Mailed free to requesting homes in Webster, Dudley and the Oxfords 508-764-4325 COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.508LOCAL.COM Friday, March 18, 2016 THIS WEEK’S Lawmakers praise signing of bill to tackle opioid addiction QUOTE TOUT BILL AS ‘GOOD FIRST STEP’ IN “The weak can never MISSION TO TACKLE ABUSE forgive. Forgiveness BY JASON BLEAU to be adopted as law. The bill, called “An is the attribute of the NEWS STAFF WRITER Act Relative to Substance Use, Treatment, strong.” WEBSTER — On the morning of Education and Prevention,” includes sev- Monday, March 14, Gov. Charlie Baker eral measures to try and solve the opioid took one of the biggest steps yet toward issue, including prevention through edu- Mahatma Gandhi solving a crisis that has become an item cation for both students and doctors and of concern on both sides of the political the first law in the nation to establish a aisle, not only in the Commonwealth, but seven-day limit on all first-time opioid nationwide, by signing a bill into law to prescriptions. Jason Bleau photo EDITOR’S combat opioid addiction in Massachusetts. “Today, the Commonwealth stands in State Rep. Joe McKenna speaks at a press conference Baker signed the landmark legislation solidarity to fight the opioid and her- OFFICE HOURS at Harrington Hospital’s Webster branch on March 14, into law to address the growing concern oin epidemic that continues to plague praising Gov. Charlie Baker’s signing of legislation that over opioid and heroin addiction that has our state and burden countless fami- MONDAYS 12-5 morning to tackle the opioid addiction crisis. McKenna plagued Massachusetts for several years lies and individuals,” said Baker. “I am WEDNESDAYS 1-5 was joined by his fellow state representatives — Peter now, and was passed by a unanimous proud to sign this legislation marking Durant, Paul Frost, Kevin Kuros and David Muradian — vote by all members of the Massachusetts FRIDAYS 1-5 as well as Sen. Ryan Fattman, who all spoke highly of House of Representatives and the Senate the new law. Turn To OPIOID, page A19 INSIDE BOS plans Buckley carries Pirates Seniors ................. A5 Learning .............A6-10 Viewpoint ............. A12 ahead for late to district crown Sports ..................A14-16 DEFEATS RIVAL BARTLETT, 44-41, FOR CHAMPIONSHIP Obituaries ............. B2 library Events Calendar ...... B3 BY GREG BARLOW Real Estate ........Sect.B SPORTS CORRESPONDENT renovation WORCESTER — With the Oxford High boys’ varsity basketball team trailing LOCAL BY JASON BLEAU by five points versus crosstown rival NEWS STAFF WRITER Bartlett High heading into the fourth WEBSTER — As the reno- quarter of their Central Mass. Division vation plans for the Chester 3 district championship game — which C. Corbin Public Library in was played at Clark University’s Kneller Webster start to take shape, the Athletic Center on Thursday, March 10 Webster Board of Selectmen — senior Jared Buckley tallied all 13 of recently approved a plan to the Pirates’ points in the final frame, relocate the library during con- which propelled top seeded Oxford to struction and renovation and, a 44-41 victory over the third ranked in the process, relocate the Indians. town’s polling places through “It feels amazing,” said Buckley. Photos courtesy Mark Seliger, www.SeligerPhotography.com the start of 2017. “Nothing was really working for us and I Oxford’s Jared Buckley holds the Central Mass. Division 3 dis- During a meeting on March suggested a high ball screen to get some trict championship plaque up high as he and teammate Jared 7, the Webster Board of Perkins celebrate with the student section after the Pirates Selectmen voted to embrace a Turn To CHAMPS, page A14 topped Bartlett for the title, 44-41, in a game played Thursday, OHS senior plan proposed by Acting Town March 10 at Clark University’s Kneller Athletic Center. Administrator Pam Leduc to class vice pres- bring the library’s books and ident taking programs to the auditorium in the Town Hall, an area com- Dudley Rec Committee off to quick start monly used for larger public mentor role to BY JASON BLEAU line for what members of the the town in many different ways functions including town meet- NEWS STAFF WRITER heart ings, the local business expo, Dudley community can expect in the immediate future, with and voting for state, town DUDLEY — Late last year, from them as they prepare to hit the first being quite simple. He Page A3 and national elections. Leduc Dudley resurrected it’s long-de- the ground running. said the committee should look said the plan was brought for- funct Parks & Recreation Committee Vice Chairman into posting “no dogs allowed” ward as the most cost effective Committee and with 2016 now Ken Butkevich provided many signs in the town’s recreation LEARNING and immediately accessible in full swing it appears the com- of the ideas from a list his had area, a move