by Steev Riccardo

Webster – Last weekTuesday night the Webster School Committee approved a 5.6% increase in its proposed school budget for the fiscal year 2014, which starts July 1.

The proposed budget  of $17,277,204 will now be turned over to Webster Town Administrator John McAuliffe, who will then present it to the Board of Selectman.

The budget is an increase of $923,555 from fiscal year 2013, and includes increases in Special Education, tuition, school choice, salary, and miscellaneous expenditures.

Belnavis ends career with 27 point effort

by Steev Riccardo

FITCHBURG – The Bartlett Indians season may have ended this past Thursday night, but not before the green and white played one of their best games of the year in an intense, heated contest in which they fell to Central Mass powerhouse St. Bernard’s 75-66 in front of a packed house.

The Indians and their fans knew they would have a huge task in hand against one of the best teams in Central Mass, but coach Tony Paranto and his staff came up with a superb game plan that had upset written all over it for almost three quarters.

By Patriot Staff

WEBSTER – A water main on Rawson Road burst on Friday morning at about 11:30 a.m, spilling more than a half million gallons of water down the street, onto properties  on Rawson Road and Gore Road, and eventually emptying into  Webster Lake.  The break affected water pressure throughout the town. Water quality was not compromised during the incident.

The Department of Public Works quickly began efforts to divert the water from private properties and to repair the broken pipe. Town residents were asked to minimize water usage while the repairs were going on.  Repairs were completed at 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning and the system was back up and running.

Huberdault drops 27 in win

by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – The short-handed Bartlett Indians went on an 18-2 run to open the third quarter and cruised to an 86-66 win over the Tyngsboro Tigers in the opening round of the Central Mass Division 2 district playoffs Tuesday night at Bartlett.

The Indians’ team, hit by a bout of the flu, was six players short, including starting center Jacob Mailloux and sixth man Neil Flanigan.  Still, Indians’ coach Tony Paranto was able to use his bench effectively and rely on the leaders in his starting lineup, to advance to a semi-final game vs. perennial Central Mass power St. Bernard’s of Fitchburg.

Bay Path funding approved

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

Bay Path appropriation and water quality control were the big issues voted on during the Webster Special Town Meeting on Monday, February 25 in the Bartlett School Auditorium.  Twenty-seven of the twenty-eight articles on the warrant all passed unanimously. Article 27 was passed over for review.

Article 2 was for town approval of the authorization of Bay Path’s $73,722,405 for expansions and renovations to the school. This would expand the useful life of the school for at least fifty more years. The cost to the average taxpayer in Webster would be a high of $33.00 per year with an average of $25.00 per year for thirty years. Finance Committee Michael Finemore wanted to clarify that this vote was for the appropriation portion of the project. The debt exclusion vote, which will secure the funding, will be held on March 11. The article passed unanimously.

Article 25 was a recommendation for the transfer of excess borrowed funds from capital projects to help fund the mandatory upgrades to the corrosion control systems at various water pump stations. The total amount of $290,000 is to come from six other projects that have balances of excess funds available for transfer authorized under MGL Chapter 44, subsection 20.

Bay Path debt exclusion also addressed.

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER - The Webster Board of Selectmen appointed two new members to the Planning Board during their meeting on Monday, February 19. Thomas Klebart and Denise N. Moberg came forward to give their time and experience for the benefit of the town. Klebart previously served two years as a selectman, 12 years on the Board of Finance, 20 years on the Land Trust, where he also served as President and Treasurer for that committee, while living in New Hartford, Connecticut. He has maintained a home in Webster and has recently moved back to town.

The Webster Dudley Business Alliance, Isador's Organic Fruit & Deli & Commerce Bank of Webster are partnering together to host a Chili Cook Off on Sunday, March 3 from 12-3 p.m. at Isador's located at 261 Main Street in Oxford. This is the third year Isador's will host the event, which benefits local schools in the tri-town area with all proceeds going to the Hand Fruit Program.

The program was established by Justin Szostakowski, owner of Isador's. “Isador’s Hand Fruit Program raises funds through community events in order to supplement Massachusetts public school lunch programs with organic fruit. Our first event in February of 2010 provided enough fruit for the students of the Oxford Middle School, and has grown since then to include elementary schools in surrounding towns.” Justin also added, “The purpose of the cause is to provide a practical education to young people about the importance of whole food nutrition.” To that end he also speaks with the students and staff about the importance of good nutrition for maintaining a healthy body and mind.”

By Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER –  The Bartlett Indians were knocked out of the opening round of the Clark Tournament by a hot shooting and physical Auburn Rockets team 59-54 in a heated battle on Monday afternoon.

The Indians shot the ball poorly early, helping the Rockets get a 17-11 advantage at the end of opening quarter.

By Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – Webster Superintendent of Schools Barbara Malkas announced this past week that the district has received part of a two million dollar grant from the Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative (MMSI).

MMSI is a national program that was endorsed by Massachusetts 5 years ago with the intent to increase student participation in Advanced Placement level courses.  The monies that will come through this grant will support students taking multiple advance placement courses assisting in their payments for exams while also providing a lot of academic support for students taking more advance courses.

Photos and Text by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – When the Berard family lost their beloved Maine Coon Cat “Blue” in December, they knew they had lost a family member that would be had to replace.

“My wife immediately started searching for another cat for the family to go along with our German Shepherd retriever mix named Kelly and our other cat named Amber”, said Paul Berard, of Newtown CT.  “She looked everywhere and the minute she saw the pictures of “Muffy” and “Fluffy”, she said oh my god they look like “Blue”.