance abuse.