Mailed free to requesting homes in Sturbridge, Brimfield, Holland and Wales Vol. V, No. 24 PROUD MEDIA SPONSOR OF RELAY FOR LIFE OF THE GREATER SOUTHBRIDGE AREA! COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.STURBRIDGEVILLAGER.NET Friday, June 17, 2011 Selectmen field tornado concerns BY KEVIN FLANDERS magnitude of devastation these res- VILLAGER STAFF WRITER idents are dealing with, and it was STURBRIDGE — The Board of an important step in the healing Selectmen provided residents with process for them to have direct an opportunity Wednesday night, access to the policy makers.” June 8, to ask questions, address Creamer spent several days with concerns, and share ideas regarding fellow Selectman Priscilla Gimas last week’s devastating tornadoes speaking to residents in some of the during a special meeting at Town most heavily damaged sections of Hall. town and helping to coordinate vol- Many people attended the meet- unteer operations. During their ing, some who own homes and busi- encounters with residents and vol- nesses that were damaged by the unteers, Creamer and Gimas wit- tornadoes, as residents want to get a nessed the community solidarity clearer idea of how town officials and generosity that have marked plan to begin what will be a long relief efforts from Springfield to process of recovery. Southbridge. Throughout their Recognizing that many individu- tours of damaged streets they als would not be able to attend the observed volunteers, many who live meeting, Selectmen decided to tele- in communities dozens of miles vise it and accept phone calls from away, spending countless hours residents in an effort to provide helping strangers. access to as many residents as possi- “Seeing the amassing volunteers ble. At the conclusion of the public fervently injecting themselves into forum, the their assigned duties as they lay board formally convened to claim to the work before them is Kevin Flanders photo address ongoing and future recov- both inspiring and, at times, emo- Michelle Dusza and her husband, Randy Dusza, of Foster Hill Transport LLC, parked a refrigerated trailer outside the First ery operation policies. tionally overwhelming,” added Congregational Church of Brimfield. Beverages and perishable foods can now be kept cold for volunteers and residents. “It was an extremely well attend- Creamer. “There is little doubt that ed meeting that provided the board we have a great deal of work ahead an opportunity to hear directly from of us, and this Board is committed those most affected by the events of to working closely and cooperative- last week,” said Board of Selectmen ly with residents in an effort to find Overflowing with good will Chairman Thomas Creamer. solutions that will ease the burden “Clearly,there is a great deal of con- of reclaiming their lives.” cern and anxiety in terms of the Turn To CONCERNS A13 AREA RESIDENTS PROVIDING FOOD, SERVICES TO TORNADO VICTIMS page BY KEVIN FLANDERS town’s relief headquarters. VILLAGER STAFF WRITER Dozens of food products, drinks, and household BRIMFIELD — The destruction caused by last A second chance supplies were donated by individuals from cities and week’s tornado was massive, but the community sol- towns throughout the state, filling up several storage idarity displayed in the last few days is even more areas in the church. Volunteers spent much of enormous. Sunday and Monday organizing the donated goods, Hundreds of volunteers have arrived at the First which included large amounts of pet food for the for Cajun Congregational Church of Brimfield since Thursday, many dog and cat owners whose homes were dam- June 2, eager to do whatever they can to provide aged. assistance to those who were affected by the tornado. “We had so many canned goods donated that we INJURED HORSE “It has been amazing to see how many people have were able to load up a small truck and ship them to come here to volunteer,” said Gina Lynch, who Monson,” Lynch added. RESCUED FROM helped her husband, Rev. Ian Lynch, establish the TORNADO S WRATH First Congregational Church of Brimfield as the Turn To GOOD WILL page A14 ’ , EXPECTED TO RECOVER BY KEVIN FLANDERS Milanese edges Jean by two votes for BOS post VILLAGER STAFF WRITER BRIMFIELD — Joann Kass and BY KEVIN FLANDERS while Bridgett Smith collected 46 (109 votes) and Emily Lainson (60 VILLAGER STAFF WRITER Steven Bush received some desper- votes. Incumbent selectman votes) to obtain a three-year term as ately needed good news on Monday, Wales officials enjoyed a 29 per- Richard Learned finished with 82 a library trustee. June 6, when doctors at Tufts cent voter turnout at the Annual votes, and Milanese will replace him Also in Wales, Barbara Milanese University’s Hospital for Large Town Elections on May 31, with 375 on a board that also includes prevailed over Howard Darnley Jr., Animals said they are optimistic