OUR PURPLE PROMISE We Only Charge • Pro Pics • Full Service 1.5% • Open Houses of Sale Price • MLS *Does Not include Buyer’s Agent Commission *Minimums Apply* gopurpleporch.com 1-508-439-7068 Located in Sturbridge Free by request to residents of Charlton, Charlton City and Charlton Depot SEND YOUR NEWS AND PICS TO [email protected] Friday, March 1, 2019 Selectmen deny planning board’s request to consult with town attorney BY JASON BLEAU Patricia Rydlak appeared interest. manner that could result in the assist them in the case. VILLAGER CORRESPONDENT before selectmen on Tuesday, The Open Meeting Law vio- Board of Selectmen standing in This is only the latest chap- Feb. 19 discussing a request for lations are connected to the violation the laws as well. The ter in an ongoing controversy CHARLTON – The Charlton the use of Town Council to help ongoing debate concerning the Planning Board expressed con- involving Valley Green Grow Board of Selectmen has denied the Planning Board address proposed Valley Green Grow cerns about a lack of legal rep- that has seen the Planning legal assistance to the town’s Open Meeting Law complaints project for Charlton Orchard, resentation in early February, Board and Board of Selectmen Planning Board as officials revealing that the board had an initiative that has grown as the deadline for a response to at odds and citizens debating work to resolve open meeting been denied legal represen- into a town-wide controversy the court approached, and also whether the proposed mari- law violation complaints, as tation. Rydlak said that the and led VGG to file an appeal urged the Board of Selectmen juana cultivation project can well as respond to the ongo- Planning Board was turned in Superior Court after the to meeting with the Planning or should be allowed on the ing litigation concerning the down because the town’s Planning Board denied them Board to discuss how to pro- Charlton Orchard property. Valley Green Grow project attorney is investigating the a special permit. The Planning ceed. The Planning Board has The debate spilled over into the planned for Charlton Orchard. Planning Board’s action and Board has been accused of vio- reportedly responded to the Planning Board Chair thus would create a conflict of lating Open Meeting Laws in a court using a paid attorney to Turn To SELECTMEN, page A6 MARS gives first report in examination of Dudley-Charlton School District BY JASON BLEAU district four times over the last his statements. “We see people VILLAGER CORRESPONDENT month and a half and have found who are very dedicated and who the staff to be “positive” about are caring. You’ve got around DUDLEY/CHARLTON - It’s the future of the district. They three thousand eight hundred been nearly two months since the have also worked through job kids and 700 employees, a little Dudley Charlton Regional School descriptions and responsibili- less than that. You’ve got a lot of District hired the Massachusetts ties and their first major find is responsibilities so you need to be Association of Regional Schools that the district could improve organized so that you can take (MARS) to explore reorganiza- its approach to cross training care of the students, the teach- tion of the district offices and employees. Hemman also revis- ers, your citizens, parents and so now the district has its first idea ited initial concerns that he forth. We’re going to make some of what MARS will be looking district needs a more organize recommendations on that.” into in the coming weeks and hierarchy as it appears too many Paul Gagliarducci, a consul- months. department heads report direct- tant for MARS, accompanied Steve Hemman, the Assistant ly to the superintendent. Hemman for the discussion, and Executive Director of MARS, “You can’t have fourteen peo- commented on the need for cross appeared before the school com- ple coming in every time for training plans and better pre- mittee on Wednesday, Feb. 13 something to happen and the paredness for a brief or extended to share the first finding of the superintendent has got to han- absence for professionals in dif- organization as they have begun dle it. You really need to start ferent areas of the district and interviews and studies exploring Courtesy Photos at a certain level like with the schools. how the district can better orga- Professors Guertin and Cahill director of finance. You’re also “I think one of the things nize its offices and positions to dealing with computers and that we noticed that needs to suit student needs. technology and who they should be discussed at some length is According to Hemman, MARS see if they’re having a problem,” Bay Path Practical representatives have visited the Hemman said later, adding to Turn To MARS, page A6 Nursing Academy welcomes