(508) 943-4800 Newsstand: 75 cents www.auburnnews.net PROUD MEDIA SPONSOR OF THE CENTRAL SOUTH COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE!Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Pakachoag Meadows project needs Town Meeting OK ATHLETIC FACILITY WOULD CREATE SEVERAL FIELDS FOR COMMUNITY BY TERESA A. FRANCO Cutting Street, Pakachoag Street and Curtis dents, Tuesday, Nov. 10, after the Auburn Annual NEWS STAFF WRITER Street. The project would include three base- News’ deadline Monday, Nov. 9. AUBURN — The power to create a new ath- ball fields, two soccer fields and a smaller When speaking of the project, town officials letic and recreational field — without the use practice field and its size would be 20 to 30 had only positive things to say. Town Meeting of taxpayers’ money for the next four years — acres. Acting Town Manager Charles O’Connor is in the hands of the townspeople. The project has been on the minds of the said because of the donation from the Pappas Thursday, Nov. 12 Town Meeting members Thursday, Nov. 12, town officials for a while and was on the list family, Pakachoag Meadows would not cost must approve three articles regarding the for recent stimulus money but did not receive the town anything until four years down the 7:30 p.m. development of Pakachoag Meadows in order the funds. However, recently, Dr. Arthur and road. However, O’Connor noted, the town has Auburn High School for the project to become a reality. Pakachoag Martha Pappas announced they would donate borrowed money that will be paid off by that Meadows is a project that is planned in the a “significant contribution” to the project. time. Auditorium area on Pakachoag Hill surrounded by An informational meeting was held for resi- Turn To TOWN MEETING, page A12 Holà Español? FIELD BATTLE Tax BAY PATH CONSIDERS OFFERING classification LANGUAGE CLASS BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL high school is working out the STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER hearing details and it is hoped the class- CHARLTON — “Holà” may es would be free to students. be the newest way students at “I would say it’s likely to hap- Bay Path Regional Vocational pen as long as we can continue announced Technical High School greet along the same path,” said each other next year. Quinsigamond Community BY TERESA A. FRANCO That is, if they take the College Vice President of NEWS STAFF WRITER Spanish classes that may be Community Management Dale AUBURN — Town Assessor Cynthia offered at the school. Allen. “It’s very likely that we Cosgrove prepped residents for the upcom- To boost students’ are rolling this out as quickly ing Tax Classification Hearing next week chances for attending as we can.” at a Board of Selectmen meeting, Monday, college, the high The one-hour class- Nov. 9. school is considering es would be offered The hearing is scheduled for Monday, offering Spanish to four times weekly, Nov. 16, at the Town Hall at 7 p.m. Cosgrove students as early as Monday-Thursday, explained that her presentation was infor- next fall, according to possibly after school, mational and a preparation for the hearing Superintendent Papagni said. If that next week. David Papagni. would not work, Allen “There’s a lot to digest and we thought Classes would be said the sessions this would be a good way to get [informa- available to juniors could be offered at the tion] out,” she said. and seniors, he said, Quinsigamond’s new Cosgrove explained that the tax classifi- but it would not be Superintendent Southbridge campus David Papagni cation hearing consists of four votes — required to gradu- on Optical Drive, open space discount, residential exemp- ate. Students would either during or after tion, small commercial exemption and receive college and high school school. Late buses would be selection of the residential factor. credit for taking the courses. available to bring students Teresa A. Franco photo In her presentation, Cosgrove said, open “We are in the talking home, Papagni said. space discount allows property that is clas- AUBURN — Field Hockey players from Auburn High School and Assabet Valley stages,” he said. The benefits and need for sified as open space to receive discounts up High School fight for the ball during their game Wednesday, Nov. 4. The Auburn Quinsigamond Community such a program are obvious, he to 25 percent, which results in other resi- College professors would teach Rockets won 4-2. For the story and more photos, turn to page 10! the sessions, Papagni said. The Turn To BAY PATH, page A12 Turn To SELECTMEN, page A18 High school art show to benefit AYFS Annual luncheon to ARTWORK NOW ON honor local veterans SALE AT