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Mailed free to requesting homes in Charlton, Charlton City and Charlton Depot Vol. 4, No. 8 COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.CHARLTONVILLAGER.COM “Follow your heart, and you perish.” Friday, Feb 19, 2010 Tully named temp. town clerk The additional money is only a ELECTMEN GIVE HEFTY RAISE TO POSITION raise in the sense that Tully will S make more as the town clerk as com- BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL Craver. Additional money to pay for raise. One document indicates STAFF WRITER pared to its assistant, Singer argued. the increase is slated to come from Nichols made $21.45 per hour work- The raise is justified, Selectmen CHARLTON — Selectmen the Finance Committee’s reserved ing 24 hours weekly. Tully’s new Vice Chairman Kathleen Walker Tuesday appointed Darlene Tully as fund, according to Craver. The com- salary is based upon a $25.09 hourly said, because she believes the job’s temporary Town Clerk and raised mittee would still have to approve a salary for 32 hours of weekly work. salary was too low. the salary as well. money transfer. Selectmen Chairman Rick “The town clerk has been severely Tully, the former assistant town Tully will benefit from the salary Swensen agreed the increase is a underpaid, in my opinion, com- clerk, will serve out the remainder increase, but will not receive addi- raise and pointed out the new clerk pared to the rest of the employees of former clerk Susan Nichols’ tional fees and stipends, as Nichols will have to deal with responsibili- especially because of the level of term, which expires in May 2011. did, from officiating marriage cere- ties stemming from the new version responsibility she has,” Walker said Nichols resigned last month, citing monies and other functions. That of the state’s Open Meeting Law set in an interview Wednesday. health issues. money will now go to the town’s gen- to take affect later this year. Craver argued the pay hike is not “I’m quite happy with how it eral fund, according to Tully. “There is no question there is an really a raise because Nichols base worked out,” Tully said in an inter- Nichols previously made a base increase in money. We think it is and fees pay was combined into one view Wednesday. salary of $25,779 in fiscal 2009, and appropriate with the responsibili- salary now. She also pointed out In addition to Tully’s appoint- $34,781 with fees and stipends, ties of that office,” he said in an whenever a position is filled, salary ment, selectmen modified the job’s according to Craver. interview Wednesday. “We feel it surveys are typically done to make specifications. The office will be With the town in a budget crunch, was justified.” the amounts are appropriate. now open an additional eight hours, selectmen expressed different opin- Selectman David M. Singer said “I don’t know you could say this is File photo totaling 32, and the job’s salary will ions as to whether the increase he did not view the increase as a actually a raise, per se,” she said. increase to $41,910.34 this fiscal year equals a raise. raise, because the town “will be get- While some might be upset at the Darlene Tully, who served as assistant and $43,697.66 next, according to Selectmen’s documents, however, ting more from their clerk” with town issuing the increase, Swensen town clerk under Susan Nichols, was Town Administrator Robin L. indicate the increase is indeed a more hours. appointed temporary town clerk last Turn To CLERK, page 11 week. Nichols resigned last month. DPWs weigh options EYE ROAD MIX ALTERNATIVES BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL STAFF WRITER Area towns are leaning more toward alternative mixtures, and less to traditional sand and salt, when clearing roads of snow and ice during the winter. Southbridge is one such town that could benefit from the new approach. After consulting with other local communities, Department of Public Shawn Kelley photo Works Director Kenneth Kalinowski said he was considering using “ClearLane” on town roads — salt ON WITH THE SHOW treated with magnesium chloride, colored green. CHARLTON — The Charlton Community Center Theatre Committee gets ready to perform a puppet show as part of the grand opening festivities at the Charlton While no decision has been made, Community Center Saturday, Feb. 13. For more photos, turn to page A8. the director said he may buy a cou- ple of hundred gallons of ClearLane as a trial run. Using ClearLane could reduce costs, the director said, because “per ton you get more miles out of it.” Town road goes by the (re)numbers Despite paying more for treated salt, Kalinowski said additional savings going to correct it self,” said Turn To DPW, page 11 DESPITE PROTESTATIONS, ADDRESS CHANGES APPROVED Chairman Rick Swensen. “It will have to be done eventually and it BY JOY RICHARD They came out to support one voted in favor of the numbers STAFF WRITER [still] won’t be palatable down the another at the Feb. 9 meeting in a changing. road.” CHARLTON — Baker Pond Road last attempt at keeping their Selectmen Vice Chairman The discussion of shifting house residents made their point clear for addresses from changing. Kathleen Walker, who lives on Baker number has been on the selectmen’s the final time to selectmen last The board, however, unanimously Pond Road, abstained from both the agenda for the past few meetings week: They did not want their house agreed with the recommendations discussion and the vote. numbers to change. of the emergency departments and “This is a situation that is not Turn To ROAD, page 11 Sellew earns recognition BY TERESA A. FRANCO Sellew said. “The different things I do in STAFF WRITER town, I do because I really enjoy it.” CHARLTON — It’s not everyday you In addition to being the town’s assistant get rewarded for doing what you love, but control officer — which he does without that is precisely what happened to pay — Sellew helps out with the Chip-In Charlton Assistant Animal Control program, the town’s food bank, and is Officer Brent Sellew. chair of the Old Home Day Committee. Sellew, at an event at the Holiday Inn in He helps in many other ways as well. Shawn Kelley photo Boxboro last Saturday, was awarded the One of the major projects Sellew has A Southbridge DPW truck spreads a sand Lion’s Club Humanitarian of the Year taken on is building an animal shelter for and salt mixture on the roads Wednesday. award. The honor is for the Lions Club the town. For the past couple years, he Other area towns are experimenting with District 33 and is usually given to some- has been collecting donations for the proj- mixtures that include beer brewery one who is heavily involved with his or ect, which he hopes will be open by May. Teresa Franco photo byproducts and — in Thompson, Conn. — Lions Club members Ronald and her community. Assistant Animal Control Officer Brent Sellew with his dog, Schmoe, out- molasses, to improve road conditions, the “It’s amazing to me to get an award for Turn To AWARD, 11 side the Charlton Police Station. environment and town budgets. something that you absolutely love to do,” page TRIVIA CHARLTON RAMS SEE END Almanac ................. 2 Learning................ 13 TO SEASON, “When in the course of COMMUNITY Obituaries ............. 13 Calendar ...............12 CLARK TOURNEY human events … is the Police Logs .............. 5 Real Estate ...B Section CENTER opening line of which INDEX INDEX Opinion ................ 10 Sports .............. 14-15 RUN PAGE 8 PAGE 14 famous document? Answer Inside 2 •THE CHARLTON VILLAGER• Friday, February 19, 2010 www.charltonvillager.com Unhealthy snacks failing out of school CHARLTON ALMANAC SOME QUESTION REGULATORY MEASURE THEY SAID IT “I’m quite happy with how it BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL At Burgess Elementary School worked out.” AND CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY in Sturbridge, where the cafeteria —TEMPORARY TOWN CLERK DARLENE TULLY, ON HER STAFF WRITERS does not serve fried foods or have RECENT APPOINTMENT AFTER THE RESIGNATION OF FOR- A bill that would ban the sale of any vending machines, Principal MER TOWN CLERK SUSAN NICHOLS. unhealthy foods in public schools Dan Carlson said along with a to combat childhood obesity is change in cafeteria management gaining support among local a couple years ago, came an OPEN TO CLOSE school officials — though some improved menu with healthier TOWN HALL (508) 248-2200 see it as only one part of a multi- options. Board of Selectmen (248-2206): faceted social issue. “I’ve been very pleased with the Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays “I think it can be very effective. steps that our cafeteria manager ...............................................7:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m. I think it can be that next step,” has taken in the past two years to Tuesdays...................................7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. provide healthy meals for our stu- Fridays.................................... 7:30 a.m to 12 p.m. said Oxford Public Schools Food Town Clerk (248-2249): Service Director Angela Scolaro. dents,” Carlson said. “All the Monday to Thursday .................10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bill making its way meals here are freshly cooked Fridays ........................................................Closed through the state Legislature with lots of vegetable options and First and Third Tuesday ................5:30 to 7 p.m. would prohibit public schools fruit options available for stu- PUBLIC LIBRARY (248-0452) from selling unhealthy foods that dents to choose from as well as a Mondays, Wednesdays............9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. compete with the federal govern- salad option offered two days a Tuesdays, Thursdays..............9:30 a.m.