This will be the first in a series of articles written by Frank S. P. Yacino regarding Alzheimer’s disease. He is the husband and caregiver for his wife Barbara, who has been struggling with this disease for over fifteen years.

Alzheimer’s disease----These are dreaded words when heard from the doctor to a patient who is experiencing memory loss. This disease falls under the general term of “dementia”. Today there are more than 5.3 million Americans who have heard that term used as their diagnosed reason for their forgetfulness. It’s on the same level as a patient hearing that they have cancer, be it pancreatic, liver, lung, brain, thyroid, prostate, bone, stomach, and the list goes on. However, there is more hope in being cured with some of these cancers than there is with Alzheimer’s. We all know there are many other diseases that we humans encounter over our lifetime. Today it seems that the more we talk with other people the more we learn that someone we know is a victim of Alzheimer’s.

This disease destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking, and behavior severe enough to affect work, hobbies, and social life. It gets worse over time and can cause death. It is the sixth-leading cause of death in America according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The root cause of this disease is not really known, though there is speculation it has to do with plaques which are deposits of a protein called beta-amyloids which build-up in the brain. There is no known cure for this disease and the confirmation that the patient had this disease is usually confirmed after an autopsy of the brain has been done upon the patient’s death.

The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can be very devastating to the patient’s family. The first reaction by all will be denial, unless they have seen it in other family members or friends. The thought is this really isn’t happening to us; he or she will get better. This type of “head-set” will doom the family, since once diagnosed the patient will tend to slowly decline little by little each day.

So what is a family to do when this happens? There are several things that can be done concurrently. The first, and most important, is to get all the immediate family members together and discuss the situation, so that everyone is in agreement with regard to the manner of how the care for the patient will be done. Two important non-family members that will be key advisors and can provide quality advice are the tax preparer and an Elder Law Attorney. They can steer the family in the right direction as it pertains to the finances and legal aspects of the patient. Thought should be given whether or not the intention of the family is to keep the patient at home, or if the need arises, placement into a long-term care facility.

The decision to keep the patient home will require considerable outside help. Family members alone cannot provide the needed care twenty-four/seven. There are programs and agencies that can provide some respite care for the primary caregiver. Anyone who thinks they can do this alone is sadly mistaken and in major denial of the entire situation.

Long-term care will not be required upon the first diagnosis of Alzheimer’s/dementia. Although no two patients progress in this disease in the same way, and at the same rate of progression, some may live longer than others before long-term care is required. This disease may last several years or a decade or more.

During the progression of this disease the patient may become combative, argumentative, and aggressive or they may become passive and docile.

In subsequent articles we will get into more details of what has been written here, and we will try to guide the caregiver with as much information as possible in the care of their loved one.

By Steev Riccardo

“The notion of solar energy and other forms of clean energy is attractive to many of us. I look forward to the day when all of our energy sources might be entirely solar or wind or geothermal.”

- Jonathan Ruda, Dudley Selectman

It’s hard to believe that the idea of solar energy, which is a clean, eco-friendly, and cost effective way to provide electricity, would not be taken as a serious alternative in these difficult financial times by everyone, and apparently in Massachusetts it is.

Dudley is just one of the towns that is taking the opportunities that solar energy offers very seriously.

Nancy Runkle, town planner in Dudley

“Dudley’s EPG solar project is still on course and we are looking forward to soon joining Southbridge in gaining solar power for the town,” said town planner Nancy Runkle of the project, which straddles both towns.

“It’s been a project with a lot of cooperation between Southbridge and Dudley, so not only are we making progress locally in solar power, but I like to think that we are making progress regionally.” 

The EPG Solar project will help lower the town of Dudley’s overall electric bill, which in turns reduces the cost to taxpayers.

“I am also excited to read about other solar projects in the region because I think it’s good for all of us,” said Runkle.

In many cases towns do not need to go out and actively pursue solar projects because companies are contacting the towns.

There is also a certain amount of acreage required for these projects, and as selectman Ruda points out, there are long term considerations as well.