STARBUCKS BY TERESA A. FRANCO is usually, “very successful.” NEWS STAFF WRITER The event’s namesake, William BY TERESA A. FRANCO AUBURN — Auburn may not Emmett, was a “highly decorated” NEWS STAFF WRITER have it’s own Veterans Day parade, veteran in the town, according to AUBURN — Art lovers now have a but there is still a way for local vet- Corbin. Emmett was a friend to local place to view and purchase erans to feel honored. everyone at the Elks, Corbin said, so pieces of work, and all for a good On Sunday, Nov. 15, the Auburn- when he passed away they decided cause. Webster Lodge of Elks on to name the event after him. He also The Auburn High School students Southbridge Street will host the assured that there is handicap in the Studio Art class, taught by annual William Emmett access to the building, so for any dis- Amanda Halsdorff, are showcasing Remembrance luncheon. Doors for abled veterans, assistance can be their artwork at the Starbucks on the event open at 11:30 a.m. The provided. Southbridge Street. The prints are event allows veterans to socialize Corbin said he is extremely grate- being sold for $30 each and more with one another, enjoy a meal and ful to the Elks for holding this event than half the percent of the pro- watch a comedy show. This year the every year. ceeds will be donated to Auburn comedians will be Tony V, “the fun- “It’s a great organization. I can’t Youth and Family Services (AYFS). niest man in Massachusetts,” and thank them enough,” he said. Frank Santorelli from the hit televi- Committee member Robert The art will be featured until the Teresa A. Franco photo end of the month and an art recep- sion show, “The Sopranos.” In the Carlson, a Vietnam-era Air Force Auburn High School junior Gina Romeo poses next to her piece of artwork currently show, Santorelli is the bar tender at veteran, said he thinks it’s impor- tion will be held at Starbucks on display at Starbucks on Southbridge Street. Romeo’s studio art classmates also Tuesday, Nov.17, from 6 to 8 p.m. the Bada Bing bar. In addition to the tant to honor veterans because he have artwork being showcased. The pieces are being sold for $30 and a portion of show, ceremonies will be held to feels the government does not do Order forms are located next to the the proceeds will be donated to Auburn Youth and Family Services. art display. honor veterans who have passed on enough for them. at the beginning of the event. “For what veterans do for every This is the students’ second holidays are approaching and peo- from the Auburn Education appearance at Starbucks. Last The event is free, however, guests American in our country they defi- ple are starting to buy gifts. Foundation. will give $5 at the door and be given nitely need recognition,” he said. spring the students displayed prints, Halsdorff said she has noticed an “Carving out that image can be which are made using images it back when they leave. The money Carlson said the event holds a spe- improvement in the students’ art- very frustrating,” Halsdorff said. will be used solely for a head count. cial meaning to him. carved out of linoleum and trans- work over the last few months. “Thankfully the Education ferred to paper, and donated the “This is our salute to veterans of “This is one of my cherished Carving the images into the Foundation was able to give us the town,” Auburn Veteran’s Agent days,” he said. funds raised to AYFS.Halsdorff said linoleum, she said, was much easier money and we were able to buy a only two prints sold last time and Larry Corbin said of the lunchoen. Last year, Carlson said, the event for the students because softer Corbin, who is also chair of the had 185 guests attend and this year she thinks there will be a better linoleum was purchased with funds Turn To AYFS, A12 planning committee said the event response this time around since the page Turn To VERTERANS, page A12 E E CALENDAR........A13 Candy collection Rockets fall just OPINION..............A6 benefits veterans short in district SENIORS .............A8 OBITUARIES .......A13 shelter semifinals SPORTS .......A10-11 PAGE A16 PAGE A10 INSID 6 56525 10391 9 INSID 2 • THE AUBURN NEWS • Wednesday, November 11, 2009 A look back at the history of the Elks ALMANAC AUBURN — More than a half century ago, QUOTE OF THE WEEK on Jan. 15, 1959, Louis Dubin, vice president and chairman of the New Lodges Committee “I think how heartwarming of the Massachusetts Order of Elks, came to the Auburn Sportsman’s Club at 50 Elm St. to it is to have young people raise invite men from Auburn and surrounding money through creative expression towns to hear about the possibility of charter- that turns into helping families ing Auburn’s first Elks Lodge.