MSN students for Preceptorship CHARLTON — The staff, faculty and students of Bay Path RVTHS Practical Nursing Academy welcomes to the Academy for the school year 2018-2019 three Master of Science (MSN) students. Suzzane Taylor of Dudley from Framingham State University (FSU), Donna Desy of Auburn and Heather O’Connell of Spencer, both of Worcester State University (WSU). “We want to support MSN students and their precep- RAMS ROCK THE HOUSE tors with helpful information they can use while working with practical nursing students,” said Academy Director Gretheline Bolandrina, MSN Ed, RN, CRRN. “Our PN fac- ulty, even with their busy teaching load become preceptors Courtesy Photo because they remember what it was like to be a student, and recognize it is a way of giving back and contributing to the The cheerleading squads from Charlton Middle School and Shepherd Hill put up an impressive future of nursing. Preceptorship significantly impacts a stu- showing at a recent competition on South Hadley. The Shepherd Hill Varsity and JV teams both placed dent’s educational journey.” first, while the CMS team took home a second place trophy. All three teams are pictured here in a group photo posted on the Middle School’s Twitter feed. Turn To BAY PATH, page A2 Pollution and roadside waste an increasing concern for Charlton BY JASON BLEAU discarded near Hammond Hill Road year that cleanup effort collects more VILLAGER CORRESPONDENT and Stafford Street, causing particular and more trash in Charlton. outrage among citizens and town offi- “Last year, for Earth Day, the town CHARLTON – Roadside pollution cials alike. While there is no easy solu- collected over two tons of garbage has become a major concern for the tion the Board of Health and Board from our roads. It was the most ever town of Charlton in recent years as the of Selectmen are considering way to collected. There was great citizen instances of large bulk items being left deter people to throwing their waste participation and we had some great on roadsides and the increased pound- on Charlton roadsides and calling of events on the common. The kids had age of waste picked up during town residents to commit and do their part a blast and we appreciate all the ven- cleanups have left many questioning to help keep the town clean. dors that came out to make it real- how to solve an apparent epidemic of Officials discussed the issue at length ly a fun family-oriented day, but it’s irresponsibility. during a Board of Selectmen meet- kind of an embarrassment that there’s Courtesy Photo The last year alone has seen a rise ing on Feb. 19 where citizen Michelle two tons of garbage,” Lilley said. “I in instances of roadside waste with Lilley brought up the upcoming Earth A toiler left on Stafford Street in Charlton is just one of many recent instances that have officials one of the most recent findings, a toilet Day event on April 27 and how each Turn To WASTE, page A7 concerned about roadside waste 2 •THE CHARLTON VILLAGER• Friday, March 1, 2019 www.StonebridgePress.com Special Olympics brings athletes from throughout the state to Auburn BY KEVIN FLANDERS Basketball teams feature par- including local state represen- Olympics bowling event will for the event each year. From STAFF WRITER ticipants with a range of expe- tatives. be held at AMF Auburn. Teams coaching teams to preparing rience levels, from beginners to “The town is honored to host and guests are asked to park meals, volunteers continue to AUBURN – Athletes from athletes who have been playing the Special Olympics again in the lot by Polar Beverages serve as the backbone of the throughout the state will once for many years. Several divi- this year,” said Town Manager and take the shuttle to this program. Countless hours go again converge on Auburn, as sions are represented at the Julie Jacobson. “This is a very venue. AMF Auburn is located into organizing the venue, the annual Special Olympics event, and volunteer coaches special event that brings many at 101 Southbridge St.; Polar scheduling games, arranging program will take place this and referees always dedicate individuals and groups in our Beverages is located at 26 the craft fair, and readying the month. their time to make the program community together to prepare Southbridge St. building for school the next Add to Timely Calendar memorable. for and host the games. We are A floor hockey tournament day. Add to Google For town officials, it means a thrilled to welcome the ath- will also be offered as part of Statewide, Special Olympics Add to Outlook lot to host an annual event cel- letes, coaches and families to the two-day Special Olympics Massachusetts saw 3,682 ath- Add to Apple Calendar ebrating inclusion, teamwork, Auburn, and we encourage celebration in Auburn.