residents casting their votes. Chairman Michael Valanzola and 199-163, to earn a spot on the about their horse’s recovery. Courtesy photo The most hotly contested position Jeffrey Vannais. Planning Board, and Susan Hubbell Cajun, a 9-year-old paint horse Cajun, a nine-year-old paint horse owned was a three-year seat on the Board of In other races for elected posi- bested Lynne Serrenho, 171-150, for who was severely injured during by Joann Kass and Steven Bush, is Selectmen, which Michael tions, Kevin Jegelewicz (250 votes) a one-year Wales School Committee the tornado after wooden debris cut expected to recover after wooden debris Milanese, of 32 Ainsworth Hill topped challengers Jeremy Learned position. Several individuals ran through his right rear coffin joint, became lodged in his leg during the tor- Road, won by only two votes. (56 votes) and David Bull (44 votes) unopposed, including Eric Esiason underwent multiple surgical proce- nado last Wednesday, June 1. It took a According to Assistant Town to become the constable for the next (Moderator), Robert Waite (Board of dures to remove all of the debris. Clerk Leis Phinney, Milanese edged three years, while Crystal Pearlman Health member), Beverly Poirier massive effort from volunteers and doc- Bonnie Jean by a 124-122 margin, tors to ensure his survival. (159 votes) held off Kimberly Bready Turn To BOS page A14 Turn To CAJUN page A14 ‘It took five minutes to destroy it all’ ONE STOP TOWING DEALING WITH TORNADO’S DEVASTATION BY KEVIN FLANDERS thing was gone. destroy it all.” VILLAGER STAFF WRITER It was difficult for him to envision Mendrek’s video of the damage, BRIMFIELD — While on his way the extent of the damage until he taken just minutes after the tornado home from a Red Sox game last received another text with pictures continued east toward Sturbridge Wednesday afternoon, June 1, One of the complete devastation the tor- and later posted on Stop Towing owner Dave Bell nado had caused to his business www.youtube.com, displayed col- received a call from one of his located at 86 Holland Road. Each of lapsed buildings, fallen trees, and employees who wanted to warn him the five buildings on the property dozens of vehicles strewn across that severe storms were moving into was destroyed, as well as 10 tow Holland Road. Additional debris, the area. trucks and all of the vehicles his including a dumpster,was flung into “He asked me what cars should be employees were working on. the woods across the street. moved for protection, and I told him “[Employees] Scott Murray and In the days following the tornado, to move a customer’s yellow Chris Mendrek were there when the Bell and his employees have tireless- Mustang and a classic car I’ve tornado came, and they hid under a ly worked with friends, volunteers, Kevin Flanders photo owned since I was 14,” Bell said. stairwell until it passed,” Bell and emergency personnel to remove The remains of what used to be one of the One Stop Towing buildings at 86 Holland Five minutes later, Bell received a added. I’ve been in business for 30 debris from the property and begin Road. Every vehicle on the property was destroyed, including classic cars and 10 chilling text message saying every- years, and it took five minutes to tow trucks. Turn To ONE STOP page A14 ALMANAC.........................2 LOCAL SPORTS POLICE LOGS ....................5 OBITUARIES ....................13 RELAY FOR LIFE WARRIORS DISTRICT OPINION.........................10 PLANNING IN THE RUN ENDS IN CALENDAR......................12 HOME STRETCH SEMIFINAL ROUND INSIDE SPORTS .........................15 PAGE 3 PAGE 15 2 STURBRIDGE VILLAGER • Friday, June 17, 2011 Articles approved amid low turnout BY KEVIN FLANDERS the junior high school in Fiskdale. Articles 39 place regarding this article before no action passed with one VILLAGER STAFF WRITER and 41 both involved potential amendments to was eventually taken. change: Article 32, STURBRIDGE — The Annual Town the Home Rule Charter, while Articles 42 and Residents supported Article 12, which which involves Meeting took place on Monday night, June 6, 43 involved potential amendments to the lan- allows for the re-establishment of revolving paying the costs of at Tantasqua Regional High School, and with guage in section 1.24 of the town’s general funds that include up to $10,000 going to the snow removal the exception of a few articles, a large majori- bylaws. fire chief for HazMat cleanup purposes, from the Burgess ty of the 47 articles on the warrant passed. “Despite a fairly extensive warrant, the $10,000 to the Board of Health, and $20,000 to Elementary According to Town Administrator Shaun Annual Town Meeting was relatively unevent- the Sturbridge Tourist Association, as well as School roof, was Suhoski, the budget passed with one minor ful with few surprises, and though late, was other revolving funds.