AAUUBBURURNN NNEWSEWS (508) 943-4800 Newsstand: 75 cents www.auburnnews.net “Who kept the faith and fought the fight; the glory theirs, the duty ours.” Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Grossman recovering after heart surgery NEWLY RE-ELECTED SELECTMAN NAMED CHAIR AT BOARD REORGANIZATION BY ADAM MINOR when she visited two weeks ago. until his surgery Friday morning, after the surgery, he will not be AUBURN NEWS EDITOR However, on Sunday morning, May May 23. allowed to take “long car rides” for AUBURN — Only three days 18, Grossman’s wife, Heather, decid- “His spirits are really good,” up to four to six weeks. removed from being re-elected to a ed it may be something much more Wendy said a day before the surgery. “He is really concerned about get- fifth term as a selectman, Robert serious. “He is eating…hopefully, everything ting back to the selectmen’s board,” Grossman suffered a heart attack “My mother had a feeling it was a goes well.” she said. “He is worried about miss- last weekend, and recently under- heart attack,” Wendy said. “He did- According to Wendy as of Friday ing things, and he’s concerned about went triple bypass surgery. n’t want to go to the hospital. His night, May 23, Grossman was “rest- tons of people. He’s been getting tons According to Wendy Grossman, breathing was shallow and he was ing comfortably” in the ICU, and is of phone calls, prayers and well the selectman’s oldest daughter, he dizzy,so that was it.” beginning his recovery. wishes. It’s been real positive, and he began to “feel ill” Saturday, May 17, In the early evening Sunday, “He came through it very well,” is proud to hear [the public is con- only two days after he was re-elected Heather called an ambulance, and she added. cerned about him].” in the town’s Annual Election. At Grossman was transported to Wendy said that her father has Although Grossman has admitted first, she said, the family believed UMass Memorial Medical Center, expressed his desire to return to the his illness was due to a “bug” passed University Campus, where he was Board of Selectmen to continue his Turn To GROSSMAN, page A19 on by his daughter, Amy Repik, kept in the intensive care unit (ICU) business with the town, adding that GROSSMAN Charlton FALLEN… G THE BERIN has ‘golden MEM RE Rich Hosford photos opportunity’ AUBURN — Many residents came out to watch the Memorial Day parade and ceremony at Hillside Cemetery Monday, May 26, to honor the service men and women the country has lost to war. for growth The event, organized by the American Legion Chester P. Tuttle Post, featured veterans, community leaders, children and the Shriners. For the story and more photos, turn to page A13. NEIGHBORING TOWN’S BIZ PLANS COMPARED TO AUBURN BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER If the town is not careful in planning new business growth, one local resident believes, ugly cookie-cutter buildings could ruin its rural charm. One need only look at Auburn’s fast food joints and chain restaurants, according to Cemetery Road resident Armand Bessette, to see what Charlton’s section of Route 20 could look like in the future. “There’s no rhyme or reason to it,” Bessette said during a May 22 telephone interview, describing it as “homogenized.” With Farmington, Conn.-based Konover Associates planning a new retail-shopping complex on Route 20 — it is the subject of an ongoing public hearing — Bessette is propos- ing a new committee be formed that would help keep the town’s “typical old New England” character. Lowe’s Improvement Center will anchor the complex that is said to be attracting a bank, movie theater and supermarket. The group, he said, would work with the firm to assemble a development package that would reflect the treasured feeling. The new plan, he said, would boost property values, attract more people to the stores, and put more tax revenue into the towns coffers. Konover working with the group, Bessette said, would boost their reputation as a firm receptive to residents concerns. It would also implement the town’s master plan, he said. “My feeling and my problem is that, right now, we’ve got a golden opportunity to lay Turn To DEVELOPMENT, page A12 Something nice back home… STRIKE A POSE Courtesy photos U.S. Army Cpl. Sean Hurley poses with the Chrome Sisters, an all female motorcycle group in the Auburn/Oxford area, in front of care packages the women put together for female soldiers in Iraq. CHROME SISTERS SENDS PACKAGES OVERSEAS FOR FEMALE SOLDIERS BY RICHARD HOSFORD However, some do not receive the latter in NEWS STAFF WRITER the same abundance as some of their male AUBURN — Female soldiers fighting over- counterparts. Shawn Kelley photo seas need the same amount of support as The Chrome Sisters, an all women motor- SOUTHBRIDGE — Auburn seniors Meghan Lovely, Keri Donahue, and Melissa Travers, smile for the anyone else in the military.They require the camers in thier senior gear during the Southbridge vs. Auburn