Free by request to residents of Webster, Dudley and the Oxfords SEND YOUR NEWS AND PICS TO [email protected] Friday, May 22, 2020 Christopher Heights celebrates with style WEBSTER — A global pandemic could not stop the parade and pageantry in celebration of mothers this week at Christopher Heights Assisted Living of Webster. The 83-apartment assisted living community in Webster welcomed a Caravan of Caring parade on Sunday that featured 54 cars carrying family members, friends, decorations and well wishes for their loved ones. “I was wondering what Mother’s Day was going to look like this year when I received a notice from Christopher Heights inviting me to participate in the grand parade,” said Rochelle Webb. “To see the look on my mother’s face was absolutely priceless and it created a real happening that excited us all during this very try- ing time of social distancing.” Turn To CHRISTOPHER HEIGHTS page A1 Hackers interrupt Oxford elections set for June 30 BY GUS STEEVES the date as late as possible. CORRESPONDENT As it was, Kelley said they really OXFORD — On May 12, selectmen didn’t have a choice by now. Barring Zoom meeting voted unanimously to set this year’s some change in state law that would Town Election date for June 30, the grant extensions to a wide range of BY JASON BLEAU when several unknown idents that may have last possible date allowed by the state’s towns, she said June 30 is necessary in CORRESPONDENT voices interrupted the never used the technol- Covid-19 emergency law. part because federal law required her to meeting just before the ogy before, I also invit- But they split 3-2 over how long to send notice to overseas voters at least DUDLEY – Dudley’s half-hour mark includ- ed those individuals that open the polls. The majority agreed 45 days in advance. That deadline was Board of Selectmen meet- ing using foul language. would disrupt it,” said with Town Clerk Lori Kelley’s proposal last weekend. ing was interrupted by Selectmen quickly Ruda. “Because of the of reducing the hours to 10 AM to 6 PM She agreed the poll workers will have some uninvited guests on acknowledged the sit- incident, it will now be because of the pandemic, but John Saad a challenge. Monday, May 11, when uation and the meeting necessary to necessitate and Cheryll Leblanc argued they should “Anytime in June in the school gyms, a Zoom meeting was was closed. It was soon further verification of be open the regular hours (8AM-8PM). wearing a mask is going to be stifling,” hacked by several indi- restarted and business participants when public “I’ve never remembered a town elec- she said, noting the gyms lack air con- viduals, forcing the meet- proceeded without fur- input is required at the tion since I’ve been on the board [more ditioning and the number of electrical ing to close and restart. ther interruption. This meetings. I don’t think than 40 years] that we’ve reduced the outlets available for fans is limited. Like many commu- isn’t the first time Dudley that the Governor’s order hours,” Saad said, noting this year’s Regarding Covid safety, she said she nities across the coun- has faced a hacking situ- considered the length of ballot has a select board race and an ordered plexiglass panels the workers try, Dudley has taken ation over Zoom. A pre- time that local govern- important ballot question. He said will have between them and voters, who to utilizing Zoom as a vious meeting had also ments would be required many voters are “creatures of habit” will get their ballots through a small method of conducting been interrupted by a sin- to operate under these when it comes to when they come to the slot at the bottom. meetings online to help gle culprit who was suc- restrictions, so we contin- polls. Many, he noted, can only come Before that discussion – which was the town continue busi- cessfully removed from ue to find ourselves in a before or after work, need rides, and/or not mentioned on the agenda, but came ness as usual during the livestream without daily position of adapting need childcare to do so. up under the Covid-19 response update the COVID-19 pandem- further incident. to constant changes and “Everyone ought to have the opportu- item – the board handled another recur- ic. This approach is in Town Administrator unknown circumstances nity to vote,” and longer hours will also rent item: a dangerous dog hearing line with Gov. Charlie Jonathan Ruda said that in a way that balances make it “easier to have the distance” involving “Ruby,” a dog they’ve seen Baker’s order issued on the board was attempt- serving the public while between people to meet Covid-19 