(508) 943-4800 Newsstand: 75 cents www.auburnnews.net PROUD MEDIA SPONSOR OF THE CENTRAL SOUTH COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE! Wednesday, August 19, 2009 SWEETSWEET LEMONADELEMONADE Plug pulled on Boston Power battery plant STIMULUS MONEY FALLS THROUGH ON PROJECT BY TERESA A. FRANCO public officials such as Gov. Deval NEWS STAFF WRITER Patrick, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray AUBURN — In a surprise and Congressman James McGovern announcement last were present at the week, Boston Power “If this had some press conference announced it has and vowed their been forced to halt uncertainty support for the progress on creat- to it I don’t under- facility. It was ing a facility that stand why the gover- announced at the could put the town event that the new on the map for ener- nor had to speak plant, which was gy-efficient batter- about the project and going to be created ies, due to being in the former denied federal stim- make it seem like Filene’s Basement ulus money. it was a done deal.” warehouse on In June, it was Millbury Street, announced at a would produce highly publicized - State Rep. Paul Frost eco-certified lithi- press conference um-ion batteries that Auburn was chosen by for plug-in hybrids and battery elec- CUTLINE: Teresa A. Franco photo Westborough-based Boston Power tric vehicles, notebook PCs and Goddard School students Shelby Wessell, Tatiana Coolbrough and Jillian LaBonte sell lemonade at their school as the location for one of the world’s national security applications. In Wednesday, Aug. 12. The money the students raised will go toward the Central South County Relay for Life, which will most advanced eco-certified lithium be held Friday, Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12 at Lemansky Park. For more photos from the “Lemonade Stand,” check ion battery facility.Many prominent Turn To BATTERY, page A19 out page 4! Town Charter decisions reviewed OFFICIALS AWAITING WORD FROM STATE ON CHARTER VOTE BY TERESA A. FRANCO assured that the situation does not change NEWS STAFF WRITER the vote or the Charter. AUBURN —The Board of Selectmen “We want clarification that the right recently sent a letter to the Attorney process was taken, that things were done General’s Office and the Secretary of State right and put everyone at rest and at ease requesting clarification on the Town that it was all done in the proper manner Charter to ease the minds of the public. and it is a legal vote,” he said. In the Annual Election Thursday, May Grossman said no residents have formal- 21, the town voted in favor of the Charter, ly come forward and questioned the Charter which called for a town manager form of but talk of the Charter has made rounds government, as opposed to a town admin- about the town in many arenas. istrator. The difference between the two is Charter Review Committee Chairman the town manager has more appointing Roger Belhumuer did not label the issue as authority and the fire and police chiefs are a big problem either. given more power. Robert Grossman “It’s a typographical thing. It’s not a big Former Town Administrator Charles deal — we’ll find out what happens,” he O’Connor was voted to become the acting town manag- said. er for the town by the Board of Selectmen Monday,July O’Connor said the town is currently awaiting a 27. That same day,selectmen voted to compose a letter to response from the state. He said once they do get a the state, asking for clarification of the Charter. response, they would have discussions with town coun- According to Board of Selectmen Chairman Robert sel “if necessary.” Grossman, on the ballot description — not the question Grossman said if it turns out the state says the — it stated that the Charter has 90 days to go into effect. Charter was not done the right way,most likely it would However, he said supposedly that requirement was have to go back to the townspeople for a vote and anoth- eliminated by the state. Grossman said the effective day er vote in the House of the Senate. But, Grossman said File photo was moved to the day of the election, which, he said is not standard to do but there is no law either. Grossman Boston Power CEO and founder Christina Lampe-Onnerud at the press conference in Turn To CHARTER, page A19 June speaks to the public about the lithium-ion battery plant. Ambassadors of dance LOCAL STUDIOS PREPARING FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION BY TERESA A. FRANCO Cathy Taylor described the compe- NEWS STAFF WRITER tition as the equivalent of the Olympics for dance. Thirteen local dancers will soon “The caliber of dance is just unbe- boogie all the way to Germany