TOWN CRIER Souvenier June 12, 2015 Graduation MILFORD, MASSACHUSETTS Vol. 8 No. 17 Issue Est. 2007 • Mailed FREE to all 12,800 Milford addresses www.TownCrier.us Milford High School Graduates Encouraged to ‘Dream Big’ By Melissa Orff Staff Reporter Milford High School celebrated its 165th Commencement on May 31 with the graduation of 273 students from the Class of 2015. The seniors, garbed in red or white caps and gowns processed into the gymnasium past hundreds of family members, friends, and faculty. The commencement, which is usually held outside, was moved inside this year due to the inclement weather. After the singing of the National Anthem, which was conducted by senior Abigail Irwin and performed by the Milford High School Choirs, Salutatorian Rachel Nolan opened the ceremony thanking the staff, faculty, and teachers. “We would not have been able to make it here today without all of your endless support and guidance,” she said. Nolan told her class, that although there have been many “ups and downs” during their four years of high school, there were many good memories that they will Adjusting the microphone before “forever share.” giving her graduation speech was Class of 2015 President Taylor Gilliatt reminded her Milford High Class of 2015 president, fellow classmates about the changes they have seen Taylor Gilliatt. Harry Platcow photo. over the past four years, both in themselves and in others. “Over the past four years, I’ve learned that the only consistent thing in life is change,” she said. “We’ve To view additional photos of seen many changes over during our time at Milford the 2015 Milford High School High School that have helped us to grow grown into Graduation by Harry Platcow Donning their mortarboards following the Commencement Exercises, the unique individuals that we are.” visit TownCrier.us and click on the Milford High Class of 2015 prepared to take the next steps in their MILFORD COMMENCEMENT p 10 Photo Galleries. lives. Harry Platcow photo Blackstone Valley Tech Graduates Praised as Educational Trailblazers Submitted by Andrew Morrison Valley Tech PAID ECRWSS Tears, cheers, and gratitude were shared as the Class Boston, MA PRSRT STD U.S. Postage ermit No. 55800 P of 2015 celebrated its graduation from Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School on May 28. Held inside Worcester’s Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, this year’s commencement ceremony saw 280 students from 13 towns officially conclude their dual high school education by crossing the graduation stage and receiving their vocational certificates and diplomas. Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael F. Fitzpatrick congratulated the students on their many accomplishments and credited the Class of 2015 with helping their alma mater reach new heights during their high school careers. “The past four years of unprecedented success at Blackstone Valley Tech were made possible by you, the Class of 2015,” Fitzpatrick said. “Valley Tech made high expectations POSTAL PATRON POSTAL MA 01757 MILFORD, a cornerstone of its mission, but you are the ones who exceeded those expectations by leaps and bounds.” Celebrating their graduation from Blackstone Valley tech were, l-r: (back row) Manufacturing Fitzpatrick advised the graduating seniors they will and Engineering Technology graduate Owen Dugan of Uxbridge, Peter Linscott of Uxbridge, experience continued success if they follow his simple Garrett Silva of Bellingham, Tyler Magri of Grafton, (front row) Ulisses Ramirez of Milford, and advice of “keep up the great work.” Thalia Gilbert of Uxbridge celebrate their graduation from the Manufacturing and Engineering Town Crier Publications Town Street 48 Mechanic MA 01568 Upton, Technology program at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. BVT photo BVT COMMENCEMENT p 12 LESSLESS BUMMERBUMMER THISTHIS SUMMERSUMMER LoseLose 20-4020-40 lbslbs inin 4040 days...days... GUARANTEED!!!GUARANTEED!!! Hello,Hello, SwimSwim SuitSuit Season!Season! 22 South Street Suite 204, Hopkinton NewNew technologytechnology targetstargets belly,belly, butt,butt, hipships andand thighs.thighs. Doctor 844-437-8446 NoNo ExerciseExercise Needed!Needed! NoNo Drugs!Drugs! NoNo Hormones!Hormones! Supervised 188 Needham Street Book a FREE Consultation at NewEnglandFatLoss.com • Lifetime Fat Loss New England Suite 255, Newton Government Planners Approve Parking Reduction for Kmart Plaza By Kevin Rudden sight” from an entrance on Beaver St. Staff Reporter/Columnist toward the adjacent Doubletree Hotel. The Planning Board voted RD Management said they would cut unanimously on June 2 to grant the trees down in the area in question to owners of the former Kmart Plaza on improve the line-of-sight, but Calagione Medway Rd (Rt 109) a requested 10 wanted a specific measurement in feet., percent reduction in the number of "It’s a bad situation and it needs to be required parking spaces – which is fixed now,” he