“The reality of the situation today is that at the end of the clean energy rainbow is a contract that needs to be carefully and thoughtfully scrutinized.” 

This may explain why solar projects are moving along, but also why towns are being cautious before going all in.  The town of Oxford recently found out that you have to be careful which companies you deal with as well.

Last fall Oxford thought it had secured a deal to put solar panels on nine of their town buildings when the Connecticut company they were dealing with, DCS Solar, could not get the panels they needed to complete the entire project.

Facilities maintenance coordinator Dick Donais was even more frustrated when the remaining buildings included in the project also hit a snag.

“The inspector general in Massachusetts put up enough of a stink about DCS and its business practices, saying that it was not in compliance with procurement laws to lease these spaces out to them without putting it out to a competitive bid. DCS, rather than fight them, pulled out of Massachusetts all together.  

“I haven’t given up all together on this idea,” said Donais, “before I am done at least one building will have solar, even if I have to buy it myself.”

Oxford has also made recent advancements with some solar farm projects. “We have received proposals from two companies that are interested in leasing town-owned land to develop a solar farm,” said Town Manager Joe Zeneski.

“The most favorable of the two (proposals) I sent off to town counsel and there is a potential here for the town to realize some real savings. What we are looking at is a combination of cash payment for the lease and the discounted cost of energy that is done through net meter credits.”

Zeneski said that there is a potential to save five cents per kilowatt hour, about 40% off the electrical bill, which, Zeneski said is “huge” and could save the town tens of thousands of dollars.

“Our town counsel is looking at this now and I will be presenting it to the selectman at the next meeting on July 24. If I can save money, that is a good thing; then I can do more with the money I have left,” said Zeneski.

“If I can benefit the tax payer by doing this in so far that I can get more bang for the buck that they give me, then I can save money, and that is more money for paving roads or educating children or enforcing speed limits, all those things that people want us to do, I can do, if I am not paying more for electricity.”

The town also has another application from a developer for a 16-acre solar farm on 51 Federal Hill Road at a private residence, according to Zeneski. That project is also awaiting approval from the planning board.

Webster Town Administrator John McAuliffe also sees opportunities for the town of Webster. “We have already sought out and secured approval from town meeting to lease out space in two locations to install solar panels.  This is a project that will happen.”

There is also discussion in Webster to put solar panels on several locations around town, including the auditorium at the town hall, the Sitkowski building, and the new police station. All are under consideration, McAuliffe said.

The beauty of these solar farms is that you can put them on top of landfills that are currently not being used for anything.  The town of Canton is just one of many Massachusetts towns that is currently doing just that.

Green Energy News recently said this about the Canton project, “A great perk from this solar array will be the revenue for the otherwise modest town of Canton, which will add up to about $70 million and provide energy savings over 25 years.”

Savings like that are definitely something that small towns need to consider.

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148 Main Street location becomes committee headquarters

Webster, MA. The Committee to Elect Donald Bourque (D-Webster) State Representative to the 18th Worcester District has rented office space at 148 Main Street, Webster for its campaign headquarters.

“I am thrilled that we have our headquarters on Main Street,” candidate Don Bourque explained. “It’s a convenient location where my supporters and volunteers can meet each other and work together. I am committed to being a full time representative for the citizens of Webster, Douglas, Sutton and Oxford and this office is another way that I am accessible to the voters in the district.”

Don Bourque owns a Webster-based employment agency, knows how to create jobs and is the current Chair of the Webster Board of Selectmen. He stands for job creation and economic development, safe and sufficient funding levels for our emergency services and advocates that our senior citizens and those with developmental disabilities receive services so they can live dignified and comfortable lives.

The Committee welcomes anyone who wants to work on Don’s campaign to call 508-444-2276. Plans for an official opening are currently underway and details will be announced soon.