he argued would option for the libraries reloca- mittee is getting off to a quick composed after talking with be in the best interest of public tion during discussions of the start. Town Administrator Greg health. A second idea involved Library Planning & Building The committee held a meeting Balukonis about how to get the repairing the fence on Lakeview Committee. on March 2 where officers were committee off to a good start. Avenue, which he believes “We have spoken with the established and a list of ideas Butkevich said he feels there could be done through the high- town clerk and we would like to and potential priorities was put is a lot that the committee can way department, and a third on the table. While the meeting accomplish in the next year. involved creating a track in the last around sixteen minutes, the Butkevich listed off a list of Turn To VOTERS, page A19 Turn To DUDLEY REC, A13 committee established a base- projects he feels could benefit page Middle schoolers put on a show in Webster SHOW CHOIR FESTIVAL PUTS PERFORMERS TO THE TEST Shepherd Hill BY JASON BLEAU Worcester, the competition included several celebrates new NEWS STAFF WRITER performances from each school while five WEBSTER — Bartlett High School host- of the schools worked together on group Pathways STEM ed its 23rd Annual Central Massachusetts numbers that were also presented during program Junior Show Choir Festival on Saturday, the Saturday night performance. Schools March 12, bringing together young singers arrived the night before and had 24-hours to Page A6 from six different middle schools throughout prepare their own performances and perfect Photos courtesy Jordan Beals the region to compete and work together in their involvement in the group numbers Young performers from the Tantasqua Maestros competition throughout the two-day event. before show time. perform as part of a group number with their SPORTS Bringing together students from Webster, school at the 23rd Annual Central Massachusetts Dudley, Randolph, Easton, Southbridge and Turn To SHOW CHOIR, page A16 Junior Show Choir Festival in Webster on March 12. Oxford considering town wide trash pick-up service BY JASON BLEAU town. Oxford Director of Public services. Some folks are pay- life and the ad hoc committee NEWS STAFF WRITER Works Sean Divoll presented ing $140 a quarter,” Divoll said. has proposed having the town OXFORD — Oxford’s Board of the proposal to the Board of “The town has six licensed haul- contract services with a waste Selectmen is considering a plan Selectmen for consideration ear- ers. I know of at least seven that hauler to provide a more uni- they hope will provide cost sav- lier this month, but not approval are operating in the town. It’s form system that citizens may ings to members of the commu- just yet. That, he said, would probably more. When you think choose to be involved with if Shepherd Hill nity while also reducing stress provide a bit of cost savings to about trucks going up and down they see fit. falls at the hands on town roadways due to the citizens throughout Oxford by these roadways, the wear and “The committee settled on extensive number of trash dis- evening out the cost of trash tear on these roadways and the soliciting proposals from two of Pittsfield, posal services utilized through- pickup where some may be sheer number of trucks, it’s a waste haulers in the town for out the town. spending more than they have lot.” a town sponsored system. The 50-49 Selectmen heard details of a to on the service. Divoll said they have found way that would look is the town plan to establish and town-spon- “There’s no economy of scale that the large number of differ- would contract with a hauler. Page A15 sored system for trash and recy- for one hauler. We’ve talked to ent services and the impact of so That hauler would put out a cling as the result of research some folks in the community. many different trucks traveling trash cart and a recycling cart. and discussions by an ad hoc Some people are paying $90 a down any given roadway on a committee commissioned by the quarter for trash and recycling weekly basis impacts quality of Turn To TRASH , page A15 2 • THE WEBSTER TIMES • Friday, March 18, 2016 www.508Local.com 8x7-9x7 Steel Liftmaster 1/2 hp www.508Local.com 2 Sided Insulated Chain Drive Garage Door r-value 9.65 Inc, standard hardware & 7ft Opener track, 8 color & 3 panel design options $270 $570 inc Installation inc Installation price matching available on all written quotes RONNIE’S SEAFOOD RT. 31 CHARLTON DEPOT “Proudly serving the community for over 40 years” NOW OPEN Open Tues., Wed., Thurs, Sunday 11am-8pm, Friday & Sat 11am-9pm Accepting most major credit cards NEWS BRIEF Dudley Water Department announces hydrant flushing DUDLEY — The Dudley Water Department will be flushing hydrants throughout town starting on March 17, and continue until completed (2-3 weeks approximate- ly).