baseball game Wednesday, May 21. For support of the military, the respect of their more on the game, turn to page A10. Turn To SISTERS, page A19 peers and the encouragement from home. CALENDAR.........A12 E E SOUTHBRIDGE OPINION..............A6 LEARNING SENIORS .............A9 TAKES STORY TIME OBITUARIES.......A18 AUBURN SPORTS ............A10 PAGE A4 PAGE A10 INSID 6 56525 10391 9 INSID 2 • THE AUBURN NEWS • Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Webelos receive Arrow of Light badges ALMANAC QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I want to thank everyone for their well wishes … My dad smiled when he heard about all the prayers. The more prayers, the better. There are so many people that have sent their prayers — it’s amazing. It’s overwhelming for both my parents. It’s nice to see there are so many good people in the town of Auburn.” - Auburn resident Wendy Grossman, reacting to the outpouring of support by the town of Auburn after her father, newly re-elected selectman Robert Grossman, had a heart attack and underwent triple bypass heart surgery at UMass last week. OPEN TO CLOSE AUBURN TOWN HALL Board of Selectmen (832-7720) Courtesy photo Monday-Friday..........................................8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seven Scouts and their Webelos leaders. Front row, from left, Kyle Faneuff, Connor Toomey, Alex Morrow, Sam Cynamon, Patrick Town Clerk (832-7701) Lovely, Jacob McPherson and Andrew Lier. Back row, from left, Mr. Rich McPherson, Webelos Den 2 Leader, Mr. Dave Bragg, Webelos Den 1 Leader. Monday-Friday..........................................8 a.m. to 4 p.m. AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY (832-7790) AUBURN — On Saturday, the pack received their welcomed to their new in grades 1 through 5, or May 17, second-year Webelo crossover badges. troops by Scouts from aged 6 to 11, can register Monday, Wednesday...........................10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Scouts from Auburn’s Pack Following the evening’s Troop 101 and Troop 53, with the pack any time of 101 achieved the highest meal, leaders from the pack both from Auburn. year. Tuesday, Thursday ...............................9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. rank in Cub Scouting — the treated the Scouts to a During the school year, For additional informa- Fridays ................................................10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Arrow of Light. Roman Gladiator-themed Pack 101 holds den meet- tion, please contact Mr. An awards ceremony and play that set the stage for ings weekly at its charter- Michael Villa, Cubmaster, Saturday ....................................................9 a.m. to 4 p.m. banquet was held at the 200 the Arrow of Light ceremo- ing organization, the First at cubmaster@auburn- Sportsmen Club in Webster. ny. Congregational Church, pack101.com or via phone AUBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT (832-7777) Michael J. Villa, After receiving their 128 Central St., Auburn. at (508) 925-7410 or visit For emergencies, dial 911 Cubmaster for the pack, Arrow of Light badges and The pack also carries out www.auburnpack101.com. served as the Master of pins, the Scouts crossed activities and events during AUBURN FIRE DEPARTMENT (832-7800) Ceremonies as all Scouts in over to Boy Scouts, being the summer months. Boys Monday-Friday..........................................8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For emergencies, dial 911 The Five Questions… REAL ESTATE POST OFFICES 1. What color is the “Black Box” in an airplane? $215,000, 210 West St., Kira A. MacNeil to Auburn Post Office (01501) ........................(508) 832-3560 Judith A. and William J. Regan Sr. SCHOOLS 2. What was Eleanor Roosevelt’s maiden name? $215,000, 3 Mayfield Rd., Martha H. King to Carolyn A. Niemeck. Auburn School District...............................(508) 832-7755 3. What is the eastern most country in Europe? $7,500, 14 Elbridge Rd., Mark and Debra A. Stevens to Mark and Corine Stevens. Bryn Mawr Elementary School .................(508) 832-7733 4. Idaho abuts six states. Which are they? $255,000, 12 Rockland Road Ct., Patrick J. Julia Bancroft Elementary School ............(508) 832-7744 and Kristy J. Murphy to Prudential Relocation 5. Who was the first president of the Republic of Texas? Inc. Mary D. Stone Elementary School.............(508) 832-7766 $255,000, 12 Rockland Road Ct., Preudential Relocation Inc. to Judy A. Longo. Pakachoag Elementary School ..................(508) 832-7788 $103,000, 3 Eames St., Mark J. and Sandra L. Auburn Middle School................................(508) 832-7722 EEKLY UOTE Lindblom to Jeremy E. Stannard. W Q $236,500, 34 Bryn Mawr Ave., Countrywide Auburn High School ...................................(508) 832-7711 Home Loans Inc. and Deutsche Bank National This Week’s front page quote is attributed to Trust Co.