Janet Stoica
Patriot Correspondent

On Wednesday, July 11, the School Building Committee met with a full complement of district/town representatives. Discussion centered on the results of the recent Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusion votes from the 10-town district. Vote tally totals were 46% yes to fund the Bay Path Regional Vocational High School renovation project and 54% against. Charlton (55% yes; 45% no); Southbridge (51% yes; 49% no); and Spencer (51% yes; 49% no) were the three towns that were in favor of the much-needed renovation with the seven remaining towns defeating the Prop 2 ½ debt exclusion: Auburn (49% yes; 51% no); Dudley (41% yes; 59% no); North Brookfield (45% yes; 55% no); Oxford (49% yes; 51% no); Paxton (42% yes; 58% no); Rutland (32% yes; 68% no); and Webster (46% yes; 54% no). Also in attendance, for procedural and election process advice were three town clerks: Darlene Tully of Charlton, Lori Kelly of Oxford, and Madaline Daoust of Southbridge.

John Lafleche, incoming Bay Path School Superintendent, indicated that if approved by the committee, special elections seeking a combined majority vote from all 10 district towns for the renovation project would now go forward. A marketing committee has formed and a special election versus a state ballot was discussed. Having the renovation vote placed on the November 6 presidential election ballot was the first suggestion, but many school building committee members were not positive about this choice being the best for getting the most information out to voters. A meeting has been set with State Senator Stephen M. saBrewer to discuss all ballot options. The town clerks were also concerned about software programming costs. After a lengthy discussion with the town clerks, it was estimated that a potential cost of $100,000 could be the final budget number to be borne by Bay Path to establish special elections in all 10 towns.

An additional concern raised by several committee members was simplification of the ballot language used due to the legal and often-times confusing descriptions. Mr. Lafleche noted that ballot language was controlled by state law. He also stated that if a positive outcome resulted from the special elections, “Towns would have to decide how to fund the Bay Path renovation project, whether it was a Prop 2 ½ override or not.” He also remarked that “of the three towns who already passed and approved the Bay Path renovation project, their funding was already in place. As for the towns who voted in the negative, the funding would come out of their levy and these towns would have to find the means to pay their share of the project.” With a Prop 2 ½ override, there would be a finite amount of taxes paid.

Additional discussions also concerned town employees being mindful of influencing the marketing campaign and the non-expenditure of public funds to influence election outcomes. The provision of informational details to the general public was the singular item that was legally allowed according to information provided by the town clerks. It was determined that the State Ethics Board would be contacted to provide training to all members of the Bay Path School Committee, if possible, at their next meeting on August 6.

The committee then voted on whether they should seek district-wide election approval—unanimously approved by 16 members, and whether to become part of a state-wide ballot or to have a separate election in October for the district-wide vote—again, all 16 members voted in favor of a special election.

Further discussions with the attending town clerks also included setting hours for the special election with a 4-hour minimum, warrant postings, and voter registration procedures.

WEBSTER, MA, JULY 6, 2012. Jaime Tamayo, the President and Chief Executive Officer of MAPFRE U.S.A. Corp., announced today that MAPFRE Insurance has transferred ownership of the MAPFRE USA Early Learning Center in Webster, MA to The Guild of St. Agnes of Worcester, Inc. The Center, which until the transaction, exclusively served the employees of MAPFRE Insurance, will now serve the greater Webster community with a total capacity of 137 for children from 4 weeks through 6 years of age.

The Guild, which in 2013 will celebrate 100 years of experience in child care, is the largest provider of child care in Central Massachusetts and has the same high level of accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children as did the MAPFRE USA Center.

MAPFRE USA made a significant financial investment as part of the transaction to ensure that its employees and the community have access to high quality child care.

Mr. Tamayo called the transaction a “win-win opportunity for the greater Webster area, the Guild, and MAPFRE USA." He continued, "MAPFRE USA’s participation in this important transaction is consistent with MAPFRE’s international philosophy of investing in the communities in which it does business.”

Edward Madaus, Executive Director of the Guild, said, “The Guild is truly pleased and looks forward to the opportunity to expand its services to Webster and the neighboring communities. We thank MAPFRE for its generosity and support.”

MAPFRE USA is the 18th largest writer of automobile insurance in the United States and its subsidiary The Commerce Insurance Company is the largest auto insurer in Massachusetts. For additional information about MAPFRE USA, go to: http://www.mapfreusa.com.

