392 Main Street Sturbridge

Mailed free to requesting homes in Charlton, Charlton City and Charlton Depot Vol. 4, No. 14 COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.CHARLTONVILLAGER.COM “I am going to seek a great Perhaps.” Friday, Apr 2, 2010 Meals tax Officials see red with budget move irks TOWN IN THE HOLE TO START FISCAL YEAR BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL Overall, excluding money for the the spending plan. STAFF WRITER Dudley-Charlton Regional School Selectmen and finance commit- CHARLTON — The town is start- District and any wage increases, tee members, during a Wednesday, Singer ing fiscal 2011 more than a half mil- the budget is $21,615,156 — an March 24, meeting, agreed to not lion dollars in the hole. increase of $1,294,281 over last year. pursue any Proposition 2 1/2 over- Preliminary estimates put the Craver presented the informa- ride in the near future, according to town $560,676 in the red, according tion Tuesday,March 23 merely to let Finance Committee Chairman PROPOSAL PLACED to Town Administrator Robin L. selectmen digest the numbers Frank Morill. The chairman said Craver. before starting actual discussion on ON WARRANT Turn To BUDGET, page 11 Robin Craver BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL STAFF WRITER CHARLTON — Selectman David Singer is slamming the board and Finance Committee members for considering letting voters approve an increase in the meals tax. “There are so ON THE HUNT many reasons why it is wrong,” he said. “It is not going to make a difference in the town’s budget. Selectmen in September unani- mously voted to not pursue raising the meals tax by .75 per- cent. Now, at the request of the David Singer Finance Committee, they have placed an article asking for the increase on the warrant for the Tuesday, May 1 annual town meeting. Selectmen, however,could remove it before the gathering. The state Department of Revenue has esti- mated a meals tax increase would generate Turn To TAX, page 11 RMV says fees to be returned Shawn Kelley photos BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL STAFF WRITER CHARLTON — Above, families and children The state Registry of Motor Vehicles has attending Capen Hill’s annual egg hunt pledged refunds for motorists who paid a $5 Saturday, March 27 head off on the bunny surcharge for some transactions. Those who paid the fee before it was dumped, however, trail. At right, Zach Pecore, 16, and Tim are suspicious they will ever receive them. Degnin, 14, both of Charlton, make their way The RMV last month imposed the fee for back from replenishing eggs along the trails. some branch and telephone transactions, say- ing it wanted to push more people to using its For more photos, turn to page A8. Web site instead of visiting a branch. After just one day of complaints and controversy over the decision, Gov. Deval Patrick rescind- ed the fee. Registry Spokesman Ann Dufresne last week said refund checks for people who paid the fee should be “mailed in the next week or so.” Motorists, she said, don’t have to do any- thing to apply for the refund. Turn To FEES, page 11 Teaching elementary for McQuade ‘IT IS WHERE MY HEART IS’ BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL before settling into the job this year. STAFF WRITER After graduating in 2004 from CHARLTON — Charlton Elementary Assumption College in Worcester with School first-grade teacher Katie a physics degree, she started working as McQuade was starting her class one day a senior marketing representative for when suddenly her students started to Windsor Property Management in bust a move. Westboro, doing customer service for They were dancing to a song picked apartment rentals. Despite believing by Principal Lori Pacheco, as she does she was good at the job, she eventually every morning. The challenge for the grew tired of it, and quit in January kids is to guess the title. 2008. That moment is just one of many “I just knew that it wasn’t a career for McQuade has enjoyed during her first me,” she said. “Deep down, I know it year as a full-time teacher. wasn’t something I wanted to do long- “I love teaching. It is where my heart term.” Shawn Kelley photos is,” she said. McQuade became interested in the CHARLTON — Above and at far left, Charlton McQuade, 27, who grew up and lives education field after seeing how much elementary School first-grade teacher Katie in Millbury, traveled a corporate path McQuade works with students inside her Turn To TEACHER, page 11 classroom last week. TRIVIA ENGINEERING A WET WEATHER NO He was born Almanac ................. 2 Learning................ 18 PLAN FOR ‘FAIR’ Obituaries ............. 15 Calendar ...............15 PROBLEM FOR Leslie Lynch King Police Logs .............. 5 Real Estate ...B Section COMPETITION HILL ATHLETES INDEX INDEX Opinion ................ 10 Sports .............. 16-17 Jr. Who was he? PAGE 4 PAGE 16 Answer inside. 