said. “Let’s see where we allowed under the town’s regulations are when we take the trees down and we’ll depending upon how many different uses have a more intelligent discussion,” Rossi are within the same shopping center. said. The decision came after Al Rossi, a vice Rossi also addressed Town Engineer president with New York City-based RD Vonnie Reis’s concerns about stormwater Management Corporation of New York drainage by promising to do a camera City – the company, which manages the inspection of underground drainage on plaza – told board members, “I can assure the site now, agreeing to fix anything the you that we’ll have more than three uses camera reveals is broken. He added that once we redevelop the site.” He named he did not think his company should current and prospective uses as banking, be responsible for drainage problems retail, restaurant, a hair salon, office or occurring beyond his property. professional space and a gym. Board member Patrick Kennelly also The board continued its discussion wanted the entrance to Medway Road with Rossi and engineer Ryan Bianchetto made “more pronounced” to encourage of the Woburn-based engineering firm right-turn only traffic. He echoed Allen & Major Associates, Inc. about Calagione in looking at the Beaver St. exit changes the board wanted to see before “for the betterment of the community,” approving an amended site plan for he said. the shopping plaza. Most of the night’s The board will continue discussing the discussion centered on member Joseph site plan on June 16. Calagione’s questions about the “line of IT Director’s Departure Touches Off Debate By Kevin Rudden Staff Reporter/Columnist The recent departure of Milford’s third Information Technology (IT) director in four years touched off a debate at the June 1 Board of Selectmen’s meeting about how the department should be structured. Town Administrator Richard Villani said that Paul Blivess had “resigned” from the position on May 27. Throughout this fiscal year, Blivess had been under fire from the School Committee, the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen for failing to deliver a plan outlining a strategic IT direction for the town and school departments. Instead, officials said, he kept giving them a list of requested hardware and software he wished to purchase. Selectmen Chairman Brian Murray said Blivess’s departure allowed his board to review the current model – in which the IT director was “shared” by both the School Department and Town Hall – and see whether a more town- oriented model, with the schools handling their own IT needs, might make better sense. Murray said he wanted to hear from both the School Committee and Superintendent Robert Tremblay “on where they are with technology and what their plans are going forward.” He also wanted to wait until Selectman William Buckley – who did not attend the June 1 meeting – could offer his opinions. “I think three directors in four years is a problem,” Selectman William Kingkade said. The feedback he received showed a lack of cooperation between the town and the schools, which he said set up the people serving as IT directors to fail in their positions. Town Hall employees feel IT has been going in a good direction, while the schools run unsupported programs and have unlocked data closets. Employees who are no longer employed can still access computer systems because there is little security and no virtual private networks. Kingkade said he favored having IT centralized, but added, “That shouldn’t be as difficult as it’s been. I actually find it to be one of the most frustrating things going on [in town government] right now,” he stated. "If we have to have a meeting with the School Committee or Bob [Tremblay], then I’ll attend,” Kingkade added. “The Board of Selectmen should take control of the situation. If we’re going to be responsible anyway, we might as well own it,” Kingkade said. He advised Villani to carefully watch whether any invoices for IT hardware or software are being moved over to personnel in the School Department and stop them. “It’s always subtle things that happen,” he said. “I think we need to look at this program with a broad brush,” Murray said, favoring reviewing how the position is structured. “It just seems to me that the problems in the School Department seem to be overwhelming,” the chairman said, but noted its plans and goals need to be addressed. “We have to be mindful that the School Committee does have jurisdiction over this department.” 2 MILFORD TOWN CRIER JUNE 12, 2015 Government The Perfect Gift for Brides & Grooms, Dads & Grads! Recent Actions by Milford Town Boards By Kevin Rudden retired Town Administrator Louis Celozzi Staff Reporter/Columnist from the Middle School East Re-use LaRose Muscular Therapy Board of Health Committee. (June 1) Milford Medical Center • Discussed owner David Timpany not • Appointed local realtor David Consigli to the Call for vacating his 5 Tomaso Rd.