Further information on the Guild can be obtained at its website: www.guildofstagnes.org or 508-755-2238.

Price roll back offsets steep gas prices, sluggish economy

(STURBRIDGE, MA) - July 9, 2012: Due to enthusiastic visitor response, Old Sturbridge Village will offer another of its occasional $5 Fridays on July 13 and will reduce its admission prices to just $5 for visitors who arrive before 12:00 noon that day. The museum also offers free parking. OSV's "$5 Friday" discount is a way to offset the sluggish economy and high gas prices and make the museum more accessible for people on a budget. The special one-day $5 price applies to adults, seniors and youth ages 3-17 (children 2 and under are free), but does not apply to educational groups of 10 or more. For details: 800-SEE-1830; www.osv.org.

"More than 2,000 people have visited during our past three $5 Fridays," noted Jim Donahue, president and CEO of Old Sturbridge Village. "It is one way we can show our appreciation for the support visitors have given us over the years."

In addition to its antique homes and buildings, heirloom gardens, and heritage breed animals, Old Sturbridge Village offers a host of classic summertime activities that are especially popular time with families. Games like “French & English (tug-of-war), 19th-century “base ball” and other old-fashioned pastimes are scheduled daily, in addition to fishing in the Mill Pond, toy fire balloon launches, and riverboat and stagecoach rides.

Old Sturbridge Village celebrates early New England life and is one of the country's oldest and largest living history museums, with historians in 1830s costume, antique buildings, water-powered mills, and a working farm. Visitors can ride a stage coach, view antiques, meet heritage breed animals, and enjoy hands-on crafts. The Village is open from 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. seven days a week. For times and details of all OSV activities visit: www.osv.org or call 1-800-SEE-1830.

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Looking For a Summer Job?
Applications accepted for ages 14-21 through July 9.

If you live in Southbridge and contiguous communities and are eligible for the free or reduced lunch program in school you may apply for a summer job.

The Center of Hope Foundation in cooperation with the YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program is recruiting low income youth aged 14-21 for a six week youth employment program. Youth will work an average of 20 to 25 hours per week for 6 weeks at $8.00 an hour at an approved work site. Priority will be given to youth who demonstrate at least one other factor beyond income level including:

Having aged out of foster care, or being close to aging out of foster care

Poor academic performance or school drop out

Child of a single parent

Having a disability or special needs

Lack of fluency in English, or being a foreign immigrant

Being a teen parent

Racial or ethnic minorities

Please bring copies of your Driver's license or Massachusetts ID.

If under the age of 18, please bring documentation of a work permit.

We will be accepting applications through July 9th.

Orientation will be July 11th and 12th in which you will receive a $50.00 stipend at the end of the second day!

If you are a low income youth aged 14-21, please fill out an application at the Center of Hope Foundation, 100 Foster Street, Southbridge Ma. 01550.

Applications are located at the front desk of reception. For more information please contact Martin Dawson at 508-764-4085 x628, or visit our website: www.thecenterofhope.org.

"This project is funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the Commonwealth Corporation and the Central MA Workforce Investment Board."

Job creation expected, further economic development anticipated

BOSTON – Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, joined Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray and fellow state and local officials in Oxford this week to break ground on the Oxford-Dudley-Webster Sewer Extension Project, which was supported by $2.2 million in MassWorks funding and is part of the area’s plan to spur economic development, including the expansion of IPG Photonics Corporation.

MassWorks is a state-sponsored grant program that supports infrastructure projects by targeting local economic development initiatives and creating jobs.

"This is a textbook example of public-private partnership that will put more people to work, increase manufacturing in Massachusetts and add to local tax and fee revenues while making all three communities more attractive to economic development and protection of the environment," said Sen. Moore. "IPG has a proven track record in keeping the promise of creating jobs and economic development, so I am proud to have helped, along with Lt. Gov. Murray, to bring this from concept to reality.”