for a lievable,” she said. “And the arena world competition. they perform in is huge.” In November, members from the This is not the first time Cathy Cathy Taylor School of Dance in Taylor and Betty Gundersen’s Auburn and the Betty Gundersen dancers have made a presence at the School of Dance in West Brookfield competition. Last year, Olivia Tisdell are combining forces to compete in of Auburn and Simone Gundersen, the International Dance Betty’s granddaughter, of West Organization’s (IDO) World Brookfield were in the competition. Showdance Championships in Riesa, The two young women were part of a Germany. For one week, the dancers group dance that won the bronze will compete against 35 other coun- medal last year. tries and 2,000 dancers for a shot at Tisdell also performed in the Teresa A. Franco photo bringing home a medal for the United female solo division at last year’s Members from the Cathy Taylor School of Dance in Auburn and Betty Gundersen School of Dance in West Brookfield States. who are competing at the World Showdance Championships in Reisa, Germany this November. Turn To DANCE, page A12 CALENDAR. .......A15 SUTTON WINS OPINION .............A6 FITNESS FOR SUMMER LEAGUE ON SENIORS.............A9 EVERYBODY BUZZER-BEATER OBITUARIES.......A15 PAGE A3 SPORTS.......A10-11 PAGE A10 6 56525 10391 9 INSIDE 2 • THE AUBURN NEWS • Wednesday, August 19, 2009 ALMANAC Getting ready for the ‘first day’ QUOTE OF THE WEEK “While I wouldn’t say we were LOCAL PROGRAM HELPING LOCAL STUDENTS STAY SUPPLIED expecting to receive the money, we did feel strongly that we represented an BY TERESA A. FRANCO Elizabeth said last week they have not NEWS STAFF WRITER excellent example of the kind of com- received the list of students in need yet, but pelling opportunity that the stimulus AUBURN — The first day of school is nerve- that there have been a lot of families calling grant process seemed to be seeking.” wracking for every student, but even more so AYFS to see if the First Day Program is hap- - BOSTON POWER FOUNDER AND CEO CHRISTINA for students who do not have the money for a pening this year. Before donating, Elizabeth LAMPE-ONNERUD LAST WEEK, AFTER SHE FOUND OUT new pair of shoes or school supplies. strongly suggested that people call her home BOSTON POWER DID NOT RECEIVE STIMULUS FUNDS Auburn residents William and Elizabeth at 508-832-9879 to see what types of supplies THAT WOULD HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR THE COMPANY Gribbons are aware of this and that’s why for are needed. However, both Elizabeth and TO BUILD A LITHIUM ION BATTERY PLANT IN AUBURN. the past 10 years, the two have made it their William mentioned that most of students in mission to run the Auburn First Day need are in middle school. Program, which allows residents to donate Elizabeth noted the importance of running OPEN TO CLOSE money, gift cards, backpacks and other school a program such as this every year. supplies that will be given to children in need. “In order for students to succeed, they need AUBURN TOWN HALL The children are identified through Auburn self-esteem which comes from having new Youth and Family Services (AYFS). Once all things and if they have the supplies that are Board of Selectmen (832-7720) the donations are collected, the students are needed they are going to do much better,” she Monday-Friday . .8 a.m. to 4 p.m. taken on a shopping trip with an AYFS staff said. Town Clerk (832-7701) member. Elizabeth stressed the importance of chil- Monday-Friday . .8 a.m. to 4 p.m. William Gribbons said the idea came to him dren doing well in school because it will bring while traveling in California 10 years ago them more opportunities. She added that as of when he heard about a similar program. last week, they have not received many dona- AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY “The whole idea of the program is to make tions from individuals but that they have (832-7790) sure the kids are ready for learning the first received donations from organizations like Monday, Wednesday10 a.m. to 8:30 week of school and that they don’t feel uncom- the Rotary Club. But both William and p.m. fortable,” he said. Elizabeth said that donations usually pick up Tuesday, Thursday . .9 a.m. to 8:30 William noted that, especially nowadays, around the middle of August. parents are struggling with expenses such as William and Elizabeth both acknowledged p.m. rent, mortgages and paying bills and the First the tough economic times could be a factor in Fridays . .10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Day program gives these parents “one less the amount of donations received. Saturday . .9 a.m. to 4 p.m.