2 •THE CHARLTON VILLAGER• Friday, April 2, 2010 www.charltonvillager.com School district adopts $41.2M spending plan CHARLTON ALMANAC HEY AID T BY JOY RICHARD The superintendent said the in the Dudley-Charlton district last year of $1,048,506, and would T S I STAFF WRITER budget cycle began in early has dropped, but is not reflected be a $1.5-million increase for the “I am not in agreement that the CHARLTON — Dudley- October, with the principals of in the number of preschool stu- two towns. Charlton School Committee mem- each school laying out what they dents, which is at 80 this year. The committee is scheduled to Collector’s Office should go without bers finalized the fiscal 2011 budg- needed for students and teaching “We have the lowest spending meet with the two towns to pres- their department assistant at all. It is et by erring on the side of caution for 2011. per pupil in the state,” said ent this “final draft” on vital to the town’s economic [health].” with possible state cuts on the This year more than ever, he said, Gilrein. Wednesday, April 7 at Charlton horizon. the district was focused on find- For each of the 4,500 students in Middle School at 7 p.m. — SELECTMAN VICE CHAIRMAN KATHLEEN Board members approved a ing the most “creative [and cost the district, he said, $3,109 is spent At the meeting each of the WALKER, ON LEAVING THE TAX COLLECTOR’S budget of $41,710,093 Wednesday, effective] ways to enhance” the annually and the district has only town’s Board of Selectmen, along OFFICE SHORTHANDED BY NOT FILLING A POST. March 24 during a public hearing learning experience for all stu- raised the amount $3 since 2008. with State Sen. Stephen M. at Charlton Middle School. dents, while keeping the goal of District Business Manager Brewer, D-Barre, will have the OPEN TO CLOSE The budget represents a 1.2-per- making adequate yearly progress William Trifone spoke during the chance to review the budget in TOWN HALL (508) 248-2200 cent increase of more than (AYP) in mind. hearing about the numbers com- time for the annual May town Board of Selectmen (248-2206): $492,328 over the fiscal 2010 spend- “We hope that this budget pre- ing down from the state’s budget, meetings. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays ing plan, according to Dudley- serves the quality and instruction which as of yet have not been Gilrein said this year “has been ...............................................7:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m. Charlton Regional School District that we give to our children,” said finalized, and what he projects for different” and that the committee Tuesdays...................................7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Superintendent Sean Gilrein. Gilrein. the upcoming fiscal year. “has not been down this road Fridays.................................... 7:30 a.m to 12 p.m. The district, he said, has made Town Clerk (248-2249): He called the increase “modest” “We heavily rely on what before” as far as budget seasons Monday to Thursday .................10 a.m. to 3 p.m. due to the economic climate as adjustments to staffing in the 2010 Chapter 70 [brings],” said Trifone. go. He said he and the committee Fridays ........................................................Closed well as the many cuts they have fiscal year as well to cater to the Currently, Trifone sees the dis- hope to continue to do the best for First and Third Tuesday ................5:30 to 7 p.m. made this year to conform to the current economic climate. trict getting $24412,589 in Chapter both the students and staff of the PUBLIC LIBRARY (248-0452) number sent from the state. Gilrein said he is confident the 70 funding, along with $1,184,210 district. Mondays, Wednesdays............9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. “We are trying to hold onto additions of math and English for state-funded transportation. Tuesdays, Thursdays..............9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, Sundays ......................................Closed what we have as a school district Language Arts coaches have help This, combined with $3,046,336 for Joy Richard may be reached at Saturday ...................................9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and remain fiscally conserva- students’ grades improve greatly state aid school construction and 508-909-4129 or by e-mail at POLICE DEPARTMENT (248-2250) tive,” said Gilrein. “We will con- over the past year alone. $914,946 in reserves, leaves assess- [email protected]. Monday to Friday ....................... 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. tinue to evaluate each line item He also pointed out that, along ments for the towns at $16,562,607. For emergencies, dial 911 over the next month.” with the state, student enrollment That would be an increase from FIRE DEPARTMENT (248-2299) Monday to Friday ......................

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