In January, Lt. Gov. Murray announced a $2.2 million MassWorks Infrastructure grant to the Town of Oxford for the Oxford-Dudley-Webster Sewer Extension Project. This project is expected to create new economic development opportunities along the sewer extension line in both the near and long term. Businesses in the area also expressed a need for the new sewer line in order to locate and expand in this area. The businesses in the vicinity of the project collectively pledged $100,000 to advance the design of the sewer project and to advance the project to a state of “shovel readiness,” which is required by the MassWorks program.

“As our Administration continues to invest in cities and towns, the MassWorks Infrastructure Program is an effective tool to improve local infrastructure, create jobs, and support business development,” said Lt. Gov. Murray. “We’re ready to break ground on the sewer extension project in Oxford, Dudley and Webster and there are great companies also ready to expand in these communities. In working with the communities and state legislative delegation, we will continue to support business expansion to facilitate regional economic growth.”

The most immediate private development project to advance will be an expansion by IPG Photonics Corporation for which the company received state assistance.

In December 2011, Sen. Moore joined officials from the Town of Oxford and IPG Photonics in testifying before the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) to support IPG’s application for $1.7 million in state investment tax credits and an a seven year Tax Increment Financing extension. The EACC subsequently approved the package.

Overall, the project is expected to create 175 new jobs and retain 600 jobs. IPG has grown from 40 employees in 1990 to currently over 600 employees. Construction on IPG’s expansion project began in December of 2011 and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2012.

In addition to the current expansion project, IPG has indicated that the sewer extension provides the ability for them to build up to four new 50,000 square-foot buildings with up to 400 new employees in the future as a result of the increased sewer capacity. No future expansion plans beyond the current project have been announced to date.

The sewer expansion project will also allow for more than 50 acres of land currently zoned for light industrial to become buildable. Developers interested in the undeveloped parcels have indicated a strong need for sewer to support the water intensive use that they have identified.

The MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which is overseen by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED), held its first competitive grant round in September 2011, consolidating six capital budget programs to give communities a single entry point and one set of requirements for state public infrastructure grants. The consolidation aimed to improve efficiencies and streamline the decision-making process, increase access for municipalities of all sizes and enhance state-regional-local partnerships around economic development and housing production.

During the first grant round, 158 applications requesting more than $400 million in infrastructure grants were received from cities and towns of all sizes and representing every region of the state. In total, EOHED awarded $63.5 million in grants to 42 communities throughout Massachusetts for public infrastructure projects that will begin this spring and summer.

To learn more about the MassWorks Infrastructure Program and how it is supporting job growth and long term, sustainable economic development, visit www.mass.gov/eohed/infrastructure.

For more information about Sen. Moore’s economic development and job creation efforts visit www.senatormoore.com or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/senatormoore.

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Photo (left to right) Timothy Chatham(Shepherd Hill Regional High School), Amy Reidy (Holy Name Central Massachusetts High School), Lillian M. Talbot (HH Auxiliary Scholarship Co-Chair), Sally Baum (HH Auxiliary Scholarship Committee Member), Kathy Vairo (HH Auxiliary President), Grace Kirk (HH Auxiliary Scholarship Co-Chair), Janina Swiacki (HH Auxiliary Scholarship Committee Member), Ashleigh Panagiotou (Mass Academy of Math and Science). Scholarship recipient not present in photo: Jessica Skowyra (Tantasqua Regional Vocational High School).

Since 1959 The Harrington Hospital Auxiliary has been proud to award annual scholarships to area students planning to pursue a career in health care. In 1959, the first and only scholarship awarded was in the amount of $250.00. Sine then tuition costs and student needs have increased exponentially, thus motivating The Auxiliary to adopt more fund raising endeavors and creative means to raise money to fund more scholarships. The Scholarship Committee greatly appreciates the dedicated fund raising efforts of The Auxiliary to fund the scholarship program. A special thank you to the annual Duck Pluck, the Gift Shop, and all other fund raising activities which annually finance The Harrington Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Program.

