COMING SOON... Country Club Acres Single Family homes for Homeowners 55+ NEW CONSTRUCTION One - level Homeowners 55+ Single Family Living Detached Condominiums at Pre-Construction Pricing... SIMILAR HOME Starting at $399,000! CALL FRAN SILVA 508-208-9371 61 Airport Road, Dudley MA 01571 to set up an appointment to see a similar development in Shrewsbury. Free by request to residents of Webster, Dudley and the Oxfords SEND YOUR NEWS AND PICS TO [email protected] Friday, July 30, 2021 Oxford mourns loss of Dudley Fire Department longtime John Saad receives grant for gear BY JASON BLEAU did receive the grant in though they get paid CORRESPONDENT the amount of $20,000. when they come on calls, tion to many more loved This is a first-time grant. they’re kind of volun- ones and longtime asso- DUDLEY – The Dudley I don’t remember seeing teers so you’re not going ciates in Oxford. Fire Department is cele- it before, but I guess it to buy the gear ahead of A graduate of St. brating receiving a new was a very competitive time obviously. Another Peter’s Central Catholic state grant that will serve grant,” said the Chief. bunch of our gear is get- School and the New a longstanding need, More than 200 towns ting to that age where England School of updating the depart- applied for the funding it’s hitting the ten-year Accounting, both in ment’s fire gear. but only 20 were given mark. Also, some of the Worcester, Saad was a Fire Chief Dean out said Kochanowski. older gear has the PFAS Vietnam-era U.S. Army Kochanowski revealed Dudley received one of in it. That’s been in the veteran and worked to selectmen on July 12 the highest amounts of news too so we’re trying for the Commonwealth that Dudley was not only any community that lob- to get rid of that gear,” of Massachusetts as one of only a handful of bied for the funding. The said the Chief. the area director for recipients of the compet- money will pay for eight Kochanowski conclud- the Department of itive grant but received sets of fire gear which ed saying this new equip- Transitional Assistance one of the largest awards Kochanowski said is a ment will bring the fire in Southbridge for over as well. huge need for the depart- department to between 30 years. Saad was first “A couple months ment. 80 and 90 percent compli- elected to the Oxford ago, I applied for a grant “I’ve gotten some ance with the state and Board of Selectmen in through the Office of new call members and that he was waiting on 1975 and served every Public Safety. Sen. Ryan it’s hard to outfit them news of two more poten- year from that point on Fattman stopped by and because you can’t get tial grants, one of which to help lead his com- visited us at the fire sta- the gear ahead of time. would fund added person- munity into the future. tion to inform us that we They’re on call. Even al if procured He also ran for State Representative in 1980 and chaired Oxford’s 275th Anniversary Oxford selectmen hear Celebration. John Saad Saad was laid to rest with military honors on July 15, but the legacy update on dam project BY JASON BLEAU advocate for all of Oxford he leaves behind in the CORRESPONDENT and has never shied town of Oxford will last BY GUS STEEVES ward. The dam “has been away from speaking on for generation to come. CORRESPONDENT “We do own other abandoned, for all essen- OXFORD – The town of behalf of the needs for “Many people will OXFORD – The town dams that are in disre- tial purposes,” as have Oxford is mourning the the Town. He has been a walk in and out of pub- is one of just a few com- pair,” she said. “So it’d three nearby parcels the loss of one of its longtime truly remarkable public lic service, but only true munities chosen to col- be wonderful to get a dam town will need to take leaders with the passing servant for both the Town leaders leave lasting foot- laborate with the state in that’s completely redone for the work, she added. of Selectman John G. and the Commonwealth. prints in a community a project to rebuild the and will last another 150 She’s planning to have Saad on July 9. He has loved this town that will transcend gen- “high-hazard” Lowes years, as this one has.” DCR representatives Town Manager like no other, and has left erations. Selectman John Pond Dam. The project, being present on the project at Jennifer M. Callahan an indelible mark of pub- Saad was one of those While that was done by the Department a selectmen’s meeting in and Board of Selectman lic service that is indeed leaders who is irreplace- announced a couple of Conservation and September. Chair Dennis Lamarche legendary,” Callahan able in the hearts, minds months back, Town Recreation, includes “It’s really a home run release a joint statement and Lamarche wrote in and culture of Oxford,” Manager Jen Callahan removing and replacing with the design they’re the day of Saad’s death a message to the Oxford Callahan and Lamarche told selectmen last week the whole 70-foot span, talking about,” Callahan praising the work of the Community at large. concluded in their state- the design is now 75 per- including foundation, said. man many nicknamed Flags were directed ment. “We shall all miss cent complete and the dam and sluiceway, and Less optimistic was the “Mr. Oxford,” who in half staff in honor of his gentle charm, car- state plans on shoulder- making the nearby zone fact she described stum- served as a selectman for Saad, who leaves behind ing manner and strong ing the entire $2.4 million a park. She noted DCR bling blocks with the more than 43 years. his wife of 55 years, advocacy for all things cost. The only condition has done borings and soil development of one of the “Through his decades Jeanne H. (deVillers) Oxford.” is that Oxford take own- tests and found no con- Turn To PROJECT page A10 of public service, John Saad, three children five ership of the dam after- tamination. has been a steadfast grandchildren, in addi- Dudley police take part in LEGO Construction Clinic at Shepherd Hill DUDLEY — This past week, the Dudley Police Department participated in the LEGO Construction Clinic Experience, held at Shepherd Hill Regional High School. School Resource Officer, Phil Megas, served as an instructor for this program, which was arranged through the Shepherd Hill Athletic Director James Scanlon. Approximately 20 students participated in this program, learning tips and techniques for constructing LEGO kits. They were able to take home the final product. 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