recom- before. Animal Control Officer Kathleen March 13 suspending the ing to accept public securing the processes mendations, he added. Kelly Flynn said this case stemmed requirement for meet- input during the meet- and functions of gov- Leblanc agreed, describing polling from an incident on March 26 in which ings to be conducted in a ing, which discussed the ernment. Fortunately, hour reductions as potentially being Ruby got “into an altercation with a dog physical public location. town’s budget outlook despite a delay, we quick- “a slippery slope.” While the virus is named Socks,” who was being walked However, with the use and the future of the ly recovered and rejoined an issue, she sees a more serious con- by his owner, Joe Generico. of online streaming also town’s recycling center, a meeting under pass- cern in getting enough poll workers to Due to previous attacks on animals comes the risk of hacking when what he called “a word protection and fin- cover the time, and she predicted some and people, the selectmen deemed Ruby where uninvited guests couple of losers” decided ished the public’s busi- voters would be confused by changing “dangerous” in August 2017. That result- take over the meeting to disrupt town business. ness.” the hours. ed in a lengthy order on her and her and interrupt the pro- “The lesson learned Ruda said he does not To Chairman Dennis Lamarche, how- owners, Kim Parker and Kevin Kiley, ceedings. was that in an effort to believe the culprits were ever, minimizing the pandemic risk to that required leashing and muzzling at On May 11, the Board make the circumstanc- Dudley residents and poll workers was the overarching con- all times outside her home, even while of Selectmen and Finance es of joining a remote said he thinks they were cern. Meaghan Troiano agreed, saying on their property. Flynn said Ruby was Authority were conduct- teleconference more “having fun” disrupting she expects “a spike [in Covid-19 cases] not muzzled in this incident. ing a joint meeting on easily accessible, open before it gets better,” and “we owe it” to Zoom and Facebook Live and transparent to res- Turn To MEETING page A9 the workers to reduce hours and hold Turn To ELECTION page A15 St. Joseph School holds “I Miss You” parade WEBSTER — On Saturday, May 16, routine. Many of the parade attendees the school yard that has been eerily had tears of joy running down their silent since the middle of March came to faces as they screamed “I miss you” life for an “I Miss You” parade. Horns and other well wishes to each other. and sirens blared as the parade got Teachers waved their hands and held underway, and St. Joseph School fam- signs, while students popped out of roofs ilies were led into the school yard by of cars and did the same. Some vehicles members of Webster Police and Fire. were decorated with balloons, while Following what would normally be others feverishly honked their horns as the morning drop-off procedure, the car- they made their way through the school avan turned into the yard at the Lincoln yard and onto Whitcomb Street. Many Street entrance and made its way chose to return to the parade and drive through a gate decorated with balloons through the yard multiple times just to and festive streamers. As it snaked get a glimpse of their teachers. around the building, the occupants of In a world in which we are now told the vehicles were greeted by celebratory to socially distance ourselves, the close- music and exuberant teachers and staff. ness of the St. Joseph School communi- Although St. Joseph School teachers ty was apparent. Although we are all have been working diligently to main- uncertain of what the future holds, the tain the continuity of education through respect and admiration exhibited by the remote learning, a transition that was St. Joseph School teachers, students, nearly seamless due to their dedication and their families will continue to be and hard work, the teachers and stu- the foundation of their classrooms – dents greatly miss the face-to-face inter- whether in-person or remotely. action that was once part of their daily Courtesy 2 • THE WEBSTER TIMES • Friday, May 22, 2020 www.StonebridgePress.com Golfers make the most of COVID restrictions BY KEVIN FLANDERS and restrictions in place to Moreover, such facilities as “We are under very strict In the meantime, the golf STAFF WRITER ensure social distancing. These clubhouses, restaurants, driv- guidelines – no restrooms, no community will continue include tee time policies of 15 ing ranges, pro shops, and lock- food, no functions. We’ve lost adjusting to a new normal.