This year The Auxiliary is pleased to announce that four $4000.00 scholarships were presented on June 11, 2012 at a ceremony at Harrington Hospital. Scholarship recipients must be committed to a recognized program in Health Care and reside in one of the seventeen communities served by Harrington Hospital. Scholarship recipients must be in possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED), or graduates of a school board approved home school program. Adult students (post graduates) who are either commencing their studies in health care, or continuing advanced studies in health care are also eligible to apply, adhering to scholarship guidelines. Hospital employees and relatives of employees are eligible to apply provided the above criteria is met. Previous scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply. Scholarship information and applications are made available annually to all superintendents, principals, and guidance counselors within the Harrington Hospital service area. The Harrington Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Committee received sixty-four applicants in 2012.

2012 HH AUXILIARY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

TIMOTHY CHATHAM Timothy lives in Charlton and is a 2012 graduate of Shepherd Hill Regional High School. Timothy will attend The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science in the Fall. He will pursue a six year program in Pharmacy. .

ASHLEIGH PANAGIOTOU Ashleigh lives in Webster and is a 2012 graduate of the Massachusetts Academy of Mathematics and Science in Worcester, MA, a Massachusetts high school program of academic excellence affiliated with Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Ashleigh attended Bartlett High School in grades 9 and10. Ashleigh will attend Simmons College in the Fall and will pursue the study of Nursing, with a concentration in Pediatric Nursing.

AMY REIDY Amy lives in North Brookfield and is a 2012 graduate of Holy Name High Central Massachusetts High School in Worcester, MA. Amy will attend The University of New Haven in Connecticut in the Fall. She will pursue the extensive study of Forensic Medicine.

JESSICA SKOWYRA Jessica lives in Brimfield and is a 2012 graduate of Tantasqua Regional Vocational High School. Jessica will attend the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania in the Fall. She will pursue the extensive study of Pediatric Medicine with aspirations of becoming a Pediatrician.

The Harrington Hospital Auxiliary appreciates the dedication of Grace Kirk and Lillian Talbot (Co-Chairpersons), and scholarship committee members Sally Baum and Janina Swiacki to the 2012 HH Auxiliary Scholarship selection process.

Since 1974 The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Harrington Hospital has sponsored an annual golf tournament to raise monies to fund The Dr. Robert VanVooren annual scholarship. This $1000.00 scholarship is awarded annually to a HH employee in pursuit of advanced Health Care study in the Fall of 2012. Two $1000.00 were also awarded on June 11, 2012 in the memory of cardiac rehabilitation pioneer, Dr. Robert VanVooren. Mrs. Judith Flannery, Dr. VanVooren Scholarship presenter and Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Manager, works tirelessly with her committee members to make this scholarship an annual reality.

2012 DR. ROBERT VANVOOREN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

JILLIAN MACDONALD Jillian lives in Woodstock, CT and is a 2012 graduate of Woodstock Academy. Jillian works part-time in the laboratory at Harrington Hospital. Jillian will attend Salve Regina College in the Fall and plans to pursue the study of Nursing. Once Jillian receives her Bachelor's Degree, she plans to further her study to become a Nurse Practitioner, with a concentration in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

PATRICIA KENNEY Patricia lives in Webster and is presently enrolled in the online program at Phoenix University. Patricia is in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She plans to pursue a Masters Degree in Nursing following completion of the BS Program. Patricia presently works at Harrington Hospital and at the Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island.

The Harrington Hospital Auxiliary congratulates all of the above 2012 scholarship recipients and wishes them success as they pursue their chosen paths of health care study.

The New England Independent Booksellers Association Board voted in favor of supporting two applications for NEIBA Shop Local Grants.

The Webster-Dudley (MA) Business Alliance will receive $500 to help create their "Support Your Independents" Membership Directory. This is the second grant given to the Webster Dudley Business Alliance for a total of $1000. Current WDBA president Debra Horan is a member of NEIBA since 1995.

The newly formed Be Local Concord (NH) business Alliance was awarded $2000 towards the creation of a new website.

Last holiday season proved to be a tipping point in consumer awareness of shopping locally, with studies showing stronger sales in communities with local business alliances.

The NEIBA Shop Local Grant program was established in 2007 to promote consumer awareness of supporting locally owned, independent businesses. To date they have proudly awarded 22